Quito
Colonial Quito has another charming new hotel option. Opened in January 2007, Villa Colonna (tel. 02/2955-805; www.villacolonna.ec) is a six-room, all-suite bed and breakfast located right in the heart of the Old Town. Rooms are stylish and elegant, and perhaps the best feature here, is the hotel's rooftop patio, with fabulous views.
The Hilton Colón Quito (tel. 800/221-2424 in the U.S. and Canada, or 02/2560-666 in Ecuador; www.hilton.com) has begun a major remodeling of its guest rooms. Some 217 of the hotel's rooms will receive new furnishings, décor and amenities by the end of 2007, while in 2008, the hotel plans to convert 83 of the current rooms into 42 spacious suites.
Just 10 minutes from the city center of Quito, sits the new, upscale Hacienda Rumiloma (tel. 09/9703-130). Perched on the flanks of Pichincha volcano, the upscale boutique hotel has excellent views of both the city, as well as the forests leading down towards the Amazon basin.
After years of restoration and remodeling, the Catedral Metropolitana de Quito (Quito Metropolitan Cathedral; Calle Espejo, between García Moreno and Venezuela; tel. 02/2210-642) has re-opened to the public, as a combined place of worship and colonial-era art museum. Set on the south of Old Town's Plaza Grande, this is Quito's oldest church, having been founded in 1535. In addition to impressive art works, the Cathedral also houses the crypts of prominent Quiteños, including former president Gabriel García Moreno.
Those interested in Ecuador's indigenous arts and craft works, should visit the new Museo Mindalae (Mindalae Museum; tel. 02/2555-394; www.sinchisacha.org). Spread over five floors, the museum features a large range of works from the various regions and peoples across the country. There is also a well stocked gift shop here, as well as a cafeteria and performance spaces. The museum is located at the corner of Reina Victoria and La Niña, in the Mariscal district.
Central Sierra
The luxurious mountain retreat, just outside of Baños, Luna Runtun (tel. 03/2740-882; www.lunaruntun.com) recently added on two new Presidential suites, and five new naturally heated hot spring pools. The new suites have full kitchens, a spacious living room and private Jacuzzi tubs.
Hacienda Manteles (tel. 02/2233-484 reservation office in Quito, or 09/8715-632 cell phone at the hacienda; www.haciendamanteles.com), located just outside of Baños, has added an adventurous canyoning tour, which is a mix of hiking and rappelling, through a nearby forested canyon. The tour includes rappels down the face of two mountain waterfalls, the tallest measuring some 40 feet (12m) in height.
Those going to Baños should check on the state of the road into the small town. Heavy rains and mudslides have periodically closed the road between Ambato and Baños. As recently as June 2007, the road was closed for some time due to a massive mudslide located just a few kilometres outside of the town.
Following a dual fatality, rooftop riding on the famed El Nariz del Diablo (The Devil's Nose) train ride has been suspended. The train still runs regularly, but the thrilling and chilling chance to make the trip atop the train is currently prohibited. However, Metropolitan Touring's Chiva Express (tel. 02/2988-200; www.chivaexpress.com), which also makes this run, still offers open-air rooftop seating for this trip.
Cuenca and the Southern Sierra
Down in the Valley of Longevity, better known as Vilcabamba, Madre Tierra (tel. 07/2640-269, or 09/3096-665; www.madretierra1.com) has added a new, large multipurpose room, which is perfect for yoga classes, as well as conferences, weddings and other events.
El Oriente
The Manatee Jungle Explorer (www.manateeamazonexplorer.com) has been certified by the Rainforest Alliance and Conservacion y Desarrollo (Conservation and Development) as a SmartVoyager vessel, making it the first tour operation in El Oriente to earn this green seal of approval.
The Galápagos Islands
UNESCO, which has declared the Galápagos Islands a World Heritage Site, has declared in 2007 that the islands and their ecosystems are in danger of destruction. Although few formal measures have yet been adopted, the government of Rafael Correa has vowed to take special steps to insure that tourism and overall development on the Galápagos Islands is undertaken in a manner that will ensure the archipelago's survival and sustainability as an ecological wonder.
However, one of the first measures adopted was to restrict scuba diving activities. Scuba trips are still undertaken by many licensed operators, although some of the larger, general tour ships and boats have been prohibited from offering scuba trips for the time being. If you plan on doing any diving, be sure to check in advance if your boat can offer the service.
Although it won't be sailing until March of 2008, Metropolitan Touring (tel. 02/2988-200; www.metropolitan-touring.com) has already begun taking reservations for the new 24-stateroom luxury yacht La Pinta.
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