Traveling from Antigua to Panajachel; we were treated the vast and colourful outdoor market in Chichicastenango. The dramatic volcano vistas that surrounded Lago De Atitlan were always present as we traveled on the lake from Panajachel to Santiago and then to San Pedro. Our journey continued to Tikal where towering pyramids poked above the jungle’s green canopy to catch the sun. Wrapping up our trip back where it all started in Antigua relaxing in the most magnificent Gardens of our Hotel Quinta de Las Fores. This trip fully engaged our senses and emotions; we were constantly awestruck by the beauty of the people and their land.

C Roller

· "As a rookie, I felt inspired by the talented, experienced artists around me who shared their knowledge and obvious love of watercolour painting" Margot Paris

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"The sights and the people of Guatemala, along with the travel group, made the trip an unforgettable experience” , Margot D’Souza

· "We will keep this wonderful memory in our lives forever" Annie Tsia

· "I was charmed by Guatemala's vibrant colours, the diversity of beautiful woven and embroidered regional clothing, and the magnificent Mayan ruins." Liz Rumple

· "We become a part of all that we experience. The Mayans, magnificent colorful sights, and wonderful traveling companions, have enriched my life forever." June Bug MacDonald

· "Great group, great trip and with new-found friends - a great experience. "Daryl and Sue Gray

· Wonderful holiday, terrific traveling companions and a new found appreciation for Guatemala, it's beauty and it's people." Jacque Thachuk

Above is a photograph one the travelers in our group took of me painting in the stunning gardens of Hotel Quintas las Flores in Antigua. For me this photo sums up our 2007 painting tour of Guatemala.

Below is our Itinerary of our 2008 tour .....read on

Painting Excursion Preview

The Group will arrive in Guatemala City and transfer by bus to our home base of Antigua. Set amid three magnificent volcanoes - Ague, Fuego and Acatenango, Antigua is among the oldest and most beautiful cities in the Americas. We will spend a couple of days drawing, painting and enjoying the famous churches and colonial architecture with plenty of time to explore individual interests. From our home base of Antigua the group will bus to the world famous market in Chichicastenango en route to Panjachel, one of the oldest tourist hang-outs in Guatemala. From there we will visit the picturesque lakeside villages of Santiago Atitland, San Marcos, and San Pedro La Laguna. Leaving from Guatemala City the group will fly north to El Peten the town of Las Flores for a visit to the world famous ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal. Our trip concludes back in Antigua for two more sleeps before heading back to Guatemala City and our flight home. All levels of painters as well as non-painters are welcome to join us on this unique tour of one of Latin Americas most intriguing destinations.

About Guatemala

The Mayan heartland of Central America is an attractive destination for travelers, offering Central America in concentrated form: its volcanoes are the highest and most active, its Mayan ruins the most impressive, its earthquakes, the most devastating and its history of repression decidedly world-class. Mayan history survives in the ancient ruins of Tikal, Mayan/Catholic rituals of Chichicastenango and the blazing colours of everyday Mayan dress. Guatemala’s many Mayan ruins and colonial buildings are its most impressive architectural attributes. One of the most intriguing cultural aspects is the infinite and exotic variety of the handmade, traditional clothing of Guatemala’s Mayan population.

Antigua
Antigua was the nation's capital from 1543 until 1776, when the capital was moved 45km to the east to the present site of Guatemala City. Antigua is among the oldest and most beautiful cities in the Americas. Set amid three magnificent volcanoes - Agua, Fuego and Acatenango - its sturdy colonial buildings have weathered 16 earthquakes and numerous floods and fires. The cobblestone streets, bougainvillea bursting from crumbling ruins and numerous colonial churches like La Merced and San Francisco date back to the 17th century.

Chichicastenango
A small stucco-white town on the crests of mountaintops at over 2000 metres, the magical and misty highlands town of Chichi is surrounded by valleys and overshadowed by looming mountains. The colourful native Sunday market attracts vendors from all across Guatemala, and the cofradías religious brotherhoods often hold processions on that day.

Panajachel
A major tourist centre, this town dates back to pre-Columbian times and is a hub for visiting the villages on the shores of Lago de Atitlan - an absolutely gorgeous caldera lake and our home base while visiting Guatemala’s Highlands.

Santiago Atitland
Across the lake from Panajachel on the shore of a lagoon, Santiago Atitlan still clings to its traditional life style of the Tz'utuhil Maya. This lakeside village is fast becoming a centre for the arts, textiles and gallery scene.

San Pedro & San Marcos
These two towns on lake Atitland are home to the coffee trade and are where many Bohemian foreigners settle, giving them a peaceful tranquil atmosphere in beautiful settings.

El Peten

Las Flores
Las Flores is a dignified capital, with its church and government building arranged around the main plaza, which crests the hill in the centre of the island. The city was founded by the Itzáes, and at the time of conquest was perhaps the last still-functioning Mayan ceremonial centre in the country. Las Flores will be our base from where we will explore Tikal.

Tikal Ruins
The monumental Mayan ceremonial centre at Tikal lies in the jungle northwest of Flores, in the department of El Petén. Towering pyramids rise above the jungle's green canopy, while down below howler monkeys swing noisily through the branches of ancient trees, colourful parrots squawk and dart, and tree frogs fill in the auditory gaps.

The steep-sided temples rise to heights of over 44m (144ft), and although the undergrowth around them has been cleared, the dense rain forest canopy is not far away, making passage within the enigmatic site an unforgettable experience. The many ruins include plazas, an acropolis, pyramids, temples and a museum.

Your Hosts

Mike Radford and Mark Glavina met in the early 80's at Capilano College where they were both students of the renowned commercial art program. Both avid travelers, Mike and Mark are keen location painters and accomplished artists and instructors. We invite you to enjoy this cultural experience travelling with brush in hand.

Mike Radford
Associate member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and regular traveller to Latin America, Mike has been teaching watercolours at Phoenix Art Workshop from its inception in 2001. Mike works almost exclusively in watercolour and chooses a variety of subjects to paint. Mike’s perspective and stories of his Latin American travels are an entertaining complement to his on location demonstrations.

Mark Glavina
Owner of the Phoenix Art Workshop, Mark has been involved in art education for the last 10 years sharing his enthusiasm through his teaching and community public art projects. An invited guest speaker in schools throughout the lower mainland, Mark’s thoughtful approach to teaching and promoting the arts is contagious. Primarily a plein air painter in watercolour Mark will share ideas, challenges, design and colour theory specific to location painting in a series of interactive presentations.

January 22nd 2007

We enjoy the beauty of Tikal with a last morning tour of this amazing location in the jungle.... a faster pace so we are able to hike a couple of the historic monuments for our early workout! Back for lunch at the lodge and then load up for our bus trip to the airport. We have plenty of time so a stop and a little walk about the town of Flores …( ok and a beer) and still have plenty of time at the airport to Guatemala City and then back to Antigua. We arrive at the most beautiful hotel of our trip Quintal as Flores…es perfecto! Everyone is happy but starving so off in search of food. Most of the group goes for pizza… but the real prize is the Tequila cave @ Café No Say….

I think we come back hmmm?

Our last three days in Antigua are mostly spent hanging around the beautiful gardens at or hotel. This is bliss!

January 21st

I had to include this photo of Liz a top of acropolis # 4.... and Mike over my shoulder as I take her photo " Liz you are beautiful when you are terrified". Congratulations Liz You made it!