Elizabeth Kline´s GUIDE TO CAMPSITES, INNS AND CABINS IN VENEZUELA

(GUIA DE CAMPAMENTOS POSADAS Y CABAÑAS EN VENEZUELA). 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2005 editions. “This is a real gem thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the super-friendly owners, Mónica y Andrés Monzón!...” “…in addition to many VIP attentions …”
“Highly Recommended” in the 1999 edition. Photo of the Hacienda appears in the Guide’s gallery.

Valentina Quintero. May, 1996. Holiday Magazine (Revista Feriado). The Valentina Quintero Guidebook 1997 and 2000.

Leisure Time Manual (Manual de Ociosidades 10-11-2002: “... and open to other families for some years now, since it was converted to an inn. It is a retreat to the colonial era, a chance to share experiences with the farmers, eat succulent, fresh food prepared with love and care, and walk freely through the countryside…”

Leisure Time Manual (Manual de Ociosidades) October or November, 2004. With the aroma of coffee…Andrés and Mónica take charge of…

THE VALENTINA QUINTERO GUIDEBOOK 2004-2005, page 729
“…you want to hug and kiss each member of the Monzón Family for having had the consideration and care to preserve this hundred-year-old house with all its charm… Andrés and Monica are in charge of everything and they are very conversational and extraordinary hosts.”

MIRO POPIC EDITOR. ECO-TOURISM GUIDE TO VENEZUELA 2001 (GUIA ECOTURISTICA DE VENEZUELA 2001)
Page 253

Miro Popic Guía Ecoturística de Venezuela 2001 and Web site: “A genuine, fully-functioning coffee plantation,…a small colonial paradise in the midst of the twenty-first century. By reservation only. Absolutely recommended.

MIRO POPIC EDITOR. ROAD GUIDE TO VENEZUELA 2005 (GUIA VIAL DE VENEZUELA 2005), Section about Jají in Merida State. Accommodations in Jají.

“THE TRUTH”, (DIARIO LA VERDAD), Newspaper in Maracaibo, Tourism Section, 2004 and February of 2005

LOSTWORLD ADVENTURES (ATLANTA, GA)
http://www.lostworldadventures.com/countries/     venezuela/vzproperties/andes/haciendaelcarmen.htm
Hacienda El Carmen, Venezuela
This 150 years old coffee plantation has been restored as an inn in its original character and andean tradition. Guests will wake not only to the beautiful green hills surrounding the plantation, but also to great-tasting coffee from one of the world's richest regions: The Venezuelan Andes.

Hacienda El Carmen is located near the colonial town of Jají and has 642 acres of meadows and forests between 5900 and 8200 feet above sea level. The average temperature is a nice 61ºF. It has 17 comfortable rooms with private bathroom and hot water and features traditional andean, venezuelan and international cuisine.
Contact us to include Hacienda El Carmen in a customized itinerary of travel to Venezuela.
Lost World Adventures 800.999.0558
220 Second Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030
phone: 404.373.5820 fax: 404.377.1902
email: info@lostworldadventures.com

FROMMERS
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/   meridavenezuela/2840010011.html
"Where To Stay In The Mountain Towns Around Merida -- If you are tripping around the mountain towns outside of Mérida, there are several pleasant options for spending a night or two.
Close to Jají, is the rustic Hacienda El Carmen ( www.haciendaelcarmen.com), a former coffee plantation that retains the ambience of its working past. Located about 60km (37 miles) outside of Mérida"

FODOR´S SOUTH AMERICA 6th EDITION 2005 (INTERNET)
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?   destination=caracas@46&cur_section=fea&feature=30003
Jají
35 km (22 mi) west of Mérida.
Tiny Jají bewitches visitors with babbling fountains, colorful gardens, and whitewashed colonial buildings. Founded in the late 16th century, Jají was completely restored in the 1960s in an effort to draw tourists to the region. In the charming central square, local artisans work wonder with clay, wood, fiber, and wool.
Where to Stay
Hacienda El Carmen. Nestled in a cloud forest, this century-old coffee hacienda is in itself worth the hour-long drive from Mérida. Fronted by cobblestone patios, the open-air dining room serves delicious grilled meats and, naturally, some of the best coffee around. Adding to its charm, the hacienda is still a working plantation where you can watch coffee beans being picked and then processed by antique machinery. Reservations are required. 2 km (1 mi) west of Jají, Jají, Venezuela. PHONE: 0414/639-2701. FAX: 0274/263-5852. www.haciendaelcarmen.com. 17 rooms. Restaurant, hiking, horseback riding, recreation room, meeting room, airport shuttle; no a/c, no room TVs. AE, MC, V. Full breakfast.

FODOR´S SOUTH AMERICA 1997. Page 601
“This 100-year old coffee hacienda, nestled in a cloud forest and beautifully renovated to accommodate tourists, is in itself worth the 1-hour drive from Mérida….the open-air dining room serves delicious grilled meats….Adding to its charm, Hacienda El Carmen is still a working plantation…”

Fodor´s Choice, Top 4 Lodging Highlights in Venezuela.

FODOR´S SOUTH AMERICA 6th EDITION 2005. Page 785
Highly Recommended
“This 100-year old coffee hacienda, nestled in a cloud forest and beautifully renovated to accommodate tourists, is in itself worth the 1-hour drive from Mérida…serves, naturally, some of the best coffee around.”

PETIT FUTÉ COUNTRY GUIDE VENEZUELA. EDITION 2001. http://www.petitfutte.com/
“Hacienda El Carmen. Vous etes en effet dans une hacienda de café, tenue sympathiquement par Andrés Monzón. Les chyambres stylées se trouvent autour de la cour et constituent la meilleure option dans les alentours, pour un prix raisonnable....Vraiment une bonne adresse.”
“Hacienda El Carmen. You are actually staying in a coffee plantation, where you are congenially attended by Andrés Monzón. The stylish rooms are located around a courtyard and offer the best lodging option in the area at a reasonable price…Truly a good location.”

ALLETIDERS – LARSEN – SIMON’S – HERNING CHARTER NYHEDER! VINTER 1999-2000 DINAMARCA
Page 23
“We stopped in the small, colonial village of Jají. We spent the night at a local coffee plantation, Hacienda El Carmen, which is more than 100 years old. The third- generation owner, Andrés, will explain the coffee production process to you.”

www.carilat.de/suedamerika/venezuela/caracas_chuao.htm  
“Und auch die Qualität des venezolanischen Kaffees ist exquisit. Jahrzehntelang war er bestimmend bei der Zusammensetzung milder Sorten. Und so robust, dass man ihn nicht nur entlang der Küste, sondern auch an den Hängen der Anden anbauen konnte. Die Hacienda El Carmen beispielsweise liegt etwa eine Fahrstunde von der quirligen hübschen Universitätsstadt Mérida entfernt. Sie hat genau das malerische Gardemaß an Authentizität, dass die Tschibo-Trendscouts sie für ihren Werbespot haben wollten. Erzählt unsere Betreuerin Maite, und es ist ihr fast peinlich, dass sie wegen ihrer dezent indianischen Gesichtszüge gleich mit in den Film musste. Wir trinken erst einmal einen kleinen, starken Kaffee auf der überdachten Terrasse des Haupthauses, das seine architektonische Struktur unverändert beibehalten hat. Im ersten Stock sind die Gästezimmer untergebracht, heruntergelassene Jalousien schützen tagsüber vor der flirrenden Hitze. In drei aufeinander folgenden, gepflasterten Patios werden die Kaffeebohnen zum Trocknen ausgebreitet und heute wie vor hundert Jahren mit feinzinkigen Rechen gewendet. Tagelang.”
Adressen:
“In den Anden:
Hacienda El Carmen
In der Nähe von Mérida, bei Jají, an der Plaza Bolívar vorbei in Richtung Tal
T.: 074/635852, Handy 014/7416661,
E-Mail: hostecar@telcel.net.ve
Website: http://www.haciendaelcarmen.com/ ”

www.lostworldadventures.com/itinerary.php/iid/68 
Day 3 : Merida  “Explore the region with an optional ride…, and fields of sugar cane and coffee” “Overnight at Hacienda El Carmen. (B,L,D)”.

www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk/adventure/dossiers/chama.pdf

www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk/adventure/itins/pinango.htm 
“... Morning flight to Mérida, capital of the Venezuelan Andes. ... Overnight at spacious accommodations of Hacienda El Carmen, 150 year old coffee plantation where ...”.

http://www.biztravel.com/TRAVEL/SIT/sit_pages/6338.html 
 “Your journey continues on to Jají, a reconstructed colonial village and then on to Hacienda El Carmen, a 150-year-old working coffee plantation where you learn about the history and processing of coffee. Overnight at the comfortable accommodations at Hacienda El Carmen.”.

http://www.ecotourismonline.com/circuits/highlights.htm
“1st day 
1s Flight from Maiquetia to Merida”  “Arrival at the Simon Bolívar international airport around 14:00 hours, transfer from the international airport to the domestic one. 16:45 hours Flight to Mérida capital of the Venezuelan Andes, transfer from the airport to Hacienda El Carmen, a 150 years old working coffee plantation where you will learn about the history and processing of the coffee. Diner, briefing and overnight stay.”.

http://www.bikehike.com/venezuela/venezuela_trip01.html 
Day 4: 
“…we hike back to the jeep and jump on our mountain bikes. From here we ride along a network of dirt and paved paths to the colonial coffee Hacienda El Carmen.”  “a colonial-style coffee plantation nestled in ... and paved paths to the colonial coffee Hacienda El Carmen. ... breakfast of strong coffee, scrambled eggs ...”.

www.guaguancotours.com/merida.shtml 
“... Lunch in San José. Visit Hacienda del Carmen, a historic coffee plantation. Visit the small colonial pueblo of Jají. ... Return to Mérida before 7pm. ...” ALDEBARAN DECEMBER, 1999.

http://www.milwaukeeyc.com/botta/dec99.htm
”... with Merida's flag. Hacienda Carmen, the coffee plantation (photo). December 6, 1999. Buenos Días!...” 

www.gorptravel.gorp.com/package_print_main.asp?package_id=5678
“... airport by your guide and enjoy a short city tour of Mérida, the capital ... to Jají, a reconstructed colonial village and then on to Hacienda El Carmen, a 150 ...”

http://gorptravel.gorp.com/xnet/one-product.tcl?printer_p=t&package_id=5678
Day 2: Caracas – Merida  “You'll be met at the airport by your guide and enjoy a short city tour of Mérida, the capital of the Venezuelan Andes. Includes visit to Plaza Bolivar, the historic cathedral and museums.  Your journey continues on to Jají, a reconstructed colonial village and then on to Hacienda El Carmen, a 150-year-old working coffee plantation where you learn about the history and processing of coffee. You'll also visit Lagunillas, famous for its inland salt-water lake and the founding place of Mérida in 1558.”.

http://www.angeli-travel.com/latijnsamerika_kum_002.htm  
“Dag 3 Jaji Halve dag tour naar Jaji dorp, een gereconstrueerd koloniaal dorp op ongeveer een uur afstand van Merida, door nevelwoud. Er wordt een bezoek gebracht aan de Hacienda El Carmen, een 150 jaar oude werkende koffieplantage waar men de kans krijgt om wat te leren over de geschiedenis en het proces van koffie. De middag ter vrije besteding. (of naar keuze de ochtend).”