Peru: An Odyssey Across a Time-Honored Land

Peru has long captivated travelers with its rich culture, awe-inspiring landscapes, and boundless sense of adventure. Now, with Belmond as your guide, the country reveals itself through a curated collection of iconic properties and exclusive train journeys. Experience the elegance of Miraflores Park in Lima, the majestic heights of Machu Picchu, the luxurious Andean Explorer train, and tranquil Las Casitas in the Colca Canyon, as this book seamlessly blends Peru's vibrant traditions with Belmond's signature style and hospitality. With text by journalist Catherine Contreras, your trusted travel companion, Peru: An Odyssey across a Time-Honored Land invites you on an unforgettable journey that will ignite your wanderlust and inspire you long after the journey ends. Part of Assouline's new series with Belmond, the book reshapes the traveler's mindset, and the reader becomes something beyond a tourist, someone who seeks, explores, learns, and connects. The transformation may occur over a meal at Mauka-a celebration of Cusco on a plate. Or during the cacao scrub, which employs the rare Chuncho variety, at Rio Sagrado. Perhaps it is the moment overlooking Machu Picchu at sunrise when words escape and time stands still. When the journey comes to an end, the transformation is complete, and the visitor returns home forever changed, with a broader perspective, a deeper understanding, and a revived outlook on the world. Making stops at six hotels and traveling via two trains, the perfect Peruvian itinerary awaits. Peru: An Odyssey across a Time-Honored Land is part of Assouline's new Legendary Destinations series as part of the Classics Collection, which celebrates the lifestyle and history of Belmond's most iconic properties through the lens of contemporary travel. Striking imagery and thoughtful storytelling transport the reader to magical locales and one-of-a-kind experiences. The books offer richly colored covers complete with a compelling photo that acts as a window into this world. These timeless keepsakes are designed to capture the essence of each destination and become an enduring part of the guest experience. AUTHOR: From Lima, Catherine Contreras is an experienced journalist who built much of her career at El Comercio newspaper and currently works as the associate editor at El Trinche, a digital platform bringing together culture and food. She cofounded La Higuera, a digital platform that seeks to highlight the work of women in gastronomy. Contreras holds a communications degree from the University of Lima and teaches journalism workshops, sharing her passion for storytelling with the next generation. She has published several books, including 100 Places to Enjoy a Good Pisco in Lima (Planeta, 2014), Our Pleasure (PromPerú, 2018), and more recently The Bar Guide Lima Peru (El Trinche, 2025). Contreras was a guest commentator on Netflix's Street Food: Lima. When she is not writing, she's traveling. Her truest inspiration, through all the journeys, stories, and projects, is her daughter, Michelle. 150 illustrations