In May I finally visited South America for the first time. For the past few years we've gone for one long 2/3 week holiday rather than little and often: Thailand and Hong Kong in 2015, Vietnam, Cambodia and Hong Kong again (because it's just so cool) in 2016, and decided on 16 days in Peru for 2017. Wonderful, wonderful Peru. I'll be blogging aaall about our trip, from where we stayed to where we ate (it's a foodie heaven) and what we loved doing across the country, but the first port of call was the capital, Lima. After the 12 hour 35 minute direct flight from London, we jumped in an incredibly lax taxi (the driving there is insane) and checked into the modern, polished five star Westin hotel for a couple of nights.
Located in the San Isidro business district smack bang in the middle of the city, The Westin is housed in a glass and steel skyscraper with 301 rooms and suites spanning 30 floors alongside two restaurants, two bars, a heated indoor pool and luxurious spa, which I visited on our first day for a relaxing full body massage (my favourite way to get over jet lag). Our grand deluxe room featured a fluffy white king-size bed, a chic marble bathroom with double vanities, walk-in rain shower and a deep bath, and floor-to-ceiling windows with ace views across the sprawling city. Breakfasts are a healthy affair at the casual Market 770 restaurant, which serves some unusual dishes (sautéed beef at 8am, anyone?) alongside eggs, yoghurts, a yummy banana loaf, fresh bread, fruit and smoothies.
We went for an incredible tasting menu at The Westin's fine dining restaurant, Maras. The celebrated, Cordon Bleu-trained Peruvian chef Rafael Piqueras uses native ingredients and culinary traditions with modern, international influences, produce and wines. We started with a glass of Raventós i Blanc L'hereu cava from Spain with a cured white fish amuse-bouche, a tasty Amazonian tiradito, a warm octopus dish with Paracas beans and quite possibly the nicest soup I've ever had: aromatic creamy potato and vanilla served with Peruvian corn. The delicious dishes kept coming: grilled sweetbread followed by veal cheeks and corn, suckling pig and black beans, before finishing with goat's cheese and sapota fruit, and a selection of ice popsicles made from Peruvian fruit for desserts. The Westin and its outstanding restaurant both come highly recommended. As does Lima!
The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center, Calle Las Begonias 450. San Isidro, Cercado de Lima 15001, Peru
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