Peruvian fashion designer Chiara An air of positive energy charged the atelier and showroom of Peruvian fashion designer Chiara Macchiavello, as we entered for a private tour with the designer. A few weeks ago, the Aracari met with Chiara and learn about her beautiful hand-made fashion garments, made using the finest Peruvian textiles. Her atelier, Escudo, is located in the bohemian district of Lima, Barranco. Aracari arranges private visits to Escudo along with other popular fashion houses, shops, galleries and boutiques on any tailormade visit to Lima. For exclusive access to fashion houses as part of a tailormade trip to Peru contact travel@aracari.com Casa Machiavello Fasion House Casa Machiavello, the first fashion house of its kind in Lima, occupies the second floor of a restored house tucked on an unassuming street in the art district, Barranco, just across the road from the Museum of Contemporary Art. Climbing a white, wooden staircase brought us to the ESCUDO showroom, also painted white, with large windows that flooded the space with cool light. Chiara greeted us with a smile and guided us through the showroom and workshop. Currently showcasing her third season of work, her designs have been praised by some of the best, including renowned photographer and fellow Peruvian Mario Testino. Peruvian Influenced Designs Chiara explained to us that she is highly influenced by popular and folk art and incorporates these elements into her designs. Part of the actual workshop space of the atelier is even housed in the cargo trailer of a up-cycled truck, ubiquitous throughout Peru with their painted personal symbols and mottos of the drivers. One of her first collections showcased hand-painted jackets, styled after the famous fluorescent “Chicha” concert posters made famous by the popular artist Elliot Tupac. Throughout the atelier we spotted brilliantly colored masks and costume pieces from traditional festivals held in the
Peruvian fashion designer Chiara An air of positive energy charged the atelier and showroom of Peruvian fashion designer Chiara Macchiavello, as we entered for a private tour with the designer. A few weeks ago, the Aracari met with Chiara and learn about her beautiful hand-made fashion garments, made using the finest Peruvian…
The Amazon rainforest is magical. Within it, Peru boasts a range of luxury Amazon lodge options to discover its incredible flora and fauna, which Aracari has tried and tested. I recommend Tambopata Research Center (TRC) for the most authentic jungle experience, where the luxury of staying at this remote lodge in pristine rainofrest is the unrivalled opportunity for widlife watching in Peru. My Visit to Tambopata Research Center I first visited Tambopata Research Center, the only lodge within the Tambopata National Reserve, many years ago, and had always longed to go back. I had never forgotten the abundance of wildlife I saw and the opportunity to partake in the “Macaw Project”, which has been conducted there for over 20 years to bring guests closer to these magnificent birds. The highlight of Tambopata Research Center is therefore without a doubt its proximity to the marvellous macaw clay lick of Chuncho, where hundreds of these exotic macaws congregate daily to eat clay. This is a stunning multi-coloured spectacle - almost impossible to imagine - which firmly stuck in my memory. As soon as I heard that TRC was inaugurating luxury accommodation that would make it possible for more comfort-seeking guests to visit this part of the Amazon, I jumped at the opportunity to inspect them and to show my teenage son this wonderful place. Interested in a tailormade trip to Peru staying at Tambopata Research Centre? Contact travel@aracari.com Getting to Tambopata Research Center We went on a four day three night trip combining two of the three lodges that Rainforest Expeditions has in the Tambopata area: Refugio Amazonas and Tambopata Research Centre. The third they offer is Posada Amazonas. All three lodges are located on the Tambopata River, upriver from the city of Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to start a rainforest adventure in this part of Peru. There are regular flights to Puerto Maldonado from Cusco and Lima. We stayed
The Amazon rainforest is magical. Within it, Peru boasts a range of luxury Amazon lodge options to discover its incredible flora and fauna, which Aracari has tried and tested. I recommend Tambopata Research Center (TRC) for the most authentic jungle experience, where the luxury of staying at this remote lodge in pristine rainofrest is the unrivalled opportunity for widlife…
Last week I left the hustle and bustle of Lima and adventured south to begin a multi-day escape from Cusco to Lake Titicaca and Arequipa on South America's first ever luxury sleeper train, the Belmond Andean Explorer. Over the next three days I would travel more than 450 miles (725km) across the Peruvian Andes on a train climbing to 14,270ft (4,350m) - and it's safe to say I was pretty excited to experience this overnight luxury train Peru, which launched in May 2017. Interested in train travel? Check out our Luxury Peru by Rail itinerary. The Belmond Andean Explorer I arrived at 10:30am to the PeruRail station in Cusco after having spent a few days in the area acclimatizing to the altitude. Upon boarding the train I was immediately impressed by the level of luxury, style, and service consolidated into the 16 cars. I was greeted with the other passengers by the train's guide and taken to the beautiful Piano Bar Car where we were briefed on the days schedule and then individually shown to our respective cabins. We then set off on a 3 day, 2 night journey- one of the 4 routes available on the Belmond Andean Explorer. Accommodation Aboard the Luxury Train Peru The train has 4 different room layouts, two larger style double bed cabins, a twin bed cabin which is about half the size, and a very small bunk bed cabin which I would recommend only for children. I was staying in the Junior Double Bed Cabin, the second level of four in terms of room luxury. Both the room and the bathroom turned out to be much more spacious and comfortable than one would expect on a train - well heated for the cold nights and equipped with a comfortable bed and decent sized bathroom. Every room on the train is equipped with oxygen and a nurse is readily available
Last week I left the hustle and bustle of Lima and adventured south to begin a multi-day escape from Cusco to Lake Titicaca and Arequipa on South America’s first ever luxury sleeper train, the Belmond Andean Explorer. Over the next three days I would travel more than 450 miles (725km) across the Peruvian Andes on a train…
Earlier this year I packed my hiking boots and headed to the hills to stay at Explora’s first property in Peru, Explora Valle Sagrado. Offering understated luxury for adventure-seekers, it puts the personality of a lodge inside the body of a sizable, 50-room hotel. Set within a 30-odd hectare plantation of giant corn and kiwicha, the setting in the shadow of imposing mountains is something spectacular. Explora Valle Sagrado Review The only all-inclusive property in the Sacred Valley, the reason to stay here over any other luxury hotel in the Sacred Valley (of which there are several) is for its wide range of carefully designed a la carte hiking and biking routes, included in the price. The Sacred Valley sees busy footfall thanks to camera-wielding tourists en-route to Machu Picchu, but the treks and bike ride I tested out proved perfectly crafted for crowd-avoidance, passing through quiet Andean villages, along back routes to commonly visited sites and to picture-perfect viewpoints. Contact Aracari today for a tailormade trip to Peru including Explora Valle Sagrado The Excursions: Explora Valle Sagrado Review All the treks and biking excursions take either a half day or a full day. There are also excursions with less emphasis on hiking – but Explora’s strength is hiking excursions. Visits to Machu Picchu are not included in the pricing, but can be added on and arranged by Aracari. To avoid any back-tracking and to maximize your time in the countryside, I highly recommend you choose from the full day treks rather than having to drive back to the hotel for lunch. Gentle acclimatization routes close to the property allow you to build up to heights where the oxygen is noticeably thinner. I particularly enjoyed the 8.5km Cinco Lagunas (Five Lakes) ‘’medium’’ (Explora’s definition) full day trek. Reaching an altitude of
Earlier this year I packed my hiking boots and headed to the hills to stay at Explora’s first property in Peru, Explora Valle Sagrado. Offering understated luxury for adventure-seekers, it puts the personality of a lodge inside the body of a sizable, 50-room hotel. Set within a 30-odd hectare plantation…
Quinta Miraflores Boutique Hotel is a charming boutique hotel right in the heart of Miraflores in the capital Lima. A home-away-from-home, the small property has been carefully restored by its owner and makes for an ideal base for a short stay in the city. Quinta Miraflores Boutique Bed & Breakfast Quinta Miraflores Boutique is a delightful and authentic premium bed and breakfast in the heart of Lima. It is full of character, the service is of the highest quality and the hosts make their guests feel right at home all throughout their stay. The owner Barbara is originally from Italy, and she has been restoring the property over the last three years. The house, which originates from the early 1900’s, is located next to a quinta, the name given to a quarter of buildings that were residence to artists. A restored home Barbara has beautifully decorated this antique home, in a way that maintains the historic feel of the place. There are fine arts on the walls, crystal chandeliers, restored antique furniture and gorgeous wooden features complimented by a dash of modern panache. She and her team have used the best materials and apparel to recreate period atmosphere, with some of the décor having even been imported from Barbara’s native Italy. The Rooms The property features 2 suites and 2 rooms spread between 2 floors – there are king beds in the suites while the standard rooms have queen beds, all with top quality Pima cotton. The rooms are all stylishly appointed and very comfortable, perfect for a relaxing evening in, and sound insulation ensures that no noise seeps in from the nearby intersection, so don't be put off by the location! Amenities at Quinta Miraflores All modern amenities – television, air conditioner, electronic safe, minibar – are integrated into cabinets in order
Quinta Miraflores Boutique Hotel is a charming boutique hotel right in the heart of Miraflores in the capital Lima. A home-away-from-home, the small property has been carefully restored by its owner and makes for an ideal base for a short stay in the city. Quinta Miraflores Boutique Bed & Breakfast Quinta Miraflores Boutique…
Nestled into the Andean Highlands, Cusco is perfectly positioned to tap into a wide array of the country’s natural produce. As specialists in culinary travel, Aracari gives travelers the opportunity to explore the gastronomy of the historic city through various Cusco culinary experiences including Urban Eats by day, Urban Eats by night, and The Chef's Cusco Food Tour. Cusco Urban Eats by day Aracari's Head of Marketing Caroline Major delves into Peruvian culinary traditions on Aracari's Cusco Urban Eats Food Tour. Today I had great fun exploring the streets of Cusco on Aracari's Urban Eats by day tour with 'friend in the city' Laura, a local foodie. Sampling local flavors at each stop, Laura took me to a lively market and a variety of eateries provided interesting insight into local life and Peruvian cooking - sampling a variety of food along the way, of course! San Pedro Market My first stop was the buzzing San Pedro Market. It is popular with tourists and locals alike, and a definitive Cusco culinary highlight. One block long and three blocks wide, Cusco’s principal market is bursting with variety. My senses were awakened by its array of colored fruit, aromas and vendors broadcasting their prices and products. As we walked through the maze of produce, Laura and I paused to taste fresh-squeezed juices using seasonal exotic fruits - guanábana and chirimoya. We continued on and passed some of the almost 4,000 varieties of potato that grow in Peru. Ranging from purple, to red, to yellow, the potato is a staple of the Peruvian diet and has been an essential throughout history. Alongside the potatoes were stalls offering the likes of purple corn, herbal remedies and nutritious Andean super foods such as kiwicha and quinoa. Aracari specializes in tailormade culinary travel to Peru – check out our Peru With Flavor itinerary Exploring the Cusco Culinary Scene
Nestled into the Andean Highlands, Cusco is perfectly positioned to tap into a wide array of the country’s natural produce. As specialists in culinary travel, Aracari gives travelers the opportunity to explore the gastronomy of the historic city through various Cusco culinary experiences including Urban Eats by day, Urban Eats…
