Travel News You Can Use
By Judy Newell

International News

The world’s greenest

The latest Reader’s Digest study of the greenest and best places to live has eight European countries in its top 10, with Finland winning the number one position. Italy, Slovenia, and France are also in the top 20. And the five greenest, most livable cities? All in Europe! Stockholm tops the list, followed by Oslo, Munich, Paris and Frankfurt.

The World’s Top 10 Greenest, Most Livable Places:

1. Finland

2. Iceland

3. Norway

4. Sweden

5. Austria

6. Switzerland

7. Ireland

8. Australia

9. Uruguay

10. Denmark 

Bringing the Gauls back to civilization

News has arrived from France that the palace of Vercingetorix has been excavated, stirring up mixed feelings among the French people and their Belgian neighbors.

Until now, popular opinion was that the Gauls were not much more than a group of long-haired tribes living in thatched huts who spent most of their time waging war against one another. Vercingetorix, the son of a powerful clan chief from the Auvergne, had been made king and was thought to have led a united revolt against the Roman invader for a while. But the Gauls were defeated by the more sophisticated Romans and their advanced military power under one of the empire’s best generals, Caesar. So went the general consensus among modern historians.

But what French archaeologists excavated recently at Corent in the Auvergne is not a big hut in the middle of a village. Instead they discovered a well-built palace with a tiled roof in an elegant town with a large public square, stores and workshops. The metalwork pieces and the thousands of coins that have now been brought to light show that in the first century BC the residents of Corent enjoyed all the creature comforts and social status that wealthy Romans in Italy would have expected.

Previously, historians had to rely on scanty archaeological finds and on the texts left by the Gauls’ neighbors and conquerors, the Romans. What happened to the ancient French is that we know about them mainly through Roman literature. Even worse, most of what we know about the ancient Gauls came from Caesar’s account of his conquest of them. 

News from Mexico

Topless, anyone? Temptation Resort & Spa set to open in Cancun

The Temptation Resort & Spa in Cancun opened its doors on December 21, 2007. The new all-inclusive 384-room Temptation Resort & Spa welcomes singles and couples to this beachfront resort where DJs spin and guests can bathe or socialize topless in one of three swimming pools themed on three different concepts— relaxing, sports and entertainment.

Temptation’s rooms offer three categories—deluxe, Jacuzzi rooms and junior suites—all offering private terraces or balconies. Other resort features include six dining options and a spa. Rates range from US$139 to $206 per room, per night and are based on double occupancy, taxes and gratuities included.

Mexico, Latin America hotel chain expands portfolio 

Grupo Posadas, a hotel operator in Mexico and Latin America, plans to further strengthen its current portfolio of 98 properties with the openings of eight new hotels by the end of the year. Grupo Posadas will continue growth in 2008 with 10 additional hotel openings, including seven new Fiesta Inn locations throughout Mexico.


The company also will debut the unveiling of Aqua Cancun, scheduled for December 2007. With a new “sensory stay” philosophy, Aqua Cancun aims to “excite the body’s five senses with sensuous aromatherapy mists, savory international cuisine, deep-tissue shiatsu massages, live DJs and panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea,” according to a press release. Visit www.posadas.com.

Mexico looking to Gulf of California for next project

According to recently published reports, Fonatur, the tourism development agency of Mexico, is eyeing the Gulf of California region for a major development project. Fonatur was behind the development of major resorts area such as Cancun and Los Cabos.

The agency is scoping 10 locations in the Gulf area with plans on choosing one and heavily promoting it. Baja California is one of the four states being studied for the possible project that has been described as the equivalent of building three Cancuns. The plans are in the preliminary stages and were discussed at the recent three-day Tijuana summit at Tijuana’s Grand Hotel.


Sources: OSSN, The Owl, Travel Agent, Modern Agent, The European, Readers Digest 

Judy Newell, a writer and travel industry executive, heads the custom tour company Perfect Journeys that specializes in luxury and adventure travel. Contact her with comments or suggestions at JudyNewell_03@msn.com  or go to her website www.PerfectJourneys.net.