Often described as the 'Paris' or "Florence' of the Mayan world, Copan is home to some of most detailed and beautiful Mayan artwork found anywhere. What it lacks in size - versus the "Manahattan" of the Mayan world, Tikal - it more than makes up for with its spectacular, well-preserved Mayan sculptures and reliefs.
"Copan is a feast for the eyes" said one Travel Club member, "and I still get goose bumps just thinking about standing at the top of the pyramid in the exact same spot in which Mayan Kings sat on their thrones."
www.Georges-TravelClub.com (Jan/2010 Trip)
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Saturday, August 22, 2009
The Magical Mayan Ruins of Tikal
I had the pleasure of going to Tikal this weekend with some friends, and we all agreed that seeing the tops of ancient Mayan Pyramids poking through the jungle canopy at sunrise is a sight every soul should see during their lifetime...
The undisputed center of Ancient Mayan Society, Tikal sits in the heart of Guatemala’s northern rain forest – making this sacred place the home of Mayan history as well as home to hundreds of species of monkeys, toucans and parakeets.
The Tikal National Park, a protected area some 370 square kilometers, is a moving, mystical experience for visitors - highlighted by the magnificent pyramid ruins of the lost Mayan world. For years visitors from around the world have come to Tikal to transport their minds, bodies and spirits back in time while watching a new day dawn at sunrise as they are surrounded by the ancient Temples of Tikal.
www.Georges-TravelClub.com (August/2009 Trip)
The undisputed center of Ancient Mayan Society, Tikal sits in the heart of Guatemala’s northern rain forest – making this sacred place the home of Mayan history as well as home to hundreds of species of monkeys, toucans and parakeets.
The Tikal National Park, a protected area some 370 square kilometers, is a moving, mystical experience for visitors - highlighted by the magnificent pyramid ruins of the lost Mayan world. For years visitors from around the world have come to Tikal to transport their minds, bodies and spirits back in time while watching a new day dawn at sunrise as they are surrounded by the ancient Temples of Tikal.
www.Georges-TravelClub.com (August/2009 Trip)
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Guatemala's Beautiful Rio Dulce...
Guatemala's beautiful Rio Dulce is a one-of-a-kind ecological and cultural gem. Once the 'water highway' of the ancient Mayans, this river is now an international aquatic community that hosts pleasure boats from around the world.
As we saw during our recent visit, Rio Dulce boasts some of Guatemala's most amazing natural wonders - a spectacular river canyon, countless bays, coves and lagoons and a not-to-be-missed HOT spring waterfall (in Finca El Paraiso).
Other not-to-be-missed sights include the Castle of San Felipe, the incredibly well-preserved Mayan Ruins of Quirigua, the remote beach of Playa Blanca, the Garifunan music and culture of Livingston and the country's biggest lake, Izabal Lake.
www.Georges-TravelClub.com (July/2009)
As we saw during our recent visit, Rio Dulce boasts some of Guatemala's most amazing natural wonders - a spectacular river canyon, countless bays, coves and lagoons and a not-to-be-missed HOT spring waterfall (in Finca El Paraiso).
Other not-to-be-missed sights include the Castle of San Felipe, the incredibly well-preserved Mayan Ruins of Quirigua, the remote beach of Playa Blanca, the Garifunan music and culture of Livingston and the country's biggest lake, Izabal Lake.
www.Georges-TravelClub.com (July/2009)
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Dispatches from On High...
This week my brother Mark and his lovely wife Erin left their home in Houston (less than 3 hours away) to spend an adventurous week with me here in beautiful Antigua.
Having been here once before, I thought it best to treat Mark and Erin to a few new local attractions like the recently-completed Antigua Canopy Tours, which is just a 10-minute drive from town. Opting for the tour’s most “insane” zip-line experience, we found ourselves doing the Canyon Express, a two mega zip line run that is 1,700 feet long and 500 feet high! You can really enjoy the spectacular views while you zip along - at top speed – because it takes nearly a full minute to complete the ride, making this one of the longest zip lines in the world! So visitors can now add HIGH ADVENTURE to the long list of things to love about Antigua.
www.Georges-TravelClub.com (May/2009 Trip)
Having been here once before, I thought it best to treat Mark and Erin to a few new local attractions like the recently-completed Antigua Canopy Tours, which is just a 10-minute drive from town. Opting for the tour’s most “insane” zip-line experience, we found ourselves doing the Canyon Express, a two mega zip line run that is 1,700 feet long and 500 feet high! You can really enjoy the spectacular views while you zip along - at top speed – because it takes nearly a full minute to complete the ride, making this one of the longest zip lines in the world! So visitors can now add HIGH ADVENTURE to the long list of things to love about Antigua.
www.Georges-TravelClub.com (May/2009 Trip)
Monday, April 6, 2009
Shake & Bake...
A "Vacation of Firsts" is probably the best way to describe the trip made here recently by John & Chad of North Carolina.
Sure it was their first time in Guatemala, and it was also their first time seeing the world-famous celebrations and processions of Semana Santa (Holy Week)... AND their first time seeing hot, flowing volcanic lava... AND their first time being in an earthquake! YEP, it was a pretty busy week here in Guatemala and John & Chad certainly got a little "Shake & Bake" to go with their cultural Semana Santa experience.
"We are still taking about it (our trip) and how we want to come back as soon as we can..." Chad wrote when he returned to North Carolina. "Again I can not tell you how great the trip was and how much we needed it! You were such a great help, and we felt as if we had known you for years!"
www.Georges-TravelClub.com (April/2009 Trip)
Sure it was their first time in Guatemala, and it was also their first time seeing the world-famous celebrations and processions of Semana Santa (Holy Week)... AND their first time seeing hot, flowing volcanic lava... AND their first time being in an earthquake! YEP, it was a pretty busy week here in Guatemala and John & Chad certainly got a little "Shake & Bake" to go with their cultural Semana Santa experience.
"We are still taking about it (our trip) and how we want to come back as soon as we can..." Chad wrote when he returned to North Carolina. "Again I can not tell you how great the trip was and how much we needed it! You were such a great help, and we felt as if we had known you for years!"
www.Georges-TravelClub.com (April/2009 Trip)
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Can't Keep a Secret...
As "undiscovered" as I would like to think Antigua, Guatemala is, it appears to be a secret that is getting out... At the recent Wanderlust’s 2009 Travel Awards, my home of Antigua, Guatemala was selected "Top City" beating out more than 600 other popular world destinations!
"I rated Antigua so highly for a number of reasons," said one Wanderlust reader, ‘It has an abundance of beautiful old colonial churches, a wonderful vibrant market and incredibly kind people." Other readers noted that Antigua has "great, inexpensive local restaurants", "fascinating Spanish and Mayan history" and it is a "great base for exploring the surrounding volcanoes and lakes".
Next month during Easter Week (or 'Semana Santa'), Antigua hosts one of the most vibrant and colourful religious celebrations in the world. It includes costumed processions and ornate floats that wind there way through the town’s cobblestoned streets over spectacular carpets of flowers (alfombras). It is an amazing site to see and I thoroughly enjoy this spectacular celebration -I also enjoy, however, seeing eveyone leave so I can back to our own slice of home and heaven.
www.Georges-TravelClub.com (March/2009 Trip)
"I rated Antigua so highly for a number of reasons," said one Wanderlust reader, ‘It has an abundance of beautiful old colonial churches, a wonderful vibrant market and incredibly kind people." Other readers noted that Antigua has "great, inexpensive local restaurants", "fascinating Spanish and Mayan history" and it is a "great base for exploring the surrounding volcanoes and lakes".
Next month during Easter Week (or 'Semana Santa'), Antigua hosts one of the most vibrant and colourful religious celebrations in the world. It includes costumed processions and ornate floats that wind there way through the town’s cobblestoned streets over spectacular carpets of flowers (alfombras). It is an amazing site to see and I thoroughly enjoy this spectacular celebration -I also enjoy, however, seeing eveyone leave so I can back to our own slice of home and heaven.
www.Georges-TravelClub.com (March/2009 Trip)
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
NYC Meets Guatemala!
I have many friends in NYC (my former home), and two of my very closest friends, Craig and Jerry, came to Guatemala this month to visit. Like most big city dwellers, Craig and Jerry have some pretty high standards... about everything! So I was a little concerned that Guatemala - my new home for two years - might not be "up to snuff" for these two seasoned, world-travelers. I am happy to report that there was no reason for me to worry...
"We have not stopped talking about our trip!" Craig keeps telling me everytime we speak by phone. "What an amazing country! You are so lucky to live there!"
So, at least two of my closest friends have now "got it" and they understand - through their own personal experience - why I happily traded in skyscrapers and cocktail partys for 400-year-old ruins and street festivals. I love it here and now, so do two of my closest friends! Mucho gusto Craig & Jerry!
www.Georges-TravelClub.com (Feb/2009 Trip)
"We have not stopped talking about our trip!" Craig keeps telling me everytime we speak by phone. "What an amazing country! You are so lucky to live there!"
So, at least two of my closest friends have now "got it" and they understand - through their own personal experience - why I happily traded in skyscrapers and cocktail partys for 400-year-old ruins and street festivals. I love it here and now, so do two of my closest friends! Mucho gusto Craig & Jerry!
www.Georges-TravelClub.com (Feb/2009 Trip)
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