Central America - A World of Hidden Paradises

We are teaching our readers about Latin America and this time we want to introduce you to Central America! Central America is comprised of five different areas: Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Panama. Follow us as we introduce you to the beauty of Central America.

Tropical Rainforest in Central America - AHHHHHHH!

Belize – the tiniest country in Central America: Belize offers an unparalleled variety of adventures. From the reefs to the rainforests, you can enjoy assorted adventures such as hiking, horseback riding, snorkeling, sailing, caving, and much more. SCUBA divers choose to dive Belize for its pristine waters and unmatched aquatic life. Belize sea kayaking can transport you from reef to jungle or to a half dozen sandy neighboring islands. Other Belize tours might include an adventure resort like Hamanasi, where you can choose from any number of water and land adventures, including pool-lounging and hammock-surfing! Whether you prefer relaxing in your tree house bungalow or exploring the caves of a Maya underworld, you're sure to find your trip to Belize perfect.

Costa Rica - Pura Vida - "Pure Life”: Lush rainforests and pristine beaches; tiny blue frogs and giant leatherback turtles; screaming howler monkeys and crashing white waves: Costa Rica tours offer a breathtaking array of sights and sounds! Your Costa Rica travel itinerary might include whitewater rafting, a rainforest canopy tour, relaxing at the beach or exploring one of the country's many fabulous ecolodges. Experience nature travel at its best!

Have you thought about Guatamala?: When traveling to Guatamala, you’ll visit ancient Maya ruins of Tikal, the volcanoes of the Guatemala highlands, and the colonial city of Antigua. Visit indigenous families and take in the colorful local culture on an interactive Guatemala tour. You'll wander the beautiful mountain town of Chichicastenango, famous for its vibrant and lively market. There is also the lovely Lake Atitlan, guarded by looming volcanoes. For a more heart-racing adventure, you can bike, canoe, and sea kayak your way around the country while also getting to know the locals.

Beautiful Nicaragua!: Travel to Nicaragua and explore cloudforest, artisans markets, and old colonial cities! Nicaragua is a destination of amazing handicrafts as well biodiversity and wildlife. Boasting the avenue of volcanoes, the country houses a chain of 12 volcanoes and the western hemisphere's largest fresh water lake, offering awe-inspiring landscapes. Nicarauga tours explore old colonial cities from the countries' conquistador past, includes visits to cathedrals and old museums from the Spanish era, and opportunities for adventure and time on the coast. Your Nicaragua travel experience will illuminate the dynamic culture, recent history, and landscape of the bottleneck of Central America.

Panama – the “eighth wonder of the world”: Panama offers clear blue waters for snorkeling and diving, rainforest adventures, vibrant communities, and idyllic islands. A Panama tour of Isla Bastimentos reveals an ecosystem rife with both terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, while a Panama Canal tour showcases the manmade "eighth wonder of the world." Whether trekking through rainforest or enjoying the laid-back nightlife of Bocas del Toro, you'll forever associate Panama with the best in natural and cultural landscapes.

Tahiti for Families - Really!

Happy kids make a happy vacation!

Palm-fringed beaches, lush rain forests, high mountains, turquoise lagoons, a tropical paradise that offers something for everyone’s inner child – where is this place? The Pearl of the Pacific – Tahiti and her beautiful islands!

The islands of Tahiti offer a world of adventure for families and children of all ages. Each of the islands offer a unique blend of accommodations and activities designed for tons of family fun. Many of the hotels offer large swimming pools – often with sand bottoms, family-size 4X4 excursion vehicles for half-and full-day expeditions into the lush interior for exploration and a picnic under a waterfall, beautiful sand beaches with calm waters, guided hiking and boat excursions with a naturalist who will provide a close study of birds, plants and marine life, and regular performances of music, sport, and dance featuring local children.

Bora Bora OverWater huts (the kids love this)

Three family favorites follow.

Believe it or not Tahiti is just one of the islands that make up 14 of the Society Island. It’s where the capital Papeete is located and where you start your journey. Tahiti is the largest island throughout the country and is considered the Queen of the Pacific. This invigorating city and gateway of the country, boasts world-class resorts, spas, fine dining and unique restaurants, nightclubs, vibrant markets, pearl shops, and boutiques. It gives you a perfect taste of what is to come.

After a day or so in Tahiti, visit Moorea – The Magical Island! Moorea soars magically out of the ocean in an explosion of green velvet - what you would imagine a South Seas island to be. The beauty of Moorea is unforgettable. It is the second largest of all the islands, very mountainous, with Mt. Tohivea being the highest point. If you’ve ever seen “South Pacific” it is rumored James Michener based Bali Hai on Moorea. Here you’ll find a true South Seas experience. A barefoot experience, with white and black sand beaches, multi colored lagoons, surrounded by mountains and a dormant volcano that reaches into the clouds. There are endless activities. From swimming with dolphins, scuba diving, surfing, kite surfing, 4X4 safaris, deep sea fishing, eco, cultural and nature touring, to having a private lunch on a private island called a motu. If this is too much activity for you, then sit back on your deck, soaking in the beauty and enjoy what nature has provided.

Bora Bora is the most impressive, distinctive island. Two towering peaks of sheer black rock dominate the center of the island and make an impressive backdrop to an assortment of blue waters that will dazzle the eyes. Bora Bora's lagoon is its most treasured feature, and allows the traveler many opportunities to experience it in a variety of ways. Windsurfing, jet ski across the magnificent turquoise lagoon, scuba dive, swim, bask in its warmth... the list goes on.

Bora Bora is truly an experience worth having. A wonderfully relaxing place to be, as well as a great island for you to experience, your Bora Bora vacation will never be forgotten. The perfect Bora Bora day begins with a dawn breakfast from your over-water bungalow deck, then a guided tour of the atoll on waver-runners, then a stop on a deserted beach for lunch of beachside barbecued lobster. Then perhaps there will be an hour of swimming with sharks and bat rays, schools of them mysteriously mellowed by the warm aqua waters. Spend some time shopping for black pearls in the central village of Vaitape or maybe enjoy an afternoon massage, full of locally harvested healing oils carrying a faint sweet smell of tiare. And finally, before dinner, have sunset cocktails overlooking Mount Otemanu, the extinct volcano which is paradise’s distinctively craggy profile.

No matter what experience you are looking for, you and your family will remember this vacation for many years to come!

This Fall – Why Not Get Down in the Land Down Under

The summer will eventually have to end and if you are like we are and always get sad to see the summer come to an end, consider extending the bright sun and the long warm days. Check out Australia. Our Fall is their Spring. Our Winter is their Summer – you couldn’t ask for better weather to keep your summer tan!

You’ve heard of the Tasmanian Devil, well did you know there is really a place called Tasmania? It’s a pristine island separated from the hustle and bustle of mainland Australia. The island has more than 1,000 mountain peaks and offers four-weather seasons. In fact,more than 40 percent of the place is earmarked as national parks and reserves and feature some of the world’s rarest animals. The main Island, which compares in size to West Virginia, is home to about 500,000 people. Tasmania is the perfect place if you like gardens, golfing, wildlife, camping, fishing, walking and trekking. There are all-terrain vehicles, cycling, diving, kayaking or canoeing, surfing, and whitewater rafting for those interested in a more adventurous trip. Everything is so easy to get to: you can stand atop a mountain peak in the morning and paddle an azure sea in the afternoon. You can pack more into your day because you spend less time driving. You can cycle through historic villages, sip on premium cool-climate wines or journey deep into the western wilderness. It is all here for you to discover in Tasmania

South Australia is renowned for its wine growing areas of the Barossa, Coonawarra and McLaren Vale. With its pleasant climate, fine food and wines, numerous festivals and events, and long clean sandy beaches, South Australia is a great holiday destination. The capital of South Australia is an elegant,spacious city with many restaurants and cafes, surrounded by a green ribbon of parklands. To see native plants and animals like kangaroos, wallabies, platypus, koalas, seals and echidna take a trip to Kangaroo Island, a short flight or ferry trip from Adelaide.

The Murray River reaches its prime in South Australia, with spectacular cliffs, abundant birds and good fishing. Staying in a houseboat on the Murray River is a popular way to enjoy the area.

There are 300 sunny days a year in Queensland and a year-round temperate climate. It's really no wonder Queenslanders are so happy. You’ll be able to enjoy outdoor sports and alfresco dining anytime you visit. Forge lasting memories by participating in activities with friends and family…witness wildlife in their native habitats, attempt skydiving or even follow in the footsteps of early pioneers in the Outback. Step back in time as you view Aboriginal rock art or attend a local exhibition at a regional gallery. And then there’s the shopping, a favorite pastime for many. Markets, galleries and boutiques all bring basket loads of goodies no matter whether you're looking to splurge or are bargain hunting; you'll be satisfied with the choices. With so much going on in Queensland, you definitely won't run out of things to see or do, you may simply just run out of time!


Western Australia truly is the authentic Australian experience. The capital of Perth is Australia's western gateway and a great place to start your vacation. Perth offers an easygoing lifestyle - the beautiful Swan River and inner-city parks like Kings Park add to the relaxed, natural feel. There is much to see and do in this part of the State, from swimming in crystal clear ocean waters to enjoying a sunny afternoon sipping a cold beer at an open-air pub.

Northern Australia - Travel from the desert to the tropics and discover the heart of Australia. Whether it’s climbing the escarpments, viewing rock art, catching fish, exploring the red desert flora and fauna or trekking through chasms in Central Australia, there’s an experience for everyone in the Northern Territory

The Sights, The Sounds, The Beauty of Morocco

 Are you looking for a destination that is authentic, real and offers enriching experiences? An active vacation with sensational thrills? A vacation to satisfy your passion for travel and unusual sights?

How about Morocco?

Located in North Africa, Morroco has a coastline on both the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea and has so much to offer. Art and culture, hiking and trekking, crafts and shopping, desserts, golf, beaches, amazing spas, and festivals and museums.

Join us as we take you to some of the amazing cities you can visit.

Casablanca

Casablanca is a beautiful located in the western region of the country. The city, which is also the capital city of the Grand Casablanca region, shares its border with the Atlantic Ocean. It is not only a capital city, but it is also the biggest city and an important port in Morocco. Casablanca is home to around 2.9 million people. Besides its economical impact, Casablanca is a famous tourist spot. Thousands of tourists visit this city from all over the world. There are various attractions - towers, mosques, city halls and many other interesting spots - in Casablanca.

Fes

Step back in time to the Middle Ages as you visit one of the most imperial, timeless and untouched cities in the world. Fez El Bali (Old Fez) – is the cultural heart of Morocco. Explore some of the 9,000 narrow lanes, alleys and souks (markets)that make-up the labyrinth of the city’s old quarter, originally founded in the 8th century AD.

Merzouga

Travel by road into the Sahara Desert. Cross the picturesque Atlas Mountains. Pass through the Ziz Valley and the oasis city of Erfoud, one of the largest oases in Morocco. Here, you get a powerful sense of its proximity of the desert, and the vantage point from the East Fort boasts splendid views over date palms, the Ziz and the desert.

Set off from the oasis and enter the desert. Proceed to the great sand dunes of the Erg Chebbi. Enjoy a reception with mint tea and pastries before beginning your explorations of the sand dunes via camelback. View a spectacular sunset over the desert dunes of Erg Chebbi.<

Skoura

Visit a local date palmary and nearby villages in Ouarzazate, and venture out into the superb Draa Valley with its wonderful Kasbahs.

Marrakech

The “Pearl of the South” Marrakech was once the capital of an empire that stretched from Toledo to Senegal. Called the “Pink City” because of the color of the local earth used in its construction, it is a city of labyrinthine alleyways, secluded palaces, museums, mosques and markets. The city’s gardens are still supplied with water from 11th-century underground irrigation canals. The Djemaa el Fna, the city square, is full of dancers, fortune-tellers, musicians, acrobats, storytellers and snake charmers. Koutoubia, the 12th-century mosque dominates the Marrakech skyline. The Ben Youssef Medersa, with its mosaics, marbles, and carved woodwork forms part of Marrakech’s UNESCO-listed medina, now a World Heritage site, crammed with architectural masterpieces. Most of the city’s architectural attractions are inside the Medina, the old walled section of the town. Visit the El Badi Palace, which took twenty-five years to build, the 12th-century Koutoubia minaret; and the Saadian Tombs, which display a very high level of decoration, using traditional stucco and delicate Granada-style carving, typical of classical Moroccan buildings. Tour the Bahia Palace, residence of the grand vizier Si Ahmed Ben Moussa and a masterpiece of domestic architecture which provides insight into how the privileged lived in the Imperial city in 19th century. You can also stop at Dar Si Said, one of the most beautiful palaces and home to the museum of Moroccan Arts and Crafts.

Oualidia

Oualidia is the center of Morocco’s oyster industry and offers one of Morocco’s largest areas of abundant bird habitat. Oualidia is an ideal place to swim and surf, sample delicious seafood, or simply relax and walk on the beach.