An into to Peru: Think of Peru and you no doubt think of Maccu Picchu. Whilst this is a beautiful and awe inspiring lost city, there is so much more to Peru. The standard entry point into Lima will show you how more than a third of the population live – mostly in poverty. Tucked away inside Lima however is Miraflores – a peaceful, pretty town within a town which must be experienced. Once outside of Lima, the landscape is largely desert adn mountains, until you reach the eastern centre of the Andes toward Maccu Picchu – where the land becomes lush forest.
The major cities of interest to the tourist are Pisco: home to the tiny island of Ballestas containing an incredible number of seals, cormorants and other sea life. Nasca, with its famous lines which deserve a flight overpass and Arequipa – a pretty colonial town with nice squares and a big volcano as a backdrop. Cusco – the jump point for Macchu Picchu deserves an extra special mention. Despite dramatic touristification over the last 10 years, huge immigration by poor country folk and hassle by touts for the tourist which is almost unheard of in other Peruvian cities, the UNESCO heritage city still retains so much charm and plenty to see and do.
