My Uruguayan affair

You can find the historic town of Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay’s southwest. It’s just an hour by ferry from Buenos Aires, making it an ideal day trip. So, keen to escape the hubbub of Buenos Aires and score another stamp in our passports, we spent an afternoon exploring this World Heritage site. It turned out to be one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen, like an open-air museum with buildings dating back to he 1600s. There’s not an awful lot to do apart from strolling the cobble stone streets or checking out a few of the restaurants, bars and shops or tiny little museums dotted about the Barrio Historico. Then again, I think that's the charm.

— Once a smugglers' port now a trendy getaway for international tourists, Uruguayans and Argentinians.

— The town was founded by the Portuguese in 1680.

— The ghostly buildings of Buenos Aires, just an hour ferry ride away.

— The architecture is a mix of Portuguese, Spanish and post-colonial styles.

— Climbing to the top of the lighthouse is a must.

— After a spectacular sunset it was time to board the ferry back to BA.

While my encounter with Colonia del Sacramento was love at first sight, it was always going to be a one day stand. That evening we returned to Buenos Aires and took an 18-hour bus bound for Iguassu falls – one of the seven natural wonders of the world. I’ve been excited about this one for a while.

Stay posted.