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

Get Thee to a Convent in Old San Juan

El Convento, originally a 17th century Carmelite convent, has been listed as one of the world’s best places to stay by both Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines.

By Anita Draycott

El Convento, originally a 17th century Carmelite convent, has been listed as one of the world’s best places to stay by both Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines. It’s difficult to believe that this Old San Juan landmark, kitty-corner to the town’s Cathedral, served as a dance hall and flophouse before becoming member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Take breakfast al fresco under the shade of an ancient loquat tree in the central patio and try the banana nut pancakes with maple syrup.

El Convento guests can enjoy the vibe of Spanish colonial San Juan, plus Puerto Rico’s surf scene because they have Beach Club privileges at El Convento’s sister properties on the sands of Condado Beach.

Marrakech: Feast for the senses in Marrakesh, Morocco

Marrakech is an ancient caravan town, a gathering place where Arabs and Berbers mingle with Sahara nomads and mountain people.

By Anita Draycott

I felt like I had just stepped into a movie. Snake charmers, teeth yankers, fortune tellers, acrobats, water carriers—good guys, bad guys all putting on their nightly performance in Jemaa el Fna square, in the marvelous mayhem that is Marrakech.

Each evening as the sun starts to set the cast assembles, setting up stalls of street-food delicacies ranging from massive cauldrons of snails brewing in a mirky broth to lamb kabobs hissing on charcoal fires. Circling the square is a non-stop throng of rusty bicycles and mopeds, mangy donkeys pulling wagons, rattling petite taxis honking their horns. Marrakech is an ancient caravan town, a gathering place where Arabs and Berbers mingle with Sahara nomads and mountain people. Morocco is a feast for the senses and twilight at Jemaa el Fna assaults all of them.

Visit Aberdeen Area’s Best Castles in Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Explore magnificent castles located throughout Aberdeen.

• Delgatie Castle

The home of the late Captain Hay of Delgatie, the castle has displays of fine paintings, armoury and Victorian clothes combined with the atmosphere of a lived in home. The castle has largely been in the Hay family for the last 650 years. It was taken from the Earl of Buchan after the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, when Robert the Bruce routed the invading English army. Mary Queen of Scots stayed at Delgatie for three days after the Battle of Cirrichie in 1562. Her bedchamber is on view to visitors.

• Haddo House

Unusual for Aberdeenshire in that it is not a castle, Haddo House is proud to be the most homely of the north-east of Scotland’s great houses open to the public. Designed by William Adam for the 2nd Earl of Aberdeen in 1732, but refurbished in the 1880s, the House elegantly blends crisp Georgian architecture with sumptuous late Victorian interiors by Wright and Mansfield. Haddo also boasts a terrace garden with geometric rose beds and fountain, commemorative trees, a lavish herbaceous border and secluded glades and knolls. A magnificent avenue of lime trees leads to Haddo Country Park with its lakes, monuments, walks and wildlife.

• Huntly Castle

Magnificent castle ruins including 12th-century motte and palace block erected in the 16th and 17th centuries. The architectural details and heraldic enrichments are particularly impressive. Eleven steps lead to the raised area where the castle stands. The castle can be viewed from outside and there is an interpretation board giving information about the property. Known also as Strathbogie Castle, the glorious ruin stands on the bank of the River Deveron. It is in itself a history lesson in the development of the Scottish castle from the earliest Norman fortress to the palace of the 17th century. The remains of a 12th century motte and bailey, a medieval L-plan tower house, and defence earthworks of the Civil War are still visible. The most striking features are the splendid heraldic doorway and carved fireplaces.

• Dunnottar Castle

Dunnottar Castle offers an unforgettable experience. A dramatic and evocative ruined cliff top fortress in a truly stunning setting. The extensive buildings - from the keep through the barracks, lodgings, stables and storehouses to the less-ruinous chapel and drawing room - underline the importance of Dunnottar, an impregnable Castle that holds many rich secrets of Scotland’s colourful past. William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots, the Marquis of Montrose and the future King Charles II, all graced the Castle with their presence. Most famously though, it was at Dunnottar Castle that a small garrison held out against the might of Cromwell’s army for eight months and saved the Scottish Crown Jewels, the ‘Honours of Scotland’, from destruction. Crown, sceptre and sword now take pride of place in Edinburgh Castle.

• Fyvie Castle

Dating back to the 13th century, Fyvie Castle is located a mile north of the village of Fyvie in Aberdeenshire. This stunning castle was once a royal stronghold, one of a chain of fortresses throughout medieval Scotland. The oldest part of the castle still stands today, dating from the 13th century, which houses a great wheel staircase, the finest in Scotland. Contemporary panelling and plaster ceilings survive in the 17th-century Morning Room and the opulence of the Edwardian era is reflected in the interiors created by the first Lord Leith of Fyvie. A rich portrait collection is also found in the castle including works by Batoni, Raeburn and Hoppner; and there is a fine collection of arms and armour and 17th-century tapestries. The grounds and loch were designed as landscaped parkland in the early 19th century. The 18th-century walled garden has been redeveloped as a celebration of Scottish fruits and vegetables.

• Balmoral Castle

Set amongst the magnificent scenery of Royal Deeside, in the shadows of Lochnagar is the Balmoral Estate. Purchased by Queen Victoria in 1848, the Estate has been the Scottish home of the British Royal Family ever since. The Estate covers about 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres) of heather clad hills and ancient Caledonian woodland, with the beautiful River Dee nearby.
Over the past 150 years, careful stewardship by The Royal Family has preserved the wildlife, scenery and architecture which is available for all generations to enjoy. In her journals Queen Victoria even went so far as to describe Balmoral as "my dear paradise in the Highlands".
The Royal Family are still in residence at Balmoral for a portion of the year, with the grounds, gardens and exhibitions closed to the public during August, September and early October.

• Castle Fraser

About 16 miles west of Aberdeen is the stunning Castle Fraser, one of the grandest of the Scottish baronial tower houses. Built between 1575 and 1636 by the 6th laird, Michael Fraser, Castle Fraser is the most elaborate Z-plan castle in Scotland. The castle belongs to the same period of native architectural achievement as two neighbouring castles, Crathes and Craigievar. One of the castle’s most evocative rooms is the strikingly simple Great Hall. The castle contains many Fraser family portraits, including one by Raeburn, and fine 18th- and 19th-century carpets, curtains and bed hangings, and even Charles Mackenzie Fraser's wooden leg! The estate contains a flight pond, mixed woodland and open farmland, with two waymarked walks giving magnificent views of the local hills.

• Crathes Castle

Crathes Castle is surrounded by woodland to the east of Banchory in the Aberdeenshire countryside. This late 16th century castle, with connections to King Robert the Bruce, provides a memorable experience with its towers, turrets and stories of its resident ghosts. King Robert the Bruce granted the lands of Leys to the Burnett family in 1323: the ancient Horn of Leys, which can be seen today in the Great Hall, marks his gift. The castle, built in the second half of the 16th century, is a superb example of a tower house of the period. Some of the rooms still retain their original painted ceilings and collections of family portraits and furniture. A visit is enhanced by the 1.5 hectares of walled garden, which incorporates herbaceous borders and many unusual plants, providing a wonderful display at all times of the year. The great yew hedges, fascinating examples of the art of topiary, date from as early as 1702

• Corgarff Castle

Corgarff Castle, dating back from the 16th century, sits in the tranquil Aberdeenshire countryside.
Situated in stunning scenery with magnificent views, this tower house is thought to have been built in 1550 before being converted into a barracks for government troops in 1748. The castle’s last military use was to control the smuggling of illicit whisky between 1827 and 1831. Today the site is still complete with its 18th century star-shaped fortification.