Recommend March 2011 - (Page 56)

MAYAN WORLDS The front door to this Tennessee-size country is GUATEMALA CITY, a cosmopolitan capital well-endowed with top hotels, baroque churches and two essential cultural attractions: the Ixchel and the Popol Vuh museums, offering excellent introductions to the Mayan world. + One-hour ﬂights from the capital go north to FLORES, gateway to the bird- and wildlife-rich rainforests of the vast EL PETEN region, home to Tikal, perhaps the granddaddy of all Mayan city-states. With more than 3,000 structures recorded, its treasury of monuments—soaring temples, grand plazas, ball parks and residential dwellings—covers a 25-sq.-mile area. Excavations here are ongoing, as they are in other El Peten ceremonial centers such as CEIBAL, with its ﬁnely carved stelae; YAXHA, the third largest Mayan center in Guatemala; and UAXACUTUN, where, among the great palaces, the Maya perfected their hieroglyphic system of writing. + En-route to the Caribbean port of Puerto Barrios one ﬁnds another small but important Mayan site, QUIRIGUA, with an impressive assemblage of intricately carved stone stelae (one 35 ft. tall). + Along the quietly exotic Caribbean coast, the most popular excursion is a river trip on the RIO DULCE, which, starting from Livingston, ﬂows through an area famous for its birdlife and tropical ﬂora. Other attractions here include LAKE IZABAL, part of the Chocon Machaca, the habitat of the manatee (sea cow). + Everyone’s favorite stop on the Western Highlands circuit is colonial ANTIGUA, 30 miles from the capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site. With ﬁne examples of 16th and 17th century architecture, cathedrals and convents, historic homes (many converted to beautiful inns), ﬁne restaurants, markets and art galleries, it’s easy to understand why. + Sitting a mile high and framed by three elegant volcanoes, LAKE ATITLAN is Guatemala’s most majestic natural wonder. From its lakeside hotels, guests go volcano-climbing, hang gliding or visiting Indian villages such as SANTIAGO ATITLAN or SAN PEDRO LA LAGUNA. + In the HIGHLANDS, the cultural spotlight shines on the weekly markets: CHICHICASTENANGO on Thursday & Sunday, SOLOLA and SAN FRANCISCO EN ALTO on Friday; TOTONICAPAN and TODOS SANTOS on Saturday. HOTEL HIGHS: The best seats in the house for Antigua’s famous Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions are second ﬂoor rooms with balconies at POSADA DE DON RODRIGO and HOTEL PALACIO DE DOÑA LEONOR. TOUR SAMPLE: CARAVAN TOURS’ (CARAVAN.COM) escorted Guatemala vacation stays in Guatemala City, on Lake Atitlan, Antigua and Tikal. The 10-day, all-inclusive tour is priced from $1,095 pp dbl. world-class dive sites along the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. Best two-country Mayan route: Copan to Quirigua (Guatemala) TEGUCIGALPA and SAN PEDRO SULA are international gateways. “Teguse,” as the capital city is familiarly called, is blessed with a beautiful natural setting, the excellent National Gallery of Art, and worthy excursions such as craft shopping in the colonial mountain village of Valle de Angeles and hiking the trails of La Tigre National Park. San Pedro is more commercial, however, its Museum of Anthropology and History is a treasure house, and its outdoor Mercado Guamilito is at its best on weekends. San Pedro is also closest to most country attractions. + The Mayan ruins of COPAN (A.D. 600-900), a 2-hour drive from San Pedro, lie just outside the friendly town of COPAN RUINAS, which provides its guests with comfy inns and informal restaurants. Copan’s main ceremonial center covers some 75 acres with pyramids, temples, ball courts, carved stone stelae portraying ancient rulers, and the magniﬁcent Museum of the Sculptures. + LA CEIBA on the north coast is the gateway to many of the country’s most important natural wonderlands: PARQUE NACIONAL JEANETTE KAWAS, welcoming visitors to white sand beaches, great snorkeling and howler monkeys galore; LANCETILLA BOTANICAL GARDEN, founded by United Fruit Company and planted with thousands of species of plants and exotic trees; CANGREJAL RIVER, a white water paradise for rafters; and the incredibly wildlife-rich PICO BONITO NATIONAL PARK. + Moored 30 miles off the mainland, the BAY ISLANDS archipelago covers about 92 sq. miles. Diving facilities and snorkeling draw beginner and experts alike to ROATAN, the largest of the islands and the one whose resorts, restaurants, cafes and beaches (as well as direct ﬂights from the U.S.) add up to other reasons for Roatan’s popularity. Divers also head to UTILA (from La Ceiba), particularly to swim with the whale sharks that are in residence year-round. And certainly the most off-the-beaten-path island is lovely GUANAJA (by air from La Ceiba) whose rugged hills rise steeply from lovely beaches. + In the vast, isolated LA MOSQUITIA region, accessed from La Ceiba and inhabited by the Sumo, Pech and Miskito Indians, the best travel experiences will include river rafting, jungle hiking and visiting traditional villages in the wildlife-rich Rio Plantano Biosphere Reserve. HOTEL HIGHS: HOTEL TERRAMAYA and LA CASA ROSADA are the top picks on the new colonial-style B&B scene in Copan Ruinas. TOUR SAMPLE: SOLAR TOURS (SOLARTOURS.COM) highlights Honduras in a 9-night package visiting Copan, La Ceiba/Pico Bonito National Park, and Roatan. Land-only costs start at $853 pp dbl. FAST FACTS: GETTING THERE: From the U.S., nonstop air service to Guatemala City ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: U.S. passport, valid for six months after FAST FACTS: GETTING THERE: From the U.S., nonstop air service to Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and Roatan ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: U.S. passport, valid for six months after date of entry BEST TIME TO GO: November to May ● date of entry BEST TIME TO GO: October to May HONDURAS L30 This country is safe, affordable, beautiful and hospitable, and offers its guests two spectacular assets: the majestic ruins of the ancient Mayan city-state of Copan and the Eden-like Bay Islands with recommend.com http://www.CARAVAN.COM http://www.SOLARTOURS.COM http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend March 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk
Tour Talk
Disney Dream
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico
Baja Airventures
Central Gems of Japan
2011 Guide to Latin America
The Tastier Side of Central Japan
Ireland With Brian Moore International Tours
Exploring Antiquity: Egypt, Israel & Jordan
Sailing Into Antiquity on the Nile
Florida's Ever-Changing Hotel Landscape
Riding North America's Rails
Small Ships in the Old South
Turks & Caicos Keeps Expanding
St. Lucia—Beyond the Pitons

Recommend March 2011