Recommend January 2012 - (Page 68)

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 Recommend January 2012

Editor's Note
Hotel Desk: Hard Rock Hotels and Resorts
Tour Talk: Lindblad Expeditions
Holland America's Veendam
Delta Air Lines' 2012 Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America Travel Guide
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
Las Vegas' 2012 Offerings
Hot European Tours for 2012
Hokkaido, Japan
Egypt's Antiquity Attractions are Eternal

Recommend January 2012