Quito, the first city designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site in 1978, was once the northern capital of the Inca Empire and is often called the “Florence of the Americas.” Nowadays, all eyes are on the Old City, considered the best preserved in the Americas. Tops on Quito sightseeing is a rich repository of religious and colonial architecture, such as La Compañia and San Francisco cathedrals. The Old City is now alive with artisan workshops and street entertainment, as well as a gem of a new museum, Casa del Alabado, beautifully displaying pre-Columbian treasures.

BEST PLACE TO STAY

The restoration of the Old City has expanded its inventory of boutique hotels occupying historic premises, from the La Casa de la Ronda to the newest Casa Gangotena.

BEST NATURE EXPERIENCES

Cruising the Galapagos Islands rates tops in must-do experiences in the Americas, and the call of this spectacular wildland is its array of birds, reptiles, fish and plants unique to the islands. Common favorites are giant tortoises, marine iguanas and three kinds of boobies—masked, red- and blue-footed. Ecuador’s slice of Amazonia is a vast rainforest region called El Oriente, home to giant otters, wooly monkeys, river dolphins, 1,600 species of birds, and communities of indigenous peoples.

BEST CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

Head for the scenic highlands and the colorful weekly markets: the largest is the Saturday market in Otavalo, but others include Ambato on Mondays, Pujili on Wednesdays, and Saquisili on Thursdays. Cuenca is Ecuador’s colonial gem of a city, one whose remaining 17th century charms include blue-and-gold-domed churches and cloisters full of beautiful art. Nearby, explore the sprawling fortress of Ingapirca, Ecuador’s most important remains of the Inca Empire.

BEST KEPT SECRET

Often called “the poor man’s Galapagos,” Isla de la Plata is a day excursion from Puerto Lopez and a land habitat for sea lions, frigate birds and three species of boobies; dive in to encounter white-tipped sharks and manta rays, or come in June to early-October for whale watching.

BEST TIME TO GO: May to December in Quito and the highlands; August to November in El Oriente; more tropical Guayaquil’s coolest months are June through September

FUN FACT: Visitors to La Mitad del Mundo (the Middle of the World monument) north of Quito and precisely on the equator, have a memorable photo op: straddle the marker and you have one foot in each hemisphere

GETTING THERE: Delta flies from Atlanta to Quito

ENTRY DOCUMENTS: Valid passport

CURRENCY: U.S. Dollar

MUST-TRY NATIVE FOOD: If you really want a taste of something different, traditional and tasty, order the common highland delicacy cuy (roasted guinea pig), delicious when well prepared

BEST BUYS: Fine and original handicrafts, ranging from woven ponchos, rugs and wall hangings to hand-knits, ceramics, distinctive jewelry, embroidered tablecloths, and straw goods, including the original Panama hat

INFORMATION PLEASE: Ecuador Ministry of Tourism—ecuador.travel

PERU

Lima

Once called the “City of Kings,” Lima was the center of Spanish power in the New World in the 16th century. Fast-forward 500 years and you’ll find the historic colonial center of Plaza de Armas, restored to show off the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace and the Presidential Palace. While Lima is no urban beauty, the capital has beautiful baroque churches such as La Merced and the Convent of San Francisco, and its museums, led by the Museo Larco, are outstanding.

BEST PLACE TO STAY

The newly debuted Hilton Lima Miraflores, and in the artsy seaside Barranco district, the just-opened, classy, B Arts Boutique Hotel. And we can’t forget The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center, located in Lima’s financial and shopping district.

BEST NATURE EXPERIENCE

The call of the wild takes travelers by air from Lima to the lively river port of Iquitos, gateway to exploring Amazonia, either from comfortable eco-lodges or aboard several classy expedition boats cruising through the remote Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. From Lima and Cusco, nature lovers flock to the Tambopata Nature Reserve and the Manu Biological Reserve, southeastern rainforest areas that protect incredible wildlife.

BEST CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

The Incas, the last of the pre-Columbian civilizations, made their kingdom’s capital in the Andean city Cusco, destroyed in the 16th century by the Spanish conquistadors, who then built churches—El Catedral, La Merced Convent and La Compañia—on Inca temple fortifications. Cusco is a gold-mine of sightseeing wonders, artisan boutiques, and a host of upscale hotels occupying historic buildings. From Cusco, it’s a scenic rail ride to everyone’s wish list destination, Machu Picchu, the breathtaking “Lost City of the Incas.” Of course, there’s always the option of an Inca Trail Trek (three to five days) to approach this iconic site on foot.

BEST KEPT SECRET

Sky-high and sacred, Lake Titicaca offers travelers accommodations with the islanders on Islas Amantani and Taquile.

BEST TIME TO GO: May to November, the dry season; in the rainforest areas, June-October

FUN FACT: Peru’s greatest contribution to the world is probably the potato. All modern varieties—roughly 5,000—can be traced to a single species first domesticated in the southern Andes around 10,000 years ago

GETTING THERE: Delta flies from Atlanta to Lima

ENTRY DOCUMENTS: Valid passport

CURRENCY: Nuevo Sol

MUST-TRY NATIVE FOOD: Fashioned in the Andes, novoandina cuisine combines modern “techniques” with traditional raw materials of Andean dishes. Try quinotto, the national version of the typical Italian risotto, eaten with chicken, prawns or shellfish

BEST BUYS: Paintings by local artists, silver and jade jewelry, hand-woven textiles, alpaca wool clothing (sweaters, ponchos, capes, slippers), Cusceno mirrors

INFORMATION PLEASE: PromPeru—peru.info

VENEZUELA