Take a day trip out to the mountain town of Colonia Tovar, ensconced in the cloud forest 60km (37 miles) west of Caracas. Once an enclave of German immigrants, it is filled with Black Forest architecture, traditionally dressed shopkeepers and enough sausages to feed an army. Alternatively, hop on a short flight out to the idyllic islets of Archipelago Los Roques, 160km (99 miles) off the coast from Caracas, to enjoy ivory-white beaches and transparent waters with not a single chain hotel or nightclub in sight. Or catch a bus to the coastline just beyond the airport, where there are some reasonable beaches.