While some choose to fly directly to the world-famous Mayan ruins of Tikal, the rest of Guatemala offers renaissance architecture, diverse indigenous cultures and abundant natural beauty. Collaborate with one of the many national symphonies or watch an opera in the Guatemala City or journey to smaller towns to perform in a local church or experience traditional marimba music.

Guatemala’s territory has had a history spanning 20,000 years. The relatively recent Spanish Conquest brought myriad influences to the region: gorgeous cathedrals and plazas, delicious culinary innovations, Catholicism and the Spanish language. In the city of Antigua Guatemala (Ancient Guatemala), you can see gorgeous Italian-inspired renaissance architecture from the 1500’s.

What makes Guatemala so special, however, is its stunning array of different indigenous cultures. Pre-Colombian sites like the millennia-old citadel at Tikal are emblematic of Mayan culture, while 40% of the Guatemalan population is indigenous: the K’iche’, Kaqchikel, Mam and Q’eqchi have all retained their native languages and practices. Many of them have also heartily embraced ecotourism practices to safeguard the volcanoes, rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps integral to their heritage. You can safely, luxuriously, and guiltlessly enjoy birdwatching in Las Guacayamas or marveling at spider monkeys in El Zotz while helping preserve the traditions of Guatemala’s unique indigenous cultures.

Whether you find yourself at Quetzaltenago’s modern art museum or the Santa Maria volcano nearby, performing in Guatemala City’s packed cathedrals or swimming in the remote, emerald-colored waters of Semuc Champey, it will be clear why Guatemala calls itself “The Land of the Eternal Spring”: its vibrancy and variety will dazzle you and your group.

Classical Movements has been working in Central America since 1999 having arranged tours for the Yale Alumni Chorus, Yale Concert Band, Dmitri Hvorostovsky with Moscow Academy of Choral Arts and Moscow Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, Youth Orchestra of the Americas, Philadelphia Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra.  We have native Spanish speakers on the Classical Movements team and have also engaged in a number of outreach and volunteer projects that have included working with Habitat for Humanity and donating musical instruments to underprivileged communities.

 

Sights & Sounds

  • Guatemala City
  • Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional
  • Antigua Guatemala
  • Emerald-colored waters of Semuc Chapey
  • Birdwatching at Las Guacayamas
  • Citadel at Tikal
  • Chichicastenango Market
  • Traditional marimba music
  • Diversity of indigenous cultures
  • Santa Maria Volcano
  • Lake Atitlan

Testimonials

“On behalf of the University of Maryland Chamber Singers I want to thank Classical Movements for providing us with the very best of tour planning, accommodations, travel and concert venues. Our audiences were large, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. We had an absolutely fantastic experience and were very pleased with all aspects of the two week experience. Thank you so much for all of your hard work and help! We can’t wait to do it again!”

-University of Maryland Chamber Singers

 

“I have worked with many music travel specialists, but Classical Movements stands above the rest. Their experienced and knowledgeable staff understands the specialized needs of performing groups. Through their international network of staff, they provide the most memorable concerts in the most prestigious venues. Every element of the travel experience could be considered a work of art and Classical Movements is well prepared to make certain that their tour provide the finest experience at an extraordinary value. I readily endorse them.”

-University of Toronto

Press

“Love. There is no better way to describe the affection, admiration, generosity, appreciation, and sharing that took place between this impassioned orchestra and a joyous Cuban public.”

-Huffington Post | May 20, 2015

“Classical Movements, a Virginia-based company, handled discussions with Cuba on behalf of the orchestra. The company has arranged musical tours to the nation for more than 18 years.”

-Minnesota Star Tribune, Graydon Royce | Feb. 12, 2015

“The tour is being arranged by Classical Movements, the Alexandria-based concert tour agency and presenter which has made something of a specialty of Cuban travel over the last 18 years, bringing ensembles to and from the country despite the travel restrictions that necessitated special permission through the U.S. Treasury Department.”

-Washington Post, Anne Midgette | Feb. 12, 2015

“The Teatro Nacional, a 2,056-seat theater on the Plaza de la Revolución, was sold out. Two dozen photographers and videographers swarmed the aisles. The Minnesota Orchestra’s concert here Friday night was greeted not only as a rare chance to hear an orchestra from overseas, but as a symbol of the rapprochement between the United States and Cuba.”

-New York Times, Michael Cooper | May 16, 2015