Recommend September 2011 - (Page 87)

a long-time advocate of offerings outside of the city. “We should not let rural communities go down,” he explains. No need to worry—there is lots to do in the outskirts of Mazatlan, especially for those wanting to soak in the culture and the thrills. One cool spot is Vinata Los Osuna (no relation to the kind doctor), where visitors can learn about the tequila process, explore the blue agave ﬁelds and buy a bottle of 100 percent Blue Agave Los Osuna, a recent multiple award winner at the World Spirit Competition in San Francisco. Not far is La Noria, a village known for its handcrafted leather goods. Huana Coa Canopy Adventure, about 45 minutes outside of the city, is right next door to Los Osuna and offers a zipline adventure of nine crossings, 12 platforms and one last rappel from a giant tree to reach the ground. The entire experience, plus a nature walk, is priced at $75. The company also has horse trekking ($50) and ATV excursions ($75). An ATV-zipline combo experience is priced at $125. “Long term, we have Teacapan, the integrally planned resort area (developed by FONATUR) which will have more than 40,000 hotel rooms just 50 miles south of Mazatlan,” explains the director of marketing. “It already has its own airport and extends close to 7,000 acres…it should be a new Cancun.” The biggest event coming up: Mazatlan’s 114th International Carnival, taking place Feb. 16-21, 2012. It’s one of the world’s biggest and most famous, with a week-long celebration of live music, dance, folklore, street parties and lots of culture. ■ Archived related articles (available on recommend.com): Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo (March 2011) contact information Casa Lucila: casalucila.com Emporio Mazatlan: (866) 990-9491; summithotels.com Huana Coa Canopy Adventure: huanacoa.com Las Villas Hotel & Spa: (877) 629-2852; mazatlanhotellasvillas.com Mazatlan Hotel Association: gomazatlan.com RIU Emerald Bay: (888) RIU-4990; riuagents.com what’s next Next year will see the opening of the new highway going east to Durango through the mountains, via tunnels and bridges. “It’s going to be a spectacular road that’s going to give Mazatlan a new dynamic, particularly because it’s going to open opportunities to develop tour circuits between such historic cities as Mazatlan and Durango, with the difference being the beach (in Mazatlan),” says Birrueta. The ride to Durango will take just 2.5 hours, he explains, which would make it a quick and highly scenic trip on one of Mexico’s famously comfy bus lines. ARRIVAL: DEPARTURE: Defeated Treated Aventura Cove Palace is giving your clients the opportunity to combine two of our best offers for one amazing all-inclusive vacation. Right now, their entire $1,500 Resort Credit* can be used on spa treatments like massages, facials and manicures. Pair this with the fact that Kids Stay Free*, and all of a sudden your clients’ relaxing getaway for two, turns into a relaxing vacation for the entire family–for the same price. *Booking dates, travel dates and restrictions apply to promotions. Visit palaceresorts.com/travelagents for details. ® 866-665-5535 | palaceresorts.com/travelagents september 2011 87 http://www.recommend.com http://www.casalucila.com http://www.summithotels.com http://www.huanacoa.com http://www.mazatlanhotellasvillas.com http://www.gomazatlan.com http://www.riuagents.com http://www.palaceresorts.com/travelagents http://www.palaceresorts.com/travelagents http://www.palaceresorts.com/travelagents

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend September 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: Abercrombie & Kent
Sunset Key Guest Cottages, Key West
Can't Get Enough of Jupiter Beach, Florida
Hanging Out in the Outer Banks
Aloha to Families in Hawaii's Resorts
Cruise Stockholm
Galapagos Islands- Cruising 101: Back to Basics
The Ultimate Family Adventure in Costa Rica
Flanders Travel Planner
Fabulous Family Voyages
China: A Wonderland for Kids
India: Pure Wonderment
An African Adventure
Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa, D.R.
The Bahamas: Islands of Adventure
Cayman Islands: A Home Away from Home
Mazatlan Reinvigorated
CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort

Recommend September 2011