5 Sites to See While Visiting Guatemala

I recently spent about six weeks in Guatemala, so I was able to slow travel through the country learning its customs and traditions. I wasn't sure what to expect when visiting, but I quickly found that it was beautiful and rich in culture and history. While there are more, here are five sites you MUST see in Guatemala when you're there.

1. Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan is perhaps one of the most gorgeous bodies of water I've ever seen. It was truly breathtaking. When visiting the Lake, you should also tour the surrounding villages to see how locals truly live. 

2. Antigua

About 45 minutes from Guatemala City (depending on traffic), Antigua is one of Guatemala's brightest shining stars. Tourists flock to Antigua because its quaint small-town feel, its selection of bars, restaurants, and clubs, and its historic value. It was once the capital of Guatemala, so there are historic churches and ruins on every corner.

3. Tikal

Many visitors to Guatemala don't put Tikal on their to-do list and this is a big mistake. Tikal was one of the most powerful kingdoms in ancient Maya. It's a city full of beautiful ruins and definitely worth a visit. The quickest way there would be to take an hour-long flight from Guatemala City, so it's definitely possible to do it in a day. Want to spend more time there? You can stay on nearby 'island', Flores.

4. Pacaya Volcano

About an hour outside of Guatemala City is one of Guatemala's most active volcanoes. Despite its very steep hills, its worth the climb to the top to see. If you aren't able to climb, locals are there with horses to rent and trust me, it's worth the 100 Quetzales (about $13).

5. Semuc Champey

I didn't get a chance to visit Semuc Champey, but I wish I did! It's a collection of tiered pools in Guatemala's jungles. It's about a 5-hour drive from Guatemala City or 4-hour drive from Antigua. Looks beautiful, doesn't it?

As you can see, Guatemala is full of culture, history and gorgeous landscapes. It's worth a visit!

DC “DCocktail” Series: The Gibson, 2017 Spring/Summer Menu

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the unveiling of The Gibson’s spring/summer cocktail menu.  The Gibson is a speakeasy and cocktail bar located in the U Street Corridor of Washington, D.C. While taking a stroll in the busy area, you’re likely to miss the establishment due to its nondescript entrance. However, once inside, you’re met with a sleek and sophisticated space, complete with dim lighting and intimate seating. Further back in the bar leads to a charming open patio area, which was the setting for the cocktail tasting.

The seasonal menu includes 27 uniquely-mixed cocktails with names as distinct as the ingredients. Each drink boasts names derived from pop culture references or inside jokes between the staff. I had the pleasure of imbibing on 10 of the specialty drinks. Because I know your time is precious, I will highlight the standouts from the night:

I Never Do This

Mezcal, which is a favorite of Will Drink for Travel, provides a smoky element to this dark and rich cocktail. Aromatic bitters are another primary ingredient, however it had no bearing on how smoothly the concoction settled.

Brooklyn Zoo

Thanks to my mental repository of all things pop culture, I was able to guess where this drink got its name (R.I.P. ODB). With a mixture consisting of chili-infused sherry, lemon, pineapple syrup, and grapefruit bitters topped with soda, I didn’t know what to expect. Surprisingly (or not so surprisingly), there was a nice balance of bitter and sweet, which was very pleasing to my taste buds.

I’m Remy, You’re Nicki

Do I even need to go into specifics on the origins of the name? Inspired by the recent “beef” between the hip-hop heavyweights, this cocktail packs a mean punch. The inclusion of Laphroaig 10 makes this a perfect drink for lovers of scotch. Because this was my first time tasting it in a drink, the harshness took some getting used to. Indubitably an acquired taste but settles smoothly, nonetheless.

Josephine

Named after one Ms. Josephine Baker, this banana-infused cocktail is an ode to her infamous skirt made of the same fruit. This drink has a very interesting blend of ingredients-cognac, vanilla, mint leaves, banana liqueur, and a whole egg (yes, you read that right)-that I was all ready to write off. Boy, was I wrong! Each component was very subtle, creating a richness that proved plenty refreshing. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the dehydrated bananas used as a garnish. By far, my favorite of the night!

Kudos to the Gibson’s team of mixologists that prepared a wonderful launching event! The spring/summer menu was officially rolled out to the public on April 14th, perfectly coinciding with outdoor dining season. For more information on all things Gibson, please visit their website at thegibsondc.com. 

- Andrea Williams

Photo Credit: Frankie Jones