Petra is undoubtedly a highlight of any holiday to Jordan. Carved into a sandstone valley in the Shara Mountains, there are many reasons why this millennia-old city is so remarkable, spanning its construction, abandonment and rediscovery to its frankly ingenious waterworks.

This blog will explore just a few of the reasons why Petra earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 1985, was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, and is renowned as one of the most unique landmarks on Llama Travel holidays.

At the meeting of two continents and two oceans, Panama is a small country full of history, wildlife and culture. Earlier this year, I visited Panama City as an extension to my FAM trip to Costa Rica, which you can read about here.

I travelled on Llama Travel’s Best of Costa Rica + Panama City 14-day tour, and by the end of my time in Costa Rica I felt like I'd already experienced so much that I wasn't sure how Panama could compare. If I'm honest, before visiting I knew very little about the country beyond the Panama Canal (although I quickly learnt just how important it has been to Panama's history and economy) and Panama hats, which, despite their name, actually originate in Ecuador.

It's safe to say Panama City and the Panama Canal completely exceeded my expectations. More than anywhere else I visited in Central America, Panama felt like a fascinating mix of old and new, where modern skyscrapers sit alongside colonial streets, and Latin American culture blends with North American influence. Having travelled through Costa Rica before ending my trip there, I found when I arrived that Panama was definitely different from its neighbours. Here is a brief rundown of my time in Panama.

If you've never travelled to Latin America before, Costa Rica is the perfect place to start. Despite only taking up around twice the landmass of Wales, it's packed with lush rainforests, natural hot springs, incredible wildlife and beautiful tropical beaches, making it easy to experience so much in one trip.

One phrase you'll hear everywhere in Costa Rica is Pura Vida (‘Pure Life’). It's much more than just a national slogan, it's a way of life! Locals (known as 'Ticos' and 'Ticas') use it in all kinds of situations, whether they really mean ‘thank you’, ‘you're welcome’, ‘sounds good’, ‘yes’, or simply expressing happiness and appreciation. While it literally translates as ‘pure life’, its meaning is different for everyone. At its heart, though, it's about slowing down, enjoying the moment, and appreciating the simple things – something you'll quickly find yourself doing when in Costa Rica, too.

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit Costa Rica on a FAM trip, and it completely exceeded my expectations. From misty cloud forests and unforgettable wildlife encounters to incredible places to stay and some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen, every day brought something new. Above all, though, it was the country's Pura Vida way of life that stayed with me long after I came home. In this blog, I'll take you through some of the highlights from the 11-days my group and I spent exploring Costa Rica. While it's impossible to fit everything into a single blog post, I hope it gives you a taste of what makes this country so special.