You might have thought that a holiday to the remote Pacific Galápagos islands would be prohibitively expensive. While cruising on a yacht can still be pricey, you now have the option of a land-based visit, where you can get to know one or two islands more intimately, with the option of some exciting outdoor sports thrown in. This holiday bases you at the popular Finch Bay hotel where you are free to choose your experiences from a wide menu. Hiking, biking and snorkelling are popular options, as are visits to the hilly interior of Santa Cruz Island with its giant tortoises. Choose what you fancy most and pay for your excursions locally.
Spend a few days on the mainland too, well worth exploring in its own right. Visit Quito, a colonial hacienda close to Otavalo indigenous market and the self-explanatory Avenue of the Volcanoes, dominated by the towering snow-draped mountain Cotopaxi.