Viajes / Travel

Sat24Oct2015

A storybook vacation in the land of castles, Vikings, and the original hamburger

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elena miramar and darren ballegeer Print Email

Much of Europe’s stunning beauty is due to a deep devotion to its past – it’s easy to find well-preserved homes, hotels, and castles dating from 500 or more than 1,000 years ago.

Europe is a great adventure and a great value ---

When thinking about your vacation habits, do you travel to places that feel familiar or do you look for destinations that offer a new and exciting experience? Many people are simply looking to escape their everyday life and go to a place that satisfies simple needs of sun, fun, and relaxation -- in California, Hispanics often choose Mexico, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, or other familiar places. Challenging yourself a bit to go somewhere truly different, though, will reward you in ways not possible by following your usual crowd.

Sun06Sep2015

Buddha’s beach retreat

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Darren Ballegeer Print Email

Zipolite, Mexico is a primo example of a truly unique and authentic place that is natural in its expression of life and lifestyles.

More than a nudist destination, Zipolite, Mexico offers a rare diversity of experience ---

The best travel experiences always happen in smaller destinations that are relatively unknown. The most memorable, rewarding, and authentic experiences happen in unique places that are proactively sought out or accidentally discovered through a freer style of travel.

Zipolite, Mexico is a primo example of a truly unique and authentic place that is natural in its expression of life and lifestyles. It’s a diverse and international community where people live as they choose – such freedom and diversity attract visitors from around the world and many visitors become permanent residents.

Sat11Apr2015

¿El país más amigable? Viviendo la hospitalidad irlandesa

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Darren Ballegeer Print Email

Irlanda ha sido elegido el país más amigable en el mundo dos veces desde 2009 por los lectores de Lonely Planet.

En las grandes ciudades del mundo, no es difícil para los turistas encontrar arquitectura impresionante, comida tentadora, arte histórico y opciones de vida nocturna – los aspectos más valorados de un destino por casi toda la gente. Veo, sin embargo, un aspecto más importante al juzgar el atractivo o valor de un destino; su gente. Escoger destinos por su gente tanto o más que otros aspectos de un lugar puede ser muy gratificante. La gente hace toda la diferencia en una experiencia al viajar. Es la gente local – la cultura local – lo que al final determina la calidad de tu experiencia como visitante. El servicio en tu hotel y restaurantes, tu interacción con la gente en las calles y en los cafés, tu aprendizaje cultural e histórico, y tu confianza y seguridad son todo producto de la gente local. Para mí, la gente es el aspecto más importante de un lugar cuando las atracciones y servicios usuales están presentes, o incluso cuando no lo están.

Sat11Apr2015

The friendliest country? Experiencing Ireland’s hospitality

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Darren Ballegeer Print Email

Ireland has been voted the friendliest country in the world twice since 2009 by readers of Lonely Planet.

In the world’s great cities, it’s not difficult for tourists to find grand architecture, tantalizing food, historic art, and lively nightlife – the most valued aspects of a destination for most people. I see, however, a more important aspect in judging a destination’s attractiveness or value; its people. Choosing destinations for their people as much or more than other aspects of a place can be very rewarding. People make all the difference in a travel experience. It’s the local people - the local culture - that ultimately determines the quality of your experience as a visitor. The service at your hotel and at restaurants, your interaction with people on the streets and in the cafes, your cultural and historical learning, and your safety and security are all a product of the local people. For me, people are the most important aspect of a place when the usual attractions and amenities are present, or even when they’re not present.

Sat28Mar2015

Paradise found

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Elena Miramar & Darren Ballegeer Print Email

A school of fish swim in the clean water of the Huatulco bay area. A unique place of natural beauty, Huatulco is a bright, green spot in Mexico’s environmental greyness.

Huatulco is the most clean and green place in Mexico ---

Most tourists in Mexico have simple needs; a vacation destination with beaches, hot weather, good food, and a party atmosphere. Other tourists look for a more authentic cultural experience or opportunities to connect with nature, which Mexico offers in abundance.

Connecting with nature, though, is usually not a priority in the larger tourist centers - the natural environment represents the postcard fantasy that serves as the background for tourist activities. Cleanliness of the local environment and its sustainability are not given much thought by tourists or Mexicans, so it’s no surprise that environmental pollution is a large, but largely ignored, problem.

Sat28Mar2015

Paraíso encontrado

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Elena Miramar & Darren Ballegeer Print Email

Un banco de peces nada en el agua clara de una de las bahías de Huatulco. Un lugar único de belleza natural, Huatulco es un lugar radiante y verde en la oscuridad ambiental de México.

Huatulco es el lugar más limpio y verde de México ---

La mayoría de los turistas en México tienen necesidades simples; un destino vacacional con playas, clima caluroso, comida tradicional y una atmósfera de fiesta. Otros turistas buscan una experiencia cultural auténtica u oportunidades de conectarse con la naturaleza, de las cuales México ofrece en abundancia.