(Gracias por tu paciencia. Estamos en el proceso de traducir nuestro sitio. Mientras, por favor, puedes usar Google Translate para cualquiera duda)

Bon Vivant Savant is dedicated to creating and promoting the best tours and events in Peru. Our name, loosley translated, means, “Live well. Live wisely.” We pride ourselves on offering locals and travelers alike, the most unique and authentic experiences whether it involve a one day tour, a hidden dinner or a fully-planned tour. You can trust that nothing we offer will be ‘cookie-cutter’ or ‘by the book. We designed several packages for a unique experience, but are always able to customize your experience just for you. All you need to do is ask.

Supper Speakeasys: Underground dining is a growing trend around the world and we’re excited to be among the first to bring the experience to our city and the surrounding area. Great food, by great chefs in undisclosed locations. We will hold weekly dinners – in a location only known to our e-newsletter subscribers – as well as special monthly events in completely unique locations, i.e. a roof top, a warehouse, a museum, etc. Location will be released by email, to confirmed guests only, 48 hrs prior to the event.

Weekly dinners: Attendance is limited to 8 people. Cost of dinner will usually be S/.100 for five-courses, including wine and two cocktails. On occasion, we may change the price for special themes or menus. Always held in our own special location.

Monthly dinners: Once a month, we will offer a specially themed dinner in an unusual location – never a restaurant. Think museum, gallery, park, etc… Price of each dinner will be listed in our newsletter.

Cooking classes: Learn the basics of Peruvian cuisine as well as occasional internationally themed menus with our chef. Enjoy a personal shopping trip to the market to buy your fresh ingredients and then head to the kitchen for an interactive cooking experience. Once it’s all prepared, enjoy your creation! Prices vary.

For owner and event savant Jo Self, Bon Vivant Savant is the perfect fit for years of personal and professional experience. Jo sharpened her event planning skills at Yum! Brands, Inc., the multinational corporation that owns such brands as KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. Jo was in charge of employee programs at the headquarters, organizing anything from cultural exploration events to etiquette parties. Her outstanding work at Yum! won her national awards from her professional organization, Employee Services Managers Association and she now serves on ESM’s national Board of Directors.

In addition to work, Jo’s personal passion for travel has lent big-city and international flair to her planning style. A Louisville Native, Jo has lived in Boston, Chicago, Baltimore, Charlotte and Dallas before returning home. Stints in Milan, Italy; Lima, Peru; Montevideo, Uruguay and Guayaquil, Ecuador, also deepened her appreciation for other cultures. She had intended to obtain a Master’s in Spanish at the University of Louisville to learn more about the language and Latin culture. On second thought, she thought it better to live fully than vicariously, so instead she took a break from work and headed to South America for five months in 2007, and settled here permanently in 2010.

Jo began Bon Vivant Savant as a way to further engage with her community and fill a need. While professional networking groups abound, and social networking becomes more popular every day on the Internet, she saw a gap that could be filled with opportunities for face-to-face fun. The group wouldn’t focus on career opportunities, but rather on taking the every opportunity to enjoy life fully. Unlike online networks, the emphasis would not be on amassing a list of virtual connections, but on relationships built on shared appreciation for real-life fun.

And although Jo’s knowledge and connections to the community fuel her enjoyment of  dinners and wine tastings, she is ultimately driven by creating a memorable experience – at any level – for her clients. Jo is genuinely excited when she talks about other opportunities, such as white water rafting, horseback riding and travel.

The new venture is ultimately an extension of Jo’s personality. It’s fitting that she would use her experience as a social coordinator, and her insider knowledge of restaurants and entertainment to help others take advantage of the world she sees, one bursting with opportunity. Easy in conversation and always open to new people and new experiences, Jo hopes Bon Vivant Savant will be a way to share those traits with members of her community and help them meet others ready to do the same.