Month: February 2010

What Is The Best Historical Destination For A Mexico Vacation?

What Is The Best Historical Destination For A Mexico Vacation?

When you think about history and Mexico there are a few locales that come to mind. The one that really stands out is the area of the Yucatan peninsula that encompasses the area once dominated by the Mayan people and where you can still find incredible evidence of their advanced civilization. Just a short drive from the high-octane resort towns of Cancun and Cozumel are examples to be found of the height of Mayan architecture and civilization.

Many travel providers can set you up with tours that will let you enjoy and explore several archeological sites and still put aside time to lounge on a beach to soak in the sun. This gives you the opportunity to have an educational experience as well as a relaxing vacation. Spend a few days traveling to several of the most well known ruins and then kick back with some typical water activities.

The most famous Mayan ruins are at Chichen Itza, which is close to Merida, the capital of Yucatan. It is estimated Chichen Itza was established in 432 AD and is one of the finest examples of Mayan architecture ever excavated. You can climb the pyramid known as “El Castillo” and learn how it is set up to have significance in how the Mayans viewed astronomy. There is also the largest ball court in Mesoamerica located here, which hosted games where the losers may have been ritually sacrificed. The blend of science, religion, and architecture in the city can be very impressive.

Another more recently found site is at Palenque, in which in 1952 the mummified remains of Lord Pakal, a ruler during the sixth century, were found in a large sarcophagus. There are many exquisite examples of Mayan architecture located here, such as comb-like decorations on the roofs of the temples and intricately carved wall panels. There are over 200 buildings at this site, which are probably more than enough to keep you exploring most of the day.

A visit to Tulum can provide some seaside ruins to explore for a half a day or so, but it also gives you the opportunity to snorkel and check out some of the underwater caves that are near there. After that it is a short trip to either Cancun or Isla de Mujeres for some rest and relaxation so you can reflect on all the history you absorbed. And the margaritas are good there, too.

Just south of Tulum you will find Sian Ka’an, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ecological reserve has a lion’s share of natural beauty, but it also highlights 23 archeological sites of Mayan civilization and contains an ancient trade route that serviced the cities of Tulum and Muyil during the Mayan era.

The entire Yucatan peninsula is chock full of the history and architecture of the Mayan civilization and it gives us a glimpse of what life was like in the prehistory of European colonization of the Americas. If your idea of a great vacation to Mexico is to learn about its history and heritage, then this is the number one place to go.

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Last Minute Discount Travel: What You Need to Remember

Taking a trip can be exciting, but preparing for that same trip can be exhausting. You can run into a lot of problems just getting your documents settled, your passport in order, your visa stamped on, and any kind of permit or document signed. You can spend hours and hours of packing, and you may still forget something.

Or worse, you can spend hours and hours packing your clothes and then have no space left over for the things that you want to bring with you back home. Of course, if the airline loses your luggage, then that can be the worst of all, and it can be something that is not unforeseen when it comes to running to the airport at the last minute.

Before you start thinking that technology is your friend and that you can still travel as much as you wish, and as late in the game as you want, think again. There are so many things that can go wrong when you do anything at the last minute: you can lose your documents and passports, the airline can lose your luggage, and with the storm going on all about you, you could very well lose your mind. And when you start traveling on a discount package, you may encounter hidden fees well after you have settled on the package that you want. Here are the other things that could go wrong with discount travel if you are not vigilant and careful.

– In general, discount travel can involve the whole package including airfare, accommodations, and even a guided tour. The good thing about such packages is that they save you time and money when you need to get a lot of touring done within a fixed span of time. The disadvantage is that sometimes, such packages can be expensive and you may not get to do things on your own, especially walks, hikes, or shopping, when you are on a set schedule.

– Another disadvantage of discount travel is that sometimes, the restaurants, tour groups, and gift shops involved in the discount travel package all know each other, and have arranged for higher fees for tourists that visit an area. From a capitalist perspective, this is almost understandable, even expected. But keep in mind that a lot of the things that will be thrown your way during a discount tour or package will be overpriced. Don’t forget this even in your last minute panic!

– One advantage of discount travel is that it saves you money, but take note that not everything on this planet is free and even if it’s advertise as free, it won’t be completely free, or will be of low quality. For instance, you could be sold discount travel for your last minute trip, but you will have to take many more flights and have a lot of layovers in order to be accommodated.

This can be tiring for you, and when you finally get to your destination, you can be exhausted and out of whack. Or you might be given a lot of discounts, but when your credit card bill comes in, you can see a lot of hidden fees added on.

These are only a few disadvantages of last minute discount travel. For more information on how you can avoid these pitfalls, do a lot of online research and talk to your travel agent.

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Going on a Road Trip?

…Last Minute Travel Tips By Land

Traveling by land does have its advantages you can go as fast or as slow as you like, choose your mode of transportation (car, trains or bus) and enjoy the view. You can’t really do that from an airplane or a cruise ship. So is last minute travel by land making you break out into sweat and causing panic attack? It doesn’t have to. Here are tips you can use:

Get a map.
Never leave home without it. Other than a water bottle and a reliable car, a good road map is your best friend when traveling last minute by land. Choose a motorist’s map because it has more detailed information about the roads and highways you might have to use.

If you have time, try to study the map and mark your current location and your destination. Look at the route you want to take and try to check alternate routes as well. You never know if there’s a traffic jam or construction work somewhere.

While you’re at it, try to check for local accommodations, gas stations, restaurants, hospitals or clinics along the way. That should give you sufficient information on the most basic things where to get gas, where to eat, go to the bathroom, sleep or your tires checked. That way, you’ll be able to plan your trip accordingly.

Pack up the necessities.
Bring only the things you will truly need on this trip, although if you’ll be traveling by car, you probably can pretty much bring just about anything that will fit in your trunk or backseat. If you’re traveling by public transportation, make sure to bring only the necessary stuff. That will help keep you mobile so you can move around fast.

Check your car.
Never go on a last minute travel by land without having your car checked. Don’t leave anything to chance. So maybe the next gas station/repair shop is just 10 miles away. What if your car breaks down are you willing to walk/hitch the rest of the way just to get your car checked? Make sure everything is in order before you even leave your driveway.

Stop and get your bearings.
Last minute trips can be forever trips if you get lost. If you’ve been traveling a while on the road, stop and try to see if you’re going in the right direction or at least taking the right road. Use landmarks and street signs to determine your exact location. Got a GPRS? Use it.

Going public? Confirm your tickets.
If you’ll be taking your last minute travel by land on a public transportation, make sure to get your tickets ahead of time. You could queue, of course but if you want to make sure you travel faster, have your tickets on hand.

Have cash on hand.
Not every destination you arrive at might have an ATM or a bank. In case you need cash fast, at least you have something in your wallet, bag or pocket. If you’re traveling by land at the last minute, make sure you have cash in change — $1, $5, $10 and $20 bills, along with loose change in coins. So in case you find a hotel, inn or restaurant that will only take cash, you’re ready.

Plus, you never know if you’ll have to make a call from a telephone booth. After all, there are still areas where mobile phones won’t work.

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