🇧🇪✈️ Belgian Delegation from VIVES University Visits Cuenca: A Week of Collaboration, Culture, and Flavor 🇪🇨🤝

Over the course of a rich and eventful week, a delegation from VIVES University of Applied Sciences (Belgium) visited Cuenca, Ecuador, as part of the ICP Connect program by VLIRUOS. The visit not only strengthened academic ties with the University of Cuenca (@udecuenca) but also offered a deep immersion into the region’s culture, gastronomy, and warm hospitality. Here's a look at the highlights of this memorable experience! 📸✍️

🧣 Tradition, Flavor, and Andean Hospitality

The journey began with a tour through the towns of Gualaceo, Chordeleg, and Paute, accompanied by colleagues from the University of Cuenca. The first stop was a craft shop, where the delegation observed the intricate process of making traditional makanas. In Chordeleg, they explored the town’s renowned jewelry, and later enjoyed the bustling atmosphere of a local market, tasting slow-roasted pork and fresh fruits 🍍🍊.

Lunch at @restaurantecorvel included a unique local spirit—served in a giant spoon 🍶😄. Afterwards, they visited a fruit farm to sample artisan-made liquors and ended the day with a warm, home-cooked meal hosted by Karina Farfán, director of PREIT-tour. Known as “Ecuador’s sweetest city,” Cuenca lived up to its name not only through its desserts but also through the kindness of its people 🍬❤️.

🤝 Strengthening Institutional Ties

Monday kicked off the official agenda with a meeting with the Rector and Vice-Rectors of @udecuenca, where the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed and the implementation of the ICP Connect program was discussed ✍️🎓.

The delegation also met with the heads of International Relations and Innovation, as well as the leadership of the Faculty of Hospitality Sciences, to present the academic offerings of @viveshogeschool, with a focus on Hospitality and Culinary Arts (@hotelmanagement.vives). They explored collaboration opportunities, student exchanges, and formally introduced the first VLIRUOS scholarship recipient of the ICP Connect project in Ecuador.

🏫 Campus Tours, Flavors, and Shared Experiences

During campus visits, the VIVES team admired @udecuenca’s commitment to green spaces 🌳 and innovation through energy and medical simulation labs. They also visited key heritage sites including the Palace of Justice, Old Cathedral, and Seminario San Luis, finishing the day with craft beer and fries 🍻🍟.

A particularly delightful experience was a cooking class at the Faculty of Hospitality, led by Professor Maricruz Iñiguez, where they helped students prepare Corpus Christi sweets. Each guest received a basket of the treats they helped make 🎁👨‍🍳.

After a gastronomic lunch, the group visited the Tourism Office, where they were gifted the iconic Panama hat—and learned that despite the name, it is actually made in Ecuador 🎩😉.

🌄 Culture, Nature, and Belgian-Inspired Beers

The cultural agenda continued with visits to Cuenca’s New Cathedral, the Hat Museum, and the Pumapungo Museum, featuring an Inca archaeological site and an animal rescue center 🦙🦜. They also tasted guinea pig, a traditional dish described by the Belgian guests as “somewhere between chicken and bacon” 🐹.

A relaxing visit to @piedradeagua spa followed, with volcanic baths, saunas, and thermal pools 🍃💆. In the afternoon, they explored the vibrant Santa Anita district, home to innovative restaurants run by @udecuenca alumni. At Lacraft Beer Garden, they sampled Belgian-style craft beers brewed by graduates who studied in both Ecuador and Belgium 🍺🇧🇪.

🏞️ At 4,000 Meters: Cajas National Park, Lakes, and Unique Hotels

One of the trip’s highlights was the visit to Cajas National Park, where they hiked at over 4,000 meters above sea level at Tres Cruces 🏔️❄️. Despite the cold and wind, the scenery was breathtaking. They also visited Toreadora Lake and Guabidula, a former mining town turned museum.

Later, they toured two hotels managed by @udecuenca alumni: @hosteriadoschorreras and @molinodelpuente, the latter featuring cozy Hobbit-style cottages built into the mountainside.

📊 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead

The visit concluded with a final meeting at @parcroyalehotel, where they reviewed the regional project plan, explored the possibility of a joint degree, and discussed budget and administrative matters 🌍📈.

🙌 Special Thanks

Sincere thanks to Karina Farfán, Freddy Espinoza, the PREIT-tour team, the entire staff of Universidad de Cuenca, and Parc Royal Hotel for their outstanding hospitality, professionalism, and support throughout the visit.

This experience marks the beginning of promising new collaborations in education, tourism, and hospitality. Until next time! 🇪🇨❤️🇧🇪.

Photo Credits: PREIT-tour and M. Calu