Goldring Travel is excited to announce its 2022 Culinary & Cultural Journey on the brand new Seabourn Venture departing on a 14 day journey starting on October 12, 2022 from Barbados to Callao (Lima), Peru filled with truly unique culinary, cultural and expedition experiences. I always ask, “What is your luxury?” Well, this journey will fulfill “your luxury” whatever it may be!

This is going to be a truly a multi-cultural experience combining Caribbean, Central American, Colombian and Western South American cuisines with numerous indigenous and Spanish-related cultures…and, of course, combining that with the luxury expedition experience that only the Seabourn Venture and Seabourn’s Expedition Team can provide: Incredible wildlife (birds, sloths, sea turtles, penguins, etc.), gorgeous beaches, dense jungles, petrified forests, and more along with classic Spanish colonial mansions, ancient cities and temples, as well as lazy shoreside towns.

 You can read all about the Seabourn Venture in my article:  Seabourn Venture Expedition Ship and Program: Everything You Want to Know! (Update I)

Here is a brief description of the Goldring Travel 2022 Culinary & Cultural Cruise…I mean Expedition!:

Departing from Bridgetown, Barbados with two sea days to relax and enjoy the Seabourn Venture we will arrive at Santa Marta, Colombia, the second oldest city in South America, with a rich history of both indigenous culture and Conquistador domination, gorgeous beaches and dense jungle and, of course, the Museo de Oro (Gold Museum) and the picturesque town of Minca. I must mention Santa Marta is famous for its street food!

The island of Bocas del Toro, Panama, called “The Galapagos of the Caribbean” is next. It has beautiful beaches, but also mangroves and abundant wildlife (birds, sea turtles, a beach full of starfish and numerous sloths, and more) along with numerous indigenous cultures and plenty of opportunities to purchase handicrafts. Colorful coral reefs waiting for you to snorkel or, possibly, scuba dive.

But there is more to do! Seabourn Venture has two submarines so you can truly have a deep dive into the Caribbean coral reefs in a champagne-laden underwater adventure!

Always a favorite, the Seabourn Venture will then make a full transit of the Panama Canal; the perfect time for a Goldring Travel Private Event as we spend the day enjoying this Travel List must do.

After a day at sea we arrive at Manta, Ecuador for an overnight stay. Manta is known, in part, for its tuna fishing fleet, charter fishing (if you interested in catching – and releasing – a marlin), the Pacoche Reserve with hundreds of bird species, howler monkeys, wild cats, deer, and more. Manta is also known for its vibrant nightlife with many small restaurants that feature their own encebollado (tuna soup) recipes and other fresh seafood.

Encebollado – Ecuadorian Tuna Soup

Machala (Puerto Bolivar), Ecuador is next. Known as the Banana Capital of the World and large exporter of wild shrimp, it is also home to Petrified Forest Puyango, which has the largest collection of fossil trees in the world. Close by is Isla del Amor with vibrant birdlife, which I am confident the Expedition team will lead us in exploring.

It is then off to Isla Lobos de Tierra, Peru, an island about eight miles off the coast of Peru. You will notice the temperatures cool as the Humbolt Current brings cold water (and nutrients) to the surface so the birdlife is amazing. Peruvian pelicans, Peruvian and Blue-footed Boobies, guanay cormorants, and other seabirds. It is a perfect location for zodiac exploration and walks along the guano-laden nesting areas. This is sure to be an amazing day!

The next day is a dramatic change as we arrive in Trujillo (Salaverry), Peru.  Founded by conquistadors it is famous for its colonial mansions and numerous archaeological sites, including the  Chimú capital of Chan Chan. (The Chimu Civilization dominated the area prior to the Incas.)

Chimú capital of Chan Chan

Believe it or not, we are not done. Our last day affords us a morning at Isla Guanape, Peru; a four-island area with huge populations of seabirds and wildlife including pelicans, boobies, Humboldt penguins, and Southern sea lions. Yes, that’s right, this is a great opportunity to see penguins…swimming underwater in the Seabourn Venture submarine!

Our Expedition and Culinary & Cultural Expedition in Callao, Peru which is only 45 minutes from Lima, Peru. If there is sufficient interest, an overnight in Lima may be arranged so that Lima’s culinary mastery can be enjoyed. Lima, Peru is one of the culinary capitals of the world combining its indigenous, Spanish, and Japanese (yup!) cuisines and cultures to create culinary magic. Lima also has a rich history that is well worth exploring. 

Peruvian Cuisine in Lima, Peru with all ingredients from the Andes and/or Amazon

If anyone is interested in extending this experience sailing further down to San Antonio, Chile, or even to Ushuaia, Argentina, and then onto Antarctica, please let me know.  Interested in a post-journey experience to Machu Picchu or the Galapagos Islands? Goldring Travel can make that happen too!

Pricing for the Goldring Travel 2021 Culinary & Cultural Cruise starts at $9,999 + $1,040 in taxes per person for a Veranda Suite.  BONUS:  If you were booked on the now canceled December 2021 Seabourn Venture Inaugural Cruise you can rebook onto the Goldring Travel 2022 Culinary & Cultural Expedition and may save an additional 10%!