Journey Mexico Partner Promoting Special Wedding Date

Posted by & filed under Luxury, News.

Hacienda Xcanatun in Yucatan, a Journey Mexico partner location, is offering a special wedding promotional package on October 10th for one lucky couple this year. As the tenth of October, 2010 is one of those “special” dates where numbers align (10/10/10), this day is undoubtably one of the most sought after wedding dates of the decade.

Aside from just being three repeating numbers, the tenth of October, 2010 is considered extra special because of the numbers themselves. Many cultures hold the number 1 in high regard, symbolizing “the beginning of all” and eternity. Zero is another “magic” number, often representing nothingness or “the Void,” so the combination of one and zero represents the unity of emptiness and the eternal.

Hacienda Xcanatun has created a “magical” package to match the significance of the date, which is available for one lucky couple for $18,000. The 10.10.10 package runs from Oct. 9th to the 12th and includes:

  • Three nights’ accommodations & breakfast for the bridal couple, plus 34 friends/family 
  • All taxes and hotel service charges (restaurant gratuities not included)
  • Floral decorations for the wedding ceremony
  • Use of the dining terrace, the 40-seat private dining room, or the 80-seat main dining room for the bridal feast
  • Personalized table settings, candles and centerpieces reflecting the theme of the wedding
  • A three-course wedding banquet featuring continental, fusion Yucatecan or Caribbean delicacies
  • A multi-tiered wedding cake in the couple’s favorite flavor
  • 10 bottles of French sparkling wine for the wedding toast.
  • A bouquet of 10 roses and a box of 10 dark Maya chocolates (considered an aphrodisiac) for the bridal suite
  • Additional nights can be added  for early arrival or late departure at a reduced rate.

For more about Hacienda Xcanatun, visit their website

Pablo Weisz-Carrington Art Exhibit in Mexico City

Posted by & filed under Culture, News.

Pablo Weisz-Carrington and Rebecca Scotti (Right)

While in Mexico City prior to the 2010 Symposium conference last month, some of the Journey Mexico staff were able to visit famous Mexican artist Pablo Weisz-Carrington’s most recent exhibit at José Luis Cuevas’s museum in the Capital City. Mexico is home legendary artists such as Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, and the country’s many world-class exhibits and museums solidify Mexico as a leader in the global community of fine arts.

Pablo Weisz-Carrington is not only the son of the famous Hungarian photographer Emeric Weisz and world-renowned British surrealist painter Leonora Carrington but also a cousin of Journey Mexico Director of Administration, Rebecca Scotti! Rebecca and her sister were excited to be able to visit their cousin at his exhibit and view many of his surrealist works. Below is a video from the exhibit

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Michoacan Artisans at Work

Posted by & filed under Culture, Journey Mexico TV, Media.

Michoacan Artisans at Work

Michoacan Artisans at Work

On a recent trip to Michoacán in Mexico’s Colonial Heartland, several members of the Journey Mexico team got to watch local craftsmen at work pounding heated metal into things likes plates, bowls, platters, pots, pans, etc.

In the video below, you can see how these skilled workers operate in rhythm in order to work efficiently and safely.  Several Journey Mexico trips to Michoacán, such as our Colonial Mexico: Exploring the Heartland trip, take travelers to see craftsmen of all sorts at work.

Journey Mexico – Zach and Chase Test the New GoPro Camera

Posted by & filed under Adventure, Journey Mexico TV, Media.

Zach and I were up early last week for a dawn patrol session to test out the new GoPro camera in Punta Mita. The waves were tiny, but the camera works great!

Zach will be guiding an upcoming surf trip, which should be amazing, so look for more vids from the GoPro in the near future.

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Interesting Interview about Volun-tourism

Posted by & filed under Culture, News.

I just came across this video from Ron Mader in which he interviews Michael Kaye of Costa Rica Expeditions about what is seeming to become a buzz word, “volun-toursim.” Michael makes some really interesting points about the true nature of volun-tourism and how it often, unfortunately, works against the local communities that volun-tourists are trying to help.

Journey Mexico at Mexico Pyramid Chichen Itza

Posted by & filed under Chichen Itza, Culture, Journey Mexico TV, Media.

Journey Mexico at Uxmal

Pyramid at Uxmal

Journey Mexico President, Zach Rabinor; Director of Operations, Matteo Luthi; and Manager of Travel Planning, Gerardo Tovar recently returned from a FAM trip in Yucatan and brought back with them lots of great video. Here is a little clip from one of the most important archeological sites of Mayan culture, Chichen-Itzal, which is one of the highlights of our Archeological Mayan Journey trip.

In the beginning of the clip, Zach is speaking with Teresa Perez of TeresaPerezTours, (Brasil), Maita Barrenechea of Mai10 (Argentina), and Adamarie King of Connoiseur’s Travel (Mexico) about the incredible sites of archeological and cultural importance that Mexico has to offer. Throughout the clip, you’ll see expert guide Alejandro “Alex” Ricalde illuminating the tour with his expansive knowledge of the site.

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International Community Foundation Releases Report on Health Care and Americans Retiring in Mexico

Posted by & filed under News.

Rising healthcare costs and economic pressure caused from the global recession is causing more and more Americans to retire in Mexico, where they are finding affordable access to sufficient health care and where the cost of living is much more affordable. The International Community Foundation has released an extensive report that offers some interesting facts about retirement in Mexico and Mexican health care.

The report indicates that Mexican health care costs approximately 70-75% less than equivalent care in the US. A trip to the doctor’s in Mexico costs approximately $35 and a house call, which is still a prevalent practice in many regions of Mexico, costs as little as $25. Many retirees take advantage of the health care offered by the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS). For $600 a year, the IMSS will cover medicine, x-rays, dental work, and even hospital care.

As Mexico continues to pump money into training bi-lingual doctors and nurses, Mexico should continue to attract more and more retirees looking to live more comfortably than they are able to in the US.

Video About Safety in Mexico and Living in Mexico

Posted by & filed under Health and Safety, Media.

I just came across a nice video about Safety in Mexico and living in Mexico made by Mitch Keenan, the founder of Yucatan’s oldest real estate agencies, on The Truth About Mexico blog.

The video does a great job of illustrating the feeling of safety we have in Mexico as well as the abundance of activities and experiences the country offers on a daily basis.

If the video has peaked your interested in Mexico, we suggest you take Mitch’s advice and come visit the Yucatan Peninsula to experience what he’s talking about first hand. Archeological trips to see Mayan ruins and adventure trips will illuminate the rich cultural, natural, adventure, and luxury experiences the region has to offer.

Mexico to Start Focusing on Cultural Tourism

Posted by & filed under News.

We are always happy to see more articles, like Laura Del Rosso’s at Travel Weekly, about promoting Mexico’s opportunities for cultural tourism in conjunction with, and with the same effort as, its beach tourism. We all know that for years, Mexico has been publicized for it’s white sands, turquoise water, and pristine resorts, but it’s exciting to see more emphasis being placed on the myriad of cultural experiences Mexico has to offer.

In a previous article, we mentioned that Mexico has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other Latin American country, but we didn’t actually look at the numbers in comparison with the world leaders. In terms of cultural sites, Mexico has 25 sites, Italy has 42, Spain has 36, the UK has 23, France has 30, and the US has 8. In terms of natural sites, Mexico has 4, Italy has 2, Spain has 3, the UK has 4, France has 2, and the US has 12. With Mexico stacking up so strongly to these leaders of tourism in terms of cultural and natural sites, it obvious that we need to start advertising these sites the travelers of the world.

The reason I came to Mexico (from the US) in the first place was because I felt like “everyone’s done Europe.” From the moment I got here, I knew I made the right choice. Since I’ve lived here, I’ve had a few dozen people visit me, and I can honestly say that I am confident every one of them will be back to Mexico at some point in their lives. The country is just that beautiful.

We need to join together with Gloria Guevara, Mexico’s new Minister of Tourism, to combat the biased and misleading news agencies that are depriving the world of the unforgettable experiences that Mexico has to offer. Through cultural trips, wildlife experiences, and adventure travel, we can put Mexico at the top of the global tourism map, where it should rightfully be.

Interesting Connections Between Jesus Christ and Aztec God

Posted by & filed under Culture, News.

Quetzalcoatl

I just read a few articles that make some interesting suggestions about the conversion of the ancient Aztec and Maya to Catholic Christian beliefs during the Spanish invasions of Central Mexico. The theory is that the conquistadors and the Spanish priests had a much easier time than expected converting the Aztec and the Maya because of the many similarities between the figures of Jesus Christ and the Mesoamerican god, Quetzalcoatl. It is claimed that these similarities facilitated conversion because the Aztec and Maya saw belief in Jesus as an extension of things they already knew as opposed to a complete diversion from their traditional beliefs.

To many of the Mesoamericans, Quetzalcoatl was a feathered serpent god who played a critical role in the creation of mankind as well as in daily life. A juxtaposition of Quetzalcoatl and Jesus Christ has revealed the following similarities: a deity playing a large role in the creation of mankind, a deity being a transgressor between earth and sky, a deity associated with the bread of life, a deity assisting the dead, a deity shedding his own blood to save the fate of mankind, a deity dying on a tree, a deity resurrecting and playing a role in the rebirth of the deceased, a deity who is associated with light and the sun, and more.

As with most comparisons of this nature, there has been much written to both support and negate these comparisons (what I’ve written comes from Sigi Frias, Wikipedia, and Brigham Young Univ.) but if you are interested in learning more about Mesoamerican deities, first hand, trips to archeological sites like Teotihuacan near Mexico City and Chichén Itzá in Yucatan are a must.

Journey Mexico Partner Location Featured in Vogue Magazine

Posted by & filed under Luxury, News.

Cuixmala, a Journey Mexico Partner Location, was recently featured in Vogue Mexico and Latin America Magazine. The article raves about the unparalleled beauty of the estate as well as about its romantic allure.

Cuixmala was built by the legendary Sir James Goldsmith as his private home in which he retired. Today, the 25,000 acre estate offers guests a very unique experience described to be “like staying at a friends grand private estate.” Set on the Pacific Coast of mainland Mexico, this estate preserves and protects its local environment through a variety of eco-reserve programs. Much of the food served at Cuixmala is grown on the estate’s private organic farms.

Whether it be a family vacation, an adventure trip amongst friends, or a romantic getaway, Cuixmala is sure to deliver an experience you’ll never forget.

You can download the pfd of the Vogue article here.

Continental Airlines Merges with United Airlines

Posted by & filed under News.

Continental and United signed a definite merger this morning. We received an email stating:

“We are proud to share some exciting news with you.

This morning, Continental announced that we have signed a definitive merger agreement with United Airlines. We plan to create a world-class airline with tremendous and enduring strengths.

Combined, Continental and United will offer the industry’s leading loyalty program, providing vast opportunities for members to earn and redeem miles with us and on our Star Alliance partners. Should you achieve Elite status, you will enjoy even more benefits such as upgrades and priority airport services. We will continue to provide you with the excellent and consistent service you value and have come to expect from us, across a much broader network with an unparalleled global reach.

Since our transition to Star Alliance last year, we’ve worked closely with United and are confident this combination will build upon the partnership we already have in place.”

The merger details claim that the companies combined will serve over 144 million passengers per year, and that the new company will be the world’s leading airline. You can read more at the details page.

Journey Mexico Partner at the Top of Green Resorts

Posted by & filed under Nature, News.

Luxury travel enthusiasts looking to travel to the Riviera Maya can keep it green while on vacation with Karisma’s hotels and resorts.

The adult friendly El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels, by Karisma, have a “Passion for the Environment” program that is dedicated to keeping their luxury properties eco-friendly. In addition to a serious recycling program and an impressive solar power system, Karisma has a 70,000 square foot greenhouse facility that provides produce to its hotels and resorts throughout the Riviera Maya.

The greenhouses in the facility grow over 30 different types of produce including: cilantro, thyme, onions, tomatoes, honeydew melons, lettuce, cucumbers, bell peppers, chilies, basil, mint, and squash. By being able to produce in house, the Karina properties are able to enhance customers’ culinary experience with fresh, organic meals as well as to reduce negative emissions from the trucks that would normally have to bring in the produce.

The resorts also feature a fish market where guests can select fish from local fishermen’s daily catch to be prepared for lunch, dinner, or snacks by the pool.

Food and Beverage Events in Mexico – Summer 2010

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

If you are a luxury travel enthusiast who loves all things food and drink, be sure to check out these events this summer in Mexico.

Alimentaria Mexico 2010

This is Mexico’s most important international food, beverage, and equipment exhibition, which will be held June 1st through the 3rd at Centro Banamex in Mexico City. This Summer’s event will be the eighth Alimentaria Mexico, and more than 12,000 participants are expected from around the world.

In addition to the 475 exhibits, this year’s Alimentaria will include a Mexican gastronomy conference, nutrition seminars, wine & spirits tasting, and more. For more about this event, visit the Alimentaria’s website.

MEXIPAN 2010

This is the number one expo for the Bakery, Confectionery, Chocolate, and Ice Cream industries of Mexico. This event brings customers and suppliers together to showcase new products and discuss trends within the industry. More can be found at MEXIPAN’s webiste (in Spanish only).

Red Bull X Fighters in Mexico City

Posted by & filed under Adventure, News.

Fans of adventure travel were treated by Red Bull this year as the first stop of this year’s Red Bull X Fighters tour was at Plaza de Toros in Mexico City. The competition was held on April 16th but had to end early due to heavy rain.

More than 40,000 people showed up for the event and after watching the highlight video below, it’s easy to see why. Though the event ended early into the second round of competition, the fans made it clear that Mexico City will welcome these sorts of events in the future.

The remainder of this year’s X Fighter tour will take place in Egypt, Moscow, Madrid, London and Rome. Full details of the tour can be found at Red Bull.


More Motocross Videos >>

Zoot Suit Playing in Mexico City

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

Luxury travel enthusiasts traveling to Mexico City should enjoy this year’s production of Zoot Suit, which premiered this week and will run through July 4th. This production of Luis Valdez’s classic musical marks the first time Zoot Suit has ever been put on, in full scale, in Spanish.

Zoot Suit originally premiered in Los Angeles in 1978 and, due to its smashing success, went on to play on Broadway in 1981. This year, the The National Theater Company and the Theater at The National University of Mexico are putting the musical on in the university’s cultural center, the Teatro Juan Ruiz de Alarcon.

This important piece of Chicano theater should be very well received as Luis Valdez moved to Mexico months ago to cast and direct the play himself.

The Truth About Cinco de Mayo

Posted by & filed under Culture, News, Puebla.

Cinco de Mayo used to be one of my favorite holidays when I lived in the US (one I still miss dearly), but I have to admit that I never really knew what I was celebrating until I moved to Mexico.

If you take a minute Wednesday night, in between the Tequila shots and the Dos Equis, to poll your sombrero headed, maraca shaking bar mates as to the reason of the fiesta, you will most likely get one of two responses: “I have no idea, let’s get another Tequila,” or, “I think it’s like the 4th of July for Mexico.” While you can never go wrong with another Tequila, answer number two is definitely incorrect.

The truth is that Cinco de Mayo, the holiday, does refer to a significant event in Mexican history; however, that event isn’t really significant enough to be celebrated in Mexico (outside of Puebla where the event actually took place). On the 5th of May, 1862, a battle weary, outnumbered Mexican army defeated a better-trained invading French army in the town of Puebla. Sadly, however, this upset victory was short lived. In a matter days, the French re-grouped, defeated the Mexican army, and established rule of the area. Hence the reason the holiday isn’t celebrated here in Mexico.

But that doesn’t mean that Americans shouldn’t party in the name of Puebla. We love an underdog victory, which is, in reality, what you’ll be celebrating on the 5th. So come Wednesday, in the name of the underdog, strap on that fake mustache and that poncho, charge head first into the battle of defeating that Tequila bottle, and don’t stop until you’ve achieved victory. And in the true spirit of Cinco de Mayo, proudly suffer inevitable defeat – in the form of an imperial hangover Thursday morning.

Friends of ours at recently published a related post called “13 Surprising facts about Cinco de Mayo,” which you may also enjoy.