Our diverse team here at VIP Journeys celebrate "Latin America Christmas" in different ways depending on where they were born or where they live. We thought we would explore and share their local experiences with you.For more than 2,000 years, Christians around the world have celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ annually on December 25. Today, Christmas retains most of its religious symbolism (and also some Pre-Christian pagan rituals.)
Read MoreLast year, in honor of the World Oceans Day, we paid homage to our Top 10 favorite national marine reserves in Latin America around the theme “healthy oceans, healthy planet.” The post, featuring 10 national marine parks taking action to ensure a healthy planet and oceans, as well as providing future generations with amazing places to learn about the world beneath the sea.
Read MoreEarlier this week, the world celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDBD). This event, held annually since 1993, was created by the U.N. General Assembly "to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues." Although the day originally was commemorated in late December each year, it was moved to May 22 some years later due (at least in part) to difficulties surrounding a date so close to...
Read MorePeople often think of cruises as massive floating hotels built to embark on ocean voyages carrying thousands of passengers across long distances. We all know the big cruise lines continue to build more and more lavish ships with all manner of activities, but this isn't the best way to get up close and personal with the destinations you've spent your life dreaming of. What's more, this style of cruise experience isn't for everyone. Nowhere is this more true than in Central and South America...
Read MoreIn honor of the U.S. National Park Service’s centennial birthday celebration this week here at home, there’s never been a better time to share our favorite national parks abroad. From glaciers in South America, to Mayan ruins in Central America, our continental neighbors to the south boast some of the most awe-inspiring national parks in the world. We’ve covered national marine reserves before...
Read MoreEarlier this week, Americans celebrated their independence from Colonial rule. This annual tradition, held each year on July 4, marks the signing of the Declaration of Independence after the Revolutionary War and represents the official separation of the United States from the vast British Empire.Though the holiday wouldn’t be referred to as “Independence Day” for many years to come, the first celebration of U.S. independence took place July 4, 1777...
Read MoreFavorite SCUBA and Snorkel Spots - There's just something about being elbow to elbow under water with marine life that makes a person feel alive. From huge schools of tropical fish to large pelagic dinosaurs, nothing can quite compare to scuba diving and snorkeling in the deep blue sea.Whether you prefer shore, wall, deep or some other variety of dive or snorkel...
Read MoreHere at VIP Tour Group, we agree with author Helen Keller that “life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” That’s why we make it our business to plan distinctive one-of-a-kind journeys to Central and South America for a wide variety of travel styles and personal interests.
Read MoreOutside of Carnival, there are no bigger celebrations in all of Latin America than those that take place to ring in the New Year. Traditions are wild, colorful and, in many cases, hold great significance for revelers, so a trip to Central or South America for New Year’s Eve brings not only a raucous good time but also a peek into other cultures.
Read MoreScientists estimate there likely have been millions of active volcanoes throughout our planet’s lifespan, but in recent history there are only about 1,500 known active volcanoes. Of those, 75 percent occur within the Pacific Ring of Fire, and as many as 20 are erupting somewhere on Earth on any given day. Humbling, awe-inspiring and formidable, volcanos...
Read MoreWhether you call it soccer or football, the sport affectionately referred to as “the beautiful game” is the most popular sport in the world. Two of its biggest stars rank in the top 10 highest paid sportsmen. Five out of 10 of the world’s highest attended sports leagues are soccer leagues. And, an estimated 600 million people watched the World Cup final in 2014.
Read More10 Best Beaches in Latin America, by our trip designers at VIP Journeys! When filmmaker Bruce Brown followed fellow surfers around the world in The Endless Summer, nomadic surf culture was cemented as a carefree part of the American psyche. But, the seminal 1996 documentary certainly wasn’t the beginning of hanging ten. That honor goes back 200 more years to 1776—
Read MoreConsidered by travelers to be amongst the best attractions for getting a glimpse into the culture and history of a place, museums also are an excellent measure of the economic climate of an area, as they have far-reaching impact beyond their own walls and draw the “creative class” to a city. The 2012 Museum Index, and its sister report, the Theme Index
Read MoreAuthor Mark Twain famously said, “Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the Earth all of one’s lifetime.” Nowhere is this sentiment more true than cultural travel.Sure, it’s relaxing to sip a rum runner with your toes covered in white sand, and everyone needs some time to decompress and the fine art of doing nothing at all, but to really connect with humanity...
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