ROL Cruise recommends…
1. Wander the Historic Centre of Lima
No trip to Lima is complete without a few hours spent in the history-rich Historic Centre of Lima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the city centre, there’s no excuse for missing out on the must-visit sites located in the area – including the Archbishop’s Palace, built in the sixteenth century, the Government Palace and the grand houses of Aliaga, Oidor and Pilatos, among many other architectural gems.
2. Be awed by fine colonial architecture
The Cathedral of Lima, the construction of which began in the year Lima was founded (1535), is a must-visit attraction for any traveller interested in colonial architecture. A classic example of this style, the creators of the awe-inspiring building upped the ante by using only materials of the very finest quality to create their masterpiece – including real gold to decorate the great altar.
3. Enjoy some of Peru’s finest food
With culinary influences including Europe, Japan, China and Africa, it’s no wonder Lima is known as the Gastronomical Capital of the Americas. With this in mind, it may come as no surprise that Lima is home to some of the world’s top 50 restaurants. For a true taste of Peruvian food, give the local coffee and chocolate a go; these are renowned across the world, so they must be doing something right!
4. Explore Machu Picchu, ancient home of the Incas
If you have time to venture further afield, make the journey to Machu Picchu – a world-renowned tourist attraction and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Home to the Incas in the fifteenth century, the citadel lies on a mountain ridge nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, and is one of the most famous relics of the civilization still visible today.
5. Visit the Historical Capital of Peru, Cusco
If exploring Machu Picchu has inspires you to learn more about the Incas, be sure to visit Cusco – capital of the Inca civilization from the thirteenth to sixteenth centuries. Named the Historical Capital of Peru by the Constitution of Peru, a number of the original structures still stand today including The Temple of the Virgins of the Sun and Inca Wasi. The latter of which boasts the highest location of all Inca sites at an impressive 13,000 feet above sea level.
