The days before Christmas in Cusco are filled with equal parts excitement, holiday cheer...and crafts projects! Santuranticuy Cusco Christmas Market, one of the largest arts and crafts fairs in Peru, is a temporary Christmas market that takes place every year in the Plaza de Armas. Local Festivals in Peru: Santuranticuy Cusco Christmas Market In years prior the event was only held on December 24, but this year the fair will be held on December 23 as well. The market attracts artists from the neighborhood of San Blas in Cusco with those from the South of Peru, particularly Pucará and Quinua. View Aracari's free Festival Calendar. The name "Santuranticuy" translates to "saints for sale," which is fitting given that its primary function is for sculptors and craftsmen sell diverse figurines to brighten holiday displays. By tradition, the people of Cusco make their own nativity scenes for their homes and parishes. Santuranticuy Christmas Market serves as the crafts store for these annual DIY projects. Cusqueños come to buy the raw materials, from moss for the grass to figurines of the most popular characters in the nativity scene. The most renowned and popular figurines are the various “Niños Manuelitos,” the Andean version of baby Jesus. The event has risen to more prominence since its humble origins. In 1937, the American Institute of Arts even began selecting the best displays and giving out awards to promote the sale of the show. Santuranticuy is a spectacle for shoppers and visitors alike. There are a number of non-crafts items available for sale, including a traditional Andean handicraft known as retablos, or carved wooden boxes featuring a religious or historical scene. The Andean rainy season is not quite as chilly as a snowy white Christmas, but vendors still sell delightful Christmas sweets and traditional hot, sweet rum punch, the Peruvian answer to hot chocolate with marshmallows. And,
The days before Christmas in Cusco are filled with equal parts excitement, holiday cheer…and crafts projects! Santuranticuy Cusco Christmas Market, one of the largest arts and crafts fairs in Peru, is a temporary Christmas market that takes place every year in the Plaza de Armas. Local Festivals in Peru: Santuranticuy Cusco Christmas Market…
Peruvian gift ideas If you’re living in or traveling to Peru for Christmas, these Peruvian gift ideas will make for a great way to bring back a little bit of the culture. Here are some hand-picked present suggestions from some of our favorite stores in Lima, Cusco, and the Sacred Valley, that your family and friends will be sure to love. 1. Jams Peru has a diverse selection of tasty fruits. Spread your favorite on your Christmas pannetone by eating them in jams! Las Gabas mermeladas has an amazing selection of 100% natural jams that have no preservatives with Peruvian flavors, including mango with maracuyá and green pepper, aguaymanto with brandy, and mandarina with vino moscatel. You can get these tasty treats at Peru Pa’ Ti in Lima, which sells gourmet products and handicrafts from around the country. The shop also has a lovely sit-down space to enjoy other Peruvian culinary classics such as hot sandwiches, ceviches, tiraditos and anticuchos. Peru Pa’ Ti Av. Armendáriz 546, Miraflores, Lima Tel. 445-5099 Tuesday - Thursday: 8am-11pm, Friday - Saturday: 8am-12am, Sunday: 8am-8pm 2. Ornaments Now that the holiday season is upon us, it is time to visit Las Pallas’ Christmas collection of ornaments, nativity scenes and more. Starting in late November, their Christmas-themed room displays an enormous cactus covered with ornaments from all over Peru that are all for sale in the shop. Below the cactus are ‘mountains’ with various nativity scenes from around the country on display. Mari explained the different materials the figurines were made from and where in Peru they were made. Mari Solari’s shop is a must for those visitors to Lima looking for vintage pieces of folk art from throughout Peru. Las Pallas is located within Mari’s home, a lovely Barranco mansion. Las Pallas Calle Cajamarca 212, Barranco, Lima
Peruvian gift ideas If you’re living in or traveling to Peru for Christmas, these Peruvian gift ideas will make for a great way to bring back a little bit of the culture. Here are some hand-picked present suggestions from some of our favorite stores in Lima, Cusco, and the Sacred Valley, that your…
Things to do in Lima Since I moved to Lima, I have been commuting every morning by bike. It seemed like a logical decision -- the city is relatively flat, the coastal views are spectacular in the daybreak, and there are plenty of cycling lanes along the main veins of Miraflores. But up until September, I hadn't had the opportunity to venture beyond my commute. I wasn't sure where the best routes led or what the highlights were along the way. When I heard Aracari was testing out a city bike tour with Green Bike Peru, I jumped at the chance to participate. We met bright and early at their office in Miraflores, where our guide, Milagros, was waiting. Milagros and her team set us each up with a water bottle, a helmet, and one of Green Bike's branded bicycles, which are easily distinguished by their signature green frames. Milagros explained the safety procedures and hand signals in Spanish and English and we were off. We chose the Southern Lima Beat package, featuring the bicycle-accessible highlights of Miraflores and Barranco. Milagros was friendly, funny, and knowledgeable. Her English was superb, save for the occasional grammar stumble. She and her partner, Francisco, were exceptionally conscious of keeping everyone in the group safe – Francisco trailed behind the last person to ensure that nobody was falling behind. With Milagros leading the way, we followed Pardo (the main stretch of my daily commute) out to the coast. The traffic was a little challenging as Ana, the tiniest member of our crew, was unable to find a bike that properly fit her. Every time she used the breaks, she would teeter; she fell three times, once on the shoulder of a busy road. We then traveled down to the Malecon (esplanade), where the stunning
Things to do in Lima Since I moved to Lima, I have been commuting every morning by bike. It seemed like a logical decision — the city is relatively flat, the coastal views are spectacular in the daybreak, and there are plenty of cycling lanes along the main veins of…
Private luxury amazon lodge ideal for families The Amazon rainforest is a destination for true adventurers. Travelers who fear the mighty mosquito may pass on excursions from Puerto Maldonado into the Tambopata National Reserve, no matter how spectacular the wildlife watching may be. That said, Posada Amazonas and Refugio Amazonas lodges both highlight the intrepid aspects of the Amazon without sacrificing the comfort of their guests. I had the opportunity to stay at the two properties this April. They share many similarities, with roughly the same number of rooms; limited Internet access and electricity; fixed hours for dining; and, much to my delight, birdwatching towers with spectacular views. But there are some important distinctions to consider, which are especially essential when planning a trip to such a remote area. My whirlwind tour through the Amazon was certainly unconventional. Because of the transportation times, guests normally choose one property or the other and stay for at least three nights; I stayed at each lodge only one night. Luckily, my quick run through the two properties allowed me to compare them while still fresh in my mind. Posada Amazonas Lodge The main advantage of Posada Amazonas is that it is closer to the main city. The lodge is approximately 2 hours from Puerto Maldonado. After a short transfer from the airport to the port, it's about a 1 hour and 15 minutes journey by boat, followed by a 45-minute walk. The guides kept us well-fed during the journey. Snacks were provided during the walk -- a little banana, water, and cookies in a sweet little basket -- and in the boat, we received a boxed lunch with rice and chicken, juice, and an orange. All the meals are served at fixed hours in the inn, with dinner served at 7:00 PM.
Private luxury amazon lodge ideal for families The Amazon rainforest is a destination for true adventurers. Travelers who fear the mighty mosquito may pass on excursions from Puerto Maldonado into the Tambopata National Reserve, no matter how spectacular the wildlife watching may be. That said, Posada Amazonas and Refugio Amazonas…
Moche Route Highlights: Royal Tombs of Sipan and Huaca Rajada On a recent trip to Peru’s north, I visited some of the most significant historical sites. None capture the imagination more than the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum, near Chiclayo (a one-hour flight north of Lima). This well-designed, modern museum houses the remains of the Lord of Sipan, a revered warrior priest from the Mochica era, whose vast collection of treasures and trinkets are on display in the permanent exhibition. Huaca Rajada - the tomb of the Lord of Sipan My day began with a visit to the Huaca Rajada, the tomb in which the Lord of Sipan was discovered back in 1987 by local archeologist Dr. Walter Alva. This site is located just outside the village of Sipan, in a dry, dusty valley, about 30 minutes overland from the main city of Chiclayo. Upon arrival, we made a short stop to take in the site museum, which, although not essential as part of the visit, at least provided a respite from the scorching sun overhead. The burial chambers Continuing onwards, we walked along towards the archaeological site, where we encountered the first of the burial chambers. As all of the original relics have long since been excavated and taken for research or put on display in the museums, replica skeletons, mummies and other artifacts have been set out within the tombs to recreate how they would have looked when first uncovered. Our wonderful local guide, Rocio, who was herself a practicing archeologist, explained how each of the 3 pyramids contained a total 14 separate tombs and chambers, each designated in relations to hierarchy and importance. The sites date back to as far back as 100AD, over 1,000 years before the rise of the Inca Empire. The discovery of the
Moche Route Highlights: Royal Tombs of Sipan and Huaca Rajada On a recent trip to Peru’s north, I visited some of the most significant historical sites. None capture the imagination more than the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum, near Chiclayo (a one-hour flight north of Lima). This well-designed, modern museum…
With their breathtaking natural beauty and unique wildlife, the Galápagos Islands are a destination high on the to-do list of curious globetrotters. But when choosing the best way to explore the islands on a luxury travel Galapagos adventure, travelers are often baffled by the wide range of cruise options. Here I share one of my top picks, with my first-hand Galapagos Ocean Spray review on the cruise after testing it out personally. Ocean Spray Review During my recent visit to the islands, I had the opportunity to cruise on board the luxury catamaran Ocean Spray and experience the services on offer first hand. A perfect blend of style, comfort, education and adventure make a cruise like this the ideal way in which to experience all that this unique destination has to offer. The Ocean Spray is a sleek 113-foot-long catamaran with space for up to 16 guests in 8 balconied cabins. Public areas onboard include a sun deck fitted with loungers and Jacuzzi; an outdoor dining and bar area; a communal lounge and library used for daily itinerary briefings; and the main restaurant. As a first time visitor to the Galápagos, cruising the islands onboard the Ocean Spray was everything I could have hoped for. Read our complete list of the best Luxury Galapagos Cruises My journey began at Quito airport, where an Ocean Spray representative was waiting to assist me with check in for the morning flight to Baltra airport, the Galápagos Islands’ main hub. Upon arrival in Balta, I collected my luggage and was greeted in the arrivals hall by another Ocean Spray representative, just as friendly as the first. He ushered me and my fellow passengers to the docks to board a panga, a mid-sized motorboat that would take us to the main vessel. Expert guiding The friendly and
With their breathtaking natural beauty and unique wildlife, the Galápagos Islands are a destination high on the to-do list of curious globetrotters. But when choosing the best way to explore the islands on a luxury travel Galapagos adventure, travelers are often baffled by the wide range of cruise options. Here…
