Bonjour Bordeaux: Chateaux, Wineries & Charming Villages with 2 Nights in Paris

The port of Lima is a vibrant gateway to Peru's rich history and culinary excellence, making it a must-visit destination for travelers. Savor local delicacies like ceviche and explore nearby attractions such as the coastal district of Callao and the breathtaking landscapes of Puno. The best time to visit is during the dry season from May to September, when the weather is ideal for exploration.

Machu Picchu is a fifteenth-century Incan citadel set high in Peru's Andes Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary archaeological and spiritual significance. Visitors should not miss the sunrise panorama from the Sun Gate and a guided exploration of the Intihuatana stone and Temple of the Sun, followed by a journey to Lake Titicaca near Puno. The optimal season to visit is May through September — Peru's dry winter — when clear skies unveil the full drama of the surrounding peaks and cloud forest.

Crowned by a Vauban citadel that UNESCO recognises as one of Europe's finest military fortifications, Blaye guards the Gironde estuary with a watchful grandeur unchanged since Louis XIV's engineers completed their work in 1689. Taste the local delicacy of poutargue de Blaye — cured mullet roe from the estuary — explore the merlot vineyards of the Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux appellation, and take an excursion south to Bordeaux's grand neoclassical boulevards. September and October bring the heady aromas of harvest season to the surrounding wine country.

Cusco is the former Inca capital at 3,399 meters in the Peruvian Andes, where precisely fitted Inca stonework supports Spanish colonial churches in a city that is the gateway to Machu Picchu and one of South America's most exciting culinary destinations. Must-dos include exploring the Plaza de Armas and its twin cathedrals, visiting Sacsayhuamán fortress, and dining on cuy and alpaca with Andean superfoods. Visit May to October for dry weather, with June for the Inti Raymi festival.