Where To Find The Best Cocktails in Antigua, Guatemala.

18/02/202505/08/2026wareontheglobe Leave a comment

A cocktail at the Casa del Ron bar in Antigua, Guatemala

I did quite a bit of research on where to find the best cocktails and drinks in Antigua, Guatemala before our visit last summer. My research paid off. This post shares great cocktail spots in Antigua, Guatemala.

A street scene in the colonial centre of Antigua, Guatemala

Cute Antigua, Guatemala.

Nahuales Mixology & Mayan Cocktails, a Fuente Mall and Foodcourt, 4a Calle Ote. n° 14, open daily 6 PM – 11 PM.

By far, our favorite cocktails in Antigua, Guatemala were at Nahuales Mixology & Mayan Cocktails. Named for the Mayan concept of the “nahaul”, or the cultural concept that everyone’s birthdate shapes ones personality and energy and based on birthdate, everyone is assigned a “nahaul”. As best I can describe it, a nahual is a Mayan sign that includes a related spirit animal, stone, metal, number, color and other unique information. We learned a lot about nahauls in Guatemala, and I never really understood it totally…but its important. Nahuales bar has the book of all nahauls onsite and can help you find your own nahaul.

Museum panel explaining the Mayan nahual day signs at Museo Miraflores, Guatemala City

This is an explanation of nahuales from the Museo Mira Flores in Guatemala City.

In any case, Nahuales Mixology & Mayan Cocktails is located in central Antigua inside an Antiguan strip mall of sorts. While small, the bar is very cool featuring an interesting menu and often a live DJ. Many of the cocktails on the menu are named for specific nahuales. We tried two cocktails each here, and they were very well made. Honestly, the best we had in Guatemala (except maybe tied with Cocktail Lobby in Guatemala City). The mixologist was also really great and even let us sample Guatemalan moonshine (which I didn’t even know existed). We highly recommend Nahuales for a true local cocktail bar in Antigua. Go to Nahuales Mixology & Mayan Cocktails for Mayan cultural information, excellent cocktails and a fun vibe.

The entrance to Nahuales.

The bar at Nahuales Mixology and Mayan Cocktails, Antigua, Guatemala

Nahuales bar.

The small interior of Nahuales Mixology and Mayan Cocktails in Antigua, Guatemala

The interior.

The cocktail menus at Nahuales in Antigua, with drinks named for Mayan nahuales

The menus.

A pour of Guatemalan moonshine over a clear ice sphere at Nahuales, Antigua

Guatemalan moonshine. Also, look at that perfect ice sphere.

One of the Mayan-inspired cocktails at Nahuales Mixology, Antigua, Guatemala

One of the Nahuales cocktails.

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Airport Lounge Review: Sala Montale, Milan Malpensa, Terminal 1

04/02/202505/08/2026wareontheglobe Leave a comment

On our way out of Milan in October 2024, after a fabulous trip to Cinque Terre, Lucca, Florence & Milan, we spent 90 minutes in the Sala Montale lounge in Milan Malpensa’s Terminal 1. This post reviews our time at the Sala Montale. In sum, Sala Montale was much nicer than I expected, especially for a lounge on Priority Pass, and we had an enjoyable experience. I would certainly return, but I would not leave extra early to visit the Sala Montale Lounge. There is better food and drink to be had in Milan!

Our travel group at the end of the Italy trip, Milan Malpensa Terminal 1

Here is the group on our trip to Italy!

THE SALA MONTALE LOUNGE

The Sala Montale Lounge is one of five “Vip lounges” (that is a brand, not description) in Milan Malpensa’s airport. As of October 2024, it was not associated or run by any particular airline. Rather, any person flying can purchase lounge access online. Sala Montale is also on Priority Pass, which is how we accessed the lounge.

The Sala Montale Lounge is located in Malpensa’s Terminal 1, post-security in Boarding Area B. Sala Montale is only open to Non-Schengen flights. There is a maximum stay of 2 hours per both its website and a sign on checkin. I would note, however, I am not sure who this policy could be actually enforced given the size of the lounge.

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The Nessun Dorma Pesto Experience: An Extremely Detailed Guide

08/12/202406/08/2026wareontheglobe 2 Comments

Nessun Dorma, the open-air restaurant overlooking Manarola in Cinque Terre, Italy

On our recent trip to Cinque Terre with Dan’s Uncle and Aunt, we spent an afternoon in Manarola learning to make pesto at the Instagram famous Nessun Dorma’s Pesto Experience. This article provides a very detailed review of the Pesto Experience and if its worth the time and money.

Dan and I seated at the Nessun Dorma Pesto Experience above Manarola, Cinque Terre

Dan & I at the Nessun Dorma Pesto Experience.

RESERVATIONS AT NESSUN DORMA

The first step to enjoying the Pesto Experience is making a reservation. Reservations are complimentary and can be made on Nessun Dorma’s free phone application. You simply enter your information on the application and done! Nessun Dorma emailed us a reminder the day prior. Also, you don’t pay until the actual event, and credit card is accepted.

Nessun Dorma!

GETTING TO NESSUN DORMA FROM MANAROLA

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An Afternoon Eating Real Guatemalan Street Food In Antigua.

13/09/202407/08/2026wareontheglobe Leave a comment

Another view of the stuffed plantain from the street food stalls in Antigua, Guatemala

Of course we took a food tour when we visited Antigua, Guatemala earlier this year. The tour was exclusively street food focused, which Dan loved. You can easily recreate the tour yourself if you are a bit adventrous and speak a little Spanish. Otherwise, I will link the tour below.

Antigua, Guatemala.

Our first stop was at a real Antiguan bakery that has been around since 1940 (and opens daily at 5:00 AM). And, it was delicious. The name of the bakery is San Antonio Panaderia Lo de Cuchi Cuchi. It is famous for its homemade bread, and its take away only. Located right in the center of Antigua, San Antonio is super popular with both locals and tourists. If you are visiting, bring cash and know a little bit of Spanish.

The entrance to San Antonio.

The sweet counter at San Antonio bakery in Antigua, Guatemala

San Antonio’s sweet counter.

We tried two dishes at San Antonio. The first “bite” of our tour was something that a tourist can pretty easily find all over Antigua, particularly in restaurants and shops offering traditional Guatemalan food (such as Rincon Tipico),Colochos de Guayaba. Colochos for short are gummy-like circles made from guava fruit and topped with powdered sugar. These were midly sweet and very tasty. They were also super cheap. A definite must try in Antigua.

A colocho de guayaba, a guava sweet dusted with powdered sugar, from San Antonio bakery

A Colochos de Guayaba from San Antonio.

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Airport Lounge Review: Lufthansa Business Lounge, JFK Terminal 1

14/05/202407/08/2026wareontheglobe 2 Comments

The kitchen area of the Lufthansa Business Lounge at JFK, with tables and a wall bar

The Lufthansa Business Lounge at JFK’s Terminal 1 has been on Priority Pass for a while, and I think its a respectable option at JFK’s Terminal 1 if you can get in. We visited twice in the last year and both visits were pleasant, although I wouldn’t arrive early to visit the lounge. This post reviews my experience in the Lufthansa Business Lounge at JFK. I would also note that this post only reviews the Business portion of this lounge, as that is all I could access. Apparently first class passengers have a better lounge in Terminal 1…

LOCATING THE LUFTHANSA BUSINESS LOUNGE AT JFK

The Lufthansa Business Lounge is located in JFK’s Terminal 1, to the left just after one clears security. To reach the lounge, proceed through security and go left (with your back to security) for like 1 minute. The lounge is tucked away right before all the upscale shops in Terminal 1.