LATIN AMERICA Metropolitan touring launches new itinerary in northern ecuador
able in Ecuador, a result of the country’s numerous climates and ecosystems. From the market, a short drive leads to the 17th-century Andean estate of Hacienda Cusin, where a chef will be waiting to walk visitors through the preparation of a tasty, traditional Ecuadorian lunch. Guests will prepare their own grilled trout from nearby Andean rivers and farms, empanadas (turnovers stuffed with a variety of ingredients), ending with a famous helado de paila for dessert (ice cream made in the traditional way by hand with pure fruit juice). All is washed down with a glass of wine. On the way back to Quito, the itinerary visits the showroom of an Andean rose plantation. Ecuador grows the world’s most beautiful varieties, and color explodes throughout the farm as visitors learn how roses are grown, packaged and shipped. Metropolitan Touring’s new itinerary is a rewarding day, full of Andean landscapes, cultural interest, vivid colors and intense flavors. Metropolitan touring, www.metropolitan-touring.com
Bolivia By goway is a Best-Kept secret for south aMerica
Northern Ecuador is a verdant land of rolling hills, towering volcanoes, strong cultural identity and skillful craftspeople. Visitors can marvel at the majesty of the Andes, meet local people and take home beautiful crafts. Combined with the country’s rich, diverse but as yet unsung cuisine, these are the elements of a fascinating and rewarding journey. “We’ve been organizing trips to the northern Andes for decades,” remarks Cristina Valdivieso, Metropolitan Touring’s Commercial Manager for the United States, “but we’re always looking for new ways to inspire our guests and allow them closer contact with people. Cuisine allows us to do just that, and our new full-day handson experience has the added twist of an encounter with the colors and flavors of the Ecuadorian Andes.” Guests depart Ecuador’s capital city, Quito, for a scenic drive through, down and round the Andes to Otavalo, a well-known cultural and handcraft center surrounded by volcanoes, rivers and lakes. Its residents are friendly and welcoming, and rank among the most successful indigenous groups on the continent. Although the itinerary includes time at their famous handcraft market, where eye-catching textiles predominate, the main focus of the visit is on local cuisine and ingredients in the nearby ‘municipal’ market where the Otavalos make a stop to eat when they come with their wares to the market (sorry, no tasting here)—a place bursting with the aromas of home cooking and dozens of spices. Here, guests can get an idea of the stunning range of produce avail20 • septeMBer 2011
“Bolivia, landlocked at the heart of Andean Latin America, remains something of a well-kept secret,” states Don Forster, Product Manager for Goway’s Latin America division. “Today, those who venture beyond the very popular neighbor of Peru—easily connected by our Puno to La Paz connector—will find a country offering an authentic take on Latin American culture.” He explains that “the country's innate charm lies in its staggering breadth of contrasts: the clash of indigenous and European culture, the sweep of landscape from the Amazon jungle to high-altitude mountains, the largest salt lake in the world and the diversity of activities from adrenaline sports to ancient monuments. Add to this the amazing journey from the high Altiplano down the high desert in Chile on our Salt Lakes of Bolivia connector—one of my favorite journeys in the world—and Bolivia has everything a traveler needs. According to Foster around two thirds of the population are of indigenous origin and the authentic culture has not been watered down. “Native religions, dialects, clothes, music and medicines all form part of the daily life on the street,” he continued. Goway’s product offers for Bolivia range from Andean Classic, a 14-days combination of Peru and Bolivia; the 12-day Best of Bolivia; 6-day Escape To Titicaca & Uyuni visiting the highest navigable lake in the world—Lake Titicaca; plus an 8-day nature cross-section adventure From The Andes To The Amazon. The Goway 2011–2012 Latin America travel planner prominently features some of these amazing journey as well as many other options to Central and South America. A copy can be ordered online, by email or by calling toll-free. goway travel, 800-387-8850, 888-469-2955 (planner), info@goway.com, www.goway.com www.travelworldnews.com • Travel World News