Venezuela – not exactly on the tourist trail but this is one of the world’s hidden gems! (Shush don’t tell everyone!) I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect - the trip notes sounded exciting and I was keen to see Angel Falls but the holiday went far, far beyond my expectations. Venezuela is stunningly beautiful and every day of this trip was an adventure. If you are looking for something different away from the crowds then this could be for you. Each part of the trip had a different flavour – the Delta offered a gentle start exploring the waterways and meeting the Warao tribe. There was plenty of time to relax, try out some piranha fishing with the local kids, watch the local wildlife or practice your hammock technique! The journey to the remote Angel Falls was, for me, the highlight of the trip. We flew south to the Gran Sabana in small 6 seater planes so had our first view of the Falls from the air – breathtaking! Landing at a small Indian camp, we spent a magical day swimming, canyoning, cheering on the local kids in footie and feasting on the wonderful food produced by our hosts. The camp is surrounded by mysterious, strange shaped tepuis (mountains) shrouded with constantly changing clouds – walking out onto the plain at sunrise surrounded by these sacred peaks was very special. Then onward to the falls by boat through the jungle, sleeping in hammocks at night with campfires and neverending skies full of stars. And at the end - magnificent Angel Falls! A hot, sweaty, slippery climb brought us to a pool at the base of the falls and a welcome cooling down dip. Los Llanos in the east was completely different – vast, flat wet plains with big skies and teeming with wildlife, particularly birdlife. And then, the final part of the journey brought us high into the mountains to a typically Bavarian village! Bizarre, but just another element to this fascinating country. This is NOT a luxury holiday. Prepare to get wet – rain, waterfalls, and spray from the river while on the boats; prepare for bugs – you will be in the jungle after all; prepare to be patient – things don’t always run on time but relax, unwind and drink in the atmosphere. Most of all, prepare to be stunned at every turn by nature in all of its glory. Fall asleep in your hammock to the sound of the jungle, wake to the deep rumblings of howler monkeys and the splendour of a Gran Sabana sunrise. Six months on and my longing to return to this spectacular country has not waned. It’s an amazing place and Explore make the experience unforgettable – don’t miss it!