Travel News You Can Use
By Judy Newell

Mexico Travel News

State Department issues new advisory for Mexico

The US State Department suggests Americans avoid travel to parts of Chihuahua and avoid Durango and Coahuila, if possible. All are areas where the war against narcotics smugglers has produced extraordinary violence. Thus far, no American tourists have been injured or killed in gun battles. The State Department hopes to keep things that way.

Nude beach project on hold

Money problems have led to the suspension of a project to open a nudist resort near Acapulco. Environmental impact studies would cost more than the developers of Chirulandia could afford.

The scheme had aroused considerable interest, with many people objecting. However, Chirulandia management argued that the project is private and people are not obliged to wear clothing on private property. Beaches, however, all are federally owned and no federal regulations address nudity on beaches.

Nudist—or even beaches where female toplessness is permitted—are rare in Mexico although permitted on one stretch of the Oaxaca coast and along isolated stretches of the Caribbean shoreline.

Pyramids in the dark

Plans to install a light-and-sound show at the Pyramids of Teotihuacan have been suspended. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee questioned the project, which had been roundly criticized within Mexico. Apparently the needed equipment threatened to damage ancient structures. The Pyramids are the most-visited archaeological site in the country. The goal of the project was to attract more visitors and aid the local economy.

A light-and-sound presentation had been tried in the sixties, but failed to attract many customers. Rains and thunderstorms during the summer months and sometimes freezing temperatures in the winter limited the number of visitors.

Wanna buy some hotels?

Fonatur, the government tourism development agency, has placed its chain of six Desert Inn hotels along the Baja California peninsula on the market. They can be purchased individually, but a sale of the entire chain would be preferred. The hotels, which average 40 rooms each, were built following the opening of the Transpeninsular Highway (Mexico Route 1) 30 years ago. Fonatur took over the hotels when private investors did not want them.

A trans-Atlantic journey of peace from Cozumel to the world

The Island of Cozumel, free of any military conflict since the ancient Maya, was recently declared the “Island of Peace” by the International Committee for the Banner of Peace, a non-governmental organization affiliated with the UN. The island will be the core leader of a project known as “The Child, the Sea and Cozumel for Peace,” a symbolic expedition through the Atlantic Ocean delivering a message of universal peace and acceptance to the world.

The trimaran Zamná, the ship of peace, embarked on its remarkable journey August 27, a trip lasting four and a half months before it reaches its final haven, the Port of Piraeus in Greece. In its route, the ship stops in 15 ports, with Miami Beach the first in the US to welcome the ship and its crew. The election of this port was not arbitrary—Miami Beach and Cozumel established a Sister City relationship in 1992.

A 12-year-old Mayan boy, raised in a family of fishermen, travels aboard the vessel as ambassador of Cozumel.

The ship arrived at the Miami Beach Marina August 29, and on September 3, the ship of peace continued its journey to New York before heading to Spain, Portugal, Italy, Tunisia and Egypt on its way to the final destination in Piraeus.

Mexican carpenters in Alvarado, Veracruz, built the 110-foot handcrafted, tree-masted wooden masterpiece. Captain Vital Alsar Ramirez, a skilled sailor known for long sea voyages in wooden ships, commands the vessel.



International News

St. Thérèse makes historic visit to Portsmouth 

Portsmouth has seen many royals and heroes over the last 500 years, but perhaps none are so humble or well traveled as the relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, which enter the city on the morning of September 16. The casket will be taken to the cathedral and remain available for public and private devotion until 11am the following day.

Since her death, the casket has visited 40 countries including Ireland, Jordan, Kazakhastan and Iraq. Wherever the relics have traveled, conversion and healing have been reported, both physical and spiritual. Some Muslims venerate St. Thérèse as “the little saint to whom Allah refuses nothing.”

Nobel Peace Center compares Obama and King

On September 25, Oslo’s Nobel Peace Center opens an exhibition, “From King to Obama,” exploring the similarities between the 1964 Peace Prize laureate Martin Luther King and President Barack Obama. In 1964, King was the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate, at 35 years old. The Civil Rights Movement’s slogan, “Thou shall not requite violence with violence,” was a central factor cited in the justification for the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s decision. The Nobel Peace Prize winner for 2009 will be announced on October 13.



Airline News

Airfare special to Fiji

Air Pacific, Fiji’s international airline, offers a US$530 roundtrip airfare (exclusive of fuel surcharge and taxes) from Los Angeles to Nadi, Fiji, through September 15 for travel through May 31. The full-service carrier offers nonstop flights to Fiji from Los Angeles four days a week, and from Honolulu two days. The 20-percent devaluation of the Fijian currency in April 2009 provides US travelers with a favorable exchange rate and island resorts are offering special-price packages.



Cruise News

Road to Mandalay riverboat resumes service

The Orient-Express Road to Mandalay riverboat in Burma resumed service August 26, after a year’s absence. The ship was damaged by Cyclone Nargis and has since been remodeled and refurbished in Burma. The vessel operates cruises of 3, 4, 7 and 11 nights on the Irrawaddy River. To encourage bookings, those who reserve by October 31 on any cruise departing by April 2010, receive a complimentary Yangon extension before or after the cruise, with two nights at the Governor’s Residence Hotel in Yangon. The offer also includes sightseeing tours and transfers to and from Yangon airport.

NCL opens waitlist for Epic trans-Atlantic voyage

Norwegian Cruise Line has opened the waitlist for guests who want to cruise on Norwegian Epic’s first trans-Atlantic cruise. Guests on the waitlist will have first priority to secure their booking once the sailing date, itinerary and pricing are announced.

Norwegian Epic’s 2010 inaugural sailings to the Caribbean from Miami are open for sale, with fares starting at US$699.



Deal of the Week

China Discovery Tour

This 9-day/6-night tour provides a beautiful taste of modern and ancient Chinese attractions. As you venture through Beijing, marvel at historic architectural achievements including Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven and Forbidden City. Climb the Great Wall of China and experience Shanghai, where you will bargain for local treasures and gifts along the lively Nanjing Road. Enjoy the serenity of Suzhou’s “Linger-in Garden” and wonder how the Giant Leaning Pagoda remains standing at an uncomfortable angle. Tour rates at US$999 per person include airfare, hotels, meals and fluent English-speaking guides. Three dates remain: October 13, October 24, and November 6, 2009. 


Sources: Mexican Tourism News, Mexican Tourism Board, Niche Britain, USA Today, Travel Pulse, The 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.