November 2017
Inspired Vacations Newsletter
-Volume Two-

With winter right around the corner, we wanted to inspire you to think about all the great options available for a warm-weather getaway!

This month, the spotlight is on Mexico – it not only has some of the best beaches anywhere but there are lots of amazing options for exploring, learning about its interesting history and enjoying the wonderful and varied cuisine.

 

 

Travel Tips

 

Know What’s Allowed

Airlines are getting stickier on carry-on and checked luggage.  Make sure you know the maximum size and weight for carry-on and if you need to purchase checked bags.  Sometimes, it’s more convenient to purchase an upgraded seat initially so you aren’t paying for seat selection and luggage at the airport.

New Environmental Tax

In an effort to keep the beaches free from sargassum (seaweed), the government of Mexico has recently implemented an environmental tax of 10 pesos/day/room for resorts on the Gulf side of the country.   The positive – it makes for great marine life viewing if you dive under it in the ocean as lots of fish live in it!   If you’d like to learn more about it, click here.

Good Shoes

Do we really need to say it?  No matter where you go or what you think you’ll be doing, make sure you have some comfortable walking shoes with you.  You don’t want to miss out on a fun activity or end up with blisters or sore feet because you weren’t prepared.

Take (and Use) the Right Currency

When visiting another country, make sure to have at least some of the local currency when you arrive.  Small bills are great for those initial tips you may want to provide.

Air Canada and CIBC have just partnered and come out with a card that you can pre-load with up to 10 currencies.   Here’s the link to order:  click here for more info
And, when in Mexico, pay in Pesos - our Canadian dollar goes farther with pesos than converting to USD!

 

Mexico

Try It This Way

The beaches!!  It’s what Mexico is best known for – we love to escape our cold winters and enjoy warm, sunny days in a variety of áreas in Mexico.   All-Inclusive Resorts are an easy way to package your flights, accommodations, meals, and drinks to enjoy a quick getaway.  From there, you can explore as you wish or simply relax and sip refreshing drinks by the pool or on the beach.

Another way to enjoy the beaches but venture a bit more into the wonderful Mexican culture is to stay in a hotel or private villa but do some cooking on your own and try out great restaurants.  Mexican food is fresh and delicious!

A beach holiday will allow you to swim, snorkel, and dive and depending on the location you choose, there are fun land activities as well such as zip-lining, off-roading tours to waterfalls and riding camels – just to name a few!
 

See It This Way

Often overlooked is inland Mexico.  The country has endless history and culture!

Consider a trip to Mexico City where you’ll experience an amazing blend of old and new architecture.  Or visit the state of Oaxaca (Wa-Ha-Ka) which is growing in popularity.  The state capital of Oaxaca City is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has been voted one of  Latin America’s Most Beautiful Colonial Cities.

Just outside Mexico City, you can climb to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun and the Moon at Teotihuacan, in the city visit Chapultepec, Mexico’s only castle right in the city or maybe visit one of its endless museums.  Frida Kahlo’s museum is quaint, right where she and Diego lived or try a free visit to Carlos Slim’s Soumaya which houses his own art collection that he shares with the public.

A quick flight away in Oaxaca, you can visit Monte Alban, another famous site of ruins and roam the local streets at your leisure.  There you can take in Mezcal tasting, enjoy Mole made with renowned Oaxacan chocolate and perhaps even try out a cooking class. One of the top activities to do in Oaxaca City is to take part in this fun activity just as the top chefs in the world.  They are flocking to this area to discover how the local chefs prepare their delicacies.

We’ve missed it this year but consider a trip to either city at the end of October to participate in the activities of the Dia de Muertos.  It’s an Internationally recognized festival focusing on friends and family gathering and celebrating the transition of loved ones from this world to the next.  You likely have seen the sugar masks and parades in movies or mentioned in magazines.

 

YOUR QUICK SPANISH LESSON

Spanish is used in many counties around the world so having a few keywords and phrases in your arsenal will go a long way towards building a relationship with the local people.  Here are a few to start you off:

English	Spanish
Yes please	Si, por favor
No thanks	No, gracias
Good morning (night)	Buenos dias ( noches )
Where is the bathroom?	¿Dónde está el baño?
I’d like a cervesa please	Me gustaría un cervesa por favor
How much is it?	¿Cuánto cuesta?

If you like this segment - let us know and we’ll continue on with our Spanish lessons in the next newsletter!
 

 

Wrapping It Up

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