Central America

2018

Travel Resolutions: 2018 Edition

New year, new me, right? Well, I’m still working on that second part, but happily I am on my way. Within a few months, I hope to be back to full health and able to pick up on globetrotting around the world once again!

Last month I shared some of my tentative travel plans for the next year. In a similar spirit, I’d like to now offer my 2018 travel resolutions—things I want to do, or continue, or get better at, all somehow relating to my life as a traveler. Here goes:

Melissa’s 2018 Travel Resolutions

See more of South America. I have one of those scratch-off world maps hanging on my wall that shows how many parts of the globe you’ve visited. And I must admit, mine has a glaring empty corner so far: South America. I’ve only briefly been to Buenos Aires, which was fantastic but hardly representative of an entire vast, diverse continent. Luckily Argentina is big so my map doesn’t look quite as embarrassing as it might otherwise, but still. I’ve been longing to visit Chile and Brazil for ages, and this year I plan to make it happen and begin to fill in the gaps in my South American experience.
Finally make it to Russia! I was going to do this last year, but life intervened. Well, suck it, life, because this year I am going to Russia and nothing will stand in my way! (Fingers crossed, of course. Yes, I’m always paranoid when I make pronouncements like that…maybe “be more confident” and “worry less” need to go on my general resolution list. Anyway…) I sincerely hope that 2018 is finally the year I set eyes on St. Petersburg and absorb everything this magical-looking city has to offer.
Spend time in England with my family. My mom is from England, so I have a large extended family spread throughout the southern part of the country (and a few who’ve moved to Ireland, France, and Australia!) I love London and try to fit it into any trip to Europe; I was last there in 2016 just before visiting Slovenia and Croatia. But my London trips always last just a few days and I barely have time to reconnect with family and pop into the British Museum before it’s time to leave again. I’m hoping to carve out more time for England and visiting family this year, hopefully outside of London too. I’d love to spend a week in the country, with a few days in London and a few visiting family elsewhere (Bath is most likely, as my aunt, uncle, and cousin all reside there). Not exactly sure if I’ll do a stand-alone trip to the UK or add extra time to another trip, but “more time with family in England” is definitely high on my list this year.
Add on a destination to a work trip. I should be doing some more international work travel this year, so it may be feasible to tack on a quick trip to a nearby country/island. We shall see….but I have quite a few new countries I’d like to seize the opportunity to visit with a few extra vacation days!
Visit a new U.S. city. While my travels are largely international, for the past few years I’ve tried to visit at least one new U.S. city. Seattle in 2015, Portland in 2016, and I guess Philadelphia sort of counted in 2017 as I hadn’t been there in 12 years. This year, New Orleans is on my wish list, but a few other places are calling my name as well….
Look into carbon offsets. I meant to start doing this last year, but since I didn’t fly very much it didn’t end up happening (I guess one positive to my being mostly homebound is that it was a slight boon to our environment?) But this year I definitely plan to explore offsetting the environmental impacts of my long flights, as well as trying to combine trips together when possible to avoid lots of separate plane rides.
Take advantage of NYC work trips to eat all the food. I get to travel to NYC a few times a year for my job. While I like the work part of these trips, I’ve never been enamored of the Big Apple. However, not only do I enjoy seeing friends and family when I go, I must admit that I love the NYC food scene! I don’t believe I’ve ever had a bad meal there (credit goes to those same friends and family who bring me to awesome places to dine). Not only that, but NYC does desserts and sweets very well. I really want to check out City Bakery for its delicious-looking hot chocolate (I’m a connoisseur so my hot chocolate standards are high, but this place does seem amazing). And apparently there’s also a trendy new place that serves edible cookie dough?! Yep, I’m there.
Do a birthday yoga retreat. I’ve been toying with the idea of a yoga retreat in Costa Rica for a while, and I think my birthday next December will be a perfect time to do it. This will give me all year to save and plan, and provide a lovely way to end what will hopefully be a much better year for me than the last. See a new country AND do yoga, swim, and get massages all day long…sounds pretty much like heaven to me.
Figure out how to travel hack better. See number 6—I meant to do this last year but it ended up not mattering much since I traveled so little. Time to get on the ball now. Maybe a new credit card to earn miles and privileges is the way to go? In any case, I need to ensure I’m enrolled in all the appropriate airline miles programs (hangs head in shame…I am the worst-hacking traveler ever, and I know it). Here’s to doing better in 2018!
Keep planning and saving for new adventures in 2019. As much as I hope to travel this year, I want to do just as much, if not more, exploring in 2019! So I want to be sure to steadily save money and keep my eye on my 2019 travel goals, especially as my big 2018 trips should mostly wind down at the end of summer. New Zealand? Bali? Russia and Mongolia? It’s all on the table…stay tuned for more news this time next year. In the meantime, having new adventures on both the intermediate and more distant horizons is always a balm for my soul.

I could probably keep going, but ten resolutions seems like plenty, wouldn’t you say? I like to be ambitious, but best to keep all of these resolves at least somewhat grounded in reality. If I achieve even a fraction of what I’ve put on this list, I think I’ll have a pretty fantastic travel year!

(Oh, and also, I’m going to read more—I finished 18 books last year, which is okay, but I’m hoping to hit 25 this year. Not strictly travel related, but I wanted to toss that in there to help hold myself accountable.)

Here’s to a year of adventures, exploration, and happiness ahead! With as many beaches and European cafes tossed into the mix as possible….

Do you make travel resolutions? What are you hoping to achieve in 2018?

Central America, London, Russia, South America, Travel Musings

2018

A Note to People Who Don’t Travel

As you may recall, 2017 was going to be a year of travel for me, and I started off my blogging year urging others to make it the same for them. All the reasons I gave back then about why I believe travel is so worthwhile still stand, so maybe writing another post on the topic now seems a bit repetitive.

Except that–as you will also know if you’ve read my recent posts–none of my long-anticipated travel plans for 2017 panned out, due to circumstances beyond my control. Instead, 2017 has been my year of staying still.

View of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

This was definitely not the situation I’d planned or hoped to be in this year, but it has given me lots of time to think. As I’ve been forced into the role of non-traveler for a while, I’ve realized there are certain things to be said for it. Routine can be nice. You have additional time to spend in your own (awesome) city, and hang out with friends and family. You can also save money (I’m typing this atop a brand new desk I just bought myself which could easily have covered the cost of a domestic plane ticket.)

And yet….I miss travel. I miss the excitement of planning trips, the giddy anticipation of new adventures on the horizon. I miss the thrill of being in a new country where I don’t speak the language or know how most things work and having to figure it out (often assisted mightily by the kindness of strangers).

To anyone reading this who isn’t a traveler, or doesn’t feel the need to be, I’m sure you have your reasons. But speaking as one who’s had to walk (or stay put) in your shoes for the past six months or so, I can assure you that there is a lot to be gained by seeing the world.

Here are just a few of the things I’m missing from travel right now:

Plitvice waterfalls, Croatia

Beach in Phuket, Thailand

I miss sitting in a café in Paris, starting off the day with a flaky chocolate croissant or sipping a chocolate chaud, all the while marveling that great writers like Fitzgerald and Hemingway may have sat in the very seat I’m currently occupying nearly a century ago as they worked on their masterpieces.
I miss trying to speak a new language, making an effort to blend into a new country, even when I spectacularly fail.
I miss walking inside cathedrals, mosques, and other religious sites built over the centuries that dazzle the eye and lift the spirit, like Aya Sofia, St. Peter’s, and St. Paul’s. These buildings aren’t just spectacular visual treats or religious touchstones (though they are that); they’re also tributes to the brilliance of mankind and what people can accomplish when they work together and utilize their talents for the glory of something greater than themselves.
I miss wandering through museums that hold beautiful artwork and historical artifacts that teach us more about the world, and about each civilization’s past and ongoing story. The Louvre, the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Vatican Museum, and so many others I’ve been privileged to see over the years still speak to me and call me back for return visits, over and over again.
I miss the feeling of walking on the Serengeti at sunrise, looking around in hopes of spotting giraffes and zebras, while marveling at the peaceful serenity around me. I remember wondering what my grandmother—who was born in Ireland and never traveled beyond the British Isles throughout her long life—would have thought if she had been able to see her daughter’s daughter taking a morning walk on the Kenyan plains, spotting wildlife and reflecting on the majestic beauty of the world.
I miss the natural wonders that can be found around the globe—waterfalls in Croatia; geysers, hot springs, and more waterfalls in Iceland; stunning beaches in Thailand; gorgeous Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. There are so many corners of the world where nature has created beauty well worth traveling for.
I miss meeting people who were born and raised in cultures vastly different from mine, from Cambodia to Uganda to South Africa to the Czech Republic. I miss talking with them, hearing their stories, learning from them, and sharing my own life with them. Hopefully, at the end of the day, these exchanges between individuals from different countries adds bit by bit to a greater understanding of how much we have in common, and how it benefits all of us to seek out knowledge of worlds very different from our own.
I miss gelato and pizza in Italy. Enough said.

Gulfoss waterfall, Iceland

If you haven’t traveled overseas, it may be due to factors beyond your control—money, medical issues, responsibility for children or aging parents. I get it—believe me, after this year I really do get it. But the very fact of how much I’m missing travel right now reminds me of how important it is to me, and I wanted to share a few of the reasons why in hopes that it might give someone out there the inspiration they need to take the first step towards their own adventures exploring the world. There is so much to see, and as I’ve learned this year, no time to waste in seeing it all.

So, let’s all vow to make 2018 our year of travel. I know I certainly am.

Africa, Central America, Croatia, Guatemala, Iceland, Kenya, Thailand, Travel Musings

Oct

2017

Lake Atitlan: A Little Slice of Paradise

Let’s keep it real here: when I first booked my flight to Guatemala to visit friends last month, it was really Lake Atitlan—that beautiful, deep blue, volcano-ringed lake of a million postcards—that I was most excited about seeing. Sure, there were other parts of the country that interested me (and plenty I didn’t get to see that I’d like to come back to visit in the future) but that magical natural wonder was my main enticement when I hopped on the plane. It looked so perfect in every photo I saw; every blog and guidebook sang its praises to the skies. I was certain I was going to love it.

And I’m happy to say it did not disappoint.

When I think of Guatemala, I think of Lake Atitlan and the unique group of towns that surround it. I remember how beautiful the sunsets were, how dramatic the coastline’s silhouette appeared (more lakes need to be ringed by volcanoes in my opinion), and the overall feeling of being in the presence of so much beauty. It felt like life moved at a slower pace there, like it was a place you could just relax and take in at your leisure.

I love Lake Atitlan so much that I’ve already nearly managed to erase from memory the terrifying boat ride we endured from Santiago to another town across the lake, which was one of the scarier experiences I’ve ever had on the water. But never mind, we arrived safely and celebrated our arrival on dry land with lunch at an Irish expat bar, so no permanent harm done.

And other than that, my memories of the lake are pretty much perfect: the small towns with the smiling children scampering up to greet us (including one who acted as an impromptu tour guide to help us to the beach); the flowers blooming against the backdrop of dark blue water and sky; watching the clouds drift over the volcanoes in the distance as we bobbed over the water on the small boats that carry locals and tourists alike from town to town.

And of course, one never-to-be-forgotten highlight was our afternoon at Club Ven Aca in the charming little town of Jaibalito, where we ate lunch, ordered tropical drinks, and swam in a (very cold) infinity pool looking out over the lake’s stunning vista. (A photo of me in said pool may or may not now be serving as my facebook profile photo. Okay, fine, it is).

There are so many places in the world I love because they’re bustling, exciting, full of art and culture and one-of-a-kind monuments and sights. Lake Atitlan, on the other hand, is a place I fell in love with simply for its beauty; for the sense that here, life can be lived with an appreciation for all that nature has to offer us, and a desire to soak up every moment without rushing on to the next. As our world becomes smaller and more connected, and often more hectic and stressful, this can be a rare quality, and it’s definitely one that I appreciate more and more as I move through life.

If I return to Guatemala someday, I’ll definitely hit up some new places I didn’t get to visit this time (Tikal and Semuc Champey are at the top of that list). But I will absolutely, positively return to Lake Atitlan, explore more, and experience once again the beauty of a place that stole my heart without even trying, but simply by being.

Have you been to Lake Atitlan? Did you love it too? What other places in Guatemala did you enjoy?

Mar

What I Love About Antigua

Melissa Kaplan1

When I began planning my trip to Guatemala, my wanderlust-filled mind was consumed with visions of a single destination: Lake Atitlan. The volcanoes! The lake! The flowers ringing the pretty towns lining the shore! Although there were other places I would have liked to see if I had more time, Lake Atitlan was my primary destination in Guatemala, and definitely the one I was most excited about.

But as we figured out our itinerary for a brief five-day visit, my friends and I decided that a night in Antigua made sense to kick off our time in the country. It was close to the airport, we could see the highlights in a day, and it would be a good introduction to Guatemala.

And I must say, I ended up really, really enjoying Antigua. It’s a beautiful city that I highly recommend anyone visiting Guatemala spend some time exploring.

So what made Antigua such a great first stop on our Guatemalan adventure?

My Favorite Things About Antigua

The architecture. Antigua is a visually stunning city, filled with colonial-style architecture that is delightful to explore and makes for loads of great photo opportunities. My personal favorites are the famous Arch, which seems to find its way into everyone’s Antigua photos (and functions as a helpful navigational tool as well; we may have gotten lost several times while wandering Antigua’s cobbled streets!). I also really loved the town’s cathedral.

The Parque Central. This lovely green space functions as a gathering spot for locals and tourists alike, with everyone gathering on the beautiful sunny afternoon we visited to sit on park benches, people watch, take in the magnificent buildings, and of course, eat. It’s a really nice respite in the center of the city.

The Convento de Capuchinas. This convent was damaged by earthquakes but restored so that now you can walk around and get a sense of what life was like for the nuns who resided there centuries ago, even looking into the remains of the eighteen nun’s rooms built in a circle on the patio. Bonus: there were loads of gorgeous flowers blooming all around the convent; some of my favorite photos of my trip were snapped here.

Everything’s Yellow! Well, not everything, but when I think about Antigua, I think of yellow: the yellow of the arch, of the buildings sprinkled throughout the streets, of the bright sunlight that bathed the city in a morning or afternoon glow. It’s a bright, cheerful place, and I think the color affects the vibe and impacted my mood when I was there.

The Food. Before arriving in Guatemala, we were told not to get too excited about the food, but that Antigua was the best place to get really good international cuisine. It was true; while Panajachel’s food was better than I had expected, Antigua is Guatemala’s culinary star. We didn’t have much time to eat there (sadly) but my favorite meal was our dinner at Luna de Miel, a restaurant serving every kind of sweet and savory crepe you can imagine. I went with the chicken, avocado, and cheese crepe and it was hands-down the best meal of my trip (and began my tradition of eating avocados every day—something I’d like to make a regular habit even now that I’m back home!)

Have you been to Antigua? What did you think of it? What were your favorite places?

Mar

Guatemala: First Impressions

It’s been less than a week since I got back from my first trip of the year, and although it’s grey, rainy, and pretty gloomy outside, nothing can dim my memories of one of my new favorite places on the planet: Guatemala.

I fell hard for this small country tucked away in Central America (like many others before me). I went to Guatemala with very few expectations, willing to open myself up to what I found there and let it surprise me.

And it did, in the best way possible. I loved Guatemala. I am now a convert, evangelizing to everyone I see that they must visit this astounding country for themselves.

So, what’s so incredible about Guatemala? Why do I think everyone should be rushing to book a ticket there, and explore it from top to bottom?

I’ll be putting together some more detailed posts over the next few weeks about my time in Guatemala; what I saw, what I did, and what I ate (obviously). For now, here are some of my first impressions of Guatemala, along with photos to illustrate its beauty and charm far better than my words ever could.

My First Impressions of Guatemala

It’s Beautiful. This is the one observation that forces itself on you as you travel around Guatemala: it’s simply one of the most stunning locations I’ve ever experienced. It’s a visual feast. I’ve seen incredible natural beauty in places like Italy, South Africa, Thailand, Greece, and Iceland, but I think Guatemala can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with any of them. Elaborate colonial architecture; yellow buildings reflecting the sun’s rays till they appear almost blinding; a lake ringed with volcanoes; water views perfectly framed with trees and flowers. Yes, Guatemala is beautiful. My photos don’t really do it justice; you have to see it for yourself to really understand.

It’s Full of Friendly and Happy People. Obviously this is a broad generalization, but I don’t think I met a single person in Guatemala who was really unfriendly (well, maybe one or two boat captains, but I’ll overlook that), and the overall vibe of the places we visited was very friendly, welcoming, and happy. As we traveled through small towns around Lake Atitlan, children would scamper up to us and say, “Hola!,” people would smile and nod at us in the streets, and everyone seemed to go out of their way to be helpful. Moreover, I was very impressed by how generally happy the Guatemalans we encountered seemed to be; there’s a friendly, relaxed vibe in the country that I really appreciated. Especially given the turmoil and sometimes horror of Guatemalan history as recently as a few decades ago, this warm, cheerful attitude from so many people we encountered really made an impression on me.

It Helps A Lot to Speak Spanish (or have a friend who does). You can get by in Guatemala without any Spanish, at least for a few days, but it really does help to know at least a little. I was incredibly fortunate to be traveling with a friend who had mastered the basics and spending lots of time with other friends who live in the country and are fluent Spanish speakers. This not only helped us communicate more effectively, but opened up whole new worlds to us via their translation of conversations we would have otherwise missed. Takeaway: I need to get myself to a Spanish class asap!

The Food Isn’t Bad! I know this doesn’t sound like a ringing endorsement, but when we arrived in Guatemala, our friends immediately warned us that “the food’s not the thing here.” Still, we had an outstanding dinner in Antigua (more details to come), I enjoyed a scrumptious cheesecake/brownie combination dessert in Panajachel, and the taco dinner our friends prepared with food from the local market was divine. And I had avocado and/or guacamole at just about every meal. I need to keep this tradition going; new life goal!

Lake Atitlan is Stunning, but Not to Be Underestimated. Ah, Lake Atitlan. When I try to describe the beauty of Guatemala, this is what I’m thinking of: this stunning, deep blue lake surrounded by volcanoes and framed with flowers. It’s one of the most incredible landscapes I’ve ever had the privilege to see. But, on our boat ride from Santiago to another town along the shore, we encountered rough winds and enormous swells while out on the sea in our small motorboat. It wasn’t a fun ride (the longest forty minutes of my life, which featured people falling over backwards, getting hit by waves in the face, throwing up, and even crying). I have never been more happy to step foot on dry land again as I was when I got off that boat. However, all our other boat trips went relatively smoothly (at least in comparison), and there is something undeniably fun about bouncing over waves with a view of cloud-ringed volcanoes ahead of you. Just be aware that, if you see whitecaps breaking on the water, it may be a rough ride.

At the end of the day, even bumpy boat rides couldn’t sour me on Guatemala. I’ll tell you what I’m telling everyone else I encounter these days: go. Go as soon as possible, and stay as long as you can. You won’t regret it.

Have you been to Guatemala? What did you think of it? Is it a place you’d add to your travel plans?

Feb

A Very Chill To-Do List for Guatemala

Melissa Kaplan1

I can’t believe it, but my trip to Guatemala is only four days away! Where does the time go?!?

This adventure has snuck up on me a bit, so I’ve been doing some reading these last few days to try to figure out what fun things I may want to see, do, and of course eat in Antigua and Lake Atitlan. I’m still very open to ideas on all fronts, but I’ve also made the decision that this is going to be a different kind of trip for me: a chilled-out one.

You see, I have a tendency to over-plan my travels. Usually, long before I touch down in a destination, I have a pretty good idea of what my trip will entail: hotels booked, activities planned, restaurants and even cafes picked out. Yes, I’m that girl when I travel. And come to think of it, I’m that girl in most areas of my life. I’m a planner. I like order and structure. It’s an inherent part of who I am.

But this time, I’d like to leave room to be a bit more spontaneous and relaxed. I have a few things in mind I would really like to see and do in Guatemala, but especially since this trip will be so brief, I want the main focus to be on relaxing, chilling out, taking in the beauty of my surroundings, all while eating, drinking, and having fun with friends.

Here’s my (very chill) to-do list for Guatemala so far. Anything I’ve left out?

Walk around Antigua and admire the beautiful architecture and pastel buildings.
Hike somewhere that isn’t super-challenging but provides great views at the top.
Float in an infinity pool.
Eat Guatemalan food.
Visit a few different towns around Lake Atitlan, hopefully by boat (because I love boats!)
Have a fantastic meal in Antigua.
Get a massage at our hotel spa in Panajachel.
Visit the handicraft markets in Panajachel, and hopefully come away with a cool local souvenir.
Lie in a hammock and look at the lake while drinking something tropical and fruity.

I’ll let you know how much of this I accomplish—but I think if I hit even a few of these items, I’ll have a pretty great trip!

And of course I’ll be posting a blog or two about my Guatemala adventure when I return, but in the meantime, you can follow my twitter account at @perpetualvoyage for some real-time photos and updates (wifi situation permitting, of course!)

Guatemala, here I come!

Have you been to Guatemala? Is it on your list? Any other (chill) things I should do while I’m there?

Feb

Oh, the Places I’ll Go! (In 2016)

Melissa Kaplan2

Happy Sunday! I’m sitting at my computer typing while watching the first real snowfall of the season fall softly outside my window. It’s a picture-postcard kind of afternoon (even if the snow is pretty minimal, which I don’t mind as I have plans later on today I’d like to be able to keep!) Anyway, it feels like a perfect setting for contemplation and looking ahead to what’s in store in the new year.

And for me, as always, that means travel—hopefully lots of it!

I’m still firming up my 2016 travel plans, but I’m excited to be able to share at least the broad strokes of what I hope to see and do this year. Here’s my travel plan/wishlist, so far….

The Places I’ll Go in 2016

The Big Trips

Guatemala: My first trip is one I’ve already shared on this blog: I’m going to Guatemala next month! It’ll be my first visit to the country, and I’ll be spending most of my time around the stunning-looking Late Atitlan, with a brief stopover to check out Antigua as well. I can’t wait!

Central Europe and the Balkans: I lived in Europe for two years, and every time I’m there, I realize how much I miss it and how much I need to go back for an extended period to see new places and revisit old ones. So this summer, I’m planning a European vacation. The main focus of my trip will be Slovenia, which I’ve wanted to visit for as long as I can recall, as well as a quick pop into next-door-neighbor Croatia to see Zagreb and the Plitvice waterfalls. I’m also planning to spend a few days in London to see my family there and get reacquainted with one of my favorite cities, where I was lucky enough to live for a year during graduate school. But of course, once you’re in Europe it’s incredibly tempting to tack more onto your visit, since everything is so close (relative to America anyway) and Easyjet can hop you around the continent for next to nothing. So I’m seriously considering extending my trip a few days and taking in another city in a new country: Riga? Estonia? Belgrade? Suggestions welcome!

Bali: This is the really big trip I’ve been dreaming about for ages and am determined to make happen this year. I have a milestone birthday coming up in December, which I firmly believe calls for an epic voyage. So I’m going to spend a week or so in Bali, chilling out on beaches, exploring green rice paddies, taking yoga classes, getting endless massages, and eating all the food. Sounds like a perfect transition into the next phase of my life!

The Smaller Adventures

New Orleans: Recently I was catching up with a friend who lives in another part of the country and we were tossing around ideas for a girlfriends’ getaway. My idea—New Orleans! I’ve wanted to visit for ages, it’s a fairly quick flight and can be done in a weekend (the highlights at least), and I’ve heard nothing but good things from everyone who’s been there about how magical the city is. Great food and jazz around every corner; how can we go wrong?

Portland, Oregon: Another city that’s been on my US list for quite a while. My best friend and I have a tradition of meeting up every year for a reunion weekend, either at my place in DC or hers in Connecticut. She really loves Portland and has spent loads of time there, so I suggested we shake things up and move our weekend plans out to the West Coast this fall. Not sure if it will happen this year or not, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Going Home: While my home now is the DC area, I’ve made plans already to visit my parents in Florida several times this year, and also want to do a trip back to Connecticut to see old friends I haven’t caught up with in person in way too long. Time for an Amtrak road trip!

The Possibilities

This will hopefully be the year I finally fulfill one of my personal and professional goals: international work travel. I don’t know anything for sure yet, but there is a pretty good chance I’ll get to visit some fairly exotic destinations for my job this year—including potentially East Africa. If so, I’ll definitely make sure to tack on a few vacation days to be able to take in a part of the world I’ve never been to and have long wanted to experience. More to come on this as things develop, but I’m excited by the idea of exploring some completely new-to-me corners of the planet.

Been to any of these places? Suggestions to offer? What exciting places will you go in 2016?

Asia, Bali, Central America, Croatia, Guatemala, London, Slovenia, Travel Musings, US travel

I’m Going to Guatemala!

Melissa Kaplan1

I’m so excited to finally be able to share my first travel plans of the year. In February, I’m off to Guatemala!! Wahoo!!!

This will be my very first trip to the country, and my second visit to Central America. In 2011, I took a cruise with my mom to Belize and Honduras, giving me my first taste of the region. It was a quick trip, but I really loved everything I saw and did there: climbing a Mayan ruin in Belize, snorkeling off the coast of Roatan, and sitting by the shore in Costa Maya, Mexico and counting the endless shades of blue in the water.

I’ve been interested in returning to this part of the world for a while, but what clinched this trip is the wonderful stroke of luck that a friend of mine now lives in Panajachel, right near Lake Atitlan (which looks in all the photos I’ve seen like it may be the legit most beautiful lake—or maybe place—on the planet). He invited me to come down and visit him and his wife a while ago, and after figuring out a date and some tentative plans, we’ve finally made it happen!

I’ll be traveling with another friend, and our current plan is to fly to Guatemala City, then hop a shuttle to Antigua to stay the night, and soak in its glorious-looking colonial architecture (as well as eat, eat, eat…apparently Antigua is home to the best food in Guatemala). The next day, we’ll grab the bus to Panajachel and spend the following three days exploring the towns surrounding Lake Atitlan, hopefully doing some hiking, swimming, taking in the local crafts market and other sights. There’s also been talk of spending time relaxing in an infinity pool overlooking the lake to take in its stunning views (okay, if I’m being honest here, that was pretty much the one activity I listed as non-negotiable). Otherwise, we’re up for pretty much anything!

I’m really excited to start off 2016 on such a fun note, with a new adventure to a country that’s piqued my interest quite a bit over the last couple of years. My only real regret is that because our trip is so short (just a five-day long weekend getaway) we won’t have time to visit Semuc Champey in the north of Guatemala, which features amazingly beautiful blue pools you’re allowed to swim in that look like they’d be tempting beyond belief on a hot day. But, I’m eagerly anticipating all the amazing places I will get to see; and as one who does a lot of solo travel, I’m especially happy to be able to explore a new place with friends. What a fabulous start to 2016!

I’ll be posting about my adventures in Guatemala next month. In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions for Antigua and Lake Atitlan? Any sights I shouldn’t miss, activities I should prioritize, or food or drinks I absolutely need to sample while I’m there? Share your thoughts below, everyone!

Happy 2016 and hope you year and travels are off to a fantastic start! Where will you go this year?