City Gal On The Go
I loved Lima — the city has a ton of character, interesting street art, good food, and a California-esque surf culture that reminded me of living in Santa Monica. I recommend exploring the area around the pier, walking through Barranco, MATE Museo Mario Testino, Jade Rivera gallery, and Punto Azul for authentic Peruvian seafood.
I took the luxury Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu instead of hiking the Inca Trail, as I had limited time in Peru. The Hiram Bingham train is expensive, but delivered a great experience, and included food, unlimited alcohol, and a guide. If you are interested in taking the Hiram Bingham, it’s possible to book
Salinas de Maras salt mines date back to Incan times, and are still used to harvest salt today. The hour-long drive from Cusco through the Sacred Valley is also quite beautiful.
Cusco is a beautiful city, and the jumping off point for Machu Picchu and Salinas de Maras. It’s worth exploring the entire city and main square, but I personally preferred the San Blas district, which was quieter, less touristy, and more artsy. San Blas is also home to the Healing House, which offers daily meditation