The so-called Semana Santa, Holy Week, is observed with a range of celebrations, from the most solemnly religious ceremonies, to a mix of popular traditional and cultural events. This is a fantastic opportunity for international travelers to meet the peoples of the South and Central American.

1. Ils3.com DiscoverSouthAmerica.travel DiscoverCentralAmerica.travel DiscoverBrazil.com
Participate in South and Central America’s Easter
Festivities with the Discover.Travel Group’s Specialized
Luxury Travel Packages
Special Easter Packages Provide a Unique Experience of Exotic Cultures and Peoples
Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, April 3rd 2009 --- Most South and Central American countries are predominantly
Catholic, therefore the Holy Week of Easter is the most important religious festival on the Continent.
The so-called Semana Santa, Holy Week, is observed with a range of celebrations, from the most
solemnly religious ceremonies, to a mix of popular traditional and cultural events. This is a fantastic
opportunity for international travelers to meet the peoples of the South and Central American
countries, commonly known as exceptionally hospitable, friendly and open to foreign visitors, in a
festive mood and observe and participate in their diverse and fascinating customs. Intelligent Leisure
Solutions and the Discover.Travel Group creates tailor-made luxury travel packages for individual
travelers and groups, allowing them unique insights into these countries and their peoples, histories and
cultures, and providing a dream travel experience for each client. Specialized Travel Consultants help
choose the perfect destination for the taste of each traveler to South and Central America. Amongst
their recommendations are destinations as diverse as the following.
La Antigua, Guatemala
During Holy Week, La Antigua Guatemala hosts the
most beautiful religious celebration in the Americas,
when huge processions daily wind their way through
the town's colonial architecture and streets which are
covered with ornate carpets made of flowers, leaves
and colored sawdust. On Good Friday, Antigua streets
are filled with processions and reverent spectators.
The processions consist of big floats, so-called 'andas',
bearing statues of Christ with a cross, carried by
hundreds of purple-robed men, and float with the
Virgin Mary followed by women dressed in black. National and international visitors crowd streets not
just to see the processions, but also to participate in the detailed elaboration of the colorful carpets
which decorate route the procession will take.
On the evening before each procession, there is a Holy Vigils at the respective church for each sculpture
that will appear in the processions. A carpet is constructed in front of the sculpture and surrounded by
fruit and vegetables, bread, candles, and flowers. Outside the church a carnival-like atmosphere
develops with traditional foods, drinks and even games. Visiting Antigua during the Holly Week of Easter

2. Ils3.com DiscoverSouthAmerica.travel DiscoverCentralAmerica.travel DiscoverBrazil.com
with the Discover.Travel Group is an extraordinary and spiritually rewarding experience which you will
never forget.
Ouro Preto, Brazil
The Easter Week celebrations in the magnificent colonial city of Ouro Preto, in Brazil's southeastern
state of Minas Gerais, feature some of the country's most spectacular Holy Week processions. Ouro
Preto bloomed in golden splendor due to a tremendous gold and silver rush in this region which is
known for the silver and gold mines. The Holy Week celebrations include processions through the
cobblestoned streets of the historic center lined by 13 splendid Baroque churches and festive church
services. A poignant reenactment of the removal of Christ's body from the Cross on Good Friday makes
Easter in Ouro Preto a unique travel experience. The Discover.Travel Group creates luxury travel
packages to individually suit the festive program, including stays at the best hotels.
Cuzco, Peru
In Cuzco, capital of the
Inca Empire, Semana
Santa celebrations
revolve around the
Señor de los
Temblores. Legend has
it that the statue of
Christ, sent by Philip V
of Spain to aid in the
conversion of the
Indians, became
emaciated and
blackened after an
earthquake on May 31,
1650. The statue, now resembling the native population, has been revered since then as the Cristo de
los Temblores (Christ of the Earthquakes.) The processions through the streets are lined by colorful
textiles with gold threads hanging in the windows and accompanied by firecrackers.
In Peru, Easter festivities are an exceptional culinary experience. On Good Friday, twelve traditional
dishes are served, from soups, fish and potato dishes to desserts. Again on Easter Sunday, celebrating
with food ends the Semana Santa observations. The Discover.Travel Group’s specialized travel packages
include meals at the most sophisticated restaurants.
All Discover.Travel Group’s Special Easter Packages can be extended to include further destinations to
provide each traveler with an itinerary that takes him to experience the highlights of South and Central
America and suits his individual travel style.

3. Ils3.com DiscoverSouthAmerica.travel DiscoverCentralAmerica.travel DiscoverBrazil.com
For further information on travel destinations, services, hotels and contact with a specialized travel
consultant please visit the Discover.Travel Group’s websites www.Discover.Travel,
www.DiscoverBrazil.com, www.DiscoverSouthAmerica.Travel and www.DiscoverCentralAmerica.Travel.
Recent accomplishments by Intelligent Leisure Solutions and the Discover.Travel Group:
• 2008 Ulysses Award for Innovation in Tourism Enterprises from the UNWTO (United Nations World
Tourism Organization),
• World Travel Award 2008 for South America’s Leading Travel Management Company,
• World Travel Award 2008 for Central America’s Leading Travel Agency,
• Managing Partner Robert Phillips was elected ASTA Chapter President for Brazil.
• Selected by the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism as an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World
Tourism Organization.
• Authenticated by the Tralliance Corporation and the .Travel Registry.
Contact:
Email Address: ops@ils3.com
Telephone Number: +1 888 457 3266
Fax Number: +55 71 3113 4203
www.Discover.Travel
www.DiscoverBrazil.com
www.DiscoverSouthAmerica.Travel
www.DiscoverCentralAmerica.Travel