TOURISM/TRAVEL
By Judy Newell
Mexico Travel News
Escalera Nautica
Escalera Natutica now has eight marinas open with seven more in planning stage. Not exactly what had been dreamed of a decade ago but still something.
A decade ago, when the project was announced, the goal was to open more than 30 marinas along both coasts of the Baja California peninsula as well as along the west coast of the mainland. The government would provide the basic infrastructure, and it was hoped private investors would come in with the amenities.
Lack of enthusiasm among private investors had apparently almost killed the scheme, although laws protecting mangroves on the coast were more to blame. The eventual idea is to attract boaters to come to Mexico.
International News
British Museum announces “Moctezuma: Aztec Ruler” exhibit
Completing its series of exhibitions exploring power and empire, the British Museum focuses on the last elected Aztec Emperor, Moctezuma II. “Moctezuma: Aztec Ruler” is the first exhibition to examine the semi-mythical status of Moctezuma and his legacy today. Loans of iconic material from Mexico and Europe will be displayed, most for the first time in the UK. The exhibition anticipates the anniversaries in 2010 of Independencia (1810) and Revolución (1910).
The exhibition presents Moctezuma II’s dual nature—a successful warrior but a tragic figure who ceded his empire to foreigners. The exhibition re-examines interpretations of his mysterious death.
The exhibition presents masterpieces of Aztec culture, including the impressive stone monument known as the Teocalli of Sacred Warfare. An exquisite turquoise mask and gold work showcases the craftsmanship of artisans employed in the Aztec court, and masterly paintings known as Enconchados (oil paintings on wooden panels with inlaid Mother of Pearl detail) portray the conquest events in vivid detail.
Airline News
Mexican low-cost carrier Volaris adds US routes
Volaris Airlines, a small Mexican carrier, opened service to the US for the first time in its three-year history. On July 1–2, Volaris started daily nonstop flights between Los Angeles and Oakland, and both Guadalajara and Toluca, Mexico. Volaris and Southwest Airlines have previously said they will begin a code-share agreement in 2010, allowing US customers to buy Volaris tickets on Southwest’s website.
AeroMéxico offers four weekly San Antonio-Monterrey flights
AeroMéxico began offering four weekly, nonstop flights between San Antonio and Monterrey, Mexico on July 9. AeroMéxico also offers nonstop flights from San Antonio to Mexico City.
Cruise News
Silversea rolls out 60 percent savings
Silversea Cruises’ new, simpler pricing structure provides the biggest savings incentive in its history—60 percent off—plus free airfare on virtually all voyages in 2010. The company’s best-available, capacity-controlled prices are being offered for guests who book early.
The free roundtrip air package includes transfers between airport and pier. The package is available from 22 gateways in the US and Canada on most voyages in 2010, excluding expedition cruises.
Deal of the Week
Celebrate Thanksgiving in Turkey
This special offer to eat turkey in Turkey includes roundtrip airfare from JFK to Istanbul; three nights each at small boutique hotels in Cappadocia and Istanbul; daily breakfasts and three dinners; all guided sightseeing tours; wine tasting in Cappadocia; all airport transfers; and a special Thanksgiving feast. It’s a great deal at US$1,599 per person for 8 days/6 nights.
Sources: Mexico Travel News, USA Today, Travel Pulse, Kayak, Visit Britain, Independent Traveler
Judy Newell heads the travel company Perfect Journeys that specializes in discounted rates for airfare, hotels, tours and cruises worldwide, as well as luxury and adventure travel. Contact her with comments or suggestions at
judynewell@perfectjourneys.net or go to her website
www.perfectjourneys.net.
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Instituto Allende Tours
Querétaro
Sat, Aug 1, departing at 9am
US$65
Guanajuato
Trip preview
Wed, Aug 5, 4pm
Free
Sat, Aug 8, departing at 9am
Instituto Allende, 152-0226
Ancha de San Antonio 20
US$65
| Querétaro On Saturday, August 1, Instituto Allende Tours hosts a day-long field trip to Querétaro, an important Mexican tourist destination and runner-up to Shanghai, China, to host the 2010 World’s Fair. |
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The tour stops at the famous aqueduct, considered an ambitious engineering feat in the mid-nineteenth century, the Cementerio de los Hombres Illustres, the Plaza de Armas and Querétaro’s centerpiece, the Villa del Villar del Aquila Fountain.
Also on the schedule are Queretaro’s popular outdoor market, a walking tour through colonial streets, the house of La Marquesa (now a luxury hotel), a visit to the Hill of the Bells, the Benito Juárez Monument and the Chapel of Archduke Maximilian.
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Guanajuato On Saturday, August 8, Instituto Allende Tours heads to the city of Guanajuato, departing at 9am. About an hour west of San Miguel, Guanajuato is an astonishing eye-opener. |
Its narrow streets wind among flower-bedecked plazas and give way to unexpected balconies, bridges and red-tiled roofs that lie level with the street above. It’s an exotic, flamboyant maze of plazas, byways and picturesque streets. Traffic moves beneath the city in an underground tunnel system.
Travelers are reminded of the hill towns of Italy and jewels of places in southern Spain. The town boasts a peculiar combination of Mexican and European qualities.
Guanajuato was once Mexico’s second largest city and was one of the wealthiest cities in the world due to local silver mining. Opulent structures have become left-behind art relics. The city is listed as a World Heritage site, so this outing pays special attention to preserved colonial architecture in residential areas.
Points of interest to be visited include the university, stately governmental buildings and the Museum of El Quixote, which showcases a unique international collection of art. We visit the home of painter Diego Rivera, which has been converted to a museum. Time will be allotted for strolling and shopping in the city’s center.
Cost for the trip is US$65. Bilingual guides lead the all-inclusive Instituto Allende tours. Reservations are a must and fees must be paid in advance. For more information, visit Ancha de San Antonio 20, or call 152-0226.
A free lecture at the Instituto each Wednesday at 4pm previews upcoming trips.
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