Peru and Antigua

Founded in 1535, in the days of the Conquest Lima used to be one of the wealthiest, mightiest cities in in South America. Its historic centre (UNESCO World Heritage Site) still boasts the beautiful Plaza Mayor, with the old palaces of politic and religious life. The soul of the city, however, has drifted to the modern towns of Miraflores and San Isidro, and to the lively sea town of Barranco.

Arequipa, rising between the imposing volcanoes El Misti (5,821 m) and Ampato (6,288), is Peru’s second city, and a major business and cultural centre. It owes its long-standing fame to its stunning, high-rise location (2,335 m a.s.l.), to its mild weather, and to its beautiful colonial buildings made of lava stone. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The road to Puno runs across a wild, beautiful landscape, with the occasional lake, village, and small herd of grazing llamas and alpacas. There will be a few photo stops, including the Lagunillas pass (4,410 m) to see the pink flamingos in the lagoon. Puno, rising on the border with Bolivia at a height of 3,810 m, overlooks Lake Titicaca. Though not exceptionally interesting in itself, the town makes for the perfect base to visit the rest of the region.

We cross the Andes, passing a stunning variety of landscapes. Stop at Raqchi, known for the massive walls of an Inca temple built to appease the wrath of the god Viracocha; at the provincial Andahuaylillas, featuring a beautiful 17th-century colonial church; and at the village of Pucarà, famous for its colourful ceramics. The top altitude reached during the journey is 4,335 m, at the La Raya pass. Rising at an height of 3,400 m, Cuczo, once the capital of the Inca empire, was rebuilt by the Spaniards on the vestiges of its ancient palaces, using the remains of the Inca temples and edifices. Today, Cuzco is a lively, fascinating town. Even in the busy summer months, when the Sacred Valley literally swarms with tourists, it preserves its charm.

Aguas Calientes, auch bekannt als Machu Picchu Pueblo, ist eine kleine Stadt am Fuße der berühmten Ruinen von Machu Picchu im Herzen der peruanischen Anden. Sie ist der wichtigste Ausgangspunkt für alle, die die archäologische Stätte von Machu Picchu besuchen möchten. Die Stadt ist von üppigem Tropenwald umgeben und wird vom Fluss Urubamba durchflossen. Sie ist bekannt für ihre natürlichen heißen Quellen, daher auch ihr Name Aguas Calientes", was auf Spanisch heißes Wasser" bedeutet. Aguas Calientes ist eine lebendige und pulsierende Stadt mit einer Vielzahl von Restaurants, Cafés, Kunsthandwerksläden und lokalen Märkten, die eine Vielzahl von traditionellen Produkten und Souvenirs anbieten.

Turquoise waters, boundless shores, round-the-clock fun: this is Miami, a city where design, arts, and visionary architecture have more than one moment in the sun. Occupying the southernmost three miles of Miami Beach is gorgeous South Beach, with its hundreds of dazzling pastel-coloured 1920s and 1930s Art Deco buildings. By night, Ocean Drive becomes one of the liveliest stretches in Miami. If this is too much for you, head a block west of the beach to Collins Avenue or to Washington Avenue, with fashion shops and cool coffee bars. For more shops, restaurants and cafés, head for the Lincoln Road Mall (between Alton Rd and Washington Ave), a pedestrianized zone where you can stroll and graze. North of downtown the Design District, hemmed in by 36th and 41st streets between Miami Avenue and Biscayne Boulevard, is also worth a visit, crammed with hip restaurants. Miami does Cuban food best, and it’s not limited to the traditional haunts in Little Havana. You’ll also want to try Cuban coffee. Cuban cooking is complemented by sushi bars and American home-style diners, as well as Haitian, Italian and new Floridian restaurants, among a handful of other ethnic cuisines. Coral Gables, South Beach and the Design District are best for upmarket cafés and restaurants. Seafood is abundant. Stone­crab claws (served Oct–May), are another South Florida speciality.