Page 14 - AAA Central Penn – AAA Now! – January/February 2016

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Peru & Machu Picchu: Treasures of the Incas
TM
Edited with additional content by Craig Haberle, CTC
South America is renowned for its impressive Andean peaks, lush Amazonian rainforests, icy Patagonian glaciers and sugar-sand beaches.
Each country of this continent has a unique history and cultural personality to attract visitors from around the world. Peru is fortunate to have an especially intriguing allure by offering an enticing mix of the best aspects of South America in one colorful and exciting country.
Peru provides plenty of opportunities for discerning travelers, from exploring the ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu, to strolling cobblestone streets of preserved colonial towns, to joining in
the pulsing city culture of Lima. Long considered “exotic,” Peru can boast of receiving the title of one of TripAdvisor’s “Top Destinations in 2014.” When you go, embark on this unforgettable experience into the world of the Incas and contemporary Peruvians with an AAA-approved tour company to ensure the best of quality, comfort, authenticity and value. Be sure
to weave these distinctive destinations into your multi-layered journey around Peru:
LIMA:
Wrapped in history yet undeniably modern, Lima is this country’s handsome capital. Poised above
a coastline of cliffs, this bustling city has come of age and now is widely celebrated for its culinary creativity and excellence. Sample the results of its gastronomic revolution in the trendy
bohemian district of Barranco,
explore the UNESCO-listed Historic
Center, and visit the San Francisco
Monastery with its skull-lined
catacombs.
AAA Travel Tip: Enjoy a marvelous
lunch at Amor Amar, a hidden gem in
the Barranco district, serving classic
Peruvian dishes with a touch of the
Mediterranean. Explore the in-house art gallery and open-air bar as you await your mouthwatering entrée.
CUSCO:
Cherished as the Incas’ “Sacred City” and named a UNESCO Heritage site in 1983, this attractive city is thriving while simultaneously juggling traditional culture and architectural preservation with a lucrative tourism industry. This Incan capital has become an archaeological capital of the Americas, claiming continuous inhabitation longer than any other city on the continent.
AAA Travel Tip: The pleasant central square – zocolo – is a delightful shaded haven for a respite on a park bench while savoring the local ice cream and watching the visiting world go by.
SACRED VALLEY:
Flanked by fertile foothills of the Andes, the “Sacred Valley” of the beautiful Río Urubamba stretches between the former capital of one of the main pre-Columbian empires – the Tahuantinsuyo or Inca – and the legendary city of Machu Picchu. Once the homeland of the Incan Empire, the Sacred Valley is now home to colonial towns and remote villages well known for their traditional weaving techniques. The
Valley is also dotted with Incan archaeological sites just waiting to be explored.
AAA Travel Tip: Have lunch with Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez, a native Quechua weaver, scholar, and TreadRight Foundation Heritage Initiative grant recipient. Learn about the mission to preserve traditional Andean weaving techniques and witness several weavers at work.
MACHU PICCHU:
This longstanding UNESCO site was recently named one of the “Seven Wonders of the World.” Machu Picchu represents the ultimate South American destination for many travelers. This awe- inspiring Incan site is dramatically nestled 8,000 feet above sea level in the midst of the Peruvian Andes, surrounded by lush vegetation and skimmed by clouds so close they appear to be within reach. This lost city of ruins was forgotten for centuries before its rediscovery in 1911, abandoned for an unknown reason sometime around the 16th century. This mystery makes the destination even more exciting and you can easily lose yourself in a time warp while admiring the city’s massive temple structures, impressive masonry, and enigmatic stone staircases.
AAA Travel Tip: Be sure to take your walk through this Lost City of the Incas with an expert local guide to learn about its history and the people who once lived there. You will discover legends of the great Temple of the Sun, Sacred Plaza, and the intricately carved stone Intihuatana, believed to be an ancient sun calendar.
LAKE TITICACA:
This broad and deep lake is high in the Andes on the border of Peru and Bolivia. By volume of water, it is the largest lake in South America. Take a guided day cruise among the famous floating islands, constructed by local people by bundling lake reeds to build floating platforms, houses and boats.
AAA Travel Tip: To reach Lake Titicaca in style, take an unforgettable train ride through the misty mountains and open highlands aboard the award- winning Andean Explorer.
While worth the trip alone, Machu Picchu is just one thread of the Peruvian travel tapestry. Your well-planned visit through this colorful country will weave together a journey of discovery and enjoyment of this land of many treasures.
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016
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