Let's Go Places Travel News

Hello

We are back from Germany! Two flights, three airports, one wheelchair (the double stroller was checked through), and 10+ flying hours later, and I'm proud to say I survived on my own with my two-year-old twin boys. The quality time we enjoyed there, with my large family, (my boys are now talking more German than English) made all that additional stress worthwhile.

We did have to modify our original Germany travel plan after we found out that our boys needed to quarantine for 5 days upon arrival since they are not vaccinated ... but despite that hiccup, everything worked out in the end. International travel is still very possible in times of COVID, you just need to be a bit more flexible!

As the northern Germany temperatures cooled, with fall fast approaching, we packed our bags, said our goodbyes, and headed back to warm Virginia for the last days of summer.

But neither Germany nor Virginia is our focus for today. Instead, it is incredible Mexico!

Did you know that Mexico is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world?

Mexico is home to around 10% of the planet's species of terrestrial animals and plants, in numbers that equates to more than 200,000 different species. That is why it ranks fifth on the list of the 17 most mega-diverse countries in the world.

And that's reason enough for us to focus this edition on this beautiful country right on our doorstep.

TropiQ Trips Blog

5 Reasons To Travel to Central America This Year

Located between the two mighty continents of North and South America, Central America is often overlooked as a top travel destination, despite its vast tourist potential.

This area has tropical weather throughout the year, amazing history, cultural richness, and beautiful nature. It is also home to some of the most vibrant cities in the world.

You can learn about ancient civilizations, visit rain forests and admire the incredible architecture. Other pastimes include chilling on the beach along the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, seeing mighty volcanoes, trying delicious food, and much more. Here are 5 reasons to travel to Central America this year:

Tour Of The Week

Mexico Family Vacation

Mexico, our neighbor to the South and the most northerly country in Latin America, offers beautiful white Caribbean beaches with turquoise waters on the Riviera Maya. But on the Yucatan Peninsula, your family can explore a lot more as you will soon find out in our Mexico Family Vacation.

White beaches and Mayan temples are just a tiny part of our Mexico family vacation packages. Colonial cities, swimming in cenotes, cooking classes, and haciendas are also waiting for you.

Our Mexico family vacation provides an excellent mix of culture, nature, adventure, and relaxation. It offers accommodation in local hotels, great excursions, and private transfers. No route planning and driving are necessary. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

Mexico

Heading to Mexico? These Are the COVID Restrictions in Place

From Tulum to Oaxaca, here's what to expect if you're visiting Mexico, from pre-departure requirements to what's open on the ground.

Considering a getaway south of the border? As we all inch back out there, Mexico certainly has appeal, thanks to its proximity to the United States and familiarity for American travelers—especially at a time when traveling abroad is still nebulous.

In fact, with most of Europe and many other destinations off the table as of late, some parts of Mexico saw an increase in American arrivals late last year when compared to the same time in 2019. According to the Washington Post, the state of Quintana Roo, which is home to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, saw a 23 percent rise in U.S. visitors.

11 things you should know before visiting Mexico

In early February 2020, before the coronavirus brought the world to a standstill, I visited Mexico for the first time. I had planned to spend around 10 days there.

I ended up spending 23 days.

Why? Because I simply didn’t want to leave. It was one of the best countries I have ever visited, with incredible food and drinks, color, music, vibrancy and people. I could have easily spent a month there.

One of the reasons I had only planned 10 days to start with was because I hadn’t done that much research about the country before arriving. Here’s what you should know before planning your trip to this fantastic destination.

San Miguel de Allende Is Mexico's Hidden Treasure — and Its Rosewood Hotel the Main Prize

It’s time to see a different side of Mexico.

After what felt like a lifetime of lockdowns and restrictions, the world is finally open-ish. Many destinations are still closed to Americans and others are working through what it means to welcome international travelers in a newly vaccinated and unvaccinated world.

Unlike the rest of the world, Mexico has always been open to Americans and the past year saw travelers flocking to the sandy shores of Cancun, Riviera Maya, and Tulum. Many, like myself, were coming down with Mexico fatigue and itching for somewhere new.

If you ask many frequent travelers to Mexico, they have never even heard of San Miguel de Allende. Yet the small colonial city, located a short three-hour drive from Mexico City, has made a huge name for itself in the travel industry.

What San Miguel lacks in beaches and flashy resorts it makes up for in charm. From the colorful architecture and cobblestone streets to the vibrant culture and burgeoning culinary scene, the city has something for every type of traveler, minus the throngs of ocean-seeking tourists.

5 Reasons the Food in Mexico City is More Than Just Tacos

Here are 5 more things you may not know about the way this city eats.

The traditional Central Mexican diet is full of fruits and vegetables.

Fresh juices are available on the street year-round, and markets carry beautiful guavas, papaya, mamey, pineapple, and melon pretty much all the time. Cactus is used in all sorts of preparations, the most popular being a delicious salad of lightly boiled cactus strips, onion, and herbs.

Hotel Spotlight

:: Rosa Del Viento Hotel & Resort Tulum ::

Sleep in the murmur of breaking waves in one of the 14 rooms directly on the paradisiacal beach of white sands or you may prefer to immerse yourself in nature in one of the 26 rooms surrounded by a vast tropical garden and partial view of the dreamy Caribbean Sea.

Secluded palm-shaded corners, charming fishing villages, and exclusive tourist centers are just a few of the wonders awaiting the tourist along the 100-mile strip of coastline known as the Cancun-Tulum Corridor. The biggest attraction of Tulum is its beaches. Walk and admire the blue/green of the sea, the tropical vegetation, the moonrise over the sea. Rosa del Viento is located very close to the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve. Renting a bicycle or going for a beach walk will surely be some of your favorite daily activities.

Around The World

Best Places to Travel With Kids for Adventure, History, and Culture

From Fiji to Uganda to Patagonia, these unexpected kid-friendly destinations around the world offer experiences the whole family will enjoy.

Among the many lessons this year has provided, we fully understand that travel is a privilege, and it can be taken away at the drop of a hat, as can the spectacular gifts the world has given us — elephants, coral reefs, ancient forests, art, and architecture. Travel — regenerative, conscientious, and intentional trips — has the power to change us all.

So, yes, we are dreaming big for the future. And if pandemic restrictions, vaccines, political stability, and dreams allow, we will make it to one of the following destinations soon.

About

This travel update is brought to you twice a month by Anja Phillips, owner of TropiQ Trips. If you enjoy these free, curated updates and want to help out a small business, please forward our sign-up page and share it on Social Media. Thanks so much.

TropiQ Trips provides customized tours to Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, Belize, and other countries in Central America & the world. We create unique travel experiences - at no extra cost to you!

Tourism is a critical revenue source for nearly every country in the world. We work with local agencies in each of our destinations. When you travel with us, you support small hotels, businesses, and local families, not big cooperations - here and there.

If you’d like to get started with planning your once-in-a-lifetime vacation, please reach out by replying to this email, emailing us, or scheduling a call.

I can't wait to work with you!

Anja