Here are 5 Penguin Species You Won’t Want to Miss When You Travel!

August 31, 2017 By Tam Warner 13 Comments

North American Travel Journalist Association has recognized this article in the Annual Travel Writers Awards!

2018 Bronze Award in the category Eco, Environmental, or Volunteer

penguins, africa, antarctica, jackass, chinstrap — With my new friends in South Africa, 2009! They are Jackass Penguins!

Who loves penguins? Everybody! And if someone does not like penguins, I don’t want to know them. Penguins overdose us on cuteness. They are a joy to watch whether they are walking, swimming, nesting, or snoozing. I have been fortunate enough to see 5 Penguin Species eye to eye. They are all completely awesome! [Read more…] about Here are 5 Penguin Species You Won’t Want to Miss When You Travel!

You are Looking for Ocean Adventures, I am Offering the Sea of Cortez!

August 28, 2017 By Tam Warner 25 Comments

sea of cortez, whale sharks — Researching Whale Sharks in Mexico

Red Travel Mexico and Travels with Tam (that’s me!) are offering an amazing adventure to Cabo Pulmo and La Paz in the Sea of Cortez! There is something for everyone: scuba or snorkel on a reef that is 20,000 years old, beautiful beaches, waterfalls, snorkeling with whale sharks and sea lions, kayaking, and of course, just relaxing! Where does all this wonderful activity happen? In Cabo Pulmo, Mexico and La Paz, Mexico, about two hours from Cabo San Lucas. The dates are December 3-9, 2017. Imagine being in Cabo Pulmo National Park where thousands of jacks school! Cabo Pulmo is an exciting example of what a marine park can be. Ten years ago Cabo Pulmo became a National Marine Park, allowing no fishing. In ten years the ocean life has multiplied 463%! This sleepy place has not yet become a tourist haven, and one can enjoy quiet, unspoiled beauty. We will visit beautiful, protected locations with expert guides. Want to stay longer? You can extend your trip in La Paz, or head two hours west to Cabo San Lucas!

You can learn all about the trip at Red Travel Mexico with Tam Warner Minton! Hurry and book, there are still spaces available and this is going to be AMAZING!

whale sharks, sea of cortez — Unspoiled beauty.

Why should you consider Bali for your wedding & honeymoon?

August 18, 2017 By Tam Warner 15 Comments

By Mario Alex, Guest Post

Sanur, Maya Sanur, Bali — Relaxing pool area.

Bali Paradise Island

One little island, one big paradise! Especially for the love birds among us flying over to Bali to refuge in love and romance. This exotic island of Indonesia is one of the most sought-after holiday destinations for those engaged to be married, newlyweds and honeymooners and we don’t have to wonder why. Gorgeous white sand beaches, magnificent sunsets, holy volcanoes, endless rice paddies, temples and amazing luxury stays at affordable prices. Imagine waking up to the sound of the sea and the gentle morning sun rising over the emerald rice paddies. You may have to pinch yourself in the arm before cuddling up in the bed with your loved once again before getting up to explore the island. Whether you are getting married, just got married or want to renew your vows, Bali is just the perfect place!

bali, honeymoon — Enjoy the hot springs in the mountains of Bali

Tons of romantic couples plan their wedding and honeymoon in Bali every year. Is it still really that special? Well, it all depends on the right wedding planner. Of course, you want your wedding to be unique, something truly special unlike any other. Hotel weddings would be a no go, if you ask me as it will be crowded with people you don’t know, there will be no privacy or sense of exclusivity and therefore, that ‘special spark’ is missing. But, with The Seven Agency, your wedding in Bali can and will indeed be one in a million. A unique, memorable location and wedding venue, away from the madding crowds, with stunning views and everything custom-designed to your dreams, needs and wishes to the very last detail. To do this, you need to find a professional, reliable wedding planner that listens and inspires.

maya sanur, bali, sanur — The Bali Flower Bath is exquisite.

The perfect honeymoon

The same goes for your honeymoon on The Island of the Gods. You will want more than flowers on your bed upon arrival, after all, it should be the most memorable and romantic holiday of your lifetime. The location needs to be truly special, the room needs to exude romance inside out and everything needs to be about you and your sweetheart celebrating your love for each other together on this beautiful island. Standard hotel packages are lacking that personal touch and they are too limited in their inclusions. A bit of help is needed to find special places and activities that make your honeymoon special and unique as can be.

Where to start?

Trying to plan the most romantic day and stay of your life can be quite stressing, especially if it is in a far away place like Bali. Where to find the right guidance without it costing you an arm and a leg and without you ending up with a standard wedding/honeymoon package in a hotel? No need to worry too much, there are some great and affordable wedding & honeymoon planners around on Bali Island. Agencies with plenty of excellent and trustable reviews to take you by the hand and guide you through the wonderland that Bali is to give inspiration and ideas for your big wedding day or your honeymoon. The Seven Holiday is one of these companies that adds that special touch with tailor-made packages to make your wedding day unique and special honeymoon activities you never would have thought of. How about a champagne picnic on a high ocean cliff, an exclusive photoshoot on a desolate beach, a spa treatment in the jungle or sunset dinner on a boat? No matter what you do, make it count! Bali has got all the romance you need, now all you need is to find is the right places and unique activities for the most magical time in Bali during these special times in your life.

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Spa Lovers! Look at the Cozumel Med Spa!

August 10, 2017 By Tam Warner 1 Comment

While in Cozumel over the summer, I paid a visit to the Cozumel Med Spa, and Michaela Velasco, spa manager extraordinaire! I am so glad I did! I knew, of course, that resorts had spas that offered massage, facials, nail care, the usual, but I honestly didn’t know that much more is available on the island. Then I came across Michaela Velasco and received quite an education!

Of course I had heard for years that Mexico is a medical tourist destination. From dentistry to plastic surgery, Mexico can offer first class doctors and facilities at half or less the price in the USA. Treatments that aren’t available in the USA because of FDA regulations, but are available in Europe, Canada and Mexico, are also sought after.

cozumel, med spa, mexico, spa — Lovely treatment rooms

The Cozumel Med Spa offers treatments like peels, microdermabrasion, microneedling, dermaplaning, botox, fillers, and medical grade facials (need definitions? Here you go! http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/). Anyone who spends any amount of time at a dermatologist will recognize several of those treatments, and will know how expensive they are in the United States. At the Cozumel Med Spa they are less than half the cost! (You heard me!) There is also a doctor of esthetics on the premises to perform procedures. Dr Debra Santana did her training in Guadalajara.

The spa is not on the tourist drag, it is on 25th, a bit back from the tourist traps. It is quiet, and very clean and soothing, with cool air conditioning! Michaela is happy to recommend treatments for your skin, and has products onsite. I allowed her to give me a cooling, exfoliating facial, and I can tell you my skin felt luscious afterward!

We all know how much I love Cozumel, and now I have even more reason to! You can bet I will be heading to the spa every time I am on the island! I give it an A+++++!

Columbia Deeps and Columbia Shallows are Sensational Dives on Cozumel!

August 3, 2017 By Tam Warner 2 Comments

columbia deeps, columbia shallows, cozumel, dive cozumel — It is so hard to photograph the beauty of these corals and the mountains that hold them!

Columbia Deeps and Columbia Shallows! Cozumel is a well known diving destination. Jacques Cousteau put Cozumel on the map in 1960, and he did a documentary about the mesoamerican reef, of which Cozumel’s reefs are a part. There are many beautiful dive sites on Cozumel, but I have to say that I love diving Columbia Reef. Columbia is quite far south off the island, and therefore it is never loaded with divers the way Palancar often is. The coral mountains of Columbia are breathtaking, and the shallow area is full of life. I think these photos will show you why I love it so much!

Isn’t it amazing to contemplate that we know more about the planets in our galaxy than we do about our own oceans? Our oceans are in terrible danger, and we must start doing more. There is a new documentary out that everyone should watch. I was interviewed for it but didn’t make the final cut. Check out Chasing Coral on Netflix. I have been in many of the places depicted, and I have seen the damage that climate change is doing. Yes, climate change is real. We must start paying attention.

http://www.chasingcoral.com/#film — We are losing, and we must fight back.

Did You Know Guidos is the Iconic Restaurant on Cozumel?

July 31, 2017 By Tam Warner 6 Comments

cozumel dining, guidos, foodies, cozumel foodie — Guidos Garden dining

Guido’s, overlooking the Mexican Caribbean on Melgar on Cozumel, is the iconic restaurant on Cozumel, without a doubt. When I first visited the island (30 years ago!) I ate at Guidos. Whenever I visit Cozumel Guidos is at the top of the list of restaurants we always go to. Why? You mean aside from the fabulous food and daily specials?

No one has bread like Guidos. No one, anywhere! It is the very best. I think it is a tortilla, but whatever it is, it just melts in your mouth, and you could eat it all night long. Yes, it is that good. Over the years we have taken many, many people to Guidos, and every single one of them remembers the bread and wants to return!

The other “Guidos does it best” item on the menu is their Sangria. Truthfully, I am not a big drinker, but I always have at least one glass of Sangria. Usually we order a pitcher for the table! Yum!

Recently my cousins and I enjoyed a delicious meal at Guidos. Bread, of course, Sangria, of course, and then you have their regular menu (fabulous) and their specials. Please check out Guidos online menu, and look at the wonderful photos of their wood fired oven, indoor dining, and the garden. When you are on the island, you simply have not experienced Cozumel unless you have dined at Guidos!

Travel Adventures!

Bali Paradise Island

The perfect honeymoon

Where to start?

City Pass is the Best Way to Tour a City