From snowcapped Andean peaks to white-sand Caribbean beaches, from the Orinoco river basin to the skyscrapers of Caracas, and from the mysterious mesas of the Gran Sabana to the flooded plains of Los Llanos, Venezuela has an amazing variety of must-see sites, attractions, and natural wonders.

Christopher Columbus, on his third voyage to the New World, was inspired enough to call Venezuela ?paradise on earth.? Being exceptionally rich in biological diversity, Venezuela is home to South America's largest lake, Lake Maracaibo, and third-longest river, the Orinoco, and the country boasts the world's highest waterfall, Angel Falls.

Situated in a picturesque valley on the north coast, Venezuela's capital is a bustling metropolis of nearly five million inhabitants. Caracas boasts some of the most impressive architecture in South America and enjoys a perfect position on the Caribbean coast, and is the gateway to the Andes and the Amazon.

The modern, bustling Parque Central, which is the heart of Caracas, pulsates with a Latin American beat of flaunting public sculptures, mosaics and murals at every turn.

Venezuela's 40-odd national parks provide a great range of treks, from well-signposted tracks to jungle paths where a machete and compass would not go amiss. Parque Nacional El vila, a day drive form Caracas, is a good place for the trekking challenged. For the more experienced hiker, head for Guatopo, Terepaima and San Esteban for less developed trails.

For a nostalgic drive, try the rolling forests of the Cordillera de la Costa, some 60km west of Caracas, with its unusual mountain town of Colonia Tovar. Founded in 1843 by a group of German settlers, the town effectively shielded itself from any outside contact for almost a century and is a living museum of a Germanic village from a bygone era.

Venezuela also offers miles and miles of white-sand Caribbean beaches. Most of the country is connected by an excellent network of paved roads and a good internal commuter air system. Still, Venezuela is largely undiscovered by tourists. The country?s festivals, mainly influenced by the Church calendar, are a must if you visit Venezuela. The country?s most celebrated religious feast is Santa Samana (Week of Saints) during Easter, a veritable feast of sights and sounds celebrating their latter-day saints.

Venezuela is the closest South American country to the United States, with some of the most frequent and affordable air connections to both the United States and Europe, and thus easily accessible to international tourists.