We're always on the hunt for new destinations.
In 1999, I had spent some time travelling in southern Mexico. It is a vibrant, mysterious and romantic place. I began thinking that it was ready for Butterfield & Robinson.
As we started to explore the possibility of a trip, we found out that we were not the only people with this idea. It turned out that none other than the legendary luxury travel outfitter Butterfield & Robinson had run a series of trips to the Mayan world 30 years ago. The researcher, trip planner and guide had been a young art history and architecture enthusiast named Martha Butterfield, who just happened to be one of the co-founders of the company.
If you can't beat them, join them. We have asked Martha to lead our return to southern Mexico and Guatemala - La Ruta Maya - on March 2.
The magnificent Mayan temples at Tikal and Palenque rival Europe and Asia's greatest monuments for both grandeur and romance. They are as thrilling as architecture gets and have brought Martha back to this region many times. Watching the tropical sun rise at dawn from high on the Tikal temple is a truly spiritual experience. It is easy to see why the Mayans revered this place.
Although the stone temples are empty, the Mayans never left the region. Their culture is still alive and fascinating. We will show you their world on magnificent walks through pine stands, rain forests and along volcanic rims, through small towns where weavers make wool blankets and carpets, and through traditional markets. We immerse you in the region - and for the brave-hearted, we will immerse you in tequila at an exclusive tasting of North America's first distilled spirit. In true B&R fashion, the logistics of crossing impassable jungles, sparkling lakes and an international border are handled seamlessly by a network of chartered planes, boats and a private helicopter flight.
I hope you can join Martha on La Ruta Maya on March 2. |