A journey to {PERU}:

Our adventure began in Lima, a bustling capital perched on the shores of the Pacific. It’s sprawled over 30 districts and in our short stay we were able to see two of these. Miraflores is a sophisticated, upmarket neighbourhood perched atop dramatic cliffs overlooking the Pacific, known for its luxurious hotels, chic boutiques and vibrant dining scene. Barranco is a more buzzy and bohemian district and the part of Lima we preferred. This is definitely a city worth visiting if you are a foodie. Four restaurants made into the world’s 50 Best Restaurants list, more than from any other city in the world!

The Belmond Miraflores Park is set in the upscale neighbourhood of Miraflores and commands spectacular views over the Pacific Ocean. The hotel has a clean, contemporary design inside with splashes of colour, as in the Tragaluz restaurant (below right). Like all Belmond hotels we stayed in during our trip, the service is slick and the overall feel is top class.

The rooftop area is a highlight of the hotel, including an outdoor pool poised to overlook the ocean.

On our short stay we squeezed in time to do a half day tour of the city, just enough time to the see the important sites including Plaza San Martin, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace and the Cathedral.

Central been raked in the top 10 restaurants in the world for 10 years in a row and won top spot in 2024. It has an innovative up-to-17-course tasting menu that showcases Peru’s breathtaking geography and biodiversity, bringing indigenous Andean and Amazonian ingredients to the fore. The contemporary interior design is sleek and minimalist.

Chef Virgilio Martínez is a real culinary artist, having also created a contemporary culinary research institution, The Mater Initiative, to study local traditions and ecological knowledge. This is a very hot spot, so you need to reserve well in advance to secure a table.

Nestled in the heart of the Sacred Valley lies Río Sagrado, a tranquil escape surrounded by awe-inspiring landscapes.

The Río Sagrado hotel has a tranquil location surrounded by lush gardens and towering mountains on the banks of the Urubamba River. The hotel even has resident alpacas that you can get to know! It was a great place to relax and take in the incredible views after a day of touring, either from the gardens or by the pool.

The highlight here is undoubtedly the magnificent Inca terraces that cascade down the mountainsides, a testament to ancient engineering that allowed the Incas to farm at high altitudes. We wandered through these terraces, marvelling at their precision and the stunning views of the valley below.

After this, we did one of Anne-Marie’s favourite holiday activities: bargaining with vendors in a local handicraft market! The vibrant stalls were brimming with handmade textiles, ceramics and Andean jewellery.

El Jardin serves seasonal Andean cuisine, with ingredients are locally sourced, many from the ecological garden at the hotel. It was a great spot for lunch surrounded by the great outdoors.

In the evening, we went to the second restaurant, El Huerto. We had a fun pre-dinner Pisco Sour tasting in the bar before having dinner. Again, the emphasis is on locally produced organic ingredients and freshest produce from the garden.

The key selling point of the Sanctuary Lodge is the unrivalled location, just a few steps away from the entrance of the Machu Picchu. Not only that, hotel guests have the VIP experience of being able to enter the park early before the crowds arrive. Landscaped gardens boast stunning views over the surrounding jungle-covered mountains and the valley below. You will, however, need to pay more to get a room with a mountain view!

This Hiram Bingham train journey from Cusco to Machu Pichu and back was one of the highlights of our trip. There is a whole ceremony to welcome you on board the train, with musicians and dancers.

On the outward bound leg, we had a lovely lunch, chatting to some of our fellow passengers. During the journey we were able to marvel at the changing landscape as we travelled from Andean highlands to the beginnings of the jungle, before finally arriving at the town of Aguas Calientes. The best views of all were from the observation car at the back of the train.

The return trip to Cusco was a total blast. We enjoyed Pisco Sours in the bar where there was a party atmosphere, with dancing to a live band. We had a break from the dancing to enjoy a gourmet a 4-course dinner in the dining car, before pulling in back to Cusco by 9pm.

The lost City of the Incas is one of those famous monuments that really does live up to the hype. This architectural marvel was hidden from the world for centuries. As you walk through the ruins, the sheer scale of the site and its breathtaking setting among jagged peaks does leave you lost for words. The clouds that rolled in and out of the valley added a mystical quality to the experience, making the feeling of stepping into a lost civilization all the more magical.

For our second visit, we woke up early and walked up to the sun gate at the same time as the more adventurous and athletic travellers who had hiked the Inca Train!

Our final destination, Cusco, is a vibrant and lively city where Inca heritage and Spanish colonial influences blend seamlessly. It has colourful buildings, bustling markets and a lively plaza. The latter was a great spot to sit on a terrace enjoying a coffee while taking in views of the red-tiled rooftops and surrounding hills.

This Belmond Monasterio is an elegantly restored 16th Century monastery in the heart of Cusco. We picked it for the mix of centuries-old charm and the comfort of a luxurious hotel. Beautiful furnishings featured throughout and magnificent examples of religious art adorn the walls. The central courtyard was a lovely place for a leisurely breakfast or to hangout during the day.

Our trip through Peru offered an unforgettable mix of history, culture and natural beauty. From the serenity of the Sacred Valley to the grandeur of Machu Picchu and the vibrant charm of Cusco, Peru is a place that lingers in our heart and soul, long after we left.