Take a purifying bath in Mexico, walk through the white city of Sucre, climb to the top of a volcano in Java, cycle on the Samoan island of Savai'i, observe the petroglyphs of Twtfelfontein in Namibia, and more experiences in America , Asia, Oceania and Africa that show that the world is fascinating.
Ecuador, a country that never ends
The 2024 Fitur partner country is going through a very delicate moment - President Daniel Noboa decreed a state of emergency this January in the face of the serious security crisis - so it is advisable to wait a while before discovering how much it has to offer. offer to the traveler.
From the Cotopaxi National Park, where the volcano of the same name is located and whose top you can climb if you have enough strength, to the Inca ruins of Ingapirca, passing through the colonial historic center of Quito—a UNESCO cultural heritage site— , and its 1,600 kilometers of golden beaches and mangroves.
And we cannot forget the Galapagos Islands, which impressed Charles Darwin so much that it was from that trip that he began to devise his theory of evolution.
Spanish tourists have long since taken note: they have maintained a firm presence with almost 75,000 annual visitors until 2023.
A llama in the Cotopaxi national park (Ecuador).Hemis (Alamy / CORDON PRESS)
Mexico, pre-Hispanic surprises
We usually associate the tradition of the purifying steam bath with Turkish or Moroccan hamams, and not so much with pre-Columbian Mexican culture.
For this reason, one is pleasantly surprised to learn about the ritual of temazcal, a purifying bath that dates back to pre-Hispanic times and is still practiced in Mexico.
Its name comes from the Nahuatl temazcalli, which means “sweat house.”
The temazcal was a spiritual group activity that was once considered a kind of entrance to the afterlife.
Its purposes were always curative: in fact, today medicinal plants are still used during the bathing ritual.
The place where it is practiced is a small stone or adobe cave, and to carry out the ceremony there are experts who help you get the most out of it and enjoy it.
In the State of Morelos, in cities like Amatlán and Cuernavaca, temazcals abound.
One of them is located at the Buena Vibra hotel in Tepoztlán, an enclave that is part of the so-called Mexican magical towns.
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Europe vibrates with sport and culture: four travel events for 2024
Following the collaboration agreement between Ifema Madrid and ASETUR (Association of Tourism Secretaries of Mexico) and the Ministry of Tourism of the Government of Mexico, last Thursday it was announced that Mexico will be the partner country of Fitur 2025.
Bahamas, kitesurfing and rum cake
Thinking about the Bahamas islands immediately leads you to imagine a vacation destination for celebrities who, on board their yachts, flee in vain from the paparazzi.
But, without a doubt, this Caribbean island group with 30 inhabited islands is much more than that, and for that reason you should be surprised by its attractions.
To whet your appetite, you can visit Cat Island, one of the quietest in the archipelago, where the highest point in the Bahamas is located, although it only reaches 63 meters high.
It is Mount Alvernia, with its medieval-style monastery called The Hermitage.
Those who practice kitesurfing will find the perfect destination there, but also those who want to walk along natural trails or enjoy a 13-kilometer beach of clear sand.
The trip can continue to the small island called Little Exuma, where you can try local delicacies such as the rum cake from Mommy's Bakery, with a recipe passed down from mother to daughter, or the roasted lobster from Santannas, a family business established there for decades.
For the bravest palates, the Arawak Club, run by the indefatigable Cassandra, boasts of serving the best snail fritters in the country.
Bolivia, Sucre with chili flavor
Sucre has not only been a UNESCO heritage site since 2013, but this year it has also been designated as the Ibero-American Capital of Culture.
They call it “the white city” for its many bright colonial-style buildings.
Founded in 1538, its history is long and can be seen everywhere: there is the first headquarters of the University of Chuquisaca, one of the oldest in Latin America, founded at the beginning of the 17th century, as well as the monastery of La Recoleta, which can be visited today and from which there are wonderful views, since the convent is located on the slopes of the Churuquella hill.
But not everything is stone and antiquity in this Bolivian city: its culture is more alive than ever, and part of it is undoubtedly the gastronomy, which maintains traditions such as that of the popular establishments known as spicyrías.
There are many dishes served with chili, such as the spicy chicken la ranga ranga, the bachelor or the menudito.
In many of these spicy restaurants, like Doña Irma or Doña Natty, their founders continue to cook.
San Felipe Neri, in Sucre (Bolivia).Julian Peters (Alamy / CORDON PRESS)
Likewise, Sucre has known how to give new uses to its sacred or industrial places, so in the vault of a temple like San Lázaro we will come across beautiful cafes like El Aljibe.
And if you can make the trip coincide with All Saints' Day, the experience will be even more unforgettable, since its celebrations have nothing to envy of those in Mexico.
In them we will try delicacies such as decorated breads, corn chicha and date liquor, among other foods prepared in honor of the ancestors.
Indonesia: dragons, volcanoes and temples
Let's face it: getting to know the 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia is impossible, but by visiting some of them, such as Bali, Java and Komodo, we will better understand this fascinating archipelago.
Its beaches, seabed, fauna, temples and volcanoes are just some of its countless charms.
The route proposed by Ámbar Viajes takes you to walk through the most well-kept rice field in Bali, in Jatiluwih, to visit temples such as Tirta Empul, with its spring of sacred waters, and to experience moments of great dynamism such as the rapid descent of the 14 kilometers of the Telaga Waja River, always with a specialist guide to avoid risks.
Already in Java we can ascend the Ijen volcano, in the west of the island.
As a reward for the effort, a turquoise lake is received at the top: its color comes from the sulfur that predominates in it.
As a culmination, the island of Komodo awaits, which is reached after visiting a pink sand beach called, coherently, Pink Beach.
On this island we will be greeted by its wild buffaloes, deer and tropical birds and, of course, the famous Komodo dragons, which, at more than 300 kilos, are the heaviest lizards on Earth and can only be seen in this area of Indonesia.
India, land of colors
India is so big and includes so many worlds that you have to accept visiting it in small doses.
To get an exceptional impression of this country, the State of Rajasthan is undoubtedly an excellent gateway, due to its long history of princes – the famous maharajas – and its architectural landmarks.
Cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur or Udaipur, known as the Venice of the East for its numerous lakes, leave anyone who visits them amazed.
In Jaipur, the capital of the State, known as the pink city due to the color of its architecture, the obligatory stops are the Amber Fort, from the 16th century, and Hawa Mahal (palace of the winds).
Not to be outdone, sunny Jodhpur, which stands out for its blue facades, also has an imposing fort: Mehrangarh, located on a hill that offers an incredible panoramic view.
Bhutan, on the heights of happiness
There is a small country located between India and Tibet that measures its well-being not in economic statistics such as GDP, but in the happiness index of its population, called NBFI.
We are talking about Bhutan, which is known as the happiest country in the world.
Voluntarily far from the tourist market, visiting it requires, no matter what, putting yourself in the hands of specialized agencies such as Bhutan Rila or Tarannà.
Both will take care of both travelers and the sustainability of this country located on the slopes of the Himalayas, where there are many Buddhist temples such as Taktsang (Tiger's Nest), embedded in the mountains, natural landscapes such as the Phobjikha valley, where the famous black-necked cranes fly, and traditional festivals such as Punakha Tshechu, which includes masks, dances and celebrations in honor of Guru Rimpoche, the saint who brought Buddhism to the country.
And, of course, there is no shortage of spicy and delicious traditional food, with dishes such as ema datshi, which combines the flavor of yak cheese with that of green chilies.
Samoa, by bike between volcanoes and beaches
Of the 10 islands that make up Samoa, the two largest, Upolu and Savai'i, stand out for their unique tourist offer, far from the usual circuits.
In front of the waterfalls, caves and volcanic landscapes of Savai'i, called “the soul of Samoa”, one is left speechless, and even more so in front of the blowholes of Alofaaga, a kind of marine geysers from which pressurized water gushes out. in a surprising spectacle.
And if we sail to Apia, the capital of Upolu, we will see that life there happens at the perfect speed: the plan is to explore it on foot, by bicycle or in its colorful buses, making stops at its fruit and fish markets such as Fugalei , where locals sell the products they grow or fish.
There is a reason why the writer Robert Louis Stevenson spent the last years of his life there: the house-museum that bears his name attests to this.
Alofaaga, in Savai'i (Samoa). Michael Runkel (GETTY IMAGES)
Australia, Polynesia 100%
Where to start visiting a country that has it all?
In Australia, for first-time and repeat travelers alike, the Tiwi Islands (Bathurst and Melville) are the perfect choice.
They are reached from the city of Darwin, in the north of the country, where the Arafura Sea joins the Timor Sea.
Its charms ensure a totally special vacation, since there you can fish, bathe in its natural pools and learn about the rituals, arts and customs of the aborigines — 90% of its inhabitants are.
And, of course, try playing Australian football or Aussie Rules, very popular on both islands.
Algeria, archeology by the sea
The tentacles of the Roman Empire spread throughout the Mediterranean, so the countries surrounding it still boast ancient ruins.
One of them is Algeria, an ideal destination for those fleeing the crowds.
It has impressive landscapes, such as the Ghoufi canyon, and has world heritage monuments and archaeological sites, such as those of Djémila and Timgad.
Namibia, dunes and ancient lines
The Namib Sands are the only coastal desert in the world, and with its spectacular dune landscape it is only natural that it has been a UNESCO heritage site since 2013. It is part of the Namib-Naukluft Nature Park, and is an extraordinary example of natural beauty.
Another heritage landmark of this African country is the Twyfelfontein petroglyphs, which represent rhinos, elephants and giraffes, and were carved more than 6,000 years ago.
Recorded in Twyfelfontein (Namibia).Ramon Portelli (Getty Images)
Tanzania, community life
We associate adventures with risk, but there are other very rewarding ones that involve learning how other people live.
The Big Life Safari agency organizes trips to Tanzanian communities such as Mamba and Marangu, on the slopes of Mount Meru.
There, in addition to beekeeping, coffee and banana plantations, there is much to learn about community life.
On their
tours
you meet the local group of women, in addition to roasting coffee and making artisanal cheese.
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