"Charming colonial city" Cusco by jlynyc

Many people come to Cusco which is the beginning of their trip up to Machu Picchu. While you're acclimating to the change in altitude, be sure to explore all the crooks and crannies that make up Cusco. It's a beautiful, charming old colonial city and shouldn't be overlooked in your anticipation of Machu Picchu.

Plaza de Armas is the main square in Cusco and it is lined with souvenier shops, guide companies and restaurants.

Hill in San Blas

The San Blas neighborhood of Cusco sits atop a hill with narrow alleyways cut by steep staircases or roads leading to the next street. It is the "artsy" part of Cusco and is full of artisan shops.

Harvest parade

We had just returned to Cusco from a morning trip out to the ruins at Sacsayhuaman and decided to relax over a meal in the Plaza de Armas. We sat near a window on the second floor of a restaurant located right on the square and while we were eating, a local parade and harvest festival began. We had an unobstructed birdseye view of this celebration and it was such an unexpected treat. Sit back, order another Fanta and you never know what you may come across!

• Pros:quaint, charming, colonial city
• Cons:change in altitude
• In a nutshell:A gem in the Andes