Mom probably warned you about the downside of bragging, but it’s human nature to share successes, good fortune, and blessings. Further, there are times when bragging is helpful, as evidenced by reviews written by guests at Belize’s Laru Beya Resort. Read a few and you’ll understand why guests felt impelled to rave about this tropical haven. They ran out of exclamation points! One couple apologized…
How grateful are you feeling this year as Thanksgiving approaches? Did you know that gratitude plays a major role in keeping you healthy? According to psychologist Matt Killingsworth, the happiest people on earth practice the art of gratitude regularly rather than saving it all up for Thanksgiving. Dr. Robert A. Emmons agrees. The University of California-Davis professor has proven that the “The human need to…
How important are arts and music festivals? Georgia Southern University Masters candidate Kimberly F. Rudolph wrote her honors thesis on the topic. Art festivals, she discovered, are more than excuses to shop. They’re unifying, too! According to Rudolph’s research, art and music festivals are community-building events that bring like-minded people together, so even if our politics and opinions are diverse, when we share entertainment experiences,…
Are you a planner or are you the first person in your crowd to grab opportunities to be spontaneous? This personality trait has nothing to do with being rash or taking risks. Spontaneous people are fun to be around because they tend to be happier, more creative, flexible, adventurous, and they seem to handle stress more efficiently as a result. If you’re a spontaneous person—or…
According to an article published in The Harvard Crimson, Americans rush around too much, said University of Berlin Professor Adolph Goldschmidt. “They never bother to rest and reflect,” he added. “They want to see how many miles they can make in a day.” His words were delivered at a 1930 lecture, yet little changed about American travel habits over time – until Carlo Petrini, protesting…
If you’re like most North Americans, your focus on shopping—in anticipation of year-end holidays—is likely occupying a big chunk of your time these days. Buying gifts can be a challenge, say professionals studying gift-giving behaviors, and if you’re looking to impress, you’ll want to know about an emerging trend: Giving the gift of travel. Check your 2024 calendar. If you’ve already marked loved ones’ birthdays,…
Are you happy to announce to anyone who will listen that you are a dedicated foodie? The lofty designation describes anyone who finds themselves claiming the title because they exhibit these characteristics: There isn’t a food you won’t try The next meal is always on your mind You judge the quality of any gathering by the food Photographing your dishes before you eat has become…
Ever wonder why news reports of immigration surges from Central America always exclude Belize? The U.S. Center for Immigration Studies recently called this English-speaking nation the land “that creates few problems for the U.S.,” and it also speaks to a population that has no desire to live anywhere else in the hemisphere. Further, while Belize and neighboring nations enjoy similar, if not identical climates, that…
Do you take the sun for granted? There’s a reason winter vacations in the sun are so popular. You have fun, relax and the gifts you give your body are priceless. As days grow short and winter looms on the horizon, do you work hard to ignore signs that your body wants to hibernate? Of course it does; you’re entering a season that leaves the…
Beaches are supposed to be tranquil stretches of sand and surf conducive to relaxation and tranquility, but in Belize, a good-natured “battle of the beaches” has been underway since the nation became the trendiest destination in Central America. The contenders for this ongoing debate are Ambergris Caye, the small island known for its party scene, Caye Caulker — idyllic despite offering visitors less beach to…