Travel News You Can Use
By Judy Newell

Mexico Travel News

Teotihuacan artifacts to be featured in Mexico City

Teotihuacan is better known to most tourists simply as The Pyramids. Lying about an hour’s drive north of Mexico City, it is one of the most visited archaeological sites in the country, dominated by the Pyramids of the Sun and of the Moon, but including much more. Teotihuacan was probably the largest city in the world 1,500 years ago, probably the center of an empire that extended north as far as Texas and south into Guatemala. Its destruction has been attributed to barbarian invaders (possibly the Toltecs), civil unrest or even a tropical eruption causing the “volcanic winter” of 535–536 CE. 

Starting May 18, some 400 objects from the site will be on view at a special exhibit in the National Museum of Anthropology and History in Mexico City. 

Volaris goes international; Aeroméxico to New Orleans

Volaris, the fast climbing low-fare airline, will inaugurate international service in June, flying from Toluca (Mexico City) and Guadalajara to Los Angeles. Volaris and Southwest entered a code-share agreement last year. Volaris, which began operations in 2006, now serves 23 destinations in Mexico with its fleet of Airbus 320 jets.

In July, Aeroméxico inaugurates service to New Orleans, beginning with six flights each week. The airline, along with many others, terminated its service following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Aeroméxico is the first international airline to return to the Louisiana city. Vast numbers of Mexicans moved into New Orleans following the big storm and are working on reconstruction projects. 

Within Mexico, Aeroméxico plans to open routes from Mexico City to Tampico, Ciudad Victoria, Nuevo Laredo, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chetumal, Huatulco, Lázaro Cárdenas, Colima and Tepic.

Sandos Hotels to introduce theme weeks

Sandos Hotels & Resorts, which has four all-inclusive locations on the Riviera Maya, is introducing new complimentary Mexican Cuisine & Folklore and Salsa & Merengue theme weeks, from May through December 2009.

During Mexican Cuisine & Folklore, guests will learn the process of preparing main dishes and drinks of Mexico. Participants also will enjoy three evenings filled with traditional Mexican dance such as mariachi and marimba. Scheduled weeks are May 4–11, July 6–13, September 14–20 and October 19–26.

During the Salsa and Meringue-themed weeks, travelers will learn the basic steps of the two Caribbean dance styles and define each dance with a personal style. Participants will be paired in couples and may enter a dance contest at the end of the week. Scheduled weeks are May 18–25, August 7–14, September 18–25 and October 30–November 6.



International News

Verona, Italy sets up weddings in the House of Juliet 

There may be no better setting for the words, “Til death do us part.” The House of Juliet—where, legend has it, Romeo wooed the young maiden under her balcony—will soon be used as a venue for weddings, city officials in Verona said.

The idea is part of a campaign by Verona, where William Shakespeare set his tale of star-crossed lovers, to foster its image as a romantic city.

Romance comes at a price: The tab for getting married at the House of Juliet ranges from 600 euros (about US$770) for Verona residents to 1,000 euros ($1,280) for non-EU-citizens not living in the northeastern Italian city. The cost difference is due to the larger amount of documentation needed for nonresidents, officials said.

Nonreligious weddings at the House of Juliet, as well as in another historical building in the city center that was previously unavailable, will be possible starting in May, when the last bureaucratic hurdle is cleared. The weddings can be held inside the house or in the courtyard right below the famous balcony.

The fourteenth-century Casa di Giulietta is one of the top tourist spots in a city that draws about 1.2 million people annually. The building belonged to the Cappello family, traditionally identified with the Capulets, leading to the folklore that Shakespeare’s character may have lived there.

Whisky month in Scotland

Throughout May, Homecoming Scotland 2009 invites you to explore and appreciate the expertise of the stills men and master blenders whose diligence has created one of Scotland’s biggest exports and cultural extensions. Kicking off the celebrations is the biggest ever Spirit of Speyside event. The Scotch Whisky Industry opens its doors to visitors and locals alike May 1–10.

Ways to sample Scotland’s national tipple range from a tasting session at The Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh to a three-day whisky course in Fife. Known as Uisge Beatha in Gaelic or “Water of Life,” the process of making whisky in Scotland can be traced back hundreds of years and has evolved geographic distinctions to the environment and the character of the distillers themselves.

The month-long program currently is being developed in association with the Whisky Industry and will conclude with Feis Ile, Islay’s annual Malt and Music Festival. Look out too for the Spirit of the West event at Inveraray Castle, May 16–17.



Airline News

Watch out for hidden fees on discount airlines

Are you tempted by the cheap fares offered by some European discount airlines? Beware of hidden fees that can boost the price far beyond what’s advertised.

Cheapflights.co.uk, a British online airline-booking service, came up with a list of the top 10 extra fees charged by the European discounters.


They include excess-baggage fees, airport taxes and fees, charges for credit card payments, priority boarding, airport check-in versus online check-in, meals, checked luggage, fuel-tax charges, fees for carrying infants onboard and charges for travel insurance.

The latest wrinkle: Ryanair has recently started talking about charging for passengers to use the airplane toilet.

Low-cost airlines such as Ryanair (www.ryaniar.com), easyJet (www.easyjet.com) and SkyEurope (www.skyeurope.com) have done much to make travel between cities faster and cheaper, but you should be aware of all the costs, including airport transportation.




More fees for checked bags

Two more airlines announced new checked baggage fees. US Airways will charge an extra US$5 for each checked bag starting July 9, in addition to the current fees of $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second one. You can avoid the extra charge if you check in online within 24 hours of departure.

Alaska Airlines (and its sister carrier Horizon Air) will begin charging $15 for the first checked bag starting May 1 for flights on or after July 7.




JetBlue offering “frequent-flier miles” for pets

It’s come to this. JetBlue’s JetPaws program gives fliers two TrueBlue rewards points each way if they bring a pet along. You’ll receive a guide to “Travel Petiquette,” too. In the words of travel blog, Jaunted, “Too bad the airline doesn’t send out regular etiquette guides for human passengers.”

The catches—costs of US$100 each way, you have to book pet travel over the phone and not all pets qualify.



Deal of the Week

Vietnam, Cambodia & the Riches of the Mekong 

AMA Waterways (the river line I just cruised on in Central Europe) inaugurates its brand-new 92-passenger ship MS La Marguerite on an unforgettable 15-day cruise-tour odyssey in Cambodia and Vietnam.

The journey begins with two nights in Vietnam’s bustling capital, Hanoi, followed by an excursion to fabled Ha Long Bay with overnight on a luxury junk. Then fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia, for a three-night stay at the gateway to Angor, the largest ancient city in the world. Explore the magnificent temples that once heralded the grandeur of the Khmer empire.

Tonle Sap Lake provides the launching point for the Mekong River adventure. The sagas of ancient empires, colonial powers and modern conflicts have unfolded along the Mekong’s banks. Temples, trade routes and fishing villages on the river’s path are today untouched by time, as is the way of life they represent. 

Cruise to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), with calls at Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Cham, Phnom Penh, Tan Chau, Sa Dec and Cai Be. Experience life on the river from small rural villages to booming capitals, visiting temples, floating markets and much more along the way. End the journey with an overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

The inaugural 15-day cruise September 21, 2009, begins at US$3,999, including cruise, land and airfare from LAX or SFO.


Sources: Mexico Tourism News, Travel Pulse, USA Today, Cosmos, Come to Scotland, Miami Herald, OSSN, Budget Travel, AMA Waterways 

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_03@msn.com  or go to her website www.PerfectJourneys.net.