Guatemala City is the capital and still has an intriguing mix of the old along with the new. Modern buildings, trendy restaurants, discos, shopping, museums, theaters, galleries and a lively nightlife reveal just one facet of the city. To get a feel for the city's rich heritage be sure to include a visit to the National Palace (former presidential palace with 320 rooms and now an art museum), the Church of St. Francis (19th century), the Botanical Gardens, Metropolitan Cathedral (18th century Spanish colonial) , La Merced Church, (19th century) and the Ixchel Museum - all vestiges of a rich cultural past.

Beyond Guatemala City, your time will be well spent visiting Antigua, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. A Spanish presence permeates this city with it's colonial churches, plazas, mansions and ruins dating from the 16th century.

In the heart of Guatemala's highlands, amid a spectacular setting, sits Lake Atitlan. Considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Lake Atitlan's crystal blue waters fill the crater of an extinct volcano and is perfectly framed with a backdrop of mountains, towering volcanoes and lakeside Mayan villages. A visit to the local markets will reward you with an amazing mix of traditional textiles and handcrafted items.

The most colorful and famous market is in Chichicastenango. Standing in the shadow of the 400-year old Saint Thomas Church, it has an amazing assortment of handcrafted items, textiles, leather goods and jewelry from vendors throughout Guatemala. Possibly nowhere else in Guatemala will you find such a merging of Catholic and Mayan religion and culture into everyday life since most of the population are indigenous Mayans.

Rising from the jungle canopy are the impressive ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal. The Tikal National Park is home to hundreds of archeological remains of a civilization dating back 1500 years. These archaeological sites include pyramids, hieroglyphic inscriptions, temples, tombs, plaza and ceremonial structures. Encompassing the Mayan ruins is the Tikal National Park (as part of the Mayan Biosphere Reserve), a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore it's lush rain forest and hundreds of species of trees, plants and animals, many of which are endangered.

Travel to Guatemala can be both magical and mystical. Imagine yourself amid beautiful and inspiring landscapes, a country of warm hospitality and charming traditions and a legacy of world-renown Mayan attractions and you just may find a vacation to Guatemala surpasses your wildest dreams.