It may be best known as a family friendly destination for a beach holiday, but Menorca has much more to offer than just golden sands and luxury villas. Menorca’s distinctive culture is a large part of the attraction of the island, with a turbulent history, delicious cuisine and very hospitable islanders creating a very different holiday experience to most Mediterranean islands. But if there is one essential icon of Menorcan culture, it is the breed of horse that is native to the country…

The Horses of Menorca – A Breed Apart

Menorcan horses are renowned as one of the finest breeds in the world. Tall, slender and entirely black in colouring, they are vigorously trained and disciplined to an exacting standard. According to local tradition, the horses were considered vital to the security of the vulnerable island in the 14th century – riders were stationed along the coastline, ready to report as soon as they saw an enemy sail. They were bred for speed and agility to cover the rocky ground of the island at pace, and this process has continued over the years to produce some truly magnificent animals.

Today, they are most famous for the spectacle they provide at the various fiestas of Menorca, where they lead parades doing their signature trick – standing and walking on their hind legs. These fiestas are the best time to see the horses at work on a holiday in Menorca, through various horse shows at held throughout the island every week (such as at Club Escola Menorquina).

Horse Riding for Visitors

If you aren’t content with watching the horses on your holiday to Menorca, there are plenty of opportunities to ride them yourself, no matter what your level of experience. Riding clubs are scattered across the island – Equimar near Es Castell, Piadero Binixica just outside San Clement, or Stables Farm near Cala’n Porter are all options, providing horses and guides to visitors on their Menorca holidays.

There are plenty of paths and tracks on the island, and with a predominantly flat landscape Menorca is a delight to explore on horse back. The most famous and rewarding trail to follow is the ‘Cami de Cavalls’, ‘The Path of Horses’ that rings the entire circumference of the island. This is the path that was originally used by the horseback guards of Menorca to patrol the island, and gives you access to some of the most stunning coastal scenery the island has to offer. Or head into the rolling hills and vibrant countryside of the interior for a very different horse riding experience – you’ll find plenty of routes to choose from on your holiday in Menorca.

While many visitors rarely stray from their villas in Menorca, the horses of the island are an essential sight to see. Whether you just want to enjoy the spectacle at a horse show or fiesta, or explore the spectacular scenery of the island on the back of a trusted steed, make sure you don’t miss out on the horses of Menorca!

Source: http://freetravelarticles.com/Art/1027/264/Horse-Riding-Holidays-in-Menorca.html

Xel-Ha is a spectacular eco-park located south of Akumal, about 15 minutes from our villa in Akumal. It’s located on the eastern coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula, the archaeological site of the Mayans in ancient times.

Xel-Ha’s many leisure, ecological and natural wonders offer activities for the whole family. The dazzling open-sea aquarium allows you to view sea life in its natural abode unchanged and undisturbed.

Swimming with trained dolphins is also a traditional activity for tourists and it is not found easily in most places. Animal and nature people like to spend time in the ocean with these gentle creatures, and they will have a exciting story to bring home to their family and friends!

Snorkeling is also great in the local lagoon. The coral is dead there, but regular feeding keeps the many types of beautiful fish coming back for more. Some visitors will have another party feed the fish so they can view the fish from below.

There is a river which starts in a natural spring, and inner tubes are used to float to the end. This provides a perfect complement to a short nap in a hammock on one of the beautiful beaches.

More adventurous spirits enjoy climbing and diving from the high cliffs in Xel-Ha, touring the Mayan cave, and looking at the local Xel-Ha ruins. These ruins are largely untouched and totally original, which gives a unique look into past centuries and architectural contributions of the Mayans.

Hammock Island, Xpa, Bay of Caprices and The Beach are favorite areas for visitors who wish to lounge and relax at Xel-Ha. Chacah Garden, the Mayan Wall, the Apiary and Plant Nursery provide perfect ecological attractions for fauna lovers. Many examples of nature are also seen at the Inlet, El Dorado Cavern, Ixchel’s Gulf, the Mayan Cave, Chaac Mangal, and many cenotes.

When staying in Akumal, Xel-Ha is a short drive that will please the entire family and offer a choice of activities for all. Day passes are affordable. Xel-Ha is a one of a kind eco-park with things to do centering around relaxation, fun and seeing ancient and natural wonders.

Water sport lovers will enjoy the inner tube float down the river, cliff diving and snorkeling in the lagoon. Naturalists will enjoy swimming with the dolphins and exploring the multiple forms of plant and animal life there, and those curious about the history of the Yucatan Peninsula have an opportunity to see the Mayan ruins and see the architectural influences of that age.

Our children and grandchildren always plan on spending the entire day at Xel-Ha every time they visit Akumal. There is so much to do they never get tired of returning year after year. They like to ride a bicycle through a path in the jungle, jumping off the cliffs into the limpid blue sea, swimming with the dolphins, and walking among stingrays on the bottom of the sea.

This is th first year they signed up for the Sea Trek. They wore a futuristic underwater helmet that looks like deep-sea diving equipment. Sea Trek does not require any previous training , diving or otherwise. Experts will be nearby at all times during the walk, helping you in every way and easing any concerns about the aquatic walk of a lifetime. They all said it was a walk they would never forget!

Source:  http://articlescan.com/Art/1152/53/Spend-a-Day-at-Xel-Ha.html

Mexico is one of the most desired tourism places to visit in the world among most people. This city is huge and has many tourist spots that are fantastic tourist spots and also very popular as tourist destinations in the world. Mexico is one place that suits for any kind of visit, be it with your family, with your friends, alone or even a romantic honeymoon. The place has many wonderful landmarks and many beaches which drive a number of tourists from all over the world.

HOLIDAY IN MEXICO

Mexico also has a billion dollar industry which is dedicated strictly to please the visitors and tourists with full dedication in making them have a great time in the city. However the experience of a tour is best experienced if you have a pre packaged tour from a good tourist company. These tourism companies in Mexico would be surely dedicated and to make sure that the visitors have a great time on vacation in the city and go home with a complete satisfaction and memorable time and also with lots of wonderful images and videos of the amazing sights in the city.

VACATION

Every year, millions and billions of people turn over to this place from all over the world for holidays, making this place so special and famous. This is why it is obvious to say that Mexico is a stunning country where anyone would and should go to in their life to experience the ultimate tourism experience. This place is a very rich and diverse country, so you will sure have a lot in stake to see even on the end of your trip if you go to the place with few days in hand. For this reason, to have the best time in Mexico, visit the pace with lots of time in hand. You will surely love the place and the experience of being to such a fascinating city.

PLACES TO GO

Mexico is the best in providing friendly atmosphere and offers the best culture inherited from ancient times. The city also offers a great variety of food, a number of cultures that one would love to witness and also architectures and impressive and influencing traditions that are so unique that it would be a remarkable experience for someone who would visit the place for the first time.

Mexico has a number of places to visit but what makes it harder is choosing what all places to visit when you are in short of time or when you would expect to see the best part of the city. So here is a list of the best places that one must visit when they are in Mexico to see the most fascinating side of Mexico.

Along the coast of Sea of Cortez: in this part, you can find a number of beautiful beaches, ports and villages where it would be best to spend the holiday with the best moments.

• La Paz: La Paz is typically the true Mexico. It gives you an old world charisma with a primitive lifestyle of the place making it a place with preserved culture of Mexico. This place is stunning in its beauty.

• Isla Partida: This place is a wonderful island and one of the most beautiful places in Mexico which cannot be missed at any cost. Many water sports and adventures can be experienced and also scuba diving is allowed to explore the blue deep water and have a thrilling experience.

•Puerto Vallarta: Said to be the liveliest and most sophisticated towns of Mexico which is encircled by wooden hills and a stunning bay on either sides of the place.

•Acapulco: This is a party pace in Mexico. The most vibrant places of the city can be found in this place and the beaches give an exuberant effect to the party place with their golden sand and the posh cafes and pubs to chill and enjoy your time.

•Manzanillo: This part of the city is a very busy port town. The place is best to spend time along the beach in the sun and also to have a great time in nightclubs and restaurants to witness the energetic nightlife.

•Mazatlan: Mazatlan is a destination that is one of its kinds in the world. It is also a historic town and the beach here is very popular. The town has marvelous cobbled streets and alleys that lead to the historic buildings. There are also small hotels that serve the best food in Mexico and the town also has museums that preserve the ancient culture of Mexico and displaying the rich cultural heritage of Mexico.

COSTS

People using dollars, euro and pounds will have a lot to spend in Mexico. And I mean, they will have a lot money in exchange since peso’s exchange rate against US dollar remains almost stable in all times thus making almost anyone think of Mexico as an affordable traveling destination for a holiday. Living expenses here in Mexico can be as low as just $75 to $125 for each person a day which is quite less compared to other tourism spots. People traveling with strict Budgets can manage to stay in hostels managing accommodation as well as meals for a day for as low as $40.

HOW TO GET THERE

Passport:

Tourists from US and Canadian will be allowed to enter Mexico without a passport provided they have a SSN card or any photo identification such as a driver’s license along with a proof of citizenship.

However like other tourists and other travel routines, it is always better to travel with a passport since almost every place is used to the passport facility and protocols. This will reduce chances of delay.

By Sea:

People willing to visit Mexico over water can travel via a cruise ship. The Caribbean cruise is for this purpose and travels from South Eastern US or you can also catch the Mexican Riviera cruise that leaves from California, both of which may cost around $1000 US per person.

By land:

To reach the place by land, by your own vehicle, the documents required are listed below. These are strictly mandatory and a temporary vehicle import permit is also to be issued before you leave to Mexico. These permits can be issued at any of the offices when you are about to cross borders near posts that are a few kilometers into Mexico. The fee will come to around US$29.70.

Original documents of the tourist card obtained at the border, registration certificate for the vehicle, a Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit card, a proof of citizenship such as passport or voter’s card and a driver’s license are all mandatory.

Source: http://articlescan.com/Art/6644/264/Mexico-The-Best-Place-For-A-Vacation.html