Quito Old Town Walking Tour: A Sweet Chocolate Tasting Review

Planning a trip to Quito, Ecuador? I can tell you, you absolutely have to experience the magic of Quito’s Old Town, also sometimes called the Historic Center. It’s not just walking down streets; that’s almost like stepping back in time. A walking tour is that very thing you need to see all the beautiful sites, and when you get a tour with chocolate tasting? Oh my, it gets better!

Why Choose a Walking Tour of Quito Old Town?

Quito’s Old Town is that area recognized by UNESCO as one of the first World Heritage Sites, that’s quite a distinction, you see! When you explore by foot, too it’s almost like you feel the energy of history beneath your feet. You’ll easily notice ornate churches and get the opportunity to admire presidential buildings. Plus, too it’s almost like a walking tour will have you listening to exciting stories that, very frankly, you won’t read in guidebooks. A solid local guide tends to show you cool places that many tourists usually tend to miss.

So, why not go it alone? Well, you absolutely could, but I can tell you, a knowledgeable guide really transforms the entire thing. That way, a guide just knows all those cool historical facts and knows shortcuts through those cobblestone streets and basically provides insights that seriously make those sites just that much more awesome. And seriously, about those chocolate tastings later on? Oh, you can expect just that sweet treat that you will require after exploring all morning.

My Personal Experience: A Walk Through History

On this particular tour, we actually kicked things off right in Plaza Grande. It’s Quito’s central square, where, clearly, the Presidential Palace actually stands. The moment that, you know, I stepped onto the square, I basically was, very frankly, just really struck by all this architecture, all these very imposing buildings that you would view. The guide, you know, they told us stories regarding presidents and revolutions – all that great stuff! So then, what did we do? We actually got to see a changing-of-the-guard ceremony that, honestly, wasn’t even on my radar but absolutely thrilled me.

After Plaza Grande, we kind of just wandered down narrow streets, stopping at spots that really provided interesting details. La Compañía de Jesús is that very ornate church. It basically looked amazing, trust me, even from the outside. But actually inside? Gold leaf literally covered every surface. Every surface! You just kind of realize all those things when you are looking all over, craning your neck. Trust me; it really will be worth all that neck craning. Next, we saw the Church and Convent of St. Francis. Its stunning architecture is something else you would expect in movies, with such a beautiful and picturesque view you cannot imagine. These spots really displayed that variety and grandeur of Quito’s architecture.

Chocolate Tasting: A Sweet Interlude

Now, on to my, probably, most favorite aspect of the tour – the chocolate tasting! The very guide brought us to a great place that featured all locally made chocolates, you know? And, seriously, you do start to think all chocolate is equal. What happened next basically opened our minds to a whole new amazing and yummy thing!

We really sampled different kinds of chocolates with seriously different percentages of cacao, and that, literally, provided that depth and range in Ecuadorian chocolate. Also, the very artisan really explained all these distinct steps of how that chocolate really was produced, from basically bean to that final bar. You begin to notice, actually, how dedicated they are to creating things locally and how the end product is super important and is held in high regard by the locals.

The very pairing of chocolate and local fruits? Whoa, that basically tasted awesome. I was extremely taken by this very passion fruit-filled chocolate – such great contrast and zing, all while so, honestly, balanced. It was just one amazing chocolate experience after this walk that really turned out so informative. Oh, and you could easily buy chocolates for family and friends, but mostly? You know what you will do. Enjoy them yourself!

What You’ll See and Learn

• Historical Landmarks: Get ready to see Plaza Grande, Presidential Palace, and so very many well-known churches.
• Cultural Insights: Expect all this history and all these local customs detailed by a friendly guide.
• Architectural Marvels: You just may appreciate every ornate facade and great construction design you view.
• Chocolate Appreciation: Understand every crafting step of seriously world-class Ecuadorian chocolate.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Tour

Want to absolutely optimize this whole Old Town walking tour? The pointers really that should aid:

• Dress Comfortably: The thing that you probably will do here is walk down these very cobblestone streets, and that also, frankly, means using great walking footwear.
• Stay Hydrated: High altitudes may deplete energy, which makes things difficult, so drink frequently.
• Sun Protection: Seriously, use some sunscreen. It is vitally very important to use a good hat.
• Listen to Your Guide: Make things simpler for yourself by seriously paying attention. They truly can share a great bit of history that they themselves want others to enjoy and pass down!
• Bring Cash: Just a little bit if things go unplanned and because vendors selling goods at spots might use only cash.

Choosing the Right Tour

I can tell you there literally are a great amount of walking tours there at Old Town in Quito. When deciding? Well, to start with, you definitely could review these particular listings from known pages such as TripAdvisor or GetYourGuide to help to compare, right?

Be sure the tour will provide a chocolate sampling session, what things it will cover, plus length. Check that small groups definitely will ensure that that visit feels even more intimate. Also? Learn whether a guide definitely is bilingual to seriously smooth conversation. Finally? To ensure transparency with that specific listing? Get that total, including some hidden payments possibly!

Why Quito’s Old Town is Unforgettable

To that very person searching seriously to enjoy a bit more history, beauty, plus seriously delectable tasting experiences, really visit Old Town that exists withinside Quito. By a solid guide? Its ancient site springs seriously to life, along with that amazing extra associated with savouring fine cocoa. Really? Its combo produces a great unforgettable wander. I have literally been changed in how that I’ll experience, consider, also truly cherish Old Town by using these tours that, seriously, were quite beneficial! Just prepare now!

Here are, basically, some items for that Quito excursion:

• Historical exploration combined now along sweet delicacies produces one incredible visit!
• Really think a bit to literally decide which guide actually does that thing you actually require by literally analyzing itineraries along small group possibilities.
• I believe it could definitely aid in literally packing something warm given high altitudes and potentially chilly climate there when taking this great wander at Quito that you require seriously to capture.
• Enjoy!

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