Of course there is!Set your camera to stunning and prepare to be overwhelmed:Avenue of Volcanoes Driving along the Panamericana on a sunny day, youll find yourself surrounded by towering snowcapped volcanoes that invite for a hiking or climbing adventure. The most notable of them are volcanoes Cotopaxi and Chimborazo.BañosThis tourist resort is booming despite having been several times evacuated because of its violent neighbour - the permanently erupting Tungurahua volcano. At night, you can watch from a safe distance how the mountain exhales fumes and lava streaks.CuencaFounded in 1577, Cuenca (www.cuenca.com.ec) is perhaps the best example of a South American colonial city. You are likely to feel the ambience already when checking into your hotel, most of which are located in heritage buildings. The nearby Ingapirca site gives a glimpse of Ecuadors pre-colonial history.Cycling down the AndesA few tour agencies in Quito offer cycling trips that take in the high-altitude paramo at an altitude of 4,000m (13,123ft) down to the lush tropical forests at 1,000m (3,280ft), passing the numerous climatic zones in between.Devils NoseRiding on the trains roof is not forbidden by the local tourist authorities in Ecuador - its more encouraged. The famously precipitous Devils Nose train route takes you from Riobamba to the Alausi station, with most passengers opting to ride on top of the carriage.Equator lineThe huge granite monument marking the equator line is not far from Quito (www.mitaddelmundo.com). Local guides will show how water swirls clockwise and anti-clockwise direction on both side of the line to prove its scientific significance.Galapagos IslandsStraddling the Equator 1000km (622 miles) off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are famous for being the inspiration for Charles Darwins theory of evolution. There are 13 large islands and six small, which were formed by oceanic volcanoes some three to five million years ago. Visitors come to the islands to see the unparalleled variety of wildlife that flourishes due to the remote location and temperate climate. The most famous residents are the giant tortoises after whom the islands are named, although other common species include iguana, dolphins, boobies and cormorants. The animals are so used to human company visitors can even swim with penguins and sea lions. Snorkelling and sailing are also popular.GuayaquilThe long riverside promenade in Ecuadors commercial capital (www.inguayaquil.com) is a masterpiece of modern architecture, with shady gardens and nice restaurants. Nearby, Barrio las Peñas is a former slum converted into a bohemian district, full of galleries, souvenir shops and bars.Hiking in the AndesHigh-altitude walks in the Cotopaxi and El Cajas national parks require some stamina due to the lack of oxygen, but this is your chance to see the stunning scenery of the grass-covered paramo plateaus, surrounded by volcanoes.Indian shoppingIndigenous markets are an ethnologists wonder, but also a cheap and efficient way to stock up on gifts for your friends and families. While the Otavalo market mostly caters for tourists, the market in Saqisili is a authentically local affair.JungleThe wet equatorial forest of the Oriente is teeming with wildlife. Some areas are dotted with eco-lodges from where travellers embark on canoe expeditions through the intricate network of rivers and creeks that form the Amazon basin.LittoralThis narrow coastal belt has several attractive towns, such as Playas Posoria and Salinas, while Esmeraldas, one of the countrys most important ports, is also known for its beautiful beaches. The relaxing island of Muisne is fast becoming a popular destination.QuitoSet at 2,850m (9,348ft), the Ecuadorean capital boasts one of the continents best-preserved colonial downtowns. Its lavishly decorated 16th-century churches are full of exquisite religious art, while its plazas remember marching conquistadores, shackled slaves and Jesuits preaching to the Indians.Scaling volcanoesCotopaxi - the worlds highest active volcano - is one of the best mountains to start your climbing career. The climb doesnt require previous experience, but you need to be very fit and accustomed to high altitude.SurfingThe Pacific coast of Ecuador has sandy beaches that draw crowds of surfers. The village of Montañita has grown into a surfers enclave with plenty of cheap accommodation and active nightlife.
What is Maldives known for?
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Maldives
- Maldives, in full Republic of Maldives, also called Maldive Islands, independent island country in the north-central Indian Ocean.
- It consists of a chain of about 1,200 small coral islands and sandbanks (some 200 of which are inhabited), grouped in clusters, or atolls.
Maldives has so much to offer, here are some of the things Maldives is known for.
Male
The Maldivian capital: is definitely the best place to get to know locals and see what makes them tick. The brightly painted houses, crowded markets and convivial teashops where you can chat to regulars and share plates of delicious ‘short eats’ are just some of the highlights of this unusual capital city – and they perfectly complement the resort experience. Don't miss the National Museum, the best overview of Maldives history anywhere in the country, or the Old Friday Mosque, complete with its carved coral tombstones.
Diving with the Hammers
Hammerhead sharks, definitely one of the weirdest-looking creatures in the sea, can be observed in abundance in Maldivian waters – if you know where to look for them. There are few more thrilling experiences than a dawn dive, descending free fall into the deep blue to 30m and coming upon a huge school of hungry hammerhead sharks waiting to be fed. The best place to do this is at the world-famous Hammerhead Point: (aka Rasdhoo Madivaru) in Rasdhoo Atoll.
Watching a Bodu Beru Performance
Whether you’re staying at a resort or on an inhabited island, the cultural highlight of almost any trip to Maldives is seeing a dance and drum performance: known as bodu beru, which means ‘big drum’ in Dhivehi. These traditional all-male performances are a thrilling and genuine experience, even if they can feel rather contrived in your resort’s restaurant. The drum ceremony starts off slowly and builds gradually to an incredible climax, during which some dancers enter a trance-like state.
Taking a Seaplane
There are few destinations where the mode of transport by which you arrive could be called a highlight, but that’s because there are few places in the world where you need seaplanes: to reach your hotel. These zippy Twin Otters function like taxis in a country with no roads, and taking off from the water is an unforgettable experience, as is observing the spectacular coral atolls, blue lagoons and tiny desert islands from above.
Staying at a Guesthouse
The guesthouse: phenomenon in Maldives has only been around for a few years, yet it has already become a truly unique way to experience the 'real' Maldives on an inhabited island: interact with locals, eat traditional food and experience something totally different to life in a resort. The best guesthouses are those on remote atolls, far from the modernity of Male, where friendly local families will literally treat you like one of their own, take you to desert islands, and let you fish, dive and snorkel.
Learning to Dive
You simply have to get beneath the water’s surface in Maldives; the corals, tropical fish, sharks, turtles and rays all make up an unforgettably alien world, which is best experienced by diving:. All resorts and many guesthouses have diving facilities, and you won't regret deciding to learn here. Maldives boasts excellent safety standards, modern equipment, passionate and experienced dive staff and – best of all – the water is so warm many people don’t even bother diving in a wetsuit.
Becoming a (Luxurious) Castaway
Nearly every resort: offers some variation on this theme: you and your partner or family are given a picnic basket (in the most luxurious resorts it may be a full meal set up for you by staff) and dropped off on an uninhabited, pristine island by dhoni. The crew then jump back on the boat and leave you to your own devices on a white-powder beach surrounded by a turquoise lagoon. Explore the island, dine on great food, sunbathe and swim – this is the modern castaway experience.
Swimming with a Whale Shark
The largest fish in the world, the whale shark: is prevalent in Maldivian waters, especially in the south of Ari Atoll and during a full moon when the currents between the atolls are at their strongest. Swimming with one of these gentle giants is an incredible experience – they average almost 10m in length – and it’s also totally safe: despite their immense size, whale sharks feed only on plankton.
Maafushi
Maafushi: is the first inhabited island in Maldives to become a big traveller centre, with some 30 guesthouses and hotels now operating. It's probably the best place for a cheap beach holiday in Maldives, with lots of competition and low prices for accommodation, diving, snorkelling and other excursions. There's also a good bikini beach, which means visitors can swim without offending the local population. What's more, at just a couple of hours away from the international airport, it's also very easy to reach.
Hanifaru Bay
Maldives' most famous snorkelling site: is this plankton-rich bay in the Baa Atoll Unesco Biosphere Reserve, where you can often see dozens of giant manta rays gliding acrobatically through the water as they filter their food. It's an incredible experience when they appear in great numbers and the water is clear. Hanifaru is also regularly visited by those fellow plankton eaters, the whale sharks. Resorts and inhabited islands nearby arrange trips to Hanifaru Bay daily.
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The Maldives is a nation made up of 1200 islands; found in the Indian ocean, South Asia. The isles consist of a population of 350,000 and white sandy beaches. It is a famous tourist destination.
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