Shoulder Seasoning South-American Style
(away.com): "When it comes to countries, we don't play favorites. So consider the information parsed in the stories below to be light fare for your larger South American banquet--a glimpse into the continent's largest country, and an exploration of one of its most mystic, mythical, and physically taxing locales.

Take a look at our off-season guides to Peru and Brazil, where tropic climes and sporadic rains reduce prices and crowds, and then explore the rest of our coverage on the entirety of South America. Then all that's left is to plan your trip and curse the fact that vacations can last for only so long..."

Check out the overview of off-season travel, and zero in on the topics and destinations that most appeal to you in Brazil and Peru.

View of Itacare Beach in Bahia is displayed with the kind permission of
Luis Veiga / Getty Images.

View of the Anascocha Trail through the Peruvian Andes is displayed with the kind permission of Ariana Svenson - Apus Peru. You can learn more about this isolated area by reading Christmas Hiking In Peru.

Tourism professionals say Guyana is a rare opportunity for travellers (caribbeannetnews): "Guyana played host to an esteemed group of tourism professionals - tour operators, researchers, journalists, and conservationists - on a product familiarization trip spotlighting the South American country's nature and cultural tourism activities. The participants were all seasoned world travelers and their feedback places Guyana on par with other top nature destinations.

The trip featured birding, wildlife watching and cultural activities in Georgetown, Kaieteur Falls, Karanambu Lodge, Caiman House at Yupukari Village, Rock View Lodge, Aranaputa Village, Surama Village and Eco-Lodge, Fair View Village, Iwokrama River Lodge, Atta Rainforest Lodge and Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, and Baganara Island Resort."

Explore Guyana with a view to your own familiarization tour.

View of Kaieteur Falls, a favorite destination in Guyana, is displayed with the kind permission of Bill Curtsinger / Getty Images.

There's more to this feature about biking in Peru than just the Lake Titicaca: The Bike Tour (livinginperu.com).

There are blogs about rides in and around Cumbe Mayo in Abancay, Traveling the Milky Way in Cajamarca, Cuzco, El Refugio de Francesca in Ancash, Chasing the Sun from Lima to sunnier spots, Lambayeque, Back Road from Cajamarca to Chachapoyas, Ballestas islands and an overall view of biking in Peru.

View of Santa Apolonia Church in Cajamarca is displayed with the kind permission of Paul Kennedy / Getty Images.

Adventure holidays: hot tips for 2010 (guardian.co.uk) "We asked the experts to reveal the trips they are most excited about - from Papua New Guinea's jungles to Greenland's ice floes."

Two of South America's locations made the list: Off the beaten track in Northern Peru and Island-hopping in The Falkland Islands.

View of the adobe pyramid of Huaca del Sol is displayed with the kind permission of Peter and Jackie Main.