Six ideas for a  first date..

There are certain qualities that turn a date from merely okay (or disastrous) to fantastic. One of these is, of course, the person you're meeting, but the atmosphere and choice of activity can make a huge difference too. Though much dating advice is geared towards those in their twenties or thirties, those of us who are more mature appreciate a different kind of date to the younger crowd. Here are some ideas for potentially fantastic first dates.

Brunch

Less intimate than a dinner and much earlier in the day, a brunch allows you to chat and get to know one another in the daytime. You can claim another appointment if you need to get away, or suggest another coffee if it's going swimmingly.

The cinema

A traditional first date for any age group. Advantages include something to talk about over a drink afterwards, disadvantages include not being able to talk during the film and possibly being stuck watching a dreadful film with someone you don't know. If it's truly dreadful though that does make a good talking point.

Shopping

Most people would run in horror at the idea, but if you have a shared interest that lends itself to browsing it can be a great way to get to know one another's likes and dislikes. Readers can go book shopping for hours, for instance. Food lover? Farmer's market. Christmas enthusiast? German Christmas market! To find people to go with Click here.

What happens when you drink at work and you happen to be a nike trainer designer !

For most travelers, Lima represents modern Peru—a city of trendy restaurants, discos, and shopping centers that one must pass through en route to the ancient marvels of Cuzco and Machu Picchu.

What few realize, however, is that Peru’s capital conceals ruins far older than anything built by the Incas. Beneath the desert sands of the region lie artifacts that date back not centuries, but millennia. These archaeological treasures were already turning to dust before the first stones were laid at Cuzco.

The two sites listed below are must-sees for anyone visiting Lima. Together they afford a glimpse of el Peru profundo—the deep Peru that continues to exert its pressure on the present.

Huaca Pucllana
Calle General Borgoño cuadra 8 (Miraflores)
445-8695

Located in the heart of ultra-modern Miraflores, just steps from the bustling Ovalo Gutierrez, this huaca (sacred monument) offers stunning testimony to the persistence of the past in Peru’s capital.

The androgynous look is a massive fashion trend for 2013 with the view of being a big part of 2014 looks. Women are taking on a more masculine style by wearing items that are inspired by men’s fashion. Sizing becomes irrelevant within this look, the point is to be bold with the items you wear and not to hide the fact you are wearing a man’s t-shirt or accessory.

So how do you create the androgynous look?

Boyfriend jeans have been around for a few years. Taking a side-line in the denim seasonal ranges. But with the androgynous look coming into full force they make up a big part of the look. When going for the casual style they are ideal. Worn with a plain t-shirt and a leather jacket you can easily imitate the relaxed male trend.

Women can wear any male fashion accessory. Leather bracelets, oversized watches and even bowties can be the perfect finishing touches to an androgynous inspired outfit.

The jumper is a staple in any man’s wardrobe. The last two seasons have introduced printed and slogan jumpers for men. This is perfect for the female interpretation of male style. The Christmas jumper is a garment typically worn by men and now women can take on the trend, the more outrageous and eye catching the better. This is why the Morphsuits Christmas Jumper is so popular. The use of a smartphone brings the jumper to life quite literally and you can sport a carolling cat or a crackling roaring fire. Just like a man would…

Imagine if the Great Gatsby was your uncle, and he was Peruvian, and invited you over for the summer….if this were true, your Hudson might have been the Pacific, and your room a lofty dream surrounded by great artists.

This brand new hotel (its first guests were welcomed in May 2013) is known as ‘The House of Barranco’ (La casa de Barranco), and this is exactly what the management aims for: a home away from home, but also a celebration of life and all things beautiful.

Barranco has always been known as the bohemian district of Lima, but up till now it never had a real ‘art hotel’. The art is as eclectic as its international visitors, and some of it is for sale, but mostly it is there to create a place of wonder, as a complement to the grandeur of the French classic architecture.

From the moment you set foot in the hotel, you’ll also see large coffee table books everywhere: ‘we want to spark people’s curiosity, inspire them and make them feel part of Peruvian culture but also of the whole world’ says Carlos Jimenez, a Spanish arts historian who now works for the hotel.