Stand in the Plaza de la Independencia and watch the changing of the presidential guard in their blue, red and gold regalia, or go and see colorfully-attired Ecuadorian dancers perform at nearby Plaza de San Francisco. There are magnificent old churches with gold-leaf interiors to marvel at, and berry ice cream served in a fog of dry ice to indulge in. And the view from Panecillo Hill – it's totally out of this world!