Luxury Travel in Mexico

Posted by & filed under Luxury.

Elite Traveler – the private jet lifestyle magazine that provides a worldwide audience of elite travelers with information uniquely suited to their demanding lifestyle –  recently put together an awesome video on Luxury Travel in Mexico. With more 5 Diamond Resorts than Canada, Hawaii, The Caribbean and the rest of Latin America combined, Mexico really is a stand-out destination worthy of this attention.

In the video with Gerardo Llanes, CMO at Mexico Tourism Board, he comments, “We believe that Mexico is a country that you really have to experience to understand all the things that we have to offer.”  We couldn’t agree more. One unanswered question in this video was the  information of  who to turn to to plan the perfect luxury vacation in Mexico.   The answer  is  easy: Journey Mexico – the leader in Mexico Travel offering unique luxury experiences and creating custom itineraries to surpass the expectations of even the most sophisticated traveler.

Start planing your luxury Mexico vacation here:  Exclusive Mexico

 

To see the complete post on Elite Traveler, click here.

Nature Conserving and Eco-Friendly Travel

Posted by & filed under Ecotourism, Oaxaca.

Industry reports show that most travelers are starting to expect destinations to be environmentally friendly/involved and most importantly hotels to be sustainable and “green” — eco-friendly lodging options are no longer a niche. Demand for luxury and green initiatives are driving bookings for the coming year.

In fact, 62% of people anticipate hotels to have a green program in place; 58 percent of travelers said that they would not expect to pay less for a hotel with eco-initiatives; and 84 percent of participants said that eco-friendly efforts do not make their experience less comfortable or less luxurious. We can conclude that going green is compatible with existing quality standards of hotel service and that advertising green status does not hurt revenues at all. The same applies for the destination and tours.

One of our most booked eco-friendly tours is the Hiking Expedition to Oaxaca and the Pacific Coast where one can enjoying Mexico in its natural splendor. This trip suits those who wish to combine local flavor with their outdoor active adventure. Hiking through the countryside, guests will experience a first hand view of Mexico’s rural life and the joys, threats, and difficulties posed by farming in this area. The majority of the hiking takes place in rural settings offering plenty of diversity with peaceful hikes through valleys and forests. Accommodation throughout is clean, comfortable and welcoming – all of it having been chosen for its beautiful location and local charm.

 

 This post was submitted by our Marketing Manager, Susanne Prenzel.

Our Commitment to Sustainable Tourism   | Ecotourism in Mexico: 5 Amazing, Ecofriendly Hotels to Enjoy

November 2013 Newsletter

Posted by & filed under Newsletters and Promotions.

NovemberNewsletterBlogThis month’s newsletter is packed with the latest in what’s going on in Mexico and where to go. We focus on Guanajuato and San Miguel Allende, as it’s the number one hot spot in Mexico right now for travelers. We also feature two Grupo Habita hotels: Hotel Downtown, where we have an exclusive promotion; and Hotel Escondido, their newest property in Oaxaca. Be sure to also check out our special from Casa Don Gustavo in Campeche!
 To view the November newsletter in its entirety, click here.

 

New Contemporary Art Museum Opens in Mexico City

Posted by & filed under Mexico City, News.

Mexico’s capital, Distrito Federal, or better known as Mexico City, is a teeming metropolis of intensity and innovation and is known for having the most museums in the world. Around 175 museums (141 registered by CONACULTA) are spread out in Mexico City and cater to a wide range of interests making the city a magnet for culture seekers, art connoisseurs, social and political devotees, and economic buffs.

This week, Mexico made the news for opening yet another museum — Museo Jumex. Supported by Grupo Jumex, a large fruit juice company in Mexico, this museum was designed by British architect David Chipperfield and will house select pieces of the private collection of  Jumex’s founder, Eugenio Lopez Alonzo.  The collection includes over 2,000 pieces of contemporary art  from around the world, most of which come from after the peak of classic Modernism.

Chipperfield designed an ultra-modern building that stands out, incorporating local materials into its structure. He called it “an investment to a city and a gift that is quite extraordinary.”  Los Angeles Times art critic, Christopher Knight, wrote in his article  that ” The building is also deftly fitted to the cultural distinctiveness of this particular site. Several elements nod subtly in the direction of celebrated Mexican Modernist architects like Luis Barragán and Ricardo Legorreta.”

Ironically enough, it is built right next to another private collection of art — The Soumaya Museum, which comes from the world’s richest man, Carlos Slim. The Carlos Slim Foundation’s collection in Soumaya  represents the great European masters, the artists of New Spain, and national (Mexican) treasures of varied centuries.  Unlike Soumaya, which has free admission, Museo Jumex charges 30 pesos.

The new Jumex Museum is now the largest contemporary art space in Latin America. Mexico’s City Mayor, Miguel Angel Mancera, commented that “The addition of the Jumex Museum is an important one for Mexico City and its people, as it showcases emerging artists as well as iconic personalities of contemporary art.” For more information about the museum and current exhibits, visit http://fundacionjumex.org/.

 

MUSEO from Fundación Jumex on Vimeo.

Rain or Shine – Holbox is always worth a visit!

Posted by & filed under News, On the Road, Riviera Maya & Tulum.

Below is a post submitted by our Marketing Manager, Susanne Prenzel.

It is true that most of the time we had the “rain” portion on our way to and from the island.   As soon as we were onboard the ferry from Chiquilá. to Holbox the clouds parted and we had the most beautiful sun shine with a most dramatic display of clouds in different shades of grey.

Holbox, a very little known island off the north half of the Yucatán Peninsula.  Reachable by car, the ride from Cancun takes between 1 hour 45 minutes (on the newly constructed road) and 2 hours and 30 minutes on the old route. The new road tends to be flooded during the rainy season.

Isla Holbox Map

October is a perfect time to visit the island.  Apart from extremely attractive rates and sublime temperatures, , you are virtually alone.  On our way in (I went with my 7 year old daughter), we were 6 people on the ferry, on our way out perhaps 15. Once outside of the little town of Holbox, you have the breath taking white sand beaches to yourself.

Casa Sandra

It was a brief but rejuvenating stay.  We checked into Casa Sandra early Saturday afternoon, after being treated for lunch (catch of the day) by friends in Chiquilá. We had a room facing the ocean, and my daughter, Daniela, could hardly be inspired to leave after “discovering” the hammock on the terrace.

The rooms are beautifully appointed with “no TV”!, a spacious sleeping area, mosquito net covered bed (we felt like a princesses), a terrace or balcony each with its own hammock and almost every room has a bathtub.  I loved the combination of sea meets Mexican décor.  Talavera sinks and little touches everywhere combined with what the ocean has to offer (a giant conch seashell as the shower head for example). The organic local bath amenities are wonderful…. honey infused shampoo and conditioner, and the repellent comes in handy!

Isla Holbox boutique hotel

Isla Holbox boutique hotel

 

Finally I was able to “convince” Daniela to step outside and we headed towards the beach to look for seashells.  We walked all the way north to Hotel Las Nubes, literary the last resort on the island, where I had set up a site inspection.  On the way, we sought for shelter underneath a beach palapa, as a brief but heavy shower caught us by surprise.  Almost reaching the resort,  my 7 year old daughter made a observation which astounded me… “Mami, I hear nothing but your footsteps in the sand, the weaves and crickets.  How great is that”.  The entire weekend she expressed her surprise about the tranquility of the island.

Arriving at Las Nubes, we were met by Marcella who treated us to some heavenly seafood inspired appetizers.  The ceviche without a doubt was one of the best I have ever had. The 28 room resort sits right on the ocean, the spa is a dream offering local and international treatments, the roof top sitting area offers breath taking views far out into the ocean, the menu is mouth watering and the service was gracious.

Las Nubes hotel in Island Holbox

We took a “taxi” back to Casa Sandra.  The island perhaps has 4 “real” cars.  Mode of transportation are bikes, motorcycles and most commonly golf carts.  The islanders are eager to conserve the local eco system.  And honestly the best way to get around is by golf cart as the “streets” are actually sand pathways.

The ocean is one giant bathtub, ideal for kids as along the shoreline it is very shallow. A sandbank stretches in front of the island, letting you walk right on it for miles.  Little patches are “taken over” by seagulls, pelicans and further north Flamingos.  Recommended though are sturdy beach/water shoes. We did return with a few cuts here and there from seashells in the water and the million you will find on the beach.

At night we ended up dining in a palapa right in front of the ocean.  It was the wish of my daughter to eat on the beach.  One the way our path was illuminated by hundreds of fire flies.  We were greeted by… “you were walking on the sand bank with you daughter this afternoon, correct”.  With only very few tourists on the island, you are bound to make an impact.  The islander are super friendly and always up for a chat. Eating on plastic chairs and tables, I need not say how amazingly delicious our dinner was.  Freshly prepared conch, sea snail meat, grilled with garlic and butter. Scrumptious.

Later on we literary fell into our heavenly soft beds and slept like babies.  Regrettably, and my only “complaint” is that Casa Sandra does not have mosquito nets in front of their windows.  The night was cool and it would have been great to have been able to sleep with the windows open in order to listen to the soothing sound of the ocean.

As we changed clocks from Saturday to Sunday, we were up very early.  I changed into the lovely caftan the hotel provides and we headed for the beach to take a long morning stroll and to work up an appetite.

holbox-dani holbox-susanne

Breakfast …. freshly prepared natural fruit juices, local fruits, home-made pineapple jam, banana bread, a good brew of Mexican coffee and eggs in any shape and form.  Need I say more. The a la carte menu is month watering and I cannot wait to return to try their lobster omelet.

Isla Holbox boutique hotel

After breakfast Eva showed me around the resort. Out of the 20 rooms, none is alike, the lush gardens are well groomed, the décor in the main house is a mixture of Mexican and international antiques. There is one suit which connects to a room with 2 beds, ideal for families.  The staff is extremely friendly and we ended up chatting with Karla from the restaurant about local customs and the people of Holbox.  It is a “natural” friendliness that followed us throughout the island (from the captain of the ferry to the “taxi” driver), not the fake “I am friendly because I want tips”.  There are plans to increase the number of rooms to eventually 30, with the idea of offering accommodations for the mobility impaired.  Thinking forward!!

One can rent bikes from the resort in order to explore the island.  My recommendation is to add a bike or 2 for kids, as unfortunately there are none. The hotels also offers sea and land excursion especially for the “long haul visitors”. We rented a golf cart through the hotel to further explore the island.  Unfortunately we were not able to go south as it had rained throughout the night BUT we got rewarded by going up north toward the river to see flocks of Flamingos.  We swam in shallow waters as close as we were able to, of course leaving our distance in order not to disturb them.  Again, we were literary the only ones on the beach.  I ended up carrying back a bag of at least 4 pounds of seashells.  Great memorabilia for my house.

It was time to head back to the hotel for a quick shower and off we went to catch the 2pm ferry.  We left the island full of memorable impressions and the desire to return as quickly as possible. I do not understand why people only think of La Riviera Maya … the drive from Cancun airport to Tulum takes about the same amount of time as to Holbox (especially now with the new shortcut).  The reward is beyond words!

Thank you Casa Sandra and Las Nubes!

Live It To Believe It: Imanta

Posted by & filed under News, Puerto Vallarta & Punta Mita.

The Mexico Tourism Board recently announced the launch of a $10 million dollar advertising campaign, “Vallarta – Nayarit. Live it to Believe it!”, to promote the unique experiences offered by both Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta for domestic and international markets. It was created to increase the influx of tourism to both destinations. Each destination will continue to be branded individually and the goal is to increase visitors to each of the destinations.  The Mexico Tourism Board’s “Mexico, Live it to Believe It” campaign is a US$43.3 million initiative launched this past August and will run until December of this year. (Full article here)

Keeping the campaign in mind and how much we love Luxury in the Riviera Nayarit, we decided one must “Live It to Believe It” experience is definitely Imanta in Punta Mita. Imanta Resort is a boutique property that sits on 250 acres of property together with a half-mile private beach and a staff dedicated to solely making a vacation experience of a lifetime. One of our friends from National Geographic Traveler, Annie Fitzsimmons, recently experienced a night out on the town with us followed by a stay at Imanta and was raving about the place–“I’ve found heaven. No, really.” She named it the best hotel, hands down, in Vallarta/Nayarit, and said that the Observatorio bar offered the most incredible panoramic views in the city.
Intimate resort in Mexico
For a limited time, when you make your reservations at Imanta with Journey Mexico you will receive a  welcome Mexican wine amenity, complimentary use of WiFi, room upgrade (subject to availability), and third night free (during the week M-Th) or fourth night free (Fri-Sun).

Read more about Imanta Here:

Imanta in Forbes: Pretty On The Riviera Nayarit    |    Imanta in National Geographic: The Temptation of Punta de Mita    |    Imanta in Conde Nast Traveler: Room with a View    |    Imanta in Virtuoso Life: Why Mexico Matters

 

Haunted Tales in Mexico

Posted by & filed under Guanajuato & San Miguel Allende, Yucatan.

Just in time for the spookiest time of the year.  With Halloween just around the corner how about a seasonal get-away to Mexico where visitors will have a good chance of seeing something more “freaky” than just beaches, colonial cities and ruins.  Mexico is not only known for its incredible places to visit, but is also a country filled with traditions incomparable to any other location in the world. Along with its customs there is an incredible past wrapped in mystery, spirits, magic, witches craft and more. It doesn’t matter where one looks; the supernatural is ever so present and influences ones day to day life.

Mexico is full of tales of ghosts and magic; the unexplained. A visit to any local’s market square will offer a glimpse into just how much the local people believe in charms and hexes, and related folklore designed to bring solutions to human problems, like healing and good luck in business and romance. Very common is a visit to a shaman or curandero – or healing witch – who will work their magic on your behalf. There have been many people who have been converted from skeptics into firm believers by experiencing the magic of the healing power.

The following folk tales come from our Marketing Manager, Susanne, who has lived in Mexico for many years and finds herself  always mesmerized by all the “supernatural” and her first hand experience with it. She first moved to Mexico in 2003 and had the pleasure of working for Orient Express at their beachfront property – Maroma Resort and Spa, located on a 25-acre portion of a former coconut plantation.

Aluxes

First a little intro about the history of the hotel, the Yucatan peninsula and then on to her encounter with its ancient Aluxes.

In 1976, Jose Luis Moreno, a Mexico City architect, flew down the coast of the then barely populated Riviera Maya when he discovered an unspoiled bay. He instantly fell in love with the site and purchased it from the owner, who had made his living drying and selling coconut meat, harvested from the plantation. The original “ranch” was a thatched hut where the owner and a caretaker lived. Amid this setting of coconut palms and hibiscus, Jose envisioned a paradise that would one day become Maroma Resort and Spa. Built by hand, by a family of local Maya Masons, it would take nearly 20 years to complete and would first open to guests in February of 1995.

With that said, now onto the history of the Peninsula: Pre-Mayan cultures inhabited the Yucatán Peninsula as early as 3000 B.C. During the 10th century, a Mayan group known as the Itzáes migrated into the area and built the cities of Coba, Xcaret, Xel Ha and Tulum. They also founded Chichén-Itzá and Champotón nearby.Ireland has its leprechauns, Scandinavia its gnomes, Europe its trolls and gremlins, but the Yucatecan Maya have their Aluxes… ancient little “people” from the rain forest.

It is said that Aluxes are spirits who take the preferred form of small people and live deep in the forests. They resemble children in many ways beside their diminutive stature.  Like children they are mischievous, full of energy, playful and love trickery of all sorts. Their tricks are harmless and humorous to all except, perhaps, their “victims”. Aluxes (ah-loosh’-es) or, in Maya, aluxoob (ah-loosh’-ov,ob) are so mysterious, that some people actually question that they are real! But we will forget about silly skeptics for now; they are the unfortunate ones, because to know the alux is to know the magic of the ancient Mayan rain forest.

Very frequently one of the office staff ended up working late at Maroma and often she found herself alone in the office.  After her first “encounter” with the Aluxes, she thought she was going “mad”.  One day, she placed a pen next to her computer, turned around to get a file… and oops!  gone was the pen.  And as quickly as it had disappeared, all of a sudden it was back, exactly where she had left it.  She says she used to turn the entire office upside down looking for things, finally sharing her “stories” with the local Mayan staff who explained the tales of the Aluxes.  From then on she no longer fretted and she was told that she was not the only one who was under the spell of the “naughty” behavior of the Aluxes– staff and guests alike encountered tricks all the time!

Today Susanne laughs when something similar happens, which is quite frequent.   Even her daughter says: “Mom, the Aluxes took it.” when she is not able to  find something.

Maroma Riviera Maya

 

In 2008,  Susanne was offered to work at another Orient Express property but this time Casa Sierra Nevada in San Miguel de Allende.

San Miguel de Allende was founded by Fray Juan de San Miguel over 450 years ago, and besides being recently named Number 1 World´s Best City by Reader’s Choice Awards in Conde Nast Traveler, it is a fascinating, historical rich and mystical city. The hotel she was working at, Casa Sierra Nevada, is an authentic collection of beautifully restored once privately owned colonial casonas, a mixture of 16th to 18th century Spanish colonial mansions, located only a block and a half away from the cathedral and main city square.. The 37 rooms and suites are spread amongst six majestic buildings including Casa del Parque, a fort in the 17th century and later a customs house catering to the silver trade; and Casa Principal, the former residence of San Miguel de Allende’s Archbishop in 1580 and an official historical landmark.

During Susanne’s first 2 weeks she stayed in one of the lovely rooms before finding my her own place to live. She was intrigued by the history of each mansion and she  learnt so much about Casa Sierra Nevada from their long time butler, Gustavo.  He has been with the hotel for countless years and is always ready to share one of the most fascinating tales about each of the casonas.  Here are 2 captivating legends of Casa Parque and Casa Caballo.

La Leyenda de la Niña en Casa Parque – The Legend of the Girl in the House by the Park

It was the year 1825 and Casa Parque was used a barrack for the soldiers during the Independence War. After the war ended the mansion was purchased by a rich family from the region. Their gardener had a granddaughter named Maria Teresa.  When Maria Teresa´s grandfather past away she was saddened and roamed the gardens looking for him.

Stricken by grief over her loss, Maria Teresa fell ill and died short after. Ever since then it is said that her spirit is still looking for the grandfather and once in a while she supposedly appears in the gardens feeding the squirrels or in the kitchen looking for goodies.

El Monje de Casa Caballo- The Monk of the “Horse” House

Constructed between 1900 a 1910, Casa Caballo had a butler named Gustavo.  His passion was to attend to the people of the house; he loved to chat while serving the morning coffee.  Gustavo always was ready to give advice when needed.  He was highly respected and well liked by all.

When the owner hosted parties, Gustavo like to dress up like a monk which made him “famous”  He work with the family for many years and when he died everyone was grief-stricken. It is said that Gustavo still has a watchful eye over Casa Caballo, carrying a tray with cups of coffee wearing his monk’s robe.  During stormy nights, legend has it that  Gustavo ‘s spirit appears looking for whoever wants to talk to him over a cup of coffee and the smell of freshly brewed coffee is ever so present around the house.

San Miguel Allende romantic hotel 

Below are links to some more “ghostly” chronicles from around the country.  Happy haunting…

The Top Five Most Haunted Hot Spots of Mexico   |   Haunted Places in Mexico

 

The above is a guest post submitted to us.

October 2013 Newsletter

Posted by & filed under Newsletters and Promotions.

OctoberBlogNLHitting inboxes in over 70 countries this week was our October newsletter packed with the latest in what’s going on in Mexico and where to go. You’ll find articles about Dia de los Muertos traditions, Oaxaca Native Crafts, and learn about the 4 new Coqui Coqui properties we are working with.   Be sure to also check out the exclusive promotions we secured from  Imanta in Punta Mita.
 To view the October newsletter in its entirety, click here.

San Miguel de Allende: The World’s Best City

Posted by & filed under Colonial Cities, Condé Nast, Guanajuato & San Miguel Allende.

In case you haven’t heard yet,  San Miguel de Allende in Guanajuato is the place to be right now. Set in Mexico’s Colonial Heartland,  the quaint UNESCO World Heritage City is a thriving center for art, culture, and history. The streets are composed of well-preserved buildings that have become home to various art institutions and galleries over the past 60 years and beautiful cathedrals and restaurants serve as the perfect backdrop for the many live music and arts events that visitors are likely to encounter.

With that said, it comes as no surprise that readers of Condé Nast Traveler selected San Miguel Allende as the number one city in the world for 2013 (up 10 spots from last year). The magazine said that this year’s 26th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards was the most comprehensive ever with 1.3 million votes! Budapest, Hungary and Florence, Italy were named the second and third spots respectively on the list.

Luxury hotel in San Miguel Allende Guanajuato

Conde Nast Traveler wrote, “San Miguel de Allende nabbed the No. 1 spot thanks to its ‘great atmosphere, excellent restaurants, culture and ambiance galore.’ The ‘lack of street lights and billboard’s makes the region romantically and historically beautiful, and the city itself offers a ‘traditional feeling of a small town in the heart of Mexico’.” “An amazing place to be.” To view the whole list, click here.

For more information on San  Miguel de Allende and how you can visit the best city in the world, see the following links:

Guanajuato and San Miguel Allende Tour   |   UNESCO World Heritage Cities Tour   |   Colonial Mexico Trip: Exploring The Heartland

Wellness and Spa in San Miguel de Allende   |   Dia de los Muertos en San Miguel de Allende   |    The Best San Miguel de Allende Vacation Rentals   |   New Culinary Era in San Miguel de Allende

The Wonders of Mexico

Posted by & filed under Adventure, Chiapas, Chichen Itza, Copper Canyon, Monarch Butterflies, News, Yucatan.

Las Maravillas de Mexico  – The 13 Wonders of Mexico is a list of a total of 26 incredible places in Mexico – 13 natural wonders and 13 man-made wonders. Of the 26, Journey Mexico has visited all but 2. Below is a collection of our photos that we personally have taken during our travels through Mexico and visiting each of the wonders.

13 Manmade Wonders in Mexico

1) Centro Historico in Mexico City
2) Subterranean streets in Guanajuato
3) Paseo Santa Lucia in Monterrey
4) Teotihucan in Mexico State
5) Monte Alban in Oaxaca
6) Palenque in Chiapas		 7) El Tajin in Veracruz
8) Mazatlan, Sinaloa
9) Chichen Itza, Yucatann
10) Tulum, Quintana Roo
11) Calakmul, Campeche
12) Chepe al Pacifico train, Chihuahua
13) Xochicalco, Morelos

 

13 Natural Wonders in Mexico

1) The Reefs of Veracruz
2) Copper Canyon’s Natural Park
3) Sumidero Canyon in Chiapas
4) Cuatro Cienegas in Coahuila
5) El Cielo
6) The Pinacate Desert in Sonora
7) Monarch Butterflies		 8) Pantados de Centla in Tabasco
9) The Peña of Bernal, Queretaro
10) Basaltic prisms (Prismas Basálticos) in Santa Maria Regla, Hidalgo
11) The Swallow’s Cave (Sótano de las Golondrinas), San Luis Potosi
2) Xel-Ha in Quintana Roo
13) The Agave fields in Jalisco

Last Minute Holiday Avaliability

Posted by & filed under Newsletters and Promotions.

Peak season for holiday travel is December 15th through January 7th. With international travel to Mexico steadily increasing, hotels are filling up fast this year. In order to stay ahead, we’ve contacted some of the most sought-after hotels and checked their current availability. At this point, most have limited rooms to offer, so we want to remind our travelers and partners that it is better to secure your holiday plans sooner than later.

 

Maroma

Riviera Maya
Very limited availability (16 rooms remain). Must arrive before Dec. 27.

Hotel Esencia

Riviera Maya
Very limited availability December 21-28 (4 rooms remain).

Banyan Tree Mayakoba

Riviera Maya
Availability only on request.

Viceroy

Riviera Maya
Oceanview and beachfront villas limited — availability Dec 19-26 & after Jan 2. All other villa categories available December 19-January 4.

One and Only Palmilla

Los Cabos
Availability (limited) remains only in oceanfront superior, oceanfront deluxe, and beachfront terrace jr. suites.

Las Venantas al Paraiso

Los Cabos
Very limited availability December 19-26 (11 rooms remain); December 26-January 2 (6 rooms remain).

Las Alamandas

Pacific Coast
Limited availability (9 rooms remain).

St. Regis Punta Mita

Pacific Coast 
Limited availability (19 rooms remain).

 

Rosewood
San Miguel Allende 
Limited room categories available (30 rooms remain).

 

 

Casa Sierra Nevada

San Miguel Allende
Open availability December 1-23.

 

 

 

 Availability subject to change at any moment without prior notice.

 

 

 

Casa Lecanda Winner of Top 100 Hotels Around The World

Posted by & filed under Yucatan.

Merida, Yucatan, MEXICO– SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 – Fodor’s Travel, the leading name in travel guides for 77 years, announced that Casa Lecanda Boutique Hotel has been recognized as a 2013 Fodor’s 100 Hotel Award winner in the “Home Suite Homes” category. The award presentation took place in New York City on September 26, 2013. This distinction designates Casa Lecanda as an outstanding hotel as selected by Fodor’s editors and travel experts, recognizing high style, excellent service and a one-of-a-kind stay for guests on a global level.

“We are honored to have Casa Lecanda as one of the winners of Fodor’s Top 100 for 2013.  We pride ourselves in providing our customer’s with a unique and luxurious experience when visiting the city of Merida,” said Stefano Marcelletti, Owner and Director of Casa Lecanda, at the award presentation in New York City.  “Our wish is that international travelers take note of the one-of-a-kind experiences Casa Lecanda and other boutique hotels in Yucatan can offer them when searching for the perfect destination.”

“At Fodor’s, hotels are more than our lifeblood—they’re our passion. With every stay, we obsess over design choices, service, and amenities,” explained Arabella Bowen, Fodor’s Travel executive editorial director. “To compile the Fodor’s 100 list, we look for properties within emerging destinations, trends our editors have been seeing throughout the year, new and noteworthy hotels and enduring favorites to create a list that will inspire all types of travel and traveler.”

As a 2013 Fodor’s 100 Hotel Award-winning property in the Home Suite Homes category, Casa Lecanda will be featured on www.Fodors.com and in a free interactive eBook, available in the iBookstore. A complete list of all 100 selected hotels is available at http://www.fodors.com/hotel-awards/2013/.

Fodor’s Travel covers over 7,500 destinations and more than 17,000 of the best hotels around the globe. Fodor’s editors’ decades of experience help take the guesswork out of planning, recommending only those hotels, restaurants, and things to do that meet their high standards, and designating the absolute musts with “Fodor’s Choice.” Whether travelers use print guidebooks, ebooks, mobile apps, or Fodors.com, Fodor’s provides highly curated advice on how to travel smarter, including the best arts and culture offerings, where to eat and stay at every price point, and tips and strategies for an authentic and immersive experience.

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Luxury boutique hotel in MeridaLuxury boutique hotel in Merida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Melissa Alvarez    malvarez@casalecanda.com

10 Year Anniversary Celebration in Mexico City

Posted by & filed under News, On the Road, Things We're Proud Of.

Journey Mexico happily celebrated their 10th anniversary this month by joining the Puerto Vallarta and Cancun staff in Mexico’s capital, Mexico City. Very appropriately, the celebration fell over a holiday weekend when Mexico itself was celebrating the anniversary of their Independence- their 203rd birthday.

The 25 staff members flew into Mexico City Friday night and had a weekend planned full of private tours, site inspections, and luxury experiences. Staying in the Four Seasons Mexico City, the night started with a welcome cocktail and dinner where Owner, Zach Rabinor, spoke about the trials and triumphs that the company has experienced since its creation in 2003. The once South and Central America tour guide had seen most of Latin America but it was Mexico that really captured his attention. Fueled by a strong passion and drive, Zach created Journey Mexico with his wife, Rebecca Scotti in Suite G, and though confronted with Mexico travel obstacles like Swine Flu and reported heavy narco-violence , they persevered and continued to grow year after year. Within 10 years, Journey Mexico was able to establish 2 offices (Puerto Vallarta and Cancun) with additional team members in Mexico City, and a dedicated staff all equally passionate as the vision that started the company. Accompanied by the Director of Sales and General Manager of the Four Seasons Mexico City, everyone savored the superb dinner menu and the cherished the night.

fourseasonsstaff

Saturday morning, the group boarded the private transportation as the day called for a typical itinerary that many Journey Mexico travelers experience in Mexico City: visting Coyoacan, La Casa Azul, and San Angel Sabado Bazaar. We arrived to Coyoacan and La Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo Museum minutes before it opened where the line to enter was already formed — and quite long. As one would expect with Journey Mexico services, we by-passed the line with priority access and our guide, Juan Carlos, opened our eyes to just ‘Frida Kahlo paintings on the wall’ and explained the concepts and intricacies behind her famed art work.
The drizzling and overcast day didn’t damper any moment of our exploring. We were provided umbrellas as we strolled through Coyoacan and enjoyed a lunch at the must-visit restaurant, Los Dazantes. Mid-day we made our way to the San Angel neighborhood of brightly painted colonial era homes, mansions and haciendas. The community transforms on Saturday as tourists and locals visit for the Bazaar Sabado which is a market held along the cobblestone streets in San Jacinto Plaza and features a lovely mix of jewelry, ceramics, glassware, and household items. At night, we headed to the beautiful St. Regis Mexico City for a tour of the 189 room, ultra-modern hotel and to enjoy a private dinner prepared by their house chef.

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The next day, the  team visited La Basilica de Guadalupe, the second most visited Catholic church in the world; and the stunning archaeological zone of Teotihuacan famous for the enormous Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. Our guides, Martin and Juan Carlos yet again dazzled us with their expert explanations of the importance and details of each place. Despite our large group, with two guides assisting us, everyone was able to ask questions and roam in different directions to visit and learn about what interested them most. This component is what Journey Mexico prides themselves on – it’s not a cut and paste tour, our guides allow and encourage you to step out of the box for a unique and memorable experience.
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After a long day of getting to know some of Mexico City’s most important sites, everyone was anxious for the night to come because it was the night of ‘El Grito’ for Mexico’s Independence Day. Decked out in red, white, and green, dazzlingly accented in the colors of the Mexican flag, each staff member made their way down to meet in the Four Seasons DF lobby. We headed to to Hotel Downtown, a new boutique hotel by Grupo Habita just blocks away from Mexico City’s Zocalo. The atmosphere was amazing, chic and patriotic! When 11 o’ clock struck, we all watched as President Pena Nieto stepped out to deliver the grito, shouting !VIVA! in unison with the rest of the country. Not only was it a bonding moment for the staff, but a bonding moment with the country we all call home. Ten of the staff members (including myself) are not Mexican by birth, but Mexican at heart, and to be in Mexico City during this nationalistic moment was heartwarming for each and everyone one of us.

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The long weekend was coming to an end and we fit in some more site-inspections at Las Alcobas and La Condesa DF before heading to the airport to go our separate ways. Before our goodbyes, Zach, Rebecca, and Matteo had arranged for a surprise raffle in which seven of our staff member won hotel stays at some of Mexico’s finest and most luxurious hotels: Viceroy Riviera Maya, Banyan Tree Mayakoba, St. Regis Mexico City, St. Regis Punta Mita, Hacienda San Angel, Hotel Esencia,  and Imanta! A special thank to all the hotels who supported this Journey Mexico celebration, it was a weekend full of memories and learning and we hope for another successful 10 years for Journey Mexico!
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Tropical Storms Hit Mexico Over Holiday Weekend – How You Can Help

Posted by & filed under News.

Over the Mexican holiday weekend, Mexico found itself battered by both the Tropical Storm of Manuel and Hurricane Ingrid. The Tropical Storm of Manuel  hit first on the Pacific Coast which was almost immediately followed by Hurricane Ingrid, causing widespread devastation in the east of the country. According to BBC, it was the first time since 1958 that two powerful storms hit Mexico within 24 hours.

The vacation destination of Acapulco got hit the worst with floods and landslides that shut down the highway to Mexico City.  Over 40,000 tourists (most nationals from Mexico City who make the escape to Acapulco every holiday weekend)  found themselves trapped as the highway is not expected to open until later this week.  Hotels along the coast (Avenida Costera Miguel Alemán) were operating normally and not severely compromised but many of the outlying neighborhoods were knee-deep in water damage without power and limited food.  There are hundreds of people in shelters  begging for clothes and blankets because everything they have is wet; they had to leave without taking anything while watching the landslides destroy everything they owned.

Relief efforts started immediately as President Enrique Pena Nieto called for coordination of rescue and relief. The Mexican military stepped in as well AeroMexico and Interjet to provide emergency flights while the Mexican Red Cross activated all of their branches and are working closely with the Secretary of Mexican National Civil Protection.  Rapid Response teams with training in search and rescue were deployed to Guerrero and they are providing first aid, assistance in evacuation, damage assessment and emotional support to those impacted. The Mexican Red Cross has opened centers with stocks of cleaning, hygiene, and relief supplies in multiple locations. If you would like to donate money, you can deposit to: Cruz Roja Mexicana, account number 0404040406, sucursal 683 of Bancomer.

Despite the fact that this is low season and that the areas most impacted are not our most popular, Journey Mexico did have guests that were affected by road closures.  We monitored the situation as it developed and developed contingency plans real time to keep our guests out of harm’s way.  All of Journey Mexico’s guests are safe and sound and making the best of an unexpected and challenging situation.  We have now confirmed air tickets for all Journey Mexico guests for the first available flights out of the affected regions and we have a guide at their side at every moment who is keeping guests informed, modifying the plan and organizing activities according to the developing weather conditions. If you would like to assist in the relief effort with a donation of any sort, please let us know and we will do our best to assist in the process.

 

 

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International Festival of Mayan Culture 2013

Posted by & filed under Chichen Itza, Holidays, Fairs & Festivals, Yucatan.

México, DF, August 6, 2013- The environment and the ancient Mayan knowledge about ecosystems and their interaction with humans will be the focus of the multifaceted program at the International Cultural Festival Maya 2013 which will be held Merida, Yucatan . The program was presented at Mexico City’s Palacio de Bellas Artes in early August with the slogan, “El Paisaje” (The Landscape) , alongside the projection of a promotional video of Yucatan and minstrel starring Sergio Esquivel .

Yucatan Governor, Rolando Zapata Bello , who was accompanied by federal, state and diplomats from other countries invited to the festival, said that “the Yucatan [Peninsula] is placed at the epicenter of global reflection for major issues, but for us, the most important thind is that Yucatan is part of the great Mexican nation. The intention is that Yucatan is a door, a window, so that everyone is aware of what it represents to the great nation of Mexico.” Interviewed in Mexico City during the presentation of cultural program to be held from October 17 to November 3 , the Governor Bello insisted that “the most important thing of the festival is to ensure current and historical knowledge of the great Mayan culture ” in the context of world culture .

The International Cultural Festival Maya 2013  will include the participation of many countries : Honduras , Spain , Russia, Sweden , Iran , Venezuela , Belize , France , Italy, Brazil , Switzerland , China , Taiwan , Japan, Greece, Cuba , among others. The program also includes a Yucatecan cooking demonstration, encounters with traditional Mayan shamans, traditional ball game performances ( Pok”Ta Pok ), and discussions about medicinal Mayan plants and the natural scenery in the Yucatan Peninsula. There will also be expositions of Yucatecan folk art and costumes as well as plays, dance, literature and presentations of Yucatecan groups and artists. Academic presentations and lectures will be given by Rigoberta Menchú , José Sarukhan , Martha Chapa, Miguel Leon Portilla or Al Gore and Deepak Chopra, among others.

In addition to the mentioned activities, the festival will incorporate book presentations, concerts and other musical events such as Guanajuato’s International Cervantino Festival, Igor Moiseyev Russian Ballet , the National Ballet of the National Dance Company , Los Flamingos Spain , the Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica , the Ensemble Pygmalion of France and the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra.

The Festival is supported by the Ministry of Education, at the federal level , as well as CONACULTA and its proprietor, Rafael Tovar y de Teresa, who accompanied the governor during the presentation.

Finally, Governor Bello highlighted the economic impact that Yucatan will be expecting by the arrival of many visitors from not only all over the country, but also from abroad. ” No doubt the attraction will generate significant volumes of visitors , attracted by all this festival represents a major economic dynamics for our state.”

The above press release was translated from its original in spanish. For more information, visit the website http://www.festivalculturamaya.com/ or their facebook page.

The International Festival of the Maya Culture 2013 will be held from October 17 to November 7. Most of the activities will be outdoors and admission will be free for most venues including Merida, Progreso, Valladolid and Izamal.

The Story of El Grito and Mexico’s Independence Day

Posted by & filed under Culture, Holidays, Fairs & Festivals, News.

Mexico’s most energetic celebration is, once again, nearly upon us with September 16 marking Mexico’s Independence Day (Dia de Independencia). Millions will kick off the celebration with El Grito (the Cry); a traditional shout of: “Viva México!” But how many know the history of this ritual? Here is a brief, yet interesting, description of the historical events that sparked Mexico’s War of Independence and El Grito.

 

The story of El Grito and Mexico’s War of Independence

Just before midnight on September 15, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo, a priest from the small town of Dolores near Guanajuato in Mexico’s Colonial Heartland made an impulsive decision that revolutionized Mexican history and resulted in the war that led to Mexico’s independence. Ordering the church bells to be rung, Hidalgo cried out to the native Mexicans and the working classes of mixed origin, urging them to stand up and take back the lands stolen from their forefathers, ending with the now-famous cry: “Long live Mexico!”

 

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Father Hidalgo sparking a revolution

 

What is not always understood about the start of Mexico’s War of Independence is that the uprising played out far differently than originally planned. After three centuries of Spanish rule in Mexico, the ruling class had bred itself into a hierarchy of two levels: the Gachupines (Spanish born aristocrats) at the top and the Criollos (Mexican-born Spaniards) just below.

Before the night of Hidalgo’s cry, a movement of political revolution had already begun when Napoleon conquered Spain. The Criollos, of which Hidalgo was a member, saw this instability as an opportunity to overthrow the Gachupines and claim ruling stature.

They planned to begin their push for power in December of 1810; however, the Criollos were betrayed, and Hidalgo was forced to make a quick decision — flee to safety and begin forming a new plot or turn to his parish, which was starving for freedom from Spain, and seize the opportunity to spark a true revolution for independence.

Choosing to stay and fight, Hidalgo sped to his church, ordered the bells to be rung, and delivered his famous El Grito de Dolores that will be heard round Mexico just before midnight on September 15: “Long live Mexico!”

 

Read more: Independence Day in Mexico: The Tale Behind The Fight For Freedom (more…)

The Latest in Acapulco

Posted by & filed under Destinations, News.

Is Acapulco Safe?

The U.S State Department’s Mexico Travel Warning does not discourage against travel to Acapulco rather suggests  that you should simply exercise caution and stay within tourist areas of the Costera Miguel Aleman Boulevard, which parallels the popular beach areas. In response to security concerns, Acapulco tourism officials have remained determined to revamp its image and give back traveler’s desires to visit Mexico’s first Pacific Coast beach destination. They have been working with U.S tour operators to restore Acapulco’s popularity as a premier spring break destination and  have become a part of the Sun Triangle initiative with Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo and Taxco.  They hope reintroducing the Guerrero destinations to travelers in the U.S. and Canada will help restore some of its luster lost in recent years.

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What’s New

In hopes to amp up its appeal to international visitors, Acapulco is currently experiencing a $200 million dollar renovation and infrastructure project along the coast which includes a revitalization  of the iconic Traditional Zone (near el Centro, La Quebrada and Playa Caleta). They are also working on opening a cultural center in the former home of Dolores Olmedo, the Mexican art collector and devoted friend of Mexican artists Diego Rivera and his wife Frida Kahlolater this month; and launching a new state-of-the-art transportation system in 2014 which will be called ACABus and run along the coast from the Traditional Zone all the way to the Diamante Zone.

Investment developments have also been helping fight against Acapulco’s negative perceptions.  It started in 2009 when the luxury brand Banyan Tree opened their Cabo Marques property and now, Acapulco is welcoming more new properties and multi-million dollar hotel renovations in the Diamond Zone including  the stunning Hotel Encanto. Additionally, The Fairmont Acapulco Princess and The Fairmont Pierre Marques officially opened Turtle Dunes Country Club, a premium golf course at the center of the Princess complex.

Classic Acapulco

The view of Acapulco Bay at night is still one of the most electrifying vistas in the world and the cliff divers at La Quebrada remains the must-see attraction for any Acapulco visitors — but our favorite come-back is the iconic Hotel Boca Chica. This hotel was built in the 1950’s and it put Acapulco on the map when  it was showcased in the classic Elvis movie “Fun in Acapulco”. In return, Acapulco quickly became the ‘it’ destination for Hollywood’s elite. The boutique hotel was recently renovated  in 2010 with taste and simplicity, preserving it’s retro-chic design with vintage furniture, geometric forms, and an overall ‘classic Acapulco’ feeling.

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Journey Mexico Recommends

As with any travel, always be aware of your surroundings and exercise caution.  Enjoy Acapulco’s many restaurants, vibrant nightlife, and calm beaches, all which are found within the tourist zone’s of Acapulco Bay’s coastline. Journey Mexico’s Community Manager, Jessica Seba, recently made the trip down to Acapulco after 4 long years of not having visiting and was surprised with the noticeable effort Acapulco is taking in creating a comfortable and enjoyable environment for international tourists.  She stayed at the boutique Hotel Boca Chica where from  now until December 19, 2013, when you make your arrangements with Journey Mexico you will recive (at no additional cost) complimentary house breakfast, internet,  welcome drinks for two people, 10% discount in food and beverages, 10% discount in spa, and third night free (during the week M-Th) or fourth night free (Fri-Sun).

For more information on Acapulco visit their website at http://guerrero.triangulodelsol.travel/switchlang/en

 

 

**Journey Mexico Update- September 18, 2013: Tropical storm hits Mexico’s Pacifc Coast over the weekend leaving much devastation. Click here for more information and how you can help.