Thanks to our wonderful and awesome co-organizers, co-hosts, and friends Gidsy for helping with the planning and lending their loft for the event space. A big thanks as well to all our sponsors that helped make this event possible: Visit Berlin, PhoCusWright, ibis family, Uber, Jameson Irish Whiskey and ITB Berlin. 

We hope you all had a great time and that you enjoy the ITB conference and your time in Berlin. We look forward to seeing you all and more at the next event. 

photo via @ltom

For decades now, cameras have been a sure bet item on any traveler’s checklist. Within recent years, smartphones and tablets have been added to that list. Because of this, we have seen the emergence of photography apps that have quickly bridged the gap between traditional photography and photography on-the-go. Here we’ve rounded up 5 photography apps that we think any traveler should pack their smartphone with before heading out on their next adventure.

Instagram (free): no photography app list would be complete without Instagram. One of the first photo apps and surely one of the most popular, it’s most people’s go-to app. With many filters and the tilt-shift blur effect, a little flare can be added to any or all photos. It’s perfect for uploading quickly and across numerous platforms all at once. 

AutoStitch Panorama (1,79€): For those feeling a little daring with their smartphone camera, give this app a whirl. Take a bunch of photos across any horizon and up to the sky, and stitch them all together to create one big panoramic view. You’ll be creating breathtaking panoramic shots in no time.

Dynamic Light (0,89€): If you want to give your photos an extra kick and really pump up the wow factor, than check out this app. Take any previously shot photo, run it through Dynamic Light and you’ll be showcasing slick HDRs like a pro. Single exposure shots never looked so yesterday.

Viddy (free): If you want to share more than just photos of your travels and adventures, Viddy is a great fix for that. Viddy allows users to create and share short videos. With a range of filters, 4 different frame rate adjustments and even music tracks to add to your videos, you’re bound to have some fun recording your travels. 

Postagram (free): Finally, take all your awesome new photos and put them to good use. Instead of finding another generic postcard and spending precious time looking for the nearest post office, customize your own personal postcards using any of your photos and send them to your loved ones. Simply provide a photo, the address of your recipient, an optional 180-character message, pay the postage fee and your personalized postcard is on its way!

Have fun photographing your adventures! 

How many places can you recognize, or better yet, have you been to?

Dear fellow travel enthusiasts & Travel Massive Fans,

March 2013 is ITB Berlin time – Kick it off with a BIG BANG!!!
And while planing your travel schedule, lining up your meetings and getting excited for a week in Berlin, there’s one thing you definitely shouldn’t miss: TRAVEL MASSIVE @ ITB 2013.

Save the date now & come join us for the 2nd BIG special edition of Berlin Travel Massive on Tuesday, March 5th at 7:00 p.m. in downtown Berlin. Treat yourself with a couple of drinks and kick-off ITB in style & with some hard core networking.

Long story short – here you go with all you need to know:

What: Travel Massive @ ITB Berlin 2013
When: Tuesday, March 5th at 7:00 – 10:30 p.m.
Where: Loft Office of Gidsy | Adalbertstrasse 6, 10999 Berlin (for directions click here)
Who: Travel bloggers & journalists, startups, entrepreneurs, travel brands & interested travelers

Connect with other guests on Facebook on our TM @ ITB Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/568404106508102/ 

RSVP & Registration:  http://eepurl.com/vVQ69

Host: travel tech startup pocketvillage and activities marketplace Gidsy
Sponsors: PhoCusWright, Visit Berlin
Partners: ITB Berlin, Travel Massive, Tnooz
Powered by: the global Travel Massive community & YOU

About:

Travel Massive is a global initiative to connect people in the travel industry locally, bringing together travel bloggers, brands, startups and enthusiastic travelers.
Find out more about Travel Massive on www.travelmassive.com

See you all at ITB

Sponsors: Interested in becoming a sponsor for TM @ ITB Berlin? Contact us at *protected email*

After our collabo with ITB in March 2012 – the 4th and biggest Travel Massive Berlin has ever seen – the pocketvillage crew gets ready to – pheew, finally!! – host number 5 (!): a special summer edition in Mid-July at the BetaHaus Cafe in Berlins bizy startup epicenter Kreuzberg. (See here what others had to say about Travel Massive @ ITB in march)

Join us!
Come join us for some hard-core networking and a drink or two!

Where: betahaus Cafe | Berlin
When: Thursday, July 19th at 6:00 pm

Get your hands on a map, directions, details & RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/247475335366877/ 

Those of you, who want a super-sexy badge with their name, organization & twitter, please also sign up here, so that we can get that prepared for you: http://eepurl.com/mHamT

About TRAVEL MASSIVE
Travel Massive is a global initiative to connect people in the travel industry locally, bringing together travel bloggers, brands, startups and enthousiastic travellers. Learn more at  http://travelmassive.com/

Adrenaline getaways

The year is racing away and it is already mid-April…phew. With the ski season drawing to a close and the summer sun not yet here to lure us to the beach, we need to think of something to fill the mini-break void. At this time of year most people are reluctant to splash out too much, often opting to keep saving for a bigger holiday later on, but that does not mean we should deprive ourselves of the odd weekend adventure to shake off the winter cobwebs. And nothing says ‘adventure’ more than adrenaline sports.

“Sounds like an expensive route to a heart attack” you might well say, but adrenaline comes in all shapes, sizes and speeds, and a couple of days of outdoor excitement do not have to break the bank.

Take the plunge

When anyone mentions bungee jumping, images of a treacherous jump into some valley or other in New Zealand or South Africa spring to mind, but you don’t have to spend hundreds on a long haul flight in order to feel the rush and bounce of the bungee cord. There are numerous places all over Europe offering the opportunity to bungee with established, safety-aware companies in picturesque surroundings.

For around £70-80 (€85-95) you could be bouncing into the Pitz Valley from Austria’s highest pedestrian suspension bridge, or dive 43m from an aerial tram cabin over the Gauja River in Sigulda, Latvia. If you really want a story to tell why not head to Switzerland where you can play at being 007 himself for the day? The Verzasca Dam bungee jump near Locarno was made famous when it featured in the opening scene of GoldenEye. The extra height, at 220m, and of course the extra fame do add to the price, but you can still bag this unforgettable experience for under £200.

Anyone with a bit more spare cash lying around and a hunger for a thrill should check out the Macau Tower bungee in Macau (a Special Administrative Region of China) or sign up for a longer tour in New Zealand where a bungee jump is just one of the experiences on offer.

Free-fall fun

Perhaps a step up from the bungee jump is the sky dive. There is no rope to dangle from and instead of jumping from fixed platform your point of departure is somewhat higher: up in the clouds from a moving aircraft. Sounds terrifying in theory, and I defy anyone to maintain a regular heartbeat just before they take that final step onto nothing, but people all over the world have made the jump and lived to tell the adrenaline-fuelled tale.

Of course this activity involves a lot of equipment, space and highly trained staff, but that does not mean that you cannot find a reasonable deal that ensures your safety as well. Your best bet in Europe may be the Swiss Alps, adding an incredible view into the deal alongside the obvious adrenaline rush. For those venturing further afield, New Zealand once again offers some of the most popular spots along with neighbouring Australia.

Ride the zip wire

A winner with all ages the zip wire can range from a short whizz in a playground to a full-flung jungle journey. This article is aiming at people looking for a thrill, so I have been investigating locations that offer a longer, higher and more exhilarating ride.

The great thing about this activity is that as well as providing the excitement of a dizzying fairground ride it also allows you to see things that you might not otherwise have the chance to, and at very close proximity. For example, it has become a popular way to get around above jungle and wooded areas, riding above the trees but close enough to get a great view of the wildlife and often ducking under the dense canopy.

A mere £34 will get you into Tarzan Park in Latvia’s Gauja National Park where you can zip through the treetop course, overcoming several obstacles along routes of varying difficulty. Other zip wire destinations can be found dotted around Europe, but considering the fact that it is a great jungle activity it is probably best done, well, in the jungle. Zoom through the vegetation at the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico or delve into the San José rainforest in Costa Rica: obviously getting to the destination will be more pricey, but the zip wire experience itself is still a snip at £50 (€60).

Flying high

For those of you who cannot quite bring yourself to hurl your body out of an aeroplane or jump off a viaduct, but who are still seeking a more toned down thrill, paragliding is the answer. With this activity you have the height, you have the sensation of flying, but the free-fall-hurtling-towards-an-almost-certain-death aspect is removed.

As you approach the launch platform and start to prepare for lift-off it is easy to convince yourself that the experience head will be a scary one…but in reality the launch itself is nothing at all like stepping off a cliff; you literally run forwards and soar gently into the air. Your instructor, to whom you are reassuringly strapped, will direct you up, down, and round, and should be able to tell you lots of interesting information about the landscape as you glide above it. This slower paced air activity is perfect for seeing you surroundings from a new perspective – one great place to paraglide is over the coast of an area with a coral reef, which looks incredible from the air.

Excellent paragliding spots within Europe include Oludeniz in Turkey, where you can take off from the peak of Babadag Mountain and land on the beach, and various places in Switzerland, usually costing around £100 for a 45 minute – 1 hour descent. Outside of Europe fantastic paragliding sites can be found throughout the Americas, from north to south, with a huge range of scenery on offer and plenty of impressive mountains to take off from.
So, it turns out a ‘holiday’ does not have to be entirely geared towards relaxation – it can appeal to your wild side too. With so many activities available in Europe at reasonable prices, adrenaline sports are certainly a viable option for a weekend getaway.

Go on, I dare you…

This blog post was contributed by the one and only Rachel Stewart, aka @TommyGirlTravel, talented writer and member of the pocketvillage family.

Want to check out some of the trips mentioned above yourself?
Go check out this list of bookable activities:
Bungee:

• Austria
• Latvia
• Switzerland
• New Zealand

Skydiving:

• Switzerland
• New Zealand

Zipwire:

• Latvia
• Mexico
• Costa Rica

Paragliding:

• Turkey
• Switzerland
• USA

1) Viktualienmarket – Bavarians are very proud to be Bavarian and what better way to see Bavaria’s finest than at Munich’s most popular outdoor market? The emphasis is on fresh and homemade. Fruit, vegetables, meats, cheese and wine are the main offerings on display. Ask for a local Alpen cheese (mountain cheese) and you will be back more than once. Stock up for a picnic or try Weisswurst, a Bavarian white sausage dish served with a pretzel and washed down with a beer, but only eaten before noon – unless you’re a tourist who doesn’t know any better.

2) English Garden – At 900 acres, the English Garden in Munich is bigger than Central Park in New York City. It’s a perfect place for a picnic, sunbathing, a game of pick-up soccer, or simply for people watching. Don’t miss the Eisbach River surfing, – yes surfing in Munich. Here, surfers line up to show off their skills on a standing wave, much to the amusement of what is usually a large crowd. After that, head to one of the four beer gardens in the park for more people watching.

3) Oktoberfest – The world’s largest folk festival attracts crowds of upwards of 5 million people during the 16-day festival held each year. Drinking beer is a big part of the festival, so if you don’t happen to know any Bavarian folk songs, or the corresponding hand actions, don’t worry, after another stein or two, you’ll be doing just fine. Getting into a tent is almost impossible after 6:00 during the week, and after 11:00 am on the weekends, so go early. If you want to experience Oktoberfest, when it’s not jam-packed go during an afternoon during the week. Then tents are filled with mainly families (children are allowed in the tents until the evening) and Omas and Opas, proving that you’re never too old for Oktoberfest.

4) Hofbräuhaus – One of the world’s most famous beer halls is more than a beer hall, it actually consists of several restaurants, but you can go just to drink too. Dating back to 1644 you can still see beer being brewed just as it was in the past. You are likely to hear more English and other languages being spoken here than German, but a locked case of beer steins for regulars shows that it’s also a popular hangout with locals.

5) Nymphenburg Palace (Schloss Nyphemburg) – Because Munich is not only about the beer, visitors may enjoy touring the favorite, rather large, summer residence of Bavarian royalty. Dating back to 1664, and complimented with a façade in a French baroque style, the palace is impressive as are the palace grounds. The 490- acre Baroque garden, is made even more attractive with its two lakes and fountains. Wear your comfortable walking shoes when you visit.

About the Author

Laurel Robbins is a Canadian freelance travel writer and travel blogger based in Germany. She writes about exploring Europe and beyond for outdoor adventures, off-beat locations, local cuisine and monkeys at Monkeys, Mountains and Maultaschen.

Dear everyone,

It’s ITB time and thousands of travel enthusiasts will swamp Berlin next week to join the huge travel fair – pocketvillage hooked up with with a dozen partners and friends to organize a whole series of events. It’s a BIG week for us and we’d love to see & meet as many of you as possible.

We’ll kick the week of Tuesday, March 6th with a BIG BANG Travel Massive networking event (250+ people from around the globe already signed up) in partnership with ITB Berlin & VISIT Berlin. Check out all the details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/283732928356054/

ah, well, before going too much into detail on all the stuff just check out the overview of events we’re either hosting & contributing to!

See you next week in Berlin
Your pocketvillage team

pocketvillage @ ITB: 

1) Travel Massive @ ITB Berlin

When? Tue, Mar 6th, 5pm – late

Where? ITB Berlin, Palais am Funkturm

Who for? Networking meet-up for travel startups, bloggers, brands and enthusiasts. We’ve already over 220 confirmed participants!

What else? Intro by Kevin May, Tnooz. First 200 drinks are free.! Hosted by pocketvillage, ITB Berlin, Visit Berlin. This is a ‘must’ attend!

RSVP: http://on.fb.me/wvtXlB and http://j.mp/wMj2Qi

2)ITB Travel Tweet-Up, Berlin

When? Wed, Mar 7th, 8:00 pm to 3:00 am

Where? Tomsky! Bar, Winsstraße 61, 10405 Berlin

Who for? Bloggers, Travel Brands, Twitter-Enthousiasts

What? Meeting…Tweeting…Socializing… Organized by Traveldudes, Global Bloggers Network, GAdventures, pocketvillage & DoubleTree by Hilton!

RSVP: http://tinyurl.com/7j8dtmx

3) “It’s the Technology, Stupid!”

When? Fri, Mar 9th, 11.00-11.30am

Where? Hall 7.1c, eTravel World Stage

Who for? Online travel publishers and agencies

What? “pocketvillage takes the stage at eTravel World for an interactive 30min presentation to provide insights on how to ‘wow’ your customers and earn money with activities & tours on your website.”

RSVP: http://on.fb.me/za6m4A

4) “Promoting Your Tours on the Web!”

When? Fri, Mar 9th, 2.30-3.00pm

Where? Hall 4.1, Adventure Stage

Who for? Tour & activity operators & providers

What? “pocketvillage shares insights on how we can help you promoting your tours & activities on the web via multiple channels.”

RSVP: http://on.fb.me/yuNwMc

5) Responsible Tourism Networking

When? Fri, Mar 9th, 5.30-7.00pm

Where? Hall 4.1 Adventure Stage area

Who for? Everyone interested in Responsible Tourism

What? Happy networking, inspiring stories from the destination, short pitches, a couple of free drinks… co-hosted by pocketvillage, The Blue Yonder, Social Tours, Tripbod

RSVP: http://on.fb.me/z7Qvy9

6) Meet us @ our booth

When? Mar 7th-11th

Where? Hall 4.1 (Experience Adventure), Booth 231, http://j.mp/yMch3U

What? Come and meet the crew!

What else? On Sat/Sun, the public days, we’ve a couple of activities and competitions going on! Join the fun! 

Snorkelling allows you to observe the comings and goings of the shallows, but get too inquisitive and you will be brought back to reality by a sudden inhalation of water. If you really want to explore the ocean bed you’ve got to don that wetsuit, shoulder the oxygen tank and get down there.

Most dive centres will offer a range of packages, covering training for complete beginners to ‘guided tours’ for the more experienced who want to get familiar with a new territory. The instructors will know the area like the back of their hand, and they often feel more at home gliding between coral reefs than they do up on dry land! In order to ensure the high standards of a dive centre just look for accreditation by a reliable scuba training organisation. Among the most renowned are PADI, NASE and PSAI.

Iceland-

It is Iceland’s overground activity that has tended to hit the headlines in recent years, but it turns out there’s a great deal to be seen beneath sea level as well. The Silfra fissure dive site, a freshwater spring in the Thingvellir National Park, boasts crystal clear visibility. This site falls directly between the American and European tectonic plates and the rocky caves and outcrops are the perfect playground for an adventurous diver.

Want to scuba dive in Iceland yourself? Check out some pocketvillage offers here

Bermuda -

This is where I went from beginner diver  to PADI Open Water certified and I absolutely loved the experience.  Located at the uppermost tip of the infamous Bermuda Triangle, one thing that makes this location so great for scuba diving is the number of shipwrecks nestled around the island. Check out the captain’s toilet on the Hermes and swim through the tunnels and caverns of the Marie Celeste. A total of 20 wreck sites and 7 reef sites give you all sorts of options in terms of depth, difficulty, scenery and swim-throughs.

Thailand -

Not satisfied with hogging the backpacker market or rating highly in the yoga-retreat stakes, Thailand also offers world class scuba diving. West coast sites around Phuket, the Similan Islands and the Phi Phi Islands in the Andaman Sea are often highlighted as some of the best. All levels of ability and budget are catered for, with packages ranging from one-day dive deals to week-long trips on the ‘liveaboard boats’.

For some scuba diving Thailand tour inspiration check out some pocketvillage offers here

Rodrigues -

Mauritius receives a fair amount of recognition for its scuba sites, but its tiny island dependent Rodrigues is worthy of a special mention. At 560km to the east of Mauritius, in the middle of the Indian Ocean,  it should be noted for having fewer tourists, less pollution and a number of endemic species. Oh and the locals here are so laid back they’re horizontal (often literally, see picture).

Shallow dives for beginners promise incredible views of the spectacular coral and brightly coloured sea creatures, while various channels lead out from the lagoon into the open sea for deeper dives. Keep your eyes peeled for barracudas, clown fish, small sharks and turtles, to name but a fraction of the local marine life. The last of the three Mascarene Islands, Reunion Island, should also be noted as a wonderful diving location.

Australia -

If you want a tropical take on the underwater experience, you cannot ignore the vibrancy of the much celebrated Great Barrier Reef. This UNESCO World Heritage Site  is the largest coral reef in the world and the consistently warm water temperature makes it a popular dive spot all year round. Thrill-seekers can get up close and personal with several varieties of shark, while the more cautious can stick to examining the clownfish, coral trout, turtles, dolphins and perhaps even a whale or two!

Cairns dives are among the most popular, but the variety on offer along the north-eastern coast of Australia means any diver can find some new territory to explore here on the fringes of the aptly named Coral Sea.

Get your ultimate snorkeling experience in Australia yourself, book it here

About the author:  Rachel Stewart alias @tommygirltravel is a  22-year-old graduate who loves to travel. She has a degree in French and Spanish and spent the last four months improving her German skills in Cologne, after having fallen for a dashing young German man during a semester studying on an island in the Indian Ocean. Her online persona is Tommy Girl Travels, and she blogs for Pocketvillage.com.

we cordially invite you to join us in “Palais am Funkturm”, (Hammarskjöldplatz 1, 14055 Berlin) on Tuesday, March 6th at 5pm for a special edition of Travel Massive Berlin. Treat yourself with a couple of free (!) drinks and kick-off ITB with some hard core networking.

As thousands of industry experts are expected to swamp hip Berlin, travel enthusiasts, bloggers, startups & travel brands meet at Travel Massive on the eve of this year’s travel fair.

So save the date and don’t be late!
As people from ITB, Visit Berlin, Travel Massive Worldwide and pocketvillage prepared a few warm welcoming words (and some special drinks), which you certainly don’t want to miss.

Please make sure to RSVP, since we only have limited space: http://eepurl.com/iXj-H

Please also visit our Facebook Event to see who else is coming and start the networking right away: http://tinyurl.com/6q7boyy

For directions please visit: http://tinyurl.com/7ue9c8s

This special ITB edition of Travel Massive Berlin is hosted by pocketvillage & ITB and sponsored by Visit Berlin & Spree Quell.

See you @ ITB
The pocketvillage team

Find out more about Travel Massive on www.travelmassive.com
Also please make sure to check out www.itb-berlin.com/blogger

Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita

Navigating Through The Land Of All Inclusives….

Although All Inclusive Resort style travel isn’t typically my cup of tea, there’s one destination in the world that does it right and now has me singing a different tune about the overall concept…The Mexican Caribbean!!!

This December, I spent 2 weeks visiting many of the top Luxury All Inclusives of the world, which happen to be located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.

Upon entering each of these properties, the hospitality level was similar to that an arrival to a Ritz Carlton, where the doormen immediately greet you with your name, yet the slight difference here is that they always have a glass of sparkling wine to offer you…a major plus in my book…even if it’s only been a short journey from one all inclusive to the next.

Once in the rooms, the quality of bedding falls nothing short of the famed “Heavenly Bed” of the Westin brand, but in some cases comes along with even more romantic and exclusive touches.  You’ll find the finest finishes in the upgraded bathroom details, nearly every room I stayed had an en suite Jacuzzi, and amenities as well.

However, the one greatest touch that sets these properties apart from the more mainstream All Inclusive style of travel are their food and beverage options.   Being one who has not drank “rail” liquor brands, nor visited a buffet restaurant since college days, I personally don’t desire mass quantity in food or drink, over quality.  Well, here at each of these establishments, I actually had the highest of quality…amazing gourmet food and premium beverages and wine as well as every kind of snack that I chose to order in between…yet no buffets in sight!  N’ere I say I ended up consuming mass quantity as well…however this time deeply satisfied!

So, you’re probably wondering, what are these utopian establishments that have amazing room amenities, where you’ll get some of the best nights sleep of your life, eat like a king or queen and feel like you’re in a chic, exclusive beach resort at the same time?  Read on for my list.

Zoetry Paraiso De La Bonita
Paraiso De La Bonita, Mexico
Zoetry exemplifies the boutique hotel meets luxury all inclusive concept, and was perhaps one of the few to have started the trend and the first to have done it right.  The ample sized suites at this Mexican Hacienda style property make you feel like you’re truly at home in a luxury residence, while the tiniest over the top details such as the Bulgari in bathroom amenities, unlimited laundry service and international phone calls remind you that you’re in a place far better than home.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
The perfect combination of chic and modern meets Zen could only be found at a property designed by famed Mexican architects Elias & Elias.  This expansive property epitomizes the elegant yet tranquil design concept in every corner, from their award-winning spa to the guest rooms and each dining establishment.

El Dorado Casitas Royale
Playa del Secreto, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Romance is immediately on tap when you arrive at your personal valuted ceiling “Casita”.  From the private outdoor showers to the billowing terrace drapes, you’ll feel like you’re in your own tiny oasis from the first moment.  The best detail, although the property is grand in size, you’ll never encounter overcrowding or disruption of a serene ambience in any of the common areas.

Aura Cozumel Grand Resort

Aura Cozumel Grand Resort
Cozumel, Mexico
The gem of Cozumel on one of the best beaches of the island, Aura is perfect for a quick romantic escape from it all. Located on the southern end, where sunsets are amazing and peace and quiet is an absolute.  Any overconsumption of the delicious food and drinks can easily be worked off at their upper deck gym with a gorgeous sea view, or the various watersports like snorkeling or kayaking included in your stay!  For the ultimate pleasure and privacy, book a Private Lap Pool suite, where you’ll have your own rooftop terrace equipped with a lap pool and amazing view.

El Dorado Maroma
Maroma Beach, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Located on THE BEST BEACH of Riviera Maya…at least in my opinion, this is enough of a reason to enjoy El Dorado Maroma.  The one thing that sets this property aside from the other top luxury all inclusive brethren are their nearly 3,000 square foot beachfront villas, that more resemble true undisturbed luxury residences to be shared with you and some close friends.  It’s much more boutique in size from the other El Dorado properties, so you’ll find a more quaint feel and much more ease with arriving and departing the property.

Aqua Cancun
Cancun, Mexico
Driven by the senses of nature, this property is sexy and chic. The closest thing you’ll find to a W Hotel on the hotel zone of Cancun.  Here you’re in the center of nightlife and dining, yet you can easily desensitize with your choice of lighting colors, scents and music in your luxurious earth, wind, fire or water themed suite, while being in one of the chicest settings in the state.  The Aqua Spa also hosts one of the top massage treatments I’ve received in the state, the Lights Of Morocco, extremely rejuvenating even on a hectic jetsetter pace.  Of course make time for the full relaxation of the therapeudic pools and rehydrating with some chlorophyll water.

Ok, ok, like I said, being one who doesn’t always do the All Inclusive route for travel, I have to leave you with a few options for leaving the confines of your utopian compound for a meal.  These four dining experiences are so much more than just a meal, so reserve early and try them all…they’re well worth the escape.

Le Chique at Azul Sensatori

Chef’s Table Dinner at The Culinary Center, Ritz Carlton Cancun
Cancun, Mexico
Hosted by one of Quintana Roo’s top chefs, Rory Dunaway, you’ll feel like a guest in his own state of the art kitchen.  He personally chooses a 6 course menu with wine pairings and teaches your way through the experience.  Ever the entertaining chef, Rory is equally the gracious host as the educator and the Mediterranean Menu was absolutely delicious and my recommendation.

Le Chique at Azul Sensatori Resort
Puerto Morelos, Mexico
The Mexican Caribbean’s only true molecular gastronomy experience, created by acclaimed Michelin trained Chef Jonatan Gomez Luna.  Here you’ll embark on his 12 course journey through imagination, whimsy and creativity, not to mention surprising flavor combinations.  Certainly the wine pairing option is a must.  An extra plus must be noted for the retro glam décor and the feeling that you’re in an ultra exlusive lounge, yet each seating area is cleverly separated by dangling jewel strands, giving you the feeling of intimacy.

Cocina de Autor at Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
The beautiful marriage of flavors is what can be experienced when dining at this partnership between top Mexican and Spanish chefs, Bruno Oteiza and Mikel Alonso.  You’ll find the most elegant surroundings in this multi course tasting menu where wines, signature cocktails and cordials are all tied in to the molecular gastronomy meets traditional Mexican haute cuisine experience. One of the most amazing features of this meal is that you’ll have nearly developed a friendship with your server due to their invaluable knowledge of your food as well as beverage pairings.

Zama Beach & Lounge
Isla Mujeres, Mexico
This beach club on Isla Mujeres is the ultimate of chic and chill meets jetsetter.  Best done big, as in arriving on a yacht, or even a hired motor boat for the day from Cancun and set off for a mid afternoon arrival, complete with a relaxing meal designed by Executive Chef Federico Lopez.  If you’re staying on the island, the protocol is surely to roll up in your private golf cart.  Sticking around for the sunset is an absolute must.  The property is complete with a pool, beach and lounging areas if you’re so inclined to make a day of it.

Just in case you’ve been rained out of the beach for a day, no worries!   The Mexican Caribbean also boasts some of the top spas in the land.  Two that can be an all day experience, easily helping you forget your tropical rainy woes are the Gem Spa at Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach in Cancun and The Spa at Grand Velas Riviera Maya.

Gem Spa Cancun

Gem Spa Cancun at the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach
Cancun, Mexico
This massive spa is centered around the healing effects of gem stones, where all treatments are categorized by the various stones and their powers.   Over the top luxurious details and a menu of services nearly the size of a book make this Spa a top contender on the world’s scale.   Set aside at least 4 hours of your day to enjoy the Hydrotherapy Ritual through the most state of the art saunas, steam rooms, pools, etc…, then book a treatment of your choice.  My pick of the day was the Amber Amulet Ritual, 120 minutes of a blissful, restorative massage that protects against negative energy, and a hydrating facial.

The Spa at Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Pure Zen and tranquility are all that you can think of in this massive but serene spa, the largest in Mexico.  The most groundbreaking of the luxury spas in Mexico, The Spa at Grand Velas has been the first to offer the majority of cutting edge or original treatments in the country, yet focuses heavily on the Mayan influences of the area and looks to incorporate many of their sacred rituals into their own treatments.  Again, allow for four hours of uninterrupted relaxation and enjoy the water journey followed by a healing Mayan Yaxche Experience.

After a day at either of these spas, you’ll feel cleansed, restored and ready to head out into the world again.  Even if it means returning to the dream world of your Luxury All Inclusive resort!

About the author: After three years of living the good life on the road, leaving her mark on more destinations than the average gal can dream of in a lifetime, accidentally…or… not quite so…missing one too many flights and crossing paths with yet another professional athlete… The time has come to release her experiences from the confines of a select audience, and share them with the world. Follow JetsetterGypsy for a laugh, plan your ultimate vacation under her watchful eye, daydream of distant lands and feel free to chat her up over a drink if you recognize her. She’ll be the one wearing the smile, her international language for “Hello”. Find out more about JetsetterGypsy on her blog, facebook page and twitter profile @Jetsetter Gypsy. Jetsetter Gypsy, Your First Class Ticket to a World of Love, Fashion and Fun.

If Solo Travel in the past was regarded with the “hate it “or “love it” feeling, over the years people’s travel needs and lifestyle have been evolving positively in this respect. As a matter of fact more and more people perceive travel not only as way of exploring places and getting to know people but also as fascinating way of learning about themselves and about life.

A growing number of travellers, especially female travellers, feel attracted by travelling alone, however for many women it is not always easy to pluck courage and go it alone. Many women feel trapped in the perpetual procastination, in the so called “I wish I could…. but….”syndrome. A psycological barrier that is difficult to remove. Fear, lack of self confidence, lack of inspiration are often the reasons for it .

As a newbie solo traveller you not only need to overcome the initial emotional inner conflicts, you also need to build trust in yourself and feel good about the potential travel destination for the first solo travel experience.

Inspiration and trust are very powerful weapons that trigger off the solo wanderlust and the interest about a specific destination, about the idea of travelling alone in a remote part of the world, being confronted with new situations, new people, new environment. Inspiration and trust help develop a positive attitude towards “the new” and build the foundatioon for enjoying solo travel.

If I look back to my first long solo trip I remember listining to the inspirational travel experience of a friend who had been travelling across Australia on her own for a long time. Australia had been on my list for over a decade but my friend’s story added the enthusiasm that gave me the final spur to choosing Australia for my solo trip. Someone else’s personal story can truly hook us on doing something, make us feeling comfortable thus help us making our final choice.

Australia is a wonderful travel destination because it offers the perfect environment for female solo travellers. As a newbie solo travellers it is vital to feel safe when on the road, especially for women on the road Safety is and essential aspect that must be ensured all the times.

Solo Travel is the best way to explore new places and getting to know new people. As a solo traveller you definitely do it with a more intimate approach. The friendliness, the help of the local community also make a big difference, it makes it easy for female travellers to enjoy being on their own and feel welcome, the sort of “feel at home” feeling that fuel you with positive energy. That’s why Australia is my favourite country for my solo travels.

Solo Travel is all about Growing, personally and spiritually. It means experiencing a new country and its people in a deeper and more intimate way because everything happens at a personal level. Everything is centered on one person: YOU. From how to read a map and ask for directions to how to organize your day to sitting alone in a restaurant to walking in the forest marvelling at the beauty of the nature around yourself. It’s just about you and the place, you and the people you and yourself. It’s about digging into the unknown aspects of your personality and your abilities, it’s about improving your personal skills.

Last but not least, Solo travel is about Freedom and Fun! The Freedom of choosing the what, the when and the with whom. Travelling alone is an excellent exercise that takes you through the process of learning by doing it, where YOU choose to be the protagonist and the director, YOU choose the destination being the life scenario. No matter what and how you choose to do it, it’s always an individual a fun way of experiencing your travels!

Happy Solo Travels!

Meet the team! We asked them 5 questions to find out more about them:

 1. Fave City in the world? All the cities in the world. We Love Them.

2. City or village? City

3. Beach or Snow? Beach and Snow we don’t mind..

4. Please complete the sentence: Traveling is like… AIR

5. What would be your ultimate pocketvillage adventure? Any urban adventures is our ultimate pocketvillage adventure (for example Multicultural Kensington Market Tour in Toronto, Canada)

Find out more about Urban Adventures.

Every Monday we are featuring one pocketvillage fan on our Facebook page and blog. Are you our pocketvillage Fan of the Week? We would love to hear from you! Please send an e-mail to *protected email* with a favourite travel photo (it needs to have you in the image), a description of the photo (a sentence or two) and answers to the above five questions.

Meet the team! We asked them 5 questions to find out more about them:

 1. Fave City in the world? Hong Kong, London or Bristol depending who you speak to!

2. City or village? Village

3. Beach or Snow? Snow

4. Please complete the sentence: Traveling is like… a box of chocolates, you never know what you gonna get next (thank Forest Gump for the inspiration there!)

5. What would be your ultimate pocketvillage adventure? 5-Day Archipelago Kayak and Camping Tour in Sweden

Find out more about Much Better Adventures.

Every Monday we are featuring one pocketvillage fan on our Facebook page and blog. Are you our pocketvillage Fan of the Week? We would love to hear from you! Please send an e-mail to *protected email* with a favourite travel photo (it needs to have you in the image), a description of the photo (a sentence or two) and answers to the above five questions.

Lisbon photo by rstml licence cc by

Portugal’s capital Lisbon is an incredibly picturesque, relaxing city that lacks the frantic pace you find in other European capitals. The city is spread across a series of steep hills, meaning you’ll certainly get some exercise as you explore the city sights! You’ll be well rewarded though with spectacular views over the city and the Tagus River everywhere you turn.

By day, have a bica and a pastry in one of the streetside cafés as historic yellow trams glide past ringing their bells. Stroll the tiled pavements browsing Lisbon’s boutique shops and hike up the hills to explore Lisbon’s famous landmarks and museums. After dark, enjoy a traditional Portuguese dinner and an evening of Fado entertainment, then bar-hop till the early hours in the Bairro Alto District. If you have a spare day or two, make sure you venture outside the city to explore the nearby beaches and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sintra.

If you’re looking for inspiration on things to do in Lisbon, here are some suggestions:

Rossio Square & Baixa

Rossio Square is a bustling square located in the heart of the city in the Baixa District. There are baroque fountains at each end of the square, and in the centre stands the statue of Dom Pedro IV. The Dona Maria II National Theater stands at the north side of the square, and nearby you’ll find the impressive Rossio Station, where trains depart for Sintra. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants around the edge of the square, and although they are rather pricey, it’s worth having a coffee in Café Nicola and watching the world go by.

Rua Augusta & Praca do Comercio

Rua Augusta is Lisbon’s main pedestrian thoroughfare, with tiled pavements and modern shops. Walk under the magnificent triumphal arch to the huge Praça de Comercio, which lies on the edge of the Tagus River. This used to be the location of the Royal Ribeira Palace, but it was destroyed in the Great Earthquake of 1755. The royal family moved to a residence in Belém, and the square was remodelled. In the centre of the square is a statue of King Jose I on horseback crushing snakes in his path.

The Bairro Alto District

Bairro Alto is Lisbon’s nightlife district and its narrow streets are packed with restaurants and bars. The area really comes alive after dark, when locals spill out of the cramped bars onto the streets. On a balmy summer evening, expect to see a lot of people standing around with cocktails in plastic cups!

Santa Justa Elevator

The Santa Justa Elevator is so popular, it usually has a queue of people waiting patiently outside it. Take the short ride up to the top of this vertical Neo-Gothic tower for impressive views all over Lisbon. This famous landmark was built by architect Raoul de Mesnier du Ponsard, who was an apprentice of Gustave Eiffel, to link Baixa with Bairro Alto.

Hit the Beach in Estoril 

There may not be a beach in the city itself, but you can take the train from Cais do Sodré station along the seafront to Estoril, where you’ll find Tamariz beach, which is frequented by locals and tourists. It’s the nicest beach within easy reach from Lisbon, with clean golden sand and a selection of restaurants for a spot of lunch.

Belém

Take the No.15 tram out of the city to explore Belém, where many of Portugal’s great explorers set sail on their voyages of disocvery. Highlights include Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, Berardo Museum, the Monument to the Discoveries and the 25 de Abril Bridge. Don’t leave without trying the delicious custard tarts at Antiga Confeitaria de Belem.

Stop for a drink at Restô do Chapitô

This restaurant and café is located just down the hill from St. George’s castle, and it’s a great place to stop off for a drink and something to eat. The major selling point of Restô do Chapitô is its vantage point over the city- the view of Lisbon from the terrace is incredible. The restaurant has a cozy ambiance with candlelit tables, and the menu is small but offers great food.

Take the train to Sintra

For a great day out, hop on the train from Rossio Station to the magical land of Sintra. Sintra is like something out of a storybook, full of fairytale castles and palaces. You’ll feel like you walked into a fantasy world as you explore this fabulous UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has been the summer residence for Portuguese kings and aristocracy for centuries. Sintra is full of 19th century Romantic architecture, parks, castles, mansions and colourful palaces. The highlight is the Palácio Nacional da Pena (Pena Palace) which was commissioned by King Consort Dom Fernando II. The palace features an unusual mixture of onion domes, turrets, mosaics and Moorish arches and its facade is decorated in a striking palette of yellows, pinks and reds.

Tram 28

Hop on this vintage tram for a scenic ride from the city centre up the hill to St. George’s Castle. Although it can get rather crowded, on a hot day it will certainly save your energy walking up the steep hill! The authentic tram is a great way to soak up the sights of Lisbon.

St. George’s Castle

Castelo de São Jorge is a Moorish castle perched on a hill offering spectacular panoramic views over Lisbon. To get to it you can take the steep uphill climb through the streets of Alfama, or opt to ride Tram 28 to the top. Once inside the gates, absorb the breathtaking view from the peaceful terrace or walk along the ramparts of the castle for an even better vantage point. On a hot day you can seek shade underneath the trees with a picnic and watch the peacocks strut past.

About the author: Victoria Brewood alias Pommie girl a 20 something with British roots offers a little bit of inspiration that you can travel and work anywhere in the world you choose. She believes that it is possible to work and travel and do all the things you want in life. Just book the ticket and take the ride. Find out more about Pommie girl on her blog. 

By Renan Rigo

Do you remember that I mentioned in a previous post that gaucho’s food is worthy of a special post about just it? Well, I hope you have a fork and a knife in hand, because this list is for the five foods that you will not be able to stop eating when you are visiting the Rio Grande do Sul:

1. Breads, pies and the Cuca (!)

Breads and pies, fine. You might think that these classics of bakeries and cafes in Europe won’t make such a big difference when compared to those you already know, but you are mistaken. The combinations of flavours, spices and mix of cultures, especially German and Italian give a special taste to these delicacies.

But the Cuca? Have you never heard of it? It’s basically a sweet bread with texture of the cake (though a different taste), but with sugar toppings and variations that can be anything from guava to apple jelly up on top. Mouth watering!

2. Cheese and salami

The southern region is famous for delicacies produced in colonies scattered in the countryside. In these colonies, the inhabitant often have a cow for give milk or raise pigs for meat, which means there is never an empty refrigerator! With so much milk, cheese production comes as no surprise.

They are made in big wheels, great for eating with polenta (see below) and are guaranteed to be much better than the seasoned cheeses found in supermarkets.

The salami, a possible breakthrough, but also has its origins in the Italian colonial, is a smoked pork stick and handmade in a process that gives a characteristic taste and goes well with the rustic meal. It’s great to eat with bread and cheese, or as a complement to the evening meal. Each slice is worth the cut!

3. Polenta

We arrive at one of the most characteristic dishes of southern cooking. If you have the opportunity to see the polenta being made, you’re sure to give much value to this food. Nearly too much trouble to make, it involves being in front of the stove for hours and stirring the mixture of corn flour. The result is a massive, shapeless blob that can be consumed in this way, or as a brustulada (the plate) or even fried stuffed! I rather prefer the fries, which goes well with salami strips or fried chicken. Try it!

4. Arroz carreteiro (carreteiro’s rice)

If you visit Brazil, you’ll probably see how much rice is present in the daily life of Brazilians. It is practically the base plate of the largest meals, lunch and dinner. However, regionalism is always one more ingredient when it comes to cuisine and, in the case of Rio Grande do Sul, the history of foreign occupation was in charge of creating a dish that is much appreciated by Brazilians. The arroz carreteiro came by the transit cargo transport (carts pulled by oxen) from the colonizers that not always had fresh meat from traditional barbecues. They opted to take the corned beef (preserved in salt) during their long journeys. This was mixed in iron pots, rice and eaten as a stew. By the way, this is very tasty.

5. Churrasco (Gaucho barbecue)

In my opinion there is no better than the gaucho barbecue! Ok, as the son of a Gaucho, I know I was spoiled, but have a trip in a good steakhouse in the region and it will explain why. The Churrasco (gaucho barbecue) in general is quite different from the prepared barbecue found in the rest of the world. Let me explain. The barbecue is a roast meat, placed on skewers of wood or iron on the glowing embers. It may seem a lot like BBQ, but it uses very common grids and burgers like in the United States. The Brazilian barbecue is tastier, because it brings together the regional flavour – the flavour of the smoke from the charcoal (it might seem strange, but it’s amazing the difference in taste). Anyway, above all it is my favourite food and goes well with a cold beer on a Saturday night or at lunch with potato salad. In any case, unanimity among the carnivores on duty!

One of the best things about travel is that you never stop dreaming and planning your next one. We hope that our travel-posts this year have inspired you to venture out into the world, try new activities and be open to new destinations. To end the year, we have handpicked 10 of our Favorite Tours from the pocketvillage website for the year 2012.

1. Saigon by Night Street Food Tour: Experience the exciting nightlife of Saigon from the back of a vintage Vespa! Indulge in succulent Vietnamese street foods as you truly get a feel for how this bustling Vietnamese city lives by night.

2. Orchid Trek in Laos, Vientiane: Spend a day in the Phou Khao Kway National Park. This trek is a unique opportunity to learn more about these plants in their habitat.

3. Florence Fresco Painting Tutorial: Learn the history and theory of fresco making. Then put your skills to the test and create your own piece of artwork using traditional methods.

4. Berlin Sightjogging Tour: Experience the places of interest of Berlin at the side of a guide from a moving perspective by jogging or running. This kind of town guidance combines movement, knowledge mediation, fun and immediate discovering of the town.

5. Become a Turtle Volunteer in the Seychelles: Why not combine your walk with a turtle patrol? Volunteers are needed  and this holiday is especially family friendly. Children enjoy taking part and are never to young to learn about their natural heritage!

6. Basque Country Mushroom Picking: If you are a nature lover who likes to be pampered, treat yourself to this unique three day tour of the Basque country. Embark on a mushroom picking tour with a fungi expert, and taste your pickings the following evening, prepared by a local chef.

7. Canopy Zip Line Tour in Nicaragua: Experience the fascinating cloud and tropical forests of the dormant Mombacho Volcano on a Canopy Zip Line Tour from Managua.

8. Dog Sledding Tour in Greenland: Explore a wild corner of the fascinating Thule district in northwestern Greenland on our dog sledding expeditions at Latitude 77° N.

9. Hanoi Digital Photography Tour: With the advent of digital photography, everyone has become a “photographer” yet there are few who really see and create images that are compelling and dynamic. In this course, we will work with each participant to help them develop his or her unique vision

10. Gorilla Trekking Tour in Uganda Coming face to face with the rare mountain Gorillas is a lifetime experience coupled with seeing several other primates! This is an express trip with the sole purpose of tracking gorillas in Bwindi.

“In Nicaragua I visited Isla De Ometepe, an Island full of adventure and dirt roads with amazing waterfalls and two huge volcanos. We travelled with quad and horse. An amazing experience.”

We asked him 5 questions to find out more about him:

1. Fave City in the world: Brisbane… Lived there in 2008 and loved every single day! Not too big and not too small!

2. City or village? City… born in a little spanish town I know what it means to have no privacy! I love the life in the big cities!

3. Beach or Snow? Beach… Stubbie in the left, Shrimp in the right, toes in the sand!

4. Please complete the sentence: Traveling is like…  finding yourself and home!

5. What would be your ultimate pocketvillage adventure? Africa. I always wanted to see and experience Africa. Cape Town to Istanbul sounds like an amazing package!

Every week we are featuring one pocketvillage fan on our Facebook page and blog. Are you our pocketvillage Fan of the Week? We would love to hear from you! Please send an e-mail to *protected email* with a favourite travel photo (it needs to have you in the image), a description of the photo (a sentence or two) and answers to the above five questions.

A long and narrow country almost at the end of the world in South America, Chile is a colorful land full of cultural and natural diversity that attracts visitors from all over the world looking to explore such contrasting landscapes as the Atacama Desert and the Patagonia fjords and glaciers.

Atacama desert photo by rewbs.soal licence cc by

Patagonia photo by FlyNutAA licence cc by

Chile’s unique geography has rendered it with hundreds of plant and animal species that are found nowhere else in the world, along with a diversity of landscapes that range from the planet’s driest desert to the ice caps in Patagonia, passing through the fertile valleys in the central regions and the temperate rainforests in the south. Easter Island’s annexation to Chile, in 1888, added this Polynesian territory, with its rich culture and historical heritage, to the mix.

But, since all tourism potentially has environmental, social and economic impacts on the destination involved, it is important take responsibility when traveling. Through the trips, our company strives to minimize these impacts in order to ensure the sustainability of the destinations we work with. For instance, wildlife observation can interfere with animal populations if certain standards are not applied and feeding wild animals can make them depend on humans. Therefore, we urge you to follow a code of conduct that will allow you to enjoy nature without hurting it.

For example, whether you are watching dolphins around the Damas Island at the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve, in northern Chile, or Humpback Whales at the Francisco Coloane Marine Park, in southern Chile, we encourage you to follow certain guidelines to ensure that your wildlife observation experience is fun and safe for both the animals and tourists. These include keeping a minimum distance of 100 meters (328 feet) from the animal that is closest to the boat, not asking guides to chase the dolphins or whales and not trying to touch them.

With our tours, we take you to places that are not usually on the radar for foreign tourists and we operate trips in a way that encourages positive cultural exchanges between you and the host community. Through our excursions, travelers get to interact with locals and spend enough time with them to learn about their way of life, customs, traditions and interests.

photo by Alastair Rae licence cc by

Trekking with alpacas in the Atacama Desert, enjoying a traditional meal cooked in a solar oven in the Elqui Valley, learning to make typical Chilean pastries in the Curacaví Valley, seeing how an artisan works with lapis lazuli and copper or just spending quality time with locals from north to south are all part of our unique offer to see Chile off the beaten path give while giving something back to the local communities and places that you enjoy.

From Porto Alegre, the natural progression for our trip through the south of Brazil is venturing into the Serra Gaucha (small mountains). Prepare to get fat from the spectacular gastronomic tour and be awed by the natural beauty of the landscape of the countryside of Rio Grande do Sul, which will leave you with good memories of the most intimate part of this great country that is Brazil. Begin with the main cities: Gramado and Canela.

Port in Gramado

Neighbours just a few miles away from each other, these two cities are full of attractions. If you come from a temperate country, you may think you will not find these cities at much fun as the Brazilians, but you will be surprised! In the winter months between May and July, the two cities receive thousands of tourists, mostly Brazilian, just looking for low temperatures – nothing new for those coming from some parts of the globe. For Brazilians, Gramado is the best winter destination in Brazil and it is not difficult to understand why.

At the entrance of Gramado, it is clear that the city is a little different from others. The gateways into its two entryways are reminiscent of the Norman and Bavarian styles, both of which are also apparent in buildings throughout the rest of the city. In fact, even the English Gothic style can be found in Canela in the famous stone church, Nossa Senhora de Lourdes Cathedral, another beautiful postcard of the region.

By the way, there is no lack of postcards vignettes in the Serra Gaucha to be admired. The city is beautiful, full of flowers such as hydrangeas and azaleas. Temperate trees such as maples and pines complete the atmosphere of a dream, which made is why Gramado was chosen to be home to one of the largest festivals in the world for Christmas, Natal Luz (Christmas Light). If you decide to venture out for the Serra Gaucho this season, you should definitely see the great show of sounds, colours, light and magic and visit Santa’s house which is possible during the Natal Luz!

Between the two cities also well worth visiting the Parque Caracol and its Cascata do Caracol (Snail Cascade), a beautiful waterfall with 130 meters to catch your breath. Finally our trip takes us to the city of Bento Gonçalves to enjoy the delicious wines made in the region. The climate is conducive to grape cultivation, which is why my cousin owns a winery there (remember, I mentioned that I had relatives in the region)! By the way, colonial tours are quite nice. Try it!

In the region there are other small towns, some specializing in sales of specific products, like leather or winter fashion. The best thing about this part of Brazil is that there are plenty of memorable places and ambiances. And the best thing you will have to remember: the contact with other people there.

Ebenezer Scrooge, Charles Dickens’ infamous miserly grump, bah-humbugged his way through Christmas each year until one revelatory night when he discovered the spirit of generosity and kindness that guides most others through the holidays. Scrooge quickly reformed. The fictional setting for this miraculous transformation was Victorian England in 1840, a far simpler time long long before Internet-crazed commercialism overwhelmed shoppers with jingle-belled trappings. Is it therefore any wonder that modern-day Scrooges abound? Confronted by the relentlessness of frenzied gift-wrapping, many people have tried to turn their backs on all the Noël nonsense. I am one of them.

However, rather than just grumbling about it all, I went in search of something more grounded and sane. A travel aficionado of long standing, I turned to alternative sources of inspiration from other lands. And found a lot. Some of it caught my silly fancy, some of it stirred my sense of mystical wonder. All of it reflected the fantastic variety of ways people all across the globe celebrate something at the end of each year.

Below are some of my favorites.

The Ho-Ho-Ho: Finding Time to Smile

photo by garryknight licence cc by

It started as something simple in San Francisco in 1994, but today SantaCon is a planet-wide sensation of “non-political, purely surreal Santa prank events” during which “guys & girls of legal age dress up like Santa and go cavorting around town for no better reason than that it’s huge fun.” Huge gatherings have seen the record-breaking assembly of tens of thousands of santas! It’s as bizarre as it sounds. Usually occurring between early and mid-December, SantaCon is almost guaranteed to be at a city near you.

The Hokum: Tradition Gone Amiss

Sometimes you read about present-day custom that you’re sure must be based on some mistranslation or misunderstanding of past acts. Take, for instance, the Norwegian tradition of hiding brooms on Christmas Eve night as a way of denying marauding evil spirits their means of transport. Surely that has more to do with overworked housekeepers securing peace of mind on Christmas Eve.

Or ponder the practice in the Czech Republic of single women throwing a shoe over a shoulder on December 24 to determine if they will marry in the coming year. If you’re a single handsome prince, it might be the best time for a stroll. Yes, it comes with the risk of getting knocked unconscious by flying footwear, but you may be awakened by a beautiful, penitent and eligible princess.

How about the Christmas pastime in Latvia of ‘mumming’? This involves parading around in animal or corpse masks and costumes, and then visiting houses to help drive away evil spirits. There’s song and dance involved and an invitation from house owners to share a snack – a good gig for hungry bellies on Christmas Eve.

In Greece, tales are told about kalikantzari, little dark spirits resembling ugly elves that appear for 12 days (from December 25 to January 5) to bring trouble to mortals. In some villages, locals believe they can ward off kalikantzari using herbs, asparagus and basil. On the island of Skyros, there are even special dance celebrations to make the kalikantzari disappear.

Of course, the ‘normal’ acceptance of Santa Claus’ practices should be noted. He distributes gifts to all the children of the earth on a airborne sleigh pulled by flying reindeer? He’s a chubby fellow that slides down chimneys? Really? Or how about in the Netherlands and Belgium, where, in late November, a carrot or hay is placed in a shoe as sustenance for Sinterklaas’ horse. Then on the eve of December 5, Zwarte Piet, the Moorish servant of Sinterklaas, delivers presents.

Zwarte Piet photo by Hans Pama licence cc by

The Ohm: Mirth and Meaning

Some ceremony, including several of the examples above, is clearly grounded in spiritual observance. Take the jõulud, or winter solstice celebration in Estonia, where pre-Christian traditions are still observed and the cycle of nature treated with due reverence. Different may people give different weight to secular and religious significance, but many first celebrate nature in ways that involve water (a sauna) or a campfire in a forest.

Similarly, in Greece, some practices are believed to have been around since pagan times. On the mornings of Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and the Epiphany, for instance, local children often gather before different homes and sing kalanda (carols) in exchange for cookies or coins. Although they are believed to have existed for far far longer, the kalanda have been a part of Christian Christmas custom since the early days of the Byzantine Empire.

photo by RobW_ licence cc by

Also in Greece, where the the Orthodox Church’s calendar places less of an emphasis on Christmas as elsewhere in the Christian world, other local traditions flourish. For example, January 6, the Epiphany, is also known as Theophany, a day on which, to prove their faith and courage, young people leap into the cold waters of the sea to recover a holy cross and return it to a priest for a blessing. Throwing the cross into the water is said to symbolize the passage of Jesus’ life from his birth to his baptism or the passage of his spirit to a new person.

From December 16 to 24, if you’re visiting Los Cabos, Mexico, you are likely to hear a traditional song  connected to the celebration of ‘Las Posadas,’ which are reminders of the journey of Joseph and Mary just before the birth of Jesus. The practice today is for guests to gather in the main entrance of selected house, light small candles and then sing a traditional song. When the song is over, the host opens the door and all the guests enter. They then kneel and pray at the house’s nativity scene, after which a piñata filled with traditional candies makes its appearance. There are also public Posadas usually held on the main plaza of every town.

About the author: Ethan Gelber (@thetravelword) is the Chief Communications Officer of the WHL Group, the largest local-travel company in the world. Ethan also founded and edits The Travel Word, a blog that showcases responsible, sustainable and local travel; and is a founding facilitator of the Local Travel Movement, a not-for-profit platform started by people from companies founded on a passion for Local Travel.

We asked her 5 questions to find out more about her:

1. Fave City in the world: The plains of Tibet

2. City or village? Nomadic country side

3. Beach or Snow? Grasslands and snow capped mountains

4. Please complete the sentence: Traveling is like… “the best book you can ever read!”

5. What would be your ultimate pocketvillage adventure? Trekking Annapurna in Nepal, Kathmandu

Every Monday we are featuring one pocketvillage fan on our Facebook page and blog. Are you our pocketvillage Fan of the Week? We would love to hear from you! Please send an e-mail to *protected email* with a favourite travel photo (it needs to have you in the image), a description of the photo (a sentence or two) and answers to the above five questions.

Water’s Meeting

The next day, our plan was to go into the Solimões River in a boat much smaller and faster than the one we began in on the last part of our adventure through Amazon region and navigate until reach the “Igarapés”, small and natural water canals that give us the possibility to go a bit farther inside the jungle to take a closer look at the biodiversity of the jungle.

We set sail from Rio Negro port in the direction of Rio Solimões. Both rivers are huge and each one has its specific features that make them different, unique and, most interestingly, allow them run side by side without mixing for more than 6 km.  The meeting from these two giants became famous among travelers around the world and received the name of Water’s Meeting.

The contrast between the sandy-colored water from Solimões River and the dark water from the Black River is an interesting natural phenomenon that happens because of the difference from temperature, density and speed of each river. The Black River flows 2 km per hour at a temperature of 22 °C while Solimões River flows between 4 and 6km per hour at a temperature of 28°C. After the point of confluence, the two rivers became one and are from that point on the Amazon River.

Life on the riverside

While exploring the river, we saw stilt houses on the riverside. The dwellers were all smiling and waving to us. The women were washing clothes in the river while kids were swimming. Looking at the wonderful people and scenery, I couldn’t help wondering, “Where am I? Is this really Brazil?” The way of life here is completely different from any I had seen in my country before! You cannot simply take your bike or a walk to the next bakery or go to see your friends down the street. Here the only way to be in movement is inside a boat and it often takes much time to arrive at your destination. The noise of a boat coming from the opposite side of us rescued me from my thoughts. Inside the boat was children with their bags going to school!

Before go to the “Igarapés” we had two stops. The first was in a simple stilt house in the middle of nowhere. A seven year old girl welcomed us and invited to see the animals that the family was taking care of. The first thing I saw through the open window into the house, however, was an enormous snake! The girl seemed read my mind. She said: “Don’t worry, we took the snake from the river few hours ago and already gave food, it is not dangerous when it is full!” As if that was all it took to quell my fears, she then asked, “Do you want to take a photo with the snake? Come here!” Well I preferred a photo carrying a baby alligator and a cute sloth!

The second stop was a floating restaurant called Rainha das Águas (Queen of Waters). The food was very tasty, and we could try many kind of fish prepared in many different ways. Nearby the restaurant is trail some meters into the jungle where you can see the iconic Victória Régia flower, also called the “Star of the Waters”.

A sloth in the middle of the way

Our boat started to go through even more narrow water ways. We were surrounded by only water, trees and peace. The silence broken by only the singing of the birds. Our boatman was explaining about the age of trees when we witnessed a small sloth fall in the water , then scramble to reach back into the tree without success. Our boatman stopped near the animal, took it from the water, and put it in the small mast of the boat so the sloth could be close enough to climb back into the trees alone!

For many people, that sloth in their way probably wouldn’t mean much, but for me, that sloth symbolized the minute details as well as huge surprises that this trip provided me. The magic of travelling isn’t being in another place, but how the new place impact you and what sort of feelings and thoughts you take back home after having been there! And that, my dear fellow travelers, depends how open you are to face a new culture and all the experiences that comes with it.

I hope you had enjoyed our trip through Amazon region. Certainly, the Amazon is a great place to spend three days to a whole month and you will not run out of fascinating things to explore!

Until next adventure!

1. Fave City in the world: All of them.

2. City or village?  Can’t choose – has to be both! As long as we can get under the skin of a place and get lost among the locals, we’re happy.

3. Beach or Snow? You tell us! We’re about to run a competition for people to win a winter sun or ski holiday. Watch our facebook page facebook.com/responsibletravel for more details

4. Please complete the sentence: Traveling is like… more than just a brief stay somewhere – it’s a real connection with the people, the landscape, the culture, the food and the environment.

5. What would be your ultimate pocketvillage adventure? After watching the recent BBC ‘Frozen Planet’ series, we’d have to say the Arctic sailing voyage in Spitsbergen would be great for the chance to see some polar bears!

Find out more about Responsible Travel.

Every Monday we are featuring one pocketvillage fan on our Facebook page and blog. Are you our pocketvillage Fan of the Week? We would love to hear from you! Please send an e-mail to *protected email* with a favourite travel photo (it needs to have you in the image), a description of the photo (a sentence or two) and answers to the above five questions.

The starting point for an all day ride through the waters of the Black River is the port area. This part of town is tumultuous and noisy; shops can be found everywhere, even in the   middle of the sidewalks. If you look around, you see many different people offering you all sorts of products and services. It is also a nice place to negotiate the prices of river rides if you prefer, or you can buy your tickets in advance at a local travel agency. Talking directly with the boatman, however, increases your chances of getting a discount.

Our tour through the Black River started 8:30 AM and each one of us spent US$ 110 for the complete ride with the lunch included. A friendly boatman named Josué was our guide. Our boat sailed 80 km down the river where we were able to visit an indigenous tribe, a fishing village and we were even able to stop and swim with the pink river dolphins – the most anticipated and exciting activity of the day!

The cloudy day was unable to blur the beauty of the landscape marked for the contrast between the dark water and the green forest. The size and the “Cola-Cola” color of Black River are incredible, but most incredible of all is the river is almost free of mosquitoes! Josué told us this happen because of the acidity of the water. The science explained it: the water from black rivers has less minerals dissolved and are much more acidic, this chemical composition inhibits the proliferation of insect larvae and the forest around consequently have fewer mosquitoes.

The indigenous tribe called Dessana was our first stop where we were welcomed by the natives’ leader who was also witchdoctor. He told us to sit down with them, then he started to tell stories about the indigenous world and its creation: “Soon after the deluge Borika stuck the stick in the center of the world and marked North, South, East and West and with circles the Indian territory, so the indigenous the world doesn’t have frontiers. We are the pioneers in the earth.”

Between one story and another, the tribe suddenly met in the middle of the hollow and started to dance. The synchronism among beat instruments, voices and body movements were magical and caught the attention of everybody.  I felt connected with my past. Even though I never had met my ancestors, I know they were natives, and for a long time lived free in their territory. Every Brazilian has native blood running through veins, but I suppose I have more. I am directly descended from them; my great-grandmother was Indigenous from northeast region.  Also I felt a little sadness into my heart because the indigenous culture is not as preserved as it should and throughout history their space was not respected. Historians do not know exactly how many natives lived in Brazil when it was colonized, but 500 years ago the indigenous population estimated was between 1 and 10 million people.  Nowadays, there are around 800,000 and represent only about 0.4 % of the Brazilian population according to the National Indigenous Foundation (FUNAI).

After the dancing presentation, we had the chance to talk with them as well as see the handicraft made and sold by them.  I already had suspected that it was a presentation especially organized to attract tourists, but listening to a kind young lady I could understand how it is important to all of them to share their culture with the tourists. The beautiful woman said that most natives there are from Dessana ethnicity. She is from Tucano ethnicity and all of them came from the high Black River, but had to leave their original land because they couldn’t survive there anymore. The witchdoctor Kisibi Kumu explained that when he was a boy, priests came and tried to catechize them, took their instruments, told that their rituals were “a thing from devil” and taught them to pray to the Christian God. His tribe moved for another region to escape the priests, and now he is proud to preserve the Dessana culture and show what he leaned because of the struggle of his parents and grandparents. The tribe depends on tourism, handicraft and other indigenous knowledge to survive, but despite this, they are trying to keep their traditions alive. This was obvious just by looking into their eyes.

Pink River Dolphins

We stopped for lunch in a colorful community called São Thomé, three hours from Manaus, where around 45 people live, many of them fishermen.  For those of you who want to experience life in a local river community, stay there for some days in a simple and comfortable inn called Pousada do Jacaré .

I must confess after São Thomé I didn’t know exactly how much time we spent sailing until before our next stop. The peaceful movement of the water put me right to sleep. When I opened my eyes again, I saw a quiet beach surrounded by vibrant greens.  A few meters ahead of us was a woman with a fish bucket waiting for us to feed the pink dolphins.

Any words I use here will not accurately describe the sensation of being in a peaceful part of Amazon, swimming with these incredible pink dolphins. It was an experience that was truly magical and began the second I first put my feet in the warm Black River water. Since I was a child, I listened to legends about the pink dolphins, one of the most well known comes from the Amazon and says that during the night the enchanted pink river dolphins can became beautiful men, well dressed using a hat to hide the hole in the top their heads. They come to the land to bewitch virgin girls and take them to the river. After some time the young girls would reappear pregnant!

Together, with a group of 15 people, we silently waited in the warm water for our anticipated guests.  A few minutes after the woman started to shake the fishes in the water the pink river dolphins appeared and were swimming between ours legs. You could just stretch out your hand and touch them under the water. They are very big and can measure 1.6 meters.

During the long ride back to Manaus, I couldn’t help but imagine how many incredible things the Amazon forest hides inside itself.  The few wonders that I saw made me fell in love with the forest, and I swelled with pride for having been born in this surprising land called Brazil. To complete the day, we were welcomed back to Manaus for an incredible sunset, using Juliane’s words “my camera can’t real register what my eyes are seeing now!”

The planned road trip
In 2010, I flew to Perth in order to depart on a 2000 km road trip to Broome. If you follow the news, you might remember that in December 2010, northwestern Australia was hit with torrential downpours. In one day, it rained as much as it normally rains in a whole year, so the infrastructures were flooded, and consequently, closed.

We were stuck in a town south of the Ningaloo reef, so we decided to cancel our flights and return to Perth where the weather was better. My birthday is a week before Christmas and a friend I studied with called to congratulate me. During our conversation we discovered that we were both on the same continent, not only in Western Australia, but also only a couple hundred kilometers away from each other. Given our proximity, we decided to see each other. He was working on a farm picking grapes as part of his Work & Holiday trip.

Plans changed
We arrived late with a carton of beer for Mario, the owner of the farm. He welcomed us warmly and told us to keep the beer and have a great night. He joined us later and we had a really good time. Two days later we decided to leave and explore southwestern Australia. Before we left, Mario asked us to stop by on our way back to Perth.

We did. Upon our arrival, he took us to the beach with his UTE and we had some drinks. His wife had to wrap some gifts, so we were the perfect excuse to get the kids out of the house! That night, Mario invited us to spend Christmas with him and his family at his brother-in-law’s house. At first we refused, saying that Christmas should be spent with family, but since we couldn’t come up with a better reason, we had to go. He asked us to stay!

“If you have no better plans, stay with us for Christmas!”

We did! On Christmas morning, we woke up with gifts in front of our rooms. I was soo happy about getting a gift because I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was thousands of kilometers away from home and somebody was thinking of me and bought me something! I felt like a kid again. After a dip in the pool (remember it’s Christmas), we left for Bunburry, where we met at 11am. Half an hour later, we were given our first beers.

The food was amazing. I had the best seafood barbeque with everything you can imagine. We had scallops, oysters, crayfish, lobster, squid, mussels and plenty of other things!

Later that night when everybody was buzzed, Pedro, a member of the family who was a country singer, said that the next day would be perfect for a boat trip and a swim with the dolphins in the river delta.

We agreed that we would love to go and Pedro arranged everything. About 30 minutes later, I remembered that my friend and I were supposed to catch a plane the next morning to fly to Sydney.

Pedro thought about it, walked away and quickly returned with a phone. He told me to call Quantas and change the flight. Then he gave me about $300 AUD, saying that he had met so many nice people on his travels who gave him shelter, food or money and that today would be the perfect day to give something back, and we would be the lucky ones. I wanted to refuse this offer, but I knew I couldn’t! They expected me to stay and I happily did!

I changed the flights and the next morning, we all left the house a little hung-over, and swam with wild dolphins.

What started as a chaotic trip into nowhere with closed and flooded roads, ended up being one of the best trips I’ve had so far! I’m very thankful for all the amazing Australians I met during my travels. They never disappointed me and they truly know how to celebrate Christmas and every other event!

About the Author:
Sebastian is half German, half Spanish. He was born in Spain and lived there for 13 years. Afterward he moved to Austria, then to Germany, followed by extensive travel around the world. Sebastian has been in more than 40 countries, lived for a year in Australia, and speaks six languages fluently. Today he considers himself a citizen of the world. He blogs at Off-The-Path.com