The Magellan Collection - Ferdinand Magellan, with a small armada of five Spanish ships, set sail in 1519 on a voyage that would turn out to be the first expedition to circumnavigate the planet.  Even in Magellan’s time, Latin America was a rich source of myth and legend, with extravagant stories of hidden fortunes and cities of gold. The truth matches, and often exceeds, the tall tales as witnessed in the mountain fortress of Machu Picchu, the crown jewel of the Incan empire in Peru. To witness the quiet majesty of this ancient site at dawn is a rare and, for many, spiritual experience. But, Latin America offers so much more… Jazzy, busy Buenos Aires beats to the tempo of the Tango while a treasure trove of colonial cities, traditional villages and native markets resonate with a more ancient song. Nature’s wealth reveals itself in rainforest canopies and along quiet sand beaches of Costa Rica. The volcanic-born Galapagos Islands that so intrigued Charles Darwin in the 19th century still beckon those of us who share an explorer’s longing for new discoveries. Ecuador’s best native markets and artisan villages remind us of the importance of preserving our cultural connections between yesterday and today. Imagine your own journey of discovery as you read these pages. Welcome to Big Five’s Magellan Collection.