Ruins and Archaeology

by Julie Skurdenis

I enjoyed reading Judith Anshin’s account of her junket to Guatemala (Jan. ’06, pg. 6). I traveled there one on one with tour operator/owner Enrico Caputo of Otupac Tours (Km. 200.1 Carretera a Coban, Santa Cruz Verapaz A.V., Guatemala; phone 502 7951 4444 or visit www. otupactours.com).

We explored 12 Mayan sites, most of them remote and many in active excavation by archaeologists. Among the sites we visited were Takalik Abaj, Cancuen, Ceibal, Aguatecca, Pomona and San Claudio. Enrico’s passion for the Maya made the past a living entity.

by Tim Leffel, Nashville, TN

by Ed Kinney

by Deanna Palić

My husband, Maurice, and I had a remarkable trip to Honduras, Dec. 31, ’05-Jan. 10, ’06, thanks to Maya Temple Tours (Lobby Hotel & Suites Copantl, Residential Los Arcos, San Pedro Sula, Honduras; phone [504] 509 0555 or visit www.mayatempletours.com).

An article in the June ’05 issue of ITN, “Inca Ruins and Amazing Animals on a Private Tour of Peru and Ecuador” by Fred DeVinney, prompted us to contact Elizabeth Sanders of Tropical Nature Travel (Gainesville, FL; phone 877/827-8350 or visit www.tropicalnaturetravel.com).

I had some concerns about crime in Guatemala after reading reports in ITN and other publications about bandits and attacks on tourists. I hope these reports do not discourage people from visiting this country. My friend Roni and I never felt unsafe or threatened on the 14-day “Route of the Maya” tour that we took with Overseas Adventure Travel (Box 3167, Boston, MA 00241; 800/221-0814 or www.oattravel.com), May 8-21, ’05.

In his August ’05 “Far Horizons” column, Randy Keck asked readers to recommend long-haul, single-destination group tours. Most of our organized touring has focused on single destinations.

by Julie Skurdenis