Sponsored Video: Meet the Culinary Master Behind Hotel Xcaret Mexico's Michelin-Starred Cuisine
Sponsored Video: Meet the Culinary Master Behind Hotel Xcaret Mexico's Michelin-Starred Cuisine
|
Meet the two-time Michelin-starred chef who created HA' at the Hotel Xcaret Mexico. That's right, in addition to incredible parks, tours and of course hotels, Grupo Xcaret is home to the incredible restaurant, HA', which just this June earned its Michelin star for the second consecutive year. Chef Carlos Gaytán joins Northstar Travel Group's EVP of Marketing & Partnerships Mary Pat Sullivan to talk about his culinary inspirations, his passion for Mexican cuisine, his love of Mexico's culture and experiences and his pride in creating culinary memories for the guests who dine at HA'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
We're halfway between the April 2024 and August 2026 total solar eclipses: Here's why we're excited
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. There may be no total solar eclipse this year, but June 10, 2025, is a landmark event of sorts for eclipse chasers worldwide — the halfway point between the last and the next totalities. It's 429 days — just over 14 months — since April 8, 2024's "Great American Eclipse" across North America and 429 days until the next total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, over Greenland, Iceland and Spain. Related: Eclipse at sea: Best cruises for the total solar eclipse 2026 For some devotees of what's often called "nature's greatest event," it's a moment to reflect on and relive a landmark eclipse now in the rearview mirror. About 50 million people experienced the last total solar eclipse in Mexico, 15 U.S. states and southeastern Canada. It was, as expected by many, an event with mixed weather. Texas, which had the best odds of a clear sky, had clouds to varying degrees, with the clearest weather in the supposedly cloudiest regions of Indiana, Ohio, upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine in the U.S., and Quebec and New Brunswick in Canada. It was even cloudy over northern Mexico, but some had the right kind of sea legs. "We had to sail a considerable distance away from the coast to find a spot where it would be clear at eclipse time, and when the eclipse began in a clear blue sky, I got a rush of excitement as I realized we were going to see the entire spectacle," Rick Fienberg at the American Astronomical Society's Solar Eclipse Task Force, told During totality, he noticed two parallel contrails in the sky close to the eclipse. "I realized they were from the two NASA research planes that were chasing totality about 40,000 feet above us [and] when I swung my binoculars to them, I could see the jets themselves," Fienberg continued. Thoughts are now firmly fixed on the next total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, which will see eclipse chasers head to the fjords of eastern Greenland in cruise ships, to remote parts of western Iceland and to northern Spain. The total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, will have a maximum totality of 2 minutes and 18 seconds and be mainland Europe's first since 1999. Eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler at and who was clouded out in Texas, has plans in place. "I am in great anticipation of the return of nature's greatest sight," Zeiler told "Total solar eclipses are guaranteed to take you to beautiful remote locations on Earth, and in 2026, Greenland is high on my bucket list." Bucket list locations abound across the path. "I don't think the tourism industry realizes what they are about to experience because we haven't had a total solar eclipse visible from Iceland since the summer of 1954," Sævar Helgi Bragason, an astronomy and science communicator at and told who's been preparing since 2015. "I've spent the better part of last year and this year increasing awareness with the general public, giving talks and having countless meetings with municipalities, tour companies, even the minister of justice and members of the parliament," he says. "It's finally paying off [but] we still have a long way to go." He's hoping Iceland's unique charms appeal to eclipse chasers, adding: "You could witness the eclipse from a geothermal pool or surrounded by incredible volcanic landscapes — and Icelanders know how to throw a good party!" For Spain, there's been a much longer wait for what will be a very special totality. "It's the first total solar eclipse visible from mainland Spain in over 120 years, and it's taking place in my home country," Dan Zafra, an astrophotographer at told "It's a rare opportunity not just for Spaniards but for eclipse chasers and photographers worldwide to witness totality in a stunning and accessible European setting." As eclipse chasers on cruise ships in Greenland experience totality, the sun and moon will be about 25 degrees above the northwestern horizon. However, once the path has crossed northern Spain, it will be close to sunset. Fienberg will be on a cruise ship in the western Mediterranean Sea between the coast of mainland Spain and Mallorca, one of the Balearic Islands. "We'll have a little more than 1½ minutes of totality with the sun about 3½ degrees above the horizon just before sundown," said Fienberg. "Then we'll see the thin crescent sun appear to sink into the sea. The entire spectacle should be quite dramatic." Since any one place on Earth experiences totality on average once every 36 years, according to NASA, eclipse chasing typically demands travel. "Once you've seen the dramatic beauty of a total solar eclipse, you might well get the bug to travel the world to see more," Zeiler said. "Life is short, and travel to far-away destinations will be so rewarding in so many ways." The 2026 total solar eclipse will be followed one lunar year later on August 2, 2027, when a maximum totality of 6 minutes and 23 seconds will be seen from Egypt, with Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Somalia also in the path. Another lunar year will see a 5-minute and 10-second totality on July 22, 2028, in Australia, with New Zealand getting totality close to sunset. To the uninitiated, the passion of eclipse chasers leaves many confused. Perhaps that's because photos of totality typically fail to do the majesty of the event justice. Seeing the solar corona with the naked eye is a moment to savor, but there's much more to it than visuals." You don't just see a total solar eclipse. You feel it as the air cools and the wind changes speed and direction. You hear it in the cheers and cries of those around you and the sounds of insects and birds behaving as they do at sunset," said Fienberg. "It's among the most awesome experiences you can have on this planet — right up there with falling in love."
Travel Weekly
6 hours ago
- Travel Weekly
Sponsored Video: Meet the Culinary Master Behind Hotel Xcaret Mexico's Michelin-Starred Cuisine
Sponsored Video: Meet the Culinary Master Behind Hotel Xcaret Mexico's Michelin-Starred Cuisine | Meet the two-time Michelin-starred chef who created HA' at the Hotel Xcaret Mexico. That's right, in addition to incredible parks, tours and of course hotels, Grupo Xcaret is home to the incredible restaurant, HA', which just this June earned its Michelin star for the second consecutive year. Chef Carlos Gaytán joins Northstar Travel Group's EVP of Marketing & Partnerships Mary Pat Sullivan to talk about his culinary inspirations, his passion for Mexican cuisine, his love of Mexico's culture and experiences and his pride in creating culinary memories for the guests who dine at HA'.
Forbes
10 hours ago
- Forbes
Nayarit, A Coastal Mexican State, Offers Travelers Adventure, Culture, Beauty
If you're considering travel to Mexico, consider Nayarit, a small state in western Mexico between the forested mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Pacific Ocean. Besides tourism, the state's economy is based mainly on agriculture and fishing, so the vibe is chill and authentic, with rugged, pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and vibrant cultural experiences. North of the beaches of San Blas and the so-called "Riviera Nayarit," popular with tourists and snowbirds, is the colonial town of San Blas, whose Fuerte de San Basilio fort once protected the area from pirates. Just south are Matanchen Bay's surfing beaches, while north is Mexcaltitlán Island, considered the birthplace of Aztec civilization. Aerial view of the colorful houses of Mexcaltitan, a magical town built on an island in a mangrove ... More swamp in Nayarit, Mexico Beaches: Golden, sandy beaches lay beneath the Sierra Madre mountains, with groves of palm trees and powerful Pacific waves, with more than two dozen beach towns along nearly 200 miles of coastline. Favorites include Sayulita and San Pancho, the secluded coves of Punta Mita, and the remote, wildlife-rich estuaries of Rincon de Guayabitos, San Blas, and beyond. Surfer in Sayulita, Nayarit Mexico Surfers and surf enthusiasts head to the beaches of San Pancho on June 20 for International Surfing Day. Playa San Panch, with powerful waves, is the main beach. Diving is best in Nayarit during the summer, when water temperatures and visibility are at their peak. Outdoor Adventures: You can experience the lush jungles of the Sierra Madre mountains on a zip-lining excursion, hike to hidden waterfalls, surf the secret breaks, or go whale watching along the coast. Cultural Immersion: Nayarit has a rich cultural heritage. Explore the colorful markets of Tepic, where you can sample local cuisine and shop for handmade crafts. Check out traditional Huichol art and learn about the indigenous culture that has thrived in the region for centuries. Mexican indigenous Huichol beading necklace and bracelet. Magical Towns: More than any other state in Mexico, Nayarit is home to nine Magical Towns, special destinations recognized for heritage, culture, natural beauty, legends, and gastronomy. Ahuacatlán, Amatlán de Cañas, Ixtlán del Río, San Blas, and Puerto Balleto (Islas Marías), Sayulita, Compostela, Jala, and Mexcaltitan offer an opportunity to get in touch with the history and soul of the state. Scenic view of Jala, Nayarit, a pueblo magico (magical town) in Mexico, with its iconic church tower ... More and volcano in the background. Food: Traditional Narayit recipes feature fresh seafood and fish, and dishes are seasoned generously. A delicacy is corn-based tamales, both sweet and savory. This cooked corn dough stands out for its spongy texture and versatility, and can be filled with the ingredient you prefer. The most popular desserts are jericalla and cocadas, found both on restaurant menus and at street stalls. Cocada Coconut Candy Luxurious Resorts: Summer often means lower prices or exclusive travel deals Besides tropical gardens and azure waters, luxe resorts offer accommodations from palatial suites to private villas, offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean or jungle landscapes. Outdoor activities include championship golf courses to water sports and tours of nearby villages and vibrant markets. Golf: Nine world-class golf courses are designed by legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Jim Like, Percy Clifford, and Robert Von Hagge & Baril. These top-tier golf courses feature spectacular views over the Bay of Banderas and the Pacific Ocean, as well as the beaches and mountain rainforests of the Sierra Madres. Crystal Clear Water surround the golf course in Punta Mita, Nayarit Mexico Wellness: The jungle-covered mountains, crashing Pacific coastline, and abundance of wildlife is an ideal backdrop for a wellness journey. Whether it's an indulgent treatment at a world-class spa in Punta de Mita, a multi-day yoga retreat in Sayulita, or filling your days with alcohol-free activity and adventure, Nayarit can send you on a wellness journey. For all travel topics, check out my award-winning travel podcast, Places I Remember with Lea Lane.
