Condé Nast Traveler, a prestigious international magazine specializing in luxury and lifestyle tourism, has included the City of Cusco —Peru’s tourist destination par excellence, Machu Picchu being its iconic destination— among 30 ideas of where to go at Christmas.
In the article, Condé Nast Traveler names 30 alternative ways to spend Christmas, from romantic getaway ideas to family-friendly trips and solo excursions. One of these ways is volunteering in Cusco.
“Christmas is a time for giving, so if you feel like doling out some good cheer, try a festive break with International Volunteer HQ,” the article says.
The publication suggests that volunteers could even combine said activity with a pilgrimage.
“In Cusco, for example, IVHQ volunteers wrap presents and prep Christmas decorations for underprivileged local children,” it states.
In addition, the article encourages readers to independently tack on the Inca Trail trek to nearby Machupicchu.
On the other hand, Condé Nast Traveler underscores that Cusco’s Plaza de Armas is a brilliant spot for Christmas Eve, with its market and incense-filled churches.
“Stick around to see the whole city explode with fireworks at midnight,” it concludes.
Other destinations in the list include Barbados (the Caribbean), Salzburg (Austria), New York, San Francisco, Hawaii, and Arizona (U.S.), Sydney (Australia), Berlin (Germany), Atlas Mountains (Morocco), Kyoto (Japan), Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Bali (Indonesia), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Iceland, and Puerto Vallarta (Mexico).