Three cities whose notable architecture epitomizes their heritage

Under $150 a day

Where
Cuenca, Ecuador

Why
In the colonial Old Town, stone houses practically spill onto the streets, and wooden homes (now cafés and bars) perch precariously on cliffs above the Tomebamba River. These treasures helped win World Heritage Site status for this part of the southern highlands city. Terra-Diversa's tour spans the area between Gran Colombia Avenue and the river, and includes the pink New Cathedral in front of the Parque Calderón (593-7-282-3782; terradiversa.com; three-hour tour, $18).

Room
The antiques-filled Mansión Alcázar is a nineteenth-century residence turned inn with salons, a garden, and a fountain in the covered courtyard (593-7-282-3918; mansionalcazar.com; doubles, $130). The Hotel Crespo is a good value, and many rooms overlook the Tomebamba River (593-7-284-2571; hotel-crespo.com; doubles, $76).

Lunch & Dinner
In a comfy bungalow with a spacious patio, El Maíz serves lunches of traditional Cuencan and fusion cuisine (1-279 Calle Larga; 593-7-284-0224; entrées $4–$6). The expat and artist crowds meet at Café Eucalyptus for tapas and international dishes. Late at night, it's transformed into a live music scene (9-41 Gran Colombia; 593-7-284-9157; entrées, $8–$12).

Tip
Follow the river walk to Banco Central's Museo Pumapungo to view its pre-Columbian collections and colonial reliquaries and paintings. Next door, the Pumapungo Incan archeological site has impressive botanical gardens, and its aviaries showcase birds from all over Ecuador (593-7-283-1255; pumapungo.org; $3).

Under $200 a day

Where
Charleston, South Carolina

Why
Having weathered wards, hurricanes, and an earthquake (in 1886), the Federal and Greek Revival–influenced houses that line Charleston's cobble-stoned streets are stunning examples of preservation. Peek through the gates of the prestigious residences south of Broad Street to see secret gardens dotted with fountains and moss-drapped statues. The Historic Charleston Foundation's spring Festival of Houses and Gardens unlocks dozens of private homes (843-723-1623; historiccharleston.org).