According to UK's acclaimed Academy of Chocolate, Ecuador is one of the world's finest chocolate terroirs. What joy to nibble on the efforts of local artisans who are dedicated to crafting treats of the finest criollo, cru, and cacao (beans). Sample their sensations as you stroll along the Guayas River boardwalk which bustles with culture, entertainment, and history. Hop iconic aerial gondolas for impressive views of the steep hills or climb the 444-stepped staircase to reach the cobbled streets of Las Peñas, where brightly-coloured homes reflect the city's 16th-century beginnings. Just outside the city, flowers abound in fertile soils where the world's largest exporter of roses and other tropical florals invite you to stop-and-smell this seaside garden of eden.