Lima, founded in 1535 by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, has a rich history, an impeccably restored colonial quarter, beautiful Pacific Coast beaches, excellent museums, and an amazingly diverse cuisine.



Machu Picchu, the great lost city of the Incas and South America's best known site, is forty three miles northwest from the city of Cuzco. The stunning ruins remain relatively intact because the Spanish conquistadores never found or plundered the sacred city. It was discovered in 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham.



Nazca Lines are enormous ground drawings of birds and animals etched by the ancient Nazca peoples across 30 miles of desert in the southern coast of Peru. Discovered by 1939 by scientist Paul Kosok, the formations are as large as 1,000 feet in size and approximately 2,000 years old.



Llamas, a close relative to the camel, are the most easily recognized Peruvian animal. They are commonly used as pack animals.



Ceviche, a blend of fish, seafood, and citrus juices, is the country's national dish. Usually prepared with onions, corn and seasoned with hot sauce, ceviche is served as an appetizer, light meal or snack.