Now that we are safely in Ecuador and thinking about all the wonderful things we want to explore here, it got me reminiscing about all the things we wanted to see in Peru before we left for our life changing trip.

Machu Picchu was always at the top of my bucket list and our whole family had the chance to see it. We got to explore Cusco, experience the culture, taste the delicious food and visit amazing places like Lake Titicaca and Nazca; however I can still recall the excitement before we left to go on our trip.

I remember counting down the days to our big adventure.

I remember doing Google searches with the kids to find pictures of parks in Peru so they could share in some of the excitement.

I remember looking at the pictures of the Nazca Lines, the historic city of Cusco and the Uros Islands, dreaming off what lie ahead in our future.

And the best part, all of this happened and much more besides.

But of course, it's not just me who generates a high level of anticipation before a big trip.

Chatting with Adonis from Always Wanderlust, he kindly shared his reasons for why he wants to visit Peru. And even more exciting, he is due to visit following his upcoming Argentina and Chile trip. You can join along in his adventures here.

I want to visit Peru because of rich history spanning thousands of years.  I’ve always been fascinated by the ancient Inca ruins, the mysteries surrounding them, and the people that built them.  There are some that are seemingly built by methods so advanced for its time that some consider the technology be extraterrestrial in origin!  The Nazca lines, for example, they appear to be designed to be seen in the sky and airplanes wouldn’t even exist for another thousand years.

Aside from the sights, there’s the Peruvian cuisine I want to indulge in.  I’m into spicy and heavy food.  I’ve tried dishes like Peruvian Rotisserie chicken and Ceviche in restaurants, but I want to try other dishes that you can only find in Peru. 

I also want to immerse in the culture.  Many Peruvians have direct ties to their ancestors, the Inca.  Seeing how they live and sharing experiences with them would make an awesome experience.

​Simone from The Aussie Flashpacker had the chance to visit Peru and like me, Machu Picchu was also at the top of her bucket list. Here are here personal reasons for wanting to visit Peru (you can check out her Facebook page for more exciting adventures). 

Hiking the Inca Trail and visiting Machu Picchu has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. I have memories of gazing in awe at pictures of the magnificent ruins in the jungle in Peru from when I was a child. Studying Incan and Mayan art and architecture in my High School Art classes only intensified this dream.

Health and fitness became a huge part of my life in the year or two leading up to my South American trip and despite being at my fittest I had ever been, it was still incredibly tough hiking at altitude along the Inca Trail. This made the reward at the end once we reached Machu Picchu even sweeter because we truly felt we had earned the right to be there (through plenty of blood, sweat & tears)!

The three months in spent in South America were some of the favourites from my travels, with the highlight being our time in Peru. It is such a beautiful, unique country with a wonderful culture and the friendliest of people. I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting.

While Machu Picchu is the draw card for hikers and historians alike, the Sacred Valley offers up other interesting ruins which are definitely worth adding to your list if you have the time.

Sacsayhuaman

Of all the ruins in Cusco, Sacsayhuaman is by far the most impressive. Totally accessible from Cusco on foot or by car, the fortress of Sacsayhuaman is indeed a sight to inspire. What is so amazing about the structure is the size of the rocks which fit precisely together without any mortar. Sacsayhuaman was added to the UNESCO world heritage list in 1983. Qenko, Puka Pukara and Tambo Machay are also a short distance away from Sacsayhuaman and worth visiting if you have the time.

If you talk to anyone about visiting Peru, the general consensus is that Machu Picchu is totally worth the visit, and without a doubt it is. However there is so much more to this part of Peru that many travellers just don’t seem to be aware of. Tourists book their trip to Machu Picchu avoiding many of the nearby gems, however our recommendation is take the time and add these to your itinerary as well.

Cusco – This historic capital sees approximately 2 million visitors a year however many just use it as a stepping stone to get to Machu Picchu. Take your time to embrace the city, visit the ruins, sit atop the double decker bus, shop at the markets, dine at the restaurants – there is so much culture and tradition to be found here that it would be a shame to miss out on it.

Pisac – Just a short ride from Cusco is the wonderful little town of Pisac, with a strong bohemian vibe. There are many quality eateries and accommodation options and it is well worth staying a night or two to check them out. Pisac has a slower pace than neighbouring Cusco, so you will have plenty of time to walk the ruins, visit the market, go for a hike, take a swim or just relax.

Ollantaytambo – Ollantaytambo is the gateway to Machu Picchu, whether you are choosing to walk the Inca Trail or take the train directly to Machu Picchu Pueblo. Not stopping to take in the sights as you pass by would be slightly remiss. It is a lovely town with some very interesting Inca ruins situated directly in the town centre and on the outskirts. You can choose to explore the town on foot or by even by horse if you are so inclined.

Puerto Maldonado – A 10 hour bus ride or a short plane flight away from Cusco, is the Amazonian jungle city of Puerto Maldonado. There are many tours on offer to explore the inner jungle area but for those staying in and around the town, we recommend a tour up the river to view the local wildlife and a trip to Mariposario Tambopata Butterfly Farm. While there aren’t many quality accommodation options available in Puerto Maldonado itself, you can’t go past The Anaconda Lodge. It features jungle style bungalows, a swimming pool to relax in and the in-house restaurant offers the best Thai food around.

Lake Titicaca – Again using Cusco as a base, you can easily head to the lakeside town of Puno. Most visitors don’t tend to spend a lot of time in town, instead opting to tour the largest lake in South America, Lake Titicaca. You can visit many of the islands and even stay overnight on the island of Amantani to experience traditional island life. The islands of Uros, although extremely touristy, are fascinating to view as they are made entirely of reeds.

Arequipa – Known as the ‘white city’ because of the myriad of white buildings situated around the centre, the city is popular because of its locale to Colca Canyon, a canyon which is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. You can choose to hike down into the canyon or stop by to view the Andean condors which call this region home. The Monasterio de Santa Catalina, the Museo Santuarios Andinos (home to the Ice Maiden Juanita) and the picturesque Plaza de Armas are worth visiting in Arequipa itself.

Nazca – You may or may not have heard of the Nazca Lines but if you have, these are not the only fascinating thing to see in Nazca. The Palpa Geoglyphs, the Cahuachi Pyramid and the Chauchilla cemetery are all worth a look as well although you may find it easier with a vehicle of some kind as there are quite a stretch of kilometres between these locations. There is so much history in one small area as well as a number of museums which look to provide some kind of background for the sites, that it is a must-see travel destination for those who love history and mystery.

Huacachina – A real life oasis in the desert and this is your chance to visit, but beware the mermaid in the lake, or so the legend goes. Mermaids aside, Huacachina is a great place to hang out by the pool, visit a winery and take on some of those sand dunes via a dune buggy ride. And be prepared, once you are at the top you will be presented with a sand board to make your way down the massive dunes where your designated driver will be waiting for you. Much fun in the sun to be had here.

Peru sounds amazing doesn’t it, and that doesn’t even begin to cover the wide variety of things you can do in Lima and the North of Peru. It’s a vast country, rich in history, with so many great experiences on offer.  So what are you waiting for?

Tourists come in droves to Cusco as it is the major travel hub for Machu Picchu – the destination where the hordes either fly into or bus across to.  Some stay for a night, head to Machu Picchu, stay for another night on their return and leave.  Others take their time to enjoy the city at a more leisurely place – we were the latter, having now been based in Cusco for 18 months.

For those heading to Cusco with kids, know that there is plenty to see and do so the kids don’t get bored.  Here are some of our favourites.

Plaza de Armas:  Sitting in the plaza and watching the world go by is a great way to spend an hour or two, especially as there are plenty of eateries and coffee shops nearby to please the kids.  The smaller plaza in San Blas is also fun to while away the afternoon, particularly as one of our favourite eateries, The Meeting Place is nearby.

Open top bus ride:  Leaving from the central plaza, the bus ride is a fun way to see the city without tiring out the kids too much.  It takes you all around the city and up to Cristo Blanco (the white Christ) where you can get an amazing bird’s eye view of the city below.  Definitely a must if you are only in the city for a short period of time.

Local Markets:  There are many fun and interesting markets to explore in Cusco from the food markets such as San Pedro, the clothing markets at El Molino, the second hand market known as the Baratillo or the Centro Artesenal market where you can pick up your souvenirs for the folks back at home.  Or there is always the local mall if you are in the need of a shopping spree closer to home.

Museo Inka:  There are a number of museums and art galleries around town however Museo Inka was by far our favourite.  You are greeted at the door by a fun musical photo opportunity followed by artifacts and displays which will help keep the kids amused.  The grand finale is the small collection of mummies at the end, your kids will either love them or hate them (I had one of each).

Lanlacuyoq (Zona X):  While the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay will provide plenty of historical education, the caves at Lanlacuyoq (also known as Zona X) allow the kids to get up close and personal in amongst the stones and explore.  And there are plenty of horse riding opportunities in and around the ruins as well if the kids are feeling up to it.

Choco Museo:  The Choco Museo is an educational and delicious experience for the whole family and if you desire, you can sign up for the chocolate making classes as well.  Sit back and enjoy a hot chocolate, chocolate fondue, chocolate crepe or just chocolate!

Faces of Cusco:  The Faces of Cusco Family-Fun workshop is the perfect way to acclimate or take a break from the outdoors. The all-age workshops are available every day, and in the end you will go home with delicious chocolates and typical local souvenirs!

Planetarium Cusco:  There aren’t many kids that don’t have a fascination with the night sky or the planets and it is a wonderful experience for them to realise it from the Inca civilisation’s point of view.  Planetarium Cusco is recommended for kids 7 and up, and you definitely want to take a jacket for this one as the nights in Cusco can get pretty cool.​

Parque Urpicha:  There are plenty of parks scattered around the city for the kids to play in, although by far the biggest one is Parque Urpicha.  It is filled with a colourful mix of slides, swings and old fairground rides and even a small ferris wheel and trampoline which open on the weekends.  The stores inside the park selling drinks and snacks definitely make it a stress free outing.  Another fun park for the young ones is the Dinosaur Park which features statues of dinosaurs small and large.  It is situated in Oropesa, 30 minutes outside of the city.

Awana Kancha:  While not in Cusco itself, Awana Kancha is situated about 30 minutes outside of Cusco.  It is a great way to see the llamas, alpacas and vicunas up close and personal and the kids will definitely enjoy being able to feed them.  Cochahuasi, the nearby animal sanctuary is worth visiting in the same trip.  Watch out for those Andean Condors however, we had an extremely personal encounter and are still recovering.  And for something a little closer to Cusco, the Universidad de San Antonio Abad del Cusco off Avenida de la Cultura also features a small zoo at the back featuring monkeys and spectacled bears (Paddington anyone?).

Of course there are many other fun things to do in and around Cusco, depending on the age and interest of your child or children.  Those without children will undoubtedly benefit from visiting many of these places listed above as well.  So whether you are in Cusco for one day or three, make sure you take some time out to do at least one or two of the things on the list to make sure your visit to Cusco is a fun and enjoyable one.

After having lived in Cusco for over a year and a half, we can definitely conclude that Cusco is a great place to visit.

There is so much to see and do for all ages.  Whether you have young kids or those more of the teen age, Cusco has much to offer.

Whether you family is up for hiking in the hills, exploring caves, visiting a llama farm or just heading to the park for a chill-out day, it is all possible.

And one of the best things, is that once you get to Cusco, the cost of staying here is relatively cheap. There are accommodation options to suit all budgets and food is relatively inexpensive.

So all in all, if you are looking for an interesting destination to bring your family - I highly recommend Cusco.  And even better it is just a hop, skip and a jump from the amazing Machu Picchu (a must see tourist destination while you are here) and other wonderful small towns in the Sacred Valley area including Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero - all of which we recommend.

The shopping is great, the food is delicious, the people are friendly and there is such a variety of things to do, that in reality you may be struggling to find some downtime.  So whether you come for a week, a month or stay for an extensive period like we did, I don't think you will regret it.

In February 2014 we took the plunge and signed up for the ultimate living abroad experience, running a hostel with the help and support of our friends and family.  Although it was a hostel prior to us taking over, it felt more like we started from scratch, as we painted, renovated, purchased furniture and re-branded the building into our very own Casa Emilia (named after our daughter).  

Yes it was a lot of hard work but we had some fun along the way - the best part was being able to meet the variety of amazing people who came to our door.  From single travellers, backpackers, couples and families - many who will remain in our hearts and memories for a long time to come.

And while we started way down the TripAdvisor list at number one hundred and something, we persevered and got all the way to number 13 on the top B&B list in Cusco.  Not bad going for the new kid on the block.

And although we haven't been living there for the last two months of the lease, instead opting to rent it out to a wonderful family from Florida, we will miss it when we can no longer call it our own.  We might not miss the sleepless nights or the hard work that it entailed to set it up in the first instance, but we will miss the people we met and the great experience the hostel offered us.

So with one month remaining on our lease, here is our hostel journey in pictures...

and some more...

Casa Emilia - definitely our favourite place to stay in Cusco!

To go from a 10 bedroom B&B to a van travelling across the Americas didn't seem right - so we set a plan in motion a few months back to try to downscale and prepare in a so-called transition phase.  This phase has us today huddled together in a one bedroom apartment playing musical beds and trying to work out where everyone fits the best.  And so far it is working well.

The relocation saw us discard a lot of stuff we had and enabled me to sort through and donate a couple of bags to charity.  That helped a lot, although the move itself highlighted the fact that we still have too much stuff and will have to pare down considerably before we leave in March.  

We came to Cusco 16 months ago with 4 suitcases and one small bag each (and a laptop) - now we have considerably more and an extra laptop to boot.  I wonder how we will go trying to get it down to 2 suitcases and one small bag each (the two laptops will of course continue on the journey provided they last the distance).  

So at this stage, all I can say is so far so good.  Maybe the two kids will have a huge growth spurt over the next couple of months saving me the hassle of working out what stays and what goes.   

Emilia has been participating in a dance group for quite a while now and the final performance was last night.  It was one thing to see her practice in a small room with the others but another to see her perform on a dim stage in front of a couple of hundred people.

Where did my little girl go?  In front of me was a confident 9 year old performing with all the passion and energy that she could muster.  She was up on stage all by herself dancing in front of a room full of strangers with no nerves in sight.

Children always amaze me with their ability to just get on with it - we adults definitely need to take a leaf or two out of their books.  And at the end she was jumping around with excitement - a mix of happiness because she had just done something totally awesome and sadness because it was the end of the show.

My little Emilia is definitely a performer at heart.  In the last few months I have seen her twice up on stage - in a recent beauty pageant and now this and both times she has never failed to amaze me.

Way to go Emilia!