Machu Picchu isn’t all the Inca Empire left behind. High above the Sacred Valley, the beguiling ruins of Pisac take you back half a millennium to when the Inca Empire was at its zenith.

the alternative to Machu Picchu, Peru

PISAC

Peru

The dramatic ruins of Machu Picchu may be Peru’s ultimate drawcard, but they overshadow a whole host of other ancient Inca treasures – Pisac being one of them. This tranquil market town lies around 45 km (28 miles) southeast of Machu Picchu, and sits at the foot of a hill covered by another set of magnificent Inca ruins. Despite being only a short drive from Cusco, the former Inca capital, it remains under the radar.

Dating back more than 500 years to a time when the Inca ruled the largest empire in the Americas, the hilltop Pisac citadel is still remarkably intact. Get a sense of what life was like here in its heyday as you wander through the archaeological park, past preserved remains of temples, residential quarters, tombs, and ceremonial baths fed by an ingenious system of channels and aqueducts. The steep slopes below the site are lined with terraced fields, an ancient agricultural technique perfected by the Inca and still in use throughout the central Andes. From the precipitous summit, the views across the Sacred Valley are nothing short of amazing. Machu Picchu, you’ve got competition.

Pisac's evocative Inca terraces stretching over the verdant hillside, with the Sacred Valley beyond

Still set on seeing Machu Picchu?

Although you’ll have plenty of company (Machu Picchu is one of South America’s most popular attractions), the glorious Inca ruins still take the breath away. There’s now a cap on the number of visitors, so entry tickets should be booked about six months in advance.

The Colosseum might be the most famous Roman arena, but Nîmes’ amphitheatre vividly evokes the grandeur of the Roman Empire at the pinnacle of its power, without a pandemonium of tourists.

the alternative to the Colosseum, Italy

LES ARÈNES DE NÎMES

France

Arriving at the 2,000-year-old Arènes de Nîmes, it’s easy to imagine toga-clad spectators cheering while gladiators fought each other or wild animals. And hasn’t that always been the point of amphi­theatres: to entertain the masses? Les Arènes de Nîmes continues to enthrall, with (albeit tamer) concerts and festivals, recalling the jovial spirit of Roman times.

Performances aside, Les Arènes de Nîmes’ fascinating history is reason enough to visit - think of the Visigoths who transformed the site into a fortress, or the peasant housing that filled it during the Middle Ages. Its story continues to evolve, too, with excavations uncovering subterranean surprises. The Colosseum in Rome may be the largest in the ancient world, but you’ll leave Les Arènes de Nîmes with just as grand stories to tell.

The intricate exterior of Les Arènes de Nîmes, one of the best preserved of all Roman amphitheatres

Still set on the Colosseum?

The architecture is truly impressive, but it’s the stories of the emperors and gladiators who graced this amphitheatre that you’ll want to hear about, so book a guided tour.