Action-packed Ecuador & the Galapagos

Guayaquil is most well-known as the gateway to the Galapagos and it's the only place to catch a flight to the islands. However, the seaside city has plenty to keep you occupied. Spend hours on the golden beaches (up or down the coast), scanning the water for whales and finding the best Creole crab to dine on. Delve into the history books in Las Penas, where the original canons used to ward off pirates still stand, and walk the 444 steps to Santa Ana Chapel to admire the fantastic views it affords. Oh, and don't leave without tasting some of the best chocolate in Ecuador.

The second largest island in the Galapagos, Santa Cruz is the start and end point for most cruises. Whether you stop here whilst exploring the waters or are spending a few nights on its shores, there's plenty to see. Cycle across the highlands on the lookout for giant tortoise; hike through the lava tunnels; pay a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station; spend time on the lagoon on a kayaking excursion; and dive below the gin-clear ocean to spot turtles, sea lions and tropical fish. Spend a few hours (or days) on the white-sand Tortuga Beach, soaking up the sun and views and looking out for the marine iguanas arriving ashore. Along the way, you never know how many members of the 'Galapagos 15' you'll see.

In Ecuador, the wilderness is never far away and its capital city is no different. Surrounded by active volcanoes and the Amazon Basin, Quito presents one fabulous view after another as you stroll through the streets - and the best? Definitely atop the famous El Panecillo Hill or over a pisco sour at a rooftop bar, depending on your persuasion! The Old Town is one of the most well-preserved Spanish cities in Latin America and it's a feast for the eyes with 200 churches, plazas and museums, including the House of Praise which holds 5,000 pre-Columbian pieces. The city also has its share of bohemian neighbourhoods where you can delve into the arts scene and get to know Quito's modern side.

One of the tallest active volcanoes in the world, Cotopaxi watches over the Avenue of Volcanoes like a cloud-grazing guardian. The national park surrounding it is a maze of trails, which can be explored on foot, bike or horseback with a genuine Ecuadorian cowboy. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for wild vicunas, Andean condors in flight and, if you're really lucky, puma. You could even make the trek partway (or all the way) to the summit of Cotopaxi, no mean feat considering its height at 5,897 metres above sea level. For something completely different, visit one of the park's glacial waterfalls or thermal pools for a dip, or take a boat ride on the Turquoise Quilotoa Crater Lake.