Ever read a book that’s moved you enough to want to peel back the pages and step through an imaginary door into the world of the characters, and that’s described the place to you in such vivid mouth-watering detail that you felt you could almost reach out and touch the landscape through the paper in your hands? You know you have. The massive, magnificent continent of South America has been the inspiration for many authors of some classic novels which have become the tomes of our times. From the lyrical twists and turns of the Orinocho in Venezuela and Colombia; through the steamy jungles of the Amazon in Brazil and Peru; and down to the heart-stopping beauty of Chile and Argentina; each country tells its story in its own way. Wouldn’t it be nice to kick off your business clothes, throw your toothbrush in a backpack, and set off hiking South America on a journey through the pages of your favourite novels?

Colombia

Acclaimed novel ‘Love in the time of Cholera’ by Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez is the beautifully complex tale of finding love in strange and unusual circumstances. Whilst the city in the tale remains unnamed, Marquez’s descriptions and his own personal history led to the common conclusion that it is Cartagena in Colombia. Situated at the mouth of the Magdalena River, Cartagena today is a wonderfully preserved colonial city. Apart from being an important port, the city has a fascinating history. A stroll though the narrow streets of the Ciudad Amarullada (the old walled city) will take you back to the charming days of old; and for a stunning view out over the entire city and port, a visit to the Convento de la Popa will not disappoint. From Cartagena it is only a short side trip to the famed ‘Lost City’ of Ciudad Perdida, or Parque Nacional Tayrona, which offers wonderful opportunities for hiking South America’s unspoilt terrain.

Chile

The passionate prose of prolific Chilean author Isabel Allende has been translated throughout the world and, her first book – ‘The House of the Spirits’ – became a much-loved bestseller. The story is an epic tale of the South American Trueba family and charts their romantic, spiritual and historical quests as ultimately, their destiny overtakes them. Chile is home to some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes, and hiking South America’s central Andes Mountains will be the journey of a lifetime. You can also trek through Patagonia across the rugged terrain of the monumental Torres del Paine National Park and experience the endless beauty of its glaciers and lakes. The narrowest country in South America, hiking is not confined to the mountains and there is over 4,000 miles of breathtaking Pacific coastline to explore as well.

Brazil

Brazilian author Paulo Coelho is a household name and, although his novels are set all over the world, many of his main protagonists retain a distinctly South American flavour. His inimitable style challenges the reader in more ways than one, but his wonderfully descriptive writing style has secured him a faithful following. A visit to Paulo Coelho’s Brazil will take you on a journey where his imagination becomes your reality. Brazil covers nearly half the continent’s area, and hiking South America’s largest country can cover the vast remote interior rainforests; voyages up the mighty Amazon River; endless miles of pristine beaches; and of course the world’s biggest and best party – Rio.

By: Tony Maniscalco