Peru, land of hidden treasures

Cradle of ancient civilizations and home to one of the planet’s greatest wonders, Machu Picchu, Peru has always attracted visitors. Generations of travelers have been fascinated by its age-old heritage and awe-inspiring landscapes: where else can you trek on some of the world’s highest mountains, the Andes, and in its wildest jungle, the Amazon, without crossing a frontier? But even though the Inca treasures have long mesmerized us (we all have an inner Indiana Jones), up until a decade ago, Peru had an image as a somewhat sleepy place where nothing exciting ever happened.

So if you haven’t heard the news yet, take note: Peru has completely changed in the past few years. The economic bonanza has transformed this country which has become, like other once forgotten Latin American nations, a striving, creative, intensely energetic place that will dazzle even the most blasé traveler.

If you start your trip with Lima, the capital, where you should definitely stop for a few days, you’ll be gobsmacked by the quality and originality of the gastronomy, the joyful beat of the nightlife, and the countless little shops, art galleries and cafés. Not to mention the charming colonial buildings and of course, various museums with monumental collections of pre-Columbian art. After that, be ready to take a plunge into a world out of this world, where the people are warm and welcoming, nature is powerful and colorful, and where time takes an entirely new meaning. From the mysterious Nasca Lines to the Amazon, passing through Cusco and the legendary lake Titicaca, here are a few tips.