Enter to win 2 nights at Jicaro Island Eco-Lodge!
“Calmer times have come. While there is still a need for dialogue, reconciliation and justice before the political situation can be fully resolved, in order to support the people of Nicaragua – especially those who work in tourism, an industry that was devastated by the situation –, we have decided to reopen Jicaro as of November 15th. Even in the tensest moments of the crisis, we never lost hope and were amazed by the support of our former guests. We owe it to the staff at Jicaro and all of our suppliers to put them back to work and restore what was lost. “ —- Hans Pfister, CEO of the Cayuga Collection
As I flew into Kathmandu, little did I know that I would be embarking on an adventure that I could have never anticipated.
I was about to enter a world of so many extremes - of highs and of lows, of joy and of sorrow, of comfort and discomfort, of peace and of war, feeling somewhat in control yet at the same time completely at the mercy of the universe. This was truly a spiritual adventure.
As the smallest country in North Africa, the diversity of landscape and things to see is amazing. In about a week to 10 days, you can see the ruins of Carthage, drive over sand dunes to abandoned Star Wars sets in the middle of the desert, hike over dry river beds that lead to hidden oasis, you can visit larger oasis to see how dates are picked and also eat the best fresh dates that I’ve ever tasted! We will visit Berber mountain villages perched in the Altas mountains to buy handwoven carpets, drive across Chott el Djerid, the largest salt pan that you can walk over in the Saharan Desert as well as swim in the bright blue Mediterranean waters off the beaches of Djerba before exploring the souks to buy beautiful handmade Tunisian pottery.
People have always told me that going to Africa changes your life. I never truly understood that until a trip I recently took to the Maasai Mara, a game reserve in Narok County, Kenya, that is contiguous with the Serengeti National Park in Mara Region, Tanzania. It is named in honor of the Maasai people, the ancestral inhabitants of the area. "Mara," which is Maa (the language spoken by the Maasai people) for "spotted," accurately describes the dots of trees, savanna, scrub and cloud shadows that fill the area.
One of the greatest things of being a travel professional is that I get to explore new places for my clients.
As a Virtuoso Travel Agent, I'll be able to get you special access to luxury properties, upgrades, daily full breakfasts, massages or food and beverage credits (depending on the property) as well as complimentary late check in and check out. These are perks that you can't get yourself online.
Fly into Jomo Kenyatta Int'l (NBO)
MUST STAY
http://www.hemingways-nairobi.com
Nairobi, Kenya
http://www.hemingways-mara.com/
Mara Naibosho Conservancy, Kenya
MUST EAT
Matoke
MUST DRINK
Gin & Tonic
MUST DO
Safari in Mara Naibosho Conservancy
Sundowners
Visit a Maasai Village
http://www.FreshTraveler.com
by Patricia Serrano
Tucked away between Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary lies this hidden gem of a country. Greener than green and bluer than blue, it's easy to fall in love with the easy-going and peacefully bucolic yet jaw-dropping country side. And did I mention that the wines and the food are seriously delicious?
Rustic chic, off the beaten path, eco-luxury, understated elegance – these are phrases that have been attributed to the Central-American adventure destination, Costa Rica. These words (and more) can also be used to describe the much smaller country of Belize. Although small, it’s not lacking in adventure – with Mayan ruins peppered throughout the country, the second largest barrier reef in the world and some of the coolest cave hikes into the Mayan underworld that I’ve ever been on....
I had SUCH an amazing time in Belize that I can't wait to have you go. If you haven't already, let me book your Belize vacation for you!
As a Virtuoso Travel Agent, I'll be able to get you special upgrades, daily full breakfasts, massages or food and beverage credits (depending on the property) as well as complimentary late check in and check out. These are perks that you can't get yourself online.
Fly into Belize City (BZE)
MUST STAY
http://www.coppolaresorts.com/turtleinn
Placencia, Belize
https://www.coppolaresorts.com/blancaneaux
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, Belize
http://kaanabelize.com
San Ignacio, Belize
MUST EAT
San Ignacio
Lydia’s
Hode’s
Benny’s Kitchen
MUST DRINK
Belikin Beer – The National Beer of Belize
San Ignacio
Blue Angel
Placencia
Tipsy Tuna
Barefoot Bar
MUST DO
St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park
Horseback Ride to Xunantunich
Actun Tunichil Muknal Caves
Snorkel Silk Caye
http://www.FreshTraveler.com
by Patricia Serrano
If I had to describe India in one word, I literally couldn't. Perhaps "technicolor" describes it best, which by dictionary definitions means a process of color cinematography using synchronized monochrome films, each of a different color, to produce a movie in color. Because that was literally was what my trip felt like, a movie in vivid colors.
I have to admit, I have a little crush on the entire country of Colombia. It's hard to dislike the people, endlessly kind and effortlessly smiling through all sorts of weather - the rainy and cloudy cool climate of the capital, Bogota and the extreme heat of Cartagena on the Caribbean Coast...
Colombia is a beautiful, magical country populated with seriously friendly people. It's a place that I definitely can't wait to have you explore. I would love to book your Colombian adventure for you!
The perks with booking with me are as a Virtuoso Travel Agent, I'll be able to get you special upgrades, daily full breakfasts, massages or food and beverage credits (depending on the property) as well as complimentary late check in and check out. These are perks that you can't get yourself online.
Fly into El Dorado Int'l (BOG)
or
Rafael Núñez Int'l (CTG)
MUST STAY
Sofitel Victoria Reina (Bogota)
Sofitel Legend Santa Clara (Cartagena)
MUST EAT
Ceviche
Local fruits
MUST DRINK
Coffee
MUST DO
Walk on the city's old walls in Cartagena
Rosario Islands
Salsa Class
http://www.FreshTraveler.com
by Patricia Serrano
The journey to West Africa is a very special adventure, at least, it was definitely for me. Filled with endless surprises, I never could have anticipated the fullness of vibrant Senegal. The sounds, the odors, the colors, the languages...
MUST DO
The Dead Sea
The Sea of Galilee (Lake Kineret)
The Kotel (Western Wall) in The Old City, Jerusalem
Walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel in Jerusalem's City of David, +972 2-6268700
Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem - HaZikaron, Jerusalem, 91034, Israel +972 2-644-3400
MUST EAT
Uri Buri Fish and Seafood Restaurant - HaHagana 11, Acre, 24315, Israel +972 4-955-2212
Dr. Shakshuka - Beit Eshel 3, Tel Aviv, 68025, Israel +972 3-682-2842
Pomegranate juice from Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem
Vanilla Soy Ice Cream with Halva (crushed sesame seeds and honey) at Hatchazer in Jerusalem - 7 Derech Beit Lehem, Jerusalem, +972 02-6719922
MUST SHOP
Jaffa Flea Market - East of the Clock Tower,Tel Aviv, Israel +972 3-527-2691
Ahava – Natural Dead Sea Bath Products
MUST DRINK
Nightlife in Tel Aviv
Radio EPGB - Shadal 7, Tel Aviv, 65781, Israel +972 3-560-3636
Rothschild 12 - 12 Rothschild Blvd, Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Israel +972 3-510-6430
Ilka Bar - Dizengoff 148, Tel Aviv, Israel +972 54-803-0706
Nanuchka - Lilienblum 30, Tel Aviv, Israel +972 3-516-2254
MUST STAY
The Efendi Hotel in Akko - Louis IX St. 24124 Akko, Israel +972-74-7299799 reservation@efendi-hotel.com
Ein Gedi Hotel - Dead Sea Ein Gedi 86980 Israel +972-8-6594222 info.resort@ein-gedi.co.il
In honor of the upcoming Caribbean Week in NYC from June 1st to the 5th, the largest event thrown in New York City by the Caribbean Tourism Board, I wanted to share my travels in Speightstown, Barbados – my most recent experience of the Caribbean.
Fly into Grantley Adams International, Bridgetown (BGI)
MUST STAY
Cobbler’s Cove - Speightstown, Barbados; +1 246-422-2291
MUST EAT
Bombas Beach Bar - Turtle Bay, St. Peter, West Coast; +1 (246) 432 5664
Island Plates - 1 Town Square, Queen Street, Speightstown, Barbados; (246) 252-7793
The Fish Pot - Shermans, St. Lucy, Barbados, #27190; +1 246 439-3000
MUST DRINK
Hwy 1B, Mount Standfast; +1(246) 268 6093
Queen St, Speightstown; +1 246-422-2703
MUST DO
Ride a public bus and shared van
http://www.barbados.org/tours/barbados-public-transport.htm
Explore Saint Martin’s Bay
http://www.barbados.org/martins-bay-barbados.htm
Visit St. John’s Parish
http://www.barbados.org/churches/stjohn.htm
MUST DO
San Diego Trolley (Blue Line) from San Diego to San Ysidro, Fare $2.50, Duration: Approximately 1 hour
El Salto Canyon is a beautiful hidden canyon just off the Tijuana – Ensenada Libre Highway at KM 76 (halfway between La Mision and Ensenada) The exact coordinates: Lat: 32.03694 Long: -116.7742
Ultra Light Airplane For more information check out: FlyLaSalina.com c/o Bajabrent 8-A Ave de Lorenzo, La Salina, Del Mar, Baja CA MX; 01152-646-155-4218 (mex); 760-203-2658 (vonage US/MX); Email: bajabrent@flylasalina.com
MUST STAY
La Fonda Hotel - KM 59.5 Carretera Tijuana – Ensenada La Mision, Baja California, Mexico; US Telefono:(011-52) 646-155-03-08; Telefono:646-155-03-08; E-mail: reservations@lafondabaja.com
MUST EAT
Restaurant at La Fonda Hotel - KM 59.5 Carretera Tijuana – Ensenada La Mision, Baja California, Mexico; US Telefono:(011-52) 646-155-03-08; Telefono:646-155-03-08; E-mail: reservations@lafondabaja.com
Lobster at Puerto Nuevo Lobster Village, the self described "Lobster Capital of Baja" is just past the town of Rosarito. Proceed another 9 miles where you will find an exit sign marked Puerto Nuevo. Exit here and turn left heading south onto the Carretera Libre (Free Road). Puerto Nuevo is located 2 miles South of the Puerto Nuevo exit on the right hand side.
Best Summer Road Trip Ever! From Washington DC to Seattle Washington stopping by the most fun small towns in America!
1) Corning, NY
2) Geneva-on-the-Lake, OH
3) Santa Claus, IN
4) Delray Beach, FL
5) Denton, TX
6) Buena Park, CA
I’m so addicted to travel that I signed up for a Mauiva AirCruise, a private plane jet multi-city tour where I visit 29 different attractions all over the Western United States in a week!
MUST DO
Lombard Street
Golden Gate Bridge
Ride a Cable Car down Russian Hill
Valencia Street in the Mission District
Dolores Park - http://sfrecpark.org/destination/mission-dolores-park, Dolores St, and 18th
MUST SHOP
Wonderland Gallery and Boutique - http://www.wonderlandsf.com, 2929 24th St; +1(415) 641-4600
Dog Eared Books - http://www.dogearedbooks.com, 900 Valencia St; +1(415) 282-1901
Borderlands Books - http://www.borderlands-books.com, 866 Valencia St, b/t 20th St & Cunningham Pl in Mission +1(415) 824-8203
MUST STAY
http://villaflorence.com, 225 Powell St; +1(415)397-7700
https://www.morganshotelgroup.com/originals/originals-clift-san-francisco, 495 Geary St; +1(415)7754700
http://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/san-francisco, 500 California St;+1(415)677-9494
MUST EAT
Lolo - http://www.lolosf.com, 974 Valencia St; +1(415)643-5656
Luna Park - http://lunaparksf.com, 694 Valencia St; +1(415)553-8584
Chino - http://www.chinosf.com, 3198 16th St; +1(415)552-5771
Sai Jai Thai Restaurant - http://saijaithairestaurant.com, 771 O’Farrell St; +1(415) 673-5774
Taqueria Cancun - http://www.taqueriacancunsf.com, 2288 Mission St; +1(415) 252-9560
MUST DRINK
Double Dutch - http://www.thedoubledutch.com, 3192 16th St; +1(415) 373-1042
Redwood Room - https://www.morganshotelgroup.com/originals/originals-clift-san-francisco/eat-drink/redwood-room
495 Geary St; +1(415) 775-4700
Smuggler's Cove - http://www.smugglerscovesf.com, 650 Gough St; +1(415) 869-1900
Four Barrel Coffee - http://www.fourbarrelcoffee.com, 375 Valencia St; +1(415) 252-0800