Lima reminds me of southern California.   It's wonderful year-round weather on the beach-side cliffs provides an atmosphere where people are physically active.  They like to surf, hang-glide, run, play tennis and golf.  Modern apartments overlook the beach at a price that is a fraction of what could be found in the states.  Restaurants rank as some of the best in the world and will cost you less than dining at Applebee's in some cases.   The architecture is modern, and culture abounds in this great city.

We always visit Cusco on our small group tours to Peru and Machu Picchu.  The scene changes as we hit an altitude of about 12,500 feet.   The indigenous people dress as they have been for a hundred years - these are not costumes.  They speak their native language too.   Cusco is a city of Stone but with those modern amenities travelers love.  4-star restaurants like the one at the Monasterio:  http://www.monasteriohotel.com/web/ocus/restaurant_explorer.jsp.   Hotels like the Inkaterra (see http://www.inkaterra.com/inkaterra/la-casona) are some of the most comfortable and unique in the world at a fraction of the price that would be paid in North America.

When our small group tour to Peru takes us to Machu Picchu, we stay at the world-class Inkaterra-owned El Map or Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, where movie stars like Leonardo DiCaprio once stayed while we were there.   Luxury, great food, at a fraction of the cost.

When we travel to the Amazon Jungle on our small group tour to Peru and Machu Picchu, we stay at a resort that National Geographic rates as one of the top 50 eco-resorts in the world, the Inkaterra Amazonica where the traveler has option upon option of exploring the Amazon jungle with professional guides.

For more information on my small group tours to Peru and Machu Picchu, and even to Paris, Italy and Spain, see www.travelingprofessor.com or visit my FB page at: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Traveling-Professor/136094362898