Bryony Fleming Bradley, who manages the Hilltop Spa at Belize’s Chaa Creek eco resort, said that the March 16 2013 Huffington Post article confirms that the health benefits of a tranquil vacation are now well documented.

Yes, in the heady multicultural mix that is Belize, the Irish are well represented. From the early days of the Baymen and buccaneers, many of whom hailed from the Emerald Isles, to present day Belize, Celtic surnames and even the odd lilt of a brogue are common. Irish priests have always been an integral part of Belize’s religious and educational life, and the Royal Irish Rangers were stationed here for years.

Ms Fleming and her husband Mick moved to the tiny English speaking country over 30 years ago just as it was making the transition from the former crown colony of British Honduras to the modern, independent nation of Belize.

Many North Americans have this misconception that Belize is a distant and forgotten land deep in the rainforests of Central America. It is, in fact, only a two hour flight from Florida or a just a few hour drive from Mexico. This tiny country with an area of 8,867 square miles is unique because it was the only British colony in the region where English is the official language and Elizabeth II is still the queen.

Bryony Fleming Bradley, The Lodge at Chaa Creek’s assistant general manager, said the March 8 feature article, “Spotlight on Belize”, was correct in pointing out that the Cayo District is now the second most visited area in Belize.

Brion Young said that the memorandum, announced 5 march 2013 by the US Department of State, demonstrates a commitment on the part of the two countries to end the looting of Maya temples and archaeological sites in Belize and halt the illegal trade of Maya artefacts.

Often described as entries into the watery Maya underworld, caves were used by the Maya for religious purposes and they strongly believed that life and death occur at the liminal zones ( see anthropological definition of liminal below) between this world and the other world.

A new Fox News article highlighting Belize as one of the world’s best values for a spring break vacation featured Chaa Creek even before the Belizean eco resort announced significant spring discounts, marketing manager Larry Waight said today. “We think travellers will be very happy to hear that Chaa Creek was identified by Fox News as one of the world’s very best spring break value destinations, and they’ll be even happier to know that we’re offering 15% discounts off of all accommodation from April 7 to May 31 this year,” Mr Waight said. “What Fox news considered to be a great deal just got even better,” he added.

“It’s rare that you get three of Belize’s most luxurious eco resorts to work this closely together to create something like the Moveable Feast, and rarer still that three top-end places would collaborate to offer such an impressive discount on what is already such a great deal,” Ms Duran said.

Lonely Planet fans have voted Belize a top relaxing country in the world. According to Mark Broadhead, more than 3000 people on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Thorn Tree participated in the survey to find out the best destinations for relaxation, entertainment, shopping, transportation, off the beaten path, accommodation and beyond expectations.

After two days of hiking, climbing and swimming, I was ready for a bit of a change of pace, so we headed to the eco jungle resort, Chaa Creek. At this 365 acre resort, you’ll have everything at your fingertips to customize your own jungle adventure. I had met someone from Chaa Creek a few years ago at a travel trade show and had been staring at their promotional disc for years, waiting for the day I’d get to Belize so I could stay there. After checking in to our private thatched cottage, we met with the concierge to organize the activities for the following day. Many are included in your stay, but a few such as horseback riding and canoeing carry a small surcharge.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek is making their “Springtime Romance in Belize” initiative even more enticing this year with significant discounts and a commitment to “go the extra distance” for couples during the coming months, the eco resort’s holiday planner Denise Duran announced recently.

The whale shark is the world’s largest fish and the third largest animal on the planet. Long known in Belize as “Sapodilla Tom” due to its penchant for staying at the Sapodilla Cayes and Gladden Spit during its annual feeding and breeding season, the whale shark has a recorded length of 12.65 metres (41.50 ft) and weighs in at more than 36 tonnes (79,000 lb).

Enjoy a 7-night Belize Jungle and Sea Vacation Package at two award winning resorts – Chabil Mar & The Lodge at Chaa Creek, both in Belize – with your choice of 3 and/or 4 night stays at either resort.

From the air, the Great Blue Hole of Belize resembles an otherworldly maw, intent on drinking down the surrounding Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Geologists believe that an underlying cave system collapsed under increased pressure some 10,000 years ago due to rising sea levels. The dark hole descends 412 feet, terminating in lightless depths where a lack of oxygen prevents most forms of life from thriving.

Apart from its popular and prestigious barrier reef, ancient Maya cities and ceremonial caves, and other numerous attractions, Belize also has an incredible and spectacular array of opportunities for hiking.

Whether fly fishing, diving or sailing, wealthy visitors soon hear that private islands and prime properties can be purchased in Belize from original owners for a fraction of what waterfront costs back in the U.S. and elsewhere in the Caribbean. Tiger Woods, Charlize Theron, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lennox Lewis, Harrison Ford and Francis Ford Coppola have all either visited or bought property in Belize, with Tiger going non-stop fly-fishing, snorkeling, kayaking and diving, according the San Pedro Sun.

Lonely Planet, the largest travel guide book publisher in the world has selected Belize as a top family friendly destination. In an article entitled “5 family-friendly destinations you might not have thought about” written by Robert Reid and published on February 20 on the Lonely Planet website, the writer describes Belize as an affordable Caribbean destination for families.

Two of Belize’s most popular eco resorts have just announced a new springtime savings deal that sees, for the first time, an inland rainforest lodge and a Caribbean beach resort offer a joint discount on one combined Belize vacation package deal. Lucy Fleming, owner of the Lodge at Chaa Creek, made the announcement today February 20, 2013 that Chaa Creek and Chabil Mar Villas on Belize’s Placencia peninsula will be offering a 10% discount off a combined inland and Caribbean coast all-inclusive Belize vacation package for the entire month of May.

Belize has one of the world’s most rich and diverse flora and fauna and offers a broad range of habitats for amazing wildlife living from open savannas to mountainous regions. The country has approximately 145 species of mammals, 139 species of reptiles and amphibians including 56 plus species of snakes, over 4000 species of flowering plant including some 700 trees and 250 species of orchids. Belize is also a birder’s paradise, with over 500 species of rare and exotic birds thriving in its many distinct habitats.