Arequipa

I just googled “world’s most romantic cities in the world” and let me tell you, Google has no clue. Arequipa is not mentioned anywhere and “romantic” was the first word that came to mind when visiting the “White City”.
I loved the colonial architecture in the white volcano stone, the small streets and a generally less hectic vibe than Lima and Paracas.
As I got sick on the bus 15 hours bus journey from Paracas, I was not really active and strolled around the city on a very slow pace. I had to interrupt my first attempt on a free walking tour on the first day but managed on the second one.
The group tour was fine, what I most noticed were the other participants who, if you allow me some satire, fitted perfectly every clichée you would expect. You had:
1. The German couple, mid thirties, slighlty overweighed, he had a smiley resting face, she a loop sided. Deuter Backpacks, ill fitted jeans and sunglasses, On shoes
2. The Insta couple: she wore the shortest short with the shortest crop top, trendy accessoires. He (the insta boyfriend) got the tatoos, the T-shirt with deep thoughts (something about the ink of your thoughts coloring your soul?). Barely listened, she posed, he took pictures and she told him to make better pictures. No tip at the end
3. The French Backpackers: have been travelling for a while, used to budget travel, could not shake their French education though, tried to answer every trivia question with intensity and asked deep questions about the architecture
4, 2 californian in their mid-forties: flowy dresses, came late, complained they wanted to walk faster. Did not listen at all, just took pictures of each others and ditched the tour before the end.
5. Some decent people ;)
The Covent of Santa Catalina was a highlight for me, I paid extra for a guided tour (I was alone) and I really enjoyed it. It is beautiful, well preserved and very colorful. It is like an entire village within the Covent, I recommend a visit!
The second highlight was Primero, the very sweet man at the Hotel who was happy to talk to me about anything and everything. I almost missed my night bus because of our very nice discussions.Read more