David Ashworth - Travel Counsellors

01/11/2026

Just back from a brilliant few days in Porto and it is a cracking little city break.

✈️ Getting there
Flew from Liverpool with Ryanair: on time and straightforward.
Porto Airport was easy enough, but customs took around 45 minutes, so worth allowing time if you have onward plans.

Uber was cheap and simple to use throughout the trip.

🏨 Where we stayed
We stayed at AC Hotel Porto, right next to Estádio do Dragão with a shopping centre, cinema and local restaurants on the doorstep.

It was only 5–10 minutes by Uber into central Porto, so ideal for mixing football and sightseeing.

🏙 City & river
We visited São Bento station to see the famous azulejo tiles, then wandered downhill through the old streets to Ribeira on the riverfront.

Lovely atmosphere, great bars and an incredible sunset over the Dom Luís I Bridge: perfect spot for a drink and people‑watching.

📸 Old town views
Another morning we headed to the Clérigos Church & Tower for breakfast in a local café and then climbed the tower for 360‑degree views of the city.

From there we explored the surrounding old town, churches and streets, finishing back down by the river.

🌉 Gaia & the Douro
We crossed the upper deck of the Dom Luís I Bridge into Vila Nova de Gaia for more big views, then wandered down to the riverside.

Plenty of options for port tastings, river cruises, food and souvenirs, and you can always take the cable car if you do not fancy all the steps.

⚽ Match day atmosphere
Being next to the stadium was perfect for an evening at FC Porto.
We had a local pre‑match meal at Café Velasquez among the home fans, then walked over to the ground where the noise builds in the 30 minutes before kick‑off and barely stops.

A convincing win for the home team and a fantastic experience.

🏖 Final afternoon by the sea
On our last day, after a stadium tour and museum visit, we headed out to Foz do Douro, starting at Praia dos Ingleses.

It is a laid‑back seaside area where the river meets the Atlantic, with a promenade, small beaches, cafés and bars.

We walked along to the lighthouse, stopping for lunch and drinks in the late October sunshine: a really relaxing way to end the trip.

🍷 Overall
In just a couple of days we managed to fit in city sights, history, river views, the coast, football and great food.

Porto works brilliantly for a short break or a longer stay, especially if you want a mix of culture, atmosphere and a bit of sea air.

29/10/2026

San Cristóbal, Galápagos: where the animals run the show 🦭🐢

I’ve just shared a little reel from San Cristóbal in the Galápagos, and it really sums up how special this island is: sea lions snoozing on benches, turtles gliding past in the water, bright red crabs on the rocks and birds everywhere you look.

It has a relaxed harbour town feel, with plenty of spots to wander, watch the wildlife and soak it all in, and it works brilliantly whether you’re visiting as part of a cruise or staying on land.

Take a look at the reel and picture yourself there… and if it gets you thinking about your own Galápagos adventure, I’d love to help you plan it.

28/10/2026

Quito’s historic centre has completely won me over 🇪🇨✨

I’ve just put together a little reel from El Centro Histórico de Quito: think cobbled streets, colourful colonial buildings, grand plazas, beautiful churches and those Andean mountains peeking out in the background.

It’s one of those places where you can happily wander for hours… people‑watching in the squares, popping into churches, browsing markets and soaking up the atmosphere as the city lights come on at dusk.

If you’re a fan of history, architecture, street life and great photo opportunities, Quito’s old town is a fantastic place to start or finish an Ecuador & Galápagos adventure.

Take a look at the reel and imagine yourself there – and if it sparks some ideas, I’d love to help you plan it.

Twist

28/10/2026

Ecuador & the Galápagos have well and truly stolen my heart 🇪🇨🐢

I’ve just returned from an incredible trip that took in Quito’s colonial old town, the wildlife‑rich Galápagos Islands, colourful markets in Otavalo and breathtaking Andean scenery around Cotopaxi.

From snorkelling with sea lions and turtles to staying in characterful haciendas and boutique hotels, it was a journey full of “pinch me” moments, gentle adventure and some amazing places to stay.

I’ve pulled it all together in a new blog, packed with first‑hand insight and ideas if you’re dreaming of Ecuador or the Galápagos for your own bucket‑list trip.

You can read it here:
https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/david.ashworth/EcuadorTheGal%C3%A1pagosAJourneyThroughCitiesIslandstheHighAndes

If it sparks some ideas, I’d love to help you turn them into a tailor‑made itinerary.

Ecuador and the Galápagos had been on my wish list for a long time, but I did not fully appreciate just how much variety you can experience in a relatively short trip. In less than two weeks I wandered through Quito’s atmospheric old town, snorkelled alongside playful sea lions and turtles in the...

27/10/2026

Day 13 and what a way to finish this incredible journey 🐴⛰️

On our last day we took a gentle horse ride around the hacienda’s estate at the foot of Cotopaxi, and it honestly felt like the perfect ending to an amazing trip. Experience definitely isn’t needed: the guides and the horses were brilliant and made a complete novice like me feel totally at ease.

The scenery, like the altitude, was absolutely breathtaking: wide open landscapes, views of Cotopaxi and that wonderful sense of space you only get in the mountains.

Top tip from me: zip your pockets! I didn’t… and my phone is now somewhere out on the estate 😒

An unforgettable finale to an unforgettable journey.

27/10/2026

Some really lovely words from a new client, referred to me by one of my existing customers, have absolutely made my day. There is no greater compliment than someone recommending me to their friends and family, and I never take that trust for granted.

If you are starting to think about your next holiday and would like personal, stress free support from the first ideas to arriving back home, I would be delighted to help you plan it.

26/10/2026

Some really lovely words from an existing client have absolutely made my day today. It is always such a compliment when someone comes back to me for their holidays and then takes the time to share their experience too.

I am so grateful for the trust my clients place in me to look after their precious time away, and it is always my aim to make every trip feel personal, well planned and stress free.

If you are starting to think about your next getaway and would like that same level of support, I would be delighted to help you plan it.

22/10/2026

Day 11 and today we traded mountains for the magical Mindo Cloud Forest.

We started with a last wander around a local market in Otavalo, then continued to the “Middle of the World” near Quito, where you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere on the equatorial line. There are fun exhibits, quirky science demos and some brilliant photo opportunities to prove you have been at 0° latitude.

After lunch in Mindo, we visited a hummingbird feeding station and it was honestly unforgettable: dozens of jewel‑bright hummingbirds whirring around us, some so confident they were literally eating from our hands. We were rained off our planned waterfall hike thanks to torrential downpours, but the hummingbirds more than made up for it.

Tonight’s base is Septimo Paraiso Lodge, tucked away in the lush cloud forest and the perfect spot to fall asleep to the sounds of nature.

21/10/2026

Day 10 in Ecuador and this country just keeps charming us 🇪🇨⛰️

We started the day with breakfast al fresco at the hacienda, in a beautiful garden setting with mountain views and food that was both generous and delicious. Afterwards, the owner showed us his old mill, which he has lovingly converted into a small event venue and restaurant. In the basement he brews his own b**r and even distils wh**ky, which gave the whole place a really authentic, artisanal feel.

On the road towards Parque Nacional Cotacachi Cayapas, we stopped at Parador Turístico Mira Lago for photos of Lago San Pablo: a peaceful highland lake framed by rolling hills and volcanoes, with viewpoints that are perfect for soaking up the scenery.

At Parque Nacional Cotacachi Cayapas we took a short hike up to the Gorky Campuzano viewpoint. The slight change in altitude is well worth it for the sweeping views over the crater lake and surrounding mountains, with dramatic landscapes and that crisp Andean air.

Lunch was at Hostería Hacienda Pinsaquí in Otavalo, a historic hacienda where you are greeted by local musicians on arrival. Inside it feels traditional and elegant, with Ecuadorian‑style dishes, courtyards and lots of character.

We then visited a local weaver in Otavalo, watching her work the loom and learning about the differences between sheep’s wool, alpaca and baby alpaca. It was a lovely insight into the craft behind the textiles you see in this region.

The afternoon finished in the local market, browsing colourful stalls and soaking up the atmosphere, before heading to our hotel for the night: the very nice Arthotels Otavalo. This is a stylish, contemporary hotel with a boutique feel, combining modern design with local touches, comfortable rooms and a warm, welcoming atmosphere right in town.

20/10/2026

Day 9: Saying goodbye to the islands and hello again to the Andes 🐢✈️⛰️

Our last morning in the Galápagos started with a couple of quick hotel visits and some final photo stops before the journey back to the mainland.

First up was Ikala Galápagos, a stylish, modern boutique-style hotel with a relaxed pool area and a cosy, leafy courtyard feel. It is the sort of place that feels calm and tucked away, yet still close enough to wander into town.

Then on to Finch Bay, my favourite so far: a chic, eco‑friendly hideaway right by the water, with a gorgeous pool, lush gardens and a real “barefoot luxury” vibe. Think hammocks, gentle sea breezes and that feeling of being a little bit away from it all but beautifully looked after.

From there it was time to head to the airport. Getting to Baltra is an adventure in itself, with a little ferry crossing and the luggage piled up on the roof, then a smooth flight back to the mainland. Just over an hour later we arrived for our first night back on the continent in Cayambe, staying at Hacienda Molino San Juan.

The hacienda is typically decorated with rustic touches, courtyards and characterful rooms, set in the countryside surrounded by farmland and mountains. We were treated to a delicious three‑course dinner of home‑cooked family recipes, plus homemade b**r, which all added to the charming, homely feel of the place. A lovely and very atmospheric way to ease back into mainland Ecuador.