Travel + Leisure: Arequipa, among the 50 best places to visit in 2020

The city of Arequipa, located in southwestern Peru, is among the 50 best places to visit in 2020, according to the ranking recently published by prestigious international travel magazine, Travel + Leisure.

Among the first points highlighted in the publication about Arequipa is the conservation of its colonial architecture; this city, it says, is known as "the White City" for its gleaming structures made of sillar (volcanic rock).

The publication also points out that the Historical Center of Arequipa was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000, and today it has a varied and extensive list of lodgings to cater to all tastes.

In this context it mentions Cirqa, a hotel that opened its doors last August, having originally been built in 1540—the year Arequipa was founded—as an inn for guests of the Church of San Agustín next door.

Travel + Leisure also highlights Arequipa's gastronomy, which it describes as a cuisine steeped in history. It mentions the restaurant La Nueva Palomino where, it notes, a team led by women prepares stews from traditional recipes.

To select the best places that appear on this list, the publication reviews books and tourism statistics, explores important events and new flight routes, and records the opening of new hotels and restaurants. It also follows Instagram posts by frequent travelers and conducts surveys with travel consultants and experts, as well as trusted writers and industry experts.

It should be noted that only five locations in South America are on the list.

Travel + Leisure

Travel and Leisure has a global readership of 6.7 million and conducts annual traveler surveys to evaluate trends and satisfaction with destinations, hotels, airports and cruises, among other things.