Wandering With Bill

That’s a question I hear a lot from readers.

From masses of anecdotal evidence and my own experience of living here, I can safely say that a typical couple will most likely spend somewhere between $1,600 and $2,400 a month to live in Ecuador.

But what you will spend depends very much on your own needs and wants.

For example, I know of (not personally “know,” but have no reason to doubt) a woman who lives in a tiny remote beach town and does so for less than $800 a month—quite a bit less, in fact. It’s not the way I’d like to live…but it suits her.

She has a small and very humble room to sleep in, takes cold-water showers, eats a vegetarian diet, and forgoes comforts like in-home Internet or telephone or cable TV. Still, she’s happy with her decision.

I know another couple that live an urban lifestyle with all the bells and whistles. They don’t deny themselves much at all and travel internationally three or four times a year. Their expenses hover around $4,500 a month.

Those two examples, of course, fall on either ends of the spectrum. But to give you some idea of how much a “typical” couple might spend:

Rent

$600 a month will net you an upscale, furnished, two-bedroom, two-bathroom home or apartment. (That probably includes Internet, DIRECTV, and water. If not, figure $30 for internet, $65 for a TV package, and $2 for water.)

Utilities

Figure on spending $20 a month for electricity and $4 a month for gas to heat your hot water. That’s for living in the mountains where you’ll not need heat or air conditioning. Double the cost of electricity if you live on the coast and like to run your air conditioning with some frequency.

Public transportation

$25 (That’s in a city like Cuenca. Most expats don’t own cars, and if you live in a small, walkable town like I do, you may spend hardly anything at all.)

Food

$500. This is totally subjective, of course…and for many will include meals out, including great-value almuerzos (a set two-course meal with a non-alcoholic drink.)

Cellphone

$15. (This supposes you own the phone. Most expats choose a pay-as-you-go plan…how much you pay depends on how much you like to talk on the phone.)

Total for those basic expenses: $1,164.

That’s a pretty good deal for a good basic standard of living. And it leaves plenty of money for the average retiree couple to enjoy some entertainment. Lunch once a week for the two of you could cost you $5 or $20, depending on where you eat. Dinner, too, with drinks could cost $20 or $50, depending where you go. Settling somewhere in between, we’ll peg this expense at $45 a week, or about $200 a month.

Ecuador
A couple can live well in Ecuador on a mere $1,500 a month.

That puts our monthly total at $1,364. With me so far? Now, here are some additional expenses you may or may not want to add to your own personal ledger:

First up: health care. Many retired expats in Ecuador are buying into the government health system and are paying, on average (for a couple), $140 a month. (A private health plan for a retired couple will run in the vicinity of $250 a month.) Prescription medications are inexpensive here. A month’s supply of a general blood pressure medication, for example, costs about $10. A fitness club membership costs an average $20 to $25 per person.

What about pampering yourself? Haircuts can cost anywhere from $2 and up… A woman who is very particular about her hair might expect to pay $20 for a cut and $25 for a color. A massage runs anywhere from $15 to $30. Someone to clean your home will typically charge $10 to $15, depending on how much time and effort is involved.

How much travel will you do? The rule of thumb used by some expats is to stash away $250 a month or more for your annual trip back home. Put away another $200 a month to pay for local weekend getaways here and there—there is much to explore in Ecuador.

So now it’s up to you. Take that $1,364 we arrived at a few paragraphs back and add whatever is appropriate for you. If you plan to buy your home, you can subtract that original $650 we included for rent…but you’ll need to add Internet and TV expenses back in and include HOA fees and your annual property taxes. (Monthly HOA fees in Ecuador typically range from $40 to $100. Our annual property tax for our home is less than $54 a year.)

And there you have it: Your cost of living in Ecuador could be less than $1,000 if you are a frugal single, less than $1,500 a month if you’re a frugal couple (easily done since it’s possible to rent a nice apartment for $300 to $400). Spend a bit more—as much as $2,400 a month if you own your home (or somewhere around $3,000 if you don’t)—and you’ll enjoy the best of everything: fine foods and spirits, fitness club membership, a private health insurance plan, local travel, and a trip back home to visit once a year.

Only you know what you need to be happy and comfortable, which is why only you can answer the question “How much does it cost to live in Ecuador?”

Source: International Living and Investing

The happiest countries in the world all have something in common, according to Gallup’s new ranking.

When it comes to happiness, Latin America must be onto something.

Gallup surveyed people in 143 countries to rank the happiest nations, and found that the entire top 10 are in Latin America. Paraguay scored the top spot, and Colombia, Ecuador, and Guatemala tied for second. Meanwhile, the least happy nations were all found to be in the Middle East and North Africa. (See below for the top 10 and bottom 10 countries in the ranking.)

For the survey, Gallup developed a “happiness score” for each country based on responses from survey participants, who were asked if they had five positive experiences the day before the survey. Gallup tallied the “yes” responses to five questions from roughly 1,000 people in each country surveyed. The questions included:

1.Did you feel well-rested yesterday?

2.Were you treated with respect all day yesterday?

3.Did you smile or laugh a lot yesterday?

4.Did you learn or do something interesting yesterday?

5.Did you experience the following feelings during a lot of the day yesterday? How about enjoyment?

From these responses, Gallup was able to create a Positive Experience Index score for each country — which, strangely enough, is pretty steady every year. The worldwide score usually falls around 70.

In 2014, that was no different. The global mean was 71 — which is good news, meaning most people reported feeling pretty happy. Most men and women said they feel a lot of enjoyment, smile or laugh a lot, feel well-rested, and are treated with respect. People are staying mentally stimulated, too: According to the poll, more than 50 percent of people worldwide reported doing something interesting the day prior to the interview.

It’s worth noting that a failure to report a ton of positive vibes doesn’t automatically spell doom and gloom. For instance, people in the former Soviet Union are pretty even-keeled. While they don’t report a lot of positive emotions, they don’t report a lot of negative emotions either, according to past Gallup research.

Check out the countries that scored highest and lowest in the Gallup happiness ranking:

Top 10

Paraguay : 89

Columbia: 84

Ecuador: 84

Guatemala: 84

Honduras: 82

Panama: 82

Venezuela: 82

Costa Rica: 81

El Salvador: 81

Nicaragua: 81

Bottom 10

Sudan: 47

Tunisia: 52

Bangladesh: 54

Serbia: 54

Turkey: 54

Bosnia and Herzegovina: 55

Georgia: 55

Lithuania: 55

Nepal: 55

Afghanistan: 55

Hummingbirds are a unique family of birdlife and a very exciting one for newcomers to the world of birdwatching. Ecuador is the ideal location for bird enthusiasts to visit for a wide array of bird species to see, displaying a rainbow of magnificent plumage. Although the country’s terrain is not always an easy one to navigate, expert tour guides can lead groups across gentler landscapes to areas that are well known for an abundance of bird watching opportunities.

Amazing Variety

Despite its small size, the country is renowned as one of the world’s most ecologically diverse. It is also home to over 132 different species of hummingbirds, making it ideal for birdwatching. Ecuador supports just about every type of habitat and climate from sea level to snow tipped mountain ranges, and hummingbirds can be found in all of them. The species that live in the higher altitudes have developed an amazing ability to go into a state of torpor at night naturally lowering their heart rate and body temperature to conserve energy. Due to their large population and bright colours, hummingbirds make an ideal subject for novice bird-watchers.

Evolution

Studies of evolution have revealed that these birds naturally adapt their bodies and shape to suit the environment in which they live. The most densely populated areas of Ecuador are the warmer, more tropical regions, which are ideal for birdwatching; Ecuador’s higher altitudes are more sparsely populated by hummingbirds, but the ones who do live there have slightly different body shapes to accommodate their environment and lifestyles. The ones found at higher altitudes, such as the Sword-billed Hummingbird, have much larger bills and bodies compared to their tropical cousins. These evolutionary adaptations have come about due to the food and resources the species have access to at altitudes of 2500 to 3500 metres.

A Pleasure to See

This is the only known species of bird with the ability to fly backwards, and their antics, in all environments, are thrilling for bird-watchers – both beginners and seasoned spotters. These amazing little birds have an enormous amount of energy and their wings move at speeds of up to 70 beats per second. They maintain their energy by visiting and feeding off the sucrose found in flower nectar and will typically feed every 10 minutes to refuel then go into a hibernation-like state at night. Hummingbirds are vital for the continued pollination of many plants and flowers in Ecuador.

The country has a wealth of wildlife and excellent opportunities for birdwatching. Ecuador’s large population of hummingbirds is especially well suited for beginners, as they are abundant and easy to spot. They are also a very entertaining species of bird to observe, making a dedicated bird-watching holiday both exciting and enjoyable.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marissa_Ellis-Snow

Known as the River of the Sacred Waterfalls, Rio Upano is a prime white water rafting destination in Ecuador. This 60 kilometer river stretches from the remote town of Macas situated on the western region of the Amazon Basin.

Rio Upano is composed of different whitewater sections ranging from gentle to raging rapids that take you through narrow canyons. Rafting on this river is not only exciting, it is also very scenic. On this trip, you will marvel at highly isolated luscious rainforests that make this part of the world truly special. You will also get the chance to pass through fascinating native Ecuadorian tribes including the Shaur Indians, who have managed to preserve their traditional way of living for many generations. The Shaur people are formerly called the “Headhunters of the Amazon”.

Because of the varying rapids, Rio Upano is ideal for both beginning and advanced rafters. The rafting tours offered here usually stretch out to a couple of days, allowing you to truly immerse in this remote yet beautiful region of Ecuador. A multiple-day trip also gives you time to hike some trails and camp overnight in lovely riverside camping grounds. The rafting season is during the months of October through February. Participants do not need rafting experience for this trip but you need to be at least 15 years of age and a good swimmer.

To reach Rio Upano, you first need to fly from the capital Quito to the town of Macas in the mountainous Morona-Santiago province. From Macas, you can raft all the way Rio Upano, to the wild lands of the Shaur. This trip is considered the finest in the world because of the outstanding jungle scenery that will unfold before your eyes. You will most likely encounter wildlife like iridescent butterflies, oropendolas, toucans and egrets. The river’s whitewater rafting sections are composed of wide valley and narrow canyons.

White water rafting trips in the river region are typically arranged by an outfitter, and there are a couple of local operators to choose from. Outfitters usually provide camping equipment like sleeping bags and arrange for guides to cook the meals. However, remember to bring your personal gear like proper clothes, shoes, insect repellent, water bottle, toiletries and sun protection. Before tackling the rapids, outfitters provide a safety briefing as well as paddling technique instructions to tour participants.

You can arrange a rafting tour that includes a visit to a Shaur family and a stay at a traditional palm-thatched houses near the river. By doing so, you can gain invaluable knowledge about the culture and jungle life of this indigenous tribe. There are also some operators that employ a Shaur guide to go with the tour.

One of the most exciting parts of the river is undoubtedly the Namangosa Gorge, which boasts Class IV and even IV+ rapids. On top of a promise of a wild exhilarating ride, the gorge also features several gorgeous waterfalls cascading down its sides. After conquering the challenging rapids, you will end up at the broader and deeper side of the river, where it is usually calmer. This is the section of the Rio Upano that meets up with Rio Amazonas (Amazon River).

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Ecuador is a beautiful, leading green destination located in South America. Travelers think that Ecuador is just one more poor, developing country around the world. The reality is that the few foreigners which end up visiting Ecuador become astonished and surprised because of the culture, flora, fauna, and Eco-tourism that the nation holds. In addition, the visitors highlight that Ecuador’s adventures and leisure time are affordable, pleasant, and unique.

Head to Ecuador for a wonderful and incredibly family-friendly holiday which in a relatively small area offers a whole diversity of experiences from rainforest to riding among volcanoes, kayaking into mangroves, and snorkelling with sealions.

Ecuador’s temperate highlands make the perfect starting point for your family adventure as you can reach some truly spectacular rural locations in the shadow of beautiful volcanic peaks within an hour or so from the airport to get your holiday off to a relaxing beginning, even when travelling with smaller children. You can arrange a bespoke itinerary that combines some fantastic horse-riding for all levels, whether for several days or just for a few hours, from a gorgeous family-run traditional working farm or hacienda with a whole host of other activities from colorful Indian markets, walks, cycling, and checking out what’s going on at the farm.

The perennial fascination of exotic creatures big and small from insects to snakes and monkeys does not fail to engage children of all ages, whether you head to the cooler cloud forest with your little ones only a short drive from Quito or whether you venture with your teenagers deeper into Amazon basin rainforest to spend a few incredible and illuminating days with local tribes in the heart of their ancestral home. Family-friendly riverside jungle lodges can offer specially designed forest walks with great guides as well as lots of fun activities from making animal models and pictures to learning the essential skills on how to become a forest naturalist, such as recognizing animal calls and spotting minute insects! Swim in waterfalls, go fishing for piranha, and get face-painting with natural dye, known as achiote!

When you are ready for some time to relax by the coast after all that exploration and active adventure, then why not try the less-developed villages and towns around Machalilla National Park. Kayak along the coast looking out for dolphins, check out the Panama hat weavers at Montecristi or try your hand at making jewelry and local handicrafts. June to November sees a migration of humpback whales offshore for some amazing close encounters en-route to a ‘mini-Galapagos’ at Isla de la Plata, the only other place in the world where you can see waved albatross and also blue-footed boobies, sealions, and frigate birds. This coast is wonderful for even younger children reached by an easy road journey from Guayaquil via a chocolate factory or a short scenic flight to Manta.

Alternatively of course, you can combine the beautiful highlands and rainforest with the stunning Galapagos Islands on a fabulous experience of a lifetime aboard a beautiful cruise vessel. If you have a larger family or want to take the grandparents too, then talk to us about private yacht charter. If your children love making new friends, then we can recommend some wonderful cruises with special family departures, designed to keep all ages happy on-board and onshore!

Holidays to Ecuador are an amazing opportunity to get up close and personal with the culture and history of this fascinating continent.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Louise_Anne_Mumford

Ecuador is a prize destination for those nature lovers dedicated to exotic bird watching. Ecuador is considered one of the world’s most bio-diverse regions and offers numerous opportunities for wildlife and avian sightings. The Napo River Basin, which is a slow moving river that meanders through the northeastern region of the country, is particularly popular with visitors seeking out the country’s Amazonian bird species.

A Bird Watcher’s Paradise

The Napo River Basin is largely protected by 962,000 hectares of the Yasuni National Park, the country’s largest reserve through which it runs. Much of Yasuni National Park is very remote and only accessible by boat. However, this area alone is said to be home to over 600 species of birds, guaranteeing excellent opportunities for bird watching. Ecuador is one of the three countries the Napo River flows through and, during its journey, the river passes through two separate biosphere reserves, Yasuni and Sumaco, where just a few hectares supports more species of flora and fauna than the whole of North America.

Opportunities Abound

There are few places on Earth that offer up such a wealth of sighting opportunities for bird watching. Ecuador, and the Napo River Basin in particular, not only supports hundreds of different species of birds but also over 6000 types of plants and trees and over 204 different species of mammals. Most visitors explore the Napo River by boat and along the way will frequently spot Swallow-wings and sometimes even a rare sighting of an Orange-breasted Falcon. Although much of the river is viewed from the water, there are frequent observation towers and raised walkways to stop at, which offer excellent viewing posts for observing the canopy birds of the forest.

Further along the trail of the Napo River, travellers can visit many natural habitats that attract a wide array of parrots. Sightings usually include large numbers of Dusky-headed Parakeets, Mealy Amazons, Blue-headed Parrots and Yellow-crowned Amazons. Smaller clay-licks further down the river attract Orange-eared Parrots, Cobalt-winged Parakeets and, sometimes, magnificent Scarlet Macaws. During a typical four-day visit to the Napo River, visitors can expect to see anywhere from 160 to 180 different species of birds along their travels.

Excellent Destination

The Napo River Basin is an excellent destination for bird watching. Ecuador and its colourful array of Amazonian bird species is a constant source of entertainment for the beginner and seasoned bird watcher alike. With a knowledgeable guide to lead the way, exploring the Napo River is simply a one of a kind experience.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marissa_Ellis-Snow

As luxurious as it sounds, retiring abroad can often make a lot more financial sense than living out your golden years close to home. Deciding where to lay down roots outside of the U.S. is the tricky part.

Each year, International Living Magazine releases its Global Retirement Index to help point retirees in the right direction. The survey relies on a combination of first-person accounts from their legion of international correspondents and editors, as well as data from the World Bank and the World Health Organization. Countries are ranked based on a range of factors, including real estate, cost of living, ease of fitting in, health care costs/quality, infrastructure, and climate.
For the full index, which ranks 25 countries, check out the report here. We’ve highlighted the top 10 below:

10. Thailand
(Last year’s rank: 10)

Chiang Mai, Thailand (Thinkstock)
With its low cost of living and wide array of entertainment and arts offerings, Thailand has long been a popular destination for American expats. According to International Living, North American influences in major cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai make it easy to feel right at home (many of the locals speak English). And the cost of living is so low that a couple could live comfortably on $1,500 a month, which would include housing. A routine doctor’s visit costs around $30 and you can find a decent health insurance package for $300 a month.

9. Portugal
(Last year’s rank: No. 15)

Algarve, Portugal (Thinkstock)
Portugal cracked the top 10 this year, owing to its great climate (warm and sunny in the south and cooler up north), low cost of living, strong infrastructure, and proximity to Spain. “English is widely understood, especially in the large cities, and—combined with the warm Portuguese hospitality—makes it easy to settle in and feel at home, whether you prefer sophisticated urban environments like Lisbon or one of Portugal’s many beach communities,” says International Living.

8. Colombia
(Last year’s rank: No. 6)

Taganga, Colombia (Thinkstock)
Colombia is one of the most affordable countries on this year’s index; a couple could live comfortably on just $1,200 a month, according to International Living. But it’s truly establishing itself as a haven for expats looking for excellent health care on the cheap. Its first-rate medical facilities have attracted a booming expat population in major cities like Bogotá and Medellín, according to IL contributing editor Michael Evans. The South American country’s biodiversity is a huge draw for foreigners as well. “Colombia is the second-most biodiverse country on the planet. It has beaches, jungles, deserts, and a few steamy volcanoes,” Evans says. “You’ll never get bored.”

7-6. Spain & Malta (Tie)

Valencia, Spain (Thinkstock)
[Last year’s rank: Spain (5) and Malta (7)]
Spain is one of the more expensive European destinations, but it still has one of the lowest costs of living on the Continent. A couple could live well in Spain on about $2,600 per month, including rent, according to IL. It tied with Malta this year. For what the small island nation lacks in size, Malta makes up for in year-round sunshine, excellent health care and low crime rates.

5. Costa Rica
(Last year’s rank: 4)

Costa Rica’s Arenal National Park (Thinkstock)
Costa Rica earned top marks this year for its low cost of living, entertainment/arts offerings and the ability of expats to fit in with the locals. It helps that a lot of locals speak English and the tourist-friendly country is used to outsiders.

4. Malaysia

Thinkstock
(Last year’s rank: 3)

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Thinkstock)
Malaysia is a great base for expats looking to travel throughout Southeast Asia while still living comfortably. Cost of living is about $1,500 a month for a couple, according to IL, and public transportation is ubiquitous enough that cars aren’t necessary. A basic doctor’s visit costs about $15. It’s the highest-ranking Asian country on this year’s index.

3. Mexico
(Last year’s rank: 7)

Mexico City (REUTERS/Carlos Jasso)
Mexico took a big leap this year, sailing into the top 3. It’s a great starting point for Americans looking to test their travel skills abroad without moving too far from home. Its proximity to the U.S. is a major plus, not to mention the fact that it’s relatively easy to find familiar brands and services there. “In Mexico I can get almost anything I could get back home, between the U.S. chain stores and the local shops and markets,” says International Living editor Glynna Prentice. Prices are so low that a week’s worth of groceries can cost as little as $15 to $20 and property taxes are quite low as well, for those who consider buying.

2. Panama
(Last year’s rank: 1)

Bridge of the Americas, Panama (Thinkstock)
Panama slipped from the top spot this year, but it’s still the second-best place to retire, according to IL. The benefits for expat retirees are probably the country’s biggest draw. Panama offers something called a Pensionado visa, which provides any foreigner who can prove they receive income from a lifetime pension or Social Security of at least $1,000 a month the ability to live there indefinitely. The visa also comes with some pretty sweet discounts — 20% off medical services, 50% off entertainment, 25% off restaurant meals, 25% off airfare, and 25% off electricity and phone bills.

1. Ecuador
(Last year’s rank: 2)

Cotopaxi volcano, Ecuador (Thinkstock)

Like Panama, Ecuador really caters to the expat retiree community. Seniors (65 and over) can easily get discounts on flights originating in Ecuador and as much as 50% discounts on movies and sporting events. That discount also applies to public transport (50%) and utilities. On top of all that, it’s a pretty cheap place to live, costing the average couple about $1,400 per month.

Maquipucuna is one of Ecuador’s most pristine and exciting rainforest reserves and offers numerous opportunities for birdwatching. Ecuador’s vast hummingbird population along with other exotic inhabitants can keep nature lovers entertained for days on end. Maquipucuna, in particular, displays a profusion of flora and fauna and easily warrants more than just a day trip.

Paradise on Earth

Maquipucuna is a 6000-hectare cloud forest located only 45 minutes outside of Quito, making it a popular destination for birdwatching. Ecuador’s profusion of wildlife and bird species makes it an ideal country for beginners as well as seasoned birders. The reserve itself contains four different habitats, with dramatic climate changes due to the varying altitudes that range from 900 to almost over 2800 metres above sea level. Maquipucuna is home to 4% of the world’s bird biodiversity, which has led to its status as one of the world’s top five biodiversity hotspots.

Vast Array of Birds and Wildlife

Just a few of the birds found in Maquipucuna include the Cock-of-the-rock, Toucan Barbets, Red-headed Barbets, Golden-headed Quetzal and Esmeralda’s Antbirds. Many visitors also travel to the reserve for the pleasure of abundant opportunities for hummingbird sightings while birdwatching. Ecuador is home to over 132 different hummingbird species and they are easy to spot and highly entertaining to observe. The mammals that inhabit the Maquipucuna forest are also fascinating to see, and many people make pilgrimages to catch sight of these special creatures. South America’s only bear species, the Spectacled Bear, is found in the Maquipucuna reserve during fruiting season. Other mammals that are frequently seen are armadillos, pumas, anteaters and over 19 different species of bats.

Historical Value

Maquipucuna was believed to have been inhabited by the pre-Incan Yumbo tribe. Their burial sites and relics have been found in the reserve and pre-Incan trails have been found leading to the Chachillacta, known as the “land of the salt”. Before colonial times, Maquipucuna was the primary source for salt for the country’s capital city, Quito. Many of these ancient trails can still be followed today, and usually lead to lush watering holes and waterfalls throughout the reserve.

Of all the South American countries to visit, this one offers perhaps the best wildlife sightings and opportunities for birdwatching. Ecuador’s incredibly diverse population of birds is so condensed within a small geographical area that it is a superb location for beginners to visit to guarantee a fruitful experience.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marissa_Ellis-Snow

Even if you don’t have a lot of money for your next holiday, you can still afford a luxury escorted tour in South America. Let tour operators negotiate with the hotels and transportation companies on your behalf, to bring you the best deals. If you’d rather someone else do all of your planning for you, you can save a lot of money.

Your choices are not limited. There are plenty of South America escorted tours available. You can choose from many itineraries. If you want some free time to yourself, you can simply request it from your tour guide. Some tour packages include all of your meals and activities, and some can be modified to suit your own interests and preferences.

Since there are so many beautiful places to visit in South America, you should consider a 14 day tour, at the very least. That way, you will have a chance to see more places and do more activities without feeling rushed.

Rio de Janeiro. Buenos Aires. Machu Picchu. Santiago. These are just some of the places you might want to visit on your tour. As you explore the continent, you can visit the remains of the Incan Empire; go on a sightseeing tour of the aforementioned cities; travel over the Andes; explore Machu Picchu; and go on excursions throughout the Sacred Valley. These are just a few examples of the many things you can do during your holiday.

If you’re interested in volcanoes, then you need to choose an itinerary that includes Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. You will be surrounded by towering volcanoes and spectacular scenery. As you explore this area, you will see traces of ancient civilizations and Spanish colonization, as well as the most incredible example of Mother Nature at her very best.

Another country you definitely need to visit is Peru. Most South America escorted tours include Peruvian cities and monuments. Imagine seeing floating cities, spectacular ravines, the waters of Lake Titicaca, and Machu Picchu up close! Peru is also home to exotic animals and birds such as condors and llamas.

There is plenty to see and do in Lima, the “City of Kings” and capital of Peru. During a tour of Lima, you can visit churches and monasteries dating back to the 16th century. Even though it’s a sprawling Metropolis, it still has its share of ancient sites, some of which date back thousands of years!

South America escorted tours include plenty of excursions to keep you busy! You won’t have to worry about boredom, so long as you choose the right tour package. Even though there are a lot of cities, much of the continent has been untouched for thousands of years. You will have some of the exact same views as the Spanish Conquistadors did all those years ago!

Choose a reputable online holiday operator to book you onto the most incredible South America escorted tours, and why not ask about North America escorted tours while you’re at it?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Colin_Williamson