Guatemala & Honduras are two countries becoming hugely popular with tourists thanks to their beautiful culture and inspiring history. We caught up with Derick, an employee of Gate 1 Travel, who took the 11 Day Kaleidoscope of Guatemala. and we got the inside scoop on this Latin American tour. Derick will tell you about the Mayans, his favorite foods and the overall theme of his trip.
Why did you choose this trip and what had you heard about these places that made you decide on it?
I have never been to Central America and was amazed by the way the Mayans created technologies used in the modern day.
Guatemala and Honduras are becoming one of the most popular international travel destinations, how was that reflected in your trip?
I wanted to do something warm with great floral and fauna, after doing some research I picked Guatemala as one of my choices.
What were of the highlights of your trip?
Lake Atitlan and the old town of Antigua was amazing. The texture and culture of those cities were very vibrant with life. I never saw volcanoes before but to be in the area of a live volcano was amazing. 
What was your favorite meal or what food did you have that you really enjoyed or felt was very authentic?
The best meal I had during this trip had to be when we traveled on the Rio Dulce and went to Livingston. We ate at a seafood restaurant that specialized in a seafood soup that tasted like heaven on earth. You could tell that this soup was homemade. The freshness of the vegetables and seafood stood out in this dish.
How was the shopping and did you visit anywhere specifically great for shopping?
The market in Chichicastenango is great for shopping. Antigua offered some great items as well especially Jade and other jewelry.
What travel tips would you give to someone preparing to go on this trip?
I would suggest bringing great walking shoes and a good poncho. You are doing tours in the rain forest where it rains hard for a few minutes. Bug repellent and sunblock is highly suggested as well.
How did you prepare for this trip?
I watched a lot of YouTube videos and did research on the archaeological sites. This assisted me with what I might be seeing.
Would you go back?
Yes, the food and culture were amazing.
How was your tour manager and what were they like? In what ways did they affect your trip?
Our group having Antonio as the tour manager was one of the special highlights of the trip. He was very personable and knowledgeable about his country. He knew so much information 
about the history of the country and the Mayans. Antonio knew the exclusive locations to enjoy a nice meal or to get great photo opportunities.
What did you feel was the overall theme of your trip?
The theme of this tour motivated me to actually travel on this escorted tour because seeing the whole country in 11 days was something I never imagined.
How did being on an escorted tour affect your trip?
I made friends on this tour that I am going to remember for a long time, everyone was engaged and interacted with each other. We ate most of our meals together and felt like a family by the end of the tour.
Would you recommend this trip to family/friends?
This tour wasn’t on my bucket list, however I would highly suggest this country and tour to anyone.
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