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...
Category: Zooming with Joel
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Yachting over Cruising
People have often asked us why Zoom Vacations offers yachting voyages instead of big cruises. If you join us on one of our yacht voyages, you will have your answer in about two seconds, as you are welcomed aboard with friendly smiles, a cold towel, and a glass of champagne. Our mega-yacht voyages embody great...
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Social Media, a Travel Resource
Social media has replaced the paper postcard as a means to communicate with friends back home. Facebook in particular continues to let our friends and family know where we are, that we’re safe, we’re enjoying ourselves, and what we’re up to, in real time. And it’s not just about what we’re writing but also...
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Travel Makes Everything Taste Better
Is cappuccino really better in Rome? Is ceviche really more tasty in Peru? Sometimes, when I am home, I get an uncontrollable yearning for food just the way I had it somewhere else; usually on a sunny beach, a 2,000 year old piazza, a crowded fragrant market, or in the kitchen of an attentive cook....