Recommend August 2011 - (Page 39)

honduras Copan & Beyond: The Lenca Trail Honduras lures its guests with two spectacular assets: the Eden-like Bay Islands for world-class diving along the hemisphere’s longest barrier reef, and the majestic ruins of Copan for spending time at one of the grandest of ancient Mayan sites and hiking, birdwatching, and horseback riding in the Copan Valley. One road less traveled from the charming town of Copan Ruinas leads farther into the western highlands along la Ruta Lenca, or the Lenca Trail. The trail is named for the native people of the region who make up the largest indigenous group in Honduras. Officially the 80-mile route starts in the cool, hilltop town of Santa Rosa de Copan and winds along pine-forested mountain roads and through a series of small colonial villages from Santa Rosa de Copan to Esperanza, not far from the border with El Salvador. Along the way, travelers come upon beautiful colonial homes, churches, historic forts, museums and a cloud forest surrounding Montaña la Celaque, the highest point in the country. Santa Rosa is distinguished by cobblestone streets, clay-tiled roofs and a lovely church with azulejo (glazed tile) floors. Prosperity under the Spanish came from establishing a tobacco industry, and the hand-rolled cigars produced here are among the best in the world. Visitors always take a tour of Flor de Copan tobacco factory, and those who are here on the third Friday of August join in the Noche de Fumadores, a lively event dedicated to fine cigars. Santa Rosa de Copan is also known for its religious processions during Semana Santa (Holy Week), a time also for the Artisanal Fair that showcases crafts made in the region. This fair is also held Aug. 25-30 and the second week in December. La Campa, a rural mountain village famous for its handmade, earthenware pottery and its 17th century San Matias Church, is one stop enroute to Gracias, today a sleepy town of 25,000 people, but once (in the 16th century) the capital of the Spanish empire in Central America and an important administrative center for Honduras. In recent years it has reinvented itself as a tourist destination, with the accents on its rich history and beautiful natural environment, which includes the cloud forests of Montaña la Celaque National Park and several jungly hot springs. Of primary interest in town is the beautiful La Merced church with an ornate sculpted facade and built in the early-17th century. Additionally, there is Fort Cristobal whose hilltop location once provided defense and now offers grand mountain vistas, and a new museum that shines a light on some of the puzzles of the Lenca culture. Near town one may relax body and soul at the Arcilaca hot springs. The village of San Juan outside Gracias is the perfect pick for a country-style breakfast, accompanied by the local delicacy, allspice brewed coffee, possibly the first meal of the day before hiking the beautiful trails around San Juan. Other visitors will want to explore the valley of Azacualpa where Lenca womenfolk farm the land, weave cloth and embroider. Officially, la Ruta Lenca ends at La Esperanza, with the road continuing to El Salvador. While traveling in Honduras, make your final stop an overnight or two on beautiful Lago de Yojoa, the country’s largest lake and a favorite area for birdwatching. Activities here also include boat rides on the lake, a walk to the impressive Pulhapanzak Falls and a hike to Los Naranjos Archaeological Park, whose small museum documents that the Lenca people lived here a long time ago: around 700 B.C. The town of Panajachel in Guatemala’s Lake Atitlan. One example of a Lenca itinerary is Roatan Charter’s (roatan.com) 3-night Lenca Trail, by private car and with accommodations in Santa Rosa de Copan at the Hotel Elvir (hotelelvir.com), in Gracias at Hotel Guancascos (guancascos.com), and on Lake Yojoa at Hotel Las Glorias (hotellasglorias.com); this tour ends with a transfer to San Pedro Sula. ÍÍ august 2011 39 http://www.roatan.com http://www.hotelelvir.com http://www.guancascos.com http://www.hotellasglorias.com http://www.taratours.com http://www.taratours.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend August 2011

Editor"s Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Regent Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: The Wayfarers
Africa Travel Options Mix the Classic with the New
Thailand's Koh Samui
Jade Mountain, Saint Lucia
Escaping to San Juan's Condado
San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Central America: Roads Less Traveled
In Search of Flanders' Holy Ale
Downtown L.A. in the Thick of Things
Scrumptious Savannah
Cunard's Queen Elizabeth

Recommend August 2011