One of the reasons folks love visiting Florida has to do with the diversity of coasts, access to islands, and sunny weather, but these days, a Sunshine State vacation could set you back a bundle. Further, Florida stretches across 450 miles from north to south, so it could take you forever to see the top sites. Why not vacation on Belize’s Placencia Peninsula instead? This…
What do these four words have to do with your desire for a romantic getaway: reboot, repair, rekindle and revive? They’re the “secret” outcomes all couples crave, even when they tell others they need to escape the pressures of kids, bosses, unreasonable deadlines, and pressures that make us feel we’re aging faster than we’re having birthdays! Must you admit aloud that you believe that relationships…
You’re not alone if the appeal of the great outdoors is powerful during the winter months when getting out and about can be a challenge. There’s a way to escape the worst of it and have your fill of outdoor fun: Head to Belize where experiencing Mother Nature’s world can do more for your spirit than a roaring fire and piles of quilts. Belize temperatures…
They may be small, but conch shells are mighty. They house royalty, say Technology.org researchers, who point out that queen conch mollusks—living within these beautiful pink or orange shells—get free rides as they drag along the seafloor browsing for snacks and producing rare pearls on occasion for the average 40 years each conch lives. Conchs offer multiple pleasures for us humans by serving as ornaments,…
National Public Radio (NPR) newsletter contributor Marielle Segarra says it’s okay to let go of old holiday traditions, especially if you adopt new ones! She’s a fan of these rituals, saying they “foster a sense of unity with the people we love and help pass down cultural values.” Why let go of some traditions? If that ritual feels like an obligation, “requires more energy, funds,…
Are you starting to think about the Thanksgiving holiday and the traditions associated with this all-American celebration? You’re smart to do it now, since iffy tariff matters continue to make headlines, thus early sales of the Thanksgiving-related goods that turn a meal into a tribute to folks who settled the nation may be in short supply. Nevertheless, gratitude isn’t restricted to holidays, so let’s not…
The U.S. Travel Association (U.S.T.A.) has taken on a subject that could become a point of contention between people who love to plan vacations and those who wouldn’t dream of planning anything. It seems some people are born planners. Others take a more spontaneous approach to their getaways. If you’re a planner, some experts insist that you have distinct advantages over spontaneous folks because statistically,…
Did you know that just planning a getaway can make you a happier person? From the moment you pick your destination, you’ll go into “vacation anticipation” mode, a state of mind studied by researchers who insist that the benefits of a vacation begin the moment you start the process. “In a sense, we start to ‘consume’ a trip as soon as we start thinking about…
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…
Is it possible to build a meaningful vacation itinerary that offers the laid-back experience you crave plus the energy-laden excitement that can only be enjoyed when you’re far enough away from reality to do exactly what you please? To be honest, some destinations specialize in one or the other, but if you target Belize as your happy place, you’ve gotten a great start on pursuing…