Australian-British Travel Guru Tony Wheeler Names Peru “Hot Destination 2009”

One of the purposes of my blog is to allow for its readers to stay ahead of the curve on the popularity that Peru (both as a country and as a brand) is getting throughout the world. With restauranteur Todd English predicting Peruvian food to be “the next big thing” (read my post here), Bon Appetit magazine naming Peru’s capital city Lima as the “Gastronomic Capital of South America” (read my post here), and a dozen luxurious hotels including the world’s largest hotel chains to be built in 2009 and 2010 in Cuzco (read my post here)…now another travel tag adds to the mix — and all the way from Australia!

Australian newspaper The Age just wrote a story about world-renowned traveller guru Tony Wheeler, co-founder of the Lonely Planet guidebooks sold around the five continents (click here to view an interview done to Wheeler by Travel Channel). Among travelling tips and profiling the Australian traveller, Wheeler highlights his 2009 hot destinations…and yes, Peru is one of them!

Here is what the paper writes about Wheeler and his take on Peru:

The founder of Lonely Planet guide books, Tony Wheeler, predicts big growth in travel to South America, particularly Peru. He says Peru has “everything in one package”, from the “lost city” of Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail to surf breaks, canyons and Lake Titicaca.

Lima Named “Gastronomic Capital of South America” by Bon Appetit Magazine in January 2009 Issue

Bon Appetit magazine’s January 2009 issue includes an amazing feature story on Peru’s capital city gastronomy with a great background on the origins of its cuisine, naming it the “Gastronomic Capital of South America”!!

Here is a great excerpt to summarize the richness of Lima’s cuisine:

“Peru really is blessed with an almost ludicrous variety of natural resources, from the great seafood of the Pacific coast to the vegetables of the temperate highlands of the Andes to the wild tropical abundance of herbs and fish from the Amazon. And the country has one of the world’s most interesting natural culinary fusions […] Perhaps most importantly, Peru is in the midst of a nationwide awakening about its own cuisine…”

And this story is a great source for those who are planning to visit Lima to make sure you try the restaurants named, including:

• Malabar
• Restaurant Huaca Pucllana
• Costanera 700
• Toshiro’s Sushi Bar
• Chifa Kam Men
• La Mar Cebicheria Peruana

And it is even with greater pleasure to share this story after reading how a dear friend from high school has grown so much. Well done, Pedro! Very proud to see your gastronomic success around the world!

How an Arkansas Man’s Life Changed After His Trip to the Peruvian Amazon

Tremblay with an anaconda snake in the Amazon

I came across this interesting story on how a trip to Peru and other South American countries can change your life for the better. If you are of the adventure type, this is a must read.

After leaving his girlfriend behind, quiting his job, and stuck with non-refundable tickets and other travel expenses, Arkansas resident Marc Tremblay made the best of this travel which turned out to change his life to take the job of his dreams: become a canoe guide on the Mississippi River.

Perhaps you won’t change your job, or perhaps you will get to travel with your significant other. But the one thing that will remain similar to Marc’s story about yours is it will become an eye opening adventure.

To read Marc’s story published in the Reader Travelogue section of Commercial Appeal, click here.

Chicago, IL Resident Among 2,600 Foreigners Warmly Welcomed Today in Lima, Peru in South American Cruise

In their South American stop on Lima, Peru, a group of 2,600 foreigners arrived today in Lima, Peru via “Star Princess”, the largest fleet of Princess Cruises as they begin their South American 32-day tour coming from San Francisco, CA, as the local newspaper El Comercio reports — including an interview to an American from Chicago, IL.

Foreigners were warmly welcomed by traditional music and dancers and the Peruvian pisco sour at the Main Square in the capital city. A video of their welcoming is available here.

Their next stops in South America will be Chile, and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.