Ecuador's The Andean Highlands
Cuenca
The epitome of both natural and man-made beauty, it surprised no one when UNESCO declared this cultural capital a World Heritage Site. With towering mountains and serene rivers presiding over the breathtaking 14th and 15th century architecture that lines the streets of this third largest Ecuadorian city, Cuenca offers an inspiring blend of historical insight and invigorating culture to everyone who explores its many treasures.
Peruse the charming streets of Old Town to find colonial neighborhoods dating to the first days of Spanish conquest, elegant cathedrals laid upon the ruined foundations of former Inca palaces, and a myriad of museums showcasing Ecuador’s finest. To fully engage in Cuenca’s curio of culture, sample the buñuelos, grilled guinea pig, or quinua soup for which the area is known.
