A 360-degree view of Quito

Start with an introductory tour around Quito’s Old Town, which is crammed with historic gems. Orientate yourself with an amble by and around baroque architecture, art-filled churches and colonial facades. In the palm-shaded plazas, you’ll see a hive of activity – women gliding through the square in colourful woven shawls and fedora-wearing men mingling amongst the fountains. Elsewhere you can roam the cobbled streets lined with craft shops and small boutiques for souvenir shopping. End the morning with a visit to the Panecillo Hill for the best views of the city.

For something a little different, visit Quito’s botanical gardens to sample some delicious honey. Whether you’re a burgeoning beekeeper or simply have a sweet tooth, enjoy a tasting session in this idyllic setting. Ecuador’s honey is produced in the Amazon, highlands and coastal regions. You’ll learn about the intensely dark, light and creamy variations that travel straight from hive to honeypot. Take a turn around the gardens, a sweet way to spend a morning.

Journey 24 kilometres north of Quito to visit the Equator monument, a cartographical landmark pinpointing the exact location of the equator and one of Quito’s quirkiest features. Pop into the Ethnographic Museum at the site. It depicts Ecuador’s native history through rich displays of craftwork from pottery to weaving. For the ultimate snapshot, continue to the Pululahua caldera, a collapsed volcano with impressive biodiversity and unique microclimates. From your vantage point, you can admire its three lava domes and the green patchwork that carpets the caldera.