BY
CLAY LARROY
Leisure
travel is
a wonderful experience that everyone should have in their lifetime. Even
business travel can be made enjoyable. There are some aspects of travel that
can detract from your enjoyment. When
planning to fly for a trip, don't forget any frequent flier miles you might
have racked up. It does you no good to hang onto those once you've already gone
on your big vacation. Even if you don't have enough miles to cover the whole
trip, many airlines will allow you to discount your rate using your miles. When you want to
plan a vacation contact me!
Port
of Call - Acapulco
Acapulco is a popular cruise port for ships sailing
anywhere on the Pacific coast between Panama and San Francisco. The town itself
sits on a beautiful stretch of beach in a semi-circular bay that has offered deep-water
berths for ships since the 16th century. Today Acapulco's port function has
been overtaken by its popularity as a sun-and-sand holiday destination,
appealing to Mexican and overseas visitors in equal measure. Apart from the
usual resort pastimes, like dancing and tanning, Acapulco offers the
world-famous La Perla cliff divers and an attractive old town that's well worth
exploring. Cruise ships in Acapulco berth at the rather unattractive Acapulco
terminal in the north of the bay, near Costera Miguel Aleman. There are good
facilities here, including tourist information, internet access, shopping and
taxis, and the old town is only 15 minutes' walk away.
Shopping
in Acapulco
Head to the
open-air market near the Plaza Bahia for handicrafts such as jewelry and
leather gear. The Mercado Parazal is also good for souvenirs. Bargaining is
expected and necessary! The streets of the Zona Dorada (Golden Zone) are lined
with designer boutiques; for Acapulco's biggest mall make a beeline to Le Gran
Plaza on the edge of town.
Best Buy: Silver jewelry
Dining
in Acapulco
La Casa de la Pasta - the best Italian food in Acapulco.
Zibu - a blend of Mexican and Thai food with great views of Puerto Marques. Su
Casa - a friendly restaurant with city views that serves Mexican cuisine and
good seafood.
Best Dish: Grilled
red snapper
Port
of Call - Cabo San Lucas
Located on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, Cabo
San Lucas is a well-developed beach resort and port of call that boasts many
attractions for cruise passengers. The picturesque sandy beaches and idyllic
weather make the resort a paradise for watersports and other outdoor pursuits.
Cabo San Lucas is a wildly popular holiday destination, and has developed a bit
of a reputation for being 'Americanized', as dollars are widely accepted and
nearly everyone speaks English. The resort also attracts a young and lively
college crowd that ensures all the local restaurants and cantinas are always
buzzing. Although it may not be the best place to get a taste of authentic
Mexican culture, it's a glorious resort with many fun beach activities and
great restaurants and night spots. For those who prefer something a little more
traditional, San Jose del Cabo, the resort town right next door, is more quaint
and laid-back. Cruise ships in Cabo San Lucas drop anchor just offshore and
ferry passengers to the Tender Pier, conveniently located in downtown Cabo.
Shopping
in Cabo San Lucas
There's plenty of
shopping to be done in Cabo San Lucas; most of it is of the tacky t-shirt
variety, but determined shoppers will unearth some unique souvenirs from Cabo.
Puerto Paraiso Shopping and Entertainment Plaza and the adjacent Marina Cabo
San Lucas have many shops and a festive atmosphere, while the high-end
boutiques in Shoppes At Palmilla offer beautiful (if expensive) art, jewelry
and handcrafts.
Best Buy: Hand-blown glass from The Cabo San Lucas Glass
Factory
Dining
in Cabo San Lucas
Los Tres Gallos - authentic Mexican food with a gourmet
touch. La Dolce - Italian restaurant with Mexican charm. Cabo Blue -
American-style bar and grill with burgers and chicken wings for reasonable
prices.
Best Dish: Carnitas (slow cooked, spiced, then shredded
pork shoulder) with tacos.
Port
of Call – Cancun
Cancun, the premiere
tourist city in Mexico, is a combination of two areas: the city center inland,
and the resort center which sports a line of towering hotels flanked by aqua
water and white sand beaches. Cancun is full of resort-style fun, the best of
which includes visits to the many picturesque beaches and golf courses which
are all similarly idyllic. Cancun cruises usually don't actually stop at Cancun
but instead farther south at Calica, also called Playa Del Carmen, which is
about an hour's drive, located 41 miles (66 kilometers) from the city. Calica
can berth two cruise liners and cruises that stop at the city of Cancun anchor
far offshore with long tender rides to a small pier. Cruise excursions also
arrive from Cozumel.
Shopping
in Cancun
With six huge and modern shopping complexes and hundreds
of stores shopping can be overwhelming. A popular place for local souvenirs
instead of designer fashion is one of three markets, the largest being Market
28 also called mercado veintiocho.
Best Buy: Fashionable bathing suit
Dining
in Cancun
Peter's Restaurant - good Mexican food at reasonable
prices Fantino - Fine dining at the Ritz Carlton Captain's Cove - Laid back
deck seating with great views
Best Dish: Fish Taco
http://www.travelresearchonline.com/
Travel to experience life!
I felt completely at home in Mexico - speaking
Spanish to my cousins, running around Acapulco and stuffing my face with mole
and homemade tortillas. Mexico opened my heart.
Aimee Garcia
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