A land of countless cows and gauchos, Uruguay is a European pastoral transported to the banks of the Rio de la Plata. The country is sometimes called “South American Switzerland”, but you won’t find mountains here, only emerald meadows and gentle hills: the nickname stuck because of convenient banking laws. And, of course, because of the cows.

The first item on a jetsetter’s must-see list is the resorts of Maldonado department. Charismatic Brazilians and Argentines flock to Punta del Este for their holidays, Jose Ignacio has a special club atmosphere that you get so hooked on that you want to come back here every year – to that endless sky and wide beach, kites floating under the clouds and pareos fluttering in the wind. And to the world-class restaurants in José Ignacio.