Peru

Alexa, play cumbia!!! The overall culture in Peru is remarkable. Lima, the coastal capital was the first stop. Headed directly to Surquillo Market for lunch to be met with the best way to start the trip, cebiche! This city loves their seafood. Although Parqué Kennedy is known for its cats (?) its also got some great street food. Picarones (sweet potato fritters in syrup), mazamorra morada (a sweet purple corn dessert with fresh & dry fruit) & butifarra (pork sandwich) really stood out along with a quick meal at La Lucha in Miraflores. Had the opportunity to dine at Astrid & Gaston (always in the top lists for best restaurants in Latin America) and was blown away by their tasting menu. It was a great representation of what refined Peruvian food was really about during the winter months. Moving on to Cusco was a headache..literally. The altitude here is a little wild so definitely don’t turn down the hotel/airbnb offering you coca tea. Walking around this steep city you’ll find some of the more popular street foods salchipapa (fried potatoes and hot dogs) and anticuchos (grilled beef heart skewers) but please find a plate of lomo saltado (beef stir fry) or pollo a la brasa (rotisserie chix) with lots and lots of aji verde. Peru has an extensive history of Asian immigrants who gave the country a really unique influence on their cuisine. You’ll see this strong influence throughout at Chifa & Nikkei restaurants. From Cusco you can visit the Sacred Valley and experience the many Inca wonders like Macchu Pichu, Ollantaytambo, Moray & the salt mines at Moray. Back in Lima, Barranco’s nightlife offered a ton of places to enjoy flights of different Pisco sours. The best way to end this trip? By lucking out & getting a bar seat at Central.