ANTIGUA PICTURES

Antigua is a charming city in the high plains of Guatemala, about 45 minutes from the country's capital, Guatemala City. Antigua is probably best known for three things: the beautiful Spanish-style architecture and cobblestone streets built in the 16th century and preserved by law to this day, the many ruined churches and monastaries, casualties of the 1773 earthquake, and the majestic volcanoes looming on all sides. Antigua is popular with tourists at all times of year and is full of great restaurants, hotels built in the same Spanish style with heavenly, flowered courtyards, and dozens of Spanish-language schools.