Peru! | Highlight

A NOTE FROM MIMI

Good morning Mimi,.

Allison and I are in Peru!

I chose Peru for her surprise trip because we both love speaking Spanish, great food (2 of the world's top 10 restaurants are here), wildlife (fuzzy alpacas), being active and meeting warm, friendly people. I also love that there are beautiful understated luxury hotels in adventurous locations. And of course there is fascinating history and... Machu Picchu.

Our first day was spent on a market tour, where our guide bought a variety of exotic fruits for us to try, and then classes in making Pisco sours with Jhoan. This was followed by cooking class with the Executive Chef of a Relais & Chateaux kitchen on a rooftop making ceviche and lomo saltado while watching parapenters sail by. It was a magical day.

Then the afternoon was spent...

touring the catacombs
seeing the Plaza Mayor
visiting the oldest house in the Americas continuously occupied by the same family line
learning about the Peruvian election/political system (it was voting day - no alcohol is sold the day before and the day of, and it is mandatory that you vote, which leads to its own set of issues) and
walking along the coast

There is a wonderful biking path infrastructure here and next time I will definitely go for a ride.

Day 2 we flew to Cusco to begin our travels through the Sacred Valley. It is stunning! Pisac is a site to see. In fact there are so many sites to see! My preference is to do so in an active way and yesterday we chose hiking. But there is also mountain biking, horseback riding and ATVing (fun but not active). I'm looking forward to today's plan:

After breakfast your private guide and driver meet you for the drive to Lamay,

a little village located in the heart of the Sacred Valley.

Once in the community we will appreciate the traditional crops and the local style buildings. We will meet women and men doing their traditional farming, animal breeding, traditional crafts and family life. Nothing is staged; to the contrary, this is a great opportunity to interact with the locals and participate in activities and traditions that are hundreds of years old.

When the time comes, we will enjoy local snacks and a simple yet tasty lunch, prepared using only local products. Finally, we will hike down to Lamay, enjoying nice views of the village and surroundings. This fresh and short walk will give us a sense of Lamay and the Sacred Valley of the Inkas.

Enjoy the articles below, including Why You Need to Book That European Vacation ASAP! and The 17 Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings in America This Fall. Have you heard the CDC ended country by country covid travel advisories? Link below.

I'm skipping Where to Next? this week to save a bit of time while I'm traveling.

By the time I write you next we will have climbed up Machu Picchu, spent time in Cusco and be on our flight back home. I'm not wishing this trip go by quickly at all. I'm going to relish this time with Allison and enjoy every moment.

Warmly,

Below:

This week's highlight - Dédalo
Travel Updates
P.S. Favorite Articles
Last week's poll results - Would you consider visiting Saudi Arabia in the next 2-3 years?

DÉDALO

I love finding fun, local cafes when I travel. I also love finding boutiques with local products.

When I find one that ticks both of those boxes, I definitely want to share it with you.

After a full day in Lima on Sunday, as our guide dropped us off, she mentioned the little shop we just passed by was one of her favorites.

So as Allison and I walked to dinner, we stopped by.

I LOVED it!

It was full of such a wide variety of things. After I'd check out one room, I'd find another one and another and another. There were so many rooms full of art, purses, leather goods, alpaca sweaters, yarn, scarves, journals, packaged foods, wine, books, jewelry, kids clothes and more.

And in the very back of the building was an outdoor cafe, full of happy people and a few pups.

Dédalo.

If you go in one shop in Lima, I suggest it is this one!

It is in the Barranco district, which is the more artsy Bohemian area that I chose for us to stay in.

It's an ideal spot for families with teens but also if on an adult trip.

There are lots of delicious restaurants and it's next to the coast,

has great shopping and cafes.

Put it on your list!

TRAVEL UPDATES

C.D.C. Ends Country-by-Country Covid Travel Advisories, NYT

The Eiffel Tower Is Shutting Off Its Lights—And Here’s Why It Matters, Architectural Digest

TSA PreCheck vs. Clear: Which Program Is Better for Frequent Travelers?,

CNN

Japan is Set to Reopen to Tourists Again This Year. Here's What to Expect., WSJ

Hotel Prices Will Jump By 30% In This City Next Year, Study Predicts, Forbes

Helpful links: CDC

The US State Department Country Specific Information is here.

INTERESTING ARTICLES

Should You Check Your Email On Vacation?, CNN

Here’s Why You Need to Book That European Vacation ASAP!, Fodors

Silver Endeavour: World's Most Luxurious Expedition Ship to Unlock 118 Destinations, Luxury Travel Magazine

I’m not a cruiser, but one day I will go to Antarctica and when I do, I will consider this option!

Explora Journeys Introduces ‘Ocean Wellness’, Drift

This is a brand new company targeting the young, active, affluent market.

I’ve participated in calls with them and I can say I’m intrigued. Some of my colleagues will be going on their early sailings and I look forward to learning more and sharing with you.

Maybe we will be enticed to go on a first cruise.

The wellness and active offerings sound amazing!

Th e Four Seasons Just Announced a Line of Yachts - and They're Just as Luxurious as You'd Think, Food and Wine

Exploring ‘The Land of Morning Calm’

A traveler gets beyond Seoul’s sprawl to explore tranquil thatched mountain hamlets, peaceful Buddhist temples and unhurried ‘slow food’ towns in rural South Korea. NYT

How to plan — and survive — a trip with friends, Washington Post

The 17 Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings in America This Fall, Robb Report

In Utah, a canyoneering trip is a lesson in embracing limitations, Washington Post

(If you aren't able to access an NYT, WSJ, Washington Post or Outside Magazine article, send me a note and I'll send it to you in a PDF.)