If you are packing your bags for a vacation to London, England, or just dreaming about turning your travel dreams into a reality, make sure to visit these hot spots, historical landmarks, and hidden treasures.

Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is the most historic castle in Britain and contains a priceless collection of paintings, furniture, porcelain and tapestries handed down from many generations of monarchs who lived there. The State Apartments are a highlight of a visit to the Queen’s favorite residence, the largest inhabited castle in the world.

The Dorchester Hotel
For afternoon tea, why not nip over to the Dorchester? Winner of the 2000 Tea Council’s award for Finest Afternoon Tea, this hotel definitely keeps with tradition. Remember, the dress code is smart.

Vinopolis: City of Wine
Interactive learning at its best. Wander the airy vaults of this old cellar and listen to the history of wine while sipping on the matter at hand. A museum never tasted so good.
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Amid the splendor of modern cities it’s hard to imagine what places looked like before they became what we know today. In a previous incarnation, the ground where Buckingham Palace now stands was a mulberry garden cultivated by King James I as food for silkworms. The silk industry he hoped to nurture never materialized, and eventually a roadhouse was built there, followed in due course by the Blake House, Goring House and Arlington House.

Originally known as the Buckingham House, built as a townhouse by the Duke of Buckingham in 1709, the estate was acquired by King George III in 1762.  After a great deal of growth and expansion transforming a “House” into a “Palace,” the Buckingham estate was first embraced by Queen Victoria, who moved in three weeks after her accession to the throne in 1837, marking the first sovereign to take up residence there. Buckingham Palace has served as the royal residence ever since.

Over the next few weeks, fix an afternoon tea and settle in to join us for a new series of featured posts from seasoned travelers and local hosts. They’ll be letting you in on what makes the UK so captivating.

From the Houses of Parliament, erected a thousand years ago, to Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the nation’s sovereigns since 1837, you’ll find that outings in London are brimming with history. And just a couple of hours from there, find Bath, home of some of Europe’s finest architectural sites.

Don’t like tea? Perhaps coffee suits your fancy. One museum in London is a hot spot for enjoying either of the favorite caffeinated beverages. Learn more insider travel tips on the upcoming tour of the UK…

The Galapagos ranks as one of the most important sites in the Western Hemisphere in regards to biodiversity and scientific research.  As such, the Ecuadorian government is one of the first countries to include environmental legislation in the form of a constitutional amendment.

The Special Law for the Galapagos is a landmark piece of legislation which has far-reaching and unprecedented language to protect biodiversity and foster a culture of conservation.  The law aims to promote conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development of the Providence of Galapagos. The legislation recognizes not only the biological framework necessary to protect Galapagos, but also the intellectual and sociological aspects.

The principal goal of this piece of legislation is to create a harmonious existence between people and the unique flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands. So enjoy the lush scenery, plants and animals that await you because they are heavily treasured and guarded in these pristine Islands!

Continuing our post from Tuesday, here are 6 more insights and suggestions to make your Ecuador vacation unique and memorable.

Plaza Santo Domingo
Locals venture to this charming square on the weekends to listen to storytellers and to delight in juggler and mime performances.

Museo Fundación Guayasamin
Tucked in a residential area of Quito, this museum features the works of Oswaldo Guayasamin, one of Ecuador’s most famous and prolific modern artists.

La Reina Victoria
A British pub, La Reina Victoria is practically the only place in Quito where you can get a draft beer. Sit back and enjoy a pint and play a game of darts.

Café Libro
This bookstore carries an extensive collection of Ecuadorian literature and photo books printed in both Spanish and English. Stop by to get the perfect souvenir to take home.

La Choza
Visit one of the best restaurants in the region offering Ecuadorian food.

Plaza Fosch & Plaza El Quinde
Located in Av Fosch between Amazonas and Reain Victoria, you’ll discover plenty of good restaurants and cocktail bars here.  Make sure to find to visit!

Today’s must-see picks highlight Quito, Ecuador.

Ortega P. & Hijos
Owning a “Toquilla Hat” means owning a piece of myth and legend. Visit this local outlet for renowned Cuenca hat manufacturer Ortega and Sons for the best hats that have been hand woven in Ecuador since 1899.

Parque El Ejido Arts & Crafts Market
Held every weekend, this market sells everything from handmade jewelry to carved wood and is famous for paintings depicting Quito city scenes. If you want a piece of art to remember your visit to Quito, this is the place to go.

Mercado de Santa Clara
For a true taste of Quito, visit the vegetable, herb, and flower stands of this colorful farmer’s market. You can even purchase locally woven baskets as a wonderful momento of your visit.

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If reading about the exotic beauty of South America has you captivated, you may enjoy serving up a delicious meal inspired by this region.  Try this scrumptious Peruvian appetizer recipe and bring the culinary diversity of South American into your home.

Peruvian Ceviche de Pescado

Ingredients
* 2 pounds of white fish (Mahi Mahi is an excellent choice)
* 1 cup of lime juice
* 1 clove of crushed garlic
* 2 red peppers, diced
* 2 finely diced jalapeno peppers (to your preference)
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 1 large onion, finely chopped
* 2 stalks of celery, finely chopped
* Bunch of finely chopped cilantro
* 2 lettuce leaves per plate
* 12 to 16 corn on the cobs cut into 2 inch pieces cooked as usual
* 3 or 4 sweet potatoes, boiled and peeled
* 6 to 8 lemons cut in half and placed in center of table

Preparation
Wash and de-bone fish and cut in 1/2 inch chunks. Season with lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Let it marinade for 1 hour (the lemon juice actually “cooks” the raw fish). Add onion, jalapeno and red pepper, celery and cilantro. Marinade for 1 more hour. Serve on a bed of lettuce and add two pieces of corn on the cob and a portion of the sweet potatoes. A Peruvian favorite!

Source: http://www.peru-travel-adventures.com/peru-recipes-food.html

For more recipes from South & Central America, visit www.colorfulsouthamerica.com/taste/

Set along the equator, about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos are often referred to as the “enchanted islands.”  The skies are almost always sunny, the ocean is an inviting turquoise and the long sand beaches come in shades of crystal white, deep pink, volcanic black and glass-looking green. But, what make the Galapagos truly exceptional are the many opportunities for close-up encounters with wildlife. This could mean snorkeling with playful sea lions, tracking giant tortoises or meandering down the coast with indifferent iguanas.

In short, the Galapagos are still one of the most unspoiled areas remaining on the planet. The Islands have an international reputation for their extraordinary natural beauty, wildlife found nowhere else on earth and unparalleled contribution to the scientific world.

Bienvenidos, or welcome, to our series of posts on South America. Take a break from the daily grind and join us over the next two weeks as we introduce you to the people, landscapes, architecture and animal life of South America.

During our series you’ll cruise the Galapagos Islands seeing topical birds, sea lions, iguanas and fauna found nowhere else in the world.  You’ll walk along the cobblestone streets of the capital city of Quito to shop for handicrafts. And, finally you’ll learn about the must-see sights and undiscovered gems of Ecuador. Your South American journey is just starting…

Michelangelo was often jealous of fellow artists, but he was generous with his praise for the sculpted East Doors of Baptistry – the octagonal building next to the Florence Cathedral, where all Florentines had been baptized for generations.  He said that the 12 bronze reliefs were “so fine that they would grace the entrance of paradise,” and the evocative name, Gates of Paradise, has stuck ever since.

Michelangelo was complimenting the artist, but also referring to the graveyard that once lay in the Piazza del Duomo, where the dead were laid out as if queuing for passage to Heaven. The mastermind behind the Gates was Lorenzo Ghiberti.  Years earlier, at only 25 years of age, the young prodigy had won a competition to decorate the Baptistry’s north doors with scenes from the New Testament.  Those first reliefs, which had been lavishly bankrolled by the city as an appeal to God to end a plague that was ravaging Florence, had taken 21 years to design and cast.  They won Ghiberti huge acclaim.

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