Peru, located in South America, is a must stop for those wanting 5 formidable experiences all in the same country.

From deserts to ancient ruins in mystical mountains, or again floating islands and deep canyons, Peru will have you tick off so many bucket list moments.

I was blessed to have visited this beautiful country which I rate as one of my best trips to date.

Here are 5 amazing things you should do in Peru to create lasting memories:

1. Sandboarding & riding the dunes in Huacachina

Huacachina is an extraordinary natural oasis. Yes, a small community of people living in the middle of a desert with beautiful dunes and infinite opportunities to enjoy this unique landscape.

It is a popular stop for those who have a sense of adventure or simply enjoy trying something different so make the most of it. Whilst there, take a desert tour on the buggies and make the sand dunes your roller coaster. A seasoned driver will take you to the desert and literally race up and down the sand dunes which I can assure you is an incredible amount of fun! After that you will stop in the middle of the desert and get the chance to sandboard down the dunes, which once again is an extremely fun activity even if you are a total beginner like me!

After all the frolics in the sun, be sure to stop for a mini photoshoot with the oasis in the distance, reminding you how awesome this location is. For a full immersion, spend the night there to experience life by an oasis.

 

 

2. Colca Canyon in Arequipa

Here you’ll be on set of the perfect scene for a national geographic feauture. Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons of the world where youâ€ll see eagles in their natural habitat, villages nestled in the mountains and beautiful valleys.

You can either book a bus tour or stop at incredible viewpoints to see the canyon and its wildlife, and if youâ€re hard-core, you can trek it. And yes, I did the 2 day trek! Though, in my humble opinion, you do need a decent level of fitness to do this – your girl was struggling a little! And to keep a long story short, I was advised to go back up on a mule for day two… That aside it was an emotionally charged yet beautiful experience. Youâ€ll also get the chance to stop by hot springs and relax in the beautiful surroundings.

 

3. The floating islands in Puno

You may have heard of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world but have you heard of the floating islands? In search for safety, a group of indigenous people decided to set base on the lake, building their own artificial islands out of reed. And incredibly, a little community started to form and today you can go to Lake Titicaca and see these for yourself. Admittedly, the first few youâ€ll see are said to be quite touristy as the ‘islanders†show off their handmade embroideries and knick-knacks for people to buy. However, you canâ€t help but be amazed at the sight of people living in reed huts on one of the largest lakes in the world – it is certainly an alternative way of life.

 

 

4. The Salkantay Trek in Cusco

We will soon discuss the jewel of Peru, Machu Picchu, but those planning a trip to Cusco often choose to complete a trek to get an atmospheric take on the sacred valleys of Cusco. This gives you the chance to see more incredible ruins and what life in the Andes mountains is like.

Personally, I did the Salkantay trek and would highly recommend it – expect to see amazing rivers, Peruvians who have made the mountains their home and youâ€ll also get the chance to sleep under the stars, once again, having an experience of a lifetime.

 

 

 

5. The incredible ruins of Machu Picchu

Now we reach the crescendo, the piece the resistance, the chef dâ€oeuvre, the mystical Machu Picchu.

If you’ve not heard of Machu Picchu yet then donâ€t worry, I gotcha. Machu Picchu is a UNESCO site and one of the ‘modern’ wonders of the world.

Imagine going up an extremely steep mountain range, far up beyond the trees and high into the skies – where there is nothing left but wild vegetation to then discover the ruins of a whole town and ancient civilisation hidden in the heavens. Et voila – there is Machu Picchu in all its glistening beauty.

Whilst it was built centuries ago, the skill and ingenuity it would have taken to build homes and temples, aligned with movements of the sun which includes natural stone-based cooling and heating systems, sun dials and impressive architectural feats is nothing short of a miracle.

 

 

Wow, I want to back! …have I convinced you to go yet?

So – onto the practical bit. Here are some musts before heading out there:

• Make the most of your time in Peru by flying into Lima and traveling around Peru towards Cusco. This will give you the chance to visit all the places I mentioned
• If visiting Machu Pichu, give yourself time to adapt to the altitude. Chances are, your body will not be used to the altitude so you will need to allow 3 days or more at a lower altitude before heading there or you could suffer from altitude sickness
• If you do plan on doing the trek, do so with a tour group you trust as it will be around 3 days long and will include camping outdoors so make sure you are in good hands!
• If you are from Europe or the US, no visas are required – yay!
• YOU MUST ABSOLUTELY TRY THE FOOD – I had no idea of what to expect from the food out there and wrongly assumed it would be the refried beans and rice. My oh My – was I wrong?! The food there was absolutely incredible, from Ceviche, to Llomo saltado, sweet potato crisps or quinoa pancakes. To be honest, Iâ€m yet to find a Peruvian restaurant in Europe that does their food justice as it is truly amazing!
• Where to stay? It very much depends on what route you take, I mainly stuck to hostel which were affordable with a combination of hotels in Cusco and Arequipa

 

This post was contributed by Guest Blogger Nasir Fleming – @nasirfleming

 

Exploring Budapest: Soul Food, Castles and Baths

 

I would love to give Budapest the grand introduction that it deserves, but if this city were a person, it would be humbly chic and would oppose unnecessary formalities.

 

It will suffice to say that Budapest puts off an enchanted and antique vibe while simultaneously being hip. This Eastern European gem is the hipster sister of the other European capitals.

 

Get A Bang For Your Buck:

 

Budapest is by far the cheapest European capital that I have visited; it is a destination where budgeting is manageable.

Here is a rough outline of pricing during my trip (in USD):

 

• Accommodation: Maverick City Lodge ($40 a night for a private room for 2 guests… $20 each)

 

• Average Meal at a Restaurant: $10

 

• A Ticket for a Bus or Trolley: $1.50

 

• A Beer at a Bar: $2

 

Budapest was actually reported to be the cheapest city for alcoholic drinks by The Telegraph.

 

Soul Food?:

 

After living in France for six months, I began to miss a few things from home – especially the food. Although I am from Connecticut, my tummy belongs to Southern food. Out of desperation and curiosity, I did a Google search for “Southern Food in Budapest.” Oddly enough, there was a “soul food” joint right next to our hostel. We quickly modified our afternoon plans to check it out. I arrived without any expectations; I had no sense of how I should feel about a Southern cuisine spot in Eastern Europe, but I was open to trying it.

 

The food was quite awesome; it definitely served its purpose for me, so I will not complain too much. But, I will admit that labeling it as “soul food” initially confused me because it was a hybrid of soul food, Cajun, and Caribbean food. I later found out that the restaurant markets itself as a Cajun and Creole hybrid and is owned by a European man.

 

If youâ€re ever in Budapest, stop by the restaurant and let me know what your thoughts are!

 

 

The Thermal Baths and Spas:

 

The baths are one of Budapestâ€s biggest attractions. Although there are plenty of options scattered throughout the city, one of the most renowned is Széchenyi Thermal Baths. This location offers more than a dozen pools and saunas. Beware of the mint sauna; although it was my favorite part of this excursion, mint and 90 degree steam can be overwhelming to many senses at once.

 

 

Buda Castle:

 

The creation of Budapest did not happen until 1873 when the two cities (Buda and Pest) were merged. On the western side of the now-jointed city lies Buda Castle, which overlooks a stunning river and the other side of the city. After taking in the beauty and the historical significance of this site, it makes for a wonderful backdrop for a photoshoot.

 

 

Overall, I felt comfortable in Budapest. I felt free.

 

Although there were not many people of color, my mind was at ease. For me, navigating through this rather homogenous city was less stressful than being in the multiethnic or multiracial cities in France. There were less microaggressions here than in France, where women would aggressively grab and hide their purses as they passed me on the street or where businessmen would clench their wallet inside of their pocket upon seeing my Black skin. I am sure that the people of color who live in Budapest probably deal with forms of prejudice, but they went over my head as a first time visitor.

 

P.S. If you have the chance, check out the ruin bars. Drinking $2 beers in buildings that were abandoned during World War II is an exciting experience.

 

This post was contributed by Guest Blogger Nasir Fleming – @nasirfleming

These days, we use our phones for a lot more than just communication. Itâ€s probably true for the majority of us that phone calls are probably the last reason we carry our devices. But our phones can do more for us than supply us with new memes and never-ending Instagram stories. Thereâ€s an ever-growing list of apps that are ideal for travelers, from the initial planning stages of your trip to wrapping up finances at the end of your journey.

Obviously youâ€ve heard of ultra-necessary apps like Hotels.com, Skyscanner and Google Maps. Weâ€ve rounded up a few more apps that you may not have downloaded yet that we have personally found to make our adventures run a little smoother.

Google Translate

We are definitely proponents for doing your best to communicate with locals in their native tongue, but not all of us are skilled linguists. After downloading your desired language packs, this app can help you with translating a wide range of languages, even without a data connection. Canâ€t read a sign or menu? Just open the camera feature and snap a pic – the app will translate the text for you. Not sure how to pronounce something? Google Translate even has a sound option for those trickier translations.

Fancy Units

I know there are specific currency converter apps out there, but Fancy Units does a lot more than just currency. For those of us (Americans) who are still using miles and Fahrenheit, the length, speed and temperature conversion options are super handy while abroad. You can compare up to three currencies at a time, and the design is clean, color-coded and beautiful.

Splitwise

This is the ideal app for those instances when you are traveling with a friend or a group. When it comes to sharing expenses, traveling with friends can rack up a lot of IOUs, and itâ€s tricky when youâ€re dealing with one currency – not to mention when youâ€re switching from USD to rupiah to baht and back. Enter Splitwise. You can keep track of each expense, and at the end of the trip, the app will do all the math for you. It saves time…and quite possibly, your relationships.

Cool Cousin

Sure, we love TripAdvisor, but sometimes you have to sift through a lot of dirt to find a gem. Cool Cousin offers unexpected, hip spots recommended by savvy, trendsetting locals. If youâ€re looking to get away from the tourist track, check in with Cool Cousin.

Sidekix

This app in no ordinary route planner app. For those of us who like to get a little exercise and get to know a new place on foot, Sidekix helps you plan the best way to get somewhere, based on your interests and preferences. Headed to a nearby art gallery but want to grab a coffee first? Sidekix has curated suggestions from in-the-know locals, so you can get the most out of your wanderings.

Airbnb

We all know and love Airbnb for itâ€s ability to score us some of our favorite unique villas and hotels around the world. They have now launched their in-app Trips feature to offer specialized experiences. From cooking to art classes, the feature allows you to select experiences hosted by locals, giving you the opportunity to truly be a part of the community youâ€re visiting.
To know more visit our Airbnb Review.

 

Smooth travels, kids!

“You have to learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable; itâ€s the only way to grow…” -Jeroson Williams

In May 2014, Taylor Harris and Jeroson Williams stepped off the commencement stage of Morehouse College onto a one-way flight to Peru. Leaving their degrees and luxuries behind, the pair set out for what would soon become a trip of a lifetime. They were headed to the World Cup.

Birth of a book

The former biology majors loosely planned for South America before graduation. Their only mission then was to catch a few games and take a few cool pictures along the way. During the six hour flight from Atlanta to Lima, though, the expedition took on a new goal, or gól. Photographer Taylor Harris thought stadium games would be a bit cliché, so he set out to discover alternative locations to experience the excitement of the World Cup.   He wanted to fully capture the passion, people and pride.

“There are unforeseen moments that show both pride for oneâ€s country and for futbol that are incomparable to anything else in the world,” said Harris. These moments ranged from taxi drivers honking horns when the team scored to little kids wearing their superhero futbol playerâ€s jersey.

These same moments inspired the photography book Orgólho.  The title was conceived using a clever spin on the Portuguese word for pride, “orgulho,” and the Spanish word for goal, “gól”.  Creating the book was a minor task compared to the adventure at hand.

Backpacking through South America

In 53 days, the Atlanta natives traveled to six South American countries by plane, bus and train with one backpack each. From frigid outdoor hostels in Chile to hippy surf towns in Ecuador, the young travelers encountered several obstacles, including sickness, danger and financial setbacks. They also encountered several opportunities to help reshape foreigners†perception of Black Americans and to take amazing photographs.

The new documentarians returned to the U.S. with priceless memories, unique photographs and a few tips on making the most out of a backpacking experience.

• Use Common Cents. Always over budget, even if you plan down to the cents; there will always be an unexpected curve ball. Have an emergency stash ready in addition to extra spending money.
• Sleep Cheap. Hostels may seem a bit tacky to some, but it is one of the best ways to get teh center-city experience and meet other frugal, young travelers.
• Stay Away from the Cliché. Open up your pallet, and take a bite of the unexplored. Be prepared to try new things.
• Google. Read. Repeat. Although the limitless agenda is dreamy, more planning equals a smoother trip. Use sites like Travel Noire, Yelp and Hostel-World to get a feel for whatâ€s available in your surroundings.
• Be Creative. Be Strategic. Look up events happening across the country, like soccer games or carnivals, to experience local culture and to get the most out of your trip.

Williams and Harris are now transitioning into the world of medicine and technology but hope the Orgólho story will live on.

Visit www.orgolho.com to see images from the young travelers†adventure.  www.orgolho.com.

Photo credit: Taylor Harris

 

Have you ever wondered what Festival to go to when in Africa?

 

Many African cultures hold traditional festivals in a bid to keep their art and traditions alive. In the 21st century, music festivals across the continent have built on that tradition and have become premier cultural and tourist events throughout the region.

 

We bring you a list of music festivals to add to your bucket list.

Asa Baako– One Dance Festival : Ghana

When: March 

This celebration of local culture takes place in the village of Busua in Ghanaâ€s Western Region, renown for its beautiful beaches. The festival features a Jungle Party and activities ranging from treks and beach parties, to yoga and cinema. Dubbed the “Party with a Purpose,” Asa Baakoâ€s operations revolve around celebrating local African art, conservation, and social inclusion.

 

Lake of Stars: Malawi

When: September 

The Lake of Stars Music + Arts Project is not only run along the shores of Lake Malawi, but also holds events around Europe. The festival aims to introduce local Malawian artists to a global audience and encourage cultural tourism to the country. International headliners have included Kâ€Naan, Uhuru, and Toya Delazy.

 

 

Bushfire: Swaziland

When: 

This three-day music and arts festival invites revelers to “Bring Your Fire.” It features theatre, music, poetry, art exhibitions, and workshops. Family entertainment, puppetry, and storytelling make this event kid friendly, so the whole family can join in the fun. This yearâ€s impressive line-up includes South Africaâ€s Mafikizolo, Estere (New Zealand), Cold Specks (Canada), as well as other others stars from around the world.

Harare International Festival of the Arts: Harare, Zimbabwe

When: TBA

The Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) is a six day festival and workshop that aims at showcasing the best in art, music, poetry, circus, fashion, street performances, theatre, and dance. The event also attempts to unify disparate ideological groups in Zimbabwe. Past performances have included M.anifest (Ghana), Pan (Zimbabwe), and Zal Sissokho (Canada/ Senegal).

Essaouira Gnaoua World Music Festival: Morocco

When: May 

First launched in 1988, the Essaouira Gnaoua World Music Festival is celebrating its eighteen year anniversary, by hosting musical performances from Gnaoua artists, as well as acts from Morocco, Guadalupe, France, and Denmark. The best part? Entry to the festival is free! The festival will also host an Annual Forum on the role of women in entrepreneurship and innovation, and their role in socio-economic development in African countries.

 

 

Gnaoua music festiva

 

Cape Town Jazz Festival: Cape Town, South Africa

When: April 

The festival has several events including a free concert, photo exhibition, gala dinner, and a golf day.  Past events have featured impressive musical line-up such as SWV, Angie Stone, Mafikizolo among other acts from around Africa and the world, a fact which leaves little doubt as to why this festival has been repeatedly ranked as one of the best in the world (Worldâ€s Best Festivals, Fest300 2016).

Vic Falls Carnival: Zimbabwe

When: December 

The three day carnival at gorgeous Victoria Falls is undoubtedly one of the best ways to usher in the New Year. This family-friendly event has, in the past, included a Steam Train and Secret Bush Party, several parties around town, and culminates in an epic New Yearâ€s Party. Acts have included Jason Le Roux, Bhana, and Judgement Yard.

Felabration: Nigeria

When: October 

Felabration celebrates the life and influence of Fela Kuti. The festival, which is held a week long event, has previously attracted industry greats such as Hugh Masekela, Asa, Les Nubians, as well as Femi and Seun Kuti, just to name a few. It uses a multi-faceted approach to celebrating African art and culture by hosting symposiums, debates, art exhibitions, and the Fela Street Carnival Parade.

AfrikaBurn: Tankwa Karoo, South Africa

When: April 

The celebration of art and culture that includes art, burning sculptures, music, and even mutant vehicles, all held in a temporary city in Tankwa. No vendors are allowed, and nothing is on sale. Instead, it runs on a ‘gift economy,†where people give without expecting anything in return.

 

 

 

The CHALE WOTE Street Art Festival

When: Summer (July / August)

The festival includes street painting, graffiti murals, photo exhibitions, interactive installations,
a food and fashion marketplace, live street performances, extreme sports, African film shows, street boxing,
a fashion parade, a music block party, recyclable design workshops and much more.More than 200 Ghana-based and international artists take part in the event every year