Sunday, January 24, 2010

Mexico hotel reviews at www.travels.com

Thinking of heading to Mexico?



Here are three recent travel reviews on Mexico hotels on my new gig at Travels.com:


Barcelo Tucancun Beach All Inclusive Reviews
Located a block from Cancun's popular "Hotel Zone," Barceló Tucancun Beach is an all-inclusive resort boasting a Caribbean Sea address and the famous white sand beaches. The Barcelo Tucancun Beach offers its guests three seaside, outdoor swimming pools, five bars and four dining Click here to read more.

Hotel Reviews for Fiesta Americana Coral Beach in Cancun
Located in the center of Cancun's bustling entertainment district, the five-diamond, 602-all-suite Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach combines luxury oceanfront accommodations with 984 feet of secluded beachfront indulgence. Superb amenities, delicious cuisine and adventures for all ages blend to make the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach Cancun a vacation stop for guests of all ages. Click here to read more.

Reviews of the Moon Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico
The 2,457-room Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort is framed by 2,000 feet of white sand beaches and 123 acres of jungle, just minutes from the Cancun airport. Its close proximity to the action combined with its tranquility makes the all-inclusive Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort a frequent vacation choice for travelers of all ages. The Moon Palace offers two large, beachfront lagoon-style pools, four swim-up bars, two kids' pools, one Golf Club pool, six Jacuzzis, 13 international restaurants, nightly entertainment at 11 bars and lounges, fully equipped fitness center, private Kids' Club and plenty of water sports activities. Click here to read more.

Until next time, Diana Rowe

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Winter wonderlands of Yellowstone National Park

You might recall that I'm not a big fan of winter.
Sub-zero temperatures have me yearning for white sand beaches. But winter adventures do have their good points. Take my recent trip to the winter wonderlands of Yellowstone National Park staying at Xanterra Parks & Resorts, followed by a quick ski trip to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort unpacking again at Hotel Terra. To begin a trip in sub zero weather is a true test of character -- and how well you packed.

After a minor delay from Denver, we landed at Jackson Hole Airport, were quickly transported to Flagg Ranch and then picked up by a Xanterra snowcoach. We bundled in the classic transportation in the below freezing temperatures, layering clothes and tucking blankets around us. Our adventure included a frozen throttle, not a fun experience on ice and snow packed backroads. Our driver and guide Zack referred to it as a "winter cruise control."

All was forgiven once we checked into Xanterra's 100-room Old Faithful Snow Lodge, a comfortable lodge perfect for the Yellowstone winter adventure. The homey lobby included crackling logs in a welcome fireplace. I admit I was impressed by their dining room menu, including many sustainable foods found close by such as bison.

The next day we piled into another Xanterra snowcat headed toward Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. Along the way, again in the sub zero temps, we enjoyed wildlife and nature sightings beginning barely 5 minutes en route with a lone bison grazing 50 yards from a large herd and continuing with trumpeter swans. And then there were the geysers, mud pots, mountain and valley views, and wintery scenery along the way. Pictures underestimate the true beauty of Mother Nature at Yellowstone.

An early morning wake-up call is the only way to enjoy a naturalist-guided Yellowstone Association Institute's wolf watch. Although we weren't lucky enough to see any wolf sightings, I was amazed at the herd of bison including the little calves running down the road, their warm breaths steaming behind them. Other sightings included elk, coyote and again Mother Nature's winter paintbrush.

When we returned to Old Faithful's Snow Lodge the next day, I eagerly anticipated another early morning walk in the lodge's backyard of Upper Geyser Basin for my first glimpse of Old Faithful. I wasn't disappointed -- the gushing geyser and its sister geysers gurgled their underground water source up to the sky in steamy bursts in my 45 minute walk. The only distractions were the occasional geyser gazer and two coyotes trekking their way along the man-made boardwalk in search of their next meal.

Next up, my ski adventure at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
Diana Rowe