12 Exceptional Restaurants in Cusco, Peru

Family Andean Discovery, Flavors and Culinary Traditions, Peru, World of the Incas, World of the Incas Iconic

by: Dana Johnson

Peru is fast becoming a top travel destination on any foodie’s bucketlist. While Machu Picchu remains as the main highlight in any extraordinary Peru voyage, it is important to know the top dining establishments in the friendly and historical city of Cusco–gateway to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the famous hilltop citadel. Continue reading →

10 Fabulous Beaches in Costa Rica

Costa Rica, Costa Rica Family Odyssey

Costa Rica has nearly 300 different tropical beaches along its stunning Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, each with a unique draw and distinct setting. Virgin rainforest with exotic animals, nesting sites for sea turtles, long beaches with white sand, amazing snorkeling, sea kayaking, surfing and swimming – you name it! These beautiful beaches in Costa Rica offer incomparable adventures for nature lovers! Continue reading →

Lima, Peru: Culinary Capital of Latin America

Peru

The kitchens of Lima are heating up. Peru’s capital finds itself in the midst of a culinary renaissance. National Geographic Travel includes Lima in its “Where to travel for Food in 2016” list; Bon Apetit Magazine calls it “The Next Great Food City” and it has been recognized as the “Gastronomic Capital of Latin America”.

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Where to Dine in Santiago, Chile

Patagonia

Top 15 Restaurants for a Local Taste of the City

Cosmopolitan Santiago is a major capital in South America with a very distinctive setting, backed by the white peaks of the Andes. It’s a collage of traditional Spanish colonial architecture combined with contemporary design, complete with a slew of first-class dining options for urbanites both native and visiting.

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What to Do at Machu Picchu

Peru

Exploring the Ancient Citadel’s Top 12 Treasures

At Southwind Adventures, we make sure your journey to Machu Picchu is special and rich in discovery. We’ve put our heads together with our top Peru guides Romulo Lizarraga, Rosa Garcia, and Francis Casapino to highlight what to do at Machu Picchu within the citadel itself. These local Machu Picchu experts have led visitors through the citadel hundreds of times. We’ve also gotten input from Dr. Federico Kauffmann-Doig, a renowned Peruvian archaeologist, historian, and celebrated author of the definitive new book Machu Picchu: Enchantment in Stone – the culmination of 50 years of his research.

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Aboard the M/V Aria: Cruising and Conserving the Peruvian Amazon

Peru

In September 2014, Southwind Adventures Travel Specialist Cynthia Ord embarked on the M/V Aria, a 32-passenger deluxe vessel, for a five-day Peruvian Amazon river cruise. The voyage departed from Iquitos, the largest city in the Peruvian rainforest.

For me, cruising the Peruvian Amazon in the luxury of the M/V Aria had its obvious perks. The experience felt almost like spectating a grand performance. In my cabin I had a floor-to-ceiling panoramic window framing an unbeatable view of the river, and a California king-sized bed with fine Peruvian cotton linens where I could curl up and just watch the rainforest landscape drift by. Continue reading →

Southwind Adventures Evolves Its Brand with Launch of New Website

press release

CENTENNIAL, CO – Southwind Adventures, a boutique travel company specializing in upscale adventures to South America, is pleased to unveil its fully-redesigned website, www.southwindadventures.com. The business has partnered with Fusionbox, a studio based in Denver, CO, for the website’s design and development. The site has been crafted to reflect Southwind’s prestigious, well-established brand, showcasing its growing collection of signature small-group trip itineraries as well as its talent for tailoring private trips.

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New Family Adventure Explores Ecuador’s Top Wildlife Destinations

Ecuador and Galapagos, press release

Southwind Launches Family-friendly Itinerary in the Amazon and Galápagos

Small but mega-biodiverse Ecuador is becoming a wildlife mecca in South America. Its eastern slope intersects with the mighty Amazon rainforest, home to 10% of the known species on the planet. Its Galápagos Islands form the best conserved tropical archipelago in the world, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Southwind Guide Spotlight: Meet Francis Casapino

Peru

One of Southwind’s best friends and most beloved guides, Francis is a native to the Cusco region of Peru. Francis graduated with a degree in Tourism from the San Antonio Abad University in Cusco. Having worked as a guide, receptionist in hotels, at the regional tourism office, in travel agencies and as a guard in Manu National Park, he has gained over 14 years of experience in the travel industry. When it comes to Incan history and anthropology, Francis has a natural curiosity and keeps himself well-versed in all the recent finds and latest theories. He’s one of the best and most intelligent guides in Peru today. Continue reading →

Peru Blossoms as Unique Destination for Families

Peru, press release

Peru-and-Machu-Picchu-for-families-1-small

Southwind Adventures Launches Kid-friendly Itinerary

With its wealth of natural and cultural heritage, Peru is growing up as a multi-generation travel destination. Today, an increasing number travelers of all ages are planning bucket-list dream trips together to Peru’s Andes Mountains, Amazon rain forest and ruins of Machu Picchu.
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