Tag: mexico

Bridget* was turning 35 when she decided to take a vacation on her birthday as a present to herself. In her mind, there was no doubt that Cancún was the place to go.

“The first time I went to Cancún was actually with my family, for a summer vacation when I was still in middle school,” Bridget said about her birthday trip to the tropical Mexican tourist town. “I remember it was my favorite vacation, and this year, with my mother passing away, traveling there again seemed like a good way to honor her as well as celebrate my birthday in a special way.”

Cancún attracts tourists from around the world, and Bridget isn’t the only one charmed by the seaside paradise. The stretches of white sand next to the Caribbean, the idyllic waterfront hotels, and the vibrant energy gives the entire city an atmosphere different from any other. This makes it an ideal vacation destination for travelers of all stripes.

While Bridget was mostly attracted to the beaches of Cancún, she also made a point to visit some of the other historic sites nearby. She learned about the El Rey Mayan ruins, an ancient site thought to be dedicated to the Mayan god of the sun. Bridget was impressed by the stone ruins of the temples, pillars, and monuments constructed by the Mayans who used to live in that region of Mexico.

Back in the city, Bridget also decided to visit the Museo Maya de Cancún to learn more about the ancient civilizations and the artifacts discovered at the El Rey site, as well as the discoveries from other archaeological excavations around the country. It was a good way to cap off the experience and learn more about the amazing sites she had seen at El Rey.

To make her Cancun trip more memorable, Bridget decided to enlist the services of a local photographer who can better capture her memories.

“When I was planning my trip, I decided to find local photographers in Cancún so I can do a photoshoot there,” Bridget shared. “I have a two-year-old daughter at home, and while she’s too young to come with me for this trip, I hope to bring her to Cancún someday. I thought it would be nice to have pictures to show her so she could see for herself how beautiful the place is.”

Bridget and the photographer took most of the photos on the beaches; with the stunning Caribbean and dazzling golden sand, every shot was picture-perfect without needing to stage anything.

“I was actually a bit nervous for the photoshoot,” Bridget confided. “I guess I don’t picture myself as someone who normally does things like that. But all my doubts went away when I met the photographer from Localgrapher. Everything was so relaxed and informal; I wasn’t even really sure where I wanted to do the photoshoot, and they gave me a lot of suggestions without overwhelming me. It turned out to be a lot of fun.”

“My decision to find a local photographer in Cancún was the right one to make. I was all worried that it would be stressful, or not worth the time, but it turned out amazing,” Bridget said. “Now I have these special photos to show my daughter, and we can hopefully plan our next trip to take some pictures together.”

complete your vacation memories by displaying your vacation photos on a Nixplay Frame! take advantage of our Back To School sale and get 25% off selected frames until August 25!

*name had been changed

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

How to Throw a Fun Cinco De Mayo Party

By Nixplay Team

On May 2, 2019

In Lifestyle

For most Americans, Cinco De Mayo—the commemoration of the 1862 Battle of Puebla, in which a ragtag Mexican army defeated the better-equipped French troops—symbolizes the very best of Mexican resilience and culture. It’s the best day to immerse yourself in all things Mexican–eat Mexican food, listen to Mexican music, patronize Mexican businesses, and know more about Mexico’s history.

Throwing a party is a great way to celebrate the holiday. But first, make sure you’ve got all the supplies on hand before you start!

Theme

When you hear “Mexico,” what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Cacti, Aztec temples, sombreros, Mariachi music, Frida Kahlo? Pick a theme and plan your party’s decor around a Mexican motif of your choosing. Your guests can dress up as famous Mexican artists, or you can give small potted succulents as party favors.

Invites

Sure, you can print out elaborate invites, but let’s be real here: Your efforts will be better put to use to prepare food and drinks. Just create an event on Facebook, or send a pretty email to everyone in your guest list. Make sure your theme is reflected in your invites, be it in the graphics or in the copy.

Food

A Mexican-themed party would be incomplete without delicious Mexican food! Arrange a taco bar for your guests, mix some guacamole, and serve some nachos and elotes, and get ready for a scrumptious Mexican feast.

Drinks

What’s a party without great drinks? Prepare aguas frescas and horchata, and try to get your hands on Mexican Coca-Cola, which supposedly tastes better than its US counterpart. Don’t forget the tequila, mezcal, and cerveza!

Entertainment

Prepare a Spotify playlist of upbeat Mexican songs to keep your guests on their feet the whole night. For games, your guests can take turns guessing Mexican words in a fun game of charades. Don’t forget to take photos of all your shenanigans, and display them on a Nixplay Frame so you can always look back at the great night you had with your loved ones!

PS: Take advantage of Nixplay’s Mother’s Day Sale to get up to 25% off bestselling frames! Hurry, offer lasts until May 13!

nixplay blog-picture perfect places to celebrate halloween

5 Spooktacular Places For A Picture-Perfect Halloween

By Mars Salazar

On October 19, 2018

In Holidays

Still deciding on where to celebrate this Halloween? This handy guide should get you started.

Tokyo, Japan

Photo by Cat Fish Club / CC BY 2.1 JP

Halloween in Japan is a vibrant spectacle, with several celebrations across the country. Tokyo’s Kawasaki Halloween Parade, where you can march through the streets dressed in the most elaborate costumes, is the biggest of them all. If you’re in the city on the last weekend of October, don’t miss it!

Oaxaca, Mexico

Photo by Eduardo Robles Pacheco / CC BY 2.0

The Mexican city of Oaxaca celebrates Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on November 1 and 2. It’s not the rambunctious, spooky festival most people associate Halloween with. Rather, it’s a 3,000-year-old tradition of paying tribute to loved ones who have passed away, marked by cemetery visits and overflowing food and drinks.

Transylvania, Romania

Photo by Todor Bozhinov / CC BY-SA 4.0

Transylvania is the location of Dracula, probably the most famous vampire tale in history. It’s a fitting setting with its dense forests and medieval castles, one of which was the home of Vlad the Impaler, one of the most notorious monarchs of the Ottoman empire. What better place to celebrate the most haunted day of the calendar than the hometown of the man Dracula was based on?

Corinaldo, Italy

Corinaldo is a well-preserved medieval town located in Italy’s Le Marche region. It’s a lovely place to visit, with its churches, museums, and historical buildings. But every October, this charming locale becomes the “Italian capital of horror,” marking the holiday with the annual Feast of the Witches carnival.

Salem, Massachusetts

Photo by Robert Linsdell / CC BY 2.0

Anyone with a rudimentary understanding of US history (or anyone immersed in pop culture) knows that the town of Salem in Massachusetts is one of the best places in the country to celebrate a goosebump-inducing Halloween. Step back into the past to visit the city’s haunted houses and historical attractions, then ramp up your celebration in the evening by attending one of the many parties and activities in the city.

Wherever you end up this Halloween, don’t forget to take lots of photos and display them on your Nixplay Frame! Take advantage of our Halloween offer and get up to 20% off all Nixplay 13-inch frames, only until November 4. Don’t miss out on the Halloween fun!