Libby Zay
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Video: Diving for pearls in Dubai
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the world's finest pearls were found in the waters of the Arabian gulf. Long story short, the industry was the only that thrived in the region until oil was discovered--but the tradition is not forgotten. Starting in March, travelers to the United Arab Emirates can take part in a traditional pearl diving experience with Dubai's Jumeirah Group. Participants will dress in traditional clothes and board a dhow, a traditional sailing vessel with a long hull design and a mast with a lateen sail. Once out in the water, guests will dive for oysters. Apparently, if guests snag an actual pearl they will be able to keep them as a souvenir of the trip. Part of the excursion will also include a typical meal of Emirati fish and rice. Watch the video above to get a feel for the entire process.
The excursion is open to anyone interested in learning more about the ancient pearling traditions (in other words, not just Jumeirah hotel guests) and will cost about 700 UAE dirhams, which is about $190. Reservations can be made through Jumeirah's Pavillion Dive Cener.
Bermuda takes over New York's Grand Central today
If you pass through Grand Central in New York today, you might catch a little piece of Bermuda during what's being called "Experience Bermuda" day. The Bermuda Department of Tourism will be offering commuters samples of Bermudian cuisine and tropical beverages, chances to win giveaways, and live performances--including Bermudian musicians and the H&H Gombeys Cultural Dance Troupe.Stop by to win one of 50 round-trip airline tickets to Bermuda in a dance contest that will place participants "virtually" on the island, or get a picture next to one of the pink Vespa scooters that can be seen on the island. The day will end in a Bermuda shorts runway contest on a pink runway, where one lucky winner will walk away with a trip for two to the island.
It's all taking place in Grand Central's Vanderbilt Hall (just off the main concourse) from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you can't make it to the terminal, WCBS-FM will be broadcasting the event live from 6 to 10 a.m. on the "Dan Taylor Morning Show," and will be giving away vacations for two to Bermuda from February 13 through February 17.
Photo of H&H Gombeys Cultural Dance Troupe by GoToBermuda / Flickr.
Four unusual ways to get married in Las Vegas
Valentine's Day is here, meaning many people can't help but have marriage on their mind. It's estimated that over 300 wedding ceremonies happen per day in Las Vegas--America's quintessential locale for love, lights, and luck--where there are plenty of options that go beyond run-of-the-mill ceremonies. Below are a few of the most unusual ways to tie the knot in Sin City.
Hilton launches "Authentically Local" programs in the Caribbean and Latin America
Can a mega-corporate hospitality chain with 3,750 hotels provide authentic local experiences to travelers? Select Hilton Worldwide hotels are giving it a shot with the just announced "Authentically Local" packages. Available through the end of the year in the Caribbean and Latin America, the packages are aimed at introducing travelers to local cultures and languages through experiences such as dinners featuring local flavors, dance lessons in the local style, destination and tour suggestions hand-picked by locals, and more. There is even the opportunity for hotel guests to choose wearing a "language immersion pin" that identifies them as someone hotel employees will only speak to in the local language.Options under the new package include tasting conch at the British Colonial Hilton Nassau in the Bahamas, learning rumba at the Hilton Cartagena in Colombia, snorkelling in the clear waters at the Hilton Curaçao off the coast of Venezuela, or touring the Mercado Municipal when staying at the Hilton São Paulo Morumbi in Brazil. The hotel chain also says culture consultants will be avialable at each participating property (full list after the jump) to help guests learn about the most celebrated experiences in the destinations.
So, is Hilton's new initiative to help travelers partake in authentic experiences when staying at their hotels a way the chain is reaching out to the community, or is it just a marketing ploy? It could go either way, but no matter what it's nice to see more travelers will be learning about local cultures.
Gallery: A guide to South American cocktails
Margaritas, Cuba libres, piña coladas and mojitos are drinks with Latin American origins that have become staples at bars across America. But what about the drinks being mixed up further south? Whether you want to know what to order up at the bar during your next trip to South America or you are looking for a way to raise the bar at home, these mixed drinks will leave you thirsty for more.
Gallery: Cocktails in South America
Five foods to try in Ecuador (besides guinea pig)
When discussing food in Ecuador, the most talked about meal is guinea pig, or cuy. But outside of butterflying cute cuddly rodents on a grill, Ecuadorians eat many other foods that are worth a try. From traditional to tropical, here are a few of the can't-miss eats in Ecuador.
Utah town hopes to benefit from celestial sightseeing
Thought to be one of the best places on earth to view the annual solar eclipse on May 20, the small town of Kanarraville, Utah is hoping to draw a considerable number of "astrotourists" this spring. Defined as those willing to travel to study astronomy or observe the sky, astrotourists are common in the region, where dark nighttime skies make stellar stargazing spots."I heard of the concept two years ago," Bonnie Oldroyd, a representative from the Cedar City-Brian Head Tourism Bureau told The Daily Spectrum. "I thought, 'What the heck is astro-tourism?' I did some research and found out we have astro-tourism."
It's estimated that around 5,000 of these astrotourists will descent upon the town in order to see the moon pass between the sun and the earth, leaving just a ring of light from the sun. Considering Kanarraville has a population of merely 300 people, the uptick in tourism is a pretty big deal. Public safety workers will deal with traffic and parking around popular viewing areas, and the tourism bureau is working with nearby hotels to provide special "eclipse packages" for the date. The rest of Southern Utah--besides the areas affected by lights from Las Vegas--might see increased tourism as well.
Would you--or have you--ever planned a trip around stargazing? Hopefully the clouds don't roll in and ruin it all.
[Photo by makelessnoise / Flickr]
LAN Colombia will begin flights to the U.S.
On February 1, LAN Colombia will celebrate the airline's inaugural flight to the United States when it touches down at Miami International Airport from Bogota. The event will be marked by a water cannon salute and will be attended by the iconic Juan Valdez (and possibly his mule Conchita) in an effort to promote his coffee brand-which will now be served exclusively on all of LAN's long-haul flights.So why might you be interested in hopping on one of the seven weekly flights between Bogota and Miami? Not only was Bogota named one of Gadling's picks for best budget vacations in 2012, but Tayrona National Park on the Caribbean coast is one of our top picks for national parks to visit in all of South America. If you need more convincing, find out why Alex Robertson Textor things Bogota is the next Buenos Aires.
Money in Ecuador: How far can $1 get you?
Ecuador is one place where a little money really does go a long way. Not only does the country use United States currency, but it's amazing how many things you can purchase for just one dollar. Whether you are looking to drink an oversized beer at a pub or feast on 20 fresh bananas (just try to scarf them all down before they turn brown!), it comes as no surprise that Ecuador repeatedly makes the list of budget-friendly places to visit--as well as our top picks for adventure destinations in 2012.
Start the day with a cup of coffee--or four. Most cafes will give you your caffeine fix for 25 to 35 cents a cup. Just don't be prepared to get Starbucks-style java: in Ecuador, coffee is usually a cup of hot water with some instant coffee served on the side for you to stir in. If that's not up your alley, you can get a large party-sized cup of made-to-order juice for just a dollar at a fruterias, or fruit shop. They let you choose any mix of fruit of vegetables your heart desires, and no sugar or water will be added. Don't be afraid to try a fruit you've never seen or heard of before, either: I tried guanábana, maracuya, naranjilla and tomate de arbol while I was there, and still find myself craving them all. On the other hand, if you simply prefer soda or bottled water, it's also sold at a reasonable price: 30 to 60 cents depending on the size. Most of it comes in glass bottles, too-a fun game to play is to see how long your bottle has been in circulation; my record was a bottle that dated back to 1994.
Norfolk, Virginia: Thanks to PETA, it's the next best destination for vegetarians
It seems likely that the site of the world's largest Naval would be a place where meat monopolizes the menu. But in Norfolk, Virginia that's simply not the case. The small city has truly embraced vegetarianism (and veganism as well), with nearly all of the restaurants featuring an ample list of veg-friendly options-plus plenty of places that cater solely to the meat-free crowd.
Obviously, larger cities like New York, San Francisco, and Toronto or towns that attract more eclectic inhabitants such as Portland, Bloomington, and Austin have plenty of demand for vegetarian eateries. In Norfolk, however, something else seems to be at work. The big influencer is actually the world's largest animal rights organization, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which is based there. For many positions at the organization, it's actually a requirement that the employee is vegan-and it's a bit of a no-brainer that the office culture probably dictates most employees stray from meat.
As the sailors filter in and out of the city, the PETA employees stay. As a result, there are plenty of places for vegetarians to eat morning, noon, and night. In the funky neighborhood of Ghent alone, there is a laundry list of over two-dozen restaurants that cater to vegetarians-and all seem to have mastered clearly marking menus for easy perusal.
Just a few of the favored pit-stops for vegetarians around Norfolk include Machismo Burrito Bar for Tex-Mex covered with nondairy sour cream and cheese, Rajput for Indian cuisine like veggie samosas and tofu palak, and Azar's Market & Cafe for over 40 meat-free Mediterranean options. The menu at The Ten Top is dominated by veggies, and at Dragon City you can get cheap Chinese takeout that is assuredly vegan. Bella Pizzeria serves up pizza with soy cheese, and Yorgo's Bageldashery goes above and beyond tofu cream cheese by serving a tempeh BLT wrap and "egg" salad. Even a local greasy spoon, the Donut Dinette, serves soy sausage with breakfast and vegan chicken salad for lunch.
