And so we found ourselves on the banks of Lake Piuray about 45 minutes outside of Cusco (on the road to the Sacred Valley) sipping Pisco punch, admiring the stunning view of the Andes Mountains and having a picnic unlike any other!

Often, our readers tell us that they didn’t expect there to be so many tourists when they come to Cusco and Machu Picchu, so the Cicciolina Picnics are a not just a breath but a gust of fresh air amongst what can be generic experiences in the Valley.

Forget past picnic experiences of soggy sandwiches and luke-warm tea, for this is a luxury picnic experience. They essentially transport an entire kitchen and dining area to the picnic spot where waiters serve a sit-down lunch complete with ceramic plates and glasses, a country-style menu and the same quality service you would receive in the restaurant itself.

You can select from four different picnic spots – Lake Piuray, Maras, Moray or Pisac which are all located in stunning, natural settings in the Sacred Valley and here’s the best bit… you won’t see anyone else, yep, it’s just you, the picnic staff and the stunning view.

The food is perfect for the setting – rustic, country Andean fare that includes dishes made from the local ingredients you see in the fields around you. Beetroot and sweet potato chips with guacamole to snack on when you arrive and then a banquet with a selection of mains including a delicious alpaca terrine with caramelized onions and goldenberry chutney, quinoa coated chicken with the famous Peruvian huancaina sauce, potato and quinoa salad, the traditional ‘solterito’ mix of fava beans, fresh cheese and herbs and the essential ‘choclo con queso’ corn and cheese dish grown in the Valley itself.

Desert included a wild elderberry cheesecake served with hot espresso which we sipped as the clouds rolled in and the sky darkened before we happily continued on our way down to the Valley

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• We absolutely loved the picnic and recommend it to anyone who is spending a day in the Valley and wants something a bit different where you can pause and really take in the stunning Andes in style.

• You can choose from three different menus so speak to Cicciolina to see the different menu choices when you book.

• If your budget doesn’t stretch to a luxury picnic, they also offer packed lunches which you order directly in the restaurant in Cusco and a self-serve option where they deliver a more basic picnic to wherever you are in the valley and you then drop the equipment back later that day to the restaurant.

• Do check out the portable toilet for one of the best bathroom views in the Valley!

Click here for more great things to see and do in Cusco

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The exhibition is located in a typical colonial building that housed the Inca ceremonial court around 1450 AD. In 1580 it became  the mansion of the conqueror Alonso Díaz and in 1850 of the Earl of Cabrera. The MAP museum was re-modelled to specifically house the works on display which are all immaculately displayed and illuminated in 10 themed rooms that are arranged around the pretty central colonial courtyard.  This is the only museum in Peru specifically dedicated to showcasing the art of ancient Peruvian cultures and each object is accompanied by brief but sufficient descriptions that make the visit more enjoyable.

The museum is organized in chronological order with a room dedicated to each period in Peru’s history including the formative period, Nasca, Mochica, Huari, Chancay, Chimu and Inca cultures where pieces are primarily ceramic in nature with wide reference to Andean mythology.

Don’t miss the wooden sculpture room where pieces are notable for their similarity to African primitive art, the impressive conch shells used by the Nazca and Moche priests and the gold and silver encrusted funeral attire in the gold and silver rooms.

There is a nice selection of religious paintings from the famous Cuzco School (Escuela de Arte Cusqueña) and throughout the exhibition you will also see quotes of great artists like Paul Gaugin or Albrecht Dürer who were greatly inspired by primitive art.

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• Don’t miss the selection of shops in the courtyard selling high quality weavings and art. Urubamba-based artist Pablo Seminario has a small store here with a nice selection of his contemporary ceramic creations inspired by the ancient cultures of Peru and you can also find a small outlet for the Cusco Centre of Traditional Textiles.

By Marcos Garcia

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Cooking classes Cusco start with a tour of the San Pedro market where you buy some of the ingredients you will use during the class and learn about local Peruvian products. Then we headed up to their custom built cookery school which is reminiscent of the Tree House restaurant – a welcoming rustic wood and glass structure with an outdoor, cozy dining area where you get to taste your culinary creations.

These cooking classes are an opportunity to learn about Peruvian cuisine in an intimate setting. Classes are always held by the owners themselves so it feels more like an intimate lunch with friends where you get an insider’s look into local culture and gastronomy. Owner Francisco and Executive Chef Juan Carlos shared their love for Peruvian food in what was a really enjoyable, laid-back experience.

The purpose built cooking space is ideal for groups of up to 8 people and classes start with a Pisco sour making lesson – the perfect start to any meal. (It was then fun to bring home a bottle of pisco and make pisco sours for friends in Europe later!) We then learnt how to make a delicious causa (mashed potato seasoned with aji Amarillo or Peruvian yellow pepper) and a ceviche so tasty and fresh I thought I was right next to the ocean!

For mains they steer away from the more traditional dishes that are often taught in cooking classes and opt for alpaca tenderloin wrapped in bacon and fresh rosemary and served with a vegetarian quinotto (risotto made with the Andean super food quinoa). The classes are very well organised and they select dishes that are easy to re-create at home yourself with suggestions for alternative ingredients for produce that might be difficult to find.

Lunch was followed by tasting platters of local fruits including lucuma, star fruit, chirimoya and goldenberry that we had bought earlier at the market and which we enjoyed under the afternoon sun as we lazily chatted about food and the Andean culture – the perfect end to a great culinary experience!

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• Different class options are available including Peruvian fusion, Andean cuisine and vegetarian cuisine so specify your preference when you book.

For more things to see and do in Cusco click here

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The centre itself boasts an interesting on-site museum with detailed information and displays about textiles. The current exhibit entitled ‘Weaving Lives’ presents the different functions of textiles in the different stages of life of the local people in this region and provides a nice insight into the local textile culture.

Additionally the centre hosts weavers from the various communities so that visitors can watch textiles being created and ask weavers any questions about the process without having to leave Cusco. A broad range of extremely high quality textiles are for sale in the centre including bags, scarves, ponchos, throws, tablecloths and decorations and if you have half an hour to spare it is definitely worth a visit.

Click here to see other places to shop in Cusco

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Incaman or Uriel Tapama Mamani studied theatre in Cusco. Back in 2003 while out walking one night, he surprised a group of young men writing graffiti on the stones of the palace. Uriel himself a descendant of the Incas regarded these stones as sacred so decided from that moment on to start protecting them and to make sure no one else did the stones any damage. Later, he had the idea of dressing up in typical Incan costume, made by himself to earn a bit of money while keeping an eye on the street.

Today, Uriel is a Cusco legend and is officially recognized as part of Cusco’s cultural heritage. His skills as Incaman have earned him roles in films, traditional festivals, shows, documentaries and of course the eponymous annual  Inti Raymi festival. The twelve angled stone is a curiosity of Incan architecture, and its protector a symbol of the richness of that culture.

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• Uriel is happy to pose for photos with visitors but appreciates a donation for this privilege!

• Just around the corner there is a lesser known stone with thirteen angles. Amazing!

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Best cafes in Cusco information

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My first quest, in a mood to discover the typical dishes of the valley is for a simple meal of trout ceviche, fried pork and chicken soup. This is where you will find all the locals at lunchtime but be aware that service is basic, prices are low and we can’t guarantee you won’t leave with a nasty stomach upset!  It is still worth a visit though, even just to wander through the food aisles. Bon appetit!

The best advice we can give for a visit to San Pedro Market is to take your time, wander slowly and marvel at the heart of Cusco where goods from the Peruvian coast, jungle and Andes are exchanged every day. The market allows a glimpse into the Cusco or ‘Cusqueña’ culture and is definitely not to be missed.

Meat, fruit and vegetables, chocolate, grains, cheese, bread, spices, nuts and dried fruits and several varieties of Peruvian potato all jostle for position with the more touristy stalls selling the typical Peruvian handcrafts, alpaca ponchos, jumpers, gloves and hats as well as mystical items such as the scented wood stick ‘palo santo’ or the medicinal San Pedro cactus.

 Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• The Saturday market is the largest of the week and it extends to the adjacent streets.

• Be careful of your valuables in and around the San Pedro Market. There are security guards patrolling the market but the area in and around the market is a little less secure so watch your wallets, cameras etc.

To see more things to do in Cusco click here

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Passionately run by Ana, Roberto and their resident astronomy expert who also happens to be their uncle Professor Garces, who has been working  internationally in this field for over 30 years.  The planetarium has been built with great respect towards the ancient Peruvians beliefs and their fascinating connections surrounding our wondrous stars and the local culture, so much so that the dome itself  is camouflaged in what appears to be a traditional local structure. This is an interesting night activity for those space nuts amongst you, or simply a romantic star-filled evening full of Andean lore for other curious star gazers.

Visiting the Cusco Planetarium is a humbling experience, you are invited into the home of Ana and Roberto for an evening of astronomical wonders. Towards the end of the night, everyone is offered hot coca tea and led outside to see the real light show in our skies.

The planetarium is located just ten minutes from the centre of Cusco in a private reserve in the Sacsayhuaman park and they offer a bus service to collect and drop you off to and  from the main square in Cusco.

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Located on the second floor of an old colonial building with great views of the Plaza Regocijo this is one of our favourite places to visit in Cusco. Entry is free into the small museum where you can learn about the history of chocolate, how it is grown and how cacao is transformed into the chocolate we know and love so well today.  Colourful, interactive displays with interesting facts – did you know the Chinese eat only 1 bar of chocolate for every 1,000 eaten by the British or that a small rabbit was worth 30 cocoa beans in Aztec society making this museum a fun place to learn about chocolate for all the family.

The highlight of any visit however is choosing a table that overlooks the square below, sipping one of their fabulous hot chocolate creations and nibbling on a selection of their handmade truffles. The hot chocolate comes served thick in a small bowl; you then mix it into the mug of warm milk provided and season with cloves and cinnamon. Mmmm…

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• Take home some of their hand made chocolate bars if you are looking for small gifts for friends and family.

• If you have a bit more time, try on of their chocolate-making workshops and learn how to make your own chocolate masterpieces!

Click here to see other great activities in Cusco

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