Located in the south of the country, beautiful Arequipa rivals Cusco in charm but draws far fewer tourists. The rugged Chachani volcanic group and conic Misti volcano form a dramatic backdrop to the city, Peru’s second largest, and its pedestrian-friendly colonial center gleams with white sillar, a volcanic stone quarried nearby. Highlights include the arcaded Plaza de Armas; the ornate church of La Compañía, noted for its brightly painted San Ignacio Chapel and rather Moorish-looking cloisters; and the San Camilo Market, still geared toward local shoppers drawn by its colorful stacks of produce. Most impressive is the sprawling Santa Catalina Monastery, a still-functioning colonial-era convent painted in saturated orange and sky-blue tones. It’s surely only a matter of time before the Instagram hordes discover how photogenic it is at every turn. One can reach Arequipa with nonstop flights from Lima or Cusco or aboard Belmond’s Andean Explorer from Puno. Those visiting the Colca Canyon usually stay at least a night or two in Arequipa.