Why We Chose Guatemala!
Guatemala just felt right.
We wanted a trip that felt bold, meaningful, and off the beaten path… so Guatemala it was.
May has also become our tradition travel month - our time to pause and take off on a longer trip together, to reflect, explore, and reconnect.
Last year, it was Peru. My boyfriend has always dreamed of seeing Machu Picchu, and it felt like the right time since he was living closer to it than his home country of Switzerland. I’ve always been drawn to Latin culture, and I speak Spanish, so exploring felt more natural and connected.
This year, we found ourselves with the month open again, eager to get out and see somewhere new. Argentina was our first idea, but flights were expensive… and long. When I was searching where flights would be cheapest, I saw how affordable Guatemala was - and more than the price, I remembered how I felt every time I saw someone post about it recently: Curiosity for a place that seemed magical and with many stories to tell.
At first, Pascal was hesitant. “Is it safe?” he asked. A fair question! My dad has been wondering the same thing… But with research and stories from friends, we realized that traveling smart (which I’m learning to do as I age) could make it not just safe, but also meaningful. So we booked the tickets - and in doing so, we answered a deeper question we've been asking lately:
How do we decide where to travel – and why?
Back in 2019, I was invited to Guatemala by a friend during my Peace Corps service. I wanted to go because I trusted this friend and we enjoy doing the same things, not because I knew much about traveling there. I ended up not being able to go - Guatemala was on the restricted list. I still remember the ache of missing out, seeing their photos: peaceful lakes, colorful towns, a sense of magic. It looked like an amazing trip and the pictures stayed in my mind.
Then again, in 2023, another friend invited me. This time it was a volcano hike - camping at the summit, watching eruptions under the stars. Again, I couldn’t go. Seeing the pictures made FOMO (fear of missing out) even more real. But something about Guatemala stayed with me. It wasn’t just envy - it was this sense that this place held something I needed.
Now, the timing is finally right. And as we began to share our plans on Instagram, messages poured in from people saying how much they loved Guatemala, each with their unique highlights and hidden gems. The more I learned, the more it became clear:
Guatemala is a place where adventure, culture, and stillness coincide.
Volcano hikes! Mayan ruins! Tranquil lakes! Street food and stories! It has everything I have been seeking lately.
But this trip isn’t just about sightseeing - it’s about reconnecting. With nature. With each other. With intention.
Now, when I travel, I seek out locally-owned tours and accommodations, authentic experiences, and the kind of moments that shift something inside. This trip isn’t just for us - it’s also a testing ground for something bigger:
A vision of travel that’s slower, deeper, and rooted in connection.
Here are a few things I’m most excited about:
Climbing Acatenango and watching the sunrise
Floating in Lake Atitlán and exploring lakeside villages
Discovering crafts made by local artisans and touching them
Meeting local guides and hearing their powerful stories
Finding stillness, soaking it in, and letting it shape what’s next in our lives
My brand’s mission is connection, simplicity, self-discovery, and authenticity - and this trip feels like a living example of all of that!
We’re planning it intentionally, and we’ll be sharing the process along the way, one that is raw, real, and reflective.
If you’ve ever wanted to travel deeper, stay tuned.
And I’d love to know: Where would you go if your goal wasn’t just to “get away” but to come back to yourself?
A beautiful lake, a place to sit back, relax, and enjoy life!
