Donna Salerno Travel

Quito, where you arrive today, is your stepping stone to a one-of-a- kind destination. The Galápagos Islands are irresistible to any family who enjoys wildlife and the outdoors, and your experiences on this trip are sure to instill a new love of nature.  Swissotel Quito

Quito is two cities in one: a modern metropolis and an old, Spanish colonial city built on top of the former Incan capital. Your visit today begins with a stop at the Equatorial Monument — an irresistible opportunity to stand with a foot in each hemisphere. Explore Spanish-settled Old Quito on a guided tour. Visit the city's oldest church, San Francisco, with its beautiful Baroque interior, and continue to La Compañía, whose glittering interior was created with seven tons of gold. Tonight, meet the other families sharing your adventure at tonight's welcome dinner.  Swissotel Quito B L D

This morning, fly via coastal Guayaquil to the Galápagos archipelago, where you board your sailing vessel for the seven night cruise that forms the heart of your itinerary. Settle in, listen to an introductory briefing and become acquainted with the ship and staff, who have arranged special child-friendly amenities (such as child-friendly briefings and nature walks) to make your voyage rewarding for the entire family.  MV 'TBD' B L D

Spend seven nights exploring one of the world's most unusual wildlife habitats, the Galápagos Islands. Because the islands were never joined to the mainland of South America, many of the plants and animals that evolved here can be found nowhere else. The islands were known to the outside world well before 1835, when a young naturalist named Charles Darwin came here to collect samples of the flora and fauna. By observing the minute variations between similar animals, Darwin formed the theory that creatures change over time in response to their environment. The Galápagos remain important today, which is why human visitation to the islands is closely managed; for example, your family returns to the ship at night to eat and sleep rather than staying at a hotel on the island.

Your journey doesn't have a set itinerary: the captain and your guides plan the day's events based on weather and other local conditions. However, you can count on seeing all of the main islands and their landmarks, such as Pinnacle Rock on Bartolomé Island, Punta Espinosa on Fernandina Island, Gardner Bay and Punta Suarez on Española, the volcanoes of Isabela Island and the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island. Climb aboard a panga (rubber boat) to explore the islands' rocky beaches, led by a guide who can answer any question about Galapagos wildlife — usually before you even have to ask it.

Come ashore and meet the animals up close; because they were never hunted by humans, these creatures are not afraid of us. You can walk within a few yards of a blue-footed booby, a marine iguana or a sunbathing sea lion and hardly be noticed, and you'll come back from this trip with some amazing close-up photos as well as amazing memories. Be sure to call on Lonesome George, the world's last known Pinta Island tortoise, in his home at the Charles Darwin Research Center. Other breeds of tortoise are raised at the center and you can see the young turtle hatchlings as well as the older animals waiting to be returned to the wild. As you sail the blue waters between islands, your naturalist guides are always on hand to answer questions and give you greater insight into this remarkable ecosystem.   MV 'TBD' B L D

Bid the islands farewell and return to Quito, where this evening you gather with your fellow travelers for dinner to celebrate the extraordinary adventure you shared.  Swissotel Quito B D