If you believe that the sport of snorkeling wasn’t “invented” until recently, you’re in for a surprise. The idea took root around 350 BC when philosopher Aristotle observed an elephant submerged in water that used its trunk to breathe. It’s a fanciful supposition and one that can’t be proven, but evidence exists that rudimentary helmets attached to reed tubes were common in the 15th century,…
Scholars at Atlanta’s Georgia Tech University delved into a topic that few academic institutions have attempted: The origins of the term “going viral.” Their discovery, that going viral has been around for more than 120 years, came about as the result of access to databases covering more than 10 million newspaper pages. The first example? Presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan’s 1896 Democratic National Convention speech….
It’s easy to understand why questions are being asked about the wisdom of importing animals to zoos after being captured in the wild—especially since opportunities to see wildlife over time were mostly found on pages of National Geographic magazines! New approaches to zoo design benefit wildlife as some of these facilities expand space and create habitats designed to emulating species-specific environments. What’s changed since zoos…
No parrots or pirate hats are required to dive into this gorgeous Belize atoll, though the pirates are no longer around to welcome you! According to “Moon Belize” author Lebawit Lily Girma, one doesn’t need to travel to a large island to enjoy the world’s best diving experience, which is why Glover’s Reef Atoll in Southern Belize has become a popular destination for vacationers. First…
According to the psychologist Todd Kashdan, early man pursued wonder and found it in every new discovery. As a result, our earliest ancestors loved nothing more than playing with bones, rocks, turtle shells, and other beachfront finds, and encountering magnificent mountains and caves often triggered pure joy. For ancient Mayas settling in the area now known as Belize, one of the most revered offshore sites…
The Placencia Peninsula in southern Belize is one of the most popular places to visit for individuals interested in enjoying some of the world-class diving available on the nearby Belize Barrier Reef. Measuring more than 240 miles in length and home to hundreds of islands, the Belize Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the Western Hemisphere and a UNESCO World Heritage Site….
The University of Exeter, the British Trust for Ornithology, and the University of Queensland teamed up to conduct a study that got attention from the international mental health community: People living in neighborhoods with a preponderance of birds “are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress.” It didn’t matter where study participants lived—urban or suburban neighborhoods. As long as birds show up regularly,…
Scientists are fascinated with the reasons people love adventure vacations and some of the best results of their research are encapsulated by Candice Gaukel Andrews writing for the Good Nature Travel Blog. You could be taken aback when you read some of the perks her research unearthed about the benefits of adventure travel: 1. Getting dusty and dirty on adventures strengthens the immune system. 2….
If you’ve been disappointed after signing up for tours—only to find they’re so short, they barely scratch the surface of the place you came to see—you know how important it can be to expect value for your money. At Laru Beya Resort in Belize, guests know that the staff has created carefully curated tours to offer a complete picture of the tastes, aromas, and sounds…
Some people love to do absolutely nothing on vacation beyond adopting a beach chair or hammock. Their counterparts wouldn’t dream of traveling abroad without availing themselves of tours. If you’ve yet to be convinced about the value of tours, consider these 6 reasons take as many as time allows: 1. Everything about tours are organized, from transport to guides. 2. You’ll meet fascinating people. Traveling…