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 Cusco (Cuzco or), Peru is a city that welcomes travelers time and won his reputation as the friendliest city in South America, partly from his role gateway. Almost every visitor to the old UNESCO World Heritage Site Machu Picchu Cusco passes on his way. However, Cusco is an interesting destination in itself, and one of the friendliest places in South America.Once the capital of the North and South America means that his name (in the native language Qosqo Quechua language) "navel of the earth," and the Incas, It was the center of the universe. Cusco is the oldest city in the western hemisphere. First the Inca natives who came to worship the sun, and now world travelers come to see and experience the impressive cultural heritage of the region - For centuries the travelers receive on its territory. Surrounded by the Andes and influenced by the Spanish invasion in the 1500s, the city is now a mix of local and Inka Spanish colonial influences, a web of historical periods, all of which can still be seen. Beautiful in its own right, makes a strong impression Cusco friendly to all who pass through the landscape. Cusco, even if at first only as a gateway to greater wealth (Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail) is when a traveler enters Cusco, it will never be seen again.Enjoying Cusco in this way, they wish PeruPeruvians travelers show their heritage and them in local bars and restaurants. A good way to mingle with the locals is Sapo, a traditional Peruvian game with coins thrown into a bronze toad to play in the mouth. This is usually done by chichi, a local beer from corn.Store owners, waiters, waitresses, and the sale of souvenirs to tourists, the endless Plaza de Armas all helpful to the audience and most people know in general, and say a few words in English accompanied. The sheer volume of travelers through the city makes it easy to engage with locals.Cusco's heritage on display there four most important archaeological ruins near Cusco worth any traveler's time: Sacsayhuaman, Q'enqo, Pukapukara and Tambomachay. There are also ruins and a lively market in Pisac, about 20 miles away. By train or bus travelers in the journey to Cusco Lake Titicaca, to make one of the most beautiful journeys through Peru. And of course there are the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, the site of an ancient "lost city" once believed to be a special place of worship. Do not miss the Temple of the Sun, the Moon Temple and Grand Cave.Other places worth visiting in its pre-Columbian Cusco Artifact Museum (Museo del Sitio del Qoricancha) are. While this is a small museum, its amazing treasures and mummies from the Inca civilization long ago. Two museums worth a visit are the Museo Municipal de Arte Contemporary (contemporary art) and the Museo Historico Regional (with art from the 1600s to 1700s). There are also many smaller works in galleries in Cusco, such as regional artists come for travelers to buy their work. This means a lot in the open market with handmade woolen sweaters and other goods.With its strong colonial influence, the Catholic Church and its influence with Inca culture interwoven. Nowhere is this better than Qoricancha, a Dominican monastery, seen on his palace.Accommodations Inca in Cusco, Peru continuing with the theme of religious houses was built, it is perhaps no better place in Cusco, Peru to stay, when the hotel Monasterio, what in what was once a seminary 17th Century, housed the San Antonio de Abad. What were once monks Spartan cells in large rooms with carved beds and marble baths, have evolved a unique blend of history and luxury. Perhaps the intimate Casa San Blas Boutique Hotel, situated in the quarters of the artists Cusco. Its colonial charm should be aware of only a friendly tours to Machu Picchu hosts.Those that there is only one hotel at the current archaeological site, so most travelers surpassed stay in Cusco, with day trips to the World Heritage Site.Inti see Raymi (Inca Sun Festival) every year is the 24th June most important day on the Inca calendar. In ancient times it was the winter solstice (when the sun is farthest from Earth). The fear of the loss of the sun led to celebrate the Inca tradition of the victim and this holiday. Although the Spanish attempted to ban the party, it just went underground to reappear at a later date. Today the festival is the second largest in South America, and dance of thousands of travelers in Cusco, Peru climb, sing, and celebrate their Inca heritage for a week.The central ceremony is on 24, kept a train on his way along streets with flowers from the square in front of the church of Santo Domingo (built top of the old Inca temple of the sun) to Sacsayhuaman, sacrifice where an elaborate Lama adjusted (no animal is killed) is flanked at an altar to predict the fate of next year, and the procession again Cusco.Whether travelers in Cuzco, Peru, witnesses Inti Raymi or not, they are certainly a place that will allow them (and thousands of others) to find. As the Peruvians have mixed old and new, colonial and Inca cultures, they now mix modern tourism, with its ancient heritage to create something a traveler is unlikely to be found in other places around the world. Cusco is a special place for this reason alone.Resources: Schultz, Patricia "1,000 places to see before you die" (Workman Publishing, 2004) www.aboutCusco.comwww.Cuzco.info