A continent of delights

PERU

The place to visit: Machu Picchu

Part of 15th century Machu Picchu's allure is how the Incas had removed the trails leading to the city when the Spanish conquistadors invaded Cuzco, giving rise to the speculation that it was a sacred site for the Incas. Machu Picchu was officially rediscovered four centuries later, in 1911, but the indigenous Quechua tribes were already living and farming there, among the ruins. In 1981, Peru declared the 325.92 square kilometres surrounding Machu Picchu as a "Historical Sanctuary". Machu Picchu was designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1983.

The dining scene: Peru has one of the best local cuisines and also gourmet dining, and it strikes a comfortable balance between the two. You can dine well anywhere from north to south of the country, from the Amazon to Cuzco. The…