Historic Mexico (wine tours)

November 8th, 2009 admin Posted in travel |

By Roberto Garabell

No list of the historic places to visit in Mexico would be worth a tamale without Mexico City-Ciudad de Mexico, the nation’s capital known as Distrito Federal-as it was originally built in 1325 by the Aztecs. Known as Tenochtitlan, it was nearly destroyed in the Spanish siege of 1521. Subsequently rebuilt according to Spanish urban design and standards, it got its modern name in 1585.

City of kings and conquerors

the golden Angel of Independence is arguably the most famous icon in Mexico City. It is located on the broad and elegant Paseo de la Reforma, which was modeled on the Champs-elysees in Paris on the order of Emperor Maximilian. this boulevard was built over the city’s 19th century passage connecting the seat of the government, the National Palace, with the imperial residence, the Castle of Chapultepec.

the Paseo runs through today’s important financial district, where the Mexican Stock Exchange and various corporate headquarters are located. the Avenida de los Insurgentes is another historic roadway, extending some 18 miles, making it one of the longest continuous avenues on Earth. the city’s Chapultepec Park contains the Castle of Chapultepec in a museum on a hill, and it overlooks numerous monuments, museums, the national zoo and the National Museum of Anthropology that houses the famous Aztec Calendar Stone.

Queretaro’s aqueduct

With tourism ads drawing people from around the world to such Mexican resorts as Cancun, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, a wealth of historical sites are underrepresented on vacation itineraries. Some of these lesser-known spots offer the richest historical treasures, and should be considered by any serious traveler.

Queretaro, in central Mexico, is the capital of Queretaro State. Today the region is famous for textile manufacturing, cotton milling and food processing, as well as a center for the trade in Mexican opals. In the center of this colonial city is the magnificent Plaza de la Independencia, but the city’s aqueduct, built between 1726 and 1735, is widely recognized as the city’s symbol. It began delivering water to the area in 1738, supplying the local convents and filling public fountains. the dedication of the aqueduct turned into two weeks of public celebration.

San Miguel de Allende, Dolores Hidalgo

the Parroquia, a pseudo gothic church, is in the center of San Miguel de Allende. Old tales say the builder of the church facade, which was constructed in 1888, had never seen a gothic church and based his plans on picture postcards of European gothic cathedrals. Evidently he was not a good draftsman, and is said to have drawn pictures in the dirt to show the workmen the building plans. Today, however, San Miguel de Allende is a vibrant and productive community of artists, writers and musicians, offering a culturally compelling mix of Mexican fiestas, folk traditions and religious celebrations.

On September 16, the priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costillo delivered his famous Grito, or “Cry for Freedom” in the city of Dolores. Along with Ignacio Allende, Hidalgo sparked Mexico’s struggle for freedom from Spain, a war that dragged on to 1824 and claimed over 600,000 lives. their ragged army was defeated in Guadalajara, and Hidalgo was beheaded on July 30, 1811. His head, along with Allende’s and those of other revolutionary leaders, was hung in Guanajuato. Eventually, the state of Hidalgo was named for him, with town of Dolores becoming Dolores Hidalgo. September 16 is now celebrated as Independence Day.

Guanajuato and Morelia

Guanajuato, capital of Guanajuato State, is a city in central Mexico that is over a mile above sea level. It is surrounded by mountains whose rich gold and silver veins have been mined by Native Americans for over 500 years. Founded in 1554, Guanajuato was officially proclaimed a city in 1741. In 1810 it was one of the epicenters of the Mexican battle for independence from Spain. the city boasts a number of well-maintained colonial buildings, including the Alhondiga de Granaditas, a public granary built in 1798 that the Spanish converted into a fortress.

Morelia, a city in western Mexico, is the capital of Michoacan State. It sits at an altitude of 6190 feet, putting it well over a mile above sea level. the market and distribution center for the surrounding area’s crops and livestock, Morelia has flour mills, chemical factories and food-processing plants working almost round-the-clock. Its university was founded in 1540 and Morelia is also home to a modern institute of technology. Named Valladolid in 1541, the city was renamed to honor patriot Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon in 1828.

Other pre-Spanish civilizations

In the highlands west of Morelia and Lake Patzcuaro, and north of Uruapan, live the Tarascan, a tribe of Native Americans living in Mexico whose language is of entirely independent linguistic stock. their ancient history is largely unrecorded, but evidence indicates that theirs was an independent civilization by the time the Spanish arrived in the 16th century. their capital of Tzintzuntan was built right on the shores of Lake Patzcuaro.

Known for brilliant mosaics fashioned from hummingbird feathers, the Tarascan are now noted for their intricate weaving and fine lacquer work, and their music has been a strong influence on Mexican folk songs. In the modern era as in time past, agriculture and fishing are principal industries. Many of the Tarascan live in conditions as primitive, but also as simple and fulfilling, as their ancestors did many centuries ago. A visit to this region is truly a travel through time.

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Vietnam MICE and INCENTIVE, A Part of Handetour Luxury Travel

By Nguyen Tuan Anh

Vietnam MICE and INCENTIVE, A Part of Handetour Luxury Travel

Recently, Vietnam has become one of the most popular destination in South-East Asia for both safety and attractive reasons. Vietnam also become one of the best places for MICE (Vietnam Meeting - Vietnam Incentive - Vietnam Conference/ Convention - Vietnam Exhibition/Event) and Incentive said Handetour Director, Nguyen Tuan Anh.

He has expressed that Handetour Vietnam (WWW.HANDETOUR.COM), A Vietnam Professional Tour Operator, who specialize in High Quality & Luxury Leisure and Cultural Tours had launch A MICE and Incentive Tour Centre since June 2006 to promote Vietnam MICE and Incentive Niche Market to the World. The Centre have retrieved a lot of success. Even World economic crisis 2008, Handetour MICE and INCENTIVE customers raised nearly 20% in quarter I 2009.

He also added some useful information of MICE and INCENTIVE for those who wish to travel to Vietnam in the next trips.

MICE

Vietnam Conference Packages could be arranged all around Vietnam and will include:

- Use of the meeting room with conference set up

- Mineral water and mints throughout meetings

- Fresh Flower at reception table, on tables

- Signboards and welcome banner

- PA system with microphone

- Writing pads and pens, Flipchart with markers

- Screen for the LCD

- Translation

Full day Meeting Package cost should be from 23++ to 59++ USD/pax

- Two coffee breaks (morning/afternoon) with tea, coffee, cookies and fresh fruit

- Lunch or Lunch & Dinner

Half day Meeting Package cost should be from 15++ to 35++ USD/pax

- Morning coffee breaks with tea, coffee, cookies and fresh fruit

- With or without Lunch

Tours & Activities could be arranged by Handetour MICE and Incentive Tour Centre as:

Day excursions within the city and surroundings including the discover of beautiful landscapes, culture, ethnic minority villages, cruises, national parks …

Team building activities:

- Sport tours: horse-riding, kayaking, trekking, diving, other beach sport.

- Culture tours : theme guided tours, lyric performances, Vietnamese cooking classes, pottery classes and so on.

INCENTIVE

Hanoi is the best place for the begining of Incentive tour in Vietnam. Here you will experience exactly the taste of Vietnamese culture and people. More over with its convinient accessibility make Hanoi become place for Incentive.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is Vietnam’s largest city and is the powerhouse driving the country’s rapid economic development. Being the centre for trade in Vietnam, Saigon fairly hums with energy from dawn to dusk, and life in the second city is fast-paced, dynamic, cosmopolitan and exciting

The third largest city in Vietnam, Da Nang has a colourful history reflected in its many cultural attractions. The city was once at the heart of the ancient Cham civilization who ruled the region for 1,500 years and the ancient sites of Simhapura and Indrapura are close by. The influence of the French, Spanish and Americans who at various times occupied Danang, can also be seen in the colonial style buildings and tree lined avenues. Danang is also close to the World Heritage sites of Hue, Hoi An, and the My Son Valley

Some incentive activities could be arranged by Handetour MICE and Incentive Tour Centre:

+ Pick up at the airport with welcome banner and flowers

+ Luggage arrangement and pre-check in at the hotel

+ Free city map with useful travel information

+ Room gifts

+ Welcome reception to be followed by dinner with wine

and traditional music show.

+ Entertainment activities and fun games

+ Special souvenirs

+ Gala and farewell dinners

+ Ao Dai fashion show

+ Team-building

+ Kayaking

+ Cyclo

+ Golf

+ Theme party

+ Water sport

+ Spa

+ Scuba diving

+ Cooking class

+ Water puppet show