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ACCOMMODATIONS:
Los Tambos
Excellent. Arequipa in the
Quechua language means "stay awhile" and if you are going to
stay in Arequipa it should be at Los Tambos. Ranked #1 on Trip Advisor out of 62 hotels in Arequipa is
justified; not only is this hotel just a half block from the
beautiful Plaza de Armas, but it is spotlessly clean, modern
(without losing the warmth), has comfortable beds, great bathrooms
with hot showers, free wifi and a delicious fresh-made breakfast
in a cheerful 4th floor room with balcony. To top it off
owners Thomas and Milagros lead their helpful, cheerful staff in
making guests feel welcomed and appreciated.
Highly recommend.
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ARRANGEMENTS:
Hotel: Made reservation directly with Los Tambos
through their website. All went well.
Tours: We did a self guided tour around Arequipa
and to see a bit of the countryside we took a green bus
tour (green was recommended).
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FOOD & DRINK:
BREAKFAST at the hotel was ample, so much so we
asked for less the following morning. There is a variety
of items to choose from and eggs are cooked to order.
DINNER On a recommendation we went to che
Carlitos Argentino Grill, a 10 minute walk down and across the
river from the main square. The atmosphere was more formal
than expected. It is popular with locals who enjoy large
plates of food with the emphasis on grilled meat (that's why the
name). Main dishes ranged from $8 - $10 USD.
For light lunches, snack and drinks there are
plenty of places to choose from. Peruvians seem to
like their sweets so cake and pastry shops are plentiful.
For picnic lunches also see Mercado Central
below.
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PLACES TO GO:
Santa
Catalina Monastery is Arequipa's main visitor
attraction. It is a large complex with much to see and
can take up a good part of your visiting day.
Casa
del Moral is a lovely manor house built in the
eighteenth century showing furniture and items from Arequipa's
colonial period. A guide is there to make the walk through
more interesting.
Arequipa Mercado Central (Central Market) A
fascinating place only five blocks from Plaza de Armas. It
is a whole block under cover offering daily items: fruits
and vegetables, a stunning array of potatoes (southern Peru is
the birthplace of the potato), cheeses, meats and much more all
the way to hats and frog skeletons (used to flavour soups).
Do more than look, buy something.
The streets and shops of Arequipa:
We do suggest taking some time away from the cloisters, museums and
colonial mansions and simply walk around Arequipa and admire
it's beauty. It is known as the White City because many of
the colonial buildings are built of sillar, a white volcanic
stone which could be lavishly carved. As evening
comes join local families in one of Peru's most beautiful main
squares as they stroll together, stopping to talk with friends
and watch children play. Do what the locals do, get
off the expensive tourist streets and do some shopping down
narrow streets which can seem busier than they were during the day.
Go into one of the many bake shops, point to something and then
take it to the street and taste what you bought. Remembering
to leave the churches and museums and be part of today's
Arequipa may just become a favourite memory. We think you will like it.
Get out of town. Catch a tour bus (green
recommended) and see where people live and work
outside of the city.
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TO & FROM:
From Nazca by
Cruz del
Sur bus. Trip length approximately 9 hours (we
did it on an overnight bus).
From Arequipa to Puno
by
Cruz del
Sur bus. Trip length approximately 6 hours.
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