There will be lots of time to explore villages, bargain hunt in the markets, photograph, relax, and do art on this trip of a lifetime. Carol will spend some instruction time for the painters in the group and will inspire the other artists with her fascination of the culture, the people, and the magic of this beautiful country.

Semana Santa (Holy Week) In Antigua with John and Anita
As founders of EXPLORE GUATEMALA, L.L.C., we have been uncovering, experiencing, and sharing the best of Guatemala since 2000. We view life as an adventure. During our “down-time” we have spent the past five years traveling, sailing, and experiencing some of the most interesting events, cultures, oceans, and lands around the world. You have heard some of our amazing travel stories and many of you have lived vicariously through our e-mail travelogues. NOW, YOU CAN EXPERIENCE THESE ADVENTURES WITH US beginning with:

Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Antigua, Guatemala. Semana Santa refers to the week proceeding Easter Sunday, and is the most important holiday in Central America. It is a festive event, featuring religious processions and colorful carpets in the streets. The participants never forget what they are commemorating. As the week progresses, these magnificent processions become more and more solemn. These celebrations are perhaps the most extravagant and impressive in all Latin America, rivaled only by a similar event that takes place in Seville, Spain.

The cobblestone streets of Antigua are covered in alfombras (carpets) made up of colorfully dyed sawdust, pine needles, flowers, flower petals, corozo (yellow flowers pulled from giant pods), berries, fruits, and vegetables. The celebrations, thought to have been introduced by Pedro Alvarado in the early years of the Conquest, start with a procession on Palm Sunday, representing Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, and continue through to the really big processions and pageants on Good Friday. On Thursday night the streets are meticulously carpeted and on Friday morning a series of processions with teams of penitents wearing peaked hoods and accompanied by solemn dirges (melancholic music from local brass bands) and billowing clouds of copal incense accompany them as they carry the image of Christ and the Cross on andas or massive platforms.

Semana Santa in Antigua is a World-Class event that most people have only heard about. You may have been to Guatemala but you have never experienced anything like this. Join us for this amazing trip.

Kathrin Parsons, a licensed and practicing Life Coach and Creative Facilitator of Kathrin Parson’s Creative Retreats says of Gayle, “a professional watercolor painter with an outstanding resumé, Gayle is one of the most fabulous art teachers I have ever worked with. She brought the best out in each woman—from the complete novice, to the professional artist; each woman on the retreat had at least one terrific, finished painting to take home.”

This is your chance to learn and paint with Gayle Weisfield in a one of the most scenic settings and best kept secrets in the art world today…Guatemala. A “re-discovered” paradise for artists, Guatemala is a destination that most North Americans have overlooked for decades. This “land of eternal spring” once again calls artists, culture seekers, shoppers, and those who want to see and experience a beautiful and fascinating country where the ever colorful Maya practice their traditional customs and dress like their ancestors did hundreds of years ago. You'll fall in love with their calm, disarming nature. There are very few places left in the world where one can still witness the magic of traditional indigenous peoples.

You will stay in some of Guatemala's most charming and distinctive hotels. You will go behind the scenes to grow in an understanding of both Guatemala's Maya and Colonial history. There will be lots of time for visiting Maya markets and villages such as Chichicastenango and Comalapa, and opportunities for buying handicrafts and textiles known the world over for their beauty and quality. In Guatemala, beauty pursues the traveler as well as the artist, and you will find fascinating subject matter everywhere. Come participate in a creative feast for the heart and soul. Join Gayle on this adventure of a lifetime.

Travel through the magical highlands of Guatemala and paint on sight with Lesta, overlooking Lake Atitlán (Aldous Huxley, famed English author called it “the most beautiful; lake in the world”) with its three towering volcanoes and twelve Maya villages. Painters, photographers, textile or fiber artists, travelers, friends...all are invited to join in on this experience of a lifetime; the Maya markets, the villages, and the people will steal your heart forever. You will never want to leave.

You will dine in the Monk’s dining room of a 16th century Monastery turned into a five star luxury hotel. You will paint in the ruins left by the original 30 monastic orders that called Antigua home and built stunning monasteries, convents, and cathedrals throughout the town. The local markets, quiet courtyards with ornate gardens and the sights and sounds of colonial Spain permeate the atmosphere.

Travel through the Guatemalan Highlands with its great mountain peaks, plateaus and valleys. The three volcanoes that surround Lake Atitlán stand out like majestic guards over what Aldous Huxley called the “most beautiful lake in the world”. Arrival at Hotel Atitlán is magic. From the moment you walk into the lobby and see the indigenous artwork and colonial antiques you will feel the ambiance of the hotel and what is yet to come. Your room will have a spectacular view of the lake and the volcanoes. Once you check in you will never want to leave. The New York Times said, "There is only one truly sumptuous place to stay, the Hotel Atitlán, a fantasia of ornately maintained gardens, caged parrots, hand-carved furniture and gorgeous tile work.

Prepare yourself for the multitude of color and shopping, the likes of which you have never seen before, in the world famous Maya market of Chichicastenango.

Sketching, Painting, and T’ai Chi Chih plus Maya villages and colorful markets with Terry Gay Puckett. Come with award-winning artist Terry Gay Puckett on her fifth annual Explore Guatemala Workshop/Tour. Terry Gay will share her gesture sketching techniques, which are applicable to all forms of art. As a Certified Instructor, Terry Gay will offer T’ai Chi Chih each morning for those who want to participate. Painters, photographers, textile or fiber artists, travelers, friends...all are invited. Encounter a world of color and the mystical Maya culture as you travel through the highlands of Guatemala. There will be lots of time to explore villages, bargain hunt in the markets, photograph, relax, and do art on this trip of a lifetime.

From the time you arrive in Guatemala City you will be enthralled by the experiences and surprises in store for you. You will be staying in 5 Star and unique hotels all along the way. Your personal private guides will be the experienced owners of Explore Guatemala who will take you to places others only dream about. Ask anybody who has been with Terry Gay on her four previous trips and you will be blown away by their descriptions and comments. One traveler wrote: “I consider our wonderful trip to Guatemala a “trip of a lifetime”. Ron joins me in thanking you and Anita for all the care and attention you two gave your travelers throughout our days together. Hope to see you again soon. Keep me on your list of upcoming adventures”!

Explore the world of botanical art as Lisa Coddington, MA leads this workshop/tour to an artist’s paradise, Guatemala. Encounter the color and culture of the Maya people, their land, their villages, and markets in the western highlands as you travel, learn, and create with this leading Botanical Artist and Instructor. Imagine, botanical art instruction wrapped up in a holiday, exploring places like Antigua where you will experience the colonial architecture, flowers everywhere, and the romantic appeal of this world renowned Spanish Colonial town (considered one of the most beautiful towns in Central America). It is like stepping back into time over 300 years and will leave you with a lifetime of memories. Experience what Aldous Huxley called “the most beautiful lake in the world”, Lake Atitlán. With its three towering volcanoes majestically standing watch over the twelve Maya villages surrounding the lake, it is a magical place and an artist’s inspiration. The botanical gardens of colonial style Hotel Atitlán will enthrall you. Imagine having lush flowering and fruiting plants at your fingertips, with the comfort of luxury hotels and delicious food. It's a way to work intensely on drawing, painting, and studying the plants and flowers while experiencing the natural beauty of the Guatemala in a relaxed manner.

Prepare yourself for the multitude of color, and the shopping, the likes of which you have never seen before, in the market of Chichicastenango. The landscape is magic, the people are the Maya, and the Workshop will be incredible.

All artists, beginners to professional, will gain benefits and experiences to last a lifetime. Your “home base” studio will be at the beautiful Hotel Atitlán in a thatched roof ranchito, amidst botanical gardens overlooking Lake Atitlán. Surrounded by towering volcanoes, terraced mountainsides and colorful Maya Indian villages… it is a tranquil setting that lends itself to creative awakening and renewal.

You will also stay in a 16th Century Monastery, the Casa Santo Domingo, in the colonial city of Antigua where you will step back into time over 300 years. Founded in 1543, Antigua was one the third most important Spanish colonies in the Americas, ruling over what are now Southern Mexico and all of Central America. More than 30 Monastic orders called Antigua home and built stunning monasteries, convents, and cathedrals in the town. The local markets, quiet courtyards with ornate gardens and the sights and sounds of colonial Spain permeate the atmosphere.

Join the legendary Tony van Hasselt on his “All Saint’s Day” Guatemalan Escapaint. It was in Guatemala, under his Painting Holidays banner, that he organized many workshops in the 70’s and 80’s taught by painting greats such as of John Pike, Robert E. Wood, Tom Hill, and Milford Zornes.

Now, Tony van Hasselt returns to beautiful Guatemala to do his own Watercolor Workshop as he teaches and paints his way through the cobblestone calles and ruins of the colonial city of Antigua. Named by Travel and Leisure magazine as one of its Top 10 Getaways; “it seems airlifted from 16th Century Spain to a misty, tropical setting up above the world”. Founded by the Spanish Conquistadores in 1543, the cobblestone streets of this Central American colonial treasure are rich with the architecture and ambiance of ruined churches, ancient monasteries, convents, and colonial homes with hidden courtyards. Draped with bright bougainvillea and breathtaking views of emerald volcanoes in the background, Antigua seems time-trapped in the most romantic and breathtaking setting. Here you will stay at the Casa Santo Domingo, built from the ruins of a 16th century Monastery. The sounds of running water in the stone-carved fountains, candlelight throughout the hallways and fresh flowers everywhere will simply take your breath away.

Travel through the highlands of Guatemala and experience the Maya culture as you visit villages during the All Saint’s Day Fiestas; the colorful kite flying competitions in the village of Sumpango, the family reunions in the beautifully decorated cemetery of Pastores, and the Maya markets of Chichicastenango and Comalapa. Encounter what Aldous Huxley called “the most beautiful lake in the world”, Lake Atitlán. Three towering volcanoes majestically stand watch over the lake and its twelve Maya villages in this artist’s paradise.

Come paint and sketch with Tony van Hasselt in Antigua, Lake Atitlán, its villages, and in Chichicastenango. Their textures and colors will weave their way into your art, and the people and culture will weave their way into your heart.

Discover the actual painting "high" of Van Gogh, Manet, Monet, and others on this Plein Aire Experience with Bob Burridge. See for yourself why painting outdoors was (and still is) so popular. This on-location painting workshop is for all levels of painters who want to learn the time-honored joy of paint sketching outdoors and finishing up in the studio. Bob’s painting workshop emphasizes loose and creative experimentation, and nurtures individual success and personal enrichment with a big emphasis on daily painting projects at your own pace. It is stress-free, but be warned; you could end up with too much enthusiasm for painting. Bob’s energetic and positive approach will inspire you to have fun again. This workshop is a must for artists who want the confidence and permission to paint the way they have always wanted to paint.

Travel with Bob throughout the highlands of beautiful Guatemala where you will see colorfully dressed descendents of the Maya along the road going to market; women carrying children on their backs while balancing baskets on their heads; men with a load of wood on their backs; children wearing the identical clothes as their parents as each village we pass through is identified by its own characteristic design and color. Lake Atitlán, arguably the “most beautiful lake in the world”, is dominated by three towering volcanoes, Toliman, San Pedro, and Atitlán. Its shores are dotted with twelve Maya villages. Your workshop “studio” will be the Ranchito, a thatched roof studio/spa on the water’s edge in the midst of the botanical gardens of the lovely Spanish colonial style Hotel Atitlán.

You will stay in the world renowned Spanish Colonial town of Antigua, Guatemala. From its colonial architecture to its beautiful surroundings, this town is considered one of the most beautiful in Central America. It is like stepping back into time over 300 years. Founded in 1543, Antigua was one the third most important Spanish colonies in the Americas, ruling over what are now Southern Mexico and all of Central America. More than 30 Monastic orders called Antigua home and built stunning monasteries, convents, and cathedrals in the town. The local markets, quiet courtyards with ornate gardens and the sights and sounds of colonial Spain permeate the atmosphere. No other town has the appeal and the charm of Antigua. Arriving at Hotel Casa Santo Domingo, prepare to lose your breath and your heart to the most romantic, most transporting, most unexpected, most Antiguan of the hotels in the "old capital". It is a colonial monument intact, a sixteenth-century monastery re-invigorated as a premier luxury hotel.

Relax in the splendor of the renowned Hotel Atitlán and “the most beautiful lake in the world”, Lake Atitlán, surrounded by three volcanoes and twelve Maya Indian villages where the indigenous population lives, speaks, dresses, and practices its religion as it did hundreds of years ago. There will be lots of time to explore villages, bargain hunt in the markets, photograph, relax, and do art on this trip.

You will step back into time over 300 years as you enter the time-locked colonial town of Antigua where you will stay in a 16th century Monastery. Flowers everywhere, the sounds of running water, the ruins, the candlelit hallways of the Monks, and the feel of Spanish Colonial, will simply take your breath away. In Chichicastenango, you will experience the colors and traditions of the Maya people selling their goods in the most fascinating market in all the Americas.