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𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗨

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𝘽𝙮 𝘼𝙞𝙧 / 𝙁𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 

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𝘽𝙮 𝙎𝙚𝙖 

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𝘽𝙮 𝙍𝙖𝙞𝙡 /𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣 

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𝘽𝙮 𝙍𝙤𝙖𝙙 .

𝘜𝘴𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘛𝘪𝘱𝘴 : xoxo xoxo xoxo

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𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗚𝗢 𝗔𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗨

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𝘽𝙮 𝘼𝙞𝙧 / 𝙁𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 —

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𝘽𝙮 𝙎𝙚𝙖 —

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𝘽𝙮 𝙍𝙖𝙞𝙡 /𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣 — 

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𝘽𝙮 𝘽𝙪𝙨 — 

𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗨 

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𝗟𝗨𝗫𝗨𝗥𝗬 𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗦 & 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗦

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𝗠𝗜𝗗-𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗦

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𝗕𝗨𝗗𝗚𝗘𝗧-𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗟𝗬 𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗦 

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𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗕𝗡𝗕 & 𝗩𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦

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𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦

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𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗦

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𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗧-𝗧𝗥𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗨

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Peru offers a great culinary experience. It is one of the countries in South America that has a truly defined cuisine. Peruvian food is a cuisine of opposites: hot and cold on the same plate, robust and delicate at the same time. No wonder that many Peruvian dishes are recognized globally. Lima, the capital city of Peru, is often noted as the food capital of South America. It is well worth spending time here exploring the wealth of great restaurants and markets on offer here.

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𝘾𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙪𝙖𝙣𝙤 - Ceviche is the most popular dish in Peru. In fact, it is considered the national dish and can be found throughout the country. Ceviche is a fresh raw seafood dish (often white fish) mixed with lime, chili peppers, aji, and other seasonings. Then garnished with thinly sliced red onion and cilantro. It is a unique dish with intense flavor. Ceviche is DELICIOUS, yum!

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𝙇𝙤𝙢𝙤 𝙎𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙖𝙙𝙤 𝙤𝙧 𝙎𝙩𝙞𝙧-𝙁𝙧𝙮 𝘽𝙚𝙚𝙛 - Lomo Saltado is a mix of Chinese stir-fry and classic Peruvian cuisine. It is made from marinated tender beef strips mixed with onions, tomatoes, aji chilies, and other spices. Occasionally, you will find Lomo Saltado made with alpaca meat. The ingredients are stir-fried together until the beef/alpaca meat is the right level of cooked and the tomatoes and onions turn into a gravy-like consistency. It serves with white steamed rice and french fries.

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𝘼𝙟𝙞 𝙙𝙚 𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙖 𝙤𝙧 𝘾𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙮 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙣 - This is another popular Peruvian dish that you can find across the country, from street food vendors to gourmet restaurants. Aji de gallina is made from shredded chicken breast and prepared with curry-style thick cream sauce. It serves with boiled potatoes and white rice, sometimes topped with boiled eggs and black olive too.

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𝘾𝙪𝙮 𝙤𝙧 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙂𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙖 𝙋𝙞𝙜 - Pronounced Kwee. Cuy is a unique Peruvian delicacy made from whole (fried or grilled) young guinea pigs. I understand the feeling of eating a dish made from a furry critter rodent may sound unconventional. It probably would help if you know that guinea pig is the second-largest source of meat in Peru, after alpaca. In fact, cuy is a staple food for Andean Peruvians for over 5,000 years. It is actually considered a delicacy dish.

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Cuy is prepared by squishing (under stones) and deep-frying or grilling the whole guinea pig. In traditional Peruvian cooking, cuy is stuffed with local herbs and slow-roasted over an open wood fire. It serves with potatoes or rice. And cuy is usually eaten by hands - it is acceptable even in gourmet restaurants.

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𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤 𝙖 𝙡𝙖 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙖 𝙤𝙧 𝙍𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙣 - 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤 𝙖 𝙡𝙖 𝘽𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙖 𝙤𝙧 𝙍𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙣 - Pollo a la Brasa is a Peruvian rotisserie chicken made with a marinade that consists of salt, pepper, huacatay (Peruvian mint), panca peppers, cumin, and other ingredients. It is a staple of Peruvian cuisine and one of the most popular fast foods in the country. What is so special about this rotisserie chicken? It is delicious comfort food. The secret remains in the marinated sauce and grilling method. You should go to a local Polleria to try an authentic traditional Pollo a la Brasa. The chicken is served with a side of french fries and salad - sliced tomatoes, lettuce, and sliced cucumbers with a vinaigrette dressing. 

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𝙋𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨 - And for a sweet treat in Peru, definitely try to pick up some picarones from a street vendor. These delicious desserts look like a doughnut but are actually a pastry made from sweet potato. They are served with a delightful sticky sugar cane sauce.

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𝙋𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙧 - Pisco is ultimately the Peruvian national spirit and an absolute South American favorite. Pisco sour is an alcoholic cocktail made from fermented and distilled grape spirit. Pisco must be aged for a minimum of three months in vessels that cannot in any way alter the flavor. The best pisco is generally acknowledged to come from the Ica Valley in Peru and the Elqui region of Chile. It is best consumed neat or in a Pisco Sour, including lime juice, sugar, and egg white. You definitely have to try a pisco sour when you travel to Peru or Chile, even if you are not a big fan of cocktails.

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𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗨

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What to pack and wear greatly depends on where you go, when you go, and what activities you do on your vacation. This ultimate packing guide consists of essential must-have items for most hot climates and tropical beach destinations. 

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Clothing is one of the hardest things to pack for traveling. You need to bring enough for the trip without over-packing. The struggle to pack light and still be cute is real, especially for women. I understand that perfectly. I hope this ultimate packing guide helps you for your next vacation to a tropical and beaches destination. 

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The secret to packing for vacation is to bring 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘦 clothing pieces. What are versatile clothes? They can be combined well with many other garments, worn for many occasions, and in different ways (opened, closed, or half-closed; layer on top or underneath; tucked-in or loose; belted or not, etc.). Choose neutral colors and basic style for a more effortless mix and match. Then add a few coordinated patterns and colors statement pieces to create cuter outfits.  

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🔸 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗙𝗙

• Copies of all important travel documents such as passport, visa - if applicable, and insurance. 
• Make a note of the hotel address & phone number (at least the first hotel).
• Airport transfer reservation & contact number.

🔸 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗚𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦

• Packing cubes
• Lightweight carry-on suitcase
• Day backpack = foldable
• Portable Travel Clothesline
• Microfibre towel
• Filtered reusable water bottle

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🔸  𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛𝗬 

• Medication & prescription 
• Imodium or other tummy meds, i.e., Pepto-Bismol
• Dramamine or other motion sickness meds
• First aid kit
• Reusable water bottle = filtered one if possible
• Streri-Pen or Life-straw for emergency
• Hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipe & disinfectant spray 

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🔸 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬

• Money belt or pocket bra
• Anti-theft crossbody
• RFID wallet or card wallet 
• VPN = virtual personal network 
• Lightweight combination locks - for a piece of mind when needed 
• Travel insurance

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🔸 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 - Everyone has different styles and preferences, so please adjust accordingly. The key to packing light is choosing versatile clothing pieces. And layering during a colder time when necessary. Always... Always pick comfortable items over style. Although it's possible to have both, comfort comes first.

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Choosing suitable fabrics is also important to keep you comfortable when traveling to tropical and hot climate destinations. My family and I are in the process of replacing most of our regular cotton and polyester blend with lightweight wool basic shirts and undergarments. It's an excellent investment.

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• Cotton blend, hemp, and linen are fantastic lightweight fabrics for low sweat activities. Choose wrinkle-resistant clothing pieces is super helpful, especially when traveling.
• Lightweight wool and bamboo fibers are great options for outdoor activities. 
• 𝗣𝗥𝗢 𝗧𝗜𝗣 - Good quality lightweight merino wool is AWESOME for any season and destination, even for summer and tropical places. YES, you read correctly. It keeps your body temperature cool when it's hot AND keeps you warm when it's cold. Not the thick and itchy wool of the past -- but rather thin, stretchy, super-soft to touch, breathable, natural anti-bacterial, moisture-wicking, UPF 50+, and wrinkle-resistant. Just like regular cotton shirts, only better. 

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𝙏𝙤𝙥 - Stick to plain neutral colors, versatile style, neutral coordinated patterns, and colors for statement pieces. 

• • Tank tops and no-sleeve tops
  • Short sleeve shirts 
  • Long sleeve shirts 
  • Button-down shirt = white, denim, or plaid flannel
  • Lightweight wool sweater = merino, cashmere, or alpaca

𝙀𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙖 𝙄𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙃𝙚𝙧 

• • Blouse 
  • Dress or jumpsuit 

𝘽𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙤𝙢 - I usually choose neutral darker colors like black, dark grey, navy, olive, dark beige. 

• • Short or Bermuda - quick drying 
  • Travel pants - water repellent - great for light hiking too 
  • Hiking & adventure pants - for more intensive hiking activities - water repellent, durable fabric
  • Lounge pants or comfy all-day sweat pants = great for almost everything, from hiking, walking, to sleeping
  • Legging - insect repellent legging is excellent for tropical destinations, especially if you have sensitive skin 
  • Skirt (for her) - mix short or knee-length and maxi

𝙊𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙇𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧 - lightweight and waterproof whenever possible. There are times when the weather is kind of chilly, even in tropical and hot climate destinations. 

• • Ultra-light rain jacket/windbreaker - for wet days and hiking
  • Vest
  • Hoodie - lightweight fleece or wool - for colder days
  • Cardigan - for her
  • Kimono - for her - dual function as a beach cover-up

𝙎𝙬𝙞𝙢 𝙒𝙚𝙖𝙧 & 𝙂𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨

• • Swimsuit or bikini - few pairs if you swim a lot
  • Rashguard - for intensive snorkeling 
  • Snorkeling gears - compact travel size
  • Dry bag
  • Beach cover-up 
  • Microfibre travel towel
  • Reef-safe sunscreen

𝙊𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙀𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡

• • Undergarments - made from lightweight wool whenever possible
  • Wool socks - yes, even for tropical & hot climate destinations
  • Pashmina or scarf - for HER
  • Hat
  • Eye mask 

𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨

• • Good Sunglasses 
  • Belt - money belt is a good idea
  • Crossbody bag - I have an anti-theft Pac Safe crossbody
  • Jewelry for her - 2-3 versatile pieces  

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🔸 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗘𝗦 & 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗟𝗦

• Comfortable lightweight walking shoes - sneaker or slip-on (waterproof whenever possible)
• OR Comfortable Flats - an alternative
• Sturdy lightweight hiking shoes - if you do intensive hiking and adventure activities 
• Comfortable travel sandals - leather with water repellent - great for any occasions / even semi-formal occasion
• Flip flops 
• Water shoes - for beach and water activities 

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🔸 𝗧𝗢𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦 & 𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗬

• High SPF sunscreen - bring many
• Bug repellent
• Deodorant
• Skin cares - that you can't live without - transfer it to travel size containers 
• Toiletries - travel size & get solid option over liquid whenever possible 
• Clear toiletries TSA-approved bag for liquid stuff  
• Toiletries bag = for other things - pick a style that can be hanging if possible
• Beauty and cosmetics for HER

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🔸 𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗦 & 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗣𝗛𝗬

• Universal travel adapter
• Power bank 
• Electronic devices + all chargers
• Photography gears = camera & lenses, GoPro for actions, smartphone, lightweight tripod or camera stick
• Camera bag / waterproof case for smartphone
• Headphones / earphones

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Happy packing!

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𝗕𝗨𝗗𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗨

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Optio, neque qui velit. Magni dolorum quidem ipsam eligendi, totam, facilis laudantium cum accusamus ullam voluptatibus commodi numquam, error, est. Ea, consequatur.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Optio, neque qui velit. Magni dolorum quidem ipsam eligendi, totam, facilis laudantium cum accusamus ullam voluptatibus commodi numquam, error, est. Ea, consequatur.

🔸 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗨

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Peru as a whole is a safe and welcoming country, and as long as you use common sense, you shouldn’t have a problem. Violent crime is rare in tourist destinations, but petty crime can occur. We all need to stay vigilant wherever we are, it doesn't matter in which country we are traveling. If you have any questions or concerns, ask local guides about best practices for staying safe in each area. They are locals from the regions and will have the best advice. 

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Here are some general tips on how to stay safe in Peru:

• Leave expensive jewelry and valuable at home.
• Use the hotel safe.
• Just carry enough cash for that day’s activities.
• Be alert to pick-pockets, keep things in front pockets. Consider using a money belt or anti-theft crossbody bag.
• Keep purses and handbags on your lap in restaurants rather than on the floor or back of your chair.
• When exploring inside the cities, take one credit or debit card with you and leave another in your hotel safe. Also, carry a copy of your passport and leave the original in the hotel safe.
• When traveling outside cities, you may want to take your original passport with you. A copy passport would suffice in most situations unless you visit specific places to bring the original one.
• Keep walking at night to a minimum – ask your hotel to arrange a taxi for you or use Uber.

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🔸 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗨

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