As was suggested in the couple of guide books that I bought prior to this trip, if your main destination in Peru is Machu Picchu you will likely go through Lima. And, just as likely, you will not spend very much time there. That being said, while this might not rate as a tourist mecca or even a primary destination, I pretty much enjoyed my time there. Everyone I came across was friendly (see here...) and  I didn't have any trouble getting around - walking in the central district and Miraflores and taking a cheap taxi elsewhere. There's a lot of Spanish colonial architecture and plenty of places to pick from to shop and eat.   

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