Lively Lima

Drenched in Incan and Spanish history and culture, Lima, Peru, is an amazing place to visit, and the Plaza Mayor, with its Government Palace and cathedral, is a great starting point for a walking tour, as we found in November ’09. The architecture there is only one appeal. Many of the street signs are made of decorative tiles, and the tops of the street lamps look like crocheted metal.

Downtown Lima offers a lively street scene, with vendors, music and dramatic colors; my camera was busy.

Another place to visit is the Monastery of San Francisco, a massive structure that houses an old library. Touring an upstairs room, I was shocked at the lack of adequate care for the 400-year-old books on the shelves. One large book rested on an open stand, its pages rustling in a damp breeze from the nearby windows. I wanted to grab it and run to the nearest restorer’s clinic!

If you are seeking a heavy dose of traditional Spanish music, dance, food and atmosphere, visit San Martín Square, named after José de San Martín, the liberator of Peru.

Windowed high-rise hotels with familiar names plus an abundance of double-decker shops exist by the ocean in Miraflores. Skydivers float over the busy scene there, the atmosphere remarkably peaceful despite all the activity.

One bit of advice — read about the Incas and the Spanish conquistadores before venturing into Lima. Your reward will be tenfold.

Lima’s sophisticated atmosphere celebrates art, architecture and music, with a soupçon of dramatic history thrown in. The city promises an unforgettable experience, even for the most well-traveled visitor.

CHLOE RYAN WINSTON

Redding, CA