Travel Tips

Most of us have heard of Puerto Vallarta and it may bring images to our minds of tropical scenes and exotic travels. Maybe we remember that this was where the Love Boat made a stop once a week. But there may be a question as to what attractions and activities can be found in this coastal Mexican city.

Puerto Vallarta is located on the West Coast of Mexico, south of the Baja Peninsula. The weather all year round is beautiful and the cost of living is low, which may be why over 20,000 Americans own vacation homes there.

Puerto Vallarta may be best know as the location for the 1963 movie “Night of the Iguana” starring Richard Burton and Ava Gardner. Actually, most of it was filmed a few minutes drive down the coast in Mismayola, but walking tours can point out buildings in town where Burton stayed and had his affair (or one of his marriages with Elizabeth Taylor. – Who can keep track?) The U.S. media gave a lot of attention to the couple and to all the infighting among director John Huston and the film’s stars and the publicity put Puerto Vallarta on the map. Today, most bus and walking tours will make some mention of the film and point out applicable sights of interest.

While there are so many reasons to visit Puerto Vallarta, it is the beautiful beaches that lure most people to return again and again. Puerto Vallarta sits on 25 miles of beaches within Banderas Bay, Mexico’s largest bay. Being located on the bay is what opens the possibility of so many different types of water sports and activities. The large marina is home to an abundant population of sports fishing boats. Most of the boats can be chartered to take you to any of the hottest fishing spots, where you can try your hand at wrestling one of the large fish the area is known for.

Another popular activity is to take a tour out to the island of Yelapa where you can seem to step back in time and see small village life as it still exists in Mexico. In addition to tours, there are many programs available for swimming with dolphins, a popular resort town activity that has increased tremendously in recent years. Whale watching has also become big business in Puerto Vallarta.

Most resorts are situated right on the water and provide all sorts of activities, such as windsurfing, snorkeling, and kayaking. Of course, you may just like to hunker down under a palm tree with your favorite adult beverage and shop from all the roving vendors that carry their wares up and down the beach.

But if lying on the beach all day drinking and shopping gets a bit mundane, you may feel the need to hit the links. There are several championship quality golf courses in the immediate Puerto Vallarta area. Clubs and shoes are available to rent, so don’t worry if you didn’t bring any of your own equipment with you.

For a tropical getaway, a family vacation, or an adventure filled trip, you can bet that you will find something fun to do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

If you truly love the outdoors and all things that belong to nature then Seattle Washington is really a great place for you to visit. With the climate, the terrain, and the beautiful surroundings, this city truly has the best of most worlds. Mountains, volcanoes, trees, sand, and sea can all be found in and around this truly unique city.

In addition to the great scenery that abounds, there are many places you can go to get a better view of the local wildlife. This is, after all, an integral part of nature and the little ones that you’ve brought along (if you’ve brought little ones along) will thoroughly enjoy seeing all of the animals.

Seattle has the distinct benefit of having and/or being within easy driving distance of several zoos and aquariums as well as other unique opportunities to see wildlife in more natural habitats and surroundings. Below I will give a brief overview of some of them that will hopefully whet your appetite and encourage you to at the very least give these outings serious consideration.

The first wildlife exhibit I would like to point out is a bit of a drive from Seattle but well worth every mile. Northwest Trek is a 715-acre park, which offers a tram tour through 435 acres of land where animals are free roaming in their natural habitats. There are 30 species represented along the trek and more than 200 animals within those species. This is a great way to see American animals without cages and bars surrounding them.

The next one I’d like to mention is Wolf Haven International. This organization provides rescue and sanctuary for captive born wolves. Wolf Haven also offers education to the public at large about these great animals. 45 minute to one hour walking tours are offered daily and walking tours are the only way you can actually see the wolves. If you have even the most remote interest in these beautiful creatures, I highly recommend a visit to Wolf Haven as a potential highlight of your trip to Seattle.

Next on my list of unique opportunities to view wildlife is the Cougar Mountain Zoo. This zoo is unique because of its focus on endangered species. Perhaps one of the most fascinating things about this particular zoo is its focus on educating visitors about the animals it hold. The zoo hosts several lectures throughout the day on the various animals it holds. Not only is there the magic of rare and beautiful creatures but a profound lesson that can be learned about conservationism and the importance of each and every creature in the circle of life. I think this is truly a unique opportunity that would be a shame to miss.

One of the activities people think of most when visiting Seattle is of course, whale watching. I would certainly be remiss if I didn’t include information about that here as well. There are several charter companies that offer whale-watching excursions leaving daily from Seattle. The most popular time of year to do so is from April through September and the San Juan Islands are a great general area in which to see these magnificent creatures. My recommendation is to make reservations early, especially during the peak whale-watching season. Not only do you get to see the great whales, but you also get to take a boat ride in the process. For me, being on the water is just as wonderful an experience was watching the whales.

These are some of the more uncommon and unique places to view animals in and around Seattle, Washington. If you are planning a visit to this area and you love animals, nature, and wildlife, each of these places has something special and extraordinary to offer its guests. Not only are these places to view wonderful and magnificent creatures but also receive an education about them as well. My fondest hope is that you will visit each of these places and find the experience as incredible as I do.

If you’ve never experienced Seattle, Washington, now is as good a time as any to do so. Maybe now is the best time ever for a nice visit to Seattle. Whatever your interests, there is sure to be something here that you will find appealing. From the great cultural centers to the fabulous sporting events and the wonderfully mild climate, Seattle is a great place to visit.

In addition to the wonderful climate, there are plenty of indoor and outdoor activities that should keep you, and anyone traveling with you busy for quite some time. The biggest problem I foresee is finding there is too much to do and too little time in which to do it all. Such is the bane of vacations. Seattle is a town that has natural beauty and is surrounded not only by water, but by beautiful countryside as well. The views all around are nothing short of spectacular and I’m sure that you will find plenty to do to keep everyone in your party entertained and happy.

For those who love culture, there are many opportunities to soak up all the culture you can manage. From wine tours to museums and gourmet food, Seattle has plenty to offer the discerning tourists. Not to mention Benaroya Hall where the symphony performs and other cultural experiences such as the Seattle Opera or the Seattle Chamber Music Society. If this isn’t enough for your sophisticated demands there is the Pacific Northwest Ballet and the Seattle Repertory Theatre.

For those of us with more sophomoric pursuits there is plenty around to keep our minds and hearts entertained. In addition to the activities mentioned above, there are plenty of sights to see in Seattle. There are walking tours around the city, driving tours to outlying areas and even duck tours, which are sure to delight the little ones among us.

For those who have an interest in pop culture there is the Experience Music Project, which is truly unique and very much worth the hefty price tag that admission demands. If you are going to make one splurge during your trip to Seattle alone, this would be the one I recommend most strongly. If money is no object, then count yourself blessed and take a look at what this ‘experience’ has to offer. In addition to the Experience Music Project there is the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame. As a science fiction enthusiast, this is a favorite of mine.

If you like animals, there is plenty to offer in Seattle. There is Cougar Mountain Zoo, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, the Seattle Aquarium, Northwest Trek, Wolf Haven, and the Woodland Park Zoo in addition to the many whale-watching tours that are available.

If you like studying about other cultures, perhaps you should visit the International District, take a tour to Tillicum Village, visit the Wing Lake Asian Museum, or Uwajimaya Village. Each of these places offers a glimpse into the lives of those from other cultures.

In addition to all of these really fun things there are professional sports for almost every season in Seattle. For basketball there are the Seattle Sonics (NBA) and the Seattle Storm (WNBA). If your interest lean toward football, you will be happy to know that the Seahawks call Qwest Field home and baseball fans will be delighted that the Seattle Mariners are still playing at Safeco Field. For the hockey fans around, there are Seattle Thunderbirds, which are part of the Western Hockey League and call the Key Arena home.

These are only a small sampling of the many great things to do and see while visiting Seattle Washington. Just remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day and it is highly unlikely that even the fastest among us can enjoy all that this great city has to offer its visitors in a day either. Take your time and remember that it is very likely that if you didn’t get to one of your destinations today, it will be there tomorrow.