Peru 

We find it impossible to recommend only a few restaurants in Lima. In the past few years Lima has exploded as a foodie destination, hosting some of the best restaurants in the world.

This beautiful restaurant sits just above the Inca ruins in Moray and takes its inspiration of experimenting with and expanding use of local Andean products from the ruins below.

Zig Zag offers delicious Peruvian cuisine in a charming setting, along with tasty cocktails. We highly recommend the alpaca steaks and the meat samplers.

Chicha offers delicious Peruvian cuisine, focusing on local traditions and culture.

One of our favorite restaurants in Cusco, Cicciolina offers delicious Peruvian tapas.

Astrid y Gaston serves up delicious Peruvian food in a gorgeous 18th-century Lima mansion.

Machu Picchu is one of the most stunning places in the world. Likely constructed as an estate for the Incan emperor Pachacuti, the city of Machu Picchu was built in the middle of the fifteenth century. Perched improbably on a plateau among sheer mountains, Machu Picchu is astoundingly photogenic, but it’s even more impressive in person.

Founded in 1579 by a wealthy window to house the second daughters of wealthy Spanish families, Santa Catalina Monastery is a city within Arequipa. With beautiful colonial architecture, winding cobblestone streets, beautiful rooms, and ornate plazas, it’s one of Arequipa’s top sites.

Saqsaywaman is a massive Inca citadel perched in the hills above Cusco. It’s a paradigmatic example of Inca architecture, with enormous stones expertly cut to fit together without mortar.

Housed in a Lima mansion, this museum focuses on pre-Inca artifacts from all over Peru. It does an excellent job of surveying and explaining pre-Inca cultures.

The Inca ruins at Pisac are quite impressive. The main city sits on the crest of a hill, with terraces lining the slopes below.

A truly impressive ruin of an Inca city, including numerous terraces, an unfinished temple, and irrigation systems.

Cruise on Lake Titicaca to see this beautiful ancient alpine lake and learn about the people who live there. Pick a cruise that takes you Uros and Taquile Island.

The best way to get from Puno to Cusco is PeruRail’s Titicaca Train. It’s about a ten-and-a-half hour ride that winds through spectacular Andean scenery.

Despite the over-tourism, Rainbow Mountain is spectacularly beautiful, and a great high-altitude hike. Make sure to see the Red Valley as well.

This beautiful lodge nestled in Colca Canyon offers great views of the canyon and Colca River, as well as access to a series of onsite natural hot springs. The hotel restaurant is also quite good.

This lovely hotel has comfortable rooms, a good restaurant and bar, and a great location.

Hands down the best place to stay in Puno, the GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca sits on a private island that offers great views of the lake and the city of Puno. The hotel restaurant is also one of the best in town.

This beautiful hotel has comfortable rooms, gorgeous gardens, and a great restaurant with a fun bar. It’s a small property that only hosts a handful of guests. An excellent option in the Sacred Valley.

The El MaPi is good option to stay the night in Aguas Calientes before your visit to Machu Picchu. The rooms are small but comfortable, and the hotel stay typically includes both dinner and breakfast.

This charming hotel offers cozy rooms and and a rooftop restaurant and bar with great views of the city. It’s in a central location, with most of Arequipa’s main sites within walking distance.