It is important to stay safe at home in 2020, but one of my favorite countries will be there to welcome travelers once again when this is all over: Peru! I’ve been fortunate to travel twice to Peru in recent years, exploring cities like Lima and Cusco, as well as the incredible archaeological sites such as Machu Picchu and more. This country is so rich in culture and there’s a vibrancy felt throughout that anyone can enjoy, especially with local guides who will show you the best of their country through their eyes.

The Peru tourism board was kind enough to send me a wonderful box of souvenirs to allow me to enjoy a small slice of Peru from home. Their #DreamThenTravel campaign is a perfect way to keep that feeling of wanderlust alive, and now is a great time to add to your bucket lists. I hope you consider a trip to Peru in the future, here’s just a small taste of what you can expect…

A really fun way to enjoy Peru right now is through these incredible 360 images. From cities, to rural landscapes, and even inside cathedrals, you will get a wonderful sense of what Peru really looks like. And thanks to this handy Virtual Reality Headset they sent me, these images have come to life even more; I’m now dreaming of my next Peruvian getaway!

VR Headsets don’t have to be expensive and Amazon offers cardboard versions which would be fun for the whole family, as well as VR goggles to specifically view with your iPhone or Android phone. Speaking of family fun, I loved this adorable stuffed toy llama that came in this package which takes me back to my memories of Machu Picchu.

Why a llama? Well, llamas might be the most beloved animals in the Andes, and there are several that call Machu Picchu home. Photographing the llamas at this bucket-list worthy place is such a fun experience, and some even enjoy posing for you! They are friendly and independent animals who will allow you to approach and observe, just be sure to give them enough space. Interesting fact: despite the high altitude at Machu Picchu, which makes breathing for most animals very difficult, llamas are able to live comfortably here thanks to the large amounts of hemoglobin in their blood.

One of the best ways to enjoy a taste of Peru at home is through their delicious coffee. Peruvian coffee is known for being mild and sweet, and Java Planet sells some of the best coffee that you can have access to outside of the country. This is a family owned business that has been providing 100% certified organic company to people since 2009.

Their Peru Organic is a medium dark roast with sweet floral undertones, full body, and a smooth, balanced flavor. They are also fair trade certified which means that they produced this coffee in Peru with only the best socially and environmentally responsible farmers. In other words, companies like Java Planet care about ending and preventing poverty, sweatshop labor conditions, and depletion of environmental resources. I highly recommend buying some for yourself so you get excited about all the fantastic coffee there is to experience once you’re in Peru!

If coffee isn’t your thing, do not worry because there is another very well known drink in Peru that you might prefer instead. A classic Peruvian Pisco Sour is *the* best cocktail to enjoy while traveling throughout this beautiful country. It is the perfect balance of sweet and sour, and it pairs well with most of Peru’s delectables dishes. After all, it is the national drink of Peru!

Not only did my package come with all the ingredients to make my own Pisco Sour at home, but they provided an easy recipe I can share with all of you…

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Pisco (Barsol is easy to find in the U.S.)
• 1 oz Fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz Simple syrup
• Egg white
• Garnish: bitters

Steps:

1. Gather your ingredients
2. Add the Pisco, simple syrup, lime juice, and egg white to a cocktail shaker
3. Add ice and shake vigorously
4. Strain into a glass and sprinkle the Angostura bitters on top of the foam
5. Serve and enjoy!

If you’re interested in more of my Peru content, you can find all of those articles here. I hope you consider traveling to Peru in the future to enjoy one of the most visually stunning and fascinating countries in South America!