So many popular travel destinations today cater to 2 extremes: the city, which can be busy, confusing, but is often rich in history, or the beach, which is relaxing, but does not usually have a lot of history attached to it. Perhaps the best marriage of these two can be found in the Galapagos Islands, off the coast of Ecuador.
The Galapagos Islands, famous for unique wildlife, is steeped in history. Charles Darwin partially developed his theory of evolution based on the different types of finches on the island. There is a museum dedicated to Darwin and tourists can learn not only about evolution, but about the many different species of birds on the islands and how Darwin reached his conclusion.
For those who enjoy the beach, the Galapagos has plenty- they are islands after all! Beaches abound and it is some of the best snorkeling in the world, as the waters remain relatively untouched by humans. In the waters around Pinnacle Rock (arguably the best snorkeling spot in the Galapagos), sea turtles play, marine iguanas feed, and seals frolic in the water, and are relatively unafraid of people. I personally swam next to a sea turtle in the open water, which is the kind of animal interaction people are hard-pressed to find in other parts of the world.
Aside from the history and relaxing nature of the islands, there are so many gorgeous and rare animals that tourists to the Galapagos can interact with. Frigate birds (pictured above) circle above the ocean, then plummet down as they spot a school of fish. Seals and seal lions play not only in the water, but on the rocky, volcanic beaches which the Galapagos is known for. Blue footed boobies raise their young in rock enclosures all around the islands. Galapagos penguins and dolphins can often be seen swimming in the warm waters surrounding the islands. Marine iguanas, the only iguana in the world that feeds underwater, sun themselves on docks, creating the perfect opportunity for photographs (just don't get too close). These islands have such beautiful, diverse ecosystems that they really do make the perfect travel destination for almost everyone.
