Central America Archives - Seek Your Trip

December 24, 2016 by Arlene

Exotic Destinations to Try in 2017

If you are already starting to think of where to head in 2017, now is the time to make your travel plans. Clueless on your next destination? We are here to help you decide. Keep on reading and we’ll suggest some of the places that should be on your list.

Iran

Many may think that Iran is an unsafe country, but in reality, there is nothing that you should be worried about. Even if you are on your own, you will not have a problem. With its many attractions, one that you should see is the Persepolis, which translates to City of the Persians. The Tomb of Hafez is another landmark that draws tourists. There are also plenty of mosques that you can visit. The Kaluts desert is also beautiful, which is best experienced through hiking just in time to view the breath-taking sunset. Of course, your visit is never complete without having a sample of Persian cuisine. It has a distinct taste that will surely make your appetite love Iran.

Guatemala

This is one country that many of you might not heard of, and hence, only a few are interested. Once you’ve had the chance to explore Guatemala and you’ve got to know its beauty, for sure, you will be easily convinced to include it in your travel plans. Among others, ancient Mayan ruins are amongst its top attractions. Lake Atitlan, which is only three hours away from Guatemala City, should be included in your itinerary. There are also many volcanoes that you can see, including Volcan Santiaguito and Volcan Pacaya. For those who are looking for physical activities, hiking is a must. There are also unique markets that are excellent for finding souvenirs.

Tanzania

If you love the idea of visiting Africa, start with Tanzania, and for sure, you will not be disappointed. One of the reasons to visit Tanzania is the fact that it is home of the three of the Seven Natural Wonders that you can find in Africa. To add, it has seven World Heritage Sites. From its many attractions, one that you should experience would be the wildlife and birdlife. There are plenty of national parks and game reserves, providing you with the perfect opportunity to have an encounter with animals in the wild. One that you should visit is the Serengeti National Park, which is popular for the annual Serengeti migration. If you want to go hiking, meanwhile, consider visiting Kilimanjaro.

Japan

Technology is one thing that made Japan popular all over the world. Visiting Japan is an opportunity to personally experience the technology that it is known for. You will not have a problem going from one destination to another because they have a world-class bullet train. While there are many places worth checking out, Tokyo, its capital, is one that should not be missed. Here, you can shop for endless toys and sample the best of Japanese cuisine. If you want to go skiing, on the other hand, the powder snow of Niseko will be appealing.

April 17, 2013 by Arlene

Beautiful Costa Rica and the Florblanca Resort

Whether you’re a nature lover, an adventure seeker, or you just like relaxing in the sun, the tropical regions of Costa Rica are the perfect choice for a romantic getaway – or a family vacation full of adventure.

Located in Central America and nestled between Nicaragua and Panama, Costa Rica offers visitors extraordinary tropical rain forests, beautiful sandy beaches, superb nature preserves, and some of the finest luxury resorts in the world. Experience the unpopulated beaches on a romantic getaway, or plan an itinerary full of amazing activities; from hiking through the rain forest, horseback riding along the beach, to river rafting down the white water rapids of the Pacuare river, the variety here is endless.

Florblanca Resort and Activities

Located on the stunning beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula, Florblanca Resort offers guests all the amenities of a five star luxury resort, and all the activities that satisfy the more adventuresome and curious guests.

Surf

Here you can learn how to paddle board with experienced instructors out onto the aqua blue waters of the Pacific. After a short lesson, guests paddle out towards the Cabo Blanco Reserve, then back towards Mar Azul point viewing the marine life and beautiful scenery along the way. The ride is about an hour and a half. Surfing lessons are also provided on the beautiful beach breaks that offer long rides in warm waters. Surfboards for beginners and advanced surfers are provided by the resort.

Horseback riding on the beach

Enjoy a tour of the area on horseback while exploring the 9,000 acre working cattle ranch that borders the sea. Here you’ll see amazing views of the ocean as you climb the surrounding hills overlooking the sea; you’ll see colorful birds of an amazing variety, and monkeys howl and swing from the trees above. A horseback ride along the beach at sunset can be an experience to remember for years to come.

Sport fishing

Sport fishing tours are an extremely rewarding experience and depart frequently from the nearby town of Malpais. Captains are knowledgeable, skilled local fisherman that will point out important features of the area as you fish for Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Grouper, Snapper, Roosterfish, and more. A unique feature of the Florblanca resort is that after a day of fishing, you get to bring your catch back to the resort where Chef Spencer will prepare it for you at Nectar Restaurant. You can request a particular dish such as tasty fish tacos – or you can have him surprise you with a delectable dish of his own.

Excursions

There’s a variety of amazing sightseeing excursions that depart daily from the resort and are highly recommended. Take the Mal Pais and Montezuma Waterfall Excursion With All Terrain Vehicles. First, you’ll fly above the sixty acre jungle canopy and enjoy amazing views of the Pacific ocean and surrounding Islands. Next you’ll board all Terrain Vehicles and tour beautiful farmland as you ride along the serene coastline to Montezuma, where you’ll visit a delightful waterfall. Jump off the rocks into the pool below. Afterwards, you can stroll through the town of Montezuma and take in some local cuisine at a beachfront restaurant before heading back. Make sure to bring shoes that can get wet!

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This post was contributed by Jenny Cooper from Monkey Insurance. Check them out for travel insurance comparison.

Photo by clevertag on Flickr

April 1, 2013 by Arlene

Five Magnificent Places In The World For Deep Sea Diving

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When determining the next place to cross off of your wish-list of destinations to visit, then you really must consider one of these six magnificent places in the world for deep sea diving.

The Galapagos Islands

Certainly one of the most spectacular places on our magnificent planet has to be the Galapagos Islands. Made famous by the research of Darwin, the Galapagos offer views into ocean life and aquatic species that exist at no other place in the world.
Many of these creatures have evolved to be well-suited for the exact conditions present here on the islands. Being that the islands are quite a distance from any other mainland, unique species have evolved here that exist nowhere else in the world. The animals and ocean life on the Galapagos Islands have never learned to fear humans. This allows for spectacular viewing opportunities that can only be found here. You will see animals and sea life acting in their normal behavior, unaffected by human activity, and in their natural surroundings; A once in a lifetime experience.

Lady Elliot Island, Great Barrier Reef

If it’s the Manta Rays that you’re wanting to see, then you will be left in total and complete awe of these amazing creatures as they glide effortlessly through the aqua blue waters of Lady Elliot Island, Great Barrier Reef. During the Winter months, the massive manta rays are known to populate the area. This small island contains just one resort and one airstrip, so be prepared for a slower paced lifestyle here. The deep sea diving that can be found at Lady Elliot Island will rival any other location on the planet. The reputation of The Great Barrier Reef speaks for itself, and you won’t be disappointed.

Cayman Islands

The historic volcanic activity of the prehistoric past at Cayman Islands has helped to create one of the most exquisite of all the underwater environments. The Cayman trench has forged tremendous vertical walls that stretch as far as the eye can see. The Trench is the premier feature of the Cayman Islands which encompasses Cayman Brac, Little Cayman, and the infamous Grand Cayman Island. One of the features that make the Cayman Islands unique to any other is the unparalleled underwater clarity that make these islands perfectly suited for deep sea diving.

Bay Islands, Honduras

Groupers, Creole, and a wide variety of marine-life swim through the deep blue currents of Half Moon Bay Wall. Here, an underwater tunnel takes divers through a dazzling display of sea sponges, sea fans, black coral, and amazing sea creatures of all types. There is also a deep fissure named Mary’s Place. During the right time of day, Mary’s Place might become illuminated with moving streaks of sunlight that appear to dance through the water. At other times of the day, Mary’s Place can have an eerie and ominous feeling. In any case, these underwater drop-offs and ever changing coral make scuba diving here an experience of a lifetime.

Hawaii

How can we have a top six deep sea diving list and not mention Hawaii? As you relax and enjoy luxurious Maui Villas, take advantage of all the island has to offer during your vacation. Known for its popular scuba diving destinations, Hawaii has many unique diving sites that can be reached year round. One particular feature that makes diving in Hawaii so spectacular are the night dives that are available here. Arm yourself with a flashlight and dive into the dark waters of the sea. When you turn the flashlight, plankton becomes attracted to it which attracts manta ray and other underwater ocean life. This make for the most unique underwater spectacle that many never get the opportunity to experience.

March 28, 2013 by Arlene

6 Ways to Keep Your Home Safe While on Vacation

A traveller’s greatest nightmare is to return from his trip only to find his home has been damaged or robbed. Hopefully thefts and disasters aren’t anything you’ll have to worry about but there are definitely things you can do ahead of time to make sure things are better protected .

1. Secure your home

Make doubly sure, before you leave, that all doors and windows are locked and securely fastened. The locks must be of high quality and pick resistant. Pet doors are often forgotten and must also be sealed. Keep in mind that windows are more easily broken, but yet can keep out petty thieves and truant children when properly closed. Do not leave unintentional clues of what lies inside the house, to the burglars, for example, do not leave the box of some expensive home appliance outside the house or near the kitchen windows.

2. Use burglar alarms and other security devices

Burglar alarms can dissuade a burglar trying to make an entry into the house. Make sure the alarms are functioning properly and are turned on. Outdoor sensor lights which turn on with movement can deter crooks from even coming too close to the fence. They’ll second guess messing with the locks and windows when bright spotlights unexpectedly turn on in front and back of your house.

3. Make Sure You Have Quality Home Insurance

Being away on vacation makes your home at higher risk than normal. It’s always best to do a little research and make sure you have the best insurance available. Various insurance companies offer home owners insurance policies to cover the risk of burglary and theft, fire, natural disasters etc. Depending on the policy coverage, insurance will compensate you for the loss you have suffered in the case of any unfortunate event. Home owners are also advised to check and compare home insurance quotes online in order to get the best deal. They are also advised to take a video recording of the contents of the house just before they leave. This will serve as evidence to identify the items lost in case of burglary.

4. Take help from the neighbors

Ask a trustworthy neighbour to keep an eye on the house while you are away. Request him to collect the mail and dailies from the house as these, if uncollected, indicate that the occupants of the house are away. Neighbors are also great for watering forgotten plants, taking care of any pets, or using your swimming pool to make it seem like someone is actually home.

5. Maintain the house as if it was lived in

Always maintain the house in the same condition as if it was lived in. Have the hedges trimmed and the lawns mowed and cleaned. The lights of the house both on the inside and outside may be kept on with timers. Before you leave, ensure that the lights on the street adjacent to your house are working.

6. Install surveillance cameras

This is an expensive option and may not be within every one’s budget. However, there is no doubt that the deterrent value itself of a surveillance system is immense. Modern cameras can even be remotely operated and you can view what is happening in your home in real time.

So remember whether you have your neighbors helps out or do great online research for best contents insurance quotes before you go, you are steps closer to having a safer home this holiday.

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Photo by nataliejohnson on Flickr