Our exciting two-week vacation was bracketed by pick-up and return to the airport in Guatemala City. After a few days of lounging by the pool in the impeccably-maintained old world resort of Villa Antigua, we selected our tour itinerary, which included some local and distant points of interest.

Although we chose to pass on the beaches and golf courses this time, both of those options were available. Instead we toured a macadamia nut plantation, a historical walkabout of Antigua, and a flight inland to Flores and the Mayan ruins at Tikal and Yaxha.

The 7th century step pyramids of Tikal rose 200 feet from the jungle floor and our guide entertained us with details of the lives of the remarkable people who built them, their life-or-death sports, their sacrifices, and their military conquests.

We even climbed some of the pyramids using the stairways built for the cast of Survivor: Guatemala a few years back. Our night at a jungle lodge was truly an unforgettable auditory experience.

Back in Antigua for a final relaxing week, we walked through the town, visiting jade factories, art galleries, several excellent restaurants and, for one memorable evening, a rock concert at a bar. There were quiet moments in the convent gardens of Santa Clara, and noisy ones bartering in the sprawling city market.

- Derek Peach