hotels and restaurants of prime category, and its discotheques and sites of entertainment where the party never ends until everyone goes home satisfied. Yet, at the same time, not far from the hustle anb bustle.

Miraflores still retains precious wooded parks with ocean views and streets where the freshness and fragrance of myriad flowers mix with that faintly melancholic and fin de siecle period atmosphere so characteristic of the distinguished holiday resort that writers such as Julio Ramon Ribeyro and Mario Vargas Llosa have so admirably eternalized in their literaty works.

An ideal starting point to initiate a visit of Miraflores is the “Ovalo” (The Oval shaped plaza at the intersection of Avenues Arequipa and Pardo), traditional gathering place of generations of Limeños due to the immediate surrounding profusion of excellent cafes and restaurants as well as the tidily well kept and delicately gardened Parque Kennedy, the haunt and meeting place of painters and artists, musicians and the ever-present rose florists. From this nuclear point there are two routes that can be taken “One is the avenida Diagonal” crossing the Pasaje San Ramon – popularly known as “La calle de las Pizzas” where much of the Limeñan youth comes together for fun, enjoyment, socializing and to share a glass of delicious Sangria in a Discotheque or Pub.