RustyC

Dunno your age or tolerance for high altitudes, but remember that Cuzco is twice as high as Denver and the standard advice is to take it easy the first day or two, especially if flying there from low altitudes. In my own case I managed, but the difference in windedness from the same exertion was noticeable. I stayed in a hilly section near the center and learned to take the taxi rather than walk uphill back to the guesthouse.

There are lots of travel agents in Cuzco offering daytrips to nearby ruins, and the town itself has a nice atmosphere. I spent a day watching some costumed festival and parade on the plaza, then dropping by the chocolate museum and watching the Peru-Colombia soccer game with a VERY enthusiastic crowd at a sports bar.

As for Lima, it's a great food city and I like the Gaston Acurio places like La Mar (ceviches) as well as going around the record & antique shops near the center. Not for everyone, I know. Miraflores is the best area to stay, and walking along the malecon above the cliffs can be very scenic. The Larco Museum is well worth it (and a beautiful setting). Also took the open-air double-decker bus to the Pachacamac Ruins near Chorrillos, which was fun...I s'pose u could also do that via motorcycle, though motorcycles aren't really practical closer into town. There's also the old center, palacio del gobierno, Gran Hotel Bolivar, etc. that can be seen on a daytime walking tour but are probably shy of a must.

U can even go surfing off the coast at Miraflores (and many locals do), but the waters are polluted.