2012 DELTA TRAVEL GUIDE - (Page 48)

Monterrey The “Sultan of the North” and capital of the state of Nuevo Leon is a principal economic hub for Mexico, propelled by its hi-tech and industrial activity, yet provides plenty of sightseeing and adventure options for visitors, thanks to its 400-year history and prime location at the foot of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range. Its huge main square or Macroplaza in its historic center, is the best place to start exploring. The square is flanked by the Heroes Esplanade and the pink Government Palace on one side, with the Municipal Palace on the other. In the latter, visitors will find a massive mural that explains the founding of the city and a terrific monument by Rufino Tamayo that honors the sun. Along the Macroplaza, assorted monuments and landmarks abound. Several excellent museums—plus its reputation as a major educational center—have pushed Monterrey forward in its cultural offerings. Among these is the Museum of Mexican History, located where the city was founded in 1596, and the Museum of Contemporary Arts, or MARCO. The city provides a comfortable trolley through which one can better reach most of these attractions. Also worth a visit is Barrio Antiguo, full of cafes and art galleries. But for the coolest of stays here, head to the area of San Pedro and the Hotel Habita MTY. One of the most popular stops here is pretty Paseo Santa Lucia, a canal with pedestrian bridges and 22 fountains which stretches from the Macroplaza to the Parque Fundidora and which offers boat rides as well. Parque Fundidora, meanwhile, does much more than honor Monterrey’s industrial backbone, offering everything from skating rinks to the Steel Museum. Nature lovers will want to stop by Chipinque Ecological Park, a reserve loved by hikers and bikers, and La Estanzuela Natural Park, home to beautiful waterfalls. Monterrey’s pedestrian-friendly Paseo Santa Lucia. Puerto Vallarta Adorned by its proximity to the Sierra Madre Mountains, Banderas Bay and its cathedral’s dazzling crown, Puerto Vallarta wows upon first and last impression. Its downtown alone is a traveler’s jewel, with a friendly beachfront boardwalk embellished by the sea, of course, but also by many sculptures including “The Seahorse,” Vallarta’s most emblematic. A seaside stroll in the direction of Mismaloya leads visitors into the city’s main square, where the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe towers over downtown. The center’s cobblestones and red tile roofs lead to narrow streets filled with eclectic shops and dozens of art galleries. In fact, Puerto Vallarta is a hotspot for art lovers, with a Wednesday night Art Walk running from October through May. The city’s dining and after-hours scene is another draw, with high-caliber gourmet restaurants competing with casual eateries and hot clubs welcoming huge crowds. The Olas Altas zone, a comfortable walk from the main square, is famous for both. There’s even an annual Vallarta Restaurant Week, this year from March 15 through the 31. At Mismaloya, visitors will continue to discover why John Huston fell in love with the area and chose it as his location for “The Night of the Iguana,” changing Puerto Vallarta’s history forever. Mismaloya Beach itself is hidden away in a romantic cove and provides an eyeful of Los Arcos, three rock formations that form part of an underwater park popular with snorkelers. Hotels and resorts such as Barcelo Puerto Vallarta provide easy access to a variety of watersports, fishing outings, humpback whale watching during the winter, and breezy sails around Banderas Bay. Outdoor adventures are an essential part of the Vallarta experience, including great excursions to consider include the Marietas Islands for great snorkeling and off-road journeys through the jungle. Puerto Vallarta’s boardwalk features an array of sculptures. D48 january 2012 recommend.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2012 DELTA TRAVEL GUIDE

Antigua; Aruba
Nassau
Freeport; Exuma
Bermuda; Bonaire
George Town
Punta Cana; Santiago
Santo Domingo; Grenada
Port-au-Prince; Montego Bay
San Juan
St. Kitts; Saint Lucia
St. Maarten
Providenciales
St. Thomas; St. Croix
Acapulco
Cancun
Cozumel
Guadalajara
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo
Los Cabos
Mazatlan
Mexico City
Monterrey
Puerto Vallarta
Belize City
San Jose
Liberia
San Salvador
Guatemala City
Roatan
San Pedro Sula
Tegucigalpa
Managua
Panama City
Buenos Aires
Brasilia
Rio de Janeiro
Sao Paulo
Santiago
Bogota
Quito
Georgetown
Lima
Caracas

2012 DELTA TRAVEL GUIDE

https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/UndiscoveredFlorida2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/visitflorida2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/UndiscoveredFlorida2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/visitflorida2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/UndiscoveredFlorida2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/visitflorida2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/2016deltaeuropemiddleeastandafricatravelguide
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/visitflorida
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/deltacaribbeanguide2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/martinique2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/delateurope2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/colombia2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/martinique
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/theislandsoftahiti
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/greatbritain
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/ClubMed2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/recommend/recommend/december2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/anguilla
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/stlucia
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/guadeloupeisland
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/hamburg2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/2013DeltaTravelGuide
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/VisitFlorida2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/panama2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/india2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/visitflorida_2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/asia_2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/Delta_2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/aruba_dec_11
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/Thailand_2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/stockholm
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/Flanders
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/mex_may_2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/prevue_fl_2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/caribbean_april_2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/2011guidetolatinamerica
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/RECOMMEND_JAN_2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/Asia
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/Taiwan
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/Israel
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/CA
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/RivieraNayarit
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/BRAZIL
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/MEXICO
https://www.nxtbook.com/worth/SUPPLEMENTS/India
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com