Colonia del Sacramento, Colonia, is located across the Rio de la Plata, just 28 miles from Buenos Aires. It's a picture postcard glimpse into colonial Uruguay with its cobblestone, well-shaded tree-lined streets, fine shops, art galleries, great restaurants and parrilladas. Founded by the Portuguese in 1680, this former fortress has a healthy but not overbearing tourist trade, and is the epitome of what a restored colonial settlement should look like, with its antique stone houses, parks and fortresses. Its 30,000 residents enjoy all the conveniences of a small city, with the extra niceties that the tourist industry brings.

Unlike seaside Punta del Este, Colonia is “open all year”. There’s a high season between December and March, but even in July—the dead of winter—you’ll find the nicer hotels booked solid on the weekends. The dazzling seaside sunsets of course, are a year ‘round feature.

Colonia del Sacramento was named a UNESCO heritage site in 1995.