The post is to provide you with one stop view of our trip to Peru, including all our radio segments, Itinerary, Podcast and Blog Post.  We travels to Peru the whole month of March 2016.  Peru looks small on a whole map and even a map of South America, but it’s not.  In a month we barely saw some of it and all in the southern part.  Most of our accommodations were through Airbnb (which are in the itinerary) and a few hotels.  We travel by plane, nice buses and crazy taxi’s.  We were warned that we were traveling during the wet season, but it never rained on us.

The people of Peru are very nice, modest and so very helpful.  They are a mix of the traditional Inca culture, Colonial Spanish and Modern culture. The food, the food, the food, was delicious.  Even the corner neighborhood chicken restaurant offered savory and scrumptious chicken and fries.  With the dollar very strong we indulged in gourmet cuisine and loved every single bite and often still dream of it.

Halfway through the trip Jeff and I looked at each other and knew, Peru would always hold a special place in our hearts.  We can’t wait to go back and see more of this lovely country.   Itinerary, Pictures, Radio Features, Blog Post and Podcaasts to follow.

 

LIMA: 7 nights in the Barranco District at Casa Nuestra.  Located in the Bohemian district of Barranco, Casa Nuestra is run by a charming couple, Francesco and Carmen.  Loved staying in this walkable area and Francesco will give you a map of all the best eateries.

ICA: 4 nights at Luis Home and Tours ,  Luis offers Airbnb lodging and offers his services as a local tour guide.  He and his family were delightful.  Located in the suburbs of Ica, Luis and his lovely family are wonderful host.  Luis picked us up at the bus station which is always a big plus.  Our room was clean and modern and came with a little patio.

AREQUIPA: 3 nights (would like to stay longer) Hotel stay, Not available.

PUNO – LAKE TITICACA, 3 nights: Qelqatani Hotel.  Nice and local

Cusco: 4 nights at Airbnb, Penthouse – 3 blocks from the Plaza  Great location and your host, Yolanda also has a tour business you can book with.

Agua Calientes – Machu Picchu: 2 nights (arranged on a tour)

Cusco: 3 nights: Airbnb #1 Furnished 2 BR 2 Baths Cottage: Monika was a great host., very helpful. Located in a neighborhood walking distance to downtown

Mira Flores, Lima: 3 nights, Hotel Antiqua Miraflores  A taste of old Lima.  Beautiful older colonial mansion and walking distance to great restaurants in Lima (see below)

AIRLINES: LATAM.  Nice airlines

BUSES: If you have the extra time, take the bus.  They are relatively cheap and more like luxury buses.  Spring for the VIP seating (extra $5-10) for your own TV.  Meals are served on the bus too. Take Cruz del Sur for point to point destinations. We took Turismo Mer bus for a fun and informative day tour from Puno to Cusco.  it took 10 hours, with four tour stops and lunch.

TAXI’S:  They are a cheap way to get around.  You can negotiate the price.  Get an idea of the price of your route from the locals (were you are staying).  They have Uber and Easy Taxi there witch are both Apps you can download and order up.  We felt the prices were competitive and so easy.

LIMA:  We took two tours with Haku Tours.  One a market and cooking tour with Chef David and a tour of historical core of Lima.

• LISTEN to our Savory Road Radio Features of our cooking class Our Airbnb 

ICA: Our Airbnb in Ica, Luis, offered many tours to his lodgers. Luis took us to a tour of Tacama Distillery and Vineyard.  What a beautiful place, rich with history and lore.  He also took us to Paracas and set us up on tour boats to the Island Ballestas (highly reccommend) and drove us to several stunning beaches in Paracas national Reserve.  Our favorite day was spent with Luis’s Mom, Maria.  She took us to the local public market, where we got all the ingredients for Maria’s famous Arroz Con Pollo.  She spent the afternoon showing Jeff how she cooked this delicious dish. Don’t miss the local chicken restaurants.  They cook up scrumptious chicken and fries.

ARIQUIPA: Beautiful colonial city

Free Walking Tour of Arequipa

Bean to Bar Chocolate Tour with Chaqchao Chocolates

• LISTEN to our Savory Road Radio Feature on our Chocolate Tour

 

PUNO – LAKE TITICACA: Our day tours were arranged with Inca LakeTours: Lake Titicaca, Puno Tour and Travel to Cusco.  Excellent tour provider and even assisted us when are plans changes a little.  They picked us up from our hotel each day and brought us home.

PUNO TO CUSCO: Turismo Mer Bus Tour with four tourism stops and a buffet lunch. Great tour guide.

CUSCO: Sacred valley Tour arranged with our Airbnb host travel company.  We don’t rccommend our tour company for Machu Picchu, but our Machu Picchu tour from the same company was good.

LIMA:

Museo Larco Cafe: After a visit at Musio Larco have lunch at the Cafe. Located in their beautiful garden it’s worth the few extra soles.

Canta Rana: Ceviche and great atmosphere, in the Barranco District

• LISTEN to Savory Road Radio Feature on Peruvian Ceviche at Canta Rana

Chifa Union: Chinese Peruvian Cuisine, this place was recommended by our Airbnb host.

LA 73 Paradero Gourmet:  Make sure to order Pisco Sours and Churro’s filled with Peruvian Hot Caramel Sauce and Chocolate Sauce.

Barranco Beer Company:  great place to relax with good craft beers.  Roof top patio too.  Try the Blue Corn Pizza

• LISTEN to Savory Road Radio Feature: Lima’s Craft Beer

Tostaduria Bisetti Cafe: for a good cup of coffee using Peruvian Coffee Beans, Barranco District

• LISTEN to Savory Road Feature: Peru’s Coffee Culture

Panchita: One of the best meals we had. Everything was great. Gourmet Peruvian Food, Miraflores

Cusco:

Greens Organic: All good.  Try the Quinoa Brulee and the Smoked Trout Benedict.  Next to the Plaza de Armes

Siete & Siete:  a unique eatery in the old San Blas area with terrific view over Cusco.  Has a German cuisine base with a troll theme. Good Pisco Sours.

Arequipa: 

Chicha Restaurant by Gaston Acurio:  When in Peru you must go to at least one of Gaston Acurio’s restaurants.  Every bite is delicious.from cocktails to dessert.  We had Beef Pailarda and Sudado, Catch of the Day. Order the Tamal for starters.

ChaqChao:  Offers heavenly Hot Chocolate and brownies.  Also Chocolate Classes.

LISTEN to Savory Road Feature: Peru’s Chocolate, Beans to Bar

ICA:

La Olla de Juanita:  In the heart of the Pisco tourist zone in Ica, this family run eatery offers delicious peruvian cusine.

Puno:

Mojsa Bar: One of the best places to eat in Puno with a view of the catherdral.  We ate a flavorful pizza

Sacred Valley – Urubamba:

Alhambra Hacienda Restaurant, This was a  stop on our tour of the Sacred Valley.  When we pulled up our mouths dropped open.  It was located in the middle of a beautiful garden with exotic birds, llamas and alpacas.  The buffet was the beautiful with so many different choices, all good.