Tracey Cullen

Chocowinity

Art Director at Global Traveler Magazine

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Articles

Discovering Xcaret Park

3 weeks ago | globaltravelerusa.com | Tracey Cullen

On a recent trip to Mexico, I spent a day with my group of friends exploring Xcaret. Nestled along the Caribbean coast in the Riviera Maya, Xcaret is an eco-archaeological park spanning over 200 acres. It offers a blend of Mexico’s rich cultural heritage and beauty of its natural landscapes. Visitors can stroll along winding paths that lead through the tropical flora and fauna, which include exotic birds in the Aviary and butterflies at the Butterfly Pavilion.
Travel Safety - Global Traveler

1 month ago | globaltravelerusa.com | Tracey Cullen

Upon my return from a recent trip to Mexico, I was surprised that, when people learned where I went, I was met with the question: “Is it safe there?” My reply? “I felt no more unsafe than here in the United States.”When I travel, I know nothing is without risks. Once anywhere, I do take commonsense precautions to ensure we are doing all we can to travel safely. Most importantly, I always bring a carbon monoxide detector. You can purchase one on Amazon for less than $30.
Black History Month in North Carolina

Feb 18, 2025 | globaltravelerusa.com | Tracey Cullen

North Carolina has a rich tapestry of history, particularly regarding its role in the American Civil Rights Movement and the Underground Railroad. The Explore the Road to Freedom NC app is a useful guide to help discover important historical sites throughout the state. There is also a version of the app available for Virginia and Tennessee. The app highlights key sites on a map and provides locations of historical markers and museums.
Exploring New Bern

Jan 16, 2025 | globaltravelerusa.com | Tracey Cullen

Nestled along the banks of the Neuse River, New Bern, North Carolina, is a city steeped in history, charm and culture. A unique blend of past and present, this enchanting locale has become a point of interest for fans of the popular television series Outlander. Hopefully this summer, when the Tryon Palace gardens are at full bloom, I will get a chance to check out Tryon Palace to hear the facts versus fiction of the Outlander series.
Aruba for Wine and Cheese Lovers

Dec 1, 2024 | globaltravelerusa.com | Tracey Cullen

Having just returned from my sixth trip to Aruba, my friends consider me an expert on all things Aruba. This year I wanted to check out someplace I can’t believe I had never been … the only boutique winery on the island. Alto Vista Winery is Aruba’s first Aruban estate winery, which means it grows its grapes and produces its wine on the island. This is quite a feat, given the dry climate and sandy terrain, and it forces the winery to be creative with its vines.
Hanging on to Summer

Sep 26, 2024 | globaltravelerusa.com | Tracey Cullen

Sunday officially marked the first day of fall, but here in North Carolina, it still feels like summer. To celebrate, we kicked off fall with a Sunday Funday. We began with mimosas and friends on a boat ride to Little Washington, where we even created a new mimosa drink we named the Pamlico Sunrise (since we were on the Pamlico River). If you’d like to try it, it’s a glass of Prosecco with a splash of orange juice, a splash of pineapple juice and just a dash of grenadine.
Philly Eats at Its Finest

Jun 26, 2024 | globaltravelerusa.com | Tracey Cullen

A recent trip to Philadelphia took me to Loews Philadelphia Hotel, where I enjoyed dinner at its restaurant, Bank & Bourbon. With exposed pipes and wood beams, the restaurant is decorated in a rustic yet modern style. Upon perusing the menu, I was amazed at the variety of bourbon options. It would be nice if I was a bourbon drinker so I could have enjoyed one. The wine list offered a Riesling, which I chose instead.
Occidental at Xcaret Destination

May 13, 2024 | globaltravelerusa.com | Tracey Cullen

Last year I was perusing travel websites looking for a good deal somewhere tropical, and I didn’t have a specific destination in mind. Lo and behold, I came across a great Memorial Day sale at an all-inclusive resort, Occidental at Xcaret Destination in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Since it was such a great deal, I shared my find with a large group of friends, and 11 of us booked the six-night trip for April.
For the Birds - Global Traveler

Apr 8, 2024 | globaltravelerusa.com | Tracey Cullen

I recently visited Sylvan Heights Bird Park in Scotland Neck, North Carolina, with some friends. Sylvan Heights Bird Park has been open to the public since 2006, and it is home to more than 2,000 birds from around the world. The park sits on 28 acres with aviaries displaying birds from South America, North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Alligator Adventure

Feb 28, 2024 | globaltravelerusa.com | Tracey Cullen

When we were in Florida for our cruise on Celebrity Ascent, we found ourselves with some free time on our last day. Our cruise disembarked at 9 a.m., and our flight didn’t leave until 3 p.m., so I decided we should do something fun. I found out the Everglades were only about 20 minutes from the Fort Lauderdale (FLL) airport, so I decided to book an airboat tour.