Peru is a smoking hot destination for Aussie travellers looking for outstanding food, spectacular natural beauty and trendy new neighbourhoods.
Referred to as the “Land of the Incas” because it was once home to the expansive Inca Empire, Peru was conquered and colonised by Spain in the 16th century. As a result of its rich history, Peru today is jam packed with colonial architecture and archaeological remains.
Add in the country’s spectacular natural beauty, the culinary food experiences and the trendy new hangouts and you really have the perfect travel destination.
Barranco – Peru’s answer to Paris’ Montmartre
Located in the southern part of Lima, Barranco is where some of the trendy neighbourhoods of Europe were years ago; cool, sexy, young and energetic. It is considered the most romantic and bohemian area in Lima and the place musicians, artists, designers and photographers call home.
Wandering through the streets of Barranco, travellers will find colourful art deco houses, a hip bar and restaurant scene and MATE, the only cultural institution in the world that permanently exhibits the work of the prominent Peruvian fashion photographer, Mario Testino.
Peru’s undiscovered surf scene
For an extreme coastal experience and to discover Peru’s surf scene, escape the city and head to Chicama, a surfing town in northern Peru where budding surfers are said to have found the world’s longest left-hand wave.
Chicama is a must for the intrepid Aussie surfer. Surfers estimate the wave peels for an incredible four kilometres.
Lima is hot on the lips and hips of foodies
Lima has secured the title as South America’s gastronomic capital. Home to award-winning chefs including Virgilio Martinez, who’s internationally acclaimed restaurant Central, based in Miraflores, attracts gourmets from all over the world, the city is on every foodie’s wish list. Martinez’s London based restaurant Lima has also recently become the first Peruvian restaurant to win a Michelin star.
There is no shortage of delicious Peruvian cuisine to tuck into in this gastronomic hub.
Peru is no stranger to a fiesta
For travellers who like to shake their hips they have 6,800 Peruvian festivals to choose from. Depending on the celebration, Peru has local street festivals like the Marinera Festival that takes place on the streets of Trujillo in late January, traditional festivals like Ayacucho for Semana Santa in April and gastronomic celebrations like La Vendimia that takes place in the wine region of Ica in March.
