My family and I spent an amazing week at Cusco Villas - and the experience was truly unforgettable. The property is even more unbelievable in-person than in the pictures. Gustavo has created a magical, tranquil oasis in the Sacred Valley. The sprawling property consists of a luxurious home surrounded by your very own botanical garden. There really are just too many details to describe - the sounds of the stream that winds alongside the property, the hidden alcoves where you can sit in quiet reflection, the multiple water features, the fireplaces, the incredible showers... I could go on and on.
Aside from the stunning property, what truly made this vacation so memorable was the time that we spent with the incredible people at Cusco Villas. Gustavo was a superb host with a magnetic personality - answering questions months prior to our arrival, taking time to review my trip itinerary, making invaluable suggestions, and always a text message away. He warmly greeted us when we arrived at Cusco Villas, giving us a tour of his property, and he was there to see us off on our last day. He regaled us with fascinating stories and he quickly felt like an old friend.
Sharme - the multi-talented house manager / executive chef - was always available to fulfill any request, big or small. She greeted us each morning with a delicious breakfast. Her skills in the kitchen were spectacular and she would prepare the most amazing meals - among the best we had on our entire trip. From homemade stuffed-crust pizzas to lomo saltado - each meal was an inviting, multi-course experience filled with authentic Peruvian flavors.
Lalo, our driver/guide extraordinaire, was the person with whom we spent the most time - and he became a member of our family during our trip. From pick-up to drop-off at the airport, Lalo was with us every day. He drove us to all of the sights, making fantastic itinerary suggestions based on how much or how little we wanted to do in the day. His wealth of local knowledge, kindness, and authenticity made our time with him unforgettable. We had the wonderful privilege of having Christmas Eve dinner with him, his wife, and their two wonderful children - an experience I will always cherish & remember. Lalo taught us about the rich history of the Sacred Valley, the Quechua people, and his hometown of Pisac. I'm truly grateful for his friendship.
Thank you Gustavo, Sharme, & Lalo for making our family vacation such an unforgettable experience!
