Special people I’ve met through travel.
Petit Miribel, founder of Sol y Luna Foundation and Sol y Luna hotel.
For many years, I had been booking the Sol y Luna Hotel in the Sacred Valley of Peru for my clients, and the feedback was always incredible. I already imagined how special that place must be. In 2018, when I visited Peru for the first time, I had the chance to spend one night at the hotel and I loved seeing up close how it has the soul of Peru—its colors, flavors, and landscapes… everything connects and conveys the best of that region. But one night wasn’t enough, and I left with a desire to return, explore the hotel more thoroughly, and also learn more about the Sol y Luna Foundation.
My admiration for Petit, the owner of the Sol y Luna Hotel, began right from our first conversation. You can’t get to know her story without falling in love with everything she has done and continues to do in the region. Petit Miribel is French by birth, but likely Peruvian at heart. Her first visit to Peru was when she was 23, living in London and working for a mining company. She had a great life, earned well for her age, but felt she wasn’t fulfilling her true purpose. That’s when she decided to move to Lima, where she continued to be successful, but still felt like there was something more for her. She said to her husband, “I’m leaving here, I want to live in the mountains.” And that’s exactly what she did. Fortunately, her husband, Franz, was able to join her and bring his Paragliding business to the new region.
At that time, the Sacred Valley was very different from what we know today. It was an isolated place, without tourism, just a stopover on the way to Machu Picchu. With few financial resources, she and Franz went out every day to visit local communities and understand their challenges. Soon, they saw the hardships of the region, such as the scarcity of basic resources and the lack of quality education—something very different from the realities Petit and Franz had experienced growing up in Europe. With a desire to help, the Sol y Luna Foundation was born. However, they soon realized that they needed more resources to make a significant impact. That’s when the idea of building the hotel emerged. Despite having no experience in hospitality, Petit suggested: “In the future, people will come to the Valley, and the hotel will be a way to generate funds for our cause.” And she was right—the hotel is now my favorite in the region and plays a crucial role in supporting the foundation.
When I launched my business in 2021 and began thinking about a meaningful Christmas gift for my clients, I chose 100% Brazilian products—Sabiá olive oil, Guaspari wine, and Dengo chocolate and included a letter explaining that I had made a donation to the Sol y Luna Foundation on behalf of each client. They were automatically entered into a giveaway for a 10-night trip to Peru. Unfortunately, none of my clients won, but everyone loved knowing they had contributed to such a special cause.
The following year, in 2022, during a party to celebrate my company’s first anniversary, I asked some hotels and partners if they would like to contribute prizes for my clients. Once again, Petit was incredibly generous and donated several nights at Sol y Luna. The prize became even more special with contributions from other partners, including 2 nights at Hotel B in Lima and 3 nights at Hotel Cirqca in Arequipa, both Relais Châteaux properties. The grand prize, which included 8 nights of travel and amazing tours throughout Peru, was the highlight of the evening. And this time, a lovely couple of clients were the lucky winners and enjoyed an unforgettable trip to Peru.
For anyone planning to visit the Sacred Valley, my recommendation is to include a few nights at the amazing Sol y Luna Hotel, owned by Petit. Not only will you have an authentic and unforgettable experience, but you’ll also be supporting a foundation that makes a real difference in the education of children and young people in the region.
And the best part is that the Sol y Luna in the Sacred Valley is a Virtuoso hotel, so my clients get exclusive benefits when booking with me, including:
USD 100 credit to use at the hotel’s spa
Priority early check-in, late check-out, and upgrades
So, are you feeling inspired to explore Peru? Get in touch with me and I’ll help create a unique, memorable, and transformative itinerary for this destination I’m so passionate about.