San Andres Xecul
The small village of San Andres Xecul is located a short drive north-east of Quetzaltenango and is famous for its colourful Roman Catholic church.
The small village of San Andres Xecul is located a short drive north-east of Quetzaltenango and is famous for its colourful Roman Catholic church.
The Moncada Barracks are located in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba and, for many people, are where the Cuban Revolution began.
Despite its relative proximity to Cancun, being close to Chichen Itza means that Ek Balam receives very few visitors even though it is one of the Yucatan Peninsula’s most impressive Mayan sites.
Located on the outskirts of Quetzaltenango, the otherwise unremarkable town of Almolonga has become famous – some might say infamous – for its vegetables. Yes, its vegetables.
One of the stand-out buildings in Old Havana, the grand Museum of the Revolution occupies what was once the Presidential Palace.
Perhaps the most surprising fact about the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya in Merida is that it took quite so long to come about.
Pretty much anything you read about Antigua – especially in regards to tourism – will at some stage refer to the Arco, normally in relation to its proximity.
The name Ceibal derives from the Ceiba, a tree endemic to the region and the national symbol of Guatemala. Ceibas were also considered sacred by the ancient Maya who believed that these enormous trees somehow connected the earth and sky.
Even before Instagram, everyone loved a hotel with a view and there are a number of hotels in Cuba that tick this particular box.
British Airways have recently announced further improvements to its World Traveller Plus cabin which will be introduced through 2019.
Castillo de San Felipe de Lara is a 17th century Spanish colonial fort, located at the head of a narrow channel where the Rio Dulce meets Laguna Izabal.
It might be just 27 miles inland from the Yucatan Peninsula’s fabled east coast, but the ancient Mayan city of Coba goes largely unnoticed by the beach brigade.
What comes to mind when you think of Cuba? Perhaps music and dancing in a steamy basement bar, with a fat cigar in one hand and glass of rum in the other?
Established in 1972, UNESCO World Heritage sites are locations of global significance, both cultural and / or natural. As of 2018 there were 35 World Heritage sites in Mexico of which 5 are located within the Yucatan Peninsula.
Spain’s largest airline, Iberia, has announced that it will be offering its new Premium Economy cabin on flights between Madrid & Havana.
The sudden and tragic death of Anthony Bourdain earlier this year has had me watching pretty much the entire back catalogue of his eponymous Netflix show, ‘Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown’.
The Yucatan Peninsula is famous for its luxury, hacienda accommodation and, in my opinion, these are five of the best.
In a previous feature, I wrote about where to visit, and for how long, in western Cuba. This time, I’ll be looking at eastern Cuba.
Keen as we are to promote travel that ventures 'beyond the ordinary', this Guatemala tour - Kites, Culture & Traditions - certainly fits the bill.
With their origins in 16th Century Holland, and specifically the writings of Menno Simons, the Mennonites are a sub-sect of the Anabaptist Christian tradition
When it comes to Cuba and literature there are no end of options to choose from. Here are just three of my favourites.
It is now some 23 years since my first trip to Cuba and while some aspects of travel & holidays to the island have changed significantly others have barely changed at all.
Located just across the border in Honduras, is it worth the detour to Copan?
The following summary isn’t meant to be 100% comprehensive and is really just a guide to what, in my opinion at least, are the more interesting new, forthcoming and planned Cuba hotels.
Did Bob Dylan ever visit Cayo Las Brujas? No, I don’t think so – although the title to his 1964 song is somewhat appropriate.
Congratulations to the Phoenix Resort in San Pedro, Caye Ambergris which, as per the feedback from users, comes in at 12th place in the annual TripAdvisor list of the top 25 luxury hotels in the world
Although Cuba’s high season is traditionally viewed as running from the start of November to the end of April, many of those-in-the-know like to visit Cuba in May.
Plaza Vieja 1912 is the latest, upmarket casa particular to open in the Cuban capital, Havana.
A brief guide to Virgin Atlantic's new fare structure for flights in economy class.
An aerial view of the beautiful reefs of Belize by videographer Brandon Martin, filmed using a drone in 4K.
A guide to the key tourist destinations of the western half of Cuba and how long to spend at each one.
When deciding what to pack for Cuba, it may seem somewhat glib to say “Everything” but, as you read on, you may find such advice pretty close to the mark.
Anyone who has visited Guatemala’s northern province of Peten (or the neighbouring southern reaches of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula) will know that the region is sparsely populated and largely covered by a dense jungle blanket which stretches for mile after mile.
If you’re taking a domestic flight in Cuba, especially between Havana and either Holguin or Santiago, chances are you’ll be flying aboard the unique Antonov AN 158.
Within the last month, the government of Belize has made the huge decision to ban all future oil exploration in its territorial waters.
Many visitors to Cuba cite the island’s lack of commercialism as being one of its key draws although there are both Pros and Cons to ‘Uncommercial Cuba’.
A rundown of the top ten reasons to visit Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on holiday.
What do a frog, a brain, a monkey, an alien, the Virgin Mary and Scooby Doo all have in common? Well, if you ask your guide to point them out, and use a bit of imagination, then there are rock and stalactite formations resembling each of the aforementioned in the Lanquin Caves.
Located some 20kms from Santiago de Cuba in the beautiful foothills of the Sierra Maestre, El Cobre is Cuba’s most important pilgrimage site.
First things first, I should mention that this article on where to stay in Guatemala City is directed purely at leisure travellers – those on business will probably have different requirements, circumstances etc.
When making your travel arrangements, we understand just how important peace-of-mind is. Beyond The Ordinary hold both ATOL & ABTOT bonds so whether you book your flights through us, or independently, any money you pay us is 100% protected. More detailed information on Financial Protection can be found by clicking here.
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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