Jan 31st, 2012 at 9:00AM:
Contrary to what you may believe, the ocean in Peru is not very warm. In fact, it's not warm at all. It's freezing.
Other than desert outposts in the northern reaches of the country where it's still possible to surf in boardshorts (Mancora, Vichayito, etc.), the Humboldt current--which swings northward from Antarctica--renders the water in Peru so cold that much of the coast is a seascape ...Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
peru posts
Vagabond Tales: Is sandboarding better than snowboarding?
Jan 31st, 2012 at 9:00AM:
Contrary to what you may believe, the ocean in Peru is not very warm. In fact, it's not warm at all. It's freezing.
Other than desert outposts in the northern reaches of the country where it's still possible to surf in boardshorts (Mancora, Vichayito, etc.), the Humboldt current--which swings northward from Antarctica--renders the water in Peru so cold that much of the coast is a seascape ...Nazca lines face threats from elements, negligence
Nov 15th, 2011 at 11:30AM:
The Nazca lines are some of the world's most mysterious ancient monuments. Giant images of people, animals, plants, and geometric shapes scratched onto the surface of the Peruvian desert by three different cultures from 500 BC to 500 AD, they've made generations of researchers scratch their heads over their purpose and meaning.
Now it turns out these unique figures aren't so unique after all. ...Inca Kola: Peru's tasty soda
Nov 11th, 2011 at 3:30PM: One fun aspect of travel is discovering cool local brands. When I visited Peru back in 1998 I first learned of Inca Kola, a neon-yellow soda produced there. I was curious so I ordered some at a cafe. The waiter was surprised and delighted that I chose his nation's drink over Coca-Cola and told me proudly that it was the only local soda that had a bigger market share in its home country than Coke. ...5 train trips everyone should experience
Oct 29th, 2011 at 10:00AM: While some train routes can seem long and boring, there are many that allow for great views of unique landscape or luxury service. Still, there are some train rides that go above and beyond your wildest imagination. Check out these five train trips that everyone should experience in their lifetime.
The Blue Train
South Africa
The Blue Train travels approximately 1,000 miles between Pretoria ...Tips for navigating the markets of Cuzco, Peru
Oct 19th, 2011 at 9:00AM: Perched sovereignly at 11,000 feet above sea level in the Peruvian mountains, Cuzco evokes the architecture of Europe and the tough ambiance of South America. There's haphazard street art that references Pacha Mama, the Inca shout-out to Mother Earth. There are gilded churches that make their homes on top of ancient stone foundations. There's also a lot of shopping. And if you're the kind of ...Tips for traveling Cuzco, Peru, on a budget
Oct 13th, 2011 at 5:30PM: When traveling in Cuzco, Peru, it can be easy to spend more money than you budgeted for, especially with the myriad tour agencies offering treks and sightseeing adventures as well as the many restaurants offering overpriced comfort food. Luckily, there are still ways to save money on food, activities, and accommodation while traveling through this popular city.
Eating on a Budget
One thing ...LAN Airlines surprises restaurant-goers with free tickets to South America
Oct 7th, 2011 at 4:00PM:
Last night, LAN Airlines surprised nearly 200 unsuspecting patrons at Nuela restaurant in New York with free round trip tickets to South America. The Oprah-style giveaway kicks off the company's Only in South America campaign, a multi-year effort to promote travel to the region.
In the midst of busy dinner hours, guests at the South American restaurant in Manhattan's Flatiron district were ...An introduction to ceviche
Sep 26th, 2011 at 10:00AM:
I was recently made aware of the unsettling fact there are people who are not familiar with ceviche. As this is easily my favorite dish while traveling both home and abroad, this disturbs me so much I immediately find it necessary to share its flavors with the world.
In the midst of a roadtrip across the state of Oregon, a fellow hiker on a Crater Lake trail inquired about the Spanish ...Cocktails, Chilean style
Sep 26th, 2011 at 9:00AM: A few weeks ago, I was sitting at the bar of the very lovely Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa, outside of San Pedro de Atacama in Northern Chile. I'd just returned from an afternoon at 12,600 feet, exploring the Andean Altiplano Lakes of Miscanti and Miñiques, and I was feeling parched.
Small wonder I was thirsty; Atacama is the driest desert on earth. Visually and geographically, ...Photo of the day: Urubamba River Valley, Peru
Jun 22nd, 2011 at 5:00PM:
Any time is a good time to explore a country like Peru, but the Urubamba River Valley shines in this summertime shot of the landscape, taken by Maribeth Latvis. If you venture out on a trip to Machu Picchu, which over 400,000 people do each year, the Urubamba River Valley can be explored either before or after your trip. In fact, my fiance passed through the valley while hitch-hiking to Machu ...Mummies of the World exhibition opens in Philadelphia
Jun 21st, 2011 at 9:30AM:
Mummies are endlessly fascinating. To see a centuries-old body so well preserved brings the past vividly to life. While Egyptian mummies get most of the press, bodies in many regions were mummified by natural processes after being deposited in peat bogs or very dry caves.
Mummies of the World is a state-of-the-art exhibition bringing together 150 mummies and related artifacts. It opened last ...Five places to see shrunken heads
Jun 17th, 2011 at 12:00PM:
Call me sick, but I've always been fascinated with shrunken heads.
"OK, you're sick!"
Fine, but you're still reading this, aren't you?
Throughout history many cultures took heads as trophies, including the ancestors of many Gadling readers--the Celts. Celtic warriors used to cut the heads off of enemies and attach them to their chariots to look extra intimidating in battle. Japanese ...Gadling's favorite hotels for 2011
Dec 8th, 2010 at 10:30AM:
Where do your loyal well-traveled Gadling contributors especially love to spend the night? We polled Gadling writers on their favorite hotels in 2010. Think of Gadling's favorite hotels for 2011 as our version of a hotel tip sheet.
Laurel Miller. The Kirketon in Sydney for its quirkiness, cool bar, small size, helpful staff and retro-mod style, blissfully free of big-city attitude. Southern ...Gadling's favorite destinations for 2011
Dec 7th, 2010 at 10:00AM:
We travel a lot, to destinations both well-known and unfamiliar. In our defense, it is our job to travel like mad, to explore the world and then write about our discoveries.
Though most travel writers find something or other of interest in most places we visit, there are always those personal favorites that rise above the rest. This year, we decided to scribble our favorites down for you. ...Q & A with travel and fiction writer Hilary Davidson
Oct 28th, 2010 at 9:30AM: I recently chanced upon a copy of Hilary Davidson's The Damage Done and found myself smitten. Davidson's story, which centers around a glamorous if complicated travel writer embroiled in a messy family mystery, is a compelling read. It's also of particular interest to travel media types: Davidson's protagonist, like Davidson herself, is a travel writer.
Q: Describe your profession.
A: For ...Peruvian adventure travel and agritourism on Lake Titicaca's Isla Amantani
Jul 21st, 2010 at 3:00PM: While I sat at the table with her young son, Ayun, I watched Imeliana Calcin stuff wood into the stove. Although she'd greeted me at the boat dock in a skirt and faded t-shirt, she'd changed as soon as we arrived at her family's tiny adobe house. Now, clad in the intricately-embroidered white blouse and headscarf for which the women of Isla Amantani are famed, she was preparing sopa de quinoa for ...Man arrested in Mexico smuggling 18 monkeys in his pants
Jul 20th, 2010 at 3:00PM: Are those monkeys in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?
A Mexican man was arrested upon arrival in Mexico City after flying from Lima, Peru with 18 titi monkeys strapped around his waist. While the monkeys traveled in his luggage, Roberto Sol Cabrera placed the endangered monkeys into socks that fit into a waist girdle "to protect them from X-rays," though two of the monkeys did not ...Daily Pampering: Guided walks around the world
Jul 8th, 2010 at 4:00PM: Usually when we discuss the luxe life, we talk about things being brought to us, not about things we have to go out and get ourselves. After all, the very foundation of 'pampering' comes from people being waited on, so why would anything in Daily Pampering ever require us to move from our comfy spot anywhere around the world? Well, because some of life's luxuries are simply worth seeing for ...Beyoncé's Pimpin' Private Tour Jet
Jun 1st, 2010 at 9:30AM: What? You think Beyoncé has her own special private airplane with black velvet seat cushions and a bedazzled fuselage all covered in blingetty-bling (with a ring on it) and with bottles of Vitamin Water lined up like a rainbow in her mirrored mini-fridge? Well, she doesn't. No doubt, girlfriend could afford it, but being the smart, sensible artist that she is, Beyoncé just chartered ...Photo of the Day (05.10.10)
May 10th, 2010 at 7:30PM:
There's nothing worse than being underdressed for a party. You're embarrassed, your hosts are appalled and the other guests don't know whether to shun you or mock you. That's why I always pack at least one sophisticated outfit when I travel. A nice sweater, a classic hat and a jaunty scarf go a long way towards making you both presentable and interesting. Sure, real estate in your pack is at a ...
