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]]>Hobbiton Movie Set Tours- Matamata, New Zealand
Theres no place better to feel like a Hobbit than the set of “Lord of the Rings. This set is a significant filming location and is a must visit on your next trip to New Zealand. This is a great place to explore the inner world of Lord of the Rings on the lush green pastures that New Zealand is known for.
Hobbitenango – Antigua, Guatemala
This theme park is a wonderful place to explore whether or not you’re a Lord of the Rings fanatic. The park offers exceptional viewpoint of volcanic mountains, that offer amazing photo ops. Each statue is unique to the trilogy. Make sure to pose in front of the big hand for the ultimate Hobbit photo!
West Midlands, United Kingdom
For our last destination, head to the UK, just between England and Wales, where the author. J.R.R Tolkien grew up, and where by most of the scenery described in the series is inspired. Visitors can explore the “Tolkien Trail,” including the small hamlet of Sarehole, which inspired most of “Middle Earth” as described in the series.
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]]>The post 24 Hours in San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala, and Lake Atitlan appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Yoga and Meditation
This lake village is known as “hippie central,” attracting many wanderlust travelers and backpackers. That’s why we suggest starting your day in a zen and peaceful way at many of the beautiful yoga studios. This is a great way to unplug and just be one with nature.
(@shirs____)San Pedro La Laguna Guatemala
Head to San Pedro. one of the many small villages within the Lake Region and explore. Many of the villages have their own unique vibe with a vibrant nightlife, yoga studios, and Spanish teaching schools.
Travel (@happilyeverjetlagged)Kayak on Lake Atitlan
Take in the breathtaking scenery as you kayak along the lake and explore the neighboring villages by boat.
(@kiara.nyc)Thermal pools (Los Thermales)
Plunge into the many naturally heated thermal pools. The pools are local volcano-fed pools and solar heating. There is a hot and cold pool to cool off and warm up!
| Travel Content Creator (@taramango)Visit a Local Market
Visit a local market where you can truly explore the local culture of the region and buy handmade traditional clothes! This is a great way to immerse in the culture, hear the language, and learn how to haggle with locals.
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]]>The post Here’s 3 Countries to Visit if You Love Coffee appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Guatemala
Gutamala is an exceptional choice for fans of coffee, chocolate, and nature. There is a coffee shop on every block serving up delicious brews every day from locally sourced farms. The coffee is always fresh and fragrant, and there are many coffee plantations to visit where one can learn about the cultivation of the beans and sample different varieties. Fans of nature will also love the several hikes and viewpoints to live volcanos and scenic rainforests.
Columbia
Columbia is home to some of the best coffee in the world and is a must-see for anyone who drinks coffee every day. There are many coffee farms to visit where you will learn about the cultivation process as well as The National Coffee Park, a theme park centered around all things coffee!
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a coffee and nature lovers paradise, offering adventure with every sip. Book a tour of a coffee plantation and then zip line through a rainforest. The views are very scenic, and almost every gift shop offers free coffee samples, making this country the place to drink your weight in coffee!
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]]>The post How Far Are You Willing to Go for Pizza? appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>But a little pizzeria in Guatemala is making pizza like no one has imagined.
Forget a wood-fired oven ā Pizza Pacaya uses volcanic lava to cook its pies!
The Pacaya volcano first erupted 23,000 years ago. After being dormant for a number of decades, it has erupted vigorously since 1961, and chef David Garcia has taken advantage.
āOne day, I prepared a pizza, took it to the volcanic rocks, and in 14 minutes, it was ready,ā he said. āThe high temps from the nearby lava gave it an exclusive taste and an amazing crunch. I told myself, āThis needs to continue.āā
Although Pacaya has become a popular tourist spot, it still requires visitors to endure a bumpy ride through the forest before either climbing to the top of the volcano or getting there on horseback.
Pizza lovers can then sit on blankets over the volcanic rock and enjoy their unique pizza which takes just 10 minutes later.Ā
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]]>The post Things You Should Know Before Visiting Guatemala appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Some Areas of the Country Are Best to Be Avoided
Tourist hotspots in Guatemala, like Tikal, Antigua, Lake AtitlĆ”n, and Pacific coast areas, are safe for foreign visitors. However, there are certain areas of the country that you should skip visiting according to the U.S. governmentās Travel Advisory, including the San Marcos Department and the Huehuetenango Department.
Avoid Tap Water
Tap water in Guatemala is unsafe to drink or for brushing your teeth. Use bottled water at all times if you donāt want to risk getting sick.
Youāll Need a Bug Spray
Bug spray can be a lifesaver in Guatemala, so make sure to bring a quality one. The country has an aggressive population of mosquitoes, especially during the rainy season, with some of them carrying illnesses like malaria or zika.
You Wonāt Need Warm Clothes
You can leave most of your warm clothes at home. The country has wet and dry seasons but expect warm weather with steady temperatures at any time of the year.
Carry Some Cash With You at All Times
Cash is still the preferred way of paying for goods and services in Guatemala. Make sure you always carry some with you, especially if you are leaving tourist hotspots. The local currency is Guatemalan Quetzal, although some establishments and service providers will also accept the U.S. dollar.
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]]>The post Guatemalaās Natural Wonders Have To Be Seen To Be Believed appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Pacaya
Guatemala is a heaven on Earth for adventure-seekers since itās home to quite a few volcanoes. From Acatenango to San Pedro, the list of volcanoes youāll find here goes on and on and on, but Pacaya is probably the most popular one, despite its well-recorded history of activity in the past few decades.
ADVENTURE Ć SLOW TRAVEL (@bucketlistbri)Semuc Champey
If we had to pick the most popular tourist attraction in Guatemala that isnāt a volcano, Semuc Champey would make the cut. This lush, tropical park is truly a sight to behold, and it offers everything from turquoise pools, numerous caves, jungle hikes, and lookouts with sweeping views of its forested surroundings.
Rio Dulce
Rio Dulce AKA Sweet River is one of the most popular cruising destinations, not just in Guatemala, but in the world at large. It will win you over with its crystal clear waters, which are linked to the nearby Lake Izabal, and run alongside many breathtaking spots, including the enormous canyon at the mouth of the river.
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]]>Xetulul Theme Park
If we had to pick a single kid-friendly spot to visit in Guatemala, Xetulul Theme Park would make a cut. Itās the third-largest amusement park in all of Latin America and itās home to many amazing wild rides, roller coasters, and several replicas of famous landmarks.
Mundo Petapa
Mundo Petapa is another amazing theme park that Guatemala has in store. It has a more colorful, feel-good vibe than Xetulul, with fun rides for kids of all ages, but you can also find everything from water slides to bumper cars on its premises.
Xocomil
Speaking of water parks, Guatemala is home to quite a few, but none of them compares to Xocomil. Itās linked to the nearby Xetulul Theme Park, and they attract around one million visitors per year. Water slides on its premises are pretty colorful and elaborate and they draw inspiration from the Mayan pyramid.
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]]>The post Guatemala is Home to Some Pretty Breathtaking Volcanoes appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Pacaya
Several major volcanoes in Guatemala are located near the charming city of Antigua, and that also happens to be the case with Pacaya. Despite the fact itās not entirely dormant, this volcano is a major tourist attraction, with guided hiking tours taking passionate adventurers to this area.
Descubriendo_GuateAcatenango
Also located in close proximity to Antigua, this massive volcano with two peaks offers one of Guatemalaās most epic hiking adventures. Donāt embark on this journey if youāre not up to the challenge, because the climb isnāt easy and youāll go get to explore several different ecosystems on your way to the top.
Tajumulco
Tajumulco is one of the most popular hiking spots in Guatemala, and itās not difficult to see why. Itās the highest mountain in Central America, so getting to the top isnāt so easy. It takes a few hours to reach the peak and many people do it by joining an overnight trek.
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]]>The post The Ancient City of Tikal is Guatemalaās Top Tourist Spot appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The ruins of this ancient city can be found in the middle of the tropical rainforest in the heart of the Maya Biosphere Reserve. This nature reserve is home to a large concentration of ancient Mayan cities, but Tikal is the most notable one thatās been excavated so far.
Itās believed that Tikal was established in the 4th century BCE, and that it was one of the major metropolises of the Mayan civilization. Archaeologists have uncovered around 3,000 structures that were once the part of this ancient city, including the pyramid-like limestone temples that Tikal is best known for.
Like many Mayan complexes, Tikal was abandoned for centuries after its decline in the ninth century but went on to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist attraction in the 20th century.
Flores is the only major city with an international airport in close proximity to Tikal. If you take a shuttle bus or join one of the guided tours, it will take about 90 minutes to reach this ancient city. Tikal National Park is open daily between 6am-5pm, and the regular admission ticket will set you back by $20.
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]]>Semuc Champley is located 6.8 miles south of the Qāeqchiā Maya town of LanquĆn. Its name means “where the river hides under the earth,” and yes, it’s as gorgeous as it sounds. This natural limestone bridge is around nearly 1,000 feet wide with the CahabĆ²n River passing under it.
That’s not all. Next to the bridge, you can see numerous steeped natural pools filled with incredibly clear water. It’s the place where locals and travelers often swim and relax at. The location is very popular among tourists, but getting there is not easy. It takes a 6-hour ride from Guatemala City to Coban, where you have to take another bus and ride for 2 more hours. The last half hour of the ride takes you on a steep dirt road that makes you question your adventuristic spirit.
However, once you reach the goal, it’s all worth it. There are several hotels and hostels where you can stay while exploring this paradise on earth.
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