Travel in Peru

Lima is more than the jumping-off point to Cusco and a certain wonder of the world. The capital of Peru lolls on sheer cliffs rising 60 meters above the Pacific Ocean although this isn’t a typical beach destination. The Lima lifestyle revolves around strolling the clifftop esplanade, hitting the surf, warming up for Machu Picchu at Huaca Pucllana, and mopping up one too many Pisco Sours with picarones. Even the most mall-shy folk are won over by the Larcomar retail complex.

When I was a teenager, I watched a TV documentary about a frozen human body that had been discovered at the summit of Mount Ampato in Peru. Dubbed “Juanita” or the Incan ice mummy, this girl had been a human sacrifice, killed in about 1450 at the age of 14 or so – the same age I was. Her body had mummified, preserved in the permafrost, which meant her clothes, her hair, even her stomach, containing her last meal, were all still intact.

While ceviche is seen as a local dish in many countries from Chile to Mexico, Peruvians call this famous concoction of raw fish marinated in lime juice Peru’s national dish. UNESCO recently added Peru’s ceviche—and the cultural surrounding it—to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Anthony Aranda, a 23-year-old tourist from Peru, had only two days to visit Paris with his cousin, so getting to the top of the Eiffel Tower featured prominently on his to-do list. But on Thursday, he had to cross it off that list without stepping foot on France’s famed Iron Lady.

This article originally appeared in the February issue of AGENTatHOME magazine. Subscribe here to receive your free copy each month.

A series of inviting new hotels are making their debut across Greece ahead of the 2024 summer months.

The natural world continues to inspire travel writers. Standout books for the year ahead include a collection of stories, illustrations and poems that explore our connection with nature, plus a travelogue inspiring us to discover the small green spaces on our doorstep. Walking remains a popular topic for authors, as evidenced by a pair of upcoming travelogues that hit the trail in rural Spain and Istanbul, respectively, plus a collection of literary works that asks the question: why explore on foot? And to celebrate Bradt Travel Guides reaching its 50th anniversary this year, founder Hilary Bradt is set to release a memoir about her pioneering journeys both in print and around the lesser-explored corners of the planet.

AndBeyond will launch a branded expedition yacht in the Galapagos Islands this summer, expanding its South America portfolio.

The Michelin Guide recently announced 19 new restaurant additions in South Florida, spread across Miami, Orlando and Tampa— now totaling 137 restaurants in the region.

A revamped Trivago Guy campaign, this one using just one actor whose monologue is powered by AI, is getting a mixed reaction in the 20 or so markets it’s running in around the world.

Travelers can easily visit Machu Picchu again: Trains to the Incan citadel returned to service after the end of protests.

Good morning from Skift. It’s Wednesday, January 31. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

Good morning from Skift. It’s Thursday, February 1. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

Tourists will struggle to visit Machu Picchu in the near-term because protestors have for days blocked access — with no end in sight. Peru’s government on Tuesday suspended talks with protesters.

The editors of Forbes Travel Guide predict that 2024 will be a year filled with “meaningful travel.” Of course, the meaning of meaningful is entirely in the eye of the frequent flier. FTG’s list of 24 top destinations for 2024 covers it all, whether you enjoy sports, art, food or history. From Portugal to Peru, these places promise to make a lasting impression.

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Launching in Spring 2024, La Muña will bring a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine to a historic, European, church setting. Set to be a Bloomsbury go-to, La Muna promises exquisite flavours, enchanting design, and rich heritage.

The new year brings with it opportunities for new adventures. To help satisfy your wanderlust and inspire your next getaway, the UNWTO shares its list of top off-the-beaten-path destinations to visit in 2024 before peak season hits this summer. Escape the ordinary and explore the world’s undiscovered rural treasures offering unique experiences at these charming lesser-known destinations, promising unforgettable memories.

Lima defies easy culinary categorisation. Peru’s capital, set above the towering cliffs of the Costa Verde, overlooks a sweep of Pacific coast from the gritty port city of Callao to the fishing village of Chorrillos. A city, a port and a gateway to Latin America, Lima doesn’t have a distinct geographical cuisine, it has dozens of them. Regional ingredients and cultural heritage, both ancient and modern, all mingle together, creating new combinations of flavours. 

One of the biggest beef consumers in the world, Argentinians are masters of the asado — the South American take on a barbecue. But, with young chefs keen to diversify and refine the capital's culinary scene, a Porteño’s diet isn't just limited to steak and Malbec. Use your stomach as a compass to navigate Buenos Aires by visiting these spots.

Full disclosure: after a decade of being a travel writer there are still some things I need to work on. Like putting a spare pair of pants, or even just a toothbrush, in my carry-on baggage.