Featured Traveler: Craig, from Dallas

Peru definitely left a positive impression on Craig, from Dallas. And Craig certainly left a positive impression on Peru as well. From the locals to his fellow Zoom Vacations travelers, Craig truly had all of those around him laughing many times on this trip. Now back in the real world (Dallas) Craig has some time to talk with us about his experience in Peru.

Zoom: What was the highlight of the whole trip?

Craig: This is hard to answer as there were so many magical moments to be savored each day. The sites, the Peruvian people, the gastronomy, the accommodations, the fellow Zoomers were all fantastic! If I did pick one thing it was Machu Pichu. The majesty of the setting, the wonderment of the architecture, and the spiritual experience made a lasting impression on me.

Craig, on Wayna Picchu

Zoom: How was the flow of the trip? Lima to Sacred Valley to Cusco

Craig: The flow of the trip was just right. It was an active trip with plenty to see and absorb. Also, if I needed down time, it was there for the taking. A perfect blend for me.

Zoom: How does Peru compare to other places you have been?

Craig: Machu Pichu was a bucket list item for me and boy did it deliver! What I hadn't anticipated was how much I would fall in love with Peru. There is just this certain energy of the country and her people that I found inviting and has remained in my heart. I suspected I would love Machu Pichu, but I didn't expect to be so taken in by the entire country with each region having its own charming attributes and amazing food!

I have traveled extensively in Europe and this was my first South American adventure. While I love Europe, I can say that this has increased my interest in South America and I look forward to expanding my travels there. I guess I would say there is a different tempo that I thoroughly enjoyed in Peru.

Zoom: Did you feel welcome by the locals in all destinations?

Craig: Most definitely. The Peruvian people are warm and inviting. Their eyes would smile as you met them on the streets. Our Peruvian guides were incredible in providing the history and also as people. For me, it is a good sign if you want to stay and have a drink with your Peruvian guide and connect with them on a personal level.

Zoom: What was your best meal?

Craig: This is very hard to answer as each stop had amazing food. I feel like there should have been a Peruvian food porn blog we could have uploaded all our meals. If I had to pick one, I would say it was the first night at the colonial mansion in Lima. I think this may be the case because it was the initial excitement of the trip, the beautiful mansion, attentive staff and meeting my fellow travelers.

Zoom: Was there anything you like more than you thought you would?

Craig: Yes. Cuy (guinea pig). I told all my friends before I left there was no way I would try that meat. Then, as we stopped at this delightful stop in the Sacred Valley and the aroma of cuy was in the air and everyone was tasting it, I dove in. It was much tastier than I imagined and a good reminder for me to be open to all experiences!

Zoom: How was Peru different than you thought it would be?

Craig: Hard to describe. It was much more inviting, and more interesting. It is not just Machu Pichu.

Zoom: Did anything go wrong during the trip?

Craig: A rain storm had the hotel water go out part of the day at Machu Pichu. It also washed part of the train tracks out so our train was delayed. The benefit of the Zoom staff working on our behalf was that after hiking Waynu Pichu, and needing a shower, we were allowed to have a late check out since the train was delayed. All ended up well and we (travelers) didn't have to think about anything. Thanks Zoom!

Zoom: What advice to do you have to people traveling to Peru?

Craig: GO NOW! You will not be disappointed. Also, Machu Pichu may have to start limiting people to get in so I say do not wait.

Zoom: How was it traveling part of a gay group?

Craig: This was my first ever gay group tour and I went by myself. I am not going to lie, I was nervous heading down to Peru, but I could not have had a better experience - it was great! The people on the tour were wonderful! I never felt like the "single guy" and it is always good to make new friends who share a love for travel!

Zoom: What about COVID and how much did it impact the experience?

Craig: Covid is Covid. Each destination has its protocols. In Peru you had to wear a KN95 mask or double mask at airports and museums. It wasn't bad at all and I thought it might be. Zoom arranged for our PCR test back to the States to that was easy. Before I might have thought Covid would deter my travel, at this point, it will not deter me from future travel.

Zoom: What would you like your next destination with Zoom to be?

Craig: Is there help for a Zoom addiction as I believe I may have it?! This trip was 5 star amazing all the way! I can't decide my next Zoom trip, but at top of the list is: India Holi Festival, an African Safari (now to decide which option), Morocco, Vietnam, Egypt......so many amazing choices!

Featured Traveler: Kent, from Emmitsburg, MD

This was Kent and Will's first Zoom Vacation, and they were so much fun to have on the trip, we certainly hope it will not be their last.  Kent shared with us his thoughts on gay travel and Peru.

Zoom:  Why did you decide to take this trip with Zoom Vacations?

Kent:  It was a kind of last minute decision to go to Peru after our trip to Puerto Rico was cancelled because of the hurricane. Peru is someplace we had wanted to visit and we liked the idea of a pre-planned trip.

Zoom:  Was this your first time in Peru?

Kent:  Yes it was - we have a good friend who had fallen in love with the country years ago and he had really piqued our interest in a visit.

Zoom:  Was coming during American Thanksgiving a good choice?  Why?

Kent:  For us, we were not loving the idea of spending Thanksgiving in the U.S. - we typically host a big event so the idea of NOT doing that and letting someone else worry about it was an appealing change from our routine.

Zoom:  Did having a Zoom Concierge (Bryan) make a difference in your trip?

Kent:  Bryan was really fun to travel with and he was a great resource during the trip if any problems came up and we needed help with something. Having made the trip before, he was a great source of information and in addition, he was charming and funny too.

Zoom:  Did the hotels live up to your expectations?

Kent:  We found all the hotels to be really nice and definitely the kind of places we would look for when we travel. They were all a little different but definitely comfortable and luxurious. 

Zoom:  How about Machu Picchu?

Kent:  We found it to be a wondrous place and really enjoyed the trip, although I have to say I enjoyed some of the other sites we visited just as much. I feel like we would have missed a lot of out-of-the-way spots if it wasn’t for our Zoom guides. Everything was really effortless and I didn’t really find it to be too much - there were plenty of opportunities to skip excursions or stops if the mood struck you.

Zoom:  What were your favorite parts of the trip?

Kent:  We enjoyed Cusco very much and definitely the food - I had heard that Peruvian food was good and I was not disappointed. Very good quality and lots of opportunities to try things that featured local ingredients and traditions. The coco and muna tea was really refreshing and kind of nice change from coffee drinking.

Zoom:  What were some of your biggest “wow” moments?

Kent:  We found the whole sacred valley was pretty amazing with lots of incredible vistas of cities built on the tops and hanging off the sides of mountains, and so on. Personally, being a little afraid of heights, it was a little dizzying at times but that could have been the altitude.

Zoom:  How were the other people on the trip?

Kent:  We met some very interesting and charming people in our group and I really enjoyed the size - we only had 12 on our tour and it was a good number. I definitely met some interesting people that I wouldn’t have an opportunity to meet at home.

Zoom:  Will you be taking another trip with Zoom Vacations?  To where?

Kent:  For us, I think Zoom is the perfect trip to make to places where the logistics of travel might be a little daunting. We both have busy jobs and getting time off is always a challenge, so having everything pre-arranged with so much attention to detail is a real luxury and well worth the money. 

I like the fact that the company is a 'pop&pop’ operation and we like supporting gay businesses.  I also felt confident that Bryan would keep us out of trouble.  We’d like to try a trip to Africa and India in the future.