Luxury Travel in Peru – Insider Tips about Everything You Need to Know

In 1911 when Hiram Bingham revealed the lost Inca fortress to the world, Peru emerged as a new destination for travel in South America. The fort was called Machu Picchu, and for years the largely untouched Inca site was abandoned, disappearing from the Amazon Forest until Hiram Bingham discovered the site with his expedition team. Over the next 100 years, many other Inca sites were reclaimed from the Forest including the Choquequirao fortress and Winay Winya. In addition to this extraordinary site, visitors to Peru can also enjoy the sites of the Inca Pisac, Ollantaytambo and the Colonial City of Cusco – which are like the lively Inca architectural museums.

If you are thinking about Peruvian luxury tours in the coming year and are considering taking advantage of Peru’s best hospitality, we have compiled a list of some of the best highlights, and completes the things you need to know.

Peru offers a large number of luxury hotels, from traditional colonial hotels to contemporary style boutique accommodation. The best hotel is located close to major tourist attractions such as Machu Picchu, Cusco, and the Sacred Valley. In Cusco, we recommend that you consider the Monasterio Hotel, which was originally built in 1595 on the site of the Inca Amaru Qhala palace. Another popular choice is the very private hotel in La Casona – 11 suite hotels built around a traditional inner courtyard, and a popular choice for the rich and famous. Other prominent hotels in Cusco include the Libertador Hotel and Casa Cartagena, an ultra-modern hotel located in a colonial house.

Of course no luxury trip to Peru is complete without a visit to Machu Picchu, and the best way to travel is by Hiram Bingham Luxury Train. This luxury service, operated by Orient Express Group, is one of the … Read the rest

Eco-Destinations You Shouldn’t Miss

For the environmentally-conscious traveler, there are certain places to visit for vacations that are just… awesome. You want to pick a place that is not only spectacular and fun (it IS a vacation, after all), but your stay should also impact your destination as little as possible, and it should be educational and edifying. Eco-tourism conjures up images of roughing it, however, but that isn’t always the case. It’s possible to enjoy a green vacation and still have a bit of luxury, too. Here is a brief guide to some of the best eco-destinations that you should put on your agenda. Some may surprise you!

Costa Rica

This small, peaceful Central American country is a favorite for travelers, expats and vacationers alike. It is a fantastic destination for those who want to experience multiple kinds of ecosystems and amazing biological diversity in a short period of time-and a lot of fun! Costa Rica has some of the highest concentrations of biodiversity anywhere on earth, especially in its nature reserves, which comprise about 25% of the entire country’s territory. Take canopy tours, ride horses, learn how coffee and chocolate are made, hike through virgin rainforest of various types, white-water rafting, volcanoes, hot springs, it’s all there. Plus, there are some excellent eco-lodges where your stay will not put you at odds with nature, such as the Lapa Rios Lodge in the Osa Penisula, right outside the magnificent Corcovado Nature Reserve, or the Selva verde Rainforest Lodge in Sarapiqui, near the Tortuguero National Park’s sea turtle nesting grounds. The food is good, the people are friendly, and you’ll enjoy adding “Pura Vida!” (“Pure Life” in Spanish), which is the Costa Rican informal motto for how life should be led (Simply, enjoyably), to your vocabulary.

Scandinavia

Encompassing several countries in the northern parts … Read the rest