Inca Trail, Machu Picchu Tours, Peru Tours

The Mercado Central is probably the best place to head for those looking to explore the variety of goods that are produced in Peru. It has recently been smartened up and is now pedestrianized making it a pleasant place for a stroll and a browse. Amongst the produce on offer are exotic meats, tropical fruits and vegetables. For the more adventurous eater, some of the best street food can be found in this market. Be warned though – these fineries can easily lead to an upset stomach. Cuzco is also well-known for its weaving and textile arts. There are various suppliers of such products and particularly of quality Alpaca wares. A few of the best are Alpaca 111 (Plaza Recocijo 202, Cuzco - Tel. (084) 243-233 (084) 243-233 which all feature beautifully soft alpaca clothing such as shawls, sweatshirts and jackets. Handicrafts stores are plentiful in Cuzco selling a range of artisan items – the best place to catch these is at the Centro Artesanal Cuzco at the end of Avenida El Sol which is the biggest handicrafts market in the city. This has a large number of vendors selling various souvenirs such as alpaca textiles and clothing with beautiful and vivid colors. For more artwork head to the Plaza San Blas and the surrounding streets which are sprawling with paintings, ceramics and handicrafts produced by local artists. There are also art galleries and crafts workshops here where travelers can sometimes catch a glimpse of the artists in action.