Having read Antigua’s LonelyPlanet’s description, I’d better just copy it instead of trying to create something new or smarter 🙂 –
“Antigua was founded on March 10, 1543, and served as the colonial capital for 233 years. The capital was transferred to Guatemala City in 1776, after Antigua was razed in the earthquake of July 29, 1773.
The town was slowly rebuilt, retaining much of its traditional character. In 1944 the Legislative Assembly declared Antigua a national monument, and in 1979 Unesco declared it a World Heritage Site.
In all the long, boring discussions about where the ‘real Guatemala’ is, you can be sure the word Antigua has never come up. This is fantasyland – what the country would look like if the Scandinavians came in and took over for a couple of years. It’s a place where power lines run underground, building codes are adhered to, rubbish is collected, traffic diverted and stray dogs ‘disappear’ mysteriously in the middle of the night.
But you’d be a fool to miss it. Antigua’s setting is gorgeous, nestled between three volcanoes, and its streetscapes offer photo opportunities at every turn. The language-school scene is thriving, the hostels offer colonial-chic accommodations and the dining is some of the best in the country.”
Mito and I spent 2 days there and after we moved 10 hours north to Semuc Champey, a place considered to be by many the most beautiful spot in the whole country.
I would like this!!!