The post Beautiful Belize is Waiting for You appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Belize Barrier Reef
Charles Darwin, himself, described the Belize Barrier Reef as “the most remarkable reef in the West Indies”. It is a haven for scuba divers and snorkelers. The entire reef has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but perhaps the best-known part of it is the Great Blue Hole. At least 500 fish species can be found here, including midnight parrot fish and various sharks.
(@miajohnson_1305)Mayan Ruins
You truly have your pick when it comes to sites preserving the Mayan culture. Xunantunich is famous for its 130-feet high pyramid known as El Castillo (the castle), while the ancient town of Caracol is said to have had a population of more than 100,000 during the Mayan era. If artefacts and skeletons pique your interest, head to Actun Tunichil Muknal, also known as the Cave of the Crystal Sepulchre.
Cuisine
Belize is a melting pot of cultures and its food reflects that. Expect flavors of the Caribbean, Central America, and West Africa, amongst others. Rice and beans has to be considered the top dish in Belize, but you’ve also got to try Johnnycakes, ceviche, escabeche, and cassava.
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]]>The post Don’t Leave Oaxaca Without Trying This Traditional Dish appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Mole Negro
In case the name didn’t give it away, this sauce is black and velvety. Made using roasted chilies, chocolate, nuts, spices, and a touch of burnt tortilla, it is what typically comes to mind when thinking of the Mexican dish.
Mole Coloradito
The reddish-brown mole coloradito can’t help but add an earthy vibrance to the plate. This mole combines both ancho and guajillo chilies with tomatoes, garlic, onions, nuts, and seeds.
Mole Amarillo
Yellow chili peppers give this mole a sunshiny hue. You will pick up flavors of cumin and oregano, as well as a slightly tangy taste.
Mole Rojo
Similar to coloradito, mole rojo gets its bright red from tomatoes and chilies. It is on the sweeter side, however, thanks to the addition of raisins and almonds or peanuts.
Mole Verde
Fresh herbs are the star of mole verde which translates as green mole. Cilantro, parsley, epazote, and tomatillos give this sauce a bright, refreshing feel.
Mole Chichilo
Mole Chichilo is known for its smoky and complex flavor profile. It includes unique ingredients such as pasilla chilies, blackened tortillas, avocado leaves, and various spices.
Mole Manchamanteles
Unlike most moles which derive their name from their color, mole manchamanteles translates to “tablecloth stainer”. Fruity and savory, the sauce features pineapple, plantains, and apples, along with ancho and pasilla chilies.
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]]>The post Keep Your Stuff Safe at the Beach with These Hacks appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>If you have someone with you, they can guard your stuff while you frolic in the sea. But if they choose to join you or you’re alone, you’ve got a problem on your hands. Here are some clever ways to keep your things safe.
Make Friends
Strike up a conversation with beach-goers around you and ask if they wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on your belongings. As incentive, you can offer to watch theirs when they choose to take a swim.
Buried Treasure
Who needs pirates when you can bury your belongings? Find a discreet spot, dig a shallow hole in the sand, and bury your bag, covering it with a towel or a plastic bag to keep it from getting sandy. Just make sure to remember where you buried it, or you might have your own treasure hunt when you’re ready to leave.
Bulked-Up Blanket
Your beach blanket can do more than provide a spot for you to lay down. If you are crafty, sew in some hidden pockets or create compartments using waterproof fabric. That way, you can stash your phone, wallet, and keys safely under the surface of your blanket and no one will be any the wiser.
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]]>The post Pack Some Onions Because You Can Spend a Weekend in Shrek’s Swamp appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>For a two nights this month, you will be transported to Far, Far Away, courtesy of Airbnb.
The home-sharing platform is offering guests a stay at Shrek’s Swamp, but it is not the green ogre who is renting it out. Instead, your host will be his partner-in-crime, Donkey.
“Shrek’s Swamp is lovely. Just beautiful. The perfect place to entertain guests,” claims Donkey. “You know what I like about it? Everything. The overgrown landscaping, the modest interiors, the nice boulders, all of it. I can’t wait for guests to experience this muddy slice of paradise for themselves.”
The swamp, which is covered in mud and moss, is located among the hills of the Scottish Highlands. There, guests will find Shrek’s rustic treehouse, and, of course, the iconic outhouse. Expect to swap stories around the fire, indulge in a parfait, and relax amid earwax candlelight.
Up to three guests will be able to enjoy the grand stay from October 27-29. Bookings open at 6PM (BST) on October 13, for the enticing price of £0 a night.
And if that wasn’t incentive enough, Donkey is making waffles in the morning!
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]]>The post Airbnb’s CEO Thinks That Hosts Are Overcharging appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>When Brian Chesky co-founded the company with his friend Joe Gebbia in 2008, it was based on an idea to put an air mattress in their living room and creating a makeshift bed and breakfast. The simple concept has since grown into a business worth around $9 billion.
Over the years, millions of people have signed up as hosts, opening their homes to strangers. Yet, not all hosts are fit for the task and it has left a blemish on Airbnb’s reputation.
Many travelers feel that hosts charge too much to rent a room in their home, and that going to a hotel is better and cheaper. After all, hotels don’t expect guests to do chores or charge additional cleaning fees.
After analyzing millions of customer service complaints and social media posts, Chesky is trying to improve the platform. For example, the cleaning fee is now included in the price you see.
The CEO’s advice is for hosts to look at the going rate for hotels in their area when proving their properties “so they have a sense of what travelers are getting on other platforms.”
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]]>The post Learn How to Take It Easy With Slow Travel appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Slow travel is a movement that encourages taking your time and truly immersing yourself in the places that you visit. Basically, it is the antithesis of those frenetic itineraries filled with tourist hotspots. Trust us, it will be okay if you don’t tick off every attraction that a city or country has to offer. This is why you should give it a try.
Hidden Gems
By basing yourself in one place for a significant period of time, you allow yourself the opportunity to discover many hidden gems that don’t make it to the Top 10 on a travel website. It’s about prioritizing quality over quantity.
Better for the Environment
Slow travel tends to be more eco-friendly than its faster counterparts as it often involves greener modes of transport like trains, buses, or even bicycles. It’s sustainable travel at its best.
Feel Like a Local
Taking it at an easier pace enables slow travelers to build deeper connections with locals and learn about their traditions, and contribute positively to the communities they visit. Opt for locally-owned accommodations, dine at neighborhood eateries, and support small businesses.
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]]>The post 3 Tips to Keep Baggage Weight in Check appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Pack Light, Pack Right
Before you even begin packing, check the airline’s luggage size requirements. These can vary from airline to airline, so be sure to check the one you’re actually using. The best way to avoid excess fees is to make sure your luggage is smaller and weighs less.
Wear Your Wardrobe
Trust us, heavier items are better on your body than in your bag. Try wearing bulky items like coats, sweaters, and boots. You can also get specific jackets with enough space to load your tablet, phone, and even a change of clothes!
Join the Club
Take advantage of those airline rewards programs like a pro. If you sign up and become a frequent flyer, not only do you get perks like earning miles, but airlines usually waive baggage fees; make extra weight allowances; and even check bags for free.
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]]>The post Finland is Helping Passengers Skip the Queue by Trialing Digital Passports appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>For the first time, travelers from Helsinki to the United Kingdom will be able to board a flight using a digital copy of their passport.
It is no secret that we live in a digital age where we order everything online, have video meetings with people on the other side of the globe, and use our faces to unlock our phones. But one thing that has always remained in the physical realm is passports.
Finland
(@sundas_diaries)The Finnish Border Control is taking part in a pilot project that will see Digital Travel Credentials (DTC) used in a “real border control environment” for what is believed to be the first time in the world.
The DTC is a digital version of a physical passport that supposedly equally reliable and will allow smooth and fast border crossings without compromising security.
Currently, the trial is only available to Finnish citizens and involves registering at a police station where a valid physical passport is required to make a digital version. It will also include signing a consent form and a photo being taken for facial recognition.
The DTC can be used on Finnair return flights between Helsinki and the UK until the end of February 2024.
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]]>The post Want to Get Your Favorite Drink Through Airport Security? Try This Hack appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The TSA website has long and detailed information about what you can and can’t fly with in the cabin, and liquids feature prominently on that list.
Travelers are only allowed to take liquids weighing less than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) onboard. This goes for make-up, creams, and food.
For years, people have had to discard their belongings at the security check if it exceeds those specifications. It means that any drinks that you may have brought with you for the flight often have to be thrown away long before boarding.
And while we would never encourage hacking the system which is there to keep us and fellow passengers safe, some travelers have spotted a loophole.
According to guidelines on the TSA site, ice is permitted in carry-on luggage.
“Frozen liquid items are allowed through the checkpoint as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening. If frozen liquid items are partially melted, slushy, or have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they must meet 3-1-1 liquids requirements.”
So, just keep your liquids in the freezer the night before and you’re good to go!
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]]>The post Bouncing a Baby During a Flight has Divided the Travel Community appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>An Australian woman has found herself polarizing the internet after trying to soothe her baby during a flight.
During a 14-hour flight, Aliza Carr was trying to get her 4-month-old daughter to fall asleep. This involved the mother bouncing the baby while standing near the emergency exit row.
“I know if my child’s life depended on it, she wouldn’t sleep in the plane bassinet, or even on us,” Carr wrote alongside a video posted onInstagram. “Standing, bouncing and aggressively swaying is the only way.”
While it is fairly common for babies needing to be rocked to fall asleep, some were horrified by Carr’s actions.
“If I was sitting at that exit row and paid for the extra leg room… I’d be so mad having this happening in front of me the whole flight!” one person commented.
Another remarked, “No. A hard No! You can bounce your sweet babe in the back of the plane. I’d be pissed as passenger that was forced to watch you bounce.”
According to Carr, who works as a midwife, the area is where people go to stretch and wait for the bathroom.
“I can only imagine the comments if they saw me walking up and down the plane with my boob out breastfeeding my baby for 90% of the flight,” she stated.
Who are you siding with?
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