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These expert Peru travel tips were given by our Peruvian Expedition Leader, Jorge Salas-Guevara. Expedition Leader Jorge is a favorite among International Expeditions guests, having led expeditions to the Amazon, Orinoco, Antarctica, Trinidad, West Africa, Patagonia and Papua New Guinea. Jorge’s “expertise” on all things Peruvian is beyond refute — his research and photography has been published in history books, and he has worked extensively with the Smithsonian, World Wildlife Fund and National Wildlife Federation.
- When visiting Cusco, Peru, find free time to stroll through the streets of the San Blas District. This is where the artisans have made their homes, which have mostly been turned into workshops, classrooms and shops. Here, the older generation of artists share their knowledge and teach their children and grandchildren the handicrafts of Cusco in order to keep the traditions of their art alive. Treasures abound and one can always find that special handicraft that will truly remind them of their magical journey through the land of the Inca.
- Don’t Miss: T’anta Restaurant in Lima, Peru. Located in the San Isidro district, T’anta is one of Peruvian culinary star Gaston Acurio’s moderately priced, café offerings. With delicious, freshly juiced drinks and inventive soups, pastas and a variety of options from a New Andean cooking style, Tanta’s sidewalk cafe is a great lunch spot in this trendy Lima neighborhood. (Editor’s Note: I recommend sticking to the appetizers so you can leave plenty of room for dessert!)
- Lima is recognized as the culinary capital of South America and is full of really great restaurants. Add a few days in Lima to your next visit to enjoy some of them. Don’t miss ceviche at La Mar Restaurant, a chita a la sal at Costanera 700 Restaurant and a pulpo a la oliva in any seafood restaurants. For dinners you can’t go wrong with Rafael, Central, Fusion and Astrid y Gaston.
- When visiting Peru is almost mandatory to enjoy a Pisco Sour, the national cocktail made with pisco, a local brandy. One of the best experiences while in Lima is to enjoy one at La Huaca Restaurant located right in front of a pre-Inca temple. Enjoy a 45-minute tour of the archeological remain and crown it with the local beverage at the restaurant overlooking the remains just when it is illuminated after sunset. (Get traditional Pisco Sour recipe here.)
- Shopping in Peru is very good and the main products to look for include alpaca, pima cotton, Andean textiles, silver, pottery, music, coffee and chocolates. While in Lima, there are two places where you can find these products. Both are located in the Miraflores district. The first is the handicraft or Indian Market, an outdoor market with vendors from the whole country. The prices are fair and the offer is wide, but double-check the quality as it is variable. Bargaining is expected here and credit cards are not widely accepted. The second is Larco Mar, a mall that overlooking the bay of Lima, with good restaurants and cafes. Here you will find top-quality stores, all of which accept the main credit cards and where bargaining is not expected but superb quality is guaranteed. As a note, Larco Mar is the second most visited destination in the country, after Machu Picchu.
And one last tip from Kim Guth, our Peru Custom Travel Planner.
- A bit of France in Machu Picchu — who knew! Indio Feliz Bistro in Aguas Calientes came recommended to me as the best restaurant in town… although from the outside it seemed just like another basic place with bland food. Talk about not judging a book by its cover: this place was amazing! Each of the eight tables downstairs was immaculately set with crisp linens, attractive dinnerware and a vase of lilies, hibiscus and other beautiful flowers. In one corner was a working fireplace. Everything I sampled would not be out of place in a fine Paris restaurant — minus the prices and attitude. The meal was a dream. The fresh bread and red wine from Chile rounded out the experience.
Laos in particular requests visitors to show the proper respect when visiting their country. As with anywhere, visitors and locals alike should pay attention to basic rules of politeness. Making a good first impression will be greatly appreciated by the Lao people, who are often seen as shy and gentle. These quick tips are useful in ensuring the best cultural experience possible.
- Do not touch a monk: There are over 75,000 monks in Laos. They are highly revered and a sacred part of the Lao Buddhist tradition. They are people of honor and as such we are asked not to touch them or take their picture without asking.
- Ask before taking a photo: Having your photo taken is a personal matter and asking permission before you take a photo shows the proper respect. In asking first you will find you are seldom turned down.
- Do not shout: The people of Laos do not shout under most circumstances. You’ll find shouting actually gives you the opposite of the desired affect. Instead of paying more attention to you, the person you are shouting at will shy away and not want to be seen with someone making so much noise. They value quiet and peacefulness.
- Do not put your feet up: To show someone the bottom of your foot or shoe is a sign of disrespect.
- Do not touch people on the head: Buddhists and animists believe the soul resides on the top of the head, the highest point of the body. Touching someone there disturbs the soul and is a sign of disrespect.
Check out stories from our 2010 Laos tour.
For many first-time travelers to Egypt, dealing with aggressive vendors can be a daunting task. Long-time Wings Over the Nile leader & Product Development Director Bill Robison shares his tips for shopping on your Egypt vacation.
Bargaining is expected. While bargaining and aggressive sales tactics can put guests on edge, they are the norm in Egypt. Very heavy competition and years of experience have made some local vendors quite aggressive and tricky. Some of them rely on you getting nervous and scared, so show them you are in charge and you’ll get a much better deal.
ALWAYS negotiate the price in advance, do not pay in advance, and assume nothing. I’ve seen guests offered a “$5 donkey ride” for which they pay in advance, only to find out that it’s an additional $5 to stop the donkey from moving so they could get off.
If you want a better price, you must be able to walk away. Items are always cheaper as you are going back to the coach rather than coming off it.
Telling a vendor “no” does not mean “no.” “No” is a bargaining tool and means you don’t like the price. If you keep responding by saying no, the vendor still has your attention. The only infallible way to get rid of a vendor in Egypt is to say absolutely nothing.
When it doubt, your Expedition Leader and Egyptologist are there to assist you. Call on them for their local expertise. And don’t forget, many vendors are personable and honest, and a true joy to meet
It’s time to start family travel-planning for summer vacation. And whether you’re traveling on our family Amazon River cruise, Galapagos Islands vacation or just flying to visit relatives, the best way to reduce stress when flying with kids is to plan ahead.
Travel Tips for Flying With Kids
- Try to book an overnight flight to coincide with your child’s sleeping habits
- Make sure your carry-on bag holds every item your child is likely to need during the flight
- Dress your child in a couple of light layers, so you can add or remove layers as necessary
- Encourage your child to eat or drink during take off and landing to prevent earache
Have other tips that make family travel easier on everyone? Be sure to leave a comment and share your advice.
The women of International Expeditions (and many of our guests) are full of tips for women traveling alone internationally. While some women are concerned about being targets when traveling, a little cautious preparation can go a long way toward making you feel safe and ensuring you have a great vacation.
Know Before You Go:
Before traveling to a foreign county, learn as much as possible about the area’s religious or cultural beliefs. You may need to adjust your dress and behavior to comply with local customs.
I Get Around:
Grab a card or matchbook from the front desk with your hotel’s name, address and phone number on it. This is super helpful if you don’t speak the language and need to arrange a cab ride.
Pack Light:
Juggling multiple heavy suitcases and sorting through credit cards can make you an easy target in busy airports. Pack light and carry just one credit card. As an added bonus, packing light leaves extra space for souvenirs!
More travel safety tips
Today’s travel tip is brought to you by Medjet’s own World Wide Will! Be sure to check out his blog at http://blog.medjet.com.
Donde Esta
No matter where I travel, I always learn at least one phrase – “Where is?” The minute I make plans to travel somewhere, I look up the translation and start practicing. If I cannot manage to master speaking the question, I write it in my guide book. Then I am set!
When I am looking for something, from a landmark to a bottle of water, all I have to do is find a picture of my desired destination or item, point at it and either say “Where is?” in the native language or point to where I have it written down in my guide book.
Anyone that has ever traveled with a child knows that there can be many challenges to face. The best way to reduce stress on your next family vacation is to plan ahead.
• Try to book an overnight flight to coincide with your child’s sleeping habits
• Make sure your carry-on bag holds every item your child is likely to need during the flight
• Dress your child in a couple of light layers, so you can add or remove layers as necessary
• Encourage your child to eat or drink during take off and landing to prevent earache
Get more tips on savvy and safe travel by visiting the MedjetAssist Blog.
Be sure you get the most out of your travels by being prepared and protected when you venture overseas. These simple tips ensure healthy behaviors both during and after your ecotourism trip.
- Use sunscreen and insect repellent as directed
- Be careful and food and water – Remember, ice cubes don’t kill bacteria!
- Wear protective gear when doing adventure activities
- Limit alcohol intake
For more travel tips and suggestions, check out the Medjet blog.
Are you an avid traveler with an iPhone? Be sure to check out iMedjet, Medjet’s new application featuring comprehensive first aid information.
With content provided by A Comprehensive Guide to Wilderness and Travel Medicine, the first-aid portion of the app draws from more than 10 years of research, experience and teaching, and even links to situational descriptions and technique illustrations.
iMedjet also offers mobile medical information storage, vital to doctors and emergency professionals in a crisis. If you are a Medjet member, the application also provides one-touch access to Medjet emergency phone numbers. Best of all iMedjet is FREE! Just visit the iTunes App Store and search for iMedjet.
As a MedjetAssist member, if you are ever hospitalized more than 150 miles from home — domestically or internationally — MedjetAssist will pick you up and fly you to the hospital of your choice at no additional cost. Annual memberships start at $225 and short-term memberships are as low as $85. If you’re interested in becoming a MedjetAssist member, get more information at www.medjetassist.com/ietravel, contact your travel agent, or call 800-5-ASSIST. For more travel tips and suggestions check out our blog at http://blog.medjet.com.
Many travelers don’t realize their prescribed or over-the-counter medications may be illegal in other countries. As a savvy traveler, it’s important to verify that the medications you will need don’t place you or your health in hot water!
- Find out what medications legal in the country you will be visiting. The consular country information (www.state.gov) will provide illegal medication information for that region.
- If your medications are illegal, immediately contact your physician to begin looking for a non-regulated substitute.
- Take enough extra medication to last 1-2 weeks in case of unforeseen circumstances.
For more travel tips and suggestions check out the Medjet blog .
