http://www.netglobers.com/node.php?pageid=8&pageclef=rssenSat, 04 Feb 2012 14:40:57 +0100Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:40:57 +0100http://www.cafecentral.frTue, 24 Jan 2012 18:21:45 +0100http://www.netglobers.com/north-america/mexico-to-mark-the-end-of-the-festive-season-31720.htmlhttp://www.netglobers.com/north-america/mexico-to-mark-the-end-of-the-festive-season-31720.htmlThe Christmas holidays ended for most people a month ago, but in Mexico the festive season officially comes to a close on Feb 2nd as Mexicans celebrate Candlemas. Catholics recognize the day by taking candles to church to be blessed. Following church great feasts and carnivals will take place, along with colorful parades where the end of the religious season will be bid adieu. February 2nd also marks the transition from winter to spring as crops are prepared to be planted. Exactly 40 days after Christmas, the tradition can be traced back Jewish law when it was custom for a mother to wait 40 days after giving birth before presenting a child at the temple; this was also said to be the case for Mary when she gave birth to Jesus. Candlemas is also the extension of another holiday, King’s Day, celebrated every Jan 6; a day when families get together to eat, laugh, and share stories. Gifts are also exchanged and cake is eaten with an epitaph of Jesus hidden inside. Making Mexico part of the travel plans Traveling to Mexico for Candlemas will allow tourists to discover ancient traditions played-out before their eyes. However, visiting Mexico in February and March will also help those struggling through the dark days of winter to escape to the warm air and sunny skies of the tropics. Traveling during the spring will the best time for weather, but will also be crowded as families head south for spring break. Booking early is essential, as well as finding dates outside of spring break. Travelers are advised to avoid border areas where drug-related violence is high.Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:58:35 +0100http://www.netglobers.com/north-america/snowmageddon-hits-pacific-northwest--31683.htmlhttp://www.netglobers.com/north-america/snowmageddon-hits-pacific-northwest--31683.htmlOver the past two days, the Pacific Northwest has been affected by a deadly ice storm combined with heavy downpours, leading to flash flooding, power outages and some evacuations. On Thursday, January 19th, a winter storm nicknamed “Snowmageddon” hit hard Seattle metropolitan area and parts of the state of Washington forcing the temporary closure of Seattle International Airport and disrupting road traffic across the region. Governors of Washington and Oregon states declared a state of emergency. At least three people have been reported dead. According to forecasters, severe weather conditions, including snowfall and heavy rains, should continue to lash the Pacific Northwest until at least January 22nd. Winter storms are common in the United States. People travelling within or in and out of affected areas are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport and confirm all their travel arrangements. Monitor local media in order to get updated information and obey to all recommendations given by authorities. Take extra precautions while driving.  Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:55:59 +0100http://www.netglobers.com/north-america/usa-snow-storm-to-hit-pacific-northwest-31662.htmlhttp://www.netglobers.com/north-america/usa-snow-storm-to-hit-pacific-northwest-31662.htmlOn January 17th, the US National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings and advisories for much of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and northwestern Montana. According to forecasters, this major winter storm will initially affect Seattle and Portland starting from late January 17th and January 18th before moving eastward. Severe weather conditions could trigger road and air traffic disruptions in affected areas. Flight delays and cancellations are likely at both Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Portland International Airport. The storm could also affect parts of Canada, including Vancouver. Winter storms are common in the United States. Last year, several severe snowfalls (Snowmageddon) affected parts of north-eastern United States severely disrupting air travel.       Passengers travelling to the affected areas are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport. Confirm all your travel arrangements and obey to all recommendations given by authorities. Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:20:32 +0100http://www.netglobers.com/north-america/mexico-s-drug-related-violence-increases-in-2011-31611.htmlhttp://www.netglobers.com/north-america/mexico-s-drug-related-violence-increases-in-2011-31611.htmlOn Wednesday, January 11th, Mexican authorities released data concerning drug-related violence in the country. According to officials, 47,515 deaths have been reported in Mexico during the last five years. During the nine first months of 2011, the number of victims reached 12,903 (an 11.4 % increase compared to the same period in 2010). In 2011, the following cities were particularly affected by narcotics-related homicides: Cuidad Juárez (1,206 deaths), the touristic resort of Acapulco (795 deaths) and the northern city of Torreón (476 deaths). In 2006, the Mexican President Calderón launched a military offensive against the drug traffic and the organised crime. However, over the past years, the drug-related violence has increased countrywide due to a multiplication of drug-cartels. Killings between gangs as well as “express kidnappings” are common in the country. Moreover, many regions, including the state of Veracruz, have seen their security conditions deteriorate over the past years. Criminality affects large parts of the country, especially the regions near the US border as well as the states of Veracruz, Guerrero and Nuevo León.  Travellers must be aware that several western embassies advise their citizens against all but essential travel to some parts of the country (e.g. the Mexican states of Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Guerrero, Michoacan, Nuevo Leon, Sonora, Veracruz and Tamaulipas). Get informed prior your departure. People travelling to Mexico should maintain a high level of security awareness and take extra precautions at all times. Visit tourist areas only during daylight hours, avoid being outside at night and keep a low profile during your stay. For any security emergency, contact your nearest consulate as soon as possible. Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:57:16 +0100http://www.netglobers.com/north-america/unusual-heavy-rains-hit-honduras-31547.htmlhttp://www.netglobers.com/north-america/unusual-heavy-rains-hit-honduras-31547.htmlThe northern and coastal regions of Honduras are experiencing unusual heavy seasonal rains, triggering flooding and landslides. The severe weather conditions are particularly affecting the departments of Cortes and Altantida. Even if there is no official evacuation order, authorities have encouraged people living near Lean and Ulua rivers to evacuate. Road closures and traffic disruptions due to landslides and downed trees have been reported along rural areas. According to forecasts, heavy downpours should continue lashing the region at least until January 11th. The departments of Colon, Gracias a Dios, Islas de la Bahia, Yoro and northern Olancho are also affected by the heavy downpours. Travellers are advised to listen to local and international media in order to get updated information. If you are told to evacuate do so and follow specific routes. Stay away from the sea, the rivers and the flooded areas. Confirm all your travel arrangements. Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:59:12 +0100http://www.netglobers.com/north-america/mexico-left-shaken-after-powerful-earthquake-25721.htmlhttp://www.netglobers.com/north-america/mexico-left-shaken-after-powerful-earthquake-25721.htmlUp to three people have been reported killed after the western Mexican state of Guerrero was rocked by a powerful 6.5 earthquake Saturday night. So far the quake appears to have caused no major damage aside from numerous power outages. The tremor that struck shortly before 8pm was felt in other regions, including nine states and as far away as Mexico City, 103 miles from the epicenter. Seismologists say the depth – 40 miles below the surface – was the determining factor in the lack of destruction following such a powerful quake. Despite escaping almost entirely unscathed, residents of Mexico City were left pondering the unthinkable. Memories of an 8.1 1985 earthquake that killed 10,000 remain strong. Much of the city sits on a former lake bed, increasing the intensity and potential for disaster. When the ground began to shake many ran from their homes to avoid the horror of nearly 30 years ago.   Travel plans unchanged after quake Travelers in or on their way to Mexico can breathe a sigh of relief. With no major damage visitors shouldn’t worry about issues of safety. However, such an event highlights the importance of travel medical insurance, should a disaster occur. For others looking to escape to the sunny south, look no further than the Radish Night Festival in Oaxaca City Dec 23. The radish is the vegetable of choice at this annual event. Sculpted into everything from nativity scenes to animals, the festival is all about food, that is before plates are thrown over shoulders to set fortunes for the year and fireworks illuminate the sky.Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:42:48 +0100http://www.netglobers.com/north-america/space-tourism-to-soon-become-mainstream-reality-in-new-mexico-22614.htmlhttp://www.netglobers.com/north-america/space-tourism-to-soon-become-mainstream-reality-in-new-mexico-22614.htmlThe future has arrived. As space travel draws closer to becoming a tourism norm, the first spaceport has been constructed to accommodate the influx of travelers. New Mexico USA is the home to Spaceport America, designed for the sole purpose of handling outbound and inbound space travelers. Open since 2006, the terminal straight out of a science fiction novel currently plays host to a litany of experimental flights. The $209 USD million facility covering 18,000 acres of land has been designed specifically for vertical take-offs. Its main tenant, space line operator Virgin Galactic, will take advantage of the launching pads and terminal funded entirely by New Mexico taxpayers. Spaceport officials hope that the site will be fully operational and self-sustaining by Dec. 2013. Spaceport, which has been built with the commercial space traveler in mind, has been in the works for a long time. It is also fitting that the location of the spaceport is in no other than New Mexico, the home of space travel innovation and rocket research dating back to the 1930s. Looking skyward for that next travel adventure from New Mexico Although space travel is still an activity reserved for the filthy rich, advancing technology is moving toward making it available for everyone. However, anyone can make the trip down to New Mexico after 2013 when the terminal will be open for visits so the curious can learn more about the future of tourism. For now stay grounded, and take advantage of the beautiful landscapes and cultural activities that make New Mexico unique.Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:10:01 +0100http://www.netglobers.com/north-america/guatemala-s-christmas-burns-with-traditional-culture-and-religion-22459.htmlhttp://www.netglobers.com/north-america/guatemala-s-christmas-burns-with-traditional-culture-and-religion-22459.htmlAt home the lead-up to December 25 usually involves advent calendars and last minute shopping adventures to add even more clutter to the garage. In Guatemala, people forgot the malls by purging their homes of unwanted things and set them on fire. Think of it as an extreme cleanse. Not only does throwing junk into a blazing bonfire tidy up the house before relatives arrive for the holidays, but watching everything go up in smoke symbolizes ridding the home of the devil. There is even a burning effigy of the fallen angel himself, firecrackers included. The ritual, that takes place every Dec 7, dates back to colonial times when the Spanish introduced Christianity to Central and South America. The removal of the devil allow for Christian processions to follow the bonfire, leading up to Christmas Eve. The ancient Mayan culture is also included with a Dec 21 feast commemorating St. Thomas with a Mayan flying men dance, creating a fusion of religious beliefs. Traveling to Guatemala to celebrate Yule Escape the cold for the warmer air of Guatemala to beat the winter blues, but there are some things to be aware of before traveling. Guatemala is a developing country with high levels of poverty. Although incidents of crime against foreigners are infrequent, travelers should avoid the border areas which are known for drug and human smuggling. Rural residents are said to be nervous about child stealing, so it is advised to avoid contact with young children. Visas are not required, but Americans must present a valid passport in order to enter.Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:23:38 +0100http://www.netglobers.com/north-america/us-clears-the-air-for-more-flights-bound-for-cuba-22439.htmlhttp://www.netglobers.com/north-america/us-clears-the-air-for-more-flights-bound-for-cuba-22439.htmlThanks to relaxing government regulations, charter flights bound for Havana, Cuba are increasingly becoming the norm. Two south Florida travel agencies have been given the green light to arrange flights destined for the still-embargoed country only 90 miles south of Miami. The Miami-based Marazul travel agency has announced through its partnership with Delta Airlines that flights will also begin departing from New York and weekly from Atlanta, Georgia. Another travel agency, Island Travel and Tours of Tampa Florida, will begin flying charters out of Baltimore and Washington D.C. early next year. The ease in travel comes as the result of President Obama’s move last January to make travel to the communist island nation open to more and more Americans. Journalists, students, academics and religious and cultural groups can enjoy the new rules. Cuban Americans also have the ability to travel home to visit relatives. The announcement of charter flights comes as Cuba is set to open the real estate market, allowing its citizens to sell their homes for profit. Traveling to Cuba not as easy as catching a flight Even though planes are leaving for Cuba rules surrounding who can visit country remain strict. Anyone planning on traveling to Cuba must fit into one of the groups approved by the U.S. government. Arrangements for licenses and visas must be made many months in advance of flying. Consult travel operators for the latest information needed to fly, as expensive fines are still in place for Americans who enter Cuba without authorization.Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:31:34 +0100http://www.netglobers.com/north-america/polar-bear-migration-boosts-tourism-and-online-views-22407.htmlhttp://www.netglobers.com/north-america/polar-bear-migration-boosts-tourism-and-online-views-22407.htmlEvery winter as the cold artic air freezes over the waters of Churchill Manitoba, Canada one of the earth’s most majestic animals returns to feast. The great migration of the polar bear marks the change of season, and along with the 1,000 that make the journey come a flock of curious tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of the great white bear of the north. The sheets of ice over Hudson’s Bay allow the polar bear to hunt for seals by providing it the chance to roam above the water in search of food. However, despite the number of bears that arrive in the reh^gion the animal is now endangered. Each year the effects of global warming leads to less ice, robbing the bears access to their primary source of food. The threat to its existence has led more people to make the journey north to see the bear first-hand – from a distance of course. On-lookers pack into large buggies that accomodate anywhere from 10 – 40 people. Similar to African safaris, travelers can safely come within metres of the polar bear. But for those who prefer to stay at home the bears can be viewed online in real time. Web cameras now capture the bears live, allowing everyone to see the migration without the cold and the expense. Travel to Churchill to join the migration Polar bears are truly a magnificant sight. The best chance to see them is in Northern Canada, but be prepared for the conditions and the price. Trips can cost up to $4,000 with hotels running at $250 per night. Plan the voyage early to find deals. Travel at the beginning of Autumn to make sightings a sure thing.