We were recently invited to the familiarization trip organized by Orient Express to experience its brand new ‘Casitas del Colca’. We visited the property to see ourselves the amazing little world that was created to offer guests the perfect relaxing stay combined with an awesome nature experience and the discovery of local traditions and culture. Eleven casitas with every comfort like heated plunge pools on each terrace, inside and outside showers and heated floors are scattered on the ample property what guarantees a stay in easeful privacy. A spa with pool and several activities like cycling, horse riding, cooking classes and star gazing provide entertainment and recreation for every taste. The hotel, always concerned to offer a true nature experience, lets guests by request pick their own ingredients from the hotel garden which later get prepared by the chefs for dinner in the intimate little restaurant. Contributing to a sustainable development of the nearby communities, the hotel works closely together with the locals and lets guest take part of it. There is the possibility to help the farmers of the hotel owned farm with feeding baby alpacas or to do voluntary work at the nearby mission led by Madre Antonina.

Both airlines have released its new free baggage allowance. LAN will accept luggage up to a maximum of 20 kg. The maximum weight limit per luggage for all STAR flights is 25 kg.

The entrance fee for the National Park Los Glaciares (necessary to visit ‘El Calafate’) has been increased from USD 14 to USD 20 effective July ’08.

Despite of its short existence (opened in Aug ’07) the new first class Sumaq hotel has already conquered the top of Trip Advisor’s popularity index for hotels in Aguas Calientes. Not only its brand new infrastructure, facilities and amenities have been taken into consideration in the reviews but also its friendly staff and outstanding cuisine (menu created by the recognized chef Rafael Piqueras). Trip Advisor (www.tripadvisor.com) features unbiased advice from more than 24 million real travelers in 190 countries.

The Libertador hotel chain has already started to promote the refurbishment of its properties (to be added to the ‘Luxury Collection’ brand in 2009). Following hotels will undergo a complete renovation: Libertador Puno, Libertador Cusco, Libertador Sacred Valley and Libertador Paracas. Our team visited a couple of weeks ago the mock-ups of the guestrooms. Although every guestroom features a unique décor including local elements of every city all are tastefully designed. Pictures of each mock-up are already available.

Lima has an additional upscale first class hotel. We recently inspected the brand new Radisson Decapolis in Miraflores. The former Gran Hotel Miraflores has been completely refurbished to become Lima’s first avant-garde hotel with Peruvian inspired art. With 105 spacious rooms equipped with flat TV, coffee kit, WIFI, sound-proofed windows, blackout curtains as well as a rooftop pool/gym accompanied with a spectacular view of the ocean and the city, the Radisson Decapolis Hotel promises to please business and leisure travelers alike.

Two brand new hotels will start operations in the next months in Paracas. The first one affiliated to Hilton will be the first 5* hotel in Paracas and will open its doors in September ’08. This hotel by the name ‘Hilton - Double Tree Guest Suites’ will be under the management of Pardo Double Tree hotel in Lima. The second property, a 4* hotel, ’La Hacienda Paracas’ belongs to owners of the ‘La Hacienda’ hotel in Lima and should be launched in January ‘09. Additionally the Libertador hotel plans to re-open its hotel yet a 5* resort in March ’09. With the introduction of these new hotels we will eventually be able to include the overnight Paracas in our itineraries again. Rates of all hotels are already available.

We have a new sightseeing tour in Lima combining sites of interest in the historic city center (colonial) with pre-Inca sites in the modern districts of San Isidro and Miraflores. The first alternative includes the visit to Lima’s main square, Plaza San Martin and the catacombs in ‘San Francisco Church’ and afterwards a stop either in Miraflores to visit the pre-Inca Huaca (Temple) Pucllana or in San Isidro to explore ‘Huaca’ (Temple) Huallamarca. The tour to Huallamarca or Pucllana is offered as an alternative to the standard visit to the Cathedral. Especially travelers with more than 3 visits to churches in their itineraries (i.e. in Arequipa, Colca and Cusco) might appreciate the opportunity to know more about the almost unknown but interesting pre-Inca past of Lima.