Our Story
Liz Caskey Culinary & Wine Experiences was born in 2004 as a boutique travel firm built as an alternative to the cookie cutter style approach of tourism in South America. We knew there were more stories to tell, more places to discover, and emotions to connect. As curious travelers ourselves, we are on a mission to share our findings with the rest of the world.
We are passionate about food, wine, design, and how they are expressed through the exquisite craftsmanship in the region. From stylish lodges to fine wines, spicy olive oils, or a colorful handmade textile, the intention of every journey is to indulge your curiosity while finding meaning and honest flavors. Knowledge, care, and attention to detail are what you get.
We constantly scout South America to vet every experience that goes into our journeys, the same way chefs, wineries, coffee roasters, and chocolate makers source their precious primary ingredients. When we fall in love with an ingredient, we want to know about its provenance and its journey of transformation to become what it is. We learn from the artisans about their craft and then design how it will fit into your own journey.
The Founders
Liz Caskey & Francisco Ramirez are a couple in life. They have been working together in luxury travel for over 15 years. She cooks and writes while he photographs. They both love to muse over fine wine together. She is American; he is Chilean. Liz Caskey Culinary & Wine Experiences is the expression of their tango together through travel, food, wine, art, design, and life. Their two young children, Micaela & Leonardo, have also joined them on this beautiful journey.
and the meaningful
Press
Liz Caskey Culinary & Wine Experiences has been praised by international media outlets as one of the foremost travel curators specialized in food and wine in South America. They were named a “Top Travel Specialist” by Condé Nast Traveler and have been listed as the expert on Food & Wine travel in South America during five consecutive years on the Travel + Leisure A-list. Their curated trips, recipes, wine selections, and travel philosophy have also been featured in publications from Forbes to Afar Magazine and more!
Condé Nast Traveler
“TOP TRAVEL SPECIALIST FOR SOUTH AMERICA”
April 2020
Doré
“EXPLORING THE ATACAMA”
December 2018
Forbes
“THE NEXT GREAT DESTINATIONS: 8 Places to Beat the Crowds this Summer”
March 2018
Travel + Leisure
”THE BEST TRAVEL AGENTS for Mexico and Central and South America”
August 2017
Travel + Leisure
“A-LIST”
2013-2017
Forbes
“THE MOST UNDERRATED CITY IN SOUTH AMERICA: Santiago, Chile”
May 2015
Forbes
“2014 TRAVEL WISHLIST”
2014
The Yellow Table (Blog)
“WANT TO GO TO SOUTH AMERICA? Liz Caskey shows us how”
September 2013
Afar
“MORE VOLUNTEER VACATIONS”
March-April 2012
Luxury Magazine
“THE LOST WORLD”
December 2011
New World Review
“Q&A WITH Liz Caskey”
August 2011
inWines Magazine
“FIVE-STAR WINES”
December/March 2011
La Tercera
“NOMADS OF THE SEAS launches a new tasting cycle Chile”
August 2010
Globe Pequot Press
“SOUTH AMERICAN COOKING”
July 2010
Lancaster Online
“QUAKE CONNECTIONS”
February 2010
Anthony Bourdain No Reservations
“CHILE” Season 5, Ep. 11, Local Fixer & Production
July 2009
Food Arts
“HUNGRY FOR TRAVEL”
April 2009
Frommer’s Travel
“ORGANIZED TOURS IN CHILE’S WINE COUNTRY”
2004-2008
Frommer’s Travel
“SPECIAL-INTEREST Vacations in Chile”
2004-2008
Frommer’s Travel
“ORGANIZED TOURS IN SANTIAGO”
2004-2008
Celebrated Living
“A TASTE OF SOUTH AMERICA: CHILE”
Fall 2008
PBS/Gourmet Magazine - Diary of a Foodie
“CHILE: Mixing Land and Sea” and “DRINKS: the Golden Age of Spirits”
May/June 2008
The Pennsylvania Gazette
“A TASTE OF CHILE”
November/December 2007
Travesias
“CHILE, Tours Gastronómicos”
October 2005
Capital Magazine
“LA REINA DE LA FERIA”
November 2004
National Geographic Traveler
“RED HOT CHILE”
July – August 2004
LA CAV Magazine
“LA GRINGA DEL BARRIO Brasil y su tour gastronómico”
November 2003