Beautiful, amazing Guatemala... please go if you get a chance.

I visited the country with my dear friends Hedy & Russell Harrison.  Our interests are historical, spiritual, archeological and gastronomic.  To say the least we hit on all cylinders.

Like many Latin and South American countries, I do not find their largest city, Guatemala City, that interesting.  That cannot be said for the rest of the country.

We traveled to Antigua, which is an old colonial town reminiscent of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico having a large expatriate community of Americans without the high price tag.  The architecture is stunning and its size is manageable.  I later returned to Antigua for three weeks over the Christmas holidays with my sister Cathy and my nephew Charlie.

West and north of Antigua is Lake Atitlan, which is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.  It is an old volcano that hasn't erupted in years.  Most communities on the lake are accessible by boat only.

Some three hours from Lake Atitlan is the market town of Chichicastenango which uniquely blends the native Quechuen and imported Catholic beliefs.

And lastly, is the jungle expanse of Tikal in northern Guatemala, home to an amazing Mayan community that has been beautifully restored.  If you go, stay at one of the jungle lodges in the park, just don't go in the summer, it is too hot.