Lima

Few cities have conquered the world's palate like Lima: its restaurants top the lists of the planet's best, and its cevicherías, huariques and nikkei counters turn every meal into an event. The Miraflores boardwalk, perched on cliffs above the Pacific, invites you to stroll between parks while paragliders soar over the ocean, and the bohemian, colourful district of Barranco gathers galleries, murals and the Bridge of Sighs.

The historic centre, a World Heritage Site, preserves the Plaza de Armas, the cathedral and the wooden balconies of the viceroyalty, alongside gems such as the San Francisco convent and its catacombs. And from Lima, a short flight connects with Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, making it the natural starting point for any route through Peru.