#february2015

Guayaquil is not only the beating commercial heart of Ecuador but a vibrant sprawling city, growing ever more confident. A half-dozen high-rises give it a big-city profile, and several hillsides are engulfed by colorful favelas, but it’s the Río Guayas’ malecón (the riverfront town square) that defines the city’s identity. The picturesque barrio of Las Peñas, which perches over the river, anchors the city both geographically and historically, while the principal downtown thoroughfare Avenida 9 de Octubre funnels office workers, residents and shoppers into one hybrid stream. Note that all flights to the Galápagos Islands either stop at or originate in Guayaquil, so the city is the next best place after Quito to set up a trip... 😉 #TravelInfo #TravelTips . #Throwback #February2015 #Travel #Vacation #StudyTrip #Wanderlust #GoExplore #WonderfulPlaces #InstaTravel #Landscape #LandscapeArchitecture #Park #Garden #Lake #Green #Guayaquil #Guavas #Ecuador #NorthwesternSouthAmerica #SouthAmerica (at Guayaquil, Ecuador) https://www.instagram.com/p/CN_oV-uHaVn/?igshid=uasikhinxd5y

Sayausi is a green oasis and one of the parish in Cuenca located in the province of Azuay, Ecuador. In the 1990s this area was unknown, but new hotels and restaurants are opening and tourism has increased tremendously. Additionally, the strengthening tourism sector in Cuenca has increased tourism to Sayausí as well. More recently, a number of local initiatives have been started in order to expand Sayausí's agritourism sector. These initiatives primarily focus on sharing the gastronomy and culture of this rural part of Ecuador... 😉 #TravelInfo #TravelTips . #Throwback #February2015 #Travel #Vacation #StudyTrip #Wanderlust #GoExplore #WonderfulPlaces #InstaTravel #Landscape #LandscapeArchitecture #Nature #ProductiveLandscape #Valley #Stream #Creek #Village #Suburb #SubUrban #Rural #Perish #Sayausi #Cuenca #Azuay #Ecuador #NorthwesternSouthAmerica #SouthAmerica (at Sayausí, Azuay, Ecuador) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNuSGlhHku8/?igshid=1h8yhvksoid3q

Cuenca is Ecuador's 3rd largest city, however, with just 450,000 people, it's far smaller than either Quito or Guayaquil and much more relaxed. Situated in the Ecuadorian highlands (2,500 meters above sea level), Cuenca's historic center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Well-preserved churches appear around every corner, and a monumental cathedral sits at the center of them all. Compared to the major cities, Cuenca is relatively safe. However, petty crime still occurs as thieves target tourists. During the day, you can use your camera or smartphone openly around the city center, however, take extra care when walking around in the evening. As a rule of thumb, don't carry anything you're not ready to lose... 😉 #TravelInfo #TravelTips . #Throwback #February2015 #Travel #Vacation #StudyTrip #Wanderlust #GoExplore #WonderfulPlaces #InstaTravel #Landscape #LandscapeArchitecture #Architecture #City #Urban #Urbanism #Building #Tree #HistoricalCenter #UNESCO #UNESCOWorldHeritageSite #Cuenca #Azuay #Ecuador #NorthwesternSouthAmerica #SouthAmerica (at Centro histórico de Cuenca) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNiHP71HQUS/?igshid=1k6x760erqnrz

The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica rank among the most popular tourist attractions in the world as visitors are eager to get a taste of what life is like for the 1K++ people that call this miniature country home. But even more fascinating than the state’s geography or politics, is its religious connections and the wealth of spellbinding artworks and artifacts it safeguards. The jewel of the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica, is at the top of the tourist itinerary for many visitors to the Vatican. If this sounds like you then be sure to avoid visiting the Vatican early on a Wednesday morning. Many visitors aren’t aware that the basilica is generally closed to the public and tour groups on Wednesday mornings for the papal audience. Don’t miss out on this architectural wonder and book your tour accordingly... 😉 #TravelTips #TravelInfo . #Throwback #February2015 #Travel #Vacation #Trip #Wanderlust #GoExplore #WonderfulPlaces #InstaTravel #Winter #Landscape #LandscapeArchitecture #Architecture #City #Urban #Urbanism #Building #Basilica #Religion #WorldSmallestCountry #StPetersBasilica #VaticanCity #VaticanCityState #TheVatican #StatoDellaCittaDelVaticano #SouthernEurope #Europe (at St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Rome) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNPK1xWn200/?igshid=1n43ub1j354h0

Sinincay is one of the perish in Cuenca with an altitude more than 2700++ meter o.s.l. If you’re exposed to a higher elevation within a short period of time you might suffering an 'altitude sickness'. This form of sickness is common when people are traveling and either climbing or being transported to a higher elevation quickly. The higher you climb, the lower the air pressure and oxygen levels get. Our bodies can handle the shift, but they need time to gradually adjust. It’s hard to predict exactly how your body will react to high altitudes because everyone is different. As for me, the first time i arrived in Cuenca, i felt slightly dizzy and most of my fingers were numbed, but it was just a temporal effect. As a serious notes, if you have any existing medical conditions, like heart problems, trouble breathing, or diabetes, you should talk to your doctor before traveling to high altitude. These conditions may lead to additional complications if you get altitude sickness... 😉 #TravelTips #TravelInfo #Throwback #February2015 #Travel #Study #Trip #Wanderlust #GoExplore #WonderfulPlaces #InstaTravel #Landscape #Village #Settlement #Housing #Highlands #Mountain #Hill #Perish #Sinincay #Cuenca #Azuay #Ecuador #NorthwesternSouthAmerica #SouthAmerica (at Sinincay) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6kRRabHTfh/?igshid=1j571laomh6oz

Guayaquil is a city of contrast which is home to both the very rich and the extraordinarily poor. Always ask your place of accommodation which areas are safe to walk around and which roads or blocks you should avoid. The business owners in Guayaquil know that their city comes with a bad reputation and are keen to keep you safe. Walking around at night in Guayaquil comes with risk. Much like Quito, there are many districts that should be avoided after nightfall and it is often safer to arrange a taxi (licensed only) or an Uber to take you to or from your destination... 😉 #TravelTips #TravelInfo #Throwback #February2015 #Travel #Vacation #Study #Wanderlust #GoExplore #WonderfulPlaces #InstaTravel #Landscape #Architecture #Building #Housing #City #Urban #Settlement #Urbanism #WaterVillage #WaterHouse #Guayaquil #Ecuador #NorthwesternSouthAmerica #SouthAmerica (at Guayaquil, Ecuador) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6Ylk7YHHwM/?igshid=a5tn5xxhmvbx

Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca’s historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a place time keeps forgetting: nuns march along cobblestone streets, kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches, and old ladies spy on promenading lovers from their geranium-filled balconies. The city is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat – and the nearby villages offer many more handicrafts besides. Personally, Cuenca is the most beautiful city in Ecuador... 😉 #TravelInfo #TravelTips #Throwback #February2015 #Travel #Study #Trip #Wanderlust #GoExplore #WonderfulPlaces #InstaTravel #Landscape #Nature #Park #River #City #Urban #Settlement #Housing #UNESCOWorldHeritage #UNESCO #CentroHistorico #HistoricalCenter #Cuenca #Azuay #Ecuador #NorthwesternSouthAmerica #SouthAmerica (at Cuenca, Ecuador) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6UffawnpHb/?igshid=11hoycbz3fwt1

The Vatican, the world’s smallest independent state, is the home base of the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope. Saint Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums rank among the most visited sights for a traveler coming to Vatican City or Rome. It also houses the world’s most important collection of classical sculptures and Renaissance art within the Vatican Museums, including Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, which alone attracts a whopping 4 million visitors per year. Vatican City is super easy to reach. Depending on your preferences, you can either take the Metro, a bus, a cab or just walk... 😉 #TravelInfo #TravelTips #Throwback #February2015 #Travel #Vacation #Trip #Wanderlust #GoExplore #WonderfulPlaces #InstaTravel #Winter #Architecture #Icon #Building #Interior #Basilica #SaintPetersBasilica #BasilicaSanPietro #VaticanCity #Vatican #Vaticano #SouthernEurope #Europe (at Città del Vaticano - Basilica San Pietro di Roma) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6LeeCCnM-q/?igshid=xkpdoi81w1yy