Quito - smack in the middle of things

High up in the Andes, where you will need a few days to adjust to the altitude, lies the city of Quito. This city is the capital of Ecuador and has undergone a huge amount of restoration work in recent years. You will notice this the moment you step inside the city with its huge range of beautiful cathedrals and parks. Tack a trip to the old colonial town area and especially the Monastery of San Fransisco, and you will feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The La Compañia de Jesus is thought to be one of the most stunning churches in South America, and anyone that thinks this would be justified. It is a glorious building that has been restored after suffering severe fire damage. You can also pop outside the city and visit the monument for the middle of the earth (mitad del mundo). While the monument has been built a few hundred meters away from the actual middle of the earth, the location is typified with events and festivals, and a selection of museums that are a treat to see. Be warned we were lucky that we had a decent understanding of Spanish, as only the touristy areas spoke any form of English.