Social Travel is here to stay

SOCIAL TRAVEL

All this hype about social media has got most companies super excited. It is funny because just about 3 years ago, people started to go crazy about new sites such as "A small world" , where some even offered to pay to become an invitation... It was the beginning of Social Media, and now nearly every person I know is on Facebook, even my mother, because she loves to look at pictures. I believe we all have a little "voyeur" in ourselves, we actually like to see what other people are doing. Travel is different. When you travel, you get a sense of accomplishment if you actually discover something cool and you can let your friends know so they can experience it too; you somehow feel as an explorer, since you discovered a place in the world that will stay on your memory forever, but most importantly now you know that the people you love deserve that experience too! This is SOCIAL TRAVEL, the most important reason for Mondoexplorer to be. Take some time and help us with your experiences and register so that you can share those locations and experiences that you loved in one of the cities we have available, and you will be making people happy, people you don't even know!!!

We love to travel, and we love to explore, and if you feel like that it might be a good idea to contact us if you are interested in starting a new business: social travel.

by Nicolás Visiers Wurth

Summer Travel, but the MondoExplorer way

July is here and most of us already know where we are going to spend the summer at. While summer travel is probably where we spend the most money, we tend to want to minimize the risk of having a disaster vacation by going to places we already visited, or even choosing a location that is what we call "a safe bet" so that the little time we get to relax and spend quality time is just that, JOYFUL. Ever since we started this www.mondoexplorer.com it was our intent to help travelers with their decisions, by giving them local advice that would allow them to have a rewarding experience, by letting them know in advance what to do, where to go, where to stay in cities we have collaborators at so that they get first hand information.

Spending time in Argentina, I always found that being there was a completely different experience when I knew someone local that gave me recommendations, and I am extremely happy to see the great work of our collaborators in Mendoza, who have put a great deal of information in our city guide www.mondoexplorer.com/mendoza that I am sure will bring value to anyone wanting to go there. We have local advice, but even more than that, we have people that are extremely happy to help you if you are traveling there, giving you tips, advice and information that will definitively help make your time there unforgettable. Check out their latest suggestions and start planing your trip to one of the most fascinating places Argentina has to offer, where you can ski at this time of the year and experience some of the best sights in all Latin America. When you go there don't forget to visit one of the many famous wine makers of the region to taste the best Malbec wines !!!

Enjoy your Summer ! Nicolás Visiers Würth, Mondoexplorer.

Summer in New York City

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The Summer is here and it is going to be HOT in New York !!! For most of the people living here Central Park is the place to go to relax antingd enjoy some of the many activities organized there: Shakespeare on the Park, concerts as well as the great sporting activities. For those fortunate enough to have a place at the Hamptons, the weekend starts early Friday with a quick ride to skip rush hour and enjoy the great beaches and numerous social events. If you are interested on a day trip, I would definitively recommend catching a train, traffic might just ruin your trip. Most trains will take you to the coast line of Connecticut and long Island so there is no need to rent a car whatsoever!

For those fortunate enough to have the extra income and time, a quick flight to Nantucket is definitively recommended, just make sure you reserve your Hotel in advance since there are few options on the island and it is usually all booked. For those of you that are keen on driving, I recommend renting a nice convertible and driving towards Millbrook, NY. The road is not to busy and the location is just great for spending a relaxed weekend. You can enjoy some of the best horse trails in the state !

Enjoy your summer in New York city !

Where to stay when you travel?

I have been traveling pretty much all my life. In the early days it was with my family, and I had to share a room with my sister, in what you would usually would call "family hotels". As we grew older, my parents had the possibility to take us to better places, and as a teenager I enjoyed staying at some of the best hotels around the world. The problem is I have little memories of most of them, perhaps just some that where "amazing" like the Mandarin in Hong Kong, Hotel du Cap in Antibes and the Plaza in New York. The rest? nothing... I can't recall a thing.

As an adult, I made it a mission to try to avoid "typical" chain hotels in my travels when I could. As a business traveler it is complex if your company has corporate accounts or restrictions, but in my private travel I always try to look for a place with "charm", a "boutique" hotel, or the modern version of a "bed and breakfast". For France I enjoy the "Chambre d'Hotes guide, it is fantastic and it give you great options where you can actually experience something different. There are also companies that have selected some of the best boutique hotels that are also doing a great job, such as Epoquehotels, where you can find at least some hotels that have their owners personality.

It is funny that for some of us going to a fast food restaurant is NEVER an option, but on the other hand we keep on going to hotels that are "fast sleep hotels" because we know what to expect; it is time to start exploring , and this is why mondoexplorer was created, to help travelers get local inside information, tips on experiences that can make your travels worth finding a little place in your memory.

Have a great trip and hopefully next time before booking a trip you will think a bit longer about your options!

Nicolás Visiers Würth

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW & STRICTLY SAIL

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW & STRICTLY SAIL:

The best boat show in the world? I am not sure about that, but definitively it is a major event that brings most of the major shipyards and boating companies to Miami. With locations in various places, the show covers everything, from sunglasses to mega yachts that cost over $100 Million Dollars! With most of the east coast covered in snow it is a relieve to be her and get a chance to test the latest versions or just look at all the new gadgets and equipment for your current yacht. Insider tip: best to take the shuttle to go to all the different sites as parking is impossible !! Enjoy the show, and while you are at it, take the opportunity to explore some of the many events and attractions Miami has to offer, because remember ... "Miami rocks!!"

Mondoexplorer Editor

You can also visit our Miami site for more information www.mondoexplorer.com/miami

Or Visit our Main site

www.mondoexplorer.com

Super Bowl XLIV

The Super Bowl XLIV is taking place in Miami on February 7th, and it is the 10th time this major sport event takes place here... why? well no other city in the United States can offer entertainment, infrastructure and the best weather for such an event. During the next 2 weeks get ready to rumble, because there are pre parties, post parties, tailgating events all over town. Our personal pick? There is nothing like getting started at one of the many hotels in South Beach, to get the adrenaline pumping while enjoying the fantastic local talented dj's: Delano, Shore Club, The National, The Mondrian or even the newly opened W are going to offer non stop fun and the crowds will not disappoint...

With all the high rollers coming to town, expect a difficult time trying to get to any of the night clubs, so our recommendation is to get your own party going, and if you are a local it is now the time to call any of your fanatic friends who has what it takes to be a good host: Large Plasma, good sized garden and pool to chill ... Please remember Miami will be filled with drunken drivers so just get a driver or a taxi!

You can also visit our Miami site for more information www.mondoexplorer.com/miami

Or Visit our Main site

www.mondoexplorer.com

Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! Kala Christouyenna! Buon Natale! Joyeux Noel! Froehliche Weihnachten! Gledelig Jul! Nollaig Shona! Vrolijk Kerstfeest!

Happy Holidays from Mondo Explorer! Since this is the time of year to have fun with friends and family, take a little time to reflect on things past, and, in general, just enjoy life, here are some things that we hope will make you smile, maybe make you think a little too, and definitely get you into the holiday spirit!

Did you know that . . .
. . . it takes the average Christmas tree about 15 years to grow before it’s ready to be sold.
. . . Christmas was actually outlawed by the Puritans in Boston, Mass for a few years during the late 1600s.
. . . the legend of Santa Claus most likely originated in what we know now as modern-day Turkey some time in 280 A.D. with a monk named St. Nicholas who is said to have traveled the country helping the poor and sick. He later became known as the protector of children and sailors, and by the late 1500s, St. Nicholas was the most popular saint in Europe.
. . . the popular Christmas Poinsettia plant was first imported to the U.S. from Mexico.
. . . the first Christmas trees appeared in Strasbourg, Germany in the early 1600s and were not imported to places like the United States until the early 1800s, where it took about twenty five years to become the widespread custom that we know today.
. . . the Hanukkah dreidel, a four-sided spinning top associated with the Jewish holiday, was used by the Jews to escape persecution. When Jews gathered to study the Torah, they would bring along a dreidel to pull out in case dissenting soldiers passed by. They would quickly hide the scripture and begin spinning the top when soldiers approached, which many oftentimes spared them their lives.
. . . in some Celtic traditions, mistletoe is believed to posses magical powers, including the power to heal and to increase fertility.

Enjoy one of our holiday recipes, on the house!
Eggnog Martini (makes one):
1 oz of eggnog
1 oz of Frangelico
1 oz of vodka
2 tbsp. crushed ice
nutmeg or cinnamon for topping
Mix all ingredients and shake well in cocktail shaker. Pour through a strainer and sprinkle with your choice of nutmeg or cinnamon. If Celtic, go stand under mistletoe and wait for magical powers to begin.
Enjoy!

You can also visit our Miami site for more information www.mondoexplorer.com/miami

Or Visit our Main site

www.mondoexplorer.com