To many travelers, Guatemala City’s reputation is enough to dissuade a stay in this Central American city, the largest urban population center in Central America. But with an excellent local guide, experienced driver and private vehicle, ‘Guate’ as the Chapines call the vibrant city of several million, will quickly grow on you. Sure, the city has its share of crime, traffic and grit, but you don’t have to dig too deep to find the excellent museums (including one of the World’s foremost textile museums), gourmet restaurants, colonial architecture, colorful markets and even Maya ruins in the midst of a modern-day shopping center. Give Guate a day and Amani Travel will show you what captured Lyndsay’s heart many years ago. If you arrive into Guatemala City first thing in the morning, your transfer vehicle and driver will meet you at the airport and whisk you away to recover from the overnight flight in your hotel room. After refreshing and enjoying brunch, Amani Travel recommends heading out on a private tour to experience the real Guate. Get your bearings of this old colonial city by starting off in Zona 1 – the old town. Lyndsay thinks the multi-storied Mercado Central is the best introduction to an everyday slice of life in the city – watch for the amazing variety of tropical fruits and if you are up for it, sample freshly fried chicharones. There are better places to purchase textiles, but the central market is ideal for picking up any signature items from towns you won’t be visiting on your trip in Guatemala (it is common for small towns to produce their own signature craft item such as ceramics, textiles or wood carvings – the best example of this is in the small towns surrounding Lake Atitlan). Ask your guide to help you select high-quality products and negotiate with vendors on prices. After touring and shopping at the market, you’ll be ready for lunch. Depending on your taste, Amani will reserve lunch for you at one of Guatemala City’s top restaurants (contemporary Guatemalan, French, Italian – the choices are not limiting). After a leisurely lunch, visit one of Guate’s best museums – if indigenous textiles are your thing, Amani can arrange for an expert curator to join you at the Ixchel Museum for a private tour. If it’s Mundo Maya you’ve come to experience, the Popol Vuh is the place to hit, followed by a visit to the city’s Museo Miraflores and the site of the ancient city of Kaminaljuyu. If you are up for it, live music and a gourmet dinner will round off your day. Guate set the stage for experiencing the rest of this dynamic country and you’ll explore with a good foundation and a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical contexts of this nation.