Inveterate travelers have a new destination to target since Machu Picchu was voted one of the 7 Wonders of World last year. Previously on the radar of adventure travelers and those with an interest in places of rich cultural history Da'Shawn Hand Jersey , Peru has gone mainstream and it's about time.

One trip will never do justice to this magnificent land and those who have the good fortune to spend a week or two inevitably leave with the promise of return on their lips. Any trip includes the majestic ruins of Machu Picchu where the experience is so much more than the ubiquitous photographs of green mountains and vast terraces can capture.

Walking the paths through the "Lost City" is a privilege and an unfathomable luxury when you consider that in most other countries, this historical monument would be cordoned off and only available for viewing from behind carefully guarded ropes. Llamas roam the lower grassy areas, lounging in the warm sun while guides at chosen vantage points explain the construction of the Incan walls, made from tons of stone transported from miles below to build this fortress that was never discovered by Spanish conquerors.

Colonial cities were built by the Spaniards with a Plaza de Armas in the center of each. The beauty of these main squares with their soaring Cathedrals and stately City Halls is marred by the knowledge that they were often built on the foundations of Incan temples, torn down to impose Colonial rule and replace the Incan worship of the Sun and the Moon with the religion of the Catholic missionaries. While modern Peruvians are proud of the beauty of their cities they also carry in their hearts a love for their true heritage.

When Colonial rule was established in Peru Tracy Walker Jersey , the choice of Lima as the Capitol City for the Vice-royalty brought with it many waves of immigration, creating a melting pot not unlike that of the United States. This mix of cultures and races is most dominant in the exquisite cuisine of the country. Complex and varied, the dishes range from seafood on the coasts, to guinea pig and alpaca in the highlands. Stews, sautes Graham Glasgow Jersey , ceviches and soups with flavorings and techniques that represent fusion cuisine long before it became famous in the modern culinary world. A taste of Peru in the literal sense becomes a longing that lingers long after the vacation ends.

While the flavors of Peru are difficult to transport home, the superior craftsmanship of the artisans is not, from the rich textile traditions to the ancient traditions of silver jewelry artisans. A visit to the artisan markets in each of the small provinces in the country is a highlight of any trip. Unique treasures abound and a tourist with a discerning eye can gather a suitcase full to give as gifts or keep as a reminder of moments spent suspended in the magic that is Peru.
Author's Resource Box

Elaine Rojas is a writer, entrepreneur and inveterate traveler who shops artisan markets around the world. To see some of her Peruvian artisan treasures visit her site, Tikanchay which showcases Peruvian silver jewelry handcrafted by master artisans who produce only the highest quality silver jewelry.

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WASHINGTON A'Shawn Robinson Jersey , Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Last year's global average temperature was the hottest on record, marking the third year in a row global heat records have been shattered, according to reports published Wednesday by two U.S. government agencies.


The agencies bolstered the scientific conclusion that our planet is getting warmer.


CLEAR TREND


Data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showed that in 2016 the average temperature across global land and ocean surfaces was 1.69 degrees Fahrenheit (0.94 Celsius) above the 20th century average of 57.0 degrees Fahrenheit (13.9 Celsius).


"This was the highest among all years in the 1880-2016 record, surpassing the previous record set last year by 0.07 degrees Fahrenheit (0.04 Celsius)," the NOAA report said.


"Since the start of the 21st century Michael Roberts Jersey , the annual global temperature record has been broken five times (2005, 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016)," it said.


In a separate analysis of global temperature data Jalen Reeves-Maybin Jersey , scientists from the U.S. space agency NASA also found 2016 to be the warmest on record, a finding also confirmed by the World Meteorological Organization and other agencies.


Last year "is remarkably the third record year in a row in this series," said Gavin Schmidt, director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, "We don't expect record years every year Kenny Golladay Jersey , but the ongoing long-term warming trend is clear."


According to NASA, most of the warming occurred in the past 35 years, with 16 of the 17 warmest years on record occurring since 2001.


PERFECT RECIPE


The announcements by NOAA and NASA are something that can be expected, since the first eight months of the year had record high temperatures for their respective months.


"That 2016 was the hottest year on record comes as no big surprise," said Professor Dave Reay of the University of Edinburgh. "The combination of a strong El Nino event with human-induced climate warming was the perfect recipe for another record-breaker."


A strong El Nino event Teez Tabor Jersey , which warms the upper tropical Pacific Ocean, was in effect for most of 2015 and the first third of 2016, but experts believed that it only played a small role last year.


Deke Arndt, climate monitoring chief at NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information, told reporter on a conference call that last year's El Nino event may "have contributed a