“Today, the country is the region’s most enthralling combination of old and new, indigenous and European, human and natural, cultural highlights and geographical wonders”.

When one of the UK’s foremost travel journalists writes that about Peru, it is worth pausing to take note.

In a recent article – The perfect two-week holiday in Peru – published in the UK’s The Telegraph newspaper, travel writer and destination expert Chris Moss outlines how best to make the most of this remarkable country, taking in Lima’s gastronomy and, of course, the Sacred Valley.

Arguably one of the most beautiful and culturally rich countries in the world – this is the seat of the Inca Empire, after all – Peru boasts stunning coastlines spanning thousands of miles, breath-taking scenery and an attractive climate.

Chris explains that with the introduction of direct flights running between London and Lima with South America’s largest carrier LATAM, it’s now a cinch to experience “one of the world’s most captivating destinations. Board the 10:30pm departure at Heathrow and you’ll touch down in the Peruvian capital at 6:30 the following morning, perfect for a lazy first day enjoying art museums and architecture”. And from Lima, all of Peru’s most remarkable destinations are just short flights away.

A Peruvian Adventure

Cosmopolitan Lima is the ideal starting point for your Peruvian adventure and a must for wander-lusting culture vultures and gastronomes. Chris advises: “…It’s worth spending an hour walking without a plan, noting the famous box balconies, ornate facades, atmospheric hallways and Spanish-style patios”.

Take time to explore the upscale leafy neighbourhoods, museums and galleries, cafés and bars and dive into the city’s diverse cuisine scene, the intriguing product of multiple influences.

Beyond the “enthralling mess of grand churches, crumbling mansions, pockets of renovation and snarling jams of unfiltered traffic” there is, of course, another world to discover in Peru, something we at Sol y Luna know rather a lot about.

“The talking point for first-time visitors is still Machu Picchu, and the surrounding Sacred Valley and Cuzco come in as close seconds”, explains Chris.

Sacred Valley of the Incas

The Sacred Valley of the Incas stretches for 110km and is a wide, rolling landscape of verdant agricultural terraces, Incan ruins and Spanish colonial relics. There can be few better bases from which to explore Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley than the luxurious Relais & Chateaux hotel Sol y Luna, which Chris highlights in his article. “Set in lush gardens, with two excellent restaurants, a large spa, pool and stables”, writes Chris, it’s the perfect base to explore the extraordinary Incan ruins and colonial towns that scatter the Peruvian highlands.

Machu Picchu, a 15^th century citadel built by the Incas, is one of the world’s most in-demand tourist attractions and easily reachable from Sol y Luna.

Additional hot spots include the market and ruins at the village of Pisac, spectacular temple and fortress ruins at Ollantaytambo, the salt pans of Maras, the agricultural terraces of Moray and the Andean village of Chinchero, with its Inca ruins, colonial church and stunning mountain views.

“Whatever you opt for, prepare to be surprised”, Chris goes on. “South America’s complex history and societies seem to be distilled in Peru, and some of the world’s friendliest folk will be on hand to show it off. Get in a round of pisco sours and you’ll soon tap into your own spirit of discovery”.

Top of the Cool List

If Chris’ article wasn’t enough to tempt you to Peru, National Geographic UK recently released The Cool List 2024 – a comprehensive round-up of the 30 most exciting places to visit in 2024.

The list includes a handful of destinations in the Americas, one of which is Lima, now more accessible than ever before from the UK with the direct flight from London.

Earmarking Lima as the country’s culinary capital, the authors note that “Lima’s culinary star shows few signs of dimming”. In fact, Peru has been voted the world’s leading culinary destination for nine of the last 10 years, an incredible feat that shows no sign of abating with two of its restaurants appearing in the top 10 of the most recent World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards.

Beyond the Michelin-starred restaurants, there are plenty of hip rooftop hangouts and boutique hotels scattered around the trendy neighborhoods of Barranco and Miraflores, with Hotel B leading the pack as the ideal base to explore Lima for a few days en route to the Sacred Valley.

Routes de Bonheur

Relais & Chateaux has now published 141 pre-designed worldwide itineraries in its travel book entitled Routes de Bonheur, with two of the itineraries covering journeys in Peru.

“Whether in the heart of its bustling capital city Lima, exploring exceptional historical sites or enjoying its wild nature, trips to Peru promise multi-faceted adventures” write the authors, designed for “travelers curious to discover its full riches”.

Sol y Luna is recognized by Relais & Chateaux as a special place that not only offers top quality accommodation, facilities and gastronomy, but also supports the Sol y Luna Foundation. The Foundation, which includes a school, an orphanage, a centre for disabled children, and a tertiary education programe, was founded by Petit Miribel and her husband Franz. Now going for 25 years, it provides, in Petit’s words, “love, care and education to children from Peru’s poorest communities”.

Sitting at an altitude of 2,800m, Hotel Sol y Luna is a mass of brilliant colour, where blue skies meet red earth and explosions of vibrant flowers in the 25 acre garden.

“Sol & Luna is inspired by this luminous setting and is a paean to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Its architecture is a mix of avant-garde and primitive Peru, its clay walls are a backdrop to both contemporary and traditional Peruvian art, and its stones, beams and bricks from the valley find their natural home here”.

Offering fresh, locally sourced cuisine with a contemporary take, Relais & Chateaux recognizes Sol y Luna’s enviable position close to a profusion of archaeological sites.

“For many travelers, Peru is a much-dreamed-of destination, a chance to explore the ancient Inca Empire, the last pre-Columbian civilization, and of renowned sites of magic and fascination”.

So true. Maybe it’s time to put Peru on your bucket list for 2024.

Do contact us to find out more…