By Mark Holston

 

Bogotá, Colombia-based Liliana López is editor of Cocina Semana, a culinary arts publication, and coordinator of correspondents for the in-flight magazine of Avianca Airlines. A passionate leisure traveler, she has found ways to bring that spark to the time she spends on the road for work, too. She's always looking for great places to eat, local markets, a good art exhibition, secret hideaways and boutiques for shopping.

 

What's the best eating experience you've had in the region?

Eating at D.O.M. in São Paulo was incredible. It's the 6th best restaurant on the San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants list. Run by Chef Alex Atala, it was an unforgettable experience.

 

Any other food musts in the region?

I would also say that Lima is a must for foodies. It's difficult to choose just one [restaurant], so I would recommend Astrid y Gaston, Rafael, Huaca Pucllana and La Gloria. In Mexico City, I always have tacos al pastor from El Califa or Tizoncito.

 

Have you found any good airport food on your travels?

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Although it has nothing in particular regarding architecture, special scenery or efficiency, I love the Lima airport because you can find fine, fresh ceviches. Eating well at airports is very difficult and Lima is the exception to the rule.

 

Do you have a least-favorite airport?

Rio de Janeiro's Galeão-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport is very old and not up to date. It needs a facelift; it seems like it's frozen in the 1980s.

Do you have a favorite hidden hotel gem?

Cartagena has charming and very good hotels, but they are pricey. I would say that Agua, the first true boutique hotel in the city, is still one of the best for its exquisite sense of elegance. But if you are looking for style, comfort and a great view facing vineyards and Andes Mountains,

Hotel Agua, Cartagena

Entre Cielos in Mendoza, a fantastic boutique hotel, is the place.

 

What's your best tip for a great little get-away while visiting a major city in the region?

Definitely the best-kept secret is Inhotim, just one hour south of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. It's a natural park where contemporary art, architecture and nature meet. For nature and art lovers it is a paradise and well worth the travel to visit.

 

Lopez's Favorite Foodie Gifts from the Region:

• From Peru, artisanal piscos (grape brandy)
• From Colombia, special coffees, not the commercial kind that you find in duty free stores or supermarkets
• From Brazil, cachaça (sugar cane brandy)
• From Mexico, sauces made from different chiles and mezcal (a spirit made from the agave plant)
• From Argentina, wine and more wine

LAN Airlines plans to resume flying the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on June 1, on its Santiago, Chile - Lima, Peru - Los Angeles, California (U.S.) route.

GOL has changed the timetable on its Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - Miami round-trip, moving departure and arrival times to three hours earlier than previously scheduled. The routes will be operating daily from July 13 through August 13.

Cubana de Aviación will begin resume flights between Havana, Cuba and São Paulo on July 10, with one weekly round-trip.

AeroMexico will begin flying a round-trip Las Vegas, Nevada (U.S.) - Puerto Penasco, Mexico - Hermosillo, Mexico flight June 20th, with two round-trips per week.

Beginning July 15, AeroMexico will add a second daily round-trip between San Francisco, California (U.S.) and Mexico City. The airline will also add a third daily round-trip between Chicago (U.S.) and Mexico City and a fourth daily round-trip between Houston, Texas (U.S.) and Mexico City.

On July 13, United will begin Saturday flights between Newark, New Jersey (U.S.) and St. Lucia.

Other Airline News

Eligible American Airlines passengers can now use the U.S. Transportation Security Administration Pre Check program for certain international itineraries. Customers using Pre Check are pre-screened for security lines and can go through without removing their shoes, belt or jacket, and can leave laptops and compliant liquid bags in their carry-ons

Airport News

American Airlines has opened a Flagship Check-In at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. This separate, private check-in area offers concierge-type service and access to an expedited security line. Located in Terminal 8 and available between 3:30 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., it can be used by ConciergeKey members, First Class passengers, Five Star Assistance program passengers and those flying First Class on certain oneworld alliance international flights.

The 243-room b2 miami downtown hotel is now open in the downtown area of Miami. The B Hotels and Resorts property, only the second the company has opened, includes a restaurant free Wi-Fi for guests. The new b2 brand is designed as a "more affordable" line, compared to the company's B Hotel.

The 124-room Radisson Aquatica Resort Barbados, in a marine reserve on Carlisle Bay on the island's southwest coast, formally opened. The renovated hotel, formerly the Grand Barbados Hotel, had a soft opening in February. It includes complimentary property-wide Wi-Fi, in-room workspace, meeting space for up to 400 and an adults-only pool.

The entire Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa will be closed for a renovation from September 1 through October 9.

Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort in Cancun has completed a $55 million renovation, including updates to its 2,400 guestrooms, enhanced meeting space and redesigned restaurants.

The 274-room Nizuc Resort & Spa in Cancun opened in March; it is part of the Las Brisas Hotel Collection.

Between May 15 and September 2, members of the Marriott Rewards program can earn a free night in certain hotels after the second paid stay, and up to three free nights after six stays.

U.S. Customs and Immigration Changes

Beginning May 14, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency will electronically process I-94 forms for non-U.S. residents coming into the country via air, and people will be able to look up their I-94 number on the customs website. The automation is expected to speed up entry times.

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