Our trip begins in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, surrounded by the peaks of the Andes. During our full-day tour, we will be chauffeured in air-conditioned, luxury coaches and escorted by professional, English-speaking guides. Lunch featuring local fare is included.

Almost due south from New York, Quito is about 15 miles from the Equator. Although the city is about 9,000 feet above sea level, this wanderer-- who has the vices of smoking and some extra pounds--was pleasantly surprised that altitude sickness was nonexistent. Everyone is different, but allow yourself to acclimate, and, if you do not try to run a marathon the first day, you should be fine. The weather is also quite mild. Ecuadorians say they have only two seasons: rainy (October to early May) and dry (May through September). Both are temperate.

Quito was first settled in pre-Columbian times, when ancient Indians built an empire ultimately ruled by the Incas. Around 1526, the natives destroyed their own city rather than surrendering to the invading Spanish, and after the fires, the only remains were stone foundations of Incan temples, which the Spanish used to build their own churches, convents, and monasteries. Despite earthquakes, Quito is one of the best preserved Latin American cities, and our tour takes you to the best the city offers.

Quito is home to extraordinary colonial Spanish architecture referred to as Latin American Baroque. In Casco Colonial, the old town of Quito, historical multi-colored buildings, iron balconies, and red-tiled roofs offer examples of this beautiful style, which in part earned it World Historical Site status by the United Nations in 1978.

One of the finest examples of Latin Baroque is the 16th-century La Compañia de Jesus, a Jesuit church that took 163 years to build and is considered the most beautiful in South America. Its interior is coated in over a ton of pure gold leaf and lavishly painted with religious art, giving rise to its nickname, Quito's Sistine Chapel. We will also visit the historic Virgin of Quito and The Plaza and Monastery of San Francisco, as well as La Basilica, which was finished in the early 20th Century. Although one would not know by looking, the Basilica--decorated with hundreds of turtle-, iguana-, and dolphin-shaped gargoyles--is entirely concrete.

Next, we will visit Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World), where you can take the ubiquitous snapshot of yourself straddling the Equator, simultaneously standing in both hemispheres. The entire park is nestled at the foot of the immense Andes Mountains, so there are stunning views in every direction. The granite monument tower, topped with a brass globe, houses a museum and an observation deck, and the boulevard running down from the tower is lined with bronze busts of the French explorers who mapped the area in the 18th Century.

After our active day, we will retreat to the J.W. Marriott, one of Quito's premier hotels.

Reminiscent of an Incan-stepped temple, the J.W. Marriott is modern and attractive, with a vast atrium lobby, two restaurants, and one of the finest sushi bars we have ever experienced. (In general, seafood in Ecuador is outstanding.) The hotel is elegant and yet country club in feel; there's no need for jackets or ties. Fresh roses are everywhere. There is a sundry shop, but it is best to bring the toiletries and other items you are used to. The outdoor pool area resembles a tropical lagoon. Rooms are spacious, with marbled baths and deep tubs, 110V power, and best of all, breathtaking views of the Andes.

Some tips: Bring comfortable, casual clothes, and good walking shoes. Be sure to brush your teeth with bottled water, since the water supply, while purified, may disagree with your system. The currency of Ecuador is the US dollar (so you will not need to exchange money), and we will have access to an ATM and a small upscale mall.

If you're considering going out in the evening: Gay life in Quito and Ecuador is in its infancy. Only recently have laws prohibiting discrimination due to sexual orientation been passed. Unfortunately, we are not able to recommend any venues, since it would be less than conducive to our safety. The few existing hotspots are in terrible neighborhoods.