Amazing things to visit in Ecuador

1. Cotopaxi

Ecuador is famous for its volcanoes. Cotopaxi is the second-highest mountain peak in the country, and one of  Its unique features is its one of the few glaciers located along the equator. Cotopaxi is near Quito, which makes for a  great day trip for visitors who are staying in Quito but looking to get out of the city for the day. 

2. Quilotoa

800 years ago this beautiful lake was formed high in the Andes when a volcano blew up. The lake is more than 250 meters deep and holds stunningly beautiful water in its basin. Try and explore it on a sunny day to witness the waters shift from eye-catching blue to an earthy green. 

3. The Basilica of the National Vow

The Basilica is the largest neo-Gothic cathedral in the Western Hemisphere never completed. Local legend suggests the completion of the cathedral will bring about the end of the world.  

4. El Panecillo

 El Panecillo stands watch over the city of Quito. This 45-metre tall representation of the Virgin Mary is made up of 7,000 separate pieces of aluminum and is one of the only structures of the Virgin Mary to feature angel wings. 

5. Malecon 2000

Guayaquil is a city with a unique youthful vibe, and Malecon 2000 is the center of its activity. This vibrant Riverwalk offers the fine art, museums, food and a place where community convenes. Malecon 2000is  a great place to have a meal, a drink or partake in world-class shopping while in Ecuador.

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Where to Eat in Aberdeen in Aberdeen, United Kingdom

The delicious eateries around Aberdeen.

By Anita Draycott

• Silver Darling

The Silver Darling Seafood Restaurant is renowned for its fine food, fine wines and a fine view of Aberdeen harbour and bay, offering fabulous local seafood exquisitely prepared by our French Chef. Highly recommended in the Good Food Guide, the dishes are excellent value and cover a wide range of prices. The rooftop conservatory restaurant in Aberdeen's former customs house offers terrific views of Aberdeen's beach, coastline and harbour. 

• Cafe 52

Buried in a cave-like arch below Union Street, Café 52 feels more like Amsterdam than the Granite City with an authentic air of easy cool that style bars would die for. The atmosphere is laid back but the menu is ambitious. This includes chilli tzatziki sandwiches for lunch and satisfying Cullen skink, venison, and duck dishes for dinner. A golden cavern of cuisine, Café 52 is hip but probably beyond the purse of most hippies 

• The Albyn

A Scottish bar and restaurant with a twist. The Albyn not only serves delicious food but also hosts a great night out. The Albyn is stylish and contemporary, with a modern dining menu. Relax in the bar area, dine with friends or dance the night away to the live bands and resident DJs. 

• La Cafe Boheme

Tucked away down a lane in Aberdeen city centre, Le Café Boheme is a small intimate restaurant, with an authentic French décor: buzzing at lunch, candlelit and warm at night, with jazz in the background. A small and selective menu, serving the very best of modern and traditional French cuisine with a twist of individuality and passion. 

• Books and Beans

Situated in the heart of Aberdeen, Scotland on Belmont Street just off the main thoroughfare of Union Street, Books and Beans has been going since 2003. They sell fantastic homemade soups, sandwiches, salads and panini as well as a range of excellent Fair Trade Coffee, Teas and Hot Chocolate. The atmosphere’s friendly and relaxed and you can choose to either stay in the main coffee area downstairs for your lunch or head upstairs to the main Bookstore, where you can browse 15000 titles, or indeed munch your soup and sandwich!

Visit Kirriemuir - birthplace of JM Barrie, creator of Peter Pan

Kirriemuir the birthplace of the creator of Peter Pan, which contains an imaginative exhibition dedicated to his work.

Kirriemuir, known as the “Gateway to the Glens” makes a captivating base for exploring the beautiful braes of Angus. The town’s most famous son was the author JM Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan. His birthplace, now owned by the National Trust for Scotland, contains an imaginative exhibition featuring life-size figures, theatre posters and stage costumes. There is also a statue of Peter Pan in the middle of the town. 2010 sees the 150th anniversary of JM Barrie’s birth and a series of celebrations will take place throughout Scotland, from new stage adaptions of the famous Peter Pan stories to smaller events focusing on the author’s life in Scotland.

By Anita Draycott

Become Lords and Ladies of the Manor at Mar Hall in Glasgow, United Kingdom

Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort is the ideal spot to start and/or end your Scottland Vacation.
Just ten minutes from Glasgow airport, Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort is the ideal spot to start and/or end your Scottish romp. The baronial mansion overlooking the River Clyde, originally completed in 1845, has received a £15 million restoration to bring it back to its former Gothic grandeur.

Mar Hall boasts the Decléor Spa offering a huge list of therapies and afternoon tea. Gosia, my Polish masseuse began my treatment with a warm sudsy footbath. I’d like to describe the massage in more detail but I conked out after about ten minutes on the table. I wanted relaxation, so thanks, Gosia, mission accomplished.
In case you need to squeeze in a last round of Scottish golf, book a tee time at the resort’s Earl of Mar championship course designed by Dave Thomas Jr.

At the Cristal dining room, Mar Hall prides itself on its impressive selection of Champagne. Chef Sam Carswell puts imaginative and delicious twists on Scottish classics. Loch Fyne smoked salmon, for example, comes with an avocado emulsion, apple caviar. Beef, aged for 28 days, gets kicked up a notch with braised cheek, escargots and an onion/parsley risotto. Fancy some frog leg bonbons?

Mar, I discovered, was one of the seven Kingdoms in ancient Scotland and the “Earl of Mar” is the oldest title in Britain. The place has quite a pedigree. In fact, a couple of past visitors have included Mary Queen of Scots and Robert the Bruce.

By Anita Draycott