Luca Krohn

About Luca - How Latin America won my heart

At seven years old, I stood in front of the television, captivated by a Colombian singer who moved her hips to the rhythm of a Spanish-language melody — and something in me knew: This language, this energy, this part of the world belongs to me. What began as a spark back then is still a part of me today.

Years later, I pursued a degree in Hispanic Studies. But you don't understand Latin America from books — you have to live it. A stay in Paraguay opened my eyes to what is considered normal on this continent: From Asunción to Buenos Aires? A weekend trip. Twenty hours of driving, no problem. What we perceive here as a half-world journey is absolutely normal there. This vibrant feeling of life, of just doing things and enjoying life, completely captured me.
It is the warmth of the people that immediately embraces you. The music that flows from every window. The positive energy that expresses itself in conversations, gestures, in a simple shared lunch. Latin America lives intensely, and that is exactly what I fell in love with.

Places that particularly excite me:

Peru — Culture, history, and the most exciting cuisine in the world

Lima is one of the most culinarily exciting cities for me. Not only because of the restaurants that are ranked — but because of the small, hidden hotspots that you only find when you stroll through the streets and remain curious. A fresh ceviche in a local cantina with a Pisco Sour, and I float in pure bliss.

A visit to Maido in Lima is, of course, a must for me. The restaurant by chef Mitsuharu Tsumura combines Japanese precision with Peruvian cuisine to create something you must experience at least once. Since 2025, it has officially held the title of the world's best restaurant.

But Peru is so much more than Lima. It is the origin - the place where everything comes together. The centuries-old culture of the Incas, whose traces remain alive in the Andes, in Machu Picchu, in the terraces and temples. Then there's the influence of the Spaniards who once came, conquered the land, and changed it forever. It is precisely from this interplay that something is created that is hard to put into words: a soul that you can feel as soon as you are there. It is the mix of old and new, of indigenous heritage and colonial history, of highlands, Amazon, and coast that makes Peru so special.

Mexico — a love for the country

Mexico has captivated me in its own special way, and Mexico City is my absolute favorite city. You could spend weeks here and still not be done — it is so cosmopolitan, so vibrant. I love strolling through La Roma Norte in the morning, having lunch in La Condesa at noon, and letting myself be carried away through the bars and restaurants in the evening, of which there are countless great places here. It is this flair, this atmosphere that captures me time and again. And then there are the moments that define the Mexican way of life for me: a ride on the colorful trajineras through the canals of Xochimilco, the mood in a cantina when the mariachi play, tacos and margaritas without great staging — simply, because life is celebrated here.

But Mexico City is just the beginning. What fascinates me about this country is its incredible diversity. The rugged beauty of the Pacific coast. Oaxaca with its deeply rooted culture, where one experiences the Día de los Muertos more intensely than anywhere else. And in the east, the Yucatán Peninsula — the turquoise Caribbean coast, the colonial Mérida, the Mayan site of Chichén Itzá, and the mysterious cenotes, these crystal-clear freshwater caves in the middle of the jungle. From the Pacific coast to the Caribbean, from the metropolises to the ancient Mayan sites, Mexico — this country is full of contrasts, full of warmth, full of people who make you feel like you have always belonged.