Cusco

In Cusco, a strikingly old-fashioned warren of Inca ruins and colonial cathedrals awaits. The accents of Spanish rule dominate the city’s modernistic feel. Also, three centuries spent as the capital of the Inca Empire make it an invaluable historic site. There is nothing subtle about the landscape, too. Cradled by the lofty Andes, Cusco’s cultural inheritance blazed with messenger hawks, alpacas, and alpine traditions will leave you breathless.

Walking tours in Cusco can be quite dizzying. And, the recipe for the most unusual city of Peru is a work of art. Staggering examples of Inca masonry pop up among Spanish woodwork. To observe the contradiction at its most happening, head to the San Blas neighborhood and revel in the artsy side of Cusco. It is the hub of the artist and the artisan. There, trendy restaurants and cafes await alongside a picturesque array of craft shops. Splintering from San Blas, the streets of central Cusco are home to various museums displaying a rich collection of artwork and relics. Museo Machu Picchu is not to miss if you are into the Incan experience above everything else.

If San Blas is for the slicker, Hatun Rumiyuq is the address of the common traveler seeking historical sophistication. On the city’s most popular street, the Stone of Twelve Ages sits bold and stark as an example of advanced Inca stonework. Now more than an architectural feat, the stone is considered a national heritage object among locals. A few minutes away, the Cathedral of Cusco rises in splendor at Plaza de Armas It is the airy square of the city where every route seems to converge.