Over more than three decades of travel, exploring 83 countries and all seven continents, James Ian has seen more of the world than most people.
But when asked to pick his favorite destination, the New Yorker admits it was a tough call.
“It’s a very difficult question – like trying to pick a favorite child,” Ian told Newsweek. But if he had to choose? “Probably Ecuador.”
Ian, 56, is the founder of Parks Collecting, a website that provides guides and itineraries for US national parks. Originally from Australia, he has also lived in the UK, Japan and even on a cruise ship in the Caribbean.
“I’ve been travelling for 35 years. I spent 14 years travelling solo around the world, and the last 21 have been more settled but still travelling every year,” he says.
Why Ecuador?
What makes Ecuador stand out among the dozens of countries he’s visited? For Ian, it’s the sheer variety of landscapes and experiences packed into one small country.
“It’s a small country but it has so much diversity of landscapes and experiences,” says Ian. “There’s traditional Andean culture, small mountain villages, a modern city, active volcanoes, hot springs, the Amazon rainforest and of course the Galapagos Islands.”
Ecuador’s diversity makes it an ideal travel destination for first-time visitors and seasoned explorers alike.
