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Greetings!
Enjoy this month's newsletter! Be sure to check out our
Club Zoom travel offers and promotions.
| Recent Youtube Video Posts |
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During our research trips and organized Zoom Vacations tours, we upload short, 30 seconds or less videos from mobile devices and post them immediately to Youtube. So, you can see what's happening almost in real time! You will see instant videos of the destinations you're considering visiting, and you'll see how your favorite destinations are changing over time.
Our most recent video posts include a Flamenco performance in Madrid, a quick demonstration on how to make perfect guacamole in Mexico, and the stunning ruins of Tulum near Playa del Carmen.
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| China Photos |
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Zoom China continues it's popularity with our travelers, and it's easy to see why. Few tours can offer such a diverse mixture of cutting edge, historic, luxurious, and cultural components. One returns from China having enjoyed a truly well-rounded, and in some ways life-changing experience.
These photos are just a taste of what our group experienced while we were in China. A picture may say a thousand words, but there is nothing like experiencing China for yourself with Zoom.
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| From our Blog |
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Throughout the year, Zoom Vacations researches various destinations for future tours, and we most recently spent several days in Playa del Carmen. Read on for excerpts from our blog.
Upon arriving in Cancun, I got out of there as fast as possible and made a dash for the Maroma Resort and Spa by Orient Express in Playa del Carmen. Formally an old coconut plantation, it is now the best hotel in the area, and a truly spectacular place to call home.
Nestled right on the beach, it also boasts the best spa in Mexico, the friendliest staff imaginable, and food that is so delicious that mealtimes become much anticipated events. This is largely due to the hotel's talented, charming chef, Juan Pablo Loza, who in 2005 won the award for best chef in Mexico.
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| New Years in Rio |
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Years ago, the first gay group tour Zoom Vacations created was our trip to Rio for New Years. Since then this tour has evolved into something truly spectacular. Make this the year that you experience it for yourself!
On New Years Eve in Rio, everyone from the tourists to Cariocas (the name given to the locals of Rio de Janeiro) dress in white, and walk into the water to cleanse their past year's sins by giving an offering to the sea goddess, Yemanja. Millions of people flock to Copacabana Beach to hear live music and watch the world-famous fireworks display.
It is truly a destination of beauty and contrast. Everyone is sun-kissed from a week of beach parties, hang-gliding, and touring this sensual city, and dressed all in white, the contrast makes even the once-pale tourists look beautifully exotic.
However, the most unique dichotomy is the week of parties and sunshine contrasted with the spiritual "cleansing" of New Years Eve in Rio.
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| Follow Zoom Vacations on Twitter |
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Zoom Vacations is increasing its presence on Twitter, giving quick, relevant travel tidbits to our followers, such as the latest trends, tips, and hotspots.
Follow Zoom Vacations on Twitter if you want to learn new things, be introduced to people, get access to information that you may not find on your own, participate in experiences that you find valuable, but might not make time for unless prompted.
As always, thank you for being part of the Zoom Vacations community!
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| Zooming with Joel |
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- You ask the question, he'll provide the answer!
Our Chief Travel Officer, Joel Cabrera, gets a number
of travel-related questions every week. Email your
travel question to Joel
Andre from San Francisco writes,
"Are you finding more people are traveling solo or with a partner (family or friend)?"
Dear Andre,
On Zoom Vacations tours, we have a lot of people who travel solo - because they know they can find themselves with like-minded people. It is like a built-in family with gay group travel. Solo travel is no longer such a mystery as to what you will get - you control your experience by deciding the type and location of your trip. I would say that on virtually every trip there is a pretty even 50/50 solo to partners ratio.
With group travel it doesn't matter of you are solo or with someone because you know the others in the group have similar interests in exploring the culture of the country.
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| Join us on Facebook! |
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Zoom Vacations' Facebook community is growing!
Check back often to see destination travel videos and
photos. You'll also learn a travel tip or two, and have
the opportunity to interact with others in our Zoom
Community.
Who will you meet? Well, you know, the kind of people
who desire meaningful vacations in comfortable
settings where you can truly be yourself, and enjoy
incredible once-in-a-lifetime experiences that would
be difficult, impractical or impossible to do on your
own.
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| Club Zoom |
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If you are new to Club Zoom, here's the scoop. You
will receive discounts and special offers on many of
your favorite hotels, retail outlets, and services
around the country! And the best part is, it's free! It
is simply our way of saying, "thank you" for being a
part of Zoom Vacations.
Simply click on the link below to get the codes
necessary to redeem these offers.
RETAILERS
- Allen Brothers (fine steaks)
- Universal Gear (men's fashions)
- David Barton Gym, in NYC, Miami, and Chicago!
- NYC Restaurant: Paris Commune
HOTELS
- Bali: The Saint Regis
- Chicago: The Amalfi Hotel
- Chicago: The Homewood Suites
- Chicago: The Hotel Allegro Chicago
- Chicago: Avenue Hotel Chicago
- Dallas: The Melrose
- LA: The Grafton on Sunset
- LA: The Marina del Rey Hotel
- Mendocino: Stevenswood Spa Resort
- NYC: The Standard Hotel
- Portland, OR: The Jupiter Hotel
- San Francisco: The Hotel Monaco and the
Serrano
- South Beach: The Raleigh
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Featured Traveler, "Heather" from San Francisco |
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From the onset, we knew that Matthew was going to bring something special to our tours. From introducing the group to the cocktail, michelada, to bringing the spirit of "Auntie Mame" to Central America, Matthew's energy and spicy sense of humor was simply "Top Drawer!" And about halfway through the trip, Matthew was no longer referred to as Matthew, but "Heather"--don't ask...
Zoom: How did Guatemala compare to Costa Rica?
Matthew: Guatemala had a much more relaxed pace and the hotels were located within easy access of the surrounding area. Michael and I could walk out of either hotel and explore the city. Antigua was absolutely amazing and the Hotel Casa Santo Domingo was just "top drawer." Costa Rica definitely had a feel that there was going to be some big adventures headed our way. We were also further removed from the city and so it felt like we really were in the jungle and that just added to the sense of adventure.
Zoom: How was traveling as part of a gay group different than you thought it would be?
Matthew: Honestly? It wasn't a meat market. I was expecting it to be like those ads you see for gay cruises....I won't mention any names. I was really pleasantly surprised to find our travel group was small and really gave everyone a chance to get to know one another.
Zoom: What were your highlights of both trips?
Matthew: Spending my birthday with Michael at the Mayan ruins in Tikal was something I will always remember about Guatemala. In Costa Rica, hands down, rafting with the "Heathers!" Still makes me laugh!
Zoom: Do you think Guatemala is a destination your gay friends would enjoy?
Matthew: Yes, especially Antigua with its old world charm and all the shops and restaurants.
Zoom: How were the hotels that Zoom Vacations selected for these trips?
Matthew: They were great! Again, especially in Antigua, the Hotel Casa Santo Domingo was breath-taking and the pool bar at Hotel Gaia in Costa Rica was a definite favorite!
Zoom: Did you make new friends on the trip?
Matthew: Yes, I met "Heather" (aka Grey) and just visited him in Amsterdam last week.
Zoom: How was the balance between touring, relaxation, partying, and adventure?
Matthew: I think there was a good balance between all the activities, time to relax and just walking around having some free time.
Read about our next trip to Guatemala
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Zoom Vacations is Winner of the 2010 TripOut Gay Travel Award for Best LGBT Tour Operator!
A proud member of
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