The Bishop Palace And Antigua

OVERVIEW

Travel inland to explore the most captivating attractions in and around Antigua Guatemala, the country’s capital during colonial times. In the outlying village of San Juan del Obispo a nun will welcome you to the Bishop’s Palace, including its baroque-style gold-gilded chapel, a private area that is typically off-limits. In the heart of Antiqua Guatemala, you will find a stunnig collection of colonial buildings that UNESCO declared the town a World Heritage Site. Be sure to notice the Spanish Renaissance-inspired grid layout of cobblestone streets, another reason for the UNESCO recognition. While meandering about, you will pass through leafy Plaza Mayor, see the unusual 18th-century Fountain of the Sirens and browse a museum devoted to jade, which is still cut and polished using traditional methods similar to those developed thousands of years ago. A traditional Guatemalan lunch follows at a restaurant that is also a plant nursery.

HIGHLIGHTS

• A nun will welcome you during your visit to the Bishop’s Palace in the village of San Juan del Obispo.
• Walk through Guatemala’s original capital, a treasure-trove of colonial buildings.
• Gain insight into why UNESCO declared Antigua Guatemala a World Heritage Site.
• Browse a jade museum and dine on traditional Guatemalan cuisine at a leafy restaurant.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.