We travel to places that we perceive to be safe and desirable and limit our travel experiences to exclude places that we perceive as unsafe and undesirable. Sometimes this is because the perception has not caught up with reality. Such was my realization during a recent research trip to Nicaragua. Once a civil war torn nation, Nicaragua has become the darling of the travel industry in Central America. Recently named by Conde Nast Traveller as one of the Top 10 destinations to watch in 2014 and considered a safe haven in Central America by The Economist, Nicaragua possesses abundant natural verdant...
When I look back on 2013, it is interesting to review which memories stand outfor me. It wasn’t any of the bigger purchases I made. No, the first and most important things that come to mind are several of the trips I took, and the unique experiences I had in those destinations. A few highlights include watching a cheetah stalk an impala in South Africa, drinking caipirinhas with new friends on the beach in Rio at sunset, and snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Traveling has the power to inspire the mind, heal the soul, and energize the body. It...
Creating the most amazing trips in the world for a discerning group of gays, their family and friends, is no small feat. Our travelers are well travelled and are always wanting the latest, best, trendiest and most sought after destination. As LGBT travelers we are used to being pioneers. With that in mind Zoom scours the world not only for the most up and coming destinations but for how to take Zoomers there in comfort, style and safety. In the last years Zoom has flown to far away places like Japan, South Africa, Nicaragua, Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil (usually at...
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)
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 particularly special. A couple on Zoom Peru got engaged on Machu Picchu (read about them in our Featured Travelers section). We celebrated many birthday celebrations, honeymoons and long term relationships in exotic locations around the world on Zoom Southern Africa and our Zoom cruise. And for...
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 the same. So, it makes sense to do a little research to make sure the plane you are booked on meets your expectations. On routes like Peru, for instance, some airlines fly with flat beds while others offer a modest recline in Business Class, typically...
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 enacted. The gay scene in Buenos Aires is better than ever, and you can go out every night of the week and find something happening. Also the exchange rate has become very favorable for foreigners. Currently there is a double economy. The official...
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 embroiled in a natural disaster or human-made conflict, or countries that are antigay. However, I have noticed that some people hold ill-perceived ideas about some places, originating from the past. For instance, myself and a lot of my peers grew up during the Beirut War,...
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 the acai palm tree, native to Central and South America. When you buy it as a drink, it generally comes frozen in packets and is then mixed with sugar and/or other fruit, before handed over to you. While it has been touted for having better...
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 the case. Instead, the dance lends itself to an uncanny juxtaposition of individuality and communion. In fact, Tango is so popular that Argentinian doctors have been prescribing it for heart attack patients, saying that it can generate the same beneficial effects for coronary arteries...
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 Tablespoons of Olive Oil1 White Onion1 Kg of carrots2 Tablespoons of Ground Cumin1 and 1/2 Liters of Vegetable StockSalt and Pepper to Taste METHOD Heat the olive oil in a large pot Add the onion, carrots and cumin, and fry on a low heat for...
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 to make traditional Chinese dumplings, or Jiaozi. Here is a recipe that we adapted a bit in the Zoom Kitchen. Perhaps this recipe can become a special addition to your next dinner or cooking party! Ingredients Jiaozi dough:* 3 cups all-purpose flour* up to 1...
