Category Archives: Things We’re Proud Of

National Geographic Traveler Magazine’s “50 Tours of a Lifetime” 2013: Mexico

Leave a reply

Nat Geo Tour Lifetime 2013

Journey Mexico, the leader in Mexico Travel offering unique luxury, adventure, natural and cultural tours, is pleased to announce that its Magical Mexican Migrations—Pacific Whales and Highland Butterflies tour has been selected as one of National Geographic Traveler’s “50 Tours of a Lifetime” and will be featured in their May 2013 magazine issue.

The “50 Tours of a Lifetime” are National Geographic Traveler’s selection of the most authentic, most innovative, most immersive, best-guided, and most sustainable tours. This is the third year in row that one of Journey Mexico’s trips have made the list, with the first being Copper Canyon Semana Santa Trek and second, Chiapas: A Journey Through Mexico Less Visited. This year’s theme was tours that ‘capture the spirit of exploration.’ National Geographic Traveler’s executive editor Norie Quintos said “[the tours] push the boundaries of mainstream tourism, whether taking travelers to the far corners of the globe, or helping them dive deep into the culture of familiar destinations.”

With that said, it is no surprise that our  Magical Mexican Migrations—Pacific Whales and Highland Butterflies tour stood out to the editorial team. This tour immerses you in the circle of life, as  creatures ranging in size from 3-4 inch featherweights to school bus-sized 30-40 ton giants make their way to Mexico by air and sea. The trip visits both the World Heritage highland forests of Michoacán and the marine enclaves of Baja California, delighting and mystifying human observers.

monarch-butterfly-tour

whale-watching

Journey Mexico is pleased to offer this tour of a lifetime, so that explorers can experience both of these extraordinary congregations of wildlife.  We invite you to join Monarch butterflies and eastern Gray whales in their annual sojourn and learning about conservation issues that threaten the future of these precious ecosystems.  Explore historic Morelia, kayak the Sea of Cortez, and snorkel with wild sea lions.  Along the way, expert naturalist guides will reveal many charms of Mexico, proven here to draw repeat visitors from great distances.

 

 

Conde Nast Chooses Journey Mexico’s Founder as Top Villa Specialist in 2013

Leave a reply

Conde Nast Villa Specialists in 2013

Condé Nast Traveler,  the world’s premier travel magazine, released their much anticipated Annual Guide to the World’s Top Villas Specialists in their March 2013 issue.  Journey Mexico is proud to announce that Founder and President, Zachary Rabinor, has been awarded the title of Top Villa Specialist for Mexico.

This thoughtfully hand-picked list is chosen by Wendy Perrin, the Director of Consumer News and Digital Community, who comments on the selection process:

For sheer peace of mind, nothing beats the voice of authority. That’s why for the past eight years, we’ve been rigorously vetting villa rental agents around the world—renting from them, accompanying them on villa inspections, interviewing them extensively, and hearing feedback from readers. Getting on our list of top villa specialists means filling out a 47-question application and sending sample house books, checklists used to evaluate properties, and at least one client reference… …Forty-one agents made this year’s cut, representing properties in all our favorite destinations—from Tuscany to Turkey’s Turquoise Coast.

Zach has earned the Villa Specialist for three consecutive years now which is not an easy task. As Perrin explains in CNT,  “Staying on this list is even tougher: It requires proving user-friendliness, conscientiousness, and honesty time and again”.  Zach is the only Villa Specialist in Mexico who has also been chosen as one of the World’s Top Travel Specialist (also by Condé Nast Traveler). You can view Zach’s profile here.

Villa Bel Ha in Riviera Maya

VILLA BEL’HA, Mayan Riviera, Four bedrooms; from $14,000 per week.

What Conde Nast Traveler has to say about Zach :

Mexico resident Rabinor has assembled a carefully chosen portfolio of luxury properties all over the country, with a concentration in Puerto Vallarta and Punta de Mita. Whether at a country hacienda or a contemporary beachfront casa, you’ll find authentic Mexican style, full staff (at most properties), and information packets that offer guidance on everything from tequila tastings to turtle-nesting sites. Rabinor can also masterfully plan any local itinerary or day-trip.

Already traveled with Journey Mexico before thanks to Zach’s assistance? If so, he requests you to kindly leave a comment on his profile found on this link. Thank you!

 

Villa Expert in Mexico

Adventures Off The Beaten Track: Copper Canyon

Leave a reply

A couple of years ago, Don Mankin, an award-winning travel writer and adventure enthusiast (among many things), joined Journey Mexico for a pulse racing trip through the Copper Canyon. To our delight, Don published an article about his trip which ran in the Spring 2012 issue of Active Over 50. The article became award-winning and we would like to congratulate our friend Don for receiving the Gold Award in the ”50+ Travel and Travelers” category for print articles from the North American Travel Journalists Association.

photo by Alejandra Villalobos Palacio

Here is an except Zipping Over Copper Canyon, Mexico by Don Mankin:

 I’m scared of heights. So what the hell was I doing zipping across a 1,500 foot deep canyon on nothing more than a cable, some pulleys and assorted safety equipment? The adrenaline rush is part of it. I’m not too old for that but it was the views more than anything. As I soared faster than I have ever traveled before without mechanical propulsion, I had plenty of time to look at the maze of canyons below.

The Copper Canyon in northern Mexico is one of the biggest canyons in the world, even bigger than the Grand Canyon – 6,000 vs. 4,500 feet deep and four times the volume. The Copper is more vast than steep, made up of seven major and over 20 minor canyons rather than vertical walls plunging down to a single river at the bottom like the Grand.

It’s not only the scale and the views that make the Copper Canyon so attractive. It is also the home to the Tarahumara Indians, whose isolation in the rugged Canyon has produced many world famous long distance runners and a culture that is still relatively untouched by the modern world.

To read the entire article, you can download  it from Active of 50 here.

DonMakin2

 

2013 About.com Readers’ Choice Awards Finalist

Leave a reply

f160-2013About.com Readers’ Choice Awards are happening right now, showcasing the best in categories across About.com’s vast network. We are proud to announce that Journey Mexico has been selected as a finalist in the category for Favorite Tour Company in Mexico!

From now until March 19, the public is allowed to vote once a day for Journey Mexico. There are other Mexico categories to vote on as well, such as Favorite Beach Destination, Favorite Colonial City, and Favorite Luxury Hotel.

We hope to count on our network of friends and supporters to cast votes and to spread the word so people know return often and keep voting!

Click here to vote for Journey Mexico for Favorite Tour Company in Mexico.

Jumping

 

Condé Nast Traveler’s Insider Mexico Tips

Leave a reply

Condé Nast Traveler author, Wendy Perrin, recently sat down to interview one of Mexico’s Top Travel Specialist to reveal trends, tips, and suggestions you need to know when planning your Mexico vacation. It just so happens that the Condé  Nast Traveler Travel Specialist was our very own, Zachary Rabinor!

In addition to speaking about what’s new, what’s trending, and what you shouldn’t do in Mexico, Zach also commented on the important topic of safety in Mexico:

People are finally returning after several years of a hiatus to Mexico’s more cultural, wildlife and off-the-beaten-path destinations. So, I think for the past few years, while there was a lot of negative PR, negative press about Mexico, about violence in Mexico, that’s subsiding in both frequency and intensity, and so people are again, looking toward the cultural destinations in Mexico.

To hear all of the insider Mexico tips, press play on the video below:

Mexico tips

 

 

View the original Condé Nast Traveler Perrin Post: Tips from a Travel Specialist, Mexico Edition here.

 

A New Year, A New Look for Journey Mexico

Leave a reply

We are proud to announce the launch of a new company logo:

In 2012, Journey Mexico hit some exciting milestones –the year started with a successful re-opening of our Cancun Office, Journey Yucatan,  and brought recognition to  Journey Mexico from outlets like Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel Weekly, National Geographic and the International Luxury Travel Market. With the incredible support of our clients, suppliers, and partners, Journey Mexico continues to experience dynamic growth.

As the new year approaches, it will mark ten years of operation for Journey Mexico! With the success we’ve achieved in the first ten years, we are looking ahead and planning for the next. We stepped back and took  time to evaluate our company’s brand and logo to ensure it was in sync with who we are and what Journey Mexico represents. After careful consideration, we chose a new logo that still embodies Mexico, but with a sleeker look that captures our company’s character. The  hieroglyphic eagle and new font and colors represent Journey Mexico’s strive to fulfill the promise of upholding the best quality in our job, product, service and results.

We have already updated most of our collateral material, uniforms, business cards, etc. with the new logo. We realize that changing a logo is a process that can take some time, but we are confident that the new look will help us continue in the forward direction. We will be launching a new website in the next few months which will solidify our brand.

If you have used the Journey Mexico logo in any of your marketing materials, please assist us in updating them.  We appreciate your kind support.  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

 

Journey Mexico’s Zachary Rabinor on the 2012 Travel + Leisure A-List

Leave a reply

“Travel planning grows more complicated every year—which is why the advice of an expert can make all the difference.” – Travel + Leisure

We are proud to announce that for the third consecutive year, Travel + Leisure magazine has chosen Journey Mexico’s Founder and President Zachary Rabinor to be included in their 2012 A-List: Word’s Top Travel Agents.

Each year, Travel + Leisure evaluates thousands of travel specialists from around the world and then hand-selects the ultimate gurus to be part of their A-List. The 2021 A-List was published in the October Issue of Travel + Leisure, which recently hit newsstands worldwide. Be sure to grab a copy and check out Zach’s feature! You can also view JM President Zachary Rabinor’s profile on Travel + Leisure’s website

Travel + Leisure 2012 A-List Travel Agent Zachary Rabinor with Jean-Paul Kyrillos, VP/Publisher, and Clara Sedlak, Senior Editor of Travel + Leisure

 Travel + Leisure VP/Publisher Jean-Paul Kyrillos and Senior Editor Clara Sedlak congratulated the 84 Virtuoso travel agents who are featured on the Travel + Leisure 2012 A-List of Top Travel Agents at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas during Virtuoso TravelMart on August 13th.

Mexico Travel Specialist and Expert 2012

Leave a reply

Three years running, Journey Mexico’s President and Founder, Zach Rabinor, has been named Conde Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialist for Mexico!

Zach has been guiding and developing incredibly special and unique experiences throughout Mexico for many discerning travelers. He hand-picked and continuously perfects our Journey Mexico portfolio of private villas, luxury hotels, extravagant transportation and quality tours.  His knowledge and expertise of Mexico has warranted him recognition as not only a Top Travel Specialist in Conde Nast Traveler’s prestigious 13th Annual Travel Specialists List but also as a Conde Nast Traveler Villa Specialist.

Wendy Perrin’s Top Travel Specialists in Condé Nast Traveler is a  distinction that only 133 travel professionals from around the world have been awarded this year. This title guarantees that you’re working with an expert who knows your destination inside and out. A specialist is someone with the ability to score  rooms with the best views, provide the savviest English-speaking guides,  free upgrades,  special access and ultimately, who will produce the maximum experience for your travel dollar.

Conde Nast Traveler writes, “Puerto Vallarta–based Rabinor is constantly keeping up with the newest hotels and maintaining connections that can translate into a private visit to Chichén Itzá, the chef’s table at Oaxaca’s top restaurant, a tour of Teotihuacán with an archaeologist, or a swim in a private cenote. A surfer, Rabinor is well versed in Mexico’s best beaches and breaks, but his passion is planning inland pursuits—he’ll have you hiking the spectacular Copper Canyon and lunching with local artisans.”

To take the guesswork out of planning the next trip to Mexico for you or your clients, let Zach and Journey Mexico arrange everything right down to the smallest detail!

Already traveled with Journey Mexico before thanks to Zach’s assistance? If so, he requests you to kindly leave a comment on his profile found on this link. Thank you!

ILTM Americas Report with Journey Mexico

Leave a reply

The International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Americas recently wrapped up its invitation-only event where travel and hospitality professionals gathered in Mayakoba, a secluded area scattered with luxury resort on the Riviera Maya in Mexico.

With only leading professionals who specialize in the luxury travel market in North and Latin America in attendance at ILTM, Journey Mexico definitely had the chance to shine.

Director of Operations,  Matteo Luthi, operated a successful pre-FAM trip that inlcuded an exclusive 1-day air expitidion visit to Chichen Itza Archaeological site while President and CEO of Journey Mexico, Zach Rabinor, spoke as a key industry figure on the topic of Eco-tourism, Volunteerism and Sustainability.

 

Zach also had the opportunity to sit down with James Shillinglaw from Travel Pulse to be interviewed about our new product line at Journey Yucatan and Mexico’s re-surge in visitors and interest! You can check out the interview below,  just press play!

Webinar on Mexico: UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Leave a reply

Mexico is home to 31 World Heritage sites including 10 Mexican cities, but do you know what makes all of them so special?

Travel Weekly (TravelWeekly.com) — one of the most influential B2B news resources for the travel industry that delivers all the late-breaking news, analysis and research that travel professionals need to succeed — is hosting a very special webinar on the UNESCO World Hertiage Sites in Mexico. Journey Mexico’s President, Zach Rabinor, has been asked to join the panel of operators who specialize in these incredible regions alongside hosts: Travel Weekly, representatives from UNESCO,  The Mexico Tourism Board, and other operators.We invite you to learn about the history and culture of Mexico recognized worldwide!

What: Mexico’s UNESCO World Heritage Site Webinar
Who: Travel Weekly, The Mexico Tourism Board, UNESCO Representatives,  Journey Mexico & other specialists
When: October 9th at 2:00pm ET // 1:00pm CT
Where: Live streaming webinar
How:  Webinar open to registrants. Register here.