Archives for October 2012

Puerto Vallarta Passion

I had always heard Puerto Vallarta was very beautiful and romantic, and it’s all true.  When I left for my trip, I had a lot on my mind, but as soon as I arrived at the newly opened Hilton resort, my thoughts began to melt away.  Ideally situated in the hotel zone just minutes from the international airport and the Malecon area, the architecture is gorgeous with a fresh, modern look. Just off the lobby are the restaurants and beautiful beach with incredibly warm water.  For our first night, we had dinner at one of the all-inclusive restaurants, Sea Fire, with a view of a gorgeous sun setting behind the horses on the beach.  The hotel features four ala carte restaurants, one with an international buffet open for all meals, a Mexican, Brazilian, and a French restaurant., and one that features martinis, tapas and a spectacular view of the bay. The gym that I had the best of intentions of using for more than ten minutes has up to date equipment and everything you could need in cardio and weight equipment.  The spa was so peaceful as soon as you stepped inside and their flotarium experience was one of a kind.  You lay in a tub of salt water which is five times heavier than that of the ocean water and you just float for 30 minutes, either with your eyes closed or looking up at what looks like stars in the ceiling.  At first, I didn’t know if I’d be able to do that for 30 minutes but it was amazing how I felt when I got out.  My body and mind really were relaxed.

While in Puerto Vallarta, there is a lot to see and do.  If you’re looking for a true Mexican shopping experience, head down to Malecon area, where you will be bombarded with shop owners trying to sell you anything and everything.  After awhile it can get tiring, but it’s all part of the Mexican shopping experience, as is the necessary bargaining!  One gift item started at $30 and we ended up at $5!  As you walk the path along the water, beautiful statues and artwork offer great photo ops.  There are also unique entertainers along the way working for tips as well as many restaurants.

If you’d like to enjoy more of nature, a visit to the El Salado Mangrove Estuary provides bird watchers a 415 acre protected urban estuary.   You’ll take a boat ride through the lagoon and see various bird species, crabs and maybe a crocodile!  Be sure to pay a visit to the CasaMagna Marriott where they host a turtle release program.   You’ll have the opportunity to learn what they do with the hundreds of turtle eggs and send a baby turtle of your own back into the ocean after it has hatched.

If extreme activity is more your style, Vallarta Adventures is the outfitter to check out!  You can fly down the largest and fastest zipline at nearly 4,000 feet and speeds of 60 mph!  In addition to zipping from tree to tree, you’ll rappel off of elevated treetop platforms, climb a wobbly 50 foot ladder, and swing like Tarzan.  There are also a few scuba dive shops, and Mike’s Fishing, which provides fishing and snorkeling  trips while taking in the beauty of Banderas Bay.  If you’re looking for a fun night out on a boat with a mixture of comedy, dancing and a great martial arts show by the ship’s pirates check out Marigalante’s Pirate Ship Adventure, which includes dinner and the show.  It’s another great way to see the gorgeous sunset.

While we ate most of our meals at the hotel, a really hip restaurant with great food and drinks prepared creatively, is La Leche, where the decor is comprised of white milk cartons and the food is local and delicious.  Another more casual and fun restaurant with good food (we had appetizers here, but they serve a full menu) is El Arrayan.

So even if you just spend a few days in Puerto Vallarta, like I did, you will leave refreshed and relaxed and connected to your significant other. If you travel on your own, it will be the perfect getaway to recharge your batteries.

 

 

Mexico is Magical at Las Mañanitas

My goal for this website is to seek out the world’s most romantic spots, and Las Mañanitas has got to be one of the most amazing places at which I have stayed.  It is a true gem in a part of Mexico that may not be as well known as some of the other more commercial regions.  Las Mañanitas is located an hour and a half from Mexico City in beautiful Cuernavaca, also known as the city for eternal spring  for it’s magnificent weather perfect for growing and maintaining the beautiful flora all around the region.    If you are looking for a true escape in a charming setting, in which to enjoy a new relationship or maybe celebrate your honeymoon or anniversary, it is hard not to have a peacefully relaxing and romantic time here.  Among its beautifully lush gardens stroll peacocks and flamingos, and parrots say hola from the chair next to you at breakfast.  While there are very nice lavish chain hotels, the charm of this hacienda makes you feel as if you are in your own private oasis.  The rooms are extremely spacious decorated with traditional  Mexican Tallavera tiles, handmade from a special fired-earth process in Puebla, a city close to Cuernavaca, a king sized bed, fireplace, huge bathroom and changing area, and your own large terrace with chairs and a table.  Ours overlooked one of the two large swimming pools, the other located in the spa, which can be yours to use after one of their amazing treatments.

 We devoted one day to just staying at and enjoying the resort, and what a treat it was.  We started off our four hour spa ritual (yes, I said four hours!) with water therapy in which we were guided through private time in the hot sauna followed up by a cold one minute shower, a steam room, a cool jacuzzi and then a warm one.  It was an incredible way to relax the muscles and unwind the mind before the hands on services.  Once in the treatment room, we were told to close our eyes and inhale some relaxing aromas while they wrapped our feet.  Upon lying down on our respective massage tables, our skin was exfoliated with a full body scrub and then we enjoyed a private bubble bath before having our bodies massaged for fifty minutes followed by a fifty minute facial.  I couldn’t think of a more complete spa treatment and I definitely recommend treating yourself and your partner to this incredible journey.  Upon completion of your spa experience, you can relax on the indoor lounge chairs or around the pool to the sound of running water and peacocks strolling around the colorful garden.   It had to have been one of the most romantic experiences I have had the opportunity to enjoy with someone special.

After some time passed, we settled down to dinner in the garden with only the light of a candelabrum.  The menu for all the meals was quite extensive with everything from traditional Mexican dishes to succulent seafood dishes prepared with a Mexican flair.  All the dishes were absolutely amazing with such attention to detail using only the best ingredients.  For dinner, I had salmon and sea bass one night, the traditional Mexican skirt steak, Arrachera, which was so tender, another night, and bone marrow tacos the third night.  The tuna sashimi, ceviche, and salmon carpacchio appetizers were terrific, as were their soups and salads.  I am not usually a big dessert person, but I had to try their sorbets, which were bursting with fresh flavor.  Other nights we shared a heavenly frozen chocolate cake and a hot molten chocolate cake. 

 

Las Mañanitas is a ten minute walk to the center of Cuernavaca, which is worth a stroll around at night.  You’ll see vendors selling their hats, jewelry, and food stands.  The property is also within an hour of Chisco Tubing, and if you’re looking for a little adventure and activity, you can go biking through the gorgeous scenic mountains, tubing, rafting or camping.  We went mountain biking one day and relaxed at the spa the next, which was a perfect balance. We really could have stayed a week if we had the time.  It was such a wonderfully rejuvenating and romantic experience at Las Mañanitas and Cuernavaca, and the staff made sure we were well taken care of the entire time.  Many locals in Mexico City go to Cuernavaca for the weekends and with properties like the beauty of Las Mañanitas, I can understand why.