Haciendas of the Yucatan
Sep 01, 2016
Mexico
Undoubtedly one of the highlights of any holiday to Mexico is the opportunity to visit or stay in one of the haciendas of the Yucatan.
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Welcome to our Features
Guatemalan Coffee
Aug 31, 2016
Guatemala
Let’s face it, go to any coffee growing country in the world and you will receive an impassioned eulogy explaining exactly why their coffee is the best in the world. Guatemalan coffee is no different.
Habaguanex – The Business of Heritage
Aug 31, 2016
Cuba
Habaguanex was formed in January 1994 and is essentially the commercial arm of Havana’s City Historian’s Office; think of it in terms of the UK’s National Trust having their own tourism business and you will get the gist of things.
Is The Yucatan Safe?
Aug 30, 2016
Mexico
If truth be told, Mexico does not have a great reputation for law and order and with good reason. So why are we so relaxed about travel to the Yucatan?
Teatro Tomas Terry
Aug 30, 2016
Cuba
Located on the northern side of Parque Jose Marti, the Teatro Tomas Terry is probably the single most impressive building in the city of Cienfuegos on Cuba's south coast.
The Garifuna of Livingston
Aug 29, 2016
Guatemala
While the vast majority of Guatemala’s population can be described as indigenous Mayan, Spanish descent or mixed, the Garifuna population of Livingston on the country’s Caribbean coast is entirely different.
Villa Ranguana – Placencia
Aug 26, 2016
Belize
Of the limited selection of hotels in Placencia Village (and please note, we are talking purely about the Village here and not Maya Beach) our favourite is Villa Ranguana.
Morro Castle – Santiago
Aug 26, 2016
Cuba
Although often referred to as the Morro Castle, the correct name of Santiago de Cuba's iconic castle is San Pedro de la Roca.
Cuba Travel Insurance – Need To Know
Aug 25, 2016
Cuba
There can be no over-stating the importance of travel insurance – no matter where in the world you are visiting – although with Cuba there are additional factors that need to be taken into account.
Che Guevara
Aug 25, 2016
Cuba
No matter whether you have any interest in Cuba history, you cannot visit the island and escape the presence, almost 50 years after his death, of Che Guevara.
Driving in Cuba
Aug 24, 2016
Cuba
Driving in Cuba - are you mad? Well no actually, although that is probably the response you’ll get if you suggest the possibility of Cuba Fly Drive holiday to the not-so-adventurous travel community.
Cenotes of the Yucatan
Aug 23, 2016
Mexico
Taken from the Mayan word, dzonot, meaning a well, cenotes are natural sinkholes, the result of collapsed limestone bedrock exposing the subterranean groundwater. They are found both inland and by the coast and can be either freshwater or saltwater.
The Guatemala Chicken Bus
Aug 22, 2016
Guatemala
What comes into your mind when you think of Guatemala? Spewing volcanoes, lush jungles, towering Mayan temples, a multitude of different ethnic groups……or a Chicken Bus?
Cuba FAQ
Aug 22, 2016
Cuba
Although holidays to Cuba are now very much in the mainstream, there is still a fair degree of confusion regards many aspects of travel to the island, hence my own summary of Cuba FAQ.
What Is An ATOL – And Why Is It Important
Aug 19, 2016
General
An ATOL is an Air Transport Organisers Licence which allows a tour operator to put together and sell a package holiday, either via a travel agent or direct to the public. It is administered by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) in the UK.
Virgin Atlantic Varadero Flights
Aug 19, 2016
Cuba
Commencing Sunday 2nd April 2017, Virgin Atlantic will commence weekly flights from London Gatwick to the Cuban beach resort of Varadero.
The Cuban Casa Particular
Aug 18, 2016
Cuba
A casa particular (normally abbreviated to just ‘casa’) is a cross between a traditional homestay and a UK style Bed & Breakfast
The Belize Chocolate Company
Aug 18, 2016
Belize
The Belize Chocolate Company is based in San Pedro on the beautiful Belizean island of Caye Ambergris.
A Short Hop In Belize – Corozal to Caye Ambergris
Aug 17, 2016
Belize
As a small country, one of the many joys of taking a holiday to Belize are the short travel distances involved as well as the sheer ease of travel. On my most recent visit to the country, my first internal journey, from Corozal to Caye Ambergris, took under an hour.
La Cabana Havana
Aug 16, 2016
Cuba
Referred to as either the largest, second largest or even third largest fort in the Americas, La Cabana Havana is a vast 18th century fort that overlooks Havana from the eastern side of the bay.
Flying Via Houston with United – One Stop
Aug 12, 2016
General
While there are direct, scheduled flights between the UK and Mexico (both Cancun & Mexico City), the same can’t be said for Guatemala; nor is that likely to change any time soon. So, indirect flight it is.
Museum of the Struggle Against Bandits
Aug 11, 2016
Cuba
Museum of the Struggle Against Bandits - it’s doesn’t really roll off the tongue, and the (eventual) website name will be a challenge, but this quirky museum in Trinidad is well worth a visit.
Holbox – A Journey Back In Time
Aug 09, 2016
Mexico
In a previous article we talked about Playa del Carmen which, over the space of some 40 years, has morphed from a charming little fishing village with a lovely beach into a thriving, mini-city that just so happens to have a lovely beach.
Saving Oscar The Grouch
Aug 08, 2016
Belize
Atop a steep hill above San Ignacio is the smartest hotel in town (smart enough for the Queen to have been a guest on her visit to Belize in February 1994), the San Ignacio Resort Hotel; and very nice it is too.
Palacio de los Capitanes Generales
Aug 05, 2016
Cuba
Havana is a city full of museums so, for anyone whose time is limited, deciding which ones to visit is an important consideration. Amongst the best, at least in our opinion, is the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales.
Gran Teatro De La Habana
Aug 04, 2016
Cuba
After a major renovation program, the Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso (to give it its catchy, full title) is once again open to the public and showcasing the very best in Cuban cultural performances.
US Flights To Cuba – Ready, Steady, Wait.
Aug 03, 2016
Cuba
Although the US trade embargo with Cuba remains in place, severely limiting the ability of airlines to fly freely between the 2 countries, the phoney war is certainly beginning to hot-up when it comes to discussing US flights to Cuba.
Chicken Pepian
Aug 03, 2016
Guatemala
Chicken Pepian is one of the most traditional dishes to be found in Guatemala and, thus far, also ranks as my favourite. It’s not hard to make at home although not you might not have all the ingredients sitting around in your kitchen cupboard.
Casablanca – Havana
Aug 02, 2016
Cuba
No, nope not the famous film, nor even the Moroccan city, but a quiet waterfront district on the ‘other side’ of Havana Bay.
Playa del Carmen – Paradise Lost?
Aug 01, 2016
Mexico
Once a small, sleepy fishing village with a beautiful beach, Playa del Carmen – or Playa as it is now more commonly known - was first ‘discovered’ by independent travellers back in the 70’s, searching for an altogether less commercial, more authentic alternative to the rapidly growing fun-factory that is Cancun.
Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy – Up or Down?
Aug 01, 2016
General
For those who can’t stretch to business class – and that will cover the vast majority of travellers – Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy offers a bit more space and comfort at more affordable rates.
Caibarien
Jul 29, 2016
Cuba
If you’re hankering to get off the tourist-radar in Cuba, but not have to travel for hours to the middle of nowhere, you could do a lot worse than Caibarien.
Marie Sharp’s – A Taste of Belize
Jul 29, 2016
Belize
Go to any restaurant or food-shack in Belize and you can be pretty certain of one thing being on the menu – a Marie Sharp’s hot pepper sauce or other condiment.
Dhawa Cayo Las Brujas
Jul 28, 2016
Cuba
The Dhawa Cayo Las Brujas is set to open later this year and promises to be one of the most innovative and luxurious beach hotels in Cuba.
Eating Out In the Yucatan
Jul 27, 2016
Mexico
Mexicans are proud of their national cuisine which varies from region to region. The Yucatan is no exception with numerous local specialities happily rubbing shoulders with pan Mexican favourites and a wide selection of international options.
Quirigua
Jul 27, 2016
Guatemala
By the standards of Guatemala’s most famous Mayan sites, such as those at Tikal & Yaxha, the small settlement of Quirigua might come as something of a let-down.
Paying For Your Holiday By Credit Card
Jul 26, 2016
General
Section 75 of the UK Consumer Credit Act 1974 stipulates that if you, the consumer, pay for something costing between £100 and £30,000 by credit card, then the provider of that credit (ie the credit card company) is equally liable if anything goes wrong.
Mexico City & Belize Holiday
Jul 26, 2016
Belize
If you live in the UK / mainland Europe, and are planning a Belize holiday, the first thing you will discover is that not only are there no direct flights but there aren’t even any same day connecting flights on the outbound journey.
Pansea Trinidad
Jul 26, 2016
Cuba
On a hill overlooking Trinidad, a new hotel is slowly taking shape. Very, very slowly. The Pansea Trinidad is the first of what is eventually hoped to be a collection of 4 luxury hotels in Cuba – the other properties being the Pansea Havana, Pansea Vinales & Pansea Santa Lucia.
Cuba Tourist Office In London
Jul 26, 2016
Cuba
The Cuba Tourist Office in London is located within the Cuban Embassy at 167 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6PA. Their website contains plenty of general information regards travel to Cuba as well as a helpful list of all the UK tour operators that offer holidays to Cuba.
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Make your next holiday Beyond The Ordinary
Whichever of our featured countries you wish to visit, we've been there several times. So, if you're after something beyond the ordinary to Cuba, Guatemala or the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, we'd love to hear from you.
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