Time is a Factor

John from Kansas asks:
If you could suggest a place to go right now, where would it be and why?

Two places come to mind - Cuba and the Maldives. 

Cuba because it will change forever once the rest of the world is able to travel there and establish businesses.  Having served as something of a time-capsule during the US-Cuba embargo, the country is already witnessing some of the social and economic effects of increased globalization. Because Cuba is relatively poor and very bureaucratic, change is slower than anticipated. Under the Obama administration, regulations have evolved and Cuba is becoming more and more accessible to American tourists.  On the other hand, the Trump administration is suggesting that it will void Obama’s executive orders.  Therefore, I recommend getting there sooner rather than later while it’s relatively easy to do so.   Keep in mind that although we have re-established diplomatic relations and eased the embargo and eased travel restrictions for US citizens, the embargo is still in effect as a whole. 

Second, the Maldives.  Talk about change in a vanishing paradise, the reality is that if sea water levels continue to rise at current rates, the Maldives will be completely erased from Earth by 2046.  I would certainly be upset if someone told me my country would be completely submerged in water in my lifetime.  So, there are two places you should go to NOW! Don't wait. In the near future, traces of Cuba’s authenticity and the Maldives’s landmass are both under threat. 

Luckily, Zoom Vacations makes it easy for you to get to both Cuba and Maldives with just an email or phone call.

Perfect Time to Visit Egypt!

I just returned from Zoom Egypt with a small group and the question on everyone's mind is whether we/I felt safe.  

I would say without any hesitation that we were safe in many ways. From a security perspective, given recent history the government has taken extra measures to secure all points of travel as well as tourist sites and areas.  As an American we were made to feel welcome.  We were often asked "where are you from?" as a way to start conversation, and invariably they would say "welcome!".  

Despite the rhetoric about traveling in the Middle East as a gay person, I also felt very welcome and safe.  It was a non issue.  In fact, on our first day in Cairo I spend the day visiting at the beautiful home of an Egyptian couple I first met in Mykonos about 20 years ago.  They have been together for 37 years and explained that gay life in Egypt is alive and well, although it's practiced differently than in the US.

Michelin Changes it up a Bit

In March, Michelin debuted their South America guide. Surprisingly, this is Michelin's first venture into the Southern Hemisphere! Brazil was the only country on the list, with 16 restaurants featured.

Alex Atala's Sao Paolo based D.O.M. received two stars (equivalent to "excellent cuisine, worth a detour") and was the highest rank awarded. Rio de Janeiro featured six restaurants; all receiving one star (equivalent to "A very good restaurant in its category"). The restaurants are Lasai, Mee, Olympe, Oro, Le Pré Catelan and Roberta Sudbrack.

You can be sure that we will be visiting them on our upcoming tour of Rio for Carnival.