Ventana Travel

10/10/2025

🌅 Ever dreamed of a week on your own private catamaran?
Picture sunrise eFoil sessions, snorkeling with playful sea lions, and anchoring in quiet turquoise coves with dinner under the stars. ✨

Our latest Baja Charter Guide breaks down everything you need to know — when to go, what you’ll see, and how to pack for smooth sailing across the Sea of Cortez.

🐋 Best wildlife windows:

Whale sharks (Oct–Apr)

Mobula rays (Apr–Jul & Oct–Nov)

Sea lions & turtles (year-round)

Bioluminescence (summer nights!)

🌤 Season highlights:

Nov–Apr: Cool & clear, whale season

May–Jun: Warm, mellow seas

Jul–Oct: Calm water, peak snorkeling

⚓️ Top anchorages: Isla Espíritu Santo, Isla San Francisco, San Evaristo, Isla Cerralvo, and Balandra — each one uniquely stunning.

Your captain and crew adjust the route to match conditions and your group’s vibe — whether it’s more eFoiling, more diving, or more hammock time. 🐠🌴

Ready to plan your week on the water?
👉 Explore our Luxury One-Week Catamaran Charter — Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur:
https://www.ventanatravel.com/luxury-one-week-catamaran-charter-sea-of-cortez-baja-california-sur/

Learn more about our team and adventures at 🌊 ventanatravel.com

See you on the bow at sunrise ☀️

Send a message to learn more

10/06/2025

🌊 Summer Ocean Conditions in Baja California Sur (May–August) 🌅
Planning a dive or snorkel trip this summer? Here’s what to expect from the Sea of Cortez — and how to make the most of your week on (and under) the water.

👉 Quick Look by Month
May – 72–77°F | Calm mornings, light seabreeze | Start of the warm-up and plankton blooms mean life everywhere.
June – 75–82°F | Mellow seas, good viz | Stable warming — perfect for mixed snorkel/dive groups.
July – 80–86°F | Great visibility | Warm, comfy water — prime time for island reefs and sea-lion dives.
August – 82–88°F | Peak warmth | Keep plans flexible — tropical systems can roll through.

💦 What to Pack

2–3 mm wetsuit (plus thin hooded vest if you chill easily)

Rashguard, wide-brim hat & reef-safe sunscreen

Dry bag, windbreaker & refillable water bottle

Polarized sunglasses

Seasickness tabs if you’re new to pangas or catamarans

🐠 Marine Life Highlights (May–Aug)

Sea lions at island rookeries (playful & great for all levels)

Mobula rays in late spring/early summer

Healthy reef fish, turtles, eels, pargo, cabrilla, schooling jacks

Bioluminescent nights when the seas calm down ✨

🌅 Pro Tip: Go early — glassy mornings are gold for visibility, photography, and those peaceful moments before the breeze picks up.

💙 Whether you’re diving, snorkeling, or just soaking it all in from the boat — Baja’s summer ocean brings everyone together. The warmth, the wildlife, and those mirror-flat mornings remind us what real adventure feels like.

📧 beth@ventanatravel.com
| 🌐 ventanatravel.com

09/26/2025

Level up your kite sessions this season 💪🌊
Five small habits = big progress:

Trim before you launch – set depower so the bar has a comfy sweet spot (steady pull, no stall).

Own upwind body-drag – park at 10:30/1:30, do short “Z” drags, and grab that board without drama.

Two-stage waterstart – small lift first, deeper power second. Cleaner stand, less downwind wobble.

Lock an upwind stance – eyes up, hips forward, firm heel-edge, kite ~35–45°.

Read the water + etiquette – quick spot check; starboard tack priority; upwind rider keeps kite high.

Ready to turn these into muscle memory? Plan your week with Ventana Travel 👉 https://ventanatravel.com

Midwest crew: keep skills sharp between ocean trips with our deep-dive guide to local wind spots 👉 https://blog.ventanatravel.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-windsports-in-milwaukee-wisconsin/

09/22/2025

Just wrapped up a week exploring Delhi and Agra while joining my fiancé on his work trip to India. What an adventure!

✨ The good: The people we met were incredibly kind and generous. Friends of my fiancé’s colleagues went above and beyond—arranging drivers, showing us around, and even surprising us with a private Taj Mahal tour. And the food… absolutely unforgettable.

🌍 The challenges: Yes, there’s poverty, pollution, and plenty of chaos. But once we adjusted, we found ourselves laughing more than stressing. It’s part of what makes travel so humbling and memorable.

🌈 What surprised us: No Delhi Belly! With bottled water and some extra care, we got to enjoy everything without worry. We also discovered how vibrant, colorful, and unexpectedly green so much of the country is.

India isn’t all good or all bad—it’s intense, beautiful, complicated, and worth experiencing. We’d definitely go back, next time to explore more regions beyond Delhi and Agra.

Travel teaches you resilience, gratitude, and perspective… and India delivered all of that in abundance

09/17/2025

🌊🐋 A Day in the Life of a Gray Whale and Her Calf in Magdalena Bay 🐋🌊

Imagine waking up beside your mother in the calm, golden waters of Magdalena Bay.
For a gray whale calf, mornings mean learning how to breathe and dive… afternoons are for practice, playful breaches, and staying close to mom’s protective side… and evenings end with drifting together under the stars, safe and at peace. 💙

It’s not just nature—it’s a love story between mother and child, unfolding right in front of us. And it’s why Magdalena Bay is one of the most moving places on Earth.

✨ Come witness this unforgettable connection for yourself.
👉 Learn more here: Baja California Sur Natural Experience in Winter

Who would you bring to share this once-in-a-lifetime encounter? 💭💫

07/28/2025

Just like a lot of people, I started my catamaran research looking at the big charter names—Lagoon, Leopard, Bali, FP. They look amazing: tons of space, comfy flybridges, great for a week in the Caribbean or Baja.

But the more I learned (and the more time I spent on the water), the clearer it got: these boats are built for vacation, not serious voyaging. Heavy, slow, and honestly not what I’d want to be on in a real blow.

If you’re dreaming of actually sailing—bluewater crossings, off-grid living, serious time at sea—you want something built for it: Outremer, Balance, HH, Windelo, Seawind, Nautitech. Lighter, faster, more capable, less fluff.

It’s not about “good vs bad” boats—it’s about the right boat for your goals. Same goes for work, teams, or anything else big you’re building. Flashy features aren’t what carry you through the hard stuff—good design and smart decisions are.

Whether you’re chasing the horizon or just curious about what works at sea, it’s been a cool ride learning what really matters out there. ⛵

07/26/2025

💼✈️ Business travelers, take note:

Not all luxury hotel brands deliver the same experience across the board—even the big names like Aman, Four Seasons, and Rosewood. Some properties are incredible. Others? Not so much.

If you're heading to a place like London, don’t rely on the logo—research each individual property. Service, vibe, even basic amenities can vary wildly. One FS might feel like a serene escape; another could feel like a conference center with fancy sheets.

At Ventana Travel, we always say: hotel brands are only as good as their weakest property. Want consistency? Go custom. For executive retreats and VIP team trips, we often recommend private charters—like our Baja catamaran experience—where everything is curated and quality is never left to chance.

🏝️ Because when you're traveling for work, there’s no time for disappointment.

07/20/2025

Just got back from a work trip to Buenos Aires and had to share this: the city has been completely taken over by bright green parrots—cotorras (monk parakeets).

They’re loud, everywhere, and honestly kind of hilarious. Perched in palm trees, flying in noisy flocks, even tearing into trash bags like feathered raccoons. You hear them squawking all day long—like a tropical soundtrack with zero volume control.

Locals say they’re kind of a pest, but honestly? I loved it. Business trips usually blur together, but this one had unexpected birdwatching built in. Argentina’s got style—even in its wildlife.

07/08/2025

Traveling to Paris? Here’s how not to look like a tourist.

Before you panic-pack your entire Pinterest-inspired “Paris capsule wardrobe,” take a breath. Despite what TV shows and influencer reels tell you, Parisians aren’t strutting around in berets and designer heels all day. Most dress in relaxed, minimal, and practical pieces—think linen pants, simple cotton tops, and sneakers that aren’t for the gym.

✨ Pro tip: Comfort is great, but if you’re rocking loud logos, hiking shoes, and athleisure, you’ll stick out fast.

Instead, go for:
👚 Neutrals and flowy silhouettes
👖 Linen, cotton, denim—natural fabrics
👟 Stylish low-profile sneakers (not running shoes)
🧣 A scarf or two (trust us)
👜 Minimal accessories, max confidence

And yes—you can rewear the same outfit twice. Parisians do.

Want a full packing guide + cultural tips for blending in? We’ve got you:
🔗 ventanatravel.com
Plus: If Europe isn’t your next stop, check out this gem of a destination → Four Days in Montevideo

Bon voyage (and please ditch the leggings). 🥖🇫🇷🕶️

07/07/2025

🎣✈️ Flying with Fishing Rods? Here’s What Actually Works

Just got back from a trip where I packed my rods in a 7'6" clear acrylic tube with PVC caps—strong, light, and no confusion about what’s inside. Worked like a charm.

Turns out, tons of anglers do the same. Some use grey PVC, others travel with golf cases or break their rods down into 4- or 5-piece travel setups. A few even strap tubes to their luggage to avoid extra bag fees (with mixed results 😅).

Here’s what we’ve learned:
✔️ Protect your rods in a hard tube with padding
✔️ Multi-piece rods are your best friend
✔️ Reels go safely in checked bags, wrapped in clothes
✔️ Pack light or divide tackle with your travel buddy
✔️ Ship rods ahead or rent at your destination if you want to keep it stress-free

If you're thinking Baja for your next fishing adventure—especially during yellowfin tuna season—you’ll want to be ready. Check out this great guide on ethical spearfishing and tuna season timing in Southern Baja 🐟

And if you want help planning your next big fishing trip, we’ve got you covered at VentanaTravel.com. Let's get you and your rods to the fish—without the baggage drama. 🌊🎣

07/03/2025

If you could train anywhere in the world… here’s the dream itinerary.

Not for tourists. Not for the faint of heart. But if you wanted to seriously level up as a fighter—or just collect life-changing experiences through martial arts—this would be the list:

Muay Thai in Thailand
No explanation needed. Train on the beach or in Bangkok. Sweat, clinch, repeat.

Boxing in Mexico or the U.S.
Body shots in Guadalajara or head movement in Philly. Either way, you’ll come out sharper.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil
Sure, the best gyms might now be in Texas and California, but training in Rio still hits different.

Wrestling in Dagestan
Brutal. Isolated. Humbling. And absolutely next level.

If you master these four styles from these places, you'd walk away a whole new person. Maybe not Batman. But definitely more dangerous.

Want more cool mashups of travel + training + culture? Check this out →
👉 https://blog.ventanatravel.com/tag/medieval-armor/
And if you’re ready to build your own adventure like this:
👉 https://ventanatravel.com

This is the kind of “world tour” we should all be dreaming about.

06/30/2025

💸 Ever wonder what it really costs to travel in style?

If you're booking top-tier hotels during high season (think Paris, NYC, Aspen), you’re looking at around $2,000/night. Add $500/day for meals and drinks, and that’s $55K right there for a 3-week trip—and we haven’t even talked flights yet. 😳

Business or first-class airfare? That’ll run you $4K–$20K per person, depending on where you’re going. Add in private excursions, transfers, or yacht charters, and suddenly your "dream vacation" hits $100K real quick.

But here’s the thing—you don’t have to drop six figures to have an incredible, luxurious adventure.

🌊 Instead of Amalfi or Maldives, how about a private 54-foot catamaran in Southern Baja? Chef onboard, epic wind conditions for kiting or winging, clear blue water, and zero crowds.

👉 Check this out: https://blog.ventanatravel.com/where-desert-meets-ocean-ultimate-catamaran-charter-southern-baja

Or visit ventanatravel.com to see how we combine boutique stays, local flavor, and unforgettable adventure.

If you’re going to spend on travel, make it count.

✈️🏝️