Author: Joel Cabrera (Joel Cabrera)

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Gay Marriage Around the World
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Gay Marriage Around the World

Each time a country legalizes same-gender marriage, I get many emails asking me for the countries in which it is recognized.  So, on the heals of Scotland’s exciting announcement…  Countries where same-gender marriage is legal:Scotland (2014)England (2013)Wales (2013)France (2013)New Zealand (2013)Uruguay (2013)Denmark (2012)Argentina (2010)Portugal (2010)Iceland (2010)Sweden (2009)Norway (2009)South Africa (2006)Spain (2005)Canada (2005)Belgium (2003)The Netherlands (2000)

Zoom Highlights from 2014
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Zoom Highlights from 2014

It was a busy year for me and the Zoom team. I traveled a total of 161,014 miles, the equivalent of over 6 times around the world, on 69 flights and a mega yacht  to 31 countries.   In addition to the scheduled tours we offered all year, 2013 had a few highlights that made it...

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Upgrade Secrets

I’m a bit of a flight/mileage/upgrade geek.  So, guests going on Zoom trips call me all the time to figure out the best way to get to a Zoom destination the cheapest and most comfortable way possible.  As many of you know, not all business class is created equal and not all business class costs...

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On Tour in Buenos Aires

I am writing this from my hotel room in Buenos Aires, full of thoughts about how this city has changed since we offered our first tour here nine years ago.  It has certainly become more gay friendly and accepting, both in the mentality of the locals and as evidenced by anti-discrimination laws that have been...

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A Different World from when we were Younger

I always get a kick out of the sentence, “why would you want to go there”, as there are few places on Earth I wouldn’t want to see for myself. Arguably, almost every country has enough sites of interest and things to do to make a vacation.  Granted, of course I understand avoiding a country...

The mystery behind Brazil’s “super berry”
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The mystery behind Brazil’s “super berry”

If you have been to Brazil, you have likely seen people walking around, eating a dark purple thick “drink” with spoons out of cups.  Or maybe you have tried it yourself. Whatever the case, acai has become very famous in the past few years. The acai berry is an inch-long reddish, purple fruit, which grows on...

Why I love Tango in Buenos Aires
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Why I love Tango in Buenos Aires

One of my favorite activities that our travelers enjoy on Zoom Argentina is learning to dance the Tango from local professional dancers.  Tango is sexy and sensual without being overtly sexual. Before you see two men dance the Tango, you may assume that one dancer will appear feminine, and the other masculine, but this isn’t...

Vegan Soup on Safari: Carrot Coriander
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Vegan Soup on Safari: Carrot Coriander

One of the best things about being on safari is sun-downers: alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks enjoyed at sundown during evening game drives.  Usually drinks are accompanied by nuts and biltong (similar to beef jerky), but on one of our recent safaris, guests enjoyed a delicious vegan carrot and coriander soup, served in mugs. INGREDIENTS 2...

Chinese Dumplings, Fresh From the Source
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Chinese Dumplings, Fresh From the Source

One of the greatest joys of traveling is trying new dishes, authentic to the destination. Even better, is when we have the opportunity to learn how to make these dishes ourselves.   For instance, on our trip to China, a woman we know named Mrs Woo invites us into her home and teaches us how...

The Seven Natural Wonders of the World
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The Seven Natural Wonders of the World

I just came back to my hotel room, after a great day snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef with our group, and it got me thinking: what makes something considered one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World? I did a little research and found compelling reasons for each of the current 7 Natural...