40 my journey
mountains, fascinating local and indigenous cultures, ‘cloud forest’ and captivating towns, Ecuador is a must and should be an easy sell.
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A Sea lion, lying around
And that’s without mentioning the star in Ecuador’s tourism crown: The Galapagos Islands. My fi rst stop is Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage city and the world’s second-highest capital at 285 metres above sea level (La Paz, Bolivia is the highest). I want a gentle start to my trip to acclimatise and two nights at Casa Gangotena fi ts the bill perfectly. It’s gorgeous and I can see why it is ranked as Trip Advisor’s ‘sixth best hotel in the world’. Classy, luxurious, effi cient, tranquil and with amazing cuisine and an ideal location in the Old Town, the hotel overlooks the cobbled square of Plaza San Francisco.
Colonial mansion
An excellent alternative hotel option is La Casona De La Ronda, previously an 18th century Spanish Colonial mansion but now a 22-room Heritage Boutique Hotel. I wander down La Ronda, a small street that is very Spanish in name and character. It dates back to 1480 when the Incas fi rst arrived in Quito. When the Spanish gave it its new name it became the bohemian heart of the city; in the 1930s it evolved into a place for painters, writers and poets to gather to discuss the arts. Today it is a charming pedestrian street with galleries, cafes, bars and shops.
I am advised to check out Quito’s artisan shops and crafts, and they do not disappoint. I fi nd the following cultural and historic attractions in and around Quito awe-inspiring: Cerro Panecillo (panoramic viewpoint), Teleférico
Compañía de Jesús (‘Quito’s Sistine Chapel’), La Ronda (see above), El Monasterio de San Francisco (American continent’s
(scenic cable car), Plaza de la Independencia (historic centre and cathedral), La Compañía de Jesús (‘Quito’s
ith an amazing diversity of landscapes, beautiful coastlines, dramatic
oldest church), Teatro Bolívar (Art Deco performing arts theatre), La Basílica (largest Gothic basilica in Latin America), Museo Guayasamín and Capilla del Hombre (two major Latin American art ‘musts’).
Special Galapagos And so on to the Galapagos, an archipelago of volcanic
islands that straddle the Equator 906 km west of mainland Ecuador. Yes, they really are a bit special! Like me, you have probably seen the destination’s amazing wildlife on TV, on shows like David Attenborough’s Galapagos, but even if you have there’s no way you can properly prepare for the impact the Galapagos will have on you.
The Charles Darwin Research Station (founded in 1959) is close to the main town of the islands, Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz. In 1859, Darwin consolidated his observations into his famous book On The Origin of Species, which put forward his then revolutionary Theory of Natural Selection. The ideal way to truly see and enjoy the Galapagos is by cruising the islands in one of the small ships that are referred to as ‘yachts’. For me it is the Yacht La Pinta. With a maximum of just 48 guests La Pinta is the perfect vessel to see this special destination. Each day we gather to share the day’s amazing experiences that impact on our senses and emotions. In the restaurant and lounge we listen to the tales of naturalist guides.
Nature’s roll call
The daily trips out to the islands are unforgettable and we feel a genuine sense of adventure on our ship-to- shore landing craft. A guide is on hand to offer wildlife stories and a host of small details that enhance our experience.
And what wildlife we see! We spend precious time viewing and walking amongst hundreds of marine iguanas, sea lions, giant tortoises, land iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, blue- footed boobies, shearwaters, frigates, penguins,
fl ightless cormorants, fi nches, pelicans, mockingbirds,
herons, egrets, ducks and stilts. We also see
sellingtravel.co.uk
Up close to a Galapagos OAP
My Ecuador journey...
Agents should recommend Ecuador to their high-end travellers with a sense of adventure, says Martin Steady
My magical moments Blue-footed boobies diving for fi sh...Iguanas by the thousand...Quiet refl ection on Galapagos beaches...World-class cuisine at Casa Gangotena...Heart-in-mouth Mashpi Sky bike ride...Lovely people and the best chocolate I have ever tasted at the family-owned Pacari
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