South America travel: Discover Peru?EUR(TM)s Top 3 Cities
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Sometimes on holiday, you want the pure tranquility of relaxing on a beach with a drink in hand and the most indulgent of snacks at your side. But sometimes, to spice things up, a hustle and bustle urban escape is really what will reenergize you for the real world. So, see how many of these cities you can check off on your next trip to Peru!
1. Lima - Lima is of course the city of cities in Peru. As the capital where the majority of the country's 20 million population is concentrated, there is never a shortage of things to do in Lima. First of all, it is largely regarded as the gastronomic capital of the Americas, so dining in neighborhoods such as Miraflores, San Isidro, and Barranco should be of the first order. Beyond that, explore the city's historic downtown and Plaza de Armas on a Lima tour where the traditional mix of Spanish colonialism flair and modern facilities combine to create the most unique atmosphere. If you want a comfortable taste of home, spend time near Parque Kennedy and the shopping center of Larcomar where you can find items and outlets just like at home--in both quality and price.
2. Arequipa - Arequipa is Peru's second city in terms of population, and it serves as the southern capital. Entirely different from the sometimes entirely too gritty and intense energy of Lima, Arequipa is full of soul and charm. In the city center, many of the buildings were constructed using sillar, a pure white volcanic stone that comes as a result of the nearby Volcano Misti that looms in the city's background. Just wandering the city's meandering streets exploring its myriad of hole-in-the-wall restaurants and traditional shops should keep you occupied until nighttime when handfuls of tourist bars and clubs can take over as your host. If you need a natural escape, look into a trek on Misti, or venture out to the Colca Canyon just a short drive away where you can admire one of the deepest canyons on earth and the wide winged condors that soar above it.
3. Cusco - Cusco doesn't rule in size but it sure dominates in significance and importance. As the major hub for jumping off to Machu Picchu, Cusco is a place that most visitors to Peru end up experiencing at one time or another. It is the oldest continually inhabited city in the Americas, and it was once the seat of the mighty Inca Empire that ruled Peru over 600 years ago and the original owners of Machu Picchu. On your Cusco vacation packages, a museum hop tour of the city's countless collections will give you insights on the indigenous lifestyles and communities as they were before the Incas and Spaniards arrived. The ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Chinchero, Pisac, and Ollantaytambo are also great appetizers before going to Machu Picchu.
This article about Peru's top cities was written by a travel expert at Peru For Less who specializes in helping you organize best value Cusco vacation packages for your fully customizable trip to Peru.
Category Article America, Cities, Discover, PeruEURTMs, South, travel
