For a Spring Break vacation, you might want to consider Puerto Vallarta,  one of the most popular destinations in Mexico.

Packed with incredible pure white sandy beaches, most college students will simply stake a claim on a section of the beach and remain there for the duration of the trip.

But there is plenty to do in Puerto Vallarta that is related to the Mexican culture as well.

Those who love shopping and other recreational activities can take a trip to Tequila or attend concerts, visit craft shops, and explore the many pieces of sand sculptures that are proudly displayed along the beachfront at Puerto Vallarta.

There are fine eateries, great nightspots, and terrific shopping in Puerto Vallarta, which is why this is such a popular Mexican resort all year round, not just during spring break.

A four star hotel  package at Puerto Vallarta may offer the following m starting at around $550.00 including airfare from New York:

* All rooms feature central air conditioning and mini-bar

* Satellite television reception

* Telephones and wireless Internet

* Restaurant

* No Smoking Rooms/Facilities

* Pool

* Fitness Center or Spa

* Bar/Lounge

* 24 Hour Front Desk

* Beach

* Room Service

* Concierge

* Shops/Commercial Services

* Barber/Beauty Shop

* Spa Services

In addition, Puerto Vallarta has the cleanest water in Mexico.  The water is treated and purified, but the distribution system is not so perfect.  In most hotels and restaurants, you will get purified water – if in doubt, always ask.  You can purchase bottled water as well.

If you are a nature lover, then a must-see visit to Cuale Waterfalls should be added to your list of things to do while you are at Puerto Vallarta.  It takes about four hours to get there, but it is well worth the trip. 

Once you arrive you can take a dip in the many pools that lie beneath the waterfalls.  Or you can take a horseback ride through the Sierra Madre Mountains and enjoy the beautiful landscape and scenery before heading back to the beaches at Puerto Vallarta.

For a great Spring Break vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, you need to book early!  Contact your travel agent soon to reserve your spot in one of the great resorts of Puerto Vallarta.

388 words

Cabo San Lucas, Baja, Mexico

The jewel of the Baja Peninsula in Mexico, Cabo San Lucas has something for everyone.

Whatever your price range, whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it here.

The heart of Cabo is the hospitality, which is found everywhere from the all-inclusive resorts like the Riu Palace and Villa La Estancia, to the smaller hotels. There are also the lovely intimate beachfront villas, which are perfect for a honeymoon couple looking for the ultimate romantic getaway.

Cabo is great for a honeymoon, and a destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas is one that the guests and the wedding party will be talking about for years to come. Plan it yourself, or let one of the hotels or resorts do the wedding planning for you. Either way, you’ll get your new life together off to a wonderful romantic start.

Love golf? Several world-class courses will provide fun, challenge and breathtaking scenery for the novice or expert golfer alike. The desert mountain terrain, combined with the ocean vistas, and to golf course designers like and guarantee a golf vacation you won’t forget.

Love fishing? Anglers of all skill levels will find some of the greatest sport fishing in the world off the Pacific coast, with everything from private charters to huge party boats that stay out several days. Whether you like pulling out game fish for the table, or big sport fish for the mantelpiece, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy. Cabo San Lucas is famous for its marlin sportfishing, the best in the world.

Looking for a great spring break this year? You and your friend can kick back on the beach and soak in the sun, or enjoy all the activities here, such as parasailing, swim, surfing and just about any water sport you can think of.

Looking for a great family vacation? Cabo San Lucas is a fantastic choice. Build a sand castle, swim with the dolphins, go-kart, sail, or just relax and catch some warm Baja rays.

The sports enthusiasts in the family will find plenty to do, too, with scuba diving, snorkeling, rock climbing and many other ways to work up an appetite before enjoying some of the many gourmet dining options available.

Whatever you’re looking for on your holiday, from an adrenaline-packed “extreme” vacation to a relaxing sojourn under the sun, you’ll find what you want in Cabo San Lucas!

Save up to 50% on Hotels During Travelocity’s Silver Lining Sale! Cabo San Lucas Hotels from $54!

Expires: 02/16/2009

Travelocity’s Silver Lining Sale: Save up to 50% on Mexico Hotels!

Travelocity’s Silver Lining Sale: Save up to 50% on Mexico Hotels!


Expires: 02/16/2009

If you are planning a trip to Panama City for the express purpose of viewing the Panama Canal, you will certainly want to pick up a copy of NOVA: A Man, a Plan, a Canal.

This DVD has been touted as the best of the NOVA series.

Not only is it an educational experience, but it offers a history of the building of the Panama Canal as well as rare footage and photographs and is narrated by the author, David McCullough.

This DVD will afford you the opportunity to get an unprecedented look at the Canal’s 30-year construction and wondrous present-day operation. Meet the persevering pioneers whose vision and determination overcame tremendous physical-and fiscal-obstacles.

It also reveals why France abandoned the project after ten years and 20,000 deaths.

Work alongside the builders who turned a fantastic dream into a fascinating reality. See immense steam shovels carve the earth. View the amazing “water elevators” that lift huge vessels 85 feet. Watch high-speed photography capture a lock passage.

Those who have purchased this DVD have touted its magnificent detail. Not only does it explain the engineering aspects, but it tells the story of the people who made this happen through endurance and great hardship.

A teacher commented that he used this film for many years in his history classes. It is based on the book by David McCullough titled, “The Path Between the Seas.”

It is narrated by the author and has footage of the actual building of the canal. The companion book is also very useful. It has many photographs and shows the entire construction effort.

After viewing this DVD, your family will become more excited about planning your trip to Panama City. This is an educational experience for your children, and one they will remember for a lifetime.

And you are a fan of NOVA on PBS, you will certainly want to have this DVD as part of your collection.

NOVA: A Man, a Plan, a Canal – Panama

Days 6 to 8 – Panama Canal

There is something very moving, for children and adults, about seeing the Panama Canal for the first time.  The enormity of this engineering marvel boggles the mind.  The vast jungle that had to be divided, the massive locks, and the forty ships that pass through the canal every day, make for an unique testament to man’s achievement and how we are still so dependent on sea power for our needs.

You will learn about the history and also get to see:

* Miraflores Locks-it is a mile long, and is part of a lock system that takes ships from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific and back again.  After watching a ship go through the locks, like a series of stepping stones because the waters are at different levels, be sure to go to the museum.

* See how the Embera Tribe lives. 

Explore their native dances and traditional artwork during your time in the village.  These friendly indigenous people will also go over how and why they moved to their current village on the Chagras River.

* Voyage across Gutan Lake in the Panama Canal, passing gigantic cargo and passenger ships.  Children are never disappointed with how immense some of these vessels really are.  Many dwarf everything in sight!

And of course you’ll see plenty of wildlife too – iguanas, crocodiles and peacocks just to name a few.

Day 9 – Depart Panama City for Home

Panama City has everything you could hope for in a modern capital city. Enjoy a bit of the nightlife, museums and culture before heading home.

This is sure to be a memorable, educational, and fun trip for the entire family.  Take plenty of pictures for the family scrapbook.

A great vacation and one that is educational and fun as well is a trip to Panama City, where you and your family will see firsthand the Panama Canal.  Let’s take a look at a typical itinerary.

Day 1 – Arrive Panama City

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel where your Panama family vacation begins.

Days 2 and 3 – Chiriqui Highlands

Cloud forests, volcanic peaks and coffee plantations create the remarkable landscape of the Chiriquí Highlands.  Along with the natural beauty, there is plenty of fun to be had here too.  Enjoy these family tours:

* White water rafting trip down the Esti River.  It is beginner-friendly and a great opportunity to get a glimpse of the tropical surroundings, including cormorant kingfisher birds, otters, tropical trees and orchids. The water is nice and warm too!

* Take the Zipline Canopy Tour, where you will wind your way through a course in La Amistad International Park.  The excitement of gliding from platform to platform high in the rainforest canopy is indescribable.  You will see birds, monkeys, and all sorts of thrilling natural sights.

Days 4 and 5 – Bocas Del Toro Archipelago

Bocas is a scattering of seven islands off the northwest coast of Panama and there is a unique relaxed ambience throughout the region.  Your family excursion to Bastimentos Island to snorkel and explore the wildlife rich rainforest will make for an unforgettable day.

Also not to be missed are:

* Hiking in the Bastimentos National Marine Park, where you will find white-faced titi monkeys, sloths and red poison dart frogs (that aren’t poisonous at all).  Bring your sneakers and get those cameras ready!  It’s a beautiful hike.

* Coral reefs and mangrove isles for some snorkeling.  There is a large variety and an abundance of fish here. Keep an eye out for sea horses, barracuda, and clown fish.

Days 4 and 5 Tortuguero, Caribbean Coast

An endless system of rivers and canals make Tortugero the most biologically diverse region of Costa Rica.  They also allow for some extraordinary in-depth exploration by boat. 

You may come across crocodiles, lizards, toucans, sea turtles, and howler monkeys, to name just a few of the fascinating species.

These two days will include:

* Jungle Boat Expedition:  Explore Tortuguero’s intricate river system via motorized jungle boat.  As you wind your way through the lowland rain forest, your guide will be keeping his eyes peeled for the unusual wildlife that live in the region, and be happy to point them out to you.

* Kayaking:  You and your teenagers can go on a kayaking trip through the waterways for some more rain forest exploration through the impressive maze of canals.

Days 6 to 8 Manuel Antonio, Pacific Coast

This is a great adventure up high in the canopy of the Costa Rican Rain Forest.

Not only does the rain forest zipline canopy tour provide a fun time for all as you glide high above the ground from one platform to another, it also serves as an aid in the preservation of the world’s endangered rain forests.

Your family will participate in the following:

* Zipline Canopy Tour:  Get ready for a bird’s-eye view of the rain forest you’ll never forget.  Gliding through the air surrounded by nature is such an exhilarating feeling that this high-flying adventure is sure to be your favorite activity.

* Explore Manuel Antonio National Park:  This nature preserve juts out into the ocean, so it offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing along its trails, as well as pristine white sand beaches for swimming.

This is truly a glimpse of paradise.

Day 9 Depart San Jose for Home

Then it is back to the big city for some last minute shopping, a great last meal in this fabulous country, and a few more memories which your family will cherish for years to come.

If you have teenagers, why not consider a family vacation to Costa Rica?

Your family will discover a variety of wildlife, explore the canal systems of the Tortuguero rain forest on the Caribbean coast, and visit the pristine beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast.

Ensure that your digital camera has plenty of memory, because you will be taking hundreds of pictures while on this exciting journey to Costa Rica.

Here is a sample all year round itinerary you can look forward to when you visit Costa Rica.

Day 1 Arrive San Jose

Today you can settle in and become used to your new surroundings before you and your family begins an adventure of a lifetime.  Costa Rica is Spanish speaking, but many friendly locals also speak English. They are proud of their country, which is near English-speaking Belize, and both nations are trying to encourage responsible eco-tourism, so you will feel more than welcome provided you show a healthy respect for nature while you are here.

San Jose is a typical capital city, with all the amenities you would expect.

Pick up your rental car from the airport, beware the rules of the road, and get ready for the marvels of nature tomorrow. 

Days 2 and 3 – Sarapiqui Region 

This region is named for the immense river that flows through it, and your family will hit the Sarapiqui River for an invigorating Class III white water rafting adventure. 

This climate is warm, however, unlike white-water rafting in the states, so the splashing waters will feel wonderful as your family makes its way over clear rapids that run through the lush rain forest.  There is excellent birdwatching here as well.

You can visit the following popular sites:

* La Paz Waterfall Gardens:  This wildlife park has the largest butterfly garden in the world. It includes hummingbirds, tropical gardens, and an array of waterfalls. 

After spending some time learning about the Costa Rican flora and fauna, your family can hike the surrounding scenic trails.

* White water Rafting: 

Once you’ve been outfitted with life jackets, helmets and paddles, it’s off to the Class III rapids of the Sarapiqui River.  This rafting trip is first timer-friendly, so anyone can join in. Remember to wear your swim suite, and bring some spare clothes. The water will be lovely and warm, compared to the Colorado or other more northerly rivers.