100th Anniversary of Machu Picchu

The beauty of coexistence between men and nature are exposed as a great lesson in the misty mountains and fresh forest surrounding the ruins of Machu Picchu.  In Cusco centuries of history are hidden between rocks, streets, handicrafts and rituals.  All of them are celebrating now and are inviting the whole world to celebrate with us.

With the 100th anniversary of Hiram Bingham’s discovery of the Inca archeological treasure Machu Picchu approaching, Peru’s Chamber of Tourism is preparing to celebrate in many ways.

Over the last days, preparations for the Centenary of Machu Picchu for the World are getting much vigorous than ever.  

Please contact us for more details.

GUATEMALAN TREATS: PEPIAN

In traditional Guatemalan weddings, in Mayan families specially, the one thing you will have for sure, after the bride and groom, is the delicious spicy Pepian.

This is a kind of stew made out of several spices such as round and black pepper, cinnamon, dried and sweet chiles, cilantro, sesame seed, etc., boiled in chicken or beef broth and thickened with flour, and served with chicken, pork or beef, and even sometimes with the 3 meats!

You first roast all of the ingredients in a clay pan while you cook the meats, and carrots, green squash and potatoes.   Then, reserving the meats and vegetables, the spices are thrown into the broth and this is thickened with darkened flour until a heavy soup point is reached.

People that love hot spicy food like to add jalapeños or other hot chiles.

This is served with rice and eaten with the traditional corn tortillas.

If you would like more information about this, please contact us.

GUATEMALAN TREATS: TORTILLAS

As many other Latin American countries with roots deep into the past of ancient civilizations that practically built empires after domesticating the corn plant, most Guatemalan`s diet still depends greatly on the corn, specially presented as “tortillas”.

Tortillas are a flat, round piece of corn, boiled with a bit of limestone, and then shaped by “clapping” hands , to finally be cooked to perfection in hot clay pans.

Many indigenous families in the country side still grow their own corn and other vegetables to survive, but rich and poor, indigenous or not, everybody enjoys them all day long, be it for breakfast, snacks, lunch or even dinner.

Once you try them with refried black beans or some white fresh cheese, you will understand why they are our “national pastime”!

Guatemalans normally prefer them to bread with many meals, to eat with a steak, grilled meats, avocado, chicken and of course, the traditional salsas and stews such as the Pepian, Jocon, etc.

Don’t  worry, you don’t have to get in hustle to find them, they will find you!

If you would like more information about the tortillas, please contact us.

There is a theory that pre-Hispanic people cooked fish with a fruit called "tumbo." The Inca's ate salted fish and a chicha-marinated fish dish. The Spanish contributed the Mediterranean custom of using lemons and onions.

Ceviche is seafood prepared in a centuries old method of cooking by contact with the acidic juice of citrus juice instead of heat. The fame of Peruvian food increases every day because of the fresh ceviches, (conchas negras, shellfish or pieces of underdone fish marinated with lemon juice, chili, salt, onions, sweet potato and corn or boiled corn). El Chinguirito, a sort of Ceviche using dry meat, salt and frayed meat of Guitarra fish and seasoned with lemon, pepper, onion and grinded chili, it is another typical dish; as well as the “sudado” (steam fish), where the yellow chili lose its itch and it turns into a generous cream in order to be served with king prawn, the rest of seafood and crabs.

Tiger milk is the juice that stays in the plate after eating the fish. Perfect after a "resaca", the way we call that miserable feeling we have after drinking too much the night before. It is not a misbehavior if you raise the plate with your hands and put it in your mouth to drink it. But you can also put it in a glass, alone or with some vodka or Pisco, if you like. For more information please contact us.

Paul McCartey: "Viva el Peru, Carajo!"

Viva el Peru, carajo

The Peruvian government presented Sir Paul McCartney with three major awards minutes before his Monday night concert at the Estadio Monumental in Lima, Peru’s largest football stadium, the first show of the Up & Coming Tour 2011.

 Prime Minister Rosario Fernandez honored the former Beatle with the country's highest accolade, Orden El Sol del Perú (Peru's Order of the Sun).
Paul McCartney made history on Monday night with his first ever show in Peru before 50,000 awestruck fans that traveled from across the country for the momentous occasion.  We will never forget Paul saying: “Viva el Peru, Carajo”
The show saw Paul McCartney on his best form, delivering nearly three hours of the world’s best loved and most known music. 

More concerts held in Lima, Peru

Please contact us

 

COLONIAL CONVENT TURNED INTO 5 STAR HOTEL

When the Dominican Priest Order built this amazing convent and monastery in the Colonial Capital of Central America (Antigua), didn't have a clue of the use that the property is having now, a little over 300 years later.
Today, Casa Santo Domingo is a 5 star hotel inside an amazingly beautiful colonial property, named in the Top 100 Hotels in Latin America by Conde Nast and Wanderlust travel magazines, plus many other top awards for it`s quality and excellent service.
It even has one of the best restaurants in Latin America and a new addition: a small restaurant in the top of a hill with the best view of Antigua and it`s volcanoes, surrounded by a natural ambiance and lots of sculptures and paintings of recognized Guatemalan artists.
Staying here, guests travel to the colonial times, relax and enjoy Antigua at it`s best.
Weddings, conventions and corporate events also talk about the quality and beauty of this place.
If you are interested in staying here or getting more information, please contact us.

Huaca Pucllana Archaeological Complex

The Archaeological Complex "Huaca Pucllana" was an Administrative and Ceremonial Center of the Lima Culture, a society that developed at the Peruvian Central Coast between 200 AD and 700 AD.

Two important reasons inspired the group of sacred priests, who were the governing rulers at that time.  The first reason was their need to express their religious authority. The second reason was directly linked with the control of the hydrological resources stemmed from the water canal system of the Rimac River.

Huaca Pucllana is located in today's district of Miraflores and is one of the most important ancient monuments in Lima. Located right in the middle of a modern residential area it is resisting the urban growth and reminding the Limeños every day about their archaeological patrimony.

Would you like to volunteer in Lima? Please contact us.