Quito
Standing at 2,850 metres, Quito is one of the highest capital cities in the world, a slightly dizzying experience on arrival which is soon shaken off as you pass through the beautiful old town. Surrounded by an incredible number of volcanoes, the so-called Avenue of Volcanoes, Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old town is a beautiful part of town. Find cobbled streets, plazas and beautiful 16th-century colonial architecture found in the cathedral, government buildings, mansions and former palaces.
The old town is the area to be based these days after a great effort to restore it to its former glory with plenty of lovely boutique hotels popping up close to the Plaza Grande in the last few years. Out of town, Panecillo Hill, topped by the Virgin of Quito, offers great views across the city that sits within a vast volcano crater.
Thanks to Ecuador being a small nation there is much to see and do close to Quito. Day trips to the vibrant handicraft market at Otavalo and hiking or horse riding from country haciendas are well worth it if staying on the mainland for a short time before going on a Galapagos Cruise. There are many national parks nearby such as the Antisana Reserve and Cotopaxi NP, great for bird watching and outdoor adventures.
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Country: Quito
Family Vacation in Ecuador & Galapagos
QuitoGalapagos IslandsEcuador & Galapagos
- Go exploring and try chocolate-making in Quito
- Enjoy canopy cycling above the Cloud Forest at Mashpi
- Head on a night safari searching for insects, owls, bats and night birds
- Go horse riding through the Andes, and visit local communities, waterfalls and the Condor project
- Sail around the Galapagos looking for sea lions, rare penguins and giant tortoises
Casa Gangotena
Located on the corner of Plaza San Francisco in the heart of Quito’s historic old town, this three-storey colonial mansion provides the ideal base from which to explore Ecuador’s capital.
Casa Gangotena’s eclectic style combines understated opulence with traditional Ecuadorian influences to create a magnificent, luxury...
Casona de la Ronda
Located on La Ronda, a historic street in the heart of Quito’s UNESCO-listed old town, La Casona de la Ronda Heritage Boutique Hotel is a beautifully restored colonial mansion. Set around a central courtyard wrapped in green foliage, this historic hotel has a warm, welcoming ambiance with modern comforts.
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Hacienda Cusin
Hacienda Cusin is a restored 17th-century estate set in five acres of gardens with cobblestone pathways, fountain courtyards, and a menagerie of animals. This hotel is located near Otavalo in Ecuador and is steeped in old colonial charm with a relaxed, homely atmosphere.
Offering personalized service, local cuisine,...
Hacienda Zuleta
Hacienda Zuleta is a luxury boutique hotel set in delightful gardens on a 4,000-acre working farm. It’s situated on the edge of Zuleta village in the Andean mountains of Northern Ecuador and was once the home of the late president Galo Plaza Lasso.
This 16th-century hacienda has a...
Hotel Plaza Grande
Superbly located in the heart of Quito’s Old Town overlooking one of the city’s principal squares, the Presidential Palace and the Cathedral, Hotel Plaza Grande is one of the finest hotels in Quito. Housed in a 16th-century colonial building, this grand hotel features magnificent neoclassical architecture and sumptuous interiors.
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