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Forbes
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
8 Things To Do In Lima
If you have time, explore Lima's beautiful Miraflores district. This is the last installment in a four-part journey exploring Peru's dramatic landscapes — from captivating cities to pristine coastlines to towering Andean peaks. (Read parts one, two and three.) Peru's largest airport, Jorge Chávez International in Lima, unveiled a new terminal on June 1 that's three times the size of its predecessor. The $2.4 billion expansion dramatically increases capacity, welcoming an additional 40 million passengers per year, who likely are bound for ancient marvels like Cuzco and Machu Picchu. But don't just pass through — Lima itself offers rich experiences well worth a dedicated stopover. Lima is a fascinating destination. It's the second-largest desert capital in the world after Cairo, yet it hugs the Pacific Ocean and has three rivers running through it. With a population of 11.2 million, Lima ranks as Peru's largest city by far — about a third of the country lives in the metropolitan area. And it has everything from ancient ruins to hot new restaurants. If you're on a layover and want to get a taste of what the vibrant city has to offer, visit some of these top spots: Visit the pristine Pacific coastline. One of Lima's best features is its Pacific coastline. If you don't have time to surf or swim, take in the water views from El Malecón, a six-mile coastal path that cuts through various neighborhoods and connects green spaces, cafés and more. Get all warm and fuzzy at this green space. Along El Malecón in Miraflores, a clifftop neighborhood that overlooks the ocean, stop by this park with curved, colorful mosaic walls and 'LOVE' spelled out on the grass with flowers and plants. While everyone from families to solo travelers frequent the park, it's meant for couples. Appropriately inaugurated on February 14, 1993, Love Park features El Beso, a larger-than-life sculpture from famed Peruvian artist Víctor Delfín of lovers passionately kissing. Go back in time with a stop at Huaca Pucllana. You don't have to climb the mountaintops of Machu Picchu to see Peru's famous ancient ruins. In the middle of upscale Miraflores across from the modern Carnal steakhouse is an unexpected find: an archeological site called Huaca Pucllana. The pyramid served as a pre-Inca temple and played a part in various ceremonies. The structure is surprisingly still intact — it was made using the bookshelf technique, which stacked the adobe bricks vertically to protect the pyramid from Lima's earthquakes. Marvel at the well-preserved pyramid and visit the onsite museum to learn more. Dédalo Arte y Artesania is an essential stop. The pedestrian-friendly Barranco serves as the artistic heart of Lima. Writers, poets and artists live and work in this bohemian district filled with vivid European-influenced architecture amid palm trees. Come here to peruse spots like Dédalo Arte y Artesania, a mansion-turned-gallery that showcases everything from jewelry to furniture made by Peruvian artists. Walk to the back of the gallery to discover a charming brick courtyard with an ancient ficus tree's leafy branches and origami bird installations dangling over café tables. It's a great place to refuel after a day of exploring Barranco. Make another stop at Jade Rivera World, a gallery dedicated to the eponymous Peruvian painter, ceramicist, sculptor and muralist. The multi-talented Rivera's work revolves around themes of Latin identity and the environment — his El Hogar de un Suspiro ('the home of a sigh')mural on the building's side, for example, shows a man removing a heart-shaped face mask to reveal a colorful bird. That's not the only street art you'll encounter in Barranco. Walk around for a revolving exhibit of colorful graffiti adorning buildings, bridges and more. Look for Lima-born artist Bronik's women-centric murals, like Recia('strong'), where a girl struggles to hold a basket on her shoulders filled with books, vegetables, people and other responsibilities. Make a wish on this bridge. This Barranco attraction was built in the 1870s to connect two sides of a ravine. It's a favorite spot for photos and some magic. According to local lore, if visitors cross the 144-foot wooden pedestrian bridge while holding their breath, their wish will come true. While tourists flock to Love Park, you'll find locals strolling through Olive Park in the financial district, San Isidro. The less-crowded green space offers an oasis with walkways that take you past more than 1,600 olive trees, which the Spanish brought over more than 400 years ago, and a pond with fish and turtles. Keep an eye out for the park's more than 60 bird varieties, like the noisy scrub blackbird or the bright-gold saffron finch. Sip the country's most famous drink at The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center. When in Lima, you must try the country's most famous drink, the pisco sour. It combines pisco — a Peruvian grape distillate that's considered a Cultural Heritage of the nation — with lime juice, egg white, simple syrup and a few dashes of Angostura bitters as a garnish on the foamy top. The cocktail was invented in the 1920s by American expat Victor Morris in Lima's Morris Bar. The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center's Lobby Lounge Bar serves all kinds of classic cocktails and mocktails, but glowing tall walls of artfully displayed bottles of pisco point you toward the local spirit. The pisco offerings, ranging from a pisco mule to an algarrobina (similar to eggnog but with pisco and Peruvian carob), are the most popular orders. We sat at the white marble-topped bar and enjoyed the sweet and tart pisco sour underneath sprawling murals with stylized characters, like a mermaid, drinking — perhaps pisco. As the culinary capital of South America, Lima is a draw just for its food. Fine-dining institutions like Astrid and Gastón, Central, Mayta and Maido showcase the best of Peruvian cuisine and its different facets. But you don't need to dine at an upscale restaurant with a tasting menu to sample the country's gastronomy. Seek out local street food like anticuchos, grilled beef heart skewers; butifarra, a sandwich stuffed with country ham and salsa criolla; and aji de gallina, shredded chicken in a creamy, spicy sauce. And save room for desserts like picarones, pumpkin and sweet potato doughnuts drenched in chancaca honey, and mazamorra morada, a rice-pudding-like dish made with purple corn and fruit.
Sydney Morning Herald
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney ‘blocks-buster' showing a world where humans are replaced by Lego
Once upon a child's playground, Lego was those annoying plastic bricks that would endlessly entertain preschoolers. Today, it is a recognised artistic medium, fascinating for adults and children alike, seeding a TV show and a new Australian Museum exhibition. Relics, A New World Rises – opening in August – imagines a future world where humans have pushed the environment one step too far and it has been repopulated by some 2000 mini-figures. Best friends Alex Towler and Jackson Harvey, winners of the first Lego Masters television series, have built 15 miniature civilisations within forgotten and reclaimed objects. A version of Manhattan's 88th Street has been installed inside a hollowed-out piano, and a 1950s-inspired Studz Diner comes to life inside a 75-year-old jukebox. 'Lego has changed so much since we grew up with it. If you remember those classic red, blue, yellow bricks, now there's so many colours and parts,' Harvey says. 'It's just a really fascinating creative medium that you can use for just about anything.' The Australian Museum's chief executive and director Kim McKay announced Relics as its winter 'blocks-buster' on Tuesday, a follow-up to Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru. Towler and Harvey conceived of the exhibition in 2020. It took them two years to build in their workshop in Perth and they have since toured their Lego realms to the South Australia and Melbourne museums and New Zealand, adding as they go.
The Age
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
The Sydney ‘blocks-buster' showing a world where humans are replaced by Lego
Once upon a child's playground, Lego was those annoying plastic bricks that would endlessly entertain preschoolers. Today, it is a recognised artistic medium, fascinating for adults and children alike, seeding a TV show and a new Australian Museum exhibition. Relics, A New World Rises – opening in August – imagines a future world where humans have pushed the environment one step too far and it has been repopulated by some 2000 mini-figures. Best friends Alex Towler and Jackson Harvey, winners of the first Lego Masters television series, have built 15 miniature civilisations within forgotten and reclaimed objects. A version of Manhattan's 88th Street has been installed inside a hollowed-out piano, and a 1950s-inspired Studz Diner comes to life inside a 75-year-old jukebox. 'Lego has changed so much since we grew up with it. If you remember those classic red, blue, yellow bricks, now there's so many colours and parts,' Harvey says. 'It's just a really fascinating creative medium that you can use for just about anything.' The Australian Museum's chief executive and director Kim McKay announced Relics as its winter 'blocks-buster' on Tuesday, a follow-up to Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru. Towler and Harvey conceived of the exhibition in 2020. It took them two years to build in their workshop in Perth and they have since toured their Lego realms to the South Australia and Melbourne museums and New Zealand, adding as they go.
Forbes
23-05-2025
- Forbes
Undiscovered Beach Getaways, The Ultimate Guide To Macchu Picchu And More Travel News
Passport will be on vacation next week. The newsletter will return tan, rested and ready on June 6. . 'Machu Picchu isn't just Peru's most coveted destination,' says Forbes Travel Guide editor Jennifer Kester, 'it's a portal to another time.' The 15th-century Inca citadel may be a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a modern wonder of the world, visited by more than 1.4 million people last year, but there are many ways to experience it. Here's FTG's ultimate guide to Macchu Picchu. . In recent months, Delta, American and British Airways have unveiled or announced upgrades to their premium cabins—and now it's United's turn. The new Polaris Studio suites, arriving in 2026, feature 25% more space than standard Polaris, sliding doors for added privacy, lie-flat seats and an ottoman for travel companions. The Studios will also include a caviar amuse bouche as well as Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé. And to complement the Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, United will now offer complimentary hoodie pajamas. . Now that the summer travel season is here, the dream of a peaceful beach escape can quickly devolve into the reality of battling over limited parking spots, securing the last beach umbrella and wrangling the best lunch reservations. For those seeking a summertime trip beyond the bustling tourist trails, Forbes Travel Guide's editors recommend 18 undiscovered beach getaways, from Athens to Vietnam. But don't wait on booking one—these destinations won't stay a secret for long. This is the published version of Forbes' Passport newsletter, which offers a first-class guide to luxury travel. Click here to get it delivered to your inbox every Friday. . Would you be more inclined to gamble on a casino vacation if you knew it was lucky? This month, a casino review and rankings site, unveiled its ranking of the 'luckiest' casinos in the United States based on how often visitors mentioned luck-related keywords—including 'luck,' 'lucky,' 'won,' 'winning,' and 'jackpot'—in Tripadvisor reviews. Curiously, the top three casinos are not in Las Vegas—Florida's Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa was deemed the luckiest casino in America with the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York and the Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant, Oklahoma rounding out the top three. 'I want to come to this world to enjoy my life. I don't want to die in my office. I want to die on the beaches.' . Culinary tourism remains a robust travel trend, but it's not just viral restaurants or ultra-fine dining that foodies are seeking. Rather, it's immersive, one-of-a-kind culinary adventures—whether having dinner underwater in the Maldives or with giraffes in Kenya. Here are 5 unforgettable dining experiences for 2025.
Telegraph
19-05-2025
- Telegraph
Aboard the ‘Tren del Fin del Mundo' – Argentina's railway to the end of the world
Standing at the end of the world felt a lot like home to me. At the train depot, overlooking evergreen forests and a bay of mountains, I stopped to grasp the scene. The piercing morning sun stalked low, out of sight behind the summits of Tierra del Fuego National Park. But for the signposts in Spanish and unfamiliar trees – Magellanic beech, not Atlantic oak – I could have been on Scotland's rugged west coast. I'd come south – all the way south – to the city of Ushuaia at the southernmost-tip of South America, in search of epic landscapes, adventure and a historic frontier in train travel. Tierra del Fuego National Park, the shoreline trails of which I was exploring, is home to the 'End of the World' train (El Tren del Fin del Mundo), and it is a fragile leftover from one of the world's most remote penal colonies, of which more later. It also represents a profitable money-spinner for the blossoming tourist industry in this complex region of wild sea channels, twisting fjords and ferocious winds on the borderlands between Argentina and Chile. For my part, I've had similarly thrilling train experiences across the continent. A journey on the Machu Picchu train 25 years ago in Peru; a rooftop ride on Ecuador's zig-zagging Devil's Nose railway; a sunset visit to Bolivia's 'Great Train Graveyard', near the pearly salt pans of the Salar de Uyuni. But this one on Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego is by far the toughest to get to and so has a particular air of abandon – and freedom. The irony in this is the steam locomotive was first built in 1909 by convicts, as a 15-mile freight line to transport materials between sawmills and Ushuaia prison. As local guide Grisel Guerrero tells it, no one wanted to live in this far-flung region with little or no opportunities in the 1890s. But the overflowing jails in Buenos Aires, nearly 2,000 miles away, presented the unlikely solution. 'It was our Siberia,' Guerrero told me, while we strolled Ushuaia's waterfront that morning. 'Like the history of the British in Australia, our government formed a penal colony, sending many of the worst offenders here. It would take up to six months to arrive by ship, so before then it was almost impossible for the Argentinian government to populate this land.' Surrounded by the Beagle Channel and hemmed in by the Fuegian Andes, the landscape is far more dramatic than the unwelcoming Russian north. As improbable, hard-to-believe-in places go, it's also worth the expense and time to get to. Lining this largely unpeopled coast are empty beaches and river estuaries teeming with brown trout. There are silvery sawtooth peaks and abrupt glaciers. In such beautiful surroundings, it's small wonder many prisoners decided to stay after earning their right to freedom. By 1952, following an earthquake and landslide, the train had closed. These days, the UK-built convict train – revived in the mid-1990s as a heritage railway ( – wouldn't rival many for glamour. Nor would it match any Tube line in London for efficiency. The distance you travel is only five miles, with one intermediary stop at gently gushing Macarena Waterfall. Besides that, the toy-town-like train takes one hour to reach the end of the line. In Ushuaia itself, the former prison complex, Museo Marítimo y del Presidio de Ushuaia, now charts the intriguing timeline of the early penal colony ( But the rewards of riding the slowest train in South America are profound. After the clanking of gears, there is the screech of wheels on 500mm gauge track and the shrill blow of a whistle carried on the wind. The ride from platform to national reserve is admittedly the stuff of a theme park, with staff garbed in cosplay inmate uniforms, but you realise, excitedly, that this is also an invitation into one of the wildest corners of the Americas. For me, the highlight was the intricacy of land and sea all around at journey's end within Tierra del Fuego National Park ( Onboard, you only have to look out of the window to feel awe. 'This is the end of the world for us,' Guerrero told me, upon the train reaching its last stop. 'Some think that's a negative way of describing Ushuaia, so now we also say it's the beginning of everything. South America, the Pan-American Highway, the start of our lives here. There is no shortage of opportunity and adventure.'
