Curated Recommendations
Tons of links to, and recommendations about, excursions, lodging, sights, museums, restaurants, buses, trains, gear, books, ferries and ships as we travel all the world’s seven continents. Nothing is on the list unless we personally recommend it. Ongoing updates. Select your preference below …
Riverline Lodge
The Riverline was a warm little place, built close to the earth, and with its red tin roof and sturdy clapboard siding looked like it could withstand, and had withstood, just about anything. As evening approached, even though it was the dead of the Austral summer, a fine fire roared in the enclosed Pyrex and tile fireplace. It would’ve done any Nordic winter proud. Outside, flocks of clouds clustered ominously threatening more rain high above the mountains.
Navimag’s Esperanza from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales
Sailing on Navimag’s Esperanza, a 4-day and 3-night navigation across some of the most pristine channels in the Chilean fjords.
Kau Lodge
“Kau Patagonía is located in Puerto Natales, a 5-minute walk from the main square and in front of the Costanera.
It has 9 rooms that include heating, rustic-style wooden walls and natural fabrics. We serve a delicious full buffet breakfast, the rooms have a private bathroom and beautiful views of the Señoret channel and the Última Esperanza fjord, we make excursions to Torres del Paine and the surrounding area, as well as excursions to Lake Gray on foot and by kayak.”
La Pilarica Lodge
“Lying on the Andes mountain range and immersed in an area of unparalleled beauty, La Pilarica Lodge invites you to live a unique fishing experience with the highest level of modernity, comfort and excellence in service.”
Elki Magic
“We are a Tour Operator located in the town of Vicuña, in the heart of the Elqui Valley in the Region of Coquimbo, Chile.
We create and run our own activities to ensure optimum quality and to share with our visitors our love for the Valley and outdoor activities. We offer a personalized service in English, French and Spanish.”
Santa Catalina Monastery
“Occupying a whole block and guarded by imposing high walls, it is one of the most fascinating religious buildings in Peru. Nor is it just a religious building – the 20,000-sq-meter complex is almost a citadel within the city. It was founded in 1580 by a rich widow, doña María de Guzmán.”
Cusco Plaza Hotel (Saphi)
“The Cusco Plaza Saphi Hotel is located one block from the Plaza de Armas, in a colonial house of the nineteenth century, which has been restored retaining much of its traditional architecture. In it you can see the arches, columns and stone walls, an exquisite collection of colonial style.
Cusco Plaza Saphi is located within the historic center of Cusco, a few meters from the main square of Cusco. It has 49 rooms and three interior courtyards which are ideal to rest while taking a refreshing coca tea mate.”
Cusco Native Tours - Local Guide
“Cusco Native Tours was founded in 2008 with a passion for offering unique and authentic tours and treks in Cusco and throughout Peru. Our founder, Renato Auca Fuentes, is a native cusqueño of Quechua origin who started the company with a mission to use his knowledge of his ancestors to help develop the nearby native communities through tourism and create unforgettable experiences for visitors.”
Tarahuasi
“Named after the Inca site of Rimactambo, Limatambo is popularly known as Tarawasi. The site was used as a ceremonial center and a resting place for the Inca chasquis (Inca runners who delivered messages over long distances). The exceptional polygonal retaining wall, noteworthy for its 28 human-sized niches, is in itself worth the trip from Cuzco. On the wall below it, look for flower shapes and a nine-sided heart amid the patchwork of perfectly interlocking stones.”
Andean Explorer
“Take your time to explore the breathtaking diversity of Peru’s natural wonders aboard South America’s first luxury train. From traditional textile patterns to kaleidoscopic sunsets, watch as our surroundings burst into color from your luxury private cabin or the open-air observation car. From peaceful Lake Titicaca to the famous floating island of Uros, marvel at the memorable destinations while sampling cutting edge Peruvian cuisine using Andean ingredients. Between unique curated tours and serene spa rituals, the Andean Explorer is the most luxurious way to experience Peru in motion.”
Casa Andina Standard (Puno)
“The hotel is located only 7 minutes away from the Plaza de Armas [Main Square] of Puno. This cozy, safe, and spacious hotel has common areas such as a living room and a yard. It also has 50 comfortable and 100% non-smoking rooms, an internet cetner, and free Wi-Fi. The Puno Sama Restaurant & Cafe offers a breakfast buffet with free extras and a variety of dishes.”
Casa Andina Standard (Arequipa)
“Casa Andina Standard Arequipa is located in the heart of the Monument Neighborhood of San Lazaro, considered one of the oldest in Arequipa. It is a contemporary style hotel built with ashlar stone that has 105 comfortable rooms with beautiful finishes offering all the necessary services for an unforgettable experience.”
Citadel of Cahuaci
“Cahuachi, in Peru, was a major ceremonial center of the Nazca culture, based from 1 AD to about 500 AD in the coastal area of the Central Andes. It overlooked some of the Nazca lines. The Italian archaeologist Giuseppe Orefici has been excavating at the site for the past few decades. The site contains over 40 mounds topped with adobe structures. The huge architectural complex covers 0.6 sq. miles (1.5 km2) at 365 meters above sea level.”
Necropolis of Chauchilla
“Chauchilla Cemetery located 30 km (18.6 miles) south of the city of Nasca in Peru. It is the only archaeological site in Peru, in which ancient mummies are seen in their original graves. This cemetery had been used for a period of anywhere between the 3rd and 9th century, but the most important burials belong to 600 – 700. The bodies are remarkably preserved due mainly to the dry climate in the desert but the funeral rites were also a contributing factor. The bodies were clothed in embroidered cotton and then painted with a resin. The resin is thought to have slowed bacteria trying to feed on the bodies.”
Cantalloc Aqueducts
“The Cantalloc Aqueducts are a series of aqueducts located 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) west of the city of Nazca, Peru, built by the Nazca culture. More than 40 aqueducts were built, which were used all year round. There are other aqueducts in different parts of the city.
They are part of a system of aqueducts of the same type called puquios that were built by the pre-Inca civilization of Nazca about 1,500 years ago.
The aqueducts ensured the supply of water to the city of Nazca and the surrounding fields, allowing the cultivation of cotton, beans, potatoes, and other crops in an arid region.”
Casa Andina Standard (Nasca)
“The hotel is located just a few minutes away from the Plaza de Armas [Main Square] of Nasca and only 20 minutes away in order to go visit the best place to visit at this destination: The Nazca Lines. The hotel has an event room holding up to 30 people with service emphasizing detail that will exceed all your expectations.”
Hotel El Huacachinero
“Proud of our roots and in homage to the desert that our beloved resort of La Huacachina dresses, we were born more than a decade ago with the dream of offering you the perfect balance between nature, relaxation and fun.
Blessed by the Ica sun and fortunate to be part of the beautiful postcard that gives life to the Oasis of America, today we can say that the Hotel El Huacachinero is the ideal option to escape from the overwhelming routine and the perfect space to express our love for the nature.
We are waiting for you to make your stay such an unforgettable experience that you will not want to return home.”
Paracas National Reserve
“Paracas National Reserve sits near Pisco city on Peru's south coast. It spans desert, ocean and islands and is home to wildlife like sea lions, dolphins and migratory birds. Its sandy beaches include La Mina and Mendieta. The Paracas Candelabra geoglyph, a huge hillside etching of mysterious origins, sits on the Paracas Peninsula. The Museo de Sitio Julio C. Tello displays relics from the ancient Paracas culture.”
Hotel Riviera Inka Paracas
“The hotel is modern, has 23 very comfortable rooms, on three levels, on the fourth level is the dining room and a beautiful view of the sea and the two piers where the boats leave for the Ballestas Islands. The location is central, it is 50 meters from the Main Square of Paracas, the Boulevard of restaurants and the handicraft market. From the hotel you can book tours to the Ballestas Islands, sand carts and massage sessions.
The breakfast is varied and has varieties of juices and fruits in addition to hot drinks and dishes in the background. The rooms have wireless internet, wired and smart tv televisions. In addition there is a varied selection of nature and adventure tours in the bay as in the Paracas Natural Reserve.”
Pullman Lima Miraflores Hotel, Lima
“As a Flagship hotel, Pullman Lima Miraflores unites people to share unexpected experiences. A multifaceted space, full of culture, set up to provide tranquility and with superior comfort that is carefully adapted to the guest. This hotel offers 236 rooms and suites, 1 Presidential Suite, 4 event rooms and 2 directories, 1 Plural lounge restaurant, 1 gym, 1 pool & Ambra Rooftop Bar on the 16th floor.”