When I popped by the exhibition of the parents of one of Aracari's specialist guides in Lima yesterday evening, I was delighted to find a cornucopia of vibrant paintings, elegant sculptures and a treasure trove of detailed sketches, drawings, watercolours and prints. The exhibition, currently being shown at the ICPNA, documents the life and work of Peruvian sculptor Isabel Benavides and her husband, American painter John H. Davis. It is a celebration of their invaluable efforts in promoting traditional, popular and modern art in Peru, supporting young artists in the country and diffusing the work of Peruvian artists overseas. The story of this couple is as enthralling as the work on display. After having met at school in the States they moved to Peru, where in 1954 they set up the Art Center in Miraflores. As was common in the USA at the time, but still relatively unheard of in Peru, they offered classes and workshops in contemporary art in various medium, while also giving artists a space to exhibit their work and to discuss ideas through conferences. By 1962 it had become an institution dedicated to "increasing the artistic knowledge and skills of children, young people and adults and to investigate and disseminate popular art." Due to their indefatigable efforts in teaching and promoting Peruvian artwork as well as various activities being developed at the Art Center between 1954 and 1973, the couple found little time to promote their own work. This current exhibition aims to redress that, and it is indeed the first time that their own work has been exhibited together, John Davis only having exhibited once previously in Lima. The work on display is a delight. As well as a series of colourful paintings of Ayacucho, watercolours and prints, I was particularly captivated by John Davis'
When I popped by the exhibition of the parents of one of Aracari’s specialist guides in Lima yesterday evening, I was delighted to find a cornucopia of vibrant paintings, elegant sculptures and a treasure trove of detailed sketches, drawings, watercolours and prints. The exhibition, currently being shown at the ICPNA,…
Following our visit to Tacama, we were wondering what to expect from Santiago Queirolo, another widely popular Peruvian wine and pisco producer. This would be the final stop of our weekend tour of some of Ica’s distilleries and vineyards and where we would be spending the night. Las Viñas Queirolo, a boutique hotel and small onsite production facility, is located in the heart of Queirolo's Ica vineyards through the large gates and at the end of a long dirt driveway, completely surrounded by that year’s Merlots, Cab Sauvs, and other grapes waiting to be harvested, in a beautiful white colonial-style hacienda, a brick courtyard with a terraced gazebo, and fountain surrounded by green grass and colorful flowers. Was this, too, merely a facade for another disappointing visit? Fortunately, it proved to be quite the opposite. Open the door of Las Viñas Queirolo Hotel in Ica We were greeted by a hotel employee, Claudia, who told us a bit about the property and assisted us in checking-in. After quickly dropping our bags off, we sat down on one of the many outdoor terraces tucked away among the vines for a bite to eat, enjoying the magnificent view of the surrounding grapes. The onsite restaurant “Las Viñas” offers tasty food and filling portions incorporating some local ingredients such as pallares, a type of bean, and pecans, grown on the vineyard’s grounds. The hotel’s sommelier conveniently lists suggested wine pairings for most dishes on the menu, an excellent opportunity to try out their offerings including their relatively new line Intipalka - but more about the wine later. My only complaint about the restaurant and food was the lack of variety between the lunch and dinner menus, but with several different options, it is still possible enjoy an assortment of dishes and flavors over the course
Following our visit to Tacama, we were wondering what to expect from Santiago Queirolo, another widely popular Peruvian wine and pisco producer. This would be the final stop of our weekend tour of some of Ica’s distilleries and vineyards and where we would be spending the night. Las Viñas Queirolo, a…
Easter Week, or Semana Santa as it is known in Latin America, is one of the most anticipated and celebrated times of the entire year. Throughout Peru, a variety of captivating events, processions, and celebrations mark the start of Holy Week. Visitors spending Easter in Peru can expect opportunities to see colorful local festivities played out. Traditional Festivities - Easter In Peru Perhaps the most famous of all Easter celebrations takes place in Ayacucho, Peru. Attracting thousands of visitors from all over, Semana Santa in Ayacucho has long been considered Peru’s most spectacular religious festival, transforming this otherwise small Andean city into the host of a beautiful and intense ten-day celebration. Beginning on the Friday before Palm Sunday, the events commence with a procession honoring “Our Lady of Sorrows” during which visitors should watch out for customary pebbles launched from slingshots meant to share the “sorrows” of the Virgin. The following Sunday celebrates the arrival of Jesus to Jerusalem, recreating this scene with a statue of Christ arriving to the city’s main plaza on a mule greeted by thousands of devout Christians waving blessed palm leaves (hence the name “Palm Sunday”) before eventually concluding at the Cathedral. Each day that follows features its own colorful procession or religious event giving participants a chance to demonstrate their devotion. One of the most significant of these occurs on Holy Wednesday in the Plaza de Armas, a symbolic reenactment of the meeting between Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Images of the two are carried on thrones with candles through the streets as onlookers, many emotionally moved, watch carefully in an expression of their faith. Good Friday, a day of mourning for Christ’s death, during which all the city’s lights are turned off and the streets are illuminated by a beautifully solemn candlelight procession.
Easter Week, or Semana Santa as it is known in Latin America, is one of the most anticipated and celebrated times of the entire year. Throughout Peru, a variety of captivating events, processions, and celebrations mark the start of Holy Week. Visitors spending Easter in Peru can expect opportunities to…
Following our visit to the state-of-the-art Portón distillery, with an eye-opening lesson into the production of their delicious Pisco and a small, early-morning “liquid breakfast” of various mosto verdes, we continued to our next stop, Peru’s largest and most popular vineyard, Tacama, Ica. Having previously sampled some of their wines including a consumer favorite Blanco de Blancos and knowing that Tacama was home to the oldest vineyard in South America, we were excited to see firsthand where these quality wines were coming from. Pulling into the main gate, we parked and walked down what would prove to be a deceptively pretty dirt path leading to what again, from a distance, looked like a beautiful and colorful hacienda. As we got closer, we immediately noticed the tacky plastic chairs outside and garbage strewn all over the tables and floor, the first of many polar opposites of our previous visit. We entered the waiting room and were told to have a seat and watch the “informational” video until there were enough people to warrant a tour. However, the overwhelming amount of static on the television, the inability to understand the video as it was in Spanish, and the misplaced and overused advertisements should have been a sign for us to get up and leave, avoiding the disappointments to come. Exiting the waiting room and following our apparently uninterested guide (discussing wine shouldn’t be that much of a chore!) into the hacienda’s main cobblestone plaza, we immediately noticed how charming and beautiful the exterior of the facilities were. The plaza was lined with huge, old trees and in the distance, a majestic watchtower overlooked the property and it’s hundreds of hectares of grapes. Unfortunately, the inside bore no resemblance to the charming, yet deceiving facade. Through the large green wooden door into the
Following our visit to the state-of-the-art Portón distillery, with an eye-opening lesson into the production of their delicious Pisco and a small, early-morning “liquid breakfast” of various mosto verdes, we continued to our next stop, Peru’s largest and most popular vineyard, Tacama, Ica. Having previously sampled some of their wines…
Say what? Delicious seafood in the middle of the Andes mountains? It's true my friends! Believe it or not, but Cusco boasts a restaurant that serves up a full-flavored, stunning assortment of dishes featuring the fruits of the sea. Limo finds the perfect balance of great food, an elegant and modern atmosphere, and ideal location right on Cusco's main square, all of which makes this is one of our favourite restaurants in the city. It never ceases to amaze us with the high quality of fish and seafood, which is transported from the coast by aeroplane. Like Green’s Organic, another one of Cusco Restaurant Group’s incredible dining options, Limo finds a way to make your meal memorable. Start your dining experience with one of their funky pisco cocktails while you try to decide which of the amazing appetizers to try, with a wide selection of tiraditos, ceviches, and even sushi rolls to intrigue your taste buds. For your main course, enjoy a succulent cut of ossobuco served with carrots and yuca, or opt for the buttery and rich flavor of juicy white fish complemented by an assortment of seafood and amplified by hints of spicy Peruvian peppers. For dessert, Limo whips up delicious sweet concoctions using a variety of traditional Peruvian ingredients and adds their own little twist, such as chocolate kiwicha cones with strawberries, iced chicha morada and star anise. Traditional Peruvian flavors meet modern presentations and Asian influences to make Limo one of the more intriguing dining options in this historical, dynamic city. If you are planning to make a reservation here, be sure to request a table on the balcony overlooking the Plaza de Armas, as these tables are a hot commodity and give the perfect location to catch all of the action around the bustling Main Square.
Say what? Delicious seafood in the middle of the Andes mountains? It’s true my friends! Believe it or not, but Cusco boasts a restaurant that serves up a full-flavored, stunning assortment of dishes featuring the fruits of the sea. Limo finds the perfect balance of great food, an elegant and…
Etched into the desert plains over 2000 years ago, The Nazca Lines geoglyphs are one of Peru's most capitvating sites to visit. Flying over the Nazca Lines offers the best perspective to appreciate the large scale of these mysterious shapes, an impressive feat achieved by the ancient Nazca culture. These ancient geoglyphs - consisting of several hundred individual figures - were created by brushing away the dark top layer of barren desert to reveal the light, sandy soil underneath and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Aracari arranges Nazca lines tours from Lima as part of a multi-day private tour to Peru including all accommodation, guiding and transfers. We do not arrange visits to the Nazca Lines on a standalone basis. Planning a Nazca Lines Tour from Lima Getting to Nazca, Pisco or Ica airport from Lima by Road The Nazca Lines are located south of Lima. To see the lines you take short scenic flight from one of the three nearby airports: Nazca, Pisco or Ica. The nearest airport to the Nazca lines is Nazca airport. The closest airport to Lima is Pisco, which is around a 3.5hr drive from the capital; alternatively there are limited commercial flights from Cusco to Pisco. The advantage in visiting the Nazca lines from Pisco airport is that it is the closest to the coastal destination of Paracas, a half hour drive away, which has plenty of other attractions that merit an overnight stay. These include the Ballesta Islands and Paracas National Reserve. Paracas has excellent luxury hotels including Libertador Luxury Collection and Hacienda Bahia Paracas. Aracari arranges trips to the Nazca Lines combined with Paracas on a private basis only, as part of a multi-day itinerary to Peru. Getting to Pisco Airport by Commercial Flight Pisco is one of the three airports that
Etched into the desert plains over 2000 years ago, The Nazca Lines geoglyphs are one of Peru’s most capitvating sites to visit. Flying over the Nazca Lines offers the best perspective to appreciate the large scale of these mysterious shapes, an impressive feat achieved by the ancient Nazca culture. These ancient geoglyphs –…
