GUATEMALA HOMELAND JOURNEYS
Guatemala Ties-Our flagship program
July 1 - 12, 2012
Guatemala Connections--NEW
July 21-28, 2012
November 17-24, 2012
Private or Semi-Private Travel
Read What Families Have to Say
Request an Information Packet
Pre-Register for a future year! Pre-registered families have priority when registration opens.
Suggested Reading & Helpful Travel Items
GUATEMALA TIES HIGHLIGHTS:
Traditional Ties programs, our flagship programs, are staffed by an adoption professional, a Ties logistical person, and an English speaking in-country guide, and include our signature "Connect & Chat" for kids and "Parent Talk Time."
Guatemala, the Land of Eternal Spring, welcomes you. Join other families as you climb the Maya temples of Tikal and walk the cobblestone streets of Antigua. From the breathtaking beauty of The Highlands to the tranquility of Lake Atitlan the sights you see will linger in your mind long after returning home. And “going to market” will take on a whole new meaning after shopping in Chichicastenango on market day.
But your best memories of the trip will come from the people you meet along the way. Sharing a park bench with someone in the Central Plaza or negotiating a sale with an artisan is what makes the journey interesting. Your family is sure to remember the students we play with at school, the weavers in Santiago Zamora, and the families who open their homes to us. A Guatemalan national guide will travel with you throughout the journey. This person’s insight, warmth and knowledge is sure to enrich your experience. These encounters and others seem to instill a new sense of pride in the children for their heritage. Plus the friendships that grow between families makes it that much more fun.
Guatemalan Ties also includes time in Guatemala City. Many parents have shared stories with their children about being here. Revisiting memorable places such as the hotel where you stayed or a favorite restaurant makes that time (an important part of your family history) so much more real for your child. Reminiscing with the children about that time is an important part of this journey. Your family may also wish to reconnect with your child’s foster mother or caregiver. The Ties Program is happy to assist in arranging these visits for families. Guatemalan Ties is a journey forward and a journey back.
Request an Information Packet
In the comment box, please note
your interest in Ties & date preferred
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GUATEMALA CONNECTIONS HIGHLIGHTS:
Connections programs are less expensive options, providing a well rounded in-country travel experience, and are staffed by an in-country English speaking guide. "Connect & Chat," and "Parent Talk Time" are not offered as part of Connections.
Antigua serves as home base for Guatemala Connections 2012 families. From here, you will embark on day trips to meet school children, visit a coffee plantation, and explore the Mayan ruins of Iximché. A longer journey to Panajachel showcases  Guatemala’s natural beauty. Once here, you’ll board a boat for a leisurely excursion on Lake Atitlan, one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the world.
While in Guatemala, families may want to (re)connect with people and places important in the life of their child. If so, we’ll make every effort to help with these arrangements. Reminiscing is an important part of the journey and points of connection establish a concrete setting for your child, helping them “experience” parts of their story, a big factor in identity building.
Project Kindness-Guatemala is an option for every traveler. Through this program, those who would like to participate in a service project are able to make a true difference in the lives of many, and experience the joy that comes with giving.
Guatemala Connections is an opportunity for families to visit Guatemala as part of a quality program that is well organized, family focused, and fun! And it's backed by an organization you can count on—The Ties Program.
Request an Information Packet
In the comment box, please note
your interest in Connections & date preferred
PRIVATE OR SEMI-PRIVATE TRAVEL
While we believe strongly in the support a group provides, we know there are times when individual family travel is a better fit. We are happy to work with individual families or small groups of families.
Email us your request!
or call 1 800 398-3676
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READ WHAT FAMILIES HAVE TO SAY:
"Michael, his father and I have, over the years, read about Guatemala, the people, traditions, and food, and traveled around our state to various Hispanic cultural events. But there was no comparison until we experienced Guatemala firsthand through a trip like The Ties Program. Michael and I fell in love with Guatemala and the people. We were so sorry to have to leave to come home. But we know that we left part of our hearts and souls there. We also know that we will return again to The Land of The Eternal Spring." Read what else Judy had to say.
~Judy Kapandais 
“A great way to visit our child’s birth country! So well thought out that everything felt easy and stress free and truly enriching. Having other adopted kids to travel with enabled a potentially difficult trip to feel light and fun for the kids.” ~Karen Levine
"As an adoptive mother I can be everything to my son, except Guatemalan. This trip gave me a small glimpse into the life and culture of Guatemala, something I can share with him so he knows and learns about who he is." ~Danielle Oakes
"A fabulous way for adoptive families to develop an understanding of the reasons and circumstances that resulted in their becoming a family." ~David Johnson
"I really liked the people I got to meet on this trip." ~John Benish, age 11
"It was exciting learning about my culture!" ~Zoe Kunze, age 9
Archived Guatemalan Ties 2007 Video
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SUGGESTED READING & HELPFUL TRAVEL ITEMS
Click here for reading lists, as well as other helpful items as you continue your journey as an adoptive family.
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