retiretoexplore

Quilotoa Lake

Quilotoa Lake and the Mirador de Cristal “Cueva del Condor” Highlights Visited Quilotoa volcano lake as a day tour from the city of Latacunga. Time of Visit:  April 2024 Duration of Visit: Day Trip from Latacunga Description Quilotoa Lake is a beautiful emerald colored lake within a volcanic crater.  It is located up in the …

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Quito

Mitad del Mundo monument north of Quito Highlights Visited Mitad del Mundo park and Centro Historio.  Mitad del Mundo park has a large equatorial monument filled with exhibits about Ecuador.  Centro Historico has a couple of plazas surrounded by Spanish colonial style buildings including the Carondelet Palace.  Time of Visit: April 2024 Duration of Visit: …

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Galapagos

Highlights All the necessary information in planning a trip to the Galapagos. Here we detail: Time of Visit:  April 2024 Duration of Visit: 10 Nights Description Galapagos is a unique place.  It is one of the few places on earth where wild animals and humans co-exists.  Most of the animals here have no fear of …

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Isabela

Description Isabela is the largest island in the Galapagos.  Puerto Villamil is the largest settlement and is located on the island’s southern shore.  It is a relatively small settlement where the streets are still unpaved.  Puerto Villamil is blessed with a long beach that is easily accessible by walking.  What To Do Concha de Perla …

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San Cristobal

Description This easternmost inhabited island is dubbed as the land of paradise. San Cristobal can be a relaxing getaway.  There are many beaches to choose from.  Some reachable by combination of taxi ride and walking while others can only be reached by signing with a tour. The island’s main settlement is Puerto Basquerizo Moreno or …

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Santa Cruz

One of the many free roaming Galapagos tortoises in Rancho Primicias, Santa Cruz Island Description Santa Cruz is the island between Isabela and San Cristobal. Its main town, Puerto Ayora is located at the south end of the island and is the largest settlement among the Galapagos Islands. There are two other settlements but those …

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Mayan Ruins

Tikal National Park Gran Plaza Highlights Visited the Mayan ruins of Tikal and Yaxha National Parks.  These two are the most accessible parks in Northeastern Guatemala.  There are many more that are remote and require 4×4 transportation (see pdf brochure by scanning QR code below). Time of Visit: April 2024 Duration of Visit: Three Nights …

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Lake Atitlan

Mirador Kaqasiiwaan in the village of San Juan Highlights Lake Atitlan after Holy Week.  Stayed in Panajachel.  Visited the villages of San Juan and San Pedro.  Did a day trip to Chichicastenago by riding the public buses (chicken bus) from Panajachel. Time of Visit:  April 2024 Duration of Visit:  Three Nights Description After Antigua, Lake …

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French Riviera

Pastel colored buidings and restaurants line the water’s edge at Villefranche-Sur-Mer Highlights Visited the towns/cities of Antibes, Cannes, Eze, Juan de Pins, Menton, Monaco/Monte Carlo, Nice and Villfranche Sur Mer while basing ourselves at Cagnes Sur Mer.  Time of Visit: October 2023 Length of Visit: Five Nights Description The French Riviera is the coastline in …

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Corsica

San Giovanni Beach in Southwestern Corsica Highlights Corsica is a French island in the Mediterranean Sea.  It is just north of the island of Sardinia. Corsica is a wonderful destination because there are many things to do and see.  There are numerous beaches, old towns and mountain ranges.  The infamous GR20 hiking trail runs almost …

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