Depending on our starting point we go by taxi, public bus or the modern underground (Metro) to the largest church of Quito. The Neolithic Basilica is not very old, but an excellent view point.

From its towers we can appreciate the historical part of the capital, but also the modern city center with its high-rise buildings and the surroundings of the capital of Ecuador.

Quito is situated on a kind of balcony on the slopes of Pichincha, an still active volcano. We can see a lot of high mountains of the Andes, some of them glacier capped.

There are not a lot of cities in the world with such exciting, beautiful surroundings!

After enjoying the view from the Basilica we may visit a market hall.

The covered markets of Quito are used by the inhabitants to provide their families with fresh vegetables, fruits, meat and seafood.

You will be surprised about the wide range of offers! They not only sell products of the highlands. Ecuador is a relatively small country and so you can see as well all the fresh agricultural products from the hot tropics of the Amazon and the coast area.

I will show you the different kinds of potatoes, rice, vegetables and fruits.

For sure you will find a lot of unknown products and often my guests buy and taste some of the fruits. Or would you like to try a fresh juice? Just made in front of you at the moment.

The special thing is, that all these products you can buy fresh round the year, because in Ecuador we don't have seasons.

Now it's time to stroll around in the narrow streets and beautiful squares of the old part of Quito!

We will visit the most important churches, may enter to some monasteries, will appreciate beautiful court yards and admire the typical small balconies of Spanish styled colonial facades.

Quito is the capital of Ecuador, but I feel that it is less hectic than other capitals. The more provincial and relaxed flair of Quito you will experience specially on weekends and holidays. Is it the mentality of their inhabitants that makes it different?

There is enough time to enjoy the unique atmosphere. A open coffee shop or restaurant may be a good place to feel the flair of old Quito.

Quito has a lot of interesting museums as well. Specially if it starts to rain it is a good opportunity to hide from the wet. But some of them are worth to visit anytime.

I would recommend for instance the Museum of pre-Columbian Art (open from Wednesday to Sunday). You can admire a lot of unique pieces of great value from the time before the Spanish conquered South America.

Almost a must is the visit of the Franciscans Museum inside of their monastery. Even if you are not so interested in catholic religious art, it is very interesting! We will see the gold covered decorations of the Franciscans church from its gallery, we have the opportunity to enjoy the nice view from the bell towers, we will be amazed by two of the beautiful court yards of the still active monastery and even we can visit the (not working anymore) brewery of the Franciscans.

We continue walking around in the old city center and now we have the opportunity to learn more about something really delicious, chocolate.

Did you know, that the jungle area of Ecuadorian Amazon was the first part of the entire world where chocolate was cultivated long, long before the Spanish arrived in the Americas. That only the high society of those time was allowed to enjoy it.

Now it's not necessary to travel to the Amazon (even if I really recommend you to visit this interesting and totally different part of my country - with me as your guide). And even if you don't consider you part of the high society, we are allowed to taste the chocolate!

There are mainly small companies producing chocolate in Ecuador and we may visit just one of those. Here we get a lot of information about the whole process from the chocolate bean to the final product. Of course you will taste and can buy some delicious products!

Now we can stroll in direction to the narrow street of La Ronda, well known for its small bars, popular restaurants and some handicraft shops.

Or, if you prefer, we have the opportunity to go by taxi to the station of the cable car. With this modern transport we "climb" up to 4000m high Cruz Loma mountain and can enjoy a exceptionally wide view over the Ecuadorian capital and the surrounding Andes. Only from Cruz Loma you can appreciate the unique geographic situation of Quito as one of the highest capitals of the world! Of course the cable car adventure is recommended only in good weather conditions.

Wherever we go, it might be good to warm up from inside with a hot beverage!

For sure you have already tasted the Ecuadorian coffee or tea, but do you know Canelazo. This is something very special for the highlands of our country, made by a special fruit, cinnamon and other spidery, sugar and devotion. I recommend to enriches it with Ecuadorian liquor!

Let yourself be surprised how tasty it is!

After a day with a lot of excitements we return to your hotel.