Archives July 2013

That’s right, we just spent eight days in Cancun. While I did originally think that Cancun would be a ghost town in summer (100-degree weather and high humidity) it was packed. Cancun was lovely and temperate and exactly the tropical vacation I was hoping it would be.

This was my first time to the Caribbean (not associated with a cruise ship, anyway) and I was impressed with every aspect of the pre-fab vaca. We stayed at the RIU palace las Americas on the hotel strip. One interesting factoid about the Cancun hotel strip is that in the 70’s there was nothing out there. It was a bit too swampy to build on.  A local told us that some Las Vegas investor came down, saw the land and had the idea to buy it, develop it for plumbing, wiring, etc and then sell plots to high-end hotels. I guess this guy is a multi-millionare now for having the vision.  Anyways, it was neat to imagine it untouched. The RIU Palace where we stayed was out on a point and, after walking much of the beach from end-to-end, we found it had about the nicest swimming area and a stunning outcrop of rocks where exotic, tropical fish liked to linger. I’d recommend the RIU. It was all-inclusive for 180 a person per day, which made it expensive for us but worth it because restaurants in the area are about USD30 a person per meal. The front-desk staff are horrible but everyone else on staff were fantastic.

After three days at the all-inclusive we rented a condo for the remaining 5 days in downtown Cancun. The condo was 70USD a day and slept ten people (we only had four). This is what I’d do in the future as it was cheap and closer to cheap food and real Cancun.

From the condo we headed out to see chichen itza, a Myan city-center worshiping the snake, whom they saw as the go-between for the underworld (where we all came from) and earth (where we temporarily live). The tower itself is a fantastic display of human engineering and had a lot of neat features, like the number of steps equaled stuff on their calendar, etc. When we arrived it started to thunder and soon lightening appeared over the tower. This hit home the idea of how many people were sacrificed there.

We also went to one of the famous sink holes. Reportedly, they would throw people into these as sacrifices as well. The snake (and all life) issued from these holes so it made sense to toss in sacrifices to please the origin of life. Anyways, we swam in them and it was hard not imagine hundreds of bodies trapped 150-feet down just reaching up at your toes.

We also stopped at a replica Mayan village (read: tourist trap). This was one of those annoying things tour groups do and is one of the main reasons I always avoid tours. This time we decided to go with a tour only because the roads were reportedly unsafe to drive on. They were fine. Next time, we’ll drive!

Now that you have the overview of our trip, I’ll post more in-depth blogs about each day!

The Ultimate USA Multi-Center Vacation
It’s no wonder that the USA lends itself well to multi-center vacations. The sheer vastness of the country means that it’s impossible to explore it if you don’t take advantage of multi-stop trips, so that you don’t have to confine yourself to one resort. A visit to San Francisco, for example, is all well and good but what about the rest of California? Then, of course, there’s the east coast – when do you get to explore that?

With reputable providers such as Trailfinders, you can guarantee that there’ll be a multi-centre holiday in the USA that will suit your dreams perfectly and if there isn’t, you can ask to create a tailormade trip that does. Take a look at some of these examples of ultimate US vacations and be inspired by the ideas that they hold.

Twin-Center: New York & Florida
Both situated on the east coast of America, with a 3 hour connection flight, you won’t have to worry too much about jetlag and long haul journeys. Start in the cosmopolitan city of New York, where you can explore the bustling centre. Feast your eyes on Times Square, head to the top of the Empire State Building or enjoy a boat ride around Liberty Island to see the magnificent statue herself, before enjoying a classic Broadway show.

From here, hop on one of the connecting flights that can take you directly into Orlando, Tampa or Miami depending on what you want the second half of your family to be focussed on. Does a relaxing beach break tickle your fancy? If so, Miami could be perfect for you. Fancy some thrills and an adrenaline rush? Then Orlando and its multitude of theme parks would be ideal.

Twin Center: Hawaii & Las Vegas
Perfect for honeymooners and couples who want to experience the bright lights of Sin City and the relaxation and pristine beauty of Hawaii in one vacation. Have a flutter in one of the outrageous casinos or see one of the notorious shows, before heading over to the luxurious islands of Hawaii, where you can relax to your heart’s content.

Multi-Center: Route 66
Fly into Chicago before picking up your hire car for a trip on Route 66 – the most famous interstate in America. Otherwise known as the Mother Road, a drive along Route 66 will take you through various cities and past numerous attractions that will contribute to the ultimate All-American road trip.

Highlights include St Louis, Oklahoma City, the Petrified Forest National Park, the Grand Canyon and Santa Monica before arriving at your destination – Los Angeles, the City of Angels. Explore Downtown, Hollywood and Beverley Hills before heading back to the UK having experienced a truly unforgettable USA vacation.

The possibilities are endless and multi-center breaks are a perfect way of seeing more of the USA than you would normally. With so much to see, they’re a real feasible option that won’t break the bank, either.

The summer season is a superb time to consider a visit to Edinburgh, with so many events and activities scheduled for the summer months. Book with Travelodge and you can enjoy affordable accommodation in the centre of the city meaning that you won’t be too far from the action and your bank won’t be crippled.

You may have caught some of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the television in previous years, or you may have been lucky enough to see it in person at some point in your life. If either of these is true, you’ll know just how incredible an event it really is and an absolute must-see if you’re planning a visit to Edinburgh in the near future.

Since its official inception in 1950, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo has gone from strength to strength. From its humble beginnings, providing entertainment for 6000 spectators to what the event is today – a total sell-out, with over 217,000 people catching the performances at some point or other. With the majestic Edinburgh Castle dominating the background, the Tattoo is held on the esplanade in front of the castle, where temporary Grandstands are constructed so that spectators can enjoy the show in comfort.

Having been a sell-out for the last decade at least, the Military Tattoo is a pinnacle part of the calendar – not just for Scottish nationals but for visitors from the rest of the UK and beyond. During August, the Tattoo is performed every weekday evening and twice on Saturdays – regardless of the weather. If you are lucky enough to secure tickets for the second Saturday night performance, you will also be treated to fireworks and a pyrotechnic display. This year, which celebrates the Year of Natural Scotland, the Tattoo is run between the 2nd and 24th August, giving you plenty of dates to play with.

As part of the event, you can enjoy music and performances by military bands and tribes from all over the world, which leaves spectators emotional and brimming with pride. The Tattoo is run for charity, with money going towards military charities every year as well as providing valuable funding for the Edinburgh economy.

If you want to see something completely unique and memorable this year, the Military Tattoo could be the perfect thing for you. Make sure you stay until the end, when the pageantry ends with the sound of the lone piper, high in the castle ramparts, plays his lament. It’s often considered to be the most spectacular show in the world and while watching it broadcast on TV is immense, nothing will compare to actually being there.

Prices range from £26 to £60 and can be booked online here. Prices vary, depending on the date you choose and where you wish to be seated. Book accommodation with Travelodge as soon as possible to avoid disappointment because as you can expect, hotels will sell out fast. Look forward to this remarkable event that you will never forget.

*Sponsored post.