The city of Arequipa is surrounded by green fields (known as the campiña) where residents grow crops and raise cattle against stunning scenic backdrops. Visitors who venture out to the countryside and the small towns found there will catch a glimpse of the traditional peasant known as the “loncco”: a strong, hardworking individual. When he is not working, he often indulges his love of bullfighting, a unique cultural expression in Peru. If there is anything that makes the Valley of Arequipa stand out, it is the light here, clear and sharp, inspiring the area’s renowned watercolor painters who walk the artistic path blazed by the grand masters Vinatea Reinoso and Teodoro Núñez Ureta, among others. The small towns sit along the river that waters the slopes and nourishes the fertile crop terraces that are so masterfully tended by Arequipeño farmers, whose families have lived here for generations, existing in harmony with nature. Arequipa has invested in the preservation of the countryside and its towns because it knows how important they are to the health of local residents and the departmental capital. Visitors can also find picantería restaurants along the route, offering an unparalleled taste of Arequipeño cuisine.