Latin America has always been a draw for Ryan Dube , a Canadian native that landed in Peru over a decade ago. As an exchange student in Lima, he was keen to learn Spanish, to experience a new culture, and-above all-to travel. Like many visitors, Ryan was blown away by the country's diversity, captivated by its history, and taken in by the kindness of Peruvians. After completing his degree in Latin American Studies and Anthropology, Ryan returned to Lima where he now lives with his wife, Tatiana, and their son, Ticiano.Using Lima as his base, Ryan has traveled throughout Peru. He has hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, explored the islands on Lake Titicaca, and slept under the stars in the Amazon-only to be awakened by howling monkeys. As a long-time resident, Ryan has traveled to lesser-known sites that have their own charm, including Chincha and El Carmen, the home of an annual Afro-Peruvian music festival, and Pozuzo, a remote village that was founded in Peru's high jungle by German settlers in the 19th century. In Lima, Ryan is constantly on the lookout for the best restaurants and music venues.
With an insider's eye, he's been able to uncover some hidden gems.Ryan currently works as a journalist in Peru, specializing in economics, business, and politics. His articles have been published in 'The Wall Street Journal, The Globe & Mail', and BNamericas, among others. Ben Westwood started dreaming of being a writer and musician at an early age. Growing up in England, he pursued both of his passions by studying music at Westminster University and working as a journalist at national newspaper 'The Independent.' After graduating, Ben decided to follow his passion for travel. With an English-language teaching qualification under his belt, he set off for South America in 1998, traveling through Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru. In Peru, he hiked the Inca Trail and fell in love with Machu Picchu; he still considers it one of the most awe-inspiring places he has ever visited.
After returning to the UK to study at the country's top journalism school, City University, Ben worked for five years at 'The Daily Telegraph' as a travel journalist and online travel editor. He wrote articles on everything from encounters with Maoist guerrillas in Nepal to encounters with drunken Brits in Greece.After a brief stint working in adventure tourism, Ben moved to South America with his wife and children in 2007 to write guidebooks and teach at UEES, one of Ecuador's best universities. Since then, he has authored 'Moon Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands' and 'Moon Galápagos Islands,' and has contributed to 'The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget.' He also freelances for British newspapers, including 'The Guardian, The Independent,' and 'The Daily Telegraph.' Ben now divides his time between Britain and South America. When he's not writing or teaching, he's usually playing music and has released one self-funded album, 'Keep Dreaming.'.