Recommend July 2014 - (Page 46)
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mexico
A P R I L 2 0 14
Why Recommend
Puerto Vallarta is located in the heart of the Mexican Pacific Coast on
Banderas Bay, one of the world's largest and deepest bays, and what
this stunning location means are mesmerizing landscapes-both lush
mountainous scenery and sun-draped hidden coves-complemented
by delightful weather year-round. Divided into five zones-
the upscale Marina Vallarta; the Hotel Zone; the vibrant Downtown
area; Viejo Vallarta (more commonly known as the Romantic Zone),
with its cobblestone streets and Old Vallarta-style architecture; and
the South Zone, offering an intimate getaway feel-Puerto Vallarta
is one of those destinations that truly has something for everyone,
whether your clients are looking for a sun and splash vacation, a bit of
colonial history, or are yearning to zipline through the jungle canopy.
Did You Know?
Travel agents specializing in the LGBT market will want to know that
Puerto Vallarta is very LGBT-friendly, with Blue Chairs Resort by the
Sea and Casa Cupula, among others, offering gay-friendly
accommodations.
Get Active
Explore. Explore. Explore. And tell your clients to put on their creative
hats and discover the destination by mountain bike, horseback or
jeep. This is a destination made for the active traveler who wants to
delve into outdoor adventures-both on land and at sea. One of the
best outfitters to do that with is Vallarta Adventures, which has
been around for almost two decades and offers a plethora of tours,
including the one Recommend hopped on during our visit back in
April: Hidden Mexico. We were lucky to have Armando as our guide,
and as he describes this itinerary, "it's a journey through history-as
we explore the forest as it once was, petroglyphs, see how breadmaking came to be in the region, visit the colonial town of El Tuito,
and partake in some tequila tasting...." This 8-hour tour on board
open-air Mercedes Benz Unimog 4x4 trucks starts out in Puerto
Vallarta's gorgeous botanical gardens, where the bougainvillea are in
abundance and where Armando paints a picture of what life was like
in bygone times and sneaks in flora and fauna facts, all interwoven
into the historical landscape. Then it's a stop to view petroglyphs that
are over 1,200 years old (recommend clients bring their sunscreen
and mosquito repellent) before detouring to visit 16th century El Tuito,
with less than 5,000 residents, a shaded zocalo and a picturesque,
albeit quaint, church. The most captivating sight in El Tuito, however,
has go to be its cemetery-with its above-ground white tombs that
are sprinkled in color from relatives' flowers and gifts. The silence and
stillness that envelopes the cemetery is a welcome reprieve during
this activity-laden tour. After the visit to El Tuito, participants stop at
Villa Azalea for an incomparable, "feet-in-the-river," organic lunch-
to say this is a highlight of the tour is an understatement. There are
also stops along the way for a tequila tasting (where your clients will
be able to buy a bottle from the distillery) and a sampling of fruit-filled
bread baked within the hillside. Is the tour exhausting? You bet! But
it's also exhilarating.
What we Wish we Had Done
(But Didn't Have the Nerve)
Vallarta Adventures' 6.5-hour Outdoor Adventure, in which participants zip across the bay on a high-speed inflatable boat and 4x4
46 july 2014
45-47 MX Alt PVallarta.indd 46
into the Sierra Madre, then head up the mountain on the back of a
mule, to then zipline, rappel and waterslide their way back down the
canyon, crossing a river and waterfalls along the way.
Where to Stay
n The adults-only Casa Velas, located in Marina Vallarta, is delightful, and talk about bougainvillea...there's a profusion of these flowers
around every corner in this sprawling resort. There are several room
categories, although we loved ours with its private immersion pool on
the terrace. If clients want intimacy with a bit of pampering,
recommend the 614-sq.-ft. Grand Class Suites, although for pure
indulgence, the 807-sq.-ft. Governor Suite overlooks the golf course
and the pool. The decor is pure Mexican hacienda and the service
is top of the line, but what had us captivated was the hotel's culinary
feast. Puerto Vallarta might have quite a few restaurants that your
clients are going to want to try out, but recommend they stay in one
night to dine at the four-diamond Emiliano (the shrimp burrito and the
fountain of seafood are scrumptious). Although the hotel is not
located beachside, clients can take the shuttle to the Ocean Club,
where they can hang out by the pool, jacuzzi or on the beach (cabanas are available). Of course, there are also golf privileges at Marina
Vallarta Golf Club and an onsite spa. Recommend the Cultural Tour
package; rates through Dec. 22 are $305 pp per night dbl. Included
in the package are breakfast, lunch and dinner (a la carte at Emiliano;
lunch and dinner at the Ocean Club restaurant); tour to San Sebastian, nestled in the mountains and one of the gold and silver mining
centers of Mexico; one 50-minute massage pp per stay with
unlimited use of the spa's hydrotherapy areas; taxes and gratuities;
one bottle of sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries in
suite upon arrival; and guaranteed upgrade to Grand Class
Plus Suite.
n Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa is embraced by the
mountains and the Pacific Ocean so the views it offers left us
swooning. It's a family-friendly property (we saw lots of families during
our site inspection, in fact), and since it has a preserve it's an ideal
resort for clients who enjoy nature and hiking along trails to see birds
and wildlife. In fact, there's an array of activities for all matter of
clients, including watersports, cultural (interactive Spanish lessons
anyone?), and culinary focus. Jr. suite rates start at $180 per night
(kids under 4 stay free). The sister property, Hotel Mousai,
overlooking the Garza Blanca resort, will open in November and
offer an adults-only, chic ambiance. Rates on average will start at
$350 per night.
n Holiday Inn Express Puerto Vallarta. Yes, it's a Holiday Inn, but
unlike any we've ever seen. Just opened in January, this well-situated, 115-room property features hip decor, expansive room layouts,
shuttles to the beach and to the downtown area, a pool, and nearby
shopping. There are eight suites, and breakfast is included in the rate
(call for rates).
Culinary Gem
Maia is a funky new restaurant in the Romantic Zone that is a
must-try. Everything, and we are talking everything, including the
coasters, is recycled. The food is divine and truly creative.
(You can find them on Facebook.) ●
recommend.com
6/25/14 8:59 AM
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend July 2014
Editor’s Notes
Hotel Desk: EVEN Hotels
Tour Talk: Back-Roads Touring
Pick a Theme...Any Theme on the High Seas
Jamaica & the USVI: Not the Jimi Hendrix Experience
Guadeloupe: Culture, Rum, the Sea, & That Volcano
5 Active Trips in the States
Ski Adventures Across North America
Argentina & Uruguay: A Traditional Feast
Alma del Pacifico, Costa Rica
Rwanda & Uganda: In the Footsteps of Gorillas
Dreamy Puerto Vallarta
Borneo, the Bountiful
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