Among the many wonderful things about Greece is that everyone has a favorite island—and everyone is right. For veteran Forbes travel contributor Jim Dobson, that magical isle is Sifnos. Reachable by ferry from Athens in a little over two hours, Sifnos has beautiful beaches, numerous hiking trails along the Aegean Sea and a remarkable 237 churches. Here’s where to eat, stay and play on Sifnos.
Subterranean swimming in the Yucatán's spectacular cenotes
21.07.2023 - 08:02 / roughguides.com
Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is famous for its beautiful Caribbean beaches but, as Shafik Meghjidiscovers, the most memorable – and unusual – places for a swim are found inland and underground in a series of spectacular cenotes.
Ready to explore the best beaches Mexico has to offer? Don't miss our guide to the best beaches in Mexico.
Group picture in a cenote
As I ducked through a narrow gap in the jagged limestone the first sense was of relief, as a quenching shade replaced the skin-blistering, 40-degree, pre-rainy season heat outside. My flip flops echoed around the cave as I descended the narrow flight of steps that had been cut into the rocks into what felt like a scene from an Indiana Jones film.
A shaft of sunlight pierced through a circular hole in the roof, illuminating the gloom and refracting off the vast, crystal-clear pool below. Bats fluttered above, vines crisscrossed the ceiling, and stalactites stretched down, like frozen drops of pitch. As I slipped into the bracingly cool, crystal-clear water small black catfish nibbled at my toes.
For a glorious 15 minutes or so I had Cenote X’Keken, just outside the city of Valladolid, to myself.
The gnarled roots of an ancient tree dangled, tantalisingly out of reach of the frigid, turquoise water below.
Afterwards I braved the midday sun again to explore the nearby Cenote Samula, which is perhaps even more spectacular than its neighbour. The dome of the cave was punctuated by a sizeable hole, through which the gnarled roots of an ancient tree dangled, tantalisingly out of reach of the frigid, turquoise water below. Despite the high temperatures outside, and the fact that it was a Sunday, there was only one other person there.
The region’s network of cenotes – limestone sinkholes, generally filled with fresh water – was vital for the Mayan civilization that dominated the Yucatán Peninsula before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 1500s. And it is easy to see why they were considered sacred gateways to the Mayan underworld, known as Xibalba (“the place of fear”).
At the Cenote Sagrado, a murky green pool at the famous ruins at Chichén Itzá, for example, the Mayans threw statues, pottery, incense, textiles, jade, gold, and human sacrifices into the water as offerings to the gods of the underworld.
The few human sacrifices who survived the ordeal, incidentally, were considered to have spoken with the gods, and have developed prophetic powers. (The conquistadors, rabid for gold, ransacked Chichén Itzá for the precious metal, largely in vain, unaware that the riches they sought were so close at hand.)
Many of the other cenotes in the region hold even older treasures: in recent years divers have discovered human skeletons that date back nearly 14,000
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Top Autors
Popular Topics
forbes.com
31.07.2023 / 21:57
This Luxurious Resort Is Taking Action To Protect The Yucatan's Native Sharks
Located at the confluence of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, Isla Mujeres serves as a treasure trove of North American biodiversity, with bottlenose dolphins, sailfish, and green sea turtles all thriving in its surrounding waters—yet one animal in particular has long suffered due to human activity. Though they play a prominent role in the local marine ecosystem, sharks are often unnecessarily culled due to their reputation as mindless killing machines, and in the Quintana Roo area, the animals have historically been targeted by the local fishing industry as well.
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 18:23
The 10 Best Museums in the World (and How to Skip the Lines)
Looking for a new museum to add to your travel to-do list? TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company) has released the Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Museums of 2018, including the top 10 worldwide and the top 10 in the United States, with some surprising frontrunners. The findings also highlight bookable ways to see each winner—think VIP tours and scavenger hunts—with some offering the added perk of allowing you to skip the lines to get in.
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 18:04
The Best (and Worst) Countries for Cheap Taxi Rides
With rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft taking over, you might be wondering where in the world it’s still possible to take a cheap taxi. Cabs aren’t dead, yet: These countries still heavily rely on them.
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 18:04
Beaches Overrun by Smelly Seaweed Could Be the New Normal in Florida, Caribbean
Beachgoers are accustomed to finding small clumps of seaweed scattered around the sand or amongst the waves. But lately, visitors to beaches in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Florida might be surprised to be swimming in far more seaweed than they hoped for on their summer vacation: Sargassum.
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 18:01
Messages of Hope Around the World Amid the Pandemic
In this time of isolation, businesses and individuals around the world are sending out messages of hope. Discover, in photos, how we’re keeping our spirits up during the COVID-19 pandemic.
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 18:00
The World’s 10 Most Popular Tourist Attractions, According to Tripadvisor
Review and booking website Tripadvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company) is out with its annual list of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. It’s dominated by iconic attractions, some of which you’re guaranteed to wait in a two-hour line for unless you can purchase skip-the-line passes. It’s also worth noting that almost every attraction on the list is in Europe.
travelandleisure.com
27.07.2023 / 14:33
This 42-day Cruise Will Sail From Florida to Europe to the Middle East Next Year
Holland America Line will launch a 42-day cruise across the Atlantic Ocean and around Europe and the Middle East from Florida next year, inspired by a journey the cruise line took nearly 100 years ago.
forbes.com
27.07.2023 / 07:23
Behind The Scenes: The New Rooms At The Dorchester, Inspired By An English Country Garden
The carpet is deep and squidgy, the striped wallpaper has a cheery jauntiness about it and you can almost smell the fresh paint emanating from the baby-blue walls, lined with an eclectic mix of art. The corridor that leads to The Dorchester’s newly renovated guest rooms surely puts a spring in your step.
matadornetwork.com
25.07.2023 / 10:48
A First-Timer's Guide To the Island of Curaçao
In Willemstad, the capital city on the island of Curaçao, the waterfront is dotted with buildings the color of tropical fruit: mango orange, banana yellow, kiwi green. Paired with the bright blue water in nearby bays, it’s almost a full kaleidoscope of color. Originally, the structures were limestone white, but an 1817 law forbade white facades on buildings to protect islanders’ eyesight from the bright reflections of the Caribbean sun – but locals joke that it was a money-making bid on behalf of the island’s only paint supplier.