Archive for the ‘M/V Aria’ Category:
Written on February 14th, 2012 by admin_aquano shouts
Having recently been voted in the Top 10 Wonders of the Natural World it is no surprise that the Amazon has been included in the latest edition of 1,000 Places To See Before You Die. Luckily, Editor Patricia Schultz, knows that the best way to travel the Peruvian Amazon is….with us….and has included Aqua Expeditions in the Amazon section.
The Ucayali and Marañón tributaries in Peru, listed as the start of the Amazon River (now considered the longest in the world), and the biodiversity of the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve are just two reasons why the Peruvian Amazon is not to be missed!
Written on January 17th, 2012 by admin_aquano shouts
In 2010, our very own Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, Executive Chef for Aqua Expeditions, made a series of guest appearances at NOBU Tokyo as part of a Peruvian Fair hosted by culinary giant Nobu Matsuhisa. In late-2011, it was Nobu’s turn to visit Pedro Miguel in Lima to co-host an Umami Charity Dinner in aid of the World Food Programme and organised by the Umami Information Centre and the Ajinomoto Foundation. Nobu Matsuhisa, founder of the eponymous NOBU restaurant empire, is no stranger to Peru’s culinary delights– after training at Lima-based sushi restaurant Matsuei, Nobu spent three more years in the capital which he credits with helping to inspire his culinary style.
Following his time in Lima, we were delighted to welcome Nobu onboard for a three-day Amazon cruise onboard the M/V Aria.
It was a great chance for the group to catch up as well as to re-discover the wonders of Peruvian cuisine using local Amazonian ingredients from the Pacaya Samiria reserve. Nobu and his guests even found time try their hand at Piranha fishing and, guided by our experts, explore some of the rainforest on foot.
It was a pleasure to host Nobu and his group during their time in the Amazon and we hope they will return to visit us again soon.
Full Story »
Filed under cuisine, M/V Aria, People, Wildlife
Tags:cruise, M/V Aria, Matsuhisa, Nobu, Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, Peru, Piranhas, Umami
Written on January 9th, 2012 by admin_aquano shouts
Last year we were pleased to welcome Ben Hull and his team, from Travel Channel’s Cruise Today programme, aboard the M/V Aria to witness the very best that the Amazon has to offer.
During his journey with us Ben really got involved, heading out on excursions to see the famous pink Amazon dolphins swimming through schools of fish, visiting the giant Victoria Amazonica water lilies and exploring the remote village of Magdalena. Along the way he learnt about local medicinal plants and shaman ceremonies, all under the dramatic backdrop of the Amazon rainforest and guided by Aqua Expeditions’ expert guides, Ricardo & Victor. He even helped Victor catch a rare black Caiman on one of the evening excursions.
Luckily Ben also had some time to relax around the boat and to interview our Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino about his culinary inspirations. He also interviewed Captain Richard Inuma Chota about his experiences aboard and what it’s like to captain a river cruiser. Richard has xxx years of experience on the water – a very safe pair of hands!
The ten-minute M/V Aria programme is currently airing as part of Cruise Today and can be viewed here. It includes breathtaking footage of crimson sunsets, lush green vegetation and some of the rare and endangered wildlife Ben was lucky enough to see during his voyage.
A full one hour special of Ben’s adventures entitled ‘Cruising the Amazon’ is due to be aired in February 2012. We look forward to showing you highlights from it here in future.
Written on December 5th, 2011 by admin_aquano shouts
Aqua Expeditions and Geoffrey Weill Associates have won a Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association (HSMAI) Gold Adrian Award. This was for Food & Wine’s cover story on Aqua Expeditions ‘Cooking Secrets of The Amazon’ written by Chef and Food Writer Daniel Patterson. This appeared in the July 2011 issue of the magazine.
Below, a few of the striking images which are sure to make your mouth water…
See the full article below and check out more of the delicious Amazonian recipes by Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.
http://www.aquaexpeditions.com/userfiles/file/AquaExpeditionsFoodAndWineJuly2011LR2.pdf
As a Gold Award winner, Aqua Expeditions and WEILL associates will now have a chance to win a Platinum Award at a Gala event being held by HSMAI in New York City this coming February. Watch this space…
Written on October 26th, 2011 by admin_aquano shouts
We are delighted to see that journalist Mike Unwin, who travelled on the M/V Aria earlier this year on behalf of UK national newspaper, The Independent, has been awarded third place in this year’s AITO Travel Writer of the Year Awards for his piece ‘ A (big) river runs through it). Just in case you missed it first time round, here it is again!
Congratulations Mike!
Written on October 21st, 2011 by admin_aquano shouts
Following Ferrán Adrià’s journey on the M/V Aria last month, we are excited to show you HOLA! Magazine’s feature on the group’s adventures through the Amazon.
HOLA! article page 1
Led by our Executive Chef, Pedro Miguel Schiaffino and the Aqua Expeditions team, the very influential Spanish Chef and owner of the world-renowned ‘El Bulli’ restaurant, got close up to the real Amazon, trekking through the jungle and discovering the local markets to learn more about the local communities and Amazonian produce such as the paiche – one of the river’s largest fresh water fish. They also had some time-out to relax on the boat and whip up some delicious cocktails, like the Camu Camu Sour…
HOLA! article page 4
We are already looking forward to seeing more on the group’s travels on TV next year – stay tuned…!
Written on September 30th, 2011 by admin_aquano shouts
Recently, we had the pleasure to host legendary chef Ferran Adria aboard our new M/V Aria vessel. In Lima for the annual Mistura event, Ferran ventured into the Peruvian Amazon with our very own Pedro Miguel Schiaffino to view jaw-dropping wildlife and learn about Amazonian ingredients and cuisine. We hope it’s not the last time he comes to visit us!
Above: Francesco Galli Zugaro, Aqua’s CEO; Ferran Adria; and Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, Aqua’s Executive Chef
Above: Ferran Adria on an Aqua Expeditions wildlife excursion
Written on July 21st, 2011 by admin_aquano shouts
With the inaugural press trip safely home, Aqua Expeditions brought their Pisco Sours to London with a launch event for the M/V Aria at the National Geographic store on Regent Street. To celebrate the launch of Aqua’s second Peruvian Amazon cruise boat, the team recreated the Amazon for the night – in London. Tropical plants, exotic artifacts, maps and globes set the scene while guests – a mixture of loyal travel trade friends and press, enjoyed Pinchos, Pisco Sours and a short presentation from founder and creator, Francesco Galli-Zugaro. Francesco talked us through an entertaining slide show on the new boat – the philosophy, the design, the food and the daily wildlife excursions led by Aqua Expedition’s expert guides.
Guests left with smiles on their faces and a keepsake of the Amazon – the new ‘From the Kitchens of Aqua Expeditions’ cookbook which features a selection of Aqua Expedition’s favourite recipes created by Head Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino and the perfect pisco sour recipe!
Written on May 11th, 2011 by admin_aquano shouts
The M/V Aria, Aqua Expeditions’ second luxury river-cruiser on the Peruvian Amazon, set sail this past Friday on its maiden voyage with 21 passengers aboard. The brand-new addition to the Aqua Expeditions fleet features 16 specially designed cabins with floor-to-ceiling picture windows, a fully air-conditioned top deck with observation lounge as well as the Aqua Expeditions’ signature Amazon Grill with menu designed by award-winning Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.
In addition to these amenities, the M/V Aria has an exercise room and an outdoor Jacuzzi with sun deck, a unique addition to accommodate the discerning and fitness-conscious traveler.
“We are delighted to announce the launch of the world’s second five-star luxury vessel to sail the Peruvian Amazon,” says Galli-Zugaro. “The M/V Aria will provide the ever-growing number of travelers who wish to explore one of the world’s last great wilderness areas with a one-of-a-kind travel experience.”
The boat’s itineraries vary slightly to complement those of its sister ship, the M/V Aqua, but also explore remote areas of the Amazon River. The 24-crew-member M/V Aria is staffed with four world-class nature guides and will also include an Amazon wildlife reference library and air-conditioned multimedia room.
