Set against breathtaking scenery of sparkling lakes and steaming volcanoes, Guatemala welcomes you warmly. An intriguing mix of Mayan and Spanish influences, this nation is a blend of traditional and modern, infused with remnants of a colonial past, where time-honored traditions live on. Visit the city of Antigua with its cobbled streets, plazas and elegant fountains, set against a backdrop of towering volcanoes. Drive north from Guatemala City to the bustling Chichicastenango Market, where you will find a dazzling array of local produce, art and handicrafts. This burgeoning mecca for eco-tourists is abundant with lush jungles, mountainous terrain and steamy lowlands beyond. Lovers of history and ancient culture can go deep in the jungle of Parque Nacional to find the most magnificent of all Mayan ruins, Tikal, where the sheer scale of the towering temples will amaze you as they rise up into a thick canopy of rainforest. For spectacular views and a truly rare adventure, take a guided hike of the Pacaya Volcano, continually active since 1965 and one of the most climbed volcanoes in Guatemala—you may even get to peer inside its cone. Visit Lake Atitlán, surrounded by volcanoes and Mayan villages, and relax nearby at the thermal pools in San Pedro La Laguna, or visit the lake at Panajachel for breathtaking views of three volcanoes, along with restaurants, lively nightspots shopping. Abundant lakes, rivers and the sparkling Pacific mean plenty of opportunities for water sports including windsurfing and diving, boating and rapids adventures, fishing in peaceful lakes and deep sea sports fishing. Back on land, golfers have a choice of lush, green fairways, some against a volcanic horizon.

* As of September 1, 2011, the properties above have been added to The Registry Collection portfolio.