Happy International Surfing Day! Today is all about celebrating the big blue and all things surfing. 

Ecuador is all about history, fascinating indigenous cultures, slow winding rivers and lush tropical forests, spectacular snow capped volcanoes and some of the most exciting wildlife on earth. Prior to diving deep into the rest of the country, the place to start any Ecuador vacation is in Colonial Quito: a city of narrow cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed walls which rise above the steeples and cupolas of the city's many spectacularly decorated historic churches.

The Galapagos Islands are a prime example of how ecotourism can be used as a tool for conservation. As one of the most biologically diverse regions of the world, this archipelago boasts over 76 species of native and endemic animals.  While sea-based tours have traditionally been the primary method to explore the islands, in recent years the development of new lodges, hotels, and safari camps has led to a rise in land-based tours.