a day that starts with a morning hotel pickup, whisking me away not to a ruin, but to the city’s vibrant, beating heart: the San Pedro Market. I can already imagine the sensory overload in the best way possible—the incredible sights and smells of local cheeses, fresh-baked breads, dazzling tropical fruits, and blazing spices.

The plan is to head there with a professional chef, which for a food lover like me, is a dream come true. I want to walk through the aisles and get the inside scoop on all the stunning local ingredients. I’m talking about learning to spot the perfect ají amarillo, understanding the countless varieties of potatoes, and discovering things like zetas and aguaymanto. I’d even love the chance to try my hand at negotiating prices with the local vendors—it’s all part of the authentic experience!

After we’ve gathered our supplies, the next part is what I’m most excited about. We’d head to our chef’s personal kitchen for a private, hands-on cooking class. This is where the magic really happens. I can’t wait to be part of the entire process, learning to prepare iconic Peruvian dishes while swapping stories and taking photos with the chef. It’s this kind of interactive, immersive travel that I absolutely live for.

Finally, getting to sit down and enjoy the lunch or dinner that I helped create would be the ultimate reward. To learn and enjoy the best of Peruvian cuisine, and to really understand the richness and diversity of flavors firsthand, is an experience I know I’ll never forget.