Mexico
Cancun is bordered by the Caribbean sea and a tranquil lagoon, the thin 14-mile strip that once was nothing more than a sandbar has evolved into one of Mexico’s most popular resort area. The fine white sand found on Cancun’s beaches is the result of thousands of years of sea currents and wind eroding the coral to create spectacular beaches. Sun worshippers may think they have found a heaven on earth. The constant tropical breezes keep the windsurfers and parasailers on the move. Cancun’s picturesque waters are filled with the rainbow colors of natural coral reefs, astounding formations and more than 500 types of tropical fish. With near-perfect visibility, snorkeling and diving are some of the best in the world. From budget hotels to all-inclusive to top notch resorts, Cancun boasts a full range of hotels, and endless options for shopping, dining and nightlife. A favorite diversion is exploring the ruins of the ancient Maya civilization in the surroundingregion. Chichen Itza is unmistakably the most famous site in the Mayan world, it was founded in 445 BC and inhabited until 1204 AD, when it was mysteriously abandoned. The largest and most important structure in this zone is the 75-foot El Castillo pyramid. Call today to book you all-inclusive Cancun vacation.
Article Published: September 29th, 2005
Just south of Cancun, you will find that the idyllic Riviera Maya coastal stretch that is a haven for travelers who prefer a slower pace away from the bustle of Cancun. First time visitors may think the Riviera Maya is simply beaches and enticing waters. Those are the obvious attractions when you first arrive. But this is just the beginning – there is more to see and do then most people ever imagine. Fascinating and colorful, the Mayan Riviera opens the door to new adventures above and below the earth’s surface. This area is alive with attractions and activities for visitors of all ages and all interests .What would you like to do? The numerous archaeological sites take you back through time and history. Historical sites cover the landscape, mixing the ancient Maya world with today’s natural beauty. Ecological wonderlands let you swim with the dolphins and enjoy wildlife in its natural state. You can get up close and personal with Toucans, Scarlet Macaws, and other tropical birds. The botanical gardens reveal flora, fauna and incredible cave systems where monkeys run free. Underground rivers welcome divers and snorkelers. The seafront is alive with water sports and recreational activities. Parasailing and jet skiing can be found along the beach in Playa Del Carmen. Just offshore the Great Maya Reef parallels the Riviera Maya coastline. It is the largest and most diverse coral reef in the Western Hemisphere. Famous for its marine life and coral formations, the reef line is a big attraction for scuba divers and snorkelers. The reef is easily accessible and in some areas it is within walking distance from the beach. The Mayan Riviera region is home to more than 200 properties, including budget beach front hotels, spa retreats and all-
inclusive resorts.
Article Published: October 13th, 2005
Are you looking for an easy, tranquil, slow paced tropical vacation? One that offers plenty of activities, exotic culture and friendly hospitality. You shouldlook no further than Manzanillo. You may be aware of the diversity of the resort destinations in Mexico, but are you familiar with Manzanillo, a largely underdeveloped seaside resort located in the center of the country’s Pacific Coast. Set along two sparkling bays, Manzanillo offers a selection of golden beaches fringed by fruit plantations and jungle vegetation. The peninsula is home to the area’s most significant resorts. Travelers who choose Manzanillo will find everything they need for a complete vacation experience. The coastal highway that links the two bays are lined with toprated restaurants, shops and lively nightspots. After a busy day take time to relax over a cold drink and watch a brilliant sunset. To round out your Manzanillo vacation choose one of the many convenient day trips. Snow and Fire volcanoes (one is still active but safe to explore), a charming seaside village or the turtle farm – where baby turtles are released into the sea, are all located a short distance away. After a busy day take time to relax over a cold drink and watch a brilliant sunset. It’s all there in Manzanillo,spectacular beaches, near perfect weather, abundant activities and opportunities for pleasant relaxation. Travelers who make Manzanillo their next tropical vacation will find countless reasons to return.
Article Published: November 10th, 2005
Puerto Vallarta was our first port of call on our recent group cruise. At 7:00am on November 10 the MS Ryndam docked in the charming city of Puerto Vallarta. Located on the west coast of Mexico in the state of Jalisco. Puerto Vallarta is built on 25-miles of Banderas Bay and along the Sierra Madre mountain range. The city was once little more than a sleepy fishing Village but in 1962 director John Huston selected the location for his film “Night of the Iguana” starring Richard Burton and Ava Gardner. Today more than two million tourists visit Puerto Vallarta each year. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through Old Town, a traditional meal at a local eatery accompanied, of course by beer or tequila, or shop to your hearts content. Puerto Vallarta has long been known for its tropical appeal to vacationers. Part of the magic of Mexico is the warm welcome offered to families. New eco and adventure-oriented attractions have added to the enjoyment of the miles of beaches and spectacular pools and found in this enchanting town, while many hotels offer special facilities for every kind of traveler. Activities include water-skiing, wind surfing, deep-sea fishing, wind surfing,fly fishing, sailing, whale watching, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, and kayaking. Call today to book you Puerto Vallarta vacation.
Article Published: December 8th, 2005
Our second port of call on our recent Mexican Riviera group cruise was Mazatlan. This ‘Pacific Oasis” has become a major international seaport and tourist resort due to its natural harbor. Mazatlan boasts the longest stretch of uninterrupted beach in Mexico. Since it is located along a main migratory route it is a haven not only for sun worshippers, but bird watchers as well. Nature lovers will love Acuario Mazatlan home to over 250 species of fish. The aquarium has an auditorium and botanical gardens. A sea lion show is held three times daily. Sport fishing draws visitors from around the world for Marlin, Mahi-Mahi, Swordfish, and Tuna. The peak months are March through December. The golden zone located on the north part of the city is where the best hotels and beaches are found. In Mazatlan the party and fun on the beach never ends, you will find endless entertainment under the sun. You can parasail to get a look at the city from the air, ride on a banana boat or snorkel. Mazatlan has also become famous for its surfing. There are three island that have become a symbol for Mazatlan – Bird Island, Deer Island and Goat Island. All three have calm beaches and soft sand where you can spend the day sunbathing and swimming. They can be reached by small boats departing from the golden zone.
Article Published: December 21st, 2005
Topolobampo is a beautiful seaport located 20 km from Los Mochis in the state of Sinaloa, Mexico, this was our third port of call on our 10 day Mexican Riviera and Sea of Cortez group cruise in November of 2005. Topolobampo is on a deep-water bay in the Sea of Cortez. It is also the gateway to the region’s most spectacular attraction “The Copper Canyon”.There were 14 people in our group that choose to visit the canyon – we met in the theatre at 4:00am along with 322 other passengers, at 5:00am we boarded buses and traveled to El Forte, at 7:00am we made our way onto the South Orient Express Train for our 6 hour train journey to the Copper Canyon. Wow! It is one of the world’s greatest engineering feats – 39 bridges, 87 tunnels and hundreds of miles of rail spanning the most rugged and remote terrain imaginable. It also offered us incredible views of raging rivers, waterfalls and sub-tropical forests. The Copper Canyon is four times larger than the Grand Canyon, it is actually a massive maze of 200 gorges that combine to form a series of canyons covering more than 25,000 square miles. We had an hour to view the canyon and take many photo’s. We were then taken to lunch at the hotel. We left the Copper Canyon at 3:00pm and began our 6 hour train trip back to El Forte and then the 2 hour bus ride back to Topolobampo. The captain was on the pier to greet the weary travels on our return, along with many crew members with hot face cloths, juice and water. Once on board we were treated to a midnight buffet. It was a very long day and tiring day but well worth the once in a lifetime experience.
Article Published: January 28th, 2006
Welcome to Loreto, Mexico our fourth stop on our Mexican Rivera group cruise in November 2005. Loreto is located in Baja California Sur, Mexico. On the east coast of the Baja California Peninsula facing the Sea of Cortez. It is approximately 1200 kilometers south of the US/Mexico border. The historic town of Loreto, known as Concho (red mangrove) in the local language is the oldest European settlement in Baja California. The area was established in 1697. Loreto boasts nearly 250 km of coastline, 750 square km. of sea and 14 islands. The Sierra La Giganta mountain range, one of the tallest and most spectacular in Baja, overlooks the town of Loreto and creates breathtaking panoramic vistas. The surrounding desert is rich with unique plant and animal life and the water teems with aquatic life, creating unlimited eco-touristic opportunities. The weather of Loreto is generally warm with more than 300 sunny days and a year round temperature averaging in the 80’s. We dropped anchor in the harbor at 8:00am and tender service into Loreto began. Once on shore we hired a local taxi for a tour of the quite town. Loreto has much to offer for the entire family. In addition to its legendary sportfishing, you can enjoy numerous outdoor activities such as swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, golf, beachcombing, horseback riding, tennis, kayaking and sailing. On a trip to the nearby islands, you can marvel at the marine life that includes sea lions, exotic birds, playful dolphins and whales. In the mountains at nearby San Javier, you can explore ancient missions and captivate your mind with the local history. At Nopolo Sports Center you will find a seaside golf course with 18 challenging holes and a tennis center containing nine lighted courts, a stadium and a swimming pool. At 6:00pm we set sail for our next port of call Pichilingue.
Article Published: February 2nd, 2006
On November 14 we docked in Pichilingue our fifth port of call. Pichilingue is referred to as the entry point to La Paz. Located on a large bay on the Sea of Cortez, 16 km away from La Paz, the port has a fishing dock, acommercial dock and a cruise ship terminal. Our choice of shore excursion was Paradise Cove Kayaking. From the pier we were taken to Balandra Beach and given a short briefing on our kayak. This was mine & my husbands first attempt at kayaking and we decide it would be our last together. We couldn’t get together on the paddling, we seemed to keep going to the left instead of straight. We did manage to paddle into paradise cove and view the abundance of local birds and into a natural mangrove forest. Some of our group traveled by bus into the city of La Paz. It is a real Mexican city where 170,000 Mexicans live and work. It dedicates just a five block strip for tourist shops, restaurants and tours. Local business establishments intermingle with tourist stops and give the city a lived – in feeling. La Paz is quickly establishing itself as Baja’s eco-tourism center with a wide variety of tours offered by professionals dedicated to preserving the environment. Others stayed in port and watched the folkloric dance group perform in the cruise sip terminal or shopped in the local market stalls. At 6:00pm we set sail for our last stop – Cabo San Lucas.
Article Published: February 16th, 2006
The final port of call on Kaleidoscope Travel & Cruise’s recent group cruise tour was Cabo San Lucas. The resort town of Cabo San Lucas is named for the slender cape extending eastward from Baja’s southernmost tip, gradually developed into a tourist hot spot the last forty years. Today, Los Cabos is booming and is currently the seventh most popular tourist destination in Mexico and the second fastest growing resort community in the country. Cabo has been blessed with what many describe as the perfect climate. Average year-round temperature is 25 degrees, it is a little cooler in the winter and a bit warmer in the summer. For years Cabo was the remote playground reserved solely for private yacht owners. They flocked here to be near “Marlin Alley”, as the waters around Cabo have often been described. The name is well deserved, as Cabo San Lucas is the undisputed billfish capital of the world. . Cabo’s signature landmark is El Arco (“The Arch”), a rock formation at the tip of “Land’s End,” where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. A boat trip there is a must, if only to come face to face with the hundreds of noisy sea lions who reside on the rock formations. If you have time, hire a water taxi to take you to “Lovers Beach,” the only beach in the world bounded by two different oceans. A whale watching excursion is another “must do,” if you are there between December and March, when thousands of California gray whales and other species are making their nnual migration from colder climates.
Article Published: March 2nd, 2006
Our family has just returned from a winter break in Puerto Vallarta March 6th – 13th. We stayed at the Occidental Allegro in Nuevo Vallarta, a wonderful 4 star hotel located on Nayarit’s largest stretch of beach 15 minutes from the airport and 25 minutes from downtown. This all-inclusive resort has 3 restaurants, 2 bars, 2 pools, tennis courts, and beach volleyball. The daytime and evening entertainment was fabulous. On Saturday my son Justin and daughter Alicia and I headed off to the mountains for an exciting canopy tour. We got a birds eye view of jungle life as we rode the zip lines from treetop to treetop through the jungle. There was more than 2 miles of cable with 14 zip lines, the highest was 540 feet high over a river and the longest was ¼ mile long. After the tour we had lunch while waiting for our bus, the staff of the canopy tour brought a Tarantula to our table for a visit and I actually held him and had him crawl up my arm. Scary!
Article Published: March 30th, 2006
With a Mexican heart and a Caribbean soul, Cozumel is a paradise where tradition, flavor and joy come together. You will always find a friendly face and a warm welcome to make your stay an unforgettable one. Famous all over the world for its coral reefs, there are plenty of water sports such as diving, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, kayaking and more. Cozumel’s mostly undeveloped territory at the center of the island is covered by jungle and swampy lagoons, which are home to tiny mammals and endemic birds that have never left the island. Noteworthy is the Chankanaab National Park, a Cozumel icon, and the Punta Sur Ecological Reserve. This huge protected area at the southern tip of the island includes Punta Celarain and its historical lighthouse, as well as the Colombia Lagoon, a shelter for many of the island’s endemic species, as well as other endangered forms of life, such as marine turtles and their nesting areas. With its beautiful beaches and exotic locale, Cozumel is an ideal destination where you can enjoy colorful and breathtaking sunsets, moonlit walks on secluded beaches, swim through crystal clear blue waters and romantic candlelight dinners. The choice of activities are boundless in Cozumel, golden beaches, turquoise waters, friendly people, typical festivals, scattered Maya ruins, great restaurants, a myriad of duty-free stores, diving, golfing, romance, a whole new world where everybody has a place under the sun. Let the magic surround you, let us captivate your heart with the sweet magic of paradise. Come to Cozumel and Live the Experience!
Article Published: August 3rd, 2006
On Oct 7th I had the pleasure of escorting the wedding group of Quentin Coe and Cherie Stromsmoe to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for a 7-day stay at the RIU Palace. Cabo San Lucas is located at the southern most tip of the Baja California Peninsula between the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. The RIU Palace is a five star all-inclusive resort with six restaurants, 2 large pools, swim up bars, unlimited leisure activities, and nightly entertainment. The RIU Palace is a beautiful place for a wedding with the landmark rock formation “El Arco” in the background. The wedding took place on the beach – the archway was covered in white lace and tiger lilies, the guests sat on white cloth covered chairs in the sand and torches lined the pathway where the flower girl Amber Muenchrath dropped flower petals. Next came her brother Braden Muenchrath and family friend Matthew Holst as ring bearers and finally the beautiful bride Cherie Stromsmoe with her parents Bruce Madsen and Rusty Stromsmoe. The wedding service was performed by a Mexican Justice of the Peace and translated by sister of the bride Shaunna Muenchrath. After the wedding champagne was served on the beach. The wedding group then made their way to the reception being held on the terrace of the Mexican restaurant with a view of “El Arco”. Supper was served as the sun set into the Pacific Ocean. For the next 5 days the family and friends of Quentin & Cherie’s had the opportunity to explore all Cabo San Lucas has to offer. Snorkeling at San Maria Bay, Glass Bottom Boat tour at lover’s beach, a day trip to Todos Santos, a Pirate Ship adventure and great shopping. And of course the nightlife in downtown Cabo – The Giggling Marlin, Squid Row and Cabo Wabo – where some were lucky enough to watch Sammy Haggard perform at his 2006 birthday bash. Could there be a more perfect way to start your life together then with your family and friends on a beautiful beach in a tropical location. Call today to start planning your Dream Wedding.
Article Published: October 26th, 2006
Cancun is bordered by the Caribbean sea and a tranquil lagoon, the thin 14-mile strip that once was nothing more than a sandbar has evolved into one of Mexico’s most popular resort area. The fine white sand found on Cancun’s beaches is the result of thousands of years of sea currents and wind eroding the coral to create spectacular beaches. Sun worshippers may think they have found a heaven on earth. The constant tropical breezes keep the windsurfers and parasailers on the move. Cancun’s picturesque waters are filled with the rainbow colors of natural coral reefs, astounding formations and more than 500 types of tropical fish. With near-perfect visibility, snorkeling and diving are some of the best in the world. From budget hotels to all-inclusive to top notch resorts, Cancun boasts a full range of hotels, and endless options for shopping, dining and nightlife. A favorite diversion is exploring the ruins of the ancient Maya civilization in the surroundingregion. Chichen Itza is unmistakably the most famous site in the Mayan world, it was founded in 445 BC and inhabited until 1204 AD, when it was mysteriously abandoned. The largest and most important structure in this zone is the 75-foot El Castillo pyramid. Call today to book you all-inclusive Cancun vacation.
