| A vacation in Peru is the definitive South American | | | | However, your mystery history holiday in South |
| holiday of mystery. For Peru is a mystery; a holiday | | | | America doesn't end there! The adventures are only |
| here will bring history alive, but the more you discover, | | | | beginning. A vacation in Peru will feel more like an |
| the more mysterious it becomes. Perhaps this is | | | | adventure, or a series of questions, than a planned and |
| because of the sheer scales involved. | | | | prepared vacation to a country born in the fires of |
| Peru was home to early civilisations, of which plenty of | | | | modern times. As proof, make sure that you book a |
| evidence is visible today, more than 13,000 years ago! | | | | flight over the plains of Nazca. Although a visit on the |
| It is no surprise, therefore, that the deep gulf in time | | | | ground will be astonishing, it is from the air that one can |
| which separates us from the early Peruvians creates | | | | fully appreciate the ingenuity, scale and passion of the |
| unfathomable mysteries and legends which reach | | | | early Peruvian settlements. |
| from the gods to colossal empire of man, from ritual | | | | The Nazca carvings, drawings or geoglyphs, as they |
| temples to alien civilisations from the stars! | | | | are called, are astonishing works of art - stylised |
| It was the Norte Chico civilisation which has left more | | | | artistic representations of many different animals, |
| behind for us to see today, and your holiday here will | | | | including birds, monkeys, lizards and fish, as well as a |
| undoubtedly let you explore the ruins of this mighty | | | | number of lines, channels and mathematical shapes. |
| civilisation, which lived around 5,000 years ago - | | | | These are what make a South American holiday truly |
| comparable with much of Egypt's history. However, | | | | a vacation of mystery. The most mysterious aspect |
| when anyone mentions Peru, one name springs to | | | | of these, and one which will certainly amaze you as |
| mind; one name which draws from our childhood well | | | | you look down on to these images, is their sheer scale. |
| of whispered secrets and the magical unknown: the | | | | These geoglyphs in the Nazca plains are huge, the |
| Incas. | | | | largest being 270 meters long, and the area covered |
| The Inca civilisation was massive, conquering a huge | | | | by these images is more than 500 square kilometers. |
| portion of the globe, and resulting in the largest empire | | | | The question will undoubtedly rise in your mind, as it |
| to exist for thousands of years - up until the Spanish | | | | has in so many of those who have come this way |
| conquests. This mighty civilisation has left an | | | | before - why are they this size? Clearly, they could not |
| abundance of fascinating relics, temples, buildings, | | | | be seen from the ground, and were only discovered in |
| foundations, and structures which defy full | | | | 1939 because they can be seen only from the air; |
| understanding even today. Your vacation in Peru will | | | | from the air and built during an era long before man |
| allow you to explore these, and if you are fortunate | | | | was able to fly. If that is not a mystery then what is? |
| enough to be able to acquire the luxury of a good | | | | Were they works of art created solely to please the |
| guide, they will be able to help you uncover much of | | | | gods who look down on them? Were they an early |
| the background to the awe-inspiring shadows we see | | | | astronomical observatory? Some have suggested that |
| today. | | | | they were created, or viewed, by using early methods |
| Your history books from school days may well have | | | | of flight, such as a balloon filled with air. If so, this is |
| covered the Incan empire, but pictures in dry books | | | | extraordinary, preceding any other form of flight by an |
| cannot even begin to compare to the breathtaking | | | | astonishing chunk of any history book. Still others have |
| legacy of such sites as Machu Picchu. The Incan | | | | seen them as evidence of interaction with a race from |
| empire fell at the hands of the Spanish just before the | | | | the stars... but you will have to make up your own |
| Columbian period of America's history, and much of | | | | mind, and help unravel this mystery. |
| the Inca temples, buildings and settlements were | | | | The capital city of the Incas was Cusco, a modern |
| destroyed, their treasures plundered. | | | | and vibrant city which holds its heritage very close to |
| However, because Machu Picchu was built high up in | | | | its heart. The Temple of the Sun, and the Temple of |
| the mountains, on a ledge that was not visible from | | | | the Virgins of the Sun are both well worth a visit, as is |
| lower down, it seems to have escaped, unscathed, as | | | | the magnificent cathedral of Santo Domingo. Many of |
| the Spanish never knew it existed and never found it. | | | | the original Inca buildings are still standing - testament to |
| For this reason, it holds a particular fascination, since it | | | | the strength, design and construction of this once |
| was entirely forgotten about, and only re-discovered | | | | mighty empire. |
| relatively recently: in 1911 to be exact. This ancient | | | | A vacation in Peru is truly a South American holiday of |
| citadel of buildings, temples, tombs and rooms offers | | | | mystery. Every day will be spent brushing shoulders |
| grandeur, beauty and mystery that will certainly be a | | | | with history, every corner you turn reveals another |
| feature of your holiday which will stay with you for a | | | | mystery. You will visit Peru with many questions; you |
| very long time. | | | | will leave with many more. |