Solo travel is officially having a moment. Search #solotravel, and Instagram will show you nearly 5 million posts. Another social trend barometer, Pinterest, shows pins for “solo travel” have shot up 600 percent. And a 2018 study revealed a 42 percent increase in solo traveler …
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Chances are if you are even considering a trip to Cuba, you've done a little research into local customs, culture, and of course, the food. As with any vacation, exotic Cuba brings with it many wonders which will remain in your travel memory for years to come. But if you’re hoping to bring home a little reminder of your time there …
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Japan, a culture wrapped in history, ancient customs and respect. Our Japan tour is not only a cuisine adventure, it is a cultural immersion. From temple visits to Soba lessons, lively market tours, a traditional Japanese bath experience and overnights in ryokan, Japan will open your senses. One of our more adventurous highlights is a visit to a traditional onsen. Partaking in a …
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We’ve all done it. Planning, and replanning every last detail of your trip isn't the best way to authentically experience a destination. But travel experts agree that covering the most basic elements of comfort is necessary before taking off on your adventure. That means paying attention …
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During a trip to Japan, manners speak volumes. It may seem obvious to the savvy traveler that using your manners while visiting another culture is the best practice, but depending on where you're traveling, manners may take on very different norms. Some cultures may celebrate the occasional belch as a sign of appreciation of the meal …
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Here are five important social and cultural tips that will be useful when you travel to Morocco with Access Trips. As it is in any country, the best way to absorb Moroccan culture is to act like local residents. Since Moroccans excel in the role of gracious host, you’re quite likely to get invited to a resident’s home for tea. …
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Not so long ago, it was illegal for Americans to possess Cuban cigars and rum. Not so today. The relationship between Cuba and the United States is ever-changing. As more and more travelers make their way to this enigmatic country, there are more and more items which Americans are allowed to bring home with them. Easing of borders and …
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Several hours from the bustling streets of Havana lies the serene, fertile Viñales Valley. These plains, nestled between impossibly steep stone cliffs, are the ideal location for growing tobacco. In this case, it's the tobacco that has captured the world's attention as the premier cigar plant. Farmers in the Viñales Valley still rely …
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There is so much about Cuba that reflects a westernized culture we are familiar with; classic cars, jazz clubs, cigars. Even the crumbling colonial facades remind us of homes and historic buildings found throughout the United States. But Cuba also holds …
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High above Lima, Peru, in the Andes, hats are absolutely everywhere. bowlers, top hats, sombreros, caps. There are so many ways to describe head wear but none of them quite capture the colorful complexity of the hats of Peru. In the Peruvian highlands, hats have come to symbolize …
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It's Friday, and that means you are due for a proper wind down. If we were in Cuba together, taking in the many tastes of this Caribbean nation, a likely course of action would be a Cuban mojito class. On any day during our Cuban tour, authentic mojitos are a wonderful response to the sultry temperatures of this …
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Has your inner travel bug been whispering to you? "Let's go on an adventure!" it might say, or "We haven't been to that place yet." Oh, that voice in our heads that drives us to explore the greater world around us. At Access Culinary Trips, we love to view travel through …
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Taking good care of the people and places we visit as tourists should be part of our itinerary wherever we travel. While everyone enjoys an affordable holiday, it's important to also look out for the local community’s well-being. During trips to Cuba, which is a communist country, do people tip? And how do you do it? …
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