SHORE EXCURSIONS CREDIT

Enjoy a visit to the colonial city of Antigua, founded by Spanish conquistadors in the early 16th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll the charming cobblestone streets to visit the Central Plaza, the cathedral, Colonial Museum at the Jade Museum. Lunch is included at a typical Guatemalan restaurant. On the return drive to your ship, enjoy the scenery and great views of the Agua and Fuego (Water and Fire) volcanoes.

OVERVIEW

Live the unique experience of preparing a classic local dish “enchilada” in a beautiful garden restaurant. Then go on an enlightening tour of Antigua Guatemala, the country’s capital until the late 1770s. The rebuilt colonial architecture that stands today is so extraordinary that it earned the city a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. You will see its highlights, which include the iconic Santa Catalina Arch that leads into downtown, the cathedral and outside of the extraordinary Palace of the Captains complex. The local gastronomy will lend further insight into the culture. You will be served a sumptuous lunch that will likely include pepian, a heritage dish whose roots date to the Mayan civilization. Be sure to save room for dessert at a confectionary known for its handmade sweets. These delicious candies are made from natural ingredients, such as coconut , honey, sugar, milk and a diversity of fruits, and are mainly enjoyed during national celebrations and festivities. You will receive a sample of candies.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Prepare an enchilada stuffed with traditional ingredients and enjoy it as an appetizer.
• Dine on Guatemalan dishes whose recipes are of ancient Mayan origin.
• View the magnificent colonial architecture in Guatemala’s first capital.
• Gain insight into why UNESCO declared Antigua Guatemala a World Heritage site.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

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.

Enjoy Antigua at your own pace by exploring the Central Plaza and nearby streets filled with churches, convents, museums, art galleries, restaurants, cafes and stores. You’ll be provided with a map of Antigua which highlights its main attractions and you’ll be able to explore the city on your own. Enjoy a scenic drive back to your ship, affording breathtaking views of the Agua and Fuego (Water and Fire) volcanoes.

This tour is designed for guests with limited mobility, offering the opportunity to enjoy the sights of the charming Spanish colonial city of Antigua from the comfort of a vehicle.

You’ll enjoy a guided 90-minute drive through the scenic countryside to colonial Antigua. Once in the city, you’ll drive through the main streets and see the most important buildings from the comfort of your vehicle. A shopping and restroom stop will be made at the Jade Museum and Factory with very little walking involved - ramps are also available for your convenience. Spend approximately 90-minutes in Antigua, including a photo stop at the Central Plaza, before beginning your journey back to the pier.

Travel for an hour to the outskirts of the town of Monterrico situated on the volcanic black sand beaches of the Pacific. You will visit the newly renovated Cayman Suites resort where you will be greeted with a refreshing cold coconut. Relax at their facilities, enjoy the pool and discover the very different black sand beach.

Your day pass also includes unlimited local beer and soft drinks, plus a Surf & Turf lunch complete with dessert.

Casa Santo Domingo is both a 5 star hotel and a museum, located on the grounds of the original Santo Domingo Monastery dating back to the 1500’s. In addition to the hotel facilities, it boasts an open-air chapel, various archaeological areas and preserved treasures from the baroque period. Enjoy lunch at this beautiful and historic venue.

You’ll have the opportunity to have a glimpse of the city Santiago de Guatemala founded in 1524,known today as La Antigua. Cobblestone streets, colorful facades and tiled roofs, both restored and ruins of churches, palaces, convents and mansions covered with colorful bougainvillea make this Spanish colonial city a favorite with visitors. It was the third capital in the New World and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. You’ll visit the Coffee Museum at La Azotea Cultural Center.

Visit the colonial city of Antigua Guatemala and discover how two of the country’s signature products—exceptional rum and exquisite jade jewelry—are manufactured.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a wonderfully scenic drive through the mountainous inland terrain and on to Antigua Guatemala. The former capital of Guatemala, this UNESCO World Heritage site contains an abundance of beautifully restored colonial architecture that you will see while driving through town to the House of Rum.

Here in the cellar, you will sample a number of Guatemalan rums, each with its own characteristics. During the tasting, the cellar’s rum connoisseur will explain how the local conditions, especially altitude, influence the rum’s flavor. You will also discover which rums pair best with certain foods, information that you might find useful for the lunch that follows.

Antigua Guatemala is also known for its exquisite jade jewelry, and you will have the opportunity to observe its production at a local factory. Early civilizations in Mesoamerica prized jade mined in this part of Guatemala, and the stone is still cut and polished using traditional methods similar to those developed thousands of years ago.

Before returning to the pier, you will have time to shop for jade necklaces, earrings, bangles and even watchbands with jade clasps.

Discover the Colonial Jewel of the Americas and taste the amazing local craft beers in town.

After your 90 minute transfer you will stop briefly at the Jade Museum and then continue through the streets of Antigua for a one-hour walking tour that will take you through the charming streets, Main Plaza, Arch of Santa Catalina and will end right at the Antigua Brewing Company. The Master Brewer will greet you and explain his process with each brew as you taste at least 4 samples with complimentary local snack foods that pair well with each one. Once done with the tasting, feel free to head upstairs for the terrace with amazing views of the city's rooftops, or stay down in the first floor. All flavors tasted and maybe others will be available for purchase after the tasting should you desire a couple more!

Guatemala started producing coffee back in the 1850’s which is renowned for its high quality. Today you’ll visit a local coffee plantation to learn about the processing and sample a cup of this fine coffee.

Your journey begins with a 90 minute scenic drive through Guatemala’s lowlands where you’ll have great views of some of the majestic volcanoes. During the drive your knowledgeable guide will provide you with relevant information about the excursion. Once at the plantation, you’ll take a 20-minute walking tour through the coffee fields and processing plant. Enjoy a cup of fine Guatemalan brew before returning to your ship.

Delve into the cultural heritage of Guatemala by browsing an ancient textiles museum, admiring Antigua Guatemala’s colonial architecture, and watching how jade jewelry is made.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a wonderfully scenic drive through the mountainous inland terrain and on to Antigua Guatemala. The former capital of Guatemala, this UNESCO World Heritage site contains an abundance of beautifully restored colonial architecture that you will see while driving through town.

Upon arriving at the Ancient Textiles Museum, you will learn about Guatemala’s cultural heritage of weaving and how the ancient Maya wove naturally dyed cotton. In some of the exhibits, mannequins will be seen wearing historical traditional costumes in a household setting with typical furnishings and even foods, which will add realism and relevance.

You will have a chance to purchase textiles in the museum gift shop before continuing on to the glorious La Merced Church. While pausing outside the Baroque-style church for photos, take note that the building is rather low and stout to better withstand earthquakes.

Following lunch at Casa Santo Domingo Restaurant, you will proceed to one of the city’s premier jade factories. Early civilizations in Mesoamerica prized jade mined in this part of Guatemala, and the stone is still cut and polished using traditional methods similar to those developed thousands of years ago.

Before returning to the pier, you will have time to shop for jade necklaces, earrings, bangles and even watchbands with jade clasps.

Visit one of the largest animal parks in Guatemala. Depart on a scenic one hour ride towards a drive-through zoo called the Auto-Safari Chapin – a natural reserve founded in 1980 and one of the largest animal parks in Guatemala. Its mission is to help preserve the fauna and to educate the public about the vital importance of animals. Upon arrival at the premises, your coach will stop at the entrance for a brief orientation and a written guide to the nature park will be distributed.

Then relax and enjoy as the coach drives through the park and you see a variety of animals such as hippopotamus, giraffes, lions, zebras and many other animals from Africa and Guatemala. After the drive through the park, you can walk around another area that is more like a zoo to see other animals including birds and reptiles.