This shot captures a beaming smile from a young girl from Cusco as she struggles not to laugh while having her photo taken. Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire is located in southeastern Peru, high in the Andes Mountains at more than three kilometres above sea level.

When it comes to life’s simple pleasures, food definitely ranks near (if not at) the top of the list for most people. It’s probably fair to say that the way to a whole nation’s heart is through its stomach, so finding out what makes a country tick is often as simple as checking out what dishes regularly make it onto the dinner table. Thanks to the efforts of our local partners around the globe, we’ve assembled an extensive selection of typical local appetisers, soups and stews, main dishes, vegetarian dishes, desserts, drinks and snacks and street foods.

With its ancient origins in Peru’s central highlands, Quechua civilisation has an extraordinary cultural heritage. Unfortunately, a growing influx of tourism through Peru’s legendary Sacred Valley has left local indigenous villages fighting to preserve their way of life. Thankfully, an innovative local organisation aims to safeguard Andean mores through education.