It's the deadliest tip of the world and, as we approach Cape Horn, it bares its fangs.

Howling, savage 40-knot winds, gusting to 50 knots out of the west- northwest kick the sea into a boiling pot of 13-metre waves that pound themselves against our ship.

And while equal to the task, Celebrity Cruise Lines' Infinity and all her 593 feet and 90,000 tonnes shudders, dips and spirals as the mighty southern sea sends out a not-so-gentle message of just who is in command down here.

The New York Times Sunday Magazine is running a great piece on lodges and spa accommodations in the Amazon Basin. The article includes addition destination information and is a useful reference for any of you looking to head out into the region. Adventure is nice, but a comfy place to sleep is pretty good, too...

>> read the article on the New York Times website

Mendoza, two hours by plane from Buenos Aires, is the heart and soul of Argentina's wine country, where European settlers introduced the ancient craft of winemaking in the 19th century. It's also the adventure tourism center of Argentina's Cuyo region, offering world-class hiking, biking, fishing, rafting, horseback riding and skiing,Mendoza, two hours by plane from Buenos Aires, is the heart and soul of Argentina's wine country, where European settlers introduced the ancient craft of winemaking in the 19th century.

Imagine a region almost twice the size of England; imagine it as an African savannah, at the height of the summer, and as an infinite water lake, with no signs of human presence and very few signs of vegetable life, most of the year.

Quito because of its geographical location can offer different kind of adventures. Bird watching, paragliding, rafting, mountain biking, hiking, tubing, climbing, are some of the different kind of adventure activities close to Quito, that you can enjoy just after to arrive and check in you Quito hotel.

Tour operators and also some hotels in Quito will help you in organizing trips in and around the city covering every detail as possible. They will also help you with the adequate equipment and transportation to any destination of your choice.

Like so many avid hikers, Mary Narrod had always put Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca citadel in Peru, high on her wish list of places to visit. She planned to someday take a hike to get there.

But her husband, James, was not fond of the idea of camping along the way. "It's not that I won't do it," said Narrod, an active traveler himself, whose recent vacations have included hiking and heli-skiing. "But I like a shower after a day or two."