As well as the Pantheon Nacional, sites of interest in Asuncion include the early colonial Casa Viola, which was renovated to mark the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America; the intriguing Casa de la Indipendencia, where revolutionaries met in secret, planning battles for independence; the Museo de Bellas Artes, containing both historical documents and paintings and sculptures by South American artists; and the Gran Hotel del Paraguay, which, nestled in beautiful tropical gardens, is the country’s oldest hotel. It contains an extensive collection of furniture and art.

There are a number of sites of interest nearby as well. Paraguay’s famous traditional lacework, called ñandutí, can be found in Itauguá, while handmade ceramic items can be found in the popular holiday towns on Lake Ypacara.

Ruins of missions set up by Jesuit priests are a must for those interested both in colonial and architectural history. The best-preserved is the mission of La Santisima Trinidad de Parana. Caacupé is another must-see, home to the imposing Basilica de Nuestra Siñora de los Milagros, where on December 8th of each year, hundreds of thousands of people gather for religious celebrations.

The biggest carnival celebration in the region is held at Encarnacio in February. Featuring mainly Brazilian music and dance, it is the reason why Encarnacio is ...