1. 1
Beauty and Culture
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Antoine de
Saint-
Exupery was
inspired by
Lake Atitlan
to create
Asteroide B
612 for Le
Petit Prince.
ON THE LAKE SHORE
January4-11,2014
Spend a week on the shores of Lake Atitlan, a spectacularly beautiful volcano-ringed lake in the
highlands of Guatemala, and immerse yourself in the rich culture of this fascinating region. Meet
local women artisans, learn about their weaving traditions, and try your hand at dying fibers with
natural dyes at a local women’s cooperative. Visit colorful open-air markets, participate in
cooking delicious Guatemalan specialties using local ingredients. Take Spanish classes and learn
from experts about the history and heritage of the indigenous people of the highlands. Enjoy daily
yoga classes with a view of the lake and end your day with a massage. Or just relax in a
hammock with a glass of wine while gazing at water, sky, and volcanoes.

2. 2
Beauty and Culture
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Antigua
Guatemala
is a city in
the central
highlands of
Guatemala,
famous for
its well-
preserved
Spanish
Baroque
influenced
architecture
as well as a
number of
spectacular
ruins of
colonial
churches.
ON THE LAKE SHORE
January4-5,2014
JANUARY 4
Arrive at Guatemala City airport and transfer to Hotel Don Rodrigo in Antigua.
Relax and settle into your room and spend the afternoon exploring colonial Antigua. Optional
guided walking tour for those interested.
Evening cocktails on the roof terrace of Panza Verde Hotel, with breath-taking views of the active
Pacaya volcano, followed by dinner in the Panza Verde dining room.
JANUARY 5
After breakfast, wander through the charming streets of Antigua before departing by private van
to Lake Atitlan.
Arrive at Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, and travel by boat to your accommodation: Pasajcap, Casa
Colina, or Casa Rosada.
Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing and settling into your villa. After your travels, you may
choose to soak in the hot tub, swim in the lake, or explore.
Evening welcome cocktail at Pasajcap or Casa Rosada followed by dinner.

3. 3
Beauty and Culture
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Serene
San Juan La
Laguna is a
fairly sizable
lakeside
village that
remains
largely
untouched
by
international
tourism.
January6,2014
For early risers, a 7 a.m. yoga class with meditation, overlooking the lake and volcanoes.
After breakfast at the villas, we take a short boat ride to the village of San Juan where we are
greeted by a Mayan ceremony. Spend the day enjoying the scenery in the company of local
artisans. Try your hand at weaving with a traditional loom and naturally dyed fibers, and visit with
local muralists. We will prepare a traditional lunch under the guidance of the women of San Juan.
Return to your villa by boat and enjoy some free time. Read in a hammock, swim in the lake, or
treat yourself to a massage, if you book in advance.
We will have dinner at Casa Rosada.
ON THE LAKE SHORE

4. 4
Beauty and Culture
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Guatemalan
cuisine has
been
influenced
by ancestral
Mayan and
Spanish
tradition.
The mixture
has given
birth to the
big and
generous
range of
flavors,
colors, and
smells
present in
Guatemala
today.
ON THE LAKE SHORE
January7,2014
For early risers, a 7 a.m. yoga with meditation.
Following breakfast we will convene at Casa Rosada for a hands-on cooking demonstration and
lunch, under the guidance of Santos Canel, chef-owner of two restaurants in neighboring San
Pedro. In the afternoon, the women artisans from San Juan will join us at the Casa Rosada
studio. You may choose to continue your craftwork, take a conversational Spanish lesson, swim
in the lake, or just explore on your own.
Dinner at a restaurant in nearby San Marcos—a short boat ride or walk away.

5. 5
Beauty and Culture
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Lake Atitlan
is a very
deep lake
(342m),
formed by a
collapse of
the Earth's
crust after
the
explosion of
The
Chocoyos
85,000 years
ago.
ON THE LAKE SHORE
January8,2014
Depart your villa before sunrise by private boat with Juan Skinner, environmentalist and expert in
the history of the lake. Have breakfast on your way to the Santiago lagoon where we will meet
with the local fishermen. Enjoy the magical scenery of the lake and witness the work of artisans
in the village of Santiago. We will have a traditional lunch in Santiago, at El Pescador, and learn
more about the legends and history of this fascinating town.
Return to your villa for the late afternoon where you may relax, swim, or explore. Or you may
want to take a yoga class, continue your work on your craft project at the Casa Rosada studio,
or practice your Spanish with a local instructor.
We will have dinner at Casa Rosada.

6. 6
Beauty and Culture
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Besides
being a
National
Cultural
Heritage and
functioning
as a
permanent
museum of
old
photographs
Casa
Cakchiquel
promotes
the history,
art,
conservation
of nature,
and
education.
ON THE LAKE SHORE
January9,2014
For early risers, a 7 a.m. yoga class with meditation.
After breakfast, we depart by private boat to the Santiago dock. We then take a scenic drive
through a coffee plantation to San Lucas, a pristine cloud forest that we explore on foot. We
continue by car to Panajachel, stopping for lunch along the way. Once in Panajachel, we visit its
bustling open-air market.
Finally we arrive at Casa Kaqchikel (http://oxlajujbatz.org/maya-womens-center/casa-kaqchikel)
in Panajachel for a hands-on cooking demonstration and cultural afternoon. We are pleased to
have arranged dinner and cocktails with the eminent anthropologist, Richard Adams.
A private boat will take you back to your villa at the end of the evening.

7. 7
Beauty and Culture
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Guatemala
offers
gorgeous
places
perfect for
hiking,
specially on
Lake Atitlan.
The valleys,
mountains,
volcanoes
and forests
offer
spectacular
scenery.
ON THE LAKE SHORE
January10,2014
For early risers, a 7 a.m. yoga class with meditation.
After breakfast, we depart for the nearby village of Jaibalito for a poolside lunch at the Club
VenAca. You may reach Jaibalito by a two hour escorted hike with breathtaking views of the lake
below, or you may prefer to take a short boat ride.
On our final evening, we will assemble at Casa Rosada for cocktails and dinner, overlooking the
lake and its three volcanoes.

8. 8
Beauty and Culture
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
The
meaning of
"Atitlan" is "
at the
water." It is
a fusion of
simple
Nahuati
words that
belies the
complexity
of the entity
it identifies.
ON THE LAKE SHORE
January11,2014
7 a.m. yoga and meditation for early risers. Breakfast and free-time at your villa.
Depart for the airport in Guatemala City by private shuttle at noon, or throughout the day.
Thank you for sharing a special week with us!
Note that this is a sample itinerary and subject to changes according to weather and other
unforseen events.

9. 9
Beauty and Culture
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Guatemala
has 27
languages.
Of these,
only one is
no longer
spoken. Of
the
remaining
26, 10 are
institutional,
10 are
developing,
1 is
vigorous, 3
are in
trouble, and
2 are dying.
ON THE LAKE SHORE
January4-11,2014
Your hosts, Dita, an artistic Czech and founder of Ecolibri, and Suzy, an American academic
philosopher, met several years ago at the Lake and quickly discovered they had much in
common. This workshop grew out of their desire to share with others their love of good food,
laughter, natural beauty, traditional craft, and Latin American culture.
Your workshop fee is $1400. Half of this is a tax-deductible contribution to Ecolibri, which
supports local artisans and communities around the lake as well as single mothers and their
children.
To learn more about Ecolibri, see http://Ecolibri.org.
For further information, you may contact us via email:
Dita.zakova@gmail.com
Susan.russinoff@tufts.edu

10. 10
Beauty and Culture
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Aldous
Huxley
wrote,
"Lake
Como”,
touches on
the limit
of
permissibly
picturesque,
but Atitlán
is Como
with
additional
embellish-
ments of
several
immense
volcanoes. It
really is too
much of a
good thing.
ON THE LAKE SHORE
January4-11,2014
The workshop fee covers:
• One night accommodation in Antigua
• All meals and all listed excursions
• Hands-on cooking courses and recipes, materials
• All yoga classes
• Transfers from Antigua to Panajachel
• Private shuttle from the lake to the Guatemala City airport at noon on Sunday 1/11.
• A short video-documentation of your week in Guatemala.
The workshop fee does not not cover:
•Airfare to Guatemala City and travel insurance
•Taxi from Guatemala City airport to Antigua (since workshop participants arrive at different
times)
•Transportation from the lake to Guatemala City airport, if you leave later than noon on 1/11
•Optional tour guide in Antigua, optional massage therapy
•Accommodation at the lake, upon your personal choice:
http://www.atitlanhouse.com
http://www.pasajcap.com/english/apartments-rentals/belemapt.php
http://www.pasajcap.com/english/apartments-rentals/copaapt.php