Set in an Andean valley with the verdant Pichincha volcano rising to the west, Quito is the capital of Ecuador. From the scenic hill of El Panecillo, the Virgin of Quito spreads her silver wings and watches over the fine colonial buildings of the old town, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its chaotic narrow streets, lined with colonial churches, monasteries and mansions, radiate outwards from attractive plazas.
Recently spruced up, this part of the city tempts the visitor with its abundance of history at every turn and a walking tour here is a must. The city’s newer area has less to entice the visitor but more to entertain them, as it is here that you will find the majority of the shops, cafes and restaurants. From Quito you can travel an hour north by road to visit the geographic characteristic that gives the country its name, the equator. It is marked by a monument and museum, and offers the opportunity to stand with one foot in each hemisphere.