If you are looking for a destination that truly has it all – thousand-year history, landscapes you will never forget, the best cuisine in the world and cultural authenticity – there is a country that has just conquered the international podium: Peru.
December 2025 brought a shower of recognition at the World Travel Awards, but we’re not talking about just any awards. Peru won as Best Culinary Destination in the World and Best Cultural Destination in the World, confirming itself as the destination that we should all visit at least once in our lives.
Why Peru now?
Gastronomy has become an experience in itself. Each dish tells a story that spans the Andes, the Amazon and the Pacific coast. From the freshest ceviche in Lima’s restaurants to the ancestral recipes of the Andean communities, eating here means traveling through centuries of merging traditions and cultures.
But food is just the beginning, because Peru allows you to experience the culture, not just observe it. You can participate in local celebrations, visit artisan workshops where ancient techniques are still alive, and walk among sites that preserve Inca, Amazonian and colonial heritage.
And then there’s it: Machu Picchu, just awarded Best World Tourist Attraction 2025. There’s no need to say anything else – it’s a place that changes your perspective on what beauty and human ingenuity mean.
Where to go (besides the classics)
Of course, Lima deserves its two days – between the rooftops overlooking the Pacific and the lively neighborhoods of Miraflores and Barranco, the capital is a continuous discovery. And yes, the southern circuit with Cusco and the Sacred Valley remains unmissable.
But if you want to stand out, head north: Lambayeque and La Libertad are regions still little visited by mass tourism. Here you can discover the refined Moche civilization, Chan Chan (the largest pre-Columbian city in America) you can immerse yourself in the most authentic Peru, away from the crowds.
If you’re thinking “this year I want to take that trip I’ll remember forever,” Peru might be exactly what you’re looking for.
And with four world awards just won, the time to go is now.
