1. Antigua Guatemala: Half-Day Walking Tour
Experience a city where time has stood still on a half-day walking tour of Antigua Guatemala, once the third largest city in Spanish colonial America. For 200 years, Antigua Guatemala (commonly referred to as just "Antigua" or "La Antigua") was the capital of Guatemala, but today it's a peaceful place of cobblestone streets, majestic churches and monasteries and partially restored architecture. Visit La Merced Church of Guatemalan and see its ultra-baroque style. This temple has two bell towers and on its facade in the upper part, is a sculpture of San Pedro Nolasco, founder of the Mercedarian Order. Proceed to the Santa Catalina Arch, built in 1694 as part of a convent first established in 1609. Hear how the arch served as a bridge connecting the convent with the gardens on the other side of the street. Go to Central Park in the heart of the city, surrounded by the traditional grid pattern that was frequently used in Spanish urban planning in the colonies. Admire the monuments surrounding the park, such as the Palace of the Captain Generals, City Hall, the Church of San José (formerly the Cathedral of Guatemala), the Archbishop’s Palace and the Portal of Commerce (Bakers’ Portal). Look at the Mermaid´s Fountain, built by the Count of Gomera in memory of the story of a king whose daughters gave birth but did not want to nurse their children. Continue walking to visit the La Unión tank, which is one of the most representative laundries in this city (historically, only the big houses had a proper laundry facilities). Benefit from drop off at your hotel in Antigua Guatemala at the end of the tour.
