During Spring Break 2016, I had the privilege of spending five days in this beautiful South America destination, Peru, in the company of one of my dear friend, Isabel.  A native born of Lima, Isabel brought me front stage and provided a local's perspective to Lima, a beautiful city on the Pacific coast.  

 

In addition to the gorgeous views, one of the most impressive and unexpected feature of this place was the intricate and exquisite cuisine, from meats, poultry, vegetables, fruits, and seafood, I didn't try one dish I did not like.  

 

And of course, the trip to Cusco and Machu Pichu were epic.  Sitting on a rock, meditating briefly, felt surreal, as I was surrounded by the ancient Inca creations at the top of a mountain.  We didn't do the 2-day or 4-day hikes, and opted instead for a 20-minute bus ride up the mountain, primarily due to time constraints, but I would highly recommend a trip to Machu Pichu either way.  

 

Every tour we took was very well organized, making it obvious that the country's tourism industry is adept at optimizing the tourist experience, making it incredibly pleasant and smooth for curious visitors.  I will be back again, for sure!