Grand Guatemala Adventure

El Mirador was incredible.  Our first helicopter ride was exciting and fun.  What I’d say about El Mirador is that you’ve got to use your imagination about the place because it’s not excavated like Tikal.  It’s so vast – 39 acropolises as compared to Tikal’s 3.  Lunch at the top of La Danta was unbelievable.  Las Lagunas has become one of our very favorite resorts in the world.  The service is impeccable.  There’s a server, who may be one of the most hospitable people we’ve met in the industry.  They have a spa which (daughter) visited on Monday…she was blown away.  And having the 3 free days was just what the doctor ordered.  The three of us don’t need to go-go-go.  Spa time, pool time, and hanging out in the incredible cabin are all up our alley. We went into Flores twice, and we super dig that town.  Remember that we requested a specific guide for El Mirador?  Well as serendipity would have it, he was at our restaurant in Flores on Monday night!  You’ll see a picture of the 3 of us with his wife and daughter.  You can’t make this up!  How does this happen in a vast country of 17 million people?

 

The Uaxactun experience was maybe my favorite (close to the upcoming description of the graffiti tour).  Not sure if you’ve been there…but after a ride of 25 km of terrible road conditions, you arrive in the most hospitable, wonderful village.  The ruins are awesome.  (We) enjoyed climbing the numerous accessible temples.  Our guide was knowledgeable and engaging.  We had an incredible lunch served by the matriarch of the city.  Her story is incredible.  Her husband was a business leader in the 80s, with a significant gum (as in chewing gum from the trees in Uaxatun) business…he died and this incredible woman took over.  Long story short, she took over, grew the business, and invested in Mayan art (through the black market), and has a priceless collection which we got to see!  In Guatemala City, our guide was our guide up to Lake Atitlan last year.  We became friends in our two days with her, and friendship grew in GC this year.

 

We’re so glad you suggested the graffiti art tour.  Our guide, who is a world-renowned professional graffiti artist, was the one of the most incredible people we’ve met in Guatemala.  His passion, creativity, and genuine love for not only his work, but Guatemala is inspiring.  The dude spent all morning with us and wouldn’t accept a tip.  I can’t tell you what an amazing experience we had on Friday. We think (daughter) got stung by a scorpion on the way home.  It traveled with us all the way back to Ohio! I wanted you to know that we were taken so very great care of the entire trip.  It was flawless.  Everyone was where he/she was supposed to be at the correct times.

April 5, 2018

Big Five Rectangle Logo

India – Private Travel

COUNTRIES VISITED:

I was told that this is the best tour they have ever taken and they will definitely come back to...

read more
Big Five Rectangle Logo

Kenya & Tanzania

COUNTRIES VISITED:

Our hotels & meals were beyond  excellent.  The Big Five representatives were amazing in Nairobi.  We saw them in Tanzania...

read more
Big Five Rectangle Logo

Turkey & Morocco – “We accomplished so much”

COUNTRIES VISITED:

“Just a quick note to thank you for arranging such a great trip to Istanbul for us. Our guide was...

read more
Big Five Rectangle Logo

Sri Lanka Adventure

COUNTRIES VISITED:

“Just wanted to let you know that (guests) have returned from a fabulous trip. They had as they said “The...

read more
Big Five Rectangle Logo

Lush Landscapes of Guatemala, Colombia & Ecuador

COUNTRIES VISITED:

“The client just called this morning to advise that they had an AMAZING time… They enjoyed their time very much...

read more
Big Five Rectangle Logo

Southern Tanzania – “There isn’t anything on this trip they would have done differently! “

COUNTRIES VISITED:

“Just wanted to let you know that I have already talked with the (client) family!  They had a wonderful time...

read more
Big Five Rectangle Logo

Natural New Zealand – “was, without a doubt, the best trip ever”

COUNTRIES VISITED:

“We recently returned home from what was, without a doubt, the best trip ever!!! We enjoyed absolutely every activity we...

read more
Big Five Rectangle Logo

Argentina – “The trip of a Lifetime”

COUNTRIES VISITED:

Just wanted to let you know that (clients) have returned from a fabulous trip. They had as they said “The...

read more
Big Five Rectangle Logo

South Africa – “we really didn’t want to leave”

COUNTRIES VISITED:

“The safari camps worked out very well and your on the ground person in Nairobi was a gem, she really...

read more
Big Five Rectangle Logo

Guatemala & Colombia – Alaways informed about our Clients while traveling

COUNTRIES VISITED:

  “In our office we all appreciate the attention to detail of Big Five and we all look forward to...

read more
Big Five Rectangle Logo

Indochina -“it was the guides who made the trip so memorable for us”

COUNTRIES VISITED:

“In our opinion, it was the guides who made the trip so memorable for us with their knowledge and by...

read more
Big Five Rectangle Logo

Kao Gu China

COUNTRIES VISITED:

“We would like to thank you for all your help during our recent visit to China. We very much appreciated...

read more
Big Five Rectangle Logo

COUNTRIES VISITED:

“I cannot begin to tell you how pleased I am with Big Five and (Big Five Destination Specialist – DS) ...

read more
Big Five Rectangle Logo

Ancestor Volcanoes of Guatemala & Galapagos Islands

COUNTRIES VISITED:

“I still can’t believe my trip has come and gone… it was truly an amazing experience. It was very nice...

read more
Big Five Rectangle Logo

Africa- Thank you sincerely for putting together the most memorable and enjoyable family vacation we have ever taken.

COUNTRIES VISITED:

Yes, we’re back and I want to thank you sincerely for putting together the most memorable and enjoyable family vacation...

read more
Big Five Rectangle Logo

Indochina

COUNTRIES VISITED:

“We recently returned home from what was, without a doubt, the best trip ever!!! We enjoyed absolutely every activity we...

read more
Big Five Rectangle Logo

South Africa

COUNTRIES VISITED:

“Everything was excellent. All of the people working with us were on top of their game and very interested in...

read more
Big Five Rectangle Logo

Brazil

COUNTRIES VISITED:

“The service and care of Big Five left me wanting to plan my next adventure with you both, and I...

read more
Big Five Rectangle Logo

Zambia & Zimbabwe -Thank you for planning and organizing our magnificent trip to Africa.

COUNTRIES VISITED:

Thank you for planning and organizing our magnificent trip to Africa.   From the word ‘go’ everything was wonderful. Our safaris...

read more
Big Five Rectangle Logo

Galapagos Islands, Western Rainforest & Otavalo -“Big Five really went beyond the call of service “

COUNTRIES VISITED:

“Big Five really went beyond the call of service to plan this trip for us in a week’s time. One...

read more