Galapagos Islands

Advantages: Naturally wonderful
Disadvantages: But not necessarily so wonderful to visit

The Galápagos Islands are famously wonderful - in the literal sense of being full of wonders. Their location is unique and so, in consequence, is much of their wildlife. In the continuing throes of creation by a volcanic hotspot far out in the Pacific Ocean, they provide a natural laboratory for the study of how life first gains a foothold, and then adapts to survive, on new terrain. Moreover, since most of their area has been declared a national ...
...to conserve their extraordinary character. Whether this makes them wonderful to visit is a different question, the answer depending on what you look for in your travels. * Arrival * The airport on Baltra Island at which most visitors arrive is not part of the national park, and is certainly not scenic. A former military airstrip, its runway seems well-camouflaged in a landscape of scrub and rocky rubble. The terminal building is basic and strictly ... Read review

Advantages: Fauna and flora, unspoilt, controlled tourism, sealife
Disadvantages: Never going to be a cheap holiday, long journey

...the first morning of my Galapagos Island cruise, myself and nine other passengers excitedly boarded a dinghy to take us to shore for our first encounter. After landing and just as we were about to start following the trail, we passed a group from our sister boat who were about to leave following their slightly earlier visit. One of my group spotted a lady she sat next to on the flight over who was looking slightly hot and bothered and admittedly ...
...people considering a trip to Galapagos Islands will already well know that if animals, birds, sealife and nature itself are not of interest then it is probably not a holiday destination to contemplate for too long. Where and what they are The Galapagos Islands are owned by Ecuador and are situated in the Pacific Ocean about 700 miles due west from the mainland of Ecuador. There are 13 larger islands which most holidays will be spent visiting, ... Read review

Advantages: To see wildlife you will not see anywhere else on earth
Disadvantages: A long way to travel

...always wanted to visit the Galapagos Islands because of the diverse, unique wildlife so unafraid of man and to be found nowhere else on earth. The Galapagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago of 13 islands just under the Equator about 600 miles west of Ecuador in South America. The oldest of the islands is said to be around 4 million years old and are supposed to be one of the most active volcanic areas in the world. The Islands associated with ...
...Getting There. We visited the Galapagos Islands whilst staying in Quito in Ecuador. We had already travelled from London Heathrow / Amsterdam / Bonaire / Guayaquil / Quito and had spent a few days in Quito. The original plan was to fly from Quito to San Cristobel in the Galapagos but this had changed to Baltra due to San Crisobel having the tarmac on the runway redone. We also had to stop at Guayaquil where we disembarked the aircraft and waited ... Read review

Advantages: close-up wildlife, fantastic photo opportunities
Disadvantages: expensive

The Galapagos Islands are a truly amazing collection of volcanic islands that lie 600 miles due west of Ecuador in South America. The islands straddle the equator and play host to a unique and spectacular collection of wildlife. Most animals and birds remain largely unconcerned by the presence of man and the ever increasing numbers of tourists. This creates a brilliant opportunity to see wildlife up close in a location that certainly has a claim ...
...coral beach. Cruising the Galapagos is a superb (and certainly 5 star) activity. There is an excellent choice of cruise ships (dependent on your finances and the type of holiday you wish). The wildlife is second to none and keen photographers will have a bonanza - we swam with sea lions, stepped carefully over nesting boobies, sat next to the giant tortoises, had a picnic lunch with a great blue heron and watched albatrosses launching themselves ... Read review