Recommend January 2014 - (Page 94)

ECUADOR Quito FACTS BEST TIME TO GO: May to December in Quito and the highlands; August to November in El Oriente; more tropical Guayaquil's coolest months are June through September FUN FACT: Visitors to La Mitad del Mundo (the Middle of the World monument) north of Quito and precisely on the equator, have a memorable photo op: straddle the marker and you have one foot in each hemisphere GETTING THERE: Delta ﬂies from Atlanta to Quito ENTRY DOCUMENTS: Valid passport CURRENCY: U.S. Dollar MUST-TRY NATIVE FOOD: If you really want a taste of something different, traditional and tasty, order the common highland delicacy cuy (roasted guinea pig), delicious when well prepared BEST BUYS: Fine and original handicrafts, ranging from woven ponchos, rugs and wall hangings to hand-knits, ceramics, distinctive jewelry, embroidered tablecloths, and straw goods, including the original Panama hat INFORMATION PLEASE: Ecuador Ministry of Tourism-ecuador.travel Quito, the ﬁrst city designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site in 1978, was once the northern capital of the Inca Empire and is often called the "Florence of the Americas." Nowadays, all eyes are on the Old City, considered the best preserved in the Americas. Tops on Quito sightseeing is a rich repository of religious and colonial architecture, such as La Compañia and San Francisco cathedrals. The Old City is now alive with artisan workshops and street entertainment, as well as a gem of a new museum, Casa del Alabado, beautifully displaying pre-Columbian treasures. BEST PLACE TO STAY The restoration of the Old City has expanded its inventory of boutique hotels occupying historic premises, from the La Casa de la Ronda to the newest Casa Gangotena. BEST NATURE EXPERIENCES Cruising the Galapagos Islands rates tops in must-do experiences in the Americas, and the call of this spectacular wildland is its array of birds, reptiles, ﬁsh and plants unique to the islands. Common favorites are giant tortoises, marine iguanas and three kinds of boobies-masked, red- and blue-footed. Ecuador's slice of Amazonia is a vast rainforest region called El Oriente, home to giant otters, wooly monkeys, river dolphins, 1,600 species of birds, and communities of indigenous peoples. BEST CULTURAL EXPERIENCE Head for the scenic highlands and the colorful weekly markets: the largest is the Saturday market in Otavalo, but others include Ambato on Mondays, Pujili on Wednesdays, and Saquisili on Thursdays. Cuenca is Ecuador's colonial gem of a city, one whose remaining 17th century charms include blue-and-gold-domed churches and cloisters full of beautiful art. Nearby, explore the sprawling fortress of Ingapirca, Ecuador's most important remains of the Inca Empire. BEST KEPT SECRET Often called "the poor man's Galapagos," Isla de la Plata is a day excursion from Puerto Lopez and a land habitat for sea lions, frigate birds and three species of boobies; dive in to encounter white-tipped sharks and manta rays, or come in June to early-October for whale watching. 72 D66-D75.indd 72 12/20/13 9:31 AM http://skyvacations.net

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend January 2014

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Aloft Hotels
Tour Talk: Swain Destinations
Uniworld's Queen Isabel
Disney Magic
Delta Air Lines Travel Guide 2014
Macau
Egypt Update
Scandinavia Exposed
B Hotels & Resorts
What's New in Las Vegas

Recommend January 2014