Quito is the highest capital city in the world (approximately 2800 meters) and earned one of the first UNESCO World Heritage designations in 1978. It is a bustling city spread out between valleys and sprawls partway up the massive mountains that surround it. While the Galapagos Islands garner much of the attention of tourists - a visit to Quito offers a variety of attractions both in and outside the city. Setup "home base" in the lively La … [Read more...]
FlightHub Presents Top 12 South American Wonders
FlightHub, the largest Canadian online travel company, is a firm that strives to inspire people to become travellers and catch that wanderlust bug. There are 12 countries in South America with their own unique features and FlightHub has tallied and compared them here for you. Natural sites, historical infrastructures and majestic landforms scattered all over the continent. If you ever decide to explore the vast continent, make sure to bring a … [Read more...]
Galapagos Islands Recognized as one of the World’s Best by Travel + Leisure Readers
NEW YORK (Aug. 1, 2015) – Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism is proud to announce that the Galapagos Islands have been honored as “World’s Best” by Travel + Leisure magazine. This consumer-based nomination recognizes the best of the best in travel across various categories including airlines, cities, destination spas, hotels, islands, tour operators and safari outfitters among others. The Galapagos Islands were not only ranked first on the list of … [Read more...]
The Global Scavenger Hunt Entry Deadline Nears
The 2015 Travel World Championship EventEntry Deadline Approaches SANTA MONICA, USA The deadline to enter the 2015 edition of the travel world championship, The Global Scavenger Hunt, is February 1st with only a few spots open for those wanting to compete for “The World’s Greatest Travelers” title and trophy--and chance to earn a free trip around the world with their triumph. Serious travelers are a competitive breed, … [Read more...]
Ecuador – Chocaholics Paradise
The first ´traveller´ to sample chocolates bitter sweet charms was Christopher Columbus in 1502, although it´s likely that the Indigenous Maya and Aztec people had already been drinking it for the previous thousand years. The cacao bean itself had originated in South America millions of years before and is now being reclaimed by its discoverers, yep, chocolate is coming home. Artisan and organic chocolate is the subject on every foodie´s … [Read more...]
Are they really *Panama* Hats?
The last time I was in Panama I purchased a Panama Hat - a misleading name considering these hats are made in Ecuador. During the construction of the Panama Canal workers wore these hats. When USA President at the time, Teddy Roosevelt saw one - he wanted to wear it - he was photographed wearing this hat and the name "Panama Hat" soon stuck. In actuality these hats should be called Ecuadorian Hats! After wearing out the 'Panama Hat' I bought … [Read more...]
Up, Up into the Andes – Ecuador
After seeing the streets flooded with people last night - alcohol flowing like water, dancing, music and lots of action - we stumbled out of our hotel early this morning to eerily empty streets. However, remnants of last nights' craziness were clearly evident - including broken bottles, other shattered glass and nasty messiness left from those who had to much liquor and were unable to keep it in their stomachs. Saturday is the big party night … [Read more...]
Stop in Quito Ecuador
I've been to South America quite a few times (focusing on Peru) but it has been too long since I was last here - so it was quite nice to finally touch down again on the continent very late this evening. It often feels like you are imposing and or are under acute suspicion when you enter some countries - stopping in front of grim faced immigration officials who give you suspicious glances. Not so here - the officials were laughing and joking … [Read more...]
A professional traveler looks back at her decades on the road
My first overseas trip was at the age of two months when Mum and I travelled by boat from Sydney with all our belongings to join Dad who was then working as an agricultural scientist in Papua New Guinea. For the next 18 years the family, eventually with three daughters, moved around the country and my mother remembers that, as a small child, this traumatized me – I hated change, hated moving and screamed every time I saw a suitcase. I … [Read more...]
How Voluntary Work Can Change Your Life and Travelling
There are as many different ways of seeing the world as there are people keen to pack a bag and head off to explore distant shores. However, how many of these ways end in a lasting benefit to both the traveller and the place they spend time in? Wouldn’t it be great if we could enjoy travelling the planet while leaving learning something valuable as well? I discovered that this is possible when I went to do voluntary work in the rainforest in … [Read more...]