Per-Who?

Honestly, that was our reaction to twins Harbor & Bailey choosing Peru as our Christmas ’18 destination. 
 
It will be great, Mom, it checks all your travel boxes:
-Easy flight into/out of Atlanta
-Change hotel rooms just once
-Pre-trip meds can help prevent altitude sickness
-Comfortable fall temps, hiking, old old stuff in museums, shopping, sightseeing, history, English speaking AND Machu Picchu!
 
Judy at Classy Destinations loved the choice (which surprised us) but what she knew and we would soon learn, was the excellence, experience and enjoyment of traveling with the Belmond Travel Group which included beautiful concierge-floor accommodations at two of their luxury hotels, delightful English speaking guides and a mini-bus with eight comfy bench seats just for us.
 
Our adventure included several days in Lima, Peru’s seacoast capital city 550’ above sea level, a surprisingly modern city with dramatic Pacific views and award winning restaurants. In 2017, two restaurants there were named in the list of the top ten restaurants in the world, which thanks to our guide we were able to walk in, sit at the bars and enjoy their famous cerviche (which originated in Peru) served in row boats.  Yum!
 
Next, up to Cusco, Yes up to 12,000 feet but decades back in time.  Here the brightly dressed Quechua women sat in groups along the roads to hand spin alpaca & sheep wool into the yarn they used to weave the colorful soft blankets, scarves and mittens they are famous for.
 
Machu Picchu – there are no words for this Inca Citadel, one of the 7 Wonders of the World. ………amazing, expansive, ingenious design, labor intensive, a “How Did They Do That” community built around their Temple of The Sun to protect their families, farming and herding.  
 
The precision – you cannot slide (yes, we tried) a piece of paper between boulders twice the size of a school bus transported up the mountain from miles away which have stood dry stacked in place since the 15th century.  Miles of hand dug irrigation channels still provide each stone home remnant and terraced field with water, not to mention how did they clear, level and terrace 126 miles on the side of a mountain?  So many questions, such fun to contemplate!
 
From our family to yours, Peru was fantastic, Belmond was pure excellence.
 
Do yourself a favor Make Peru…..Per-YOU!