What Mexico has to offer

Mexico is the most popular tourist destination of the Latin Americas and the eighth most popular place for tourist arrivals in the world. As a consequence of the recession, the country is sure to be at the top of the list for more Brits in 2009 – and is already being included in “tips to save money during the summer” style articles (alongside cheap travel insurance and cheaper plane fares) in the British press (specifically: The Telegraph). So what do The United Mexican States have to offer?

The wonders that are the first thing that come to prospective visitors are Mexico’s historical attractions. Mexico was once home to the Mayan civilization and some architecture, from about 1000 years ago, is still impressively intact. Chichen Itza is a site that has been open to the public for over a century and includes a great number of temples and buildings including the pyramid El Castillo, The Temple of The Warriors and the El Caracol observatory. Additionally, there are more Mayan sites on the Yucatan Peninsula on the Eastern coast, most notably the walled city of Tulum.

Chichen Itza

Far more can be seen within the modern-day cities of Mexico also. Aguascalientes is home to the biggest festival in the country, The San Marcos Fair, and also boasts a wealth of Baroque architecture with the Guadeloupe Church and Government Palace. The capital, Mexico City, is located in the South and boasts the heritage sites, The Historic Centre (including National Palace and the Templo Mayor) and the “Floating Gardens”.

Aside from the many historical and cultural draws, there are a number of resorts popular with tourists in Mexico. Famous spring break destination, Acapulco, is known for its beaches, water sports, nightlife and the picturesque island of Roqueta. In contrast, the isolated Cabo San Lucas on the Baja California peninsula has pristine beaches and rock formations at its Lands End. In the North Western part of the country is Puerto Penasco, a town popular with tourists from Arizona and home to the Pinacate biosphere reserve.

The largely unspoiled country also has many natural attractions which appeal to tourists. La Bufadora is the second largest blowhole in the world and can shoot water up to 80 feet in the air every minute. The phenomenon is more unique due to it being something of a marine geyser, that is caused by sea water flooding into an underwater cave, and suddenly pushing it upwards, accompanied by a dramatic thunderous noise. For those of a less geological and dramatic nature, the Copper Canyon in the Chihuahua region is home to rolling hills and a national park.

Travel Money Tips for summer 2009

At the Airport, on the High Street, or Online? Where to get your foreign currency. As you probably know and are tired of hearing, the pound and the euro are at near parity with each other – a fact that is all the more distressing when we remember that one pound was worth about €1.25 just a year ago.

Subsequently, those of us lucky enough to have the savings for a holiday this Easter will no doubt be most inclined to search around for the best deal on their foreign currency. So what are the pros and cons of buying at the airport, on the high street, or online?

At the Airport:
As a general rule, leaving the purchase of your foreign currency until you reach the airport is not considered good practice if you are hoping to find the best deal.

In a recent article at telegraph.co.uk (3rd April), it is highlighted that the reason for the extra charges incurred when purchasing your travel money at the airport is due to a number of factors: such as the cost of rent, the cost of employing staff, and the price of having money in stock.

Logically then, these costs are likely to be much higher within the competitive and 24-hour bustling environment of an airport – and this is reflected in the price. So, whilst airports might be very convenient, if you’re eager to save on you foreign currency it is certainly best to buy before you get there.

On the High Street:
Alternatively, heading into town and purchasing your foreign currency on the high street can be much better for your pocket – leaving you with more to spend once you reach your destination.

The possible benefits of not having to pay as much for property rental, and not having to employ staff around the clock, no doubt contribute to the cheaper costs on the high street.

You might also expect travel money that is available on the high street would be subject to similar forces that affect other products there – and subsequently driving the costs down. However, this isn’t strictly the case – or at least it isn’t advertised as such. Yet, one of the strongest benefits of buying you foreign currency face to face is that you are usually given the opportunity to negotiate a better price if you can prove that there are cheaper deals to be had elsewhere.

Online:
All the costs associated with shop rental, staff employment, and looking after money are instantly reflected in online prices, and so it makes sense that purchasing your travel money via the internet and checking foreign exchange online can get you the best deals.

Those who consider doing so should not be deterred by worries of not receiving your money in time, as some companies allow you to buy your currency online as late as midnight the day before you fly, then you simply pick it up at the airport before you board you plane. Similarly to the high street, more online vendors are allowing negotiations of a better price if you can prove better deals available elsewhere.

Discover New York City and San Francisco

When people think of New York City, one of the most populous cities in the world, they rarely think of the amazing amount of natural and green areas incorporated into its design and planning. In fact, the big apple contains over 28,000 acres of parkland, and a further 14 miles worth of beaches. With the number of visitors increasing each year since 9/11, as well as airlines increasingly offering flights to New York from Europe, the city is set to get ever popular. So for the visitors who are considering a visit but are daunted by the relentless bustle, here is a guide to the natural side of New York City.

Well, this article wouldn't be right without it. Central Park has been an official land mark since 1963, but has since grown to include more than just trees and grass. Today the 843 acres boast lakes, ponds, tracks, ice rinks, and even an outdoor theatre. The park receives over 20 million visitors every year which is the most for any park in the US, despite the fact that there are many more that are bigger in size. The park has a carriage horse service, is host to music festivals, and even has its own all-volunteer ambulance service.

Central is not the only significant park in the city, Brooklyn is also home to its own sprawling green area. Prospect Park is slightly smaller, at 585 acres, buts its Long Meadow is considered by many to be one of the biggest urban meadows in the country. Prospect is also home to its own zoo which houses porcupines, sea lions and red pandas. Yet perhaps one of its most unique attractions is the former home of Edwyn Clark Litchfield's decadent Italiante Mansion - Litchfield Villa.

The New York Botanical Garden is located on the Bronx Park and draws over 800,000 visitors a year. The garden was founded in 1891 by Nathaniel Lord Britton after he saw the Gardens at Kew, London. Some of the trees on the premises are more than two centuries old, and make up a collection of flora that is incredibly divers, including: tulips, wetlands plants, and tall beeches.
Wave Hill is a smaller 28 acre estate located in The Bronx. The site, popular with horticulturalists, overlooks the Hudson River and is made up of colourful and visually stimulating gardens. There are two houses on the site, the most famous being Wave House which has seen many famous tenants including Mark Twain and Darwins Bulldog, Thomas Henry Huxley. The gardens are also used for beekeeping, and include an aquatic garden and a Conservatory.


San Francisco is one of the most populous in California. Since the California Gold Rush and the city's establishment as a centre for finance and commerce, biotechnology firms and micro-businesses have come to be founded in the area - with Silicon Valley just a stones throw away. Despite this, the driving force behind San Francisco's economy is tourism, made up of millions of visitors a year who want to visit the place that is the subject of so many songs, movies, books, and other forms of popular culture. With European airlines offering flights to San Francisco, 2009 makes this city of culture more accessible than it has ever been.

The Golden Gate Bridge is often regarded as the definitive structural icon of San Francisco. Construction took four years from 1833 to 1937, and when it was completed it was the longest bridge of its kind in the world. It has since been surpassed in length, but still remains a uniquely breathtaking attraction. Additionally, there are many other architectural and structural sights in the City, such as the quaint "Painted Ladies" Victorian houses, and the city's very own cable car system.

For those eager to delve for a little more deeper history than what is on the surface, there are many museums to be visited. The Museum of the African Diaspora and the Contemporary Jewish Museum offer an interesting insight into the culturally diverse background of the city. There are also many more underground attractions that have developed from the city's inherent liberal politics, such as The Antique Vibrator Museum, and the UFO, Bigfoot and Loch Ness Monster Museum.

Additionally, there are many art galleries displaying local and international art. The Museum of Modern Art is no doubt the most popular. Opened in 1935 and situated on Third Street, the museums is dedicated solely to 20th Century art and includes work by Jackson Pollock and Marcel Duchamp. The M. H. de Young Memorial Museum and the Asian Art Museum both display more historical works from other corners of the globe, with exhibitions including Egyptian and Chinese artefacts respectively.

San Francisco is also know as a centre for music and festivals. Aside from being the subject of many famous popular songs such as I Left My Heart in San Francisco and San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear flowers in Your Hair), music is very much ingrained within the soul of the city and the area has pioneered many sounds and given rise to many pioneering artists, such as Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Dead Kennedys, and Faith No More. The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival is a free music festival held in the Golden Gate Park every year since 2001.

Disneyland Paris - Not just for the kids!

Disneyland Paris: A short history

When Walt Elias Disney first penned a cartoon of a scrawny mouse back in the early 20th century he could never have imagined the size of the business empire that would be built on the back of Steamboat Willie - Disney Studios' first significant animated short.


As well as the successful animation and film subsidiary the Disney Corporation now boasts a multi-national presence encompassing TV, retail, sports franchises and of course theme parks. A worldwide phenomenon, the closest park to the UK is the one at Disneyland Paris, currently celebrating its 15th anniversary. Armed with the strap line "Where dreams come true" the complex was opened in April 1992 to a glorious fanfare and undisguised derision in equal amounts, with a significant number of French individuals and organisations turning up their noses at the perceived uncultured attraction.

After finally recording its first quarterly profit in July 1995 the Disneyland Paris resort has gone from strength to strength and now attracts in the region of 13 million visitors each year, making it one of Europe's biggest tourist destinations. The resort, situated in the Marne-la-Vallee some 20 miles outside Paris, features not only the two theme parks but an entertainment area, golf courses and themed hotels spread over some 140 acres. The resort was situated near Paris for various reasons but one of the main attractions was that an estimated 70 million Europeans were within a four-hour drive with a further 300million able to reach it with a flight of two hours or less, making for a massive potential market.

But, as already touched upon it's not been an easy ride for Disneyland Paris. After the idea of developing a European park was originally mooted in the early 1970s there was an initial list of over 1,200 possible locations throughout the continent.

This was eventually whittled down to four locations in France and Spain and at that point Paris was the least favourite. However, a combination of stiff Mistral winds and hard bedrock and a general lack of confidence in the Spanish infrastructure ruled out the other three locations in Northern Spain and the south of France leaving Paris to pick up the big prize.

Since the resort opened its doors on April 12th 1992 it has been in a constant state of flux with numerous different attractions and hotel rooms being added over the years. Landmarks in the development have included the addition of Space Mountain in May 1995, the park's first quarterly operating profit in July of the same year, and the opening of a second park - Walt Disney Studios - in March 2002.

The amount of hotels rooms on site has grown steadily from 5,200 at opening and the total is projected to rise further to a staggering 18,500 by 2017. All on-site hotels are themed to areas of the USA, with Hotel New York, Newport Bay Club, Sequoia Lodge, Hotel Cheyenne and Santa Fe all surrounding Lake Disney. A further Disney hotel, the Davy Crockett Ranch, is located outside the resort perimeter in woods but guests of the park aren't compelled to stay in Disney properties and instead can opt for one of the seven well-known, independent hotels on the fringes, all of which operate free shuttles to the parks' entrances.

With even more hotels planned the future looks bright for Disneyland Paris. It now draws the visitor numbers that will ensure continuance well beyond its 15th Anniversary Year.


Getting To Disneyland Paris From London

Disneyland Paris is a wonderful place for family vacations, and getting to Disneyland from London is as easy as ABC. The most popular way is through Eurostar, because it is the cheapest way compared to flights, and you will arrive right at the location. So, there is no need for the hassle of getting another type of transportation to get there once you are in Paris.If you are travelling as a family, this is the best choice for you. Eurostar is simply a reliable and trusted method of transportation to Disneyland.

Eurostar offers travel routes from many cities such as London, Ashford, Lille and even Marne La Valle. The journey to (as well from) Disneyland is full of surprises. Don't be surprised to learn that Disney crews are available to help you plan your Disney trip on the train, and you can even get your tickets while you are on board the train. Your kids will get free activity packs, so they are occupied on the train while anticipating the fun in Disneyland. You can buy cheap train tickets online at Raileurope.co.uk. Just take the Eurostar to Paris!

Apart from booking train tickets online and traveling with the Eurostar, you can drive your own vehicle to Disneyland. This option will require you to go through the Eurotunnel. The Eurotunnel is the best way for motorcyclists to cross the channel, too. It is also the fastest way to cross from Folkstone to Calais in just 35 minutes. There is no need to worry about the service as it operates 365 days a year. The prices include vehicle and passengers. You will be able to cross the channel in a breeze. There is nothing much to worry about except passing through customs - but that won't be a big problem.

If you insist on travelling by plane, you can take flights from British Airways or Air France to Paris Roissy or Charles de Gaulle. Flights are usually more costly than any other mode of transportation and if you think you can afford this, perhaps this is the best way for you to travel. Otherwise, you might want to consider the others before you book your flights. Remember you are going to spend a lot of money in Disneyland - both in actually getting inside the park and for food, souvenirs and perhaps accommodation.

When you have arrived at the airport in Paris, you can either hire a car so you can drive to Disneyland, or get the shuttle bus. The shuttle bus is available every 15 minutes to an hour, and it travels to six hotels around Disneyland. Otherwise, you can use public transportation (such as train), for example Regional Express Railway, to get to Disneyland.

On the other hand, you can try the Norfolkline as well. It operates cross-channel ferries between Dover and Dunkirk.

The journey will take an hour and 45 minutes, so be prepared for a breezy - but safe - journey. Each of the transportation modes mentioned has its own pros and cons. You will just have to pick the best for you and your family when you are going on a family vacation to Disneyland Paris!

By Daniel Johansson and Fred Ramsbottom