First stop, Venezuela: that was the traditional route for British travellers to Latin America in the early 1990s. The national airline of the oil-rich nation was Viasa. It offered cheaper fares than any other carrier between the UK and pretty much anywhere in Latin America, from Cuba to Chile.
As an additional enticement, the airline threw in a stopover at its hub in Caracas at no extra charge. Some passengers opted for a day or two on a Caribbean beach (the hotels at Caracas airport begin almost as soon as the runway ends), while others spent weeks exploring Venezuela. In the latter camp: Lyn Hughes, founding editor of Wanderlust magazine.
