This Week in Armchair Explorer: Caribbean cocktails, Mexican art and more

ARMCHAIR EXPLORER:  travel inspiration + your imagination

This week’s armchair-ready journeys and travel-inspired stories cover many topics, from tropical drinks you can make at home and Mexico’s exciting art scene to spending three perfect days in the Berkshires.

With any vacation, it’s important to embark on the journey with complete peace of mind. If anything should go wrong during your trip — such as a canceled flight, inclement weather or even a global pandemic — you can rely on us to address all your needs. Rescheduling flights, changing hotel reservations and assisting stranded loved ones in foreign destinations is just the tip of the iceberg.

Enjoy this week’s travel inspiration. And remember — Dream Now, Travel Later!


TROPICAL COCKTAILS TO MAKE AT HOME

Nothing says vacation quite like a colorful, fruit-filled umbrella drink that incorporates the island’s local spirits. While you’re awaiting your tropical getaway, here are a few tasty beverages you can easily prepare at home.

Click here for recipes.

TAKE IN MEXICO'S ART SCENE  

From the top-ranked museums of Mexico City to the graffiti art of Puerto Vallarta, here’s what

to look for on your next art-filled voyage south of the border.

Click here to dive in.

A WEEKEND IN THE BERKSHIRES         

Historic streets, farm-to-table cuisine and natural beauty can all be found in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. According to travel writer Stephanie Gravalese, here’s how to spend the perfect long weekend there.

Click here for the ideal itinerary.


INSPIRING TRAVEL BOOKS

Looking for something new to pick up at your local independent bookstore or download on your e-reader? Browse our favorite travel-themed titles for a healthy dose of wanderlust.

 
“The Art of Travel” by Alain de Botton — This philosophical examination of why and how we travel goes around the world and throughout history to describe, in poetic detail, the pleasure of anticipating a journey, the magnetic allure of the exotic and the value of observation.

 
“Tracks” by Robyn Davidson — A frank and funny account of a courageous young woman’s journey through the Australian desert, where she learns a lot about herself and her companions: a dog and four camels.

 
“Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure” by Sarah Macdonald — A woman who vowed never to return to India returns to India. The resulting story is one of discovery and adventure in this land of beauty and chaos.

 
“Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness” by Edward Abbey — A real-life account of a famed writer spending a season working as a ranger at Arches National Park, where he attempts to experience nature in its purest form.

 
“Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time” by Mark Adams — Laugh-out-loud account of an adventure travel expert (who has never been on an actual adventure) attempting to re-create the original expedition to Machu Picchu.


RAVE REVIEWS

Real stories on how Life is Better Traveling travel advisors aided their clients during the outbreak and disruption of COVID-19.

 “Mary goes above and beyond to help during the process of planning (and cancelling) a vacation. Mary used her knowledge to get us the full refund from the hotel. But we will reschedule with Mary when this is over!

Garraty Family

New Jersey 

Look out for another installment of Armchair Explorer every two weeks! And feel free to contact Life is Better Traveling about any travel questions you have. Until next time …

 “The best dreams happen when you’re awake.”

-Cherie Gilderbloom