Travel Agent - December 10, 2007 - (Page 29)

of Pichincha, led by Antonio José de Sucre and Simón Bolívar. The city’s hilly historic center has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its monasteries, churches and cathedrals that date back to the colonial period. AGENTADVICE “The one thing an agent really has to tell clients going to Quito is to make sure they stay in the downtown area,” says Cecilia Carey of Inter-Hemisphere Tours, which is based in New York City and sends up to 80 travelers to Ecuador a year. “A lot of the main hotels, the bigger hotels, are located away from the downtown area; the smaller hotels are located in the heart of it. So you really have to tell your clients to stay in the smaller hotels, the authentic Ecuadorian boutique-style hotels.” Travel Tips Quito is a reasonably priced destination, and Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar, so no currency exchange is needed. Clients do need to prepare for the intense sun and high altitude. Make sure they don’t suffer from any serious breathing problems. They shouldn’t forget to bring sunglasses; they’ll need them near the equator, even in winter. U.S. airlines serving Quito include American (nonstop twice daily out of Miami), Continental (daily nonstop from Houston) and Delta (daily nonstop out of Atlanta). To see the city, Travel Agent recommends hiring a private driver/guide through the hotel, which can cost about $90 for a full day of sightseeing. suites contains antiques, fireplaces, loft ceilings and hardwood floors. Villa Colonna also offers a patio, living room, meeting room and an outdoor terrace with excellent views. CONTINUED ON PAGE 30 LEFT: The Liberty Statue overlooks Quito’s Plaza de la Independencia RIGHT: Vendors sell traditional handicrafts at charming markets throughout the city BELOW: One of the new Santa Maria tower rooms at the Hilton Colon Quito Where to Stay There have been some hotel developments in the centuries-old center of Quito in the past year. Among them, The Plaza Grande (www. plazagrandequito.com), a boutique hotel managed by Swissôtel, reopened last January after a complete refurbishment. It’s in the heart of the historic district, along the Plaza Grande and close to many landmarks, including the Presidential Palace, Metropolitan Cultural Center, Museo de la Ciudad and the gold-leaf church La Compañia de Jesús. On the site of Quito’s first luxury hotel (known as the Majestic), the Plaza Grande offers 15 rooms as well as a gourmet restaurant, a wine cellar and a banquet room. Rates start at $500 per night. Agents can contact sales managers Isabel Calles (011-5932-256-7600, ext. 6716; icalles@swissuio.com) and Wendy Narvaez (011-593-2-256-7600, ext. 6716; wnarvaez@swissuio.com). The Presidential Suite, on the top floor, represents the best and largest accommodations in the hotel. It has a living room, dining room, kitchen and two bathrooms. It also has a view of the Plaza de la Independencia, and three balconies that overlook the plaza. Villa Colonna (www.villacolonna.ec), a two-story bed-and-breakfast, opened in a 19thcentury building in the historic center of Quito at the beginning of the year. Each of its five December 10, 2007 TravelAgent | 29 http://www.plazagrandequito.com http://www.plazagrandequito.com http://www.villacolonna.ec

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Travel Agent - December 10, 2007 Online Now From the Editor Contributors Europe: Liverpool, The Beatles Hometown, Is also Known for it's Maritime Heritage, Art and Architecture European Hotel Highlights Central and South America: What You Need To Know About Selling Quito, the Historic Capital City of Ecuador Pacific/Asia: Malaysia Seeks to Grow Tourism as it Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of it's Independence Spa Resort in Goa, India Caribbean: Venerable Jamaican Resorts Tryall Club and Half Moon Marry Contemporary Design and Old-Time Elegence Caribbean Deals Las Vegas: A Three-Day Itinerary for Your Gen-Y Clients Las Vegas News and Notes Hotels: Sandals' 6th Annual Star Awards Tours: Escorted and FIT Packages in Western Canada Cruise: Barging 101 Cover Story: Wyndham's Way Agent Profile: Casto Travel's Marc Casto Technology Transportation Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Carnival's Plans for the Future Fairmont Expands in Africa Liberty Travel/Gogo is Sold Turks and Caicos Developments The New River Cruise Line, Jewel How to Protect Yourself When a Tour Operator Shuts Down In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch Special Supplement: Destination Africa

Travel Agent - December 10, 2007

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