Peru is the culinary capital of South America. You will find dishes here that you won’t find anywhere else. Check out our new Culinary Journey through Peru itinerary, which shows just why Peru has been voted the World’s Leading Culinary Destination for the last three years.
Ceviche

Fresh fish, lemon juice, and chili are blended together to create Peru’s favorite national dish. Peruvians believe that it has aphrodisiac properties and is a great hangover cure. It’s so popular, it has even had a holiday declared in its honor. Each area of Peru seems to give it their own twist – the Andean version is said to include seaweed and the Lima version features sole. However, each dish is guaranteed to be a taste sensation and one that you’re sure to see at the famed Mistura food festival.

Cuy

Guinea pigs are a food staple in Peru. While Westerners might balk at the thought of chowing down on their favorite pet, Peruvians view it the same as rabbit and it’s a large part of the Peruvian diet. It is said to taste like smoky poultry and is served with potatoes, rice or pepper sauce.

Chifa

Chifa dishes have their roots in China. When Chinese immigrants arrived in Peru they created fusion dishes using the ingredients that they brought with them (ginger and soy sauce) and what they could find locally. Chifa favorites include twists on stir-fry dishes, soup, and wonton. Look out for Tallarin Saltado (Peruvian chow mein); Chicharron de Gallina (chicken cubes in spiced lemon juice) and Wantan Frito (fried wonton).

Alpaca

This low-cal, low-fat meat has been eaten in Peru for centuries. It’s said to be gamier than beef and is one of the main sources of meat in the mountains.

Anticuchos

Street food stalls will serve up this meat that’s been marinated in red wine vinegar, cumin, and garlic. It was created by African slaves, who when given offal to eat, chose to make the meat more interesting by livening it up with spices and hot peppers. They then threaded these tiny pieces of meat onto pieces of sugar cane so that they could cook them over the grill. The result is now Anticuchos that’s loved all over the country.

Photography: Craig Nagy/Flickr, Juan Felipe Rubio/Flickr, Sherry Lai/Flickr, Keizirah Lesser and Art Drauglis/Flickr

Suggested Itineraries

Ancient Andalusia

Andalucia Spain Europe

  • Marvel at the Moorish architecture of Granada’s Alhambra

  • Delve into Spanish tapas on a food tour of Seville

  • Enjoy dinner and a live flamenco display at Tablao Flamenco, Cordoba

  • Sample fine wines and watch dancing horses in Jerez

  • Experience the atmospheric ancient cities of Andalusia

ideal length 7 nights

Beach, Food, & Art Summer Holiday

Greece Cyclades: Mykonos & Santorini Barcelona Madrid Spain Europe

  • Explore Athens on a private guided tour, including a trip to the Acropolis
  • Visit the sacred site of Delphi, home of the oracle of Apollo
  • Enjoy beautiful beaches and fun activities in Mykonos
  • Get a taste of Spain on a tapas tour of the Spanish capital, Madrid
  • Discover the world of Gaudi in the avant-garde city of Barcelona
ideal length 14 nights

Self-Drive New South Wales

New South Wales Australia Australasia

  • Enjoy breakfast at Byron Bay lighthouse, Australia’s most easterly point

  • See Coffs harbour and the Great Dividing Range on a seaplane flight

  • Discover fines wines and gourmet cuisine in Hunter Valley

  • Soar over the Hunter Valley in a hot air balloon before a champagne breakfast

  • Go on an exclusive backstage tour of the Sydney Opera House

ideal length 10 nights
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