Our Suite 🙂

Recently my wife Marsha informed me that dhe was going to a Rotary Function in Antigua, Guatemala, and asked if I was interested in going. As I knew that she had been wanting to visit this historic town for years, I figured there must be something interesting there. So, of course I said yes. We booked two tickets on Tag Airlines, the only airline flying there from Belize, which reminded me of the old days on Southwest Airlines, no advanced seat assignments! I hoped it was not going to be a scramble involving chickens and elbows to find a vacant seat.

Cobblestone Streets, very uneven

As usual we flew Tropic Air from Placencia to Belize City where we would board our plane to Antigua. Arriving in Belize City we finally found the desk ( a Tropic Air counter) handling Tag Airlines. As I had purchased “upgraded seats” with better legroom, I was suprised when we were assigned middle of the plane seats. I later learned that the plane was only half full, and they managed seating for weight distributation for “high winds”? The flight went well, a bit bumpy but not bad, and after about an hour we arrived in Guatemala City.

Luckly, this was not our plane leaving Belize City…notice duck taping the pilots window ???

After an hour in Customs / Immigration lines and then baggage, we exited and there was our driver waiting for us as planned. He actually had a nice full size van, very comfortable, lucky for us. I say this because the drive from Guatemala City to Antigus as about an hour, except during “rush hour”, therefore it took us tgree hours to reach our hotel. Three hours of “traffic hell” I might add. Our driver at one point knew we needed a break, and stopped at a McDonalds so we could hey a “Banya” and grab some coffee.

Finally arriving in Antigua I was amazed at the fact that there are no “hi rise” tall buildings, becasue of the fact there are four volcanoes surrounding the town, one “active”. More on that later.

We arrived at our hotel and I was interested to know what was behind the “wall”. A gentleman was awaiting and took our bags, while we searched for the front desk. This was not easy as this resort was actually within a historic museum and religious convent from the 800’s (years). The name of the resort…Hotel Museo Spa Casa Santo Domingo. After a whole week, we never saw the entire grounds of this historic site but I will say, our suite was faqntastic, as was the spa.

This entire compound was our resort / hotel

We were there with good friends, Michael and Nikki, and as we didn’t arrive in town until late afternoon, we decided to dine in the resort restaurant, a great idea by the way. After careful examination of the menu, we ordered a bottle of awesome Red Zinfandel and steaks, and chowed down to some piano music 🙂

The next day we had booked a “walking fod tour” so off we went on the cobblestone streets to our meeting destination, a coffee shop. Let me tell you, Guatemala is well known for their coffee productions, and I can attest to you it is heavenly. When we arrived the guide service suggested we hang for a bit up on the balcony above the barrista and enjoy an expresso, which we did. As we sipped our black brew, we observed a pleasant supprise, not exactly what we expected.

Mt Fuego, the only “active volcany” on the outskirts of town, suddenly started errupting ! Yup ! Thats right, cloud of smoke, ask and red flakes spewing out the top. Regretfully, there was nowhere to run, so we sat back, sipped our brew and watched in awe. A funny thing, there was anotyer tourist couple there enjoying coffee, who said they were going on a “volcano tour” that day 🙂

Suprise !

The walking foot tour was an excellent choice, visiting local small food halls and street vendors. We tried everything from pastry to fruit in a bag, and if that sounds boring, guess again. We tastedmeat pies, tortias, and more.

For lunch we took te “Chicken Bus” to the big market in town and enjoyed some “spicy hot” local food in the foiod court which is miles of alleyways.

That evening we decided to hit a local favorite for dinner, called Las Sopas, famous for their, you guessed it, soups. I enjoyed a hearty beef, tomatoe, potatoeand veggie soup tat was just spectacular. It’s not a big place, but small, and comfy, and the service was encellent.

Interesting fact, Miss Universe was staying at our resort. 🙂

The next day, as Marsha was at the International Rotary Convention, I walked around our resort museum a bit, then had a massage in the spa. Yup, It was a Spa Resort as well .

I had asked my good friend and Italian Restaurant Owner, La Dolce Vita in Placencia, Simone de Angelis for restaurant recomendations, as his wife is from Guatemala. Of course he responded immediately that his good friend also from Rome, had two restaurants in Antigua, and we had to go. He contacted his friend, and we had reservations that evening at Cazador Italiano.

Again….Big Score.

The dinner was fantastic, and took my taste buds back to Northern Italy. I especially enjoyed my Ragu, along with a special bottle of wine from Sicily, which we had visited just monts before. We were almost finished with dinner, when Michano and his wife ——came thru the dor and said…Gary ! I’m here !~ What a special guy, we became friends immediately, and Marsha and I shared our stories of Sicily and all of Italy, especially about wine.

Luciano told his chefs to bring us a place of fresh Parmesan, and a plate of Prosciutto while he grabbed an excellent bottle of wine from the volcanic area of Sicily. He was impressed when Marsha informed him that we have just visited that winery the month before.

Even though we were full from dinner, we had no problem devouring that cheese and meat plates, and wine. Regretfully, after an hour, we said our “see you later’s”. Luciano and his wife Andrea welcomed us like we were in their own home, it was very special and appreciated.

As much of of our visit involved the excellent foods of Guatemala, i would like to give mention to another great spot we hit, after Marsha discovered it on-line. The name is La Casa Delas Soupas. You guessed it, their specialties are soups, and did we ever unjoy them. I highly suggest if you visit Antiqua, dine here.

We spent a couple days just walking aaround the main streets, checking out the shops and buildings. At the center of toun is the large arch building, very old, which was used by the Nuns to go between buildings without being seen.

We visited a special place I just had to see, the local Brewery in downtown, not for the beer, but rather for the “secret bar” hidden within. We were told many visitors never discover it, or know it was there.

Why ? Becasue it is hidden behind a red phone booth 🙂

Once inside we discovered a “cave type” barroom, and very special bartenders. There is no bar menu, instead you describe what kind of drink you wouls like, and thery create it. I enjoyed a smoked local rum with all kinds of flavors in it. Well worth a discovery tour.

Next lets discuss our “ATV Tour thru town, up to the mountains to seek “Froto”! We arrived at the tour building, and proceeded to the ATV storage lot, where we got our instructions, and then we were off. Let me tell you, the streets are composed of large cobblestones, which makes for interesting rides on ATV’s.

Marsha soon become a star, handling her maching like a “Biker Chick” :).

We arrived at the “Lord of the Rings Village”, in the hills overlooking Antigua and the mountains, one of only two I know of, I felt like I was in the movies. The other “movie set” is located in New Zealand, which we will be visiting in Janurary 2027.

marsha said…”Talk to the Hand” !

We made a stop on the adventure to a awesome overlook of the valley.

And then it was time to grab some lunch at a local village. We started with a demonstration of how chocolate is processed by hand, still today. Nicci volunteered to give it a try.

And then there was a traditional village lunch, quite similiar to Belize.

That evening, we discovered a fairly new restaurant / brewery, Las Tres Amigas, located in downtown. This restaurant was awesome ! Stating with the food, we enjoyed our Angus Burgers stacked with extras. But, tghe star of the show, a wall of tap beers that wou can pay a standard amount, and help yourself 🙂 I opted for their Coffee Stout.

It had been a few days, with both of us pretty busy, and we still had not visited the Museum on the resort grounds. So, Marsha and I spent some time checking it out, Very surised tat they even had underground tombs, with mummified remains.

Of course, during our discovery tiour, Marsha discovered the “Chocolate Factory”, with some super creations we just had to purchase :).

I’ll leave you with one of my favorite discoveries, “The Fountain” 🙂

I hape you got a desire to visit Antigua, Guatemala, becasue it’s a very safe, and beautiful destination. There is so much to see and do, and eat ! I am sure we will return for more.

With that I will say….Adios My Friends.

Gary …. The Pirate