The most beautiful town I have seen in Peru: Arequipa.
Take your time to just stroll the beautiful streets, among buildings of white sillar Volcanic stone......
The beautiful town center is tiny, and you can get everywhere on foot within minutes, if you can resist exploring the beautiful side lanes...
... and admiring all the gorgeous details...
There is lots to see at the
Plaza de Armas
If you are lucky, you can witness some local celebrations !
*
Find a charming old Hostel, where you have a view of Santa Catalina Monastery on one side...
... and
El Misti the volcano on the other. If you are lucky with the clouds, that is.
(Views from the
Hostal La Reyna)
Visit the
Museo Santuarios Andinos (also called the Museo de Santury) to see the Incan offerings to the vulcan, and the famous Juanita, the Ice Maiden. The tour of the museum (including ana amazing film on the disovery of the mummies) takes one hour, and is conducted very respectfully.
*
Take your time to just walk the streets of Arequipa, looking into the little shops ... The prices in Arequipa are very reasonable, and the Alpaca wool here is good quality !
Buy a bag and a belt with the
beautiful Arequipeñan Maquinaza style embroidery*
Drink a delicious
juice of the Papaya Arequipeña, the local speciality. It´s very fresh, and tastes nothing like the typical Papaya.
Don't miss the
Queso Helado, a kind of ice cream, a local delicacy of Arequipa !
Try
the best chocolates in Arequipa, maybe even Peru, at
La Ibérica (Jerusalem 136). Peruvian chocolate tastes different from the western chocolate, and is amazingly delicious !
*
Take a whole afternoon to visit the gorgeous
Santa Catalina Monastery...
... it's a tiny city within a city, and every part of it is
in a different colour !
... have a
Maté tea and a cake in it's
charming cafeteria, while you shelter from the summer rain
and leave a false name behind !
*
Arequipa undergoes a metamorphosis after dusk... The glowing white walls illuminated by hundreds of lights...
Best enjoyed while
drinking an Emoliente on a street corner. This warm herbal drink also helps with the altitude !
While the Gringos hang out in the
pubs in the Calle Santa Catalina, the locals
party in Avenida Dolores. The local beer is (or at least was)
Arequipeña. If you want to avoid alcohol, try the local soft drink
Kola Escocesa.
Post a Comment