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August 26, 2013 by author

The Quaint and Charming Side of Quito, Ecuador

The capital city of Ecuador is teeming with so many things to see and do, and some of these are not found in the modern and high rise sections of the city. In order to see the real beauty of this city, you should include in your itinerary the following places, where you’ll also see and learn the rich history and culture of the place.

The Old Town

This section of the city is where you can observe how much the place has been influenced by the Spaniards. Here you can see the ancient buildings restored to their original beauty and colonial architecture. Because of its architectural beauty and importance in the history and culture of Quito and Ecuador, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many things to see here in this area. First off, don’t forget to drop by the Monastery of San Francisco for some quiet time and reflection. There are also the different plazas like the Plaza La Independencia which makes for a lovely walk. If you want to know more about the place, you can visit the Museo de Arte Colonial. There are other similar buildings in the area, some of which are not so well-known. Don’t worry though, since the locals are pretty friendly helpful and will surely point you to the right directions every time.

The Public Market

When in Quito, avoid the pricey malls and shopping centers, and instead head on to the different public markets found in Quito. There are many of such places in the area and surrounds. For one, there is the La Mariscal market where you can buy handicrafts and souvenir items. You can also head to Otavalo and Cotacachi town market where you can buy the same. They also sell other things like textiles and clothes, beautiful handmade leather items, and even home furnishings. You can practice your haggling skills and if you’re good at it, you may even get your desired item for a lot less. In addition, there are vendors and hawkers that sell local food and delicacies – be sure to try them out to complete your Quito visit.

Colonial Houses

There are many colonial houses and buildings in the area as well. One such example is the Iglesia de San Francisco.  Interestingly, this is also considered to be the first church to be built by Franciscan priests in the whole of Americas – dating back to the 1500s. Although it was first intended to be a place of worship, it is now pretty much like a museum, housing paintings and other forms of art works from great artists back then. They also have some antique furniture on display. There are several colonial houses in the area, like the Casa de Benalcazar and the Casa de Sucre, the later being the residence of a celebrated Latin American war hero.

There are so many things and places to see and explore in Ecuador – so many things make it unique and one of a kind, and majority of these things can be found in the charming city of Quito.

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Photo by jamescastle on Flickr

Filed Under: Ecuador, South America, Travel Tagged With: Ecuador, Iglesia de San Francisco, Quito, South America

July 22, 2013 by author

A Historic and Cultural Journey in the Museums of Bogota

Bogota, Colombia is well known for a lot of things, from a bustling metropolitan area to scenic natural wonders. It may have suffered political and economical unrest in the past, but has survived through it and is now ever increasingly becoming more and more popular among tourists from abroad.

There are many things to do in this city like enjoying the parks and day walk areas and the wild and exotic nightlife. However, for those looking for a more intimate and cultural encounter with the city, the best way to do so is by visiting the following museums where one can learn and appreciate the history and culture of the city and the whole country.

Museo del Oro

Ever wondered how it feels to walk into Midas’ castle? Well, you can find out here in the Museo del Oro or the Museum of Gold in Santander Park, corner Carrera 5 and 16th. The three-storey building is minimally designed in the outside, but the inside is lavishly decorated, which is actually pretty good as it greatly complements the value aesthetics of the more than 30,000 gold displays within. You will see minute gold statues of mixed animals like a fish and a bird and strange beings of the cosmos. There are golden masks and other golden items used in ancient offering rituals as well. You can book a tour of the museum, or avail of an audio recording (be sure to ask for the English version) and tour the museum by yourself.

Museo Botero

If you are a fan of Fernando Botero, then you should definitely pay this place a visit. Located at Calle 11, the colonial mansion that houses the artist’s famous work is in itself a tourist attraction. After passing the courtyard and the fountain, you can now enjoy the various works of Botero. In one particular section you’ll find his masterpieces about all things chubby: chubby sculptures and paintings of men, women, animals and what have you. Aside from his work, you can also enjoy works of other famous artists like Picasso, Renoir, Monet and many more.

Museo Nacional

The museum is one of the oldest museums not only in the country but in the whole continent of South America as well, having been built in the early 1800s. It was first constructed as a prison, which pretty much explains the solid brick and stone façade and walls. That was until the 1940s, and years later it was transformed into a museum. There are thousands of exhibits on display, most of which reflect the archeological and historic past and the present of the city and the country.  There are also masterpieces from great artists like Debora Arango, Enrique Grau and more.

Some say that Bogota is like the Athens of the Latin Americas because of the many universities and libraries there; however, it is not only the libraries and schools where wisdom can be sought, as these museums are great reminders of the interesting history and culture of Bogota, Colombia.

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Photo by jaguarella on Flickr

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Bogota, Columbia, Columbia museums, Museo del Oro, South America

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About Seek Your Trip

Here at Seek Your Trip, we post twice-weekly articles that will get your travel juices flowing. The idea is to inspire you to get out there and explore far-flung places and unusual cultures.