Recommend August 2016 - 39

Latin America The Romance of Discovery Cox & Kings USA's Brazil: Colonial Roots trip visits Ouro Preto. Carla Hunt There's something wildly romantic about walking in the footsteps of ancient civilizations Maya Legends and historic cultures, and Latin America has Recommend clients take a fascinating more than its share of world-class antiquities 8-night journey with Wildland Adventures and living cultures. through the Great Cities of the Maya, the 2,000-year-old heartland of the Maya people, exploring the ruins of their great city-states Ancient Cultures of the Inca in Guatemala and Mexico. En-route, guests Think Peru, and our first thoughts are almost discover the highlights of the history, legends always Cusco and Machu Picchu, the bestand archaeological finds of Central America's known of the fabled monumental remains of most creative ancient people, and learn about the Incas. However, the Inca were the very the way of life and customs of the modern last in a long line of rich and fascinating preMaya, embellished with the personal stories Columbian cultures-the Moche, the Wari, of this trip's special guide. Departures for 2016 the Chimu-who populated the Andes and are Oct. 8, Nov. 19, and Dec. 23. particularly the North Coast, a region often Tour highlights include visits to colonial described as the Egypt of South America. Antigua, the K'iche-Maya market in "I love the area," says Latin American Chichicastenango and Lake Atitlan, and Escapes' president Peggy Newfield, "for its traveling by boat to Tzutujil-speaking San tranquil ruins, Trujillo's colonial charm, great surf beaches, excellent birdwatching, and none Juan La Laguna to learn about local weaving techniques. There are also stops in Flores in of the altitude-issue worries that often come when planning for Cusco and Machu Picchu." Guatemala and the Maya ruins of Palenque in Mexico, as well as a boat ride on the The operator's 12-night Insider's Peru Usumacinta River to view the seldom-visited itinerary starts in Lima, then guests fly to Pedras Negras, famous for its clay figurines and Chiclayo, with the first stop in the North well-preserved temple inscriptions. Guests fly to visit recently excavated sites such as the home from Villahermosa. The price pp dbl Royal Tomb of Sipan, then continues to the starts at $3,650. Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum to view these Beyond exploring the world of the Maya, artifacts, as well as the archaeological site Wildland Adventures' president Kurt Kutay of Tucume, whose pyramids are still being looks to Argentina, singing the praises of studied. Next, guests spend time in colonial the northwest region. "With its indigenous Trujillo; outside town they visit the El Brujo site, and walk around astonishing Chan Chan, and colonial cultures, grand wines, dramatic Canyonlands and active adventures, Salta the world's largest adobe city and a tribute to province is the unsung corner of Argentina. the Chimu civilization. Later, guests fly on This regional discovery-we combine it with to the land of the Inca to explore Cusco, the Mendoza-perfectly suits both the first-time Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Price is and repeat traveler." wildland.com $2,995 pp dbl. latinamericanescapes.com Colonial Influences With its 9-night Brazil: Colonial Roots private journey, Cox and Kings USA invites travelers to explore and savor the rich history of the Portuguese colonizers and African slaves who arrived in Brazil during the sugarcane boom and Gold Rush days of the 17th century. The journey of discovery begins where Brazil was born, in Salvador da Bahia, a colonial gem and home to lively Afro-Brazilian culture and colorful markets. The city's San Francisco Church is dazzling, while its Afro-Brazilian Museum traces the influence of Afro-Brazilian culture on modern Brazil. Clients fly on to Ouro Preto, the most famous of the colonial gems known as the Gold Towns-Mariana, Tiradentes, Congonhas, Sao Joao del Rey-and actually pan for gold in the Passagem mine. The towns' signature attractions are baroque churches, impressive mansions and treasurerich museums. Gold was shipped from here to beautiful Paraty, a beautiful drive south from Rio along the Costa Verde. With historic houses in a rainbow of colors, little baroque churches and cobbled streets, Paraty is indeed a treasure; activities here range from bathing in nearby waterfalls to touring a distillery making cachaça liquor from sugarcane. Rates start at $4,995 pp dbl. Brazil might be getting all the attention now due to the Olympics, but Ignacio Vallin, destination manager, Latin America & Antarctica, Cox & Kings USA, believes it's also time to discover Uruguay, no longer as just an add-on to Argentina. "The basics are there: a safe country that offers good value for the dollar." coxandkingsusa.com ■ august 2016 39 http://www.latinamericanescapes.com http://www.wildland.com http://www.coxandkingsusa.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend August 2016