My Blog

La Casona de la Ronda

Lauffer Peter — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:16:48 +0000

One of my favorite hotels in Quito is “La Casona de La Ronda” which is situated in Quito’s fantastic colonial neighborhood “La Ronda”. The small hotel is built around a large patio which characterizes most historical buildings in Quito. The hotel has 22 guest rooms, all with private shower and toilet facilities. A secondary patio has a fabulous wall garden and invites to read a book, drinking an afternoon tea or have a chat with the staff. The American style buffet breakfast is a speciality of the house and is served in the Hotel’s main Patio. “La Casona de la Ronda” is an excellent joyce for those travelers who are seeking a genuine hotel experience in Quito with a high standing personalized service. Many of Quito’s Museums and Historical Sites are within walking distance of the Hotel, the same applies to innumerable restaurants and bars. “La Casona de la Ronda” is really a gem among Quito’s hotels; thus, advance booking is recommended throughout the year.

Ecuadorian Flower & Garden Tour 2013

Lauffer Peter — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:32:23 +0000

“Ecuador’s Flowering Plants – Blooming Beauty Beyond Belief” is the title of the tour I am planning 11-20 January 2013. I am organizing this tour for flower and garden enthusiasts for the 3rd time together with Donna Dawson from www.gardeningtours.com . Some say that Ecuador’s National Flower is the rose, other say it is the Orchid, which ever it is, participants get access to Ecuador’s finest rose, and orchid farms and will learn about the international flower trade as about general trends in the flower industry. The Andean valleys in Ecuador have a spring-like climate all year round; and for this reason, many flowers are in bloom during most parts of the year. During the tour we visit private and public gardens, in some cases, the owners and creators personally guide the group through their gardens. In Ecuador exist 3’800 species of Orchids; hence, the Orchids will be an important part of the tour. Participants get an introduction to the Ecuadorian Orchids by one of South America’s best Orchid Experts and visit South Americas largest Orchid farm near Cuenca. This tour gives our guests an excellent overview over Ecuador’s flora; and at the same time, the possibly to visit some of Ecuador main historic and cultural sights.

A Sweet Temptation in Quito

Lauffer Peter — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:05:33 +0000

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Quiteños are sweet-a-holics; so is it no surprise, finding a wide selection of sweet delights in Quito. Sweets are an important part of Quito’s culinary heritage and should therefore be tried and discovered during a journey to Quito. Many sweets were invented and produced in Quito’s monasteries centuries ago, although nowadays most recipes are in the hands of artisans who produce the sweets in their homes and small factories. A few of these artisans you can visit participating on this tour. During this uncommon tour you will visit those homes and factories and you will meet the artisans personally, hearing their stories and share their experiences. During the tour, you will try a lot of this sweets and in some places, you have the possibility to participate in the production process. The tour leads through typical Quito neighborhoods that are not visited on traditional city tours, that’s why the tour gives you an excellent view of real life, away from the main tourist streams. Despite that “sweetness” of this tour, the tour is not only for travelers with a sweet tooth, but for everybody who likes to take a peek behind the curtains and see Quito’s truly daily life.

When: Monday – Friday
From where: All Quito City Center Hotels
Duration: 4 – 5 hours, from 8am – 1pm
Participants: at least 4, maximum 10 guests
Difficulty: easy, short walking distances, but there are a few stairs
What is included: Transport, English & Spanish speaking guide, lots of sweets to try, refreshments
Latest Bookings: 3 working days prior to the tour departure.
What to wear: Comfortable clothes, comfortable shoes (sneakers, walking shoes)
Who should participate: acclimatized guests who are curious to experience something new and different.

USD 80.– per person Inquiry

Cotopaxi Volcano – Neck of the Moon

Lauffer Peter — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 03:23:54 +0000

The Cotopaxi Volcano is situated 35km southeast of Quito, the volcano was considered a holly mountain by the Panzaleos Indigenous that lived in the area before the incas conquered the region. The name Cotopaxi can be traduced in the Quechua language ”Neck of the Moon”. The Cotopaxi Volcano has an altitude of 5895m.a.s.l. and it’s crater has a diameter of 800 x 550m . The Cotopaxi it is considered the second highest active volcano in the World; whereas he highest Volcano is the “Ojos del Salado” with an altitude of 6’893m.a.s.l., situated in the northern part of Chile. The symmetrically conical shape and the snow covered summit award the Cotopaxi with a “perfect” stratovolano look.

Cotopaxi’s summit was first climbed on November 27, 1872 by the german explorer and volcanologist Wilhelm Reiss. Nowadays climbers have it easier, a road winds up to a parking space at 4600m.a.s.l. and from there is it another 200m altitude difference to the Jose Ribas Hut where the serious climbing starts. Climbing the Cotopaxi is not easy due to the altitude and the glacier; thus, excellent climbing gear and a good local guide are imperative for those venturing the ascent to the summit.

The last eruption of the Cotopaxi Volcano took place in 1904. An earlier erruption in 1877 was so strong that the whole glacier melted away and enormous lahar flows devastated the city of Latacunga, 30km south of the volcano.

A visit to the Cotopaxi National Park is an excellent day trip from Quito, the only requirements for a good journey are a good acclimatization to the altitude and the nice weather.