The Rio Times

More of Quito! A breathtaking drone view of Quito has locals and travelers praising Ecuador’s high-altitude capital. From its stunning colonial architecture to the Andean skyline, comments overflow with love, nostalgia, and pride for one of South America’s most beautiful cities.

Rio de Janeiro, From Ipanema to a Storybook Library Beyond famous spots like Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro hides architectural treasures such as the Real Gabinete Português de Leitura, a neo‑Manueline library founded in 1837 by Portuguese immigrants and open to the public since 1900. Recognized by Time magazine as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, it holds the largest collection of Portuguese literature outside Portugal, with some 350,000 volumes displayed in a soaring, dark‑wood reading room that feels like a movie set.

Colombia, From Caribbean Coast to Canyon Sanctuary Colombia brings together Caribbean cities like Cartagena, where colorful colonial streets and seaside walls make it one of the country’s most beloved destinations, and highland pilgrimage sites such as the Santuario de Las Lajas, a neo‑Gothic basilica dramatically built over the Guáitara River canyon near Ipiales. This mix of warm coastal energy, mountain landscapes and striking religious architecture is why so many Colombians describe their country as a paradise and say they remain deeply proud and in love with “mi Colombia” no matter where they live.