60 days in Africa, South America, Canada & Asia Itinerary

With a desert in the north, an arid strip through the middle, and grassland areas in the south, Chad boasts a huge diversity of environments, wildlife, and plants. The country has always appealed to adventurous and daring travelers, with unadulterated landscapes and large animal populations the rewards for those bothering to visit. A ratcheting up of unrest, political violence, and terrorism in the 21st century has made travel to the country inadvisable, so it's not surprising mass tourism in Chad never really took off.

Natural attractions in Central African Republic include large forested areas rich in wildlife, especially lowland gorillas and elephants. One the most impoverished and historically unstable countries in the world, CAR remains known for its openness, its people praised for their welcoming nature and positive attitude. The Central African Republic Bush War began in 2004 and, despite a ceasefire in 2007, the fallout from the conflict and re-ignition of sectarian and political violence has made travel to the country inadvisable ever since.

Most citizens of the Republic of the Congo live in the south of the country, with few residing outside the capital Brazzaville or Pointe-Noire on the coast. The capital represents a good place to start a holiday in the Republic of the Congo--it's a great jump-off point for voyages down the Congo River, the long and winding waterway that separates the country from its similarly named neighbor. Following the river to the north, the country becomes sparsely populated, with much of the area covered in lush rainforests. Two national parks, one in the far north and one in the center, represent the main focal points of the Republic of Congo itineraries, with a chance to spot lowland gorillas and forest elephants a major reason to visit for any genuine nature lover.

Exotic Comoros offers a different take on the archetypal paradise island. The remote collection of varied landmasses endured a turbulent history, with nearly 20 coups since its independence in 1975. The political situation has calmed in recent years, allowing tourism in Comoros to develop thanks to a good offering of white-sand beaches, volcanic peaks, and underwater worlds rich in wildlife. Devoutly Muslim, the locals frown upon the consumption of alcohol and bare skin--few foreign tourists are bothered by this, as most come for the off-the-beaten track adventuring rather than beach-bar relaxation.

Squeezed between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, geographically diverse Chile is a long, thin stretch of land encompassing some of the world's driest deserts in the north, and some of its largest glacial fields in the south. Though most Chile holidays include some form of adventure in the vast wilderness areas, the country also contains charming cities providing plenty of urban things to do and see. Many tours of Chile include at least a brief visit to the country's lush wine regions, where backyard vineyards compete with sprawling estates producing some of the world's most respected whites and reds.

Diverse in terms of landscapes, climates, and cultures, Colombia remains one of South America's least explored tourist destinations, overshadowed by its more popular southern neighbors. Combining the best of what the continent has to offer, a vacation in Colombia allows you to blend outdoor adventures with tours of picture-perfect cobblestoned towns dating back to the colonial era. Tourists on a Colombia holiday can easily hop from sun-kissed coastal spots to the hilly coffee-growing region, where thriving plantations quickly give way to a landscape of snow-covered volcanic peaks and the paramo--alpine ecosystems sheltering some of the rarest plants growing above the continuous forest line.

Most people remember their holiday in Canada by the country's great outdoors, yet this sprawling land of hulking mountains and rocky coastlines also boasts numerous modern cities, home to some of the world's finest dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Made for leisurely road trips, North America's biggest country features vast landscapes still unspoiled by mass tourism. A tour of Canada reveals a place packed with diverse cultures, living in tolerance and enjoying one of the highest standards of living in the world. If the vastness of those natural landscapes overwhelms you at any point during your Canada vacation, head to the openhearted cities of Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal, ideal destinations for art lovers, history buffs, shopaholics, fashionistas, and impassioned foodies.

With well over 1.3 billion residents, China represents the most populous country in the world, considered by many the cradle of civilization thanks to its history spanning many millennia. While a single trip to China rarely satisfies curious travelers, a well-organized tour reveals a land of awe-inspiring natural scenery, ancient monuments, and giant cities, where the diverse population includes almost 60 different ethnic groups speaking dozens of distinct languages. While many Westerners may know China mostly for its centuries-old tradition of martial arts, discerning travelers visit this vast nation for its outstanding cuisine, pristine landscapes, epic train journeys, and small towns of hardworking and genuinely hospitable people.