It was with great anticipation (and little preparation) that I boarded my Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul last week. Such little preparation that only on the plane did I realise I needed a visa for entry which is easily obtainable online on: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/. Thankfully that can be obtained at the airport. The last time I was there was on a trip with my parents back in 1978, so I guess it hardly counts! Aracari's Founder Shares her Trip to Istanbul Experience I was there to participate in a conference for a couple of days, and decided to stay on when the conference ended to visit a bit of Istanbul. To my delight, a dear friend of mine and one of my favourite culture connoisseur travel companions enthusiastically decided to join me, so that made the visit much more interesting, pleasant and entertaining. After checking the Globalista report and various travel specialists in my circles, we decided that despite the existence in Istanbul of marvelous 5-star branded, deluxe properties with gorgeous views of the Bosphorus, our style (and budget) was much better matched to the small and characterful boutique hotels in Istanbul. Istanbul is huge, and there are advantages and disadvantages to staying in different neighbourhoods. There is the Sultanahmed, or old city, where the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, The Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace are located; there is Beyoğlu and Nişantaşi, the areas where the posh Istanbulers hang out; there is the classic seafront area where many of the 5-star hotels are located where you can afford amazing views; there is Beşiktaş, the up-and-coming seafront area, which is fabulous if you are into running; and there is Ḉukurcuma, the bohemian/antique/artsy area with its steep narrow streets and eccentric cafes and stores. The latter is what we chose, and the hotel, the House Hotel Galatasaray,
It was with great anticipation (and little preparation) that I boarded my Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul last week. Such little preparation that only on the plane did I realise I needed a visa for entry which is easily obtainable online on: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/. Thankfully that can be obtained at the…
The Peruvian Amazon is one of the most biodiverse environments in the world with around 300 tree species per hectare. To put this into perspective, in all of the United States and Canada (696.9 million hectares of forest combined) there are about 700 tree species in total. Take a moment to let that factoid sink in… Deforestation in the Peruvian Amazon However, as is now widely recognized, a serious issue in the Amazon is deforestation. This is largely caused by unsustainable agricultural practices, namely slash-and-burn agriculture in which trees and vegetation are cut down and the rainforest is burned to clear it for farmland and grazing livestock. The soil in the Amazon is not meant to be cleared of forest, and after one or two years of farming, the land is no longer fertile and must be left fallow for a long time. The farmers must then abandon it and move on to clear another section of rainforest. Though this method has been used for thousands of years, it can hardly be considered the most efficient agricultural practice for subsistence farmers as it causes soil erosion, destroys habitats and can lead to the permanent loss of forest. Without training in sustainable farming practices and with the need of subsistence income to maintain basic needs, farmers have depended on this method. In the Amazon of Peru, 7.9 million hectares of land have been deforested, much of it owned by smallholder farmers. As much as 18% of global carbon emissions are attributed to deforestation—more than transportation. Moreover, the Amazon Rainforest produces 20% of the world’s oxygen, which makes deforestation a critical issue as concerns about climate change become increasingly urgent. Plant your Future At this crucial moment, a grassroots organization called Plant your Future emerged in the jungle city of Iquitos. Plant your Future is a non-profit organization that disseminates
The Peruvian Amazon is one of the most biodiverse environments in the world with around 300 tree species per hectare. To put this into perspective, in all of the United States and Canada (696.9 million hectares of forest combined) there are about 700 tree species in total. Take a moment to…
Lima City Tour The city of Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, but its history extends far beyond that to civilizations that inhabited this fertile stretch of coastal desert thousands of years before Columbus had even thought to sail across the Atlantic. For those spending a day or several days in Peru’s capital, Aracari offers an experience that takes you through Lima’s rich past (according to your interests) with Aracari friend and Lima specialist in history and folk art, John Alfredo Davis Benavides. Last week some of us from the Aracari team slipped out of the office for a few hours to experience for ourselves the tour with John Alfredo, who is the second-generation member of a family dedicated to the revival and promotion of Peruvian folk art. He is one of few authorities on Andean folk art in Peru and is a walking encyclopedia on history in Lima, where he was born and raised. Our first stop was the Morro Solar in the district of Chorillos at the top of a curve in the coast commonly called “La Herradura” or the horseshoe for its shape. At the peak of the low hill you find the cross built in 1988 and a statue of Jesus, replica of the iconic Christ of Corcovado of Rio de Janeiro, which are illuminated at night and stand out in the darkness along the coast. From this point, you get a vista of the Costa Verde and the city of Lima stretching out to the foothills of the Andes in the east. It is from here that you can see Lima is a desert with layers of clay along the coast exposed and the rocky sediment of the Morro Solar evidencing the arid climate. Lima is a sprawling metropolis, home to one-third of the
Lima City Tour The city of Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, but its history extends far beyond that to civilizations that inhabited this fertile stretch of coastal desert thousands of years before Columbus had even thought to sail across the Atlantic. For those spending a day or several…
Photos are big part of our work here at Aracari; it’s difficult to promote travel in Peru and Bolivia without stunning visuals. Not only do we often find ourselves sifting through oodles of photos of Machu Picchu, the Salar de Uyuni or Lake Titicaca to find that perfect shot to inspire the imagination, we’re constantly honing our own photography skills in a bid to convey the experiences that Aracari offers those who travel with us. Living and breathing photos, we were naturally all very excited about the Lima Bienal 2014. The second edition of this biannual event brings together a range of photographers and curators from Peru, Latin America and further afield in a series of exhibitions held in galleries and cultural centres throughout Peru’s capital. The exhibitions kicked off in early April and will run until August, covering a variety of themes and subjects. The aim is to “highlight the histories of photography that stand out in 21st-century culture. The curatorial proposition seeks to organize this view of photography according to the dynamics of transformation, transition and expression.” We cherry picked our three favourite exhibitions from this year’s event, of which you can find details below. You can find full details of exhibitions on the Lima Photo Biennial website. El Cielo del Desierto - Maria Reiche y las Líneas de Nasca (The Desert Sky – Maria Reiche and the Nazca Lines) With Photos by Yann Arthus-Bertrand Centro Cultural Inca Garcilaso, Jr. Ucayali 391, Cercado de Lima Until June 29th 2014 This fascinating exhibition brings together photos and personal possessions of Maria Reiche, the German archaeologist famed for her work in conserving the Nazca Lines. The photos by Yann Arthus-Bertrand reveal Reiche’s pioneering work in protecting the archaeology of Peru’s southern desert, with a number of shots displaying the vast
Photos are big part of our work here at Aracari; it’s difficult to promote travel in Peru and Bolivia without stunning visuals. Not only do we often find ourselves sifting through oodles of photos of Machu Picchu, the Salar de Uyuni or Lake Titicaca to find that perfect shot to…
The Belmond Miraflores Park Hotel, one of the most luxe accommodation options in Lima, reopened its doors after months of renovations. With a new restaurant, a more modern look and a new private executive lounge for guests, Aracari was eager to pay the hotel a visit in order to get the inside scoop on all of these exciting changes, which are highlighted below. The Lobby and Belo Bar The lobby has retained its modern elegance with the spiral staircase at the center and the cosy, sophisticated library lounge at the end, featuring reupholstered furniture. The new reception desk offers a faster, more pleasant check-in experience with a special receptionist exclusively for VIP guests. But the more remarkable change in the lobby is in the bar and lounge, previously the Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde Lounge, which has been transformed into the Belo Bar, a low-key space for drinks and conversation with high-backed chairs and a more modern design. Tragaluz Restaurant and Lounge One of the most notable modifications is that the former sushi bar, Mesa 18, is no longer there. The new Tragaluz Restaurant & Lounge by restaurateur Augusto Baertl, is quite different in style both decorative and culinary. With original art by Peruvian architect and painter, Mateo Liebano, the space has a fresh, contemporary vibe with white walls, a monochromatic color scheme and understated table settings with just a small vase of flowers at the center. The menu offers Peruvian fusion dishes with Mediterranean and Asian culinary influences. Guests at Tragaluz can enjoy cocktails at the outdoor terrace or the trendy ambiance of the restaurant. Reservations are recommended! The Executive Lounge On the 10th floor of the Miraflores Park Hotel is the Executive Lounge, exclusively for guests who stay in Club Class. The Executive Lounge is open 24 hours a day and offers
The Belmond Miraflores Park Hotel, one of the most luxe accommodation options in Lima, reopened its doors after months of renovations. With a new restaurant, a more modern look and a new private executive lounge for guests, Aracari was eager to pay the hotel a visit in order to get…
Peru, a country rich in gold, silver and other precious metals, has been a treasure trove of artifacts from ancient cultures, whose crafsmanship rivaled that of the Ancient Egyptians and has fascinated archaeologists and historians for over a century since some of the first excavations began. These fantastic pieces are displayed throughoutt museums in Peru like the Larco Museum in Lima, which boasts one of the most extensive and rich collections in the country. However, for a short time, selected artifacts will make an appearance for the first (and possibly last) time in the United States. Peruvian Artifacts at the National Geographic Museum From now until September 14, 2014, the National Geographic Museum of Washington D.C. will have an exhibit of Peruvian artifacts titled “Peruvian Gold: Ancient Treasures Unearthed”, showcasing pieces from pre-Inca cultures. Arranged by Fredrik Hiebert, a National Geographic Archaeology Fellow and guest curator, the exhibit features over 100 objects from national museums throughout Peru. National Geographic has a long history of archaeological discoveries and exploration in Peru, beginning with Hiram Bingham in the early 20th century. This exhibit celebrates that rich relationship that has resulted in the excavation of innumerable treasures and will give visitors the unique chance to see these artifacts in 3-D rather than print on the pages of the magazine. The artifacts that include a variety of gold, silver, ceramics and textiles are from civilizations that existed as far back as 1250BC in Peru. The exhibit highlights two particular pre-Inca cultures from the north of Peru, renowned for their craftsmanship in gold and silver: the Moche and the Sicán. The Moche were one of the most important pre-Inca civilizations that developed on the northern coast of Peru between the 1st century BC to the 8th century AD whose pyramids and temples contain murals, artifacts
Peru, a country rich in gold, silver and other precious metals, has been a treasure trove of artifacts from ancient cultures, whose crafsmanship rivaled that of the Ancient Egyptians and has fascinated archaeologists and historians for over a century since some of the first excavations began. These fantastic pieces are…
