Cusco, Peru

A vacation in Peru is like none other. Tourists can really delve into the Peruvian culture, and come away richer for the experience. Any trip to Peru really should include at least a few nights' stay in Cusco. Also spelled Cuzco or Qosqo, this city was the capital of the Inca Empire. 

 

The Inca Empire was an influential in Peru and surrounding countries, as was the Roman Empire in Europe.  Then, of course, Pizarro and his Spanish fleet landed  in 1532 - generously relieving the Inca culture of much of their gold, buildings...and people.  And - also generously, one could say - bringing Christianity to the region, renaming many of the Andean saints as Christian ones to ease the transition.  Today, Christianity thrives in Cusco as it does in most of the rest of South America, albeit with some "pagan" touches that give clues to the ancient religion and traditions of the Inca Empire.  Cusco is the oldest continually inhabited city in all the Americas - with modern amenities, of course.  The restaurants and bars are hopping, especially during the height of the tourist season. It's a very interesting city to spend time in.

The high altitude of Cusco takes some getting used to. I know that at least one hotel in the city pumps additional oxygen into its rooms and suites, to aid their guests' acclimation. And another hotel, a sweet, classy boutique called The Garden House, is just a little outside the city limits; It's just enough less elevated to also aid acclimation to the high altitude of this region.

If you're planning a trip to Peru, Cusco is probably already on your list. If not, it should be. Try to arrange your vacation to coincide with one of Cusco's great festivals; you won't be disappointed. My favorite is the Inca Festival of the Sun.

And, of course, you'll be going to see Machu Picchu. How could you not? The route from Cusco to Machu Picchu takes travelers through The Sacred Valley, which in turn has many eye-opening sights to see.  Machu Picchu remained undiscovered by the Spanish conquistadores, and the Andean people weren't about to tell them about it!  Because if this, it wasn't destroyed or rebuilt as a town for the Spaniards.  In Machu Picchu, a traveler can get an idea of what the rest of the magificent Inca Empire looked like.  People with even a passing interest in the Inca Empire, and the Spanish colonization of Peru, will have an amazing vacation in this region of the world.