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Two Of Peru's Best Cultural Experiences

By Terry Philips

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 09Jan2012
Word count: 547
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On the Pacific coast of South America, beautiful Peru lures more and more visitors every year with promise of exotic experiences and a vibrant, distinctive culture. Once the heart of the ancient civilization of the Inca, Peru has always embodied a rich mixing of traditions.

In this one small nation you can find yourself relaxing on ocean beaches, scaling Andean peaks or exploring the Amazon rainforest; travelling through gleaming modern cities or enjoying a meal in a humble adobe brick home. The following are four experiences that can't be missed on your journey to Peru. You may find they are just the beginning.

Eat a World Class Meal in Lima

For international travelers, the capitol city of Lima is your point of entry to Peru. Like any city of its size, Lima can overwhelm with its sprawling size and bustling pace but it is also a melting pot of people and cultures that is uniquely Peruvian.

Lima is also the best place to sample the culinary innovations that are turning Peru into a gastronomic destination. The range of climates in the country gives chefs access to a astonishing array of ingredients. The diversity of the Peruvian people -- descending from indigenous peoples, Spanish colonizers, African slaves and recent immigrants from Asia and elsewhere -- means the food unites flavors from around the world. As Lima lies on the coast, fresh seafood is a main attraction and few depart without sampling ceviche, a tangy, trademark dish of seasoned raw fish.

Cutting-edge cuisine can be found in upscale restaurants in neighborhoods like Miraflores or San Isidro as well as the artsy Barranco area. The city is also ripe with less flashy restaurants which have been serving up classic food for decades, from African-infused criollo to chifa, a strictly Peruvian twist on Chinese cooking.

Enjoy small town life in the Sacred Valley

The jutting peaks and green hills of the Andes mountain range will probably always remain the most famous image of Peru. The mountainous regions of the country, also called the sierra, are where you will pass to reach Machu Picchu and an endless list of less famous but equally stunning places.

The beautiful and bustling Cusco is the hub of the area but the nearby Sacred Valley is home to small towns and remote villages which are the cultural heart of the area. Lucky travelers will be able to slow down and experience the rural lifestyle and rich traditions of the area.

Larger cities like Pisac, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo offer a range of lodging, dining and tourist activities, both guided and independent. Stunning archaeological ruins abound and day-hiking and trekking is a popular pastime. Higher in the mountains and further from the main roads, old traditions are still part of people's everyday lives: growing crops like potatoes and corn, herding llama and alpaca and creating beautiful weavings.

Some communities have organized to offer lodging in family homes or day-tours including weaving lessons or feasts cooked in earth-ovens called pachamancas. Wise visitors plan their visit around major holidays like King's Day after Christmas, called Bajada de Reyes, or Pentecost in the Spring when many towns explode with celebration, parades and traditional dances in the streets.

These are just two of the best experiences that you can enjoy across South America and in Peru. Be sure to head to Machu Picchu in luxury to get the finest Peru luxury tours.

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