Mexico trip? Make it a nature trip!

There are so many reasons to head to this wonderful country just south of the USA. And maybe you weren’t thinking that nature was one of them. But Mexico has it all – from snow-capped, lofty peaks to incredible beaches, lined with a hundred palm trees! This country has just about every ecosystem you can imagine, and its national parks are incredible. Don’t miss them – not if you make it to the land “south of the border”!

Here are some of the best natural sites that you have to see if you get down to Mexico!

• ●  Lake Chapala, Jalisco:​ Come for the sunrise and scan the panorama of local boats floating over the water of Mexico’s largest freshwater lake. This is true tranquility.

• ●  Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Campeche:​ Or if Prefer the jungle, try out some bird watching here on the border with Guatemala. Calakmul is one of the country’s largest protected natural areas. It’s also home to the Maya ruins of the same name.

• ●  Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca: ​Petrified ​waterfalls?​ Yes, you heard that right. These unique geologic formations are eerie and unreal, and make for a wonderful spot for a hike and a picnic!

• ●  Parque Nacional Grutas Cacahuamilpa, Guerrero:​ I hope you’re not claustrophobic! Because this site – one of the largest cave systems in the world – is simply stunning!

• ●  Las Coloradas, Yucatán:​ True to its name (translation: “the colored ones”), the lake here almost seems painted an unnatural red. Unnatural maybe, but eerily beautiful.

• ●  Tepozteco Hill, Morelos:​ The bizarre thumb-shaped formations here are mirrored in the ancient pyramid. Enjoy history and nature all in one!

• ●  Tamul Waterfall, San Luis Potosí:​ Nothing really says “nature” like a waterfall. And this beauty – at over 100m high (almost 250ft) – is one of Mexico’s largest.

• ●  Sumidero Canyon, Chiapas:​ Formed around the same time as the Grand Canyon, this is Mexico’s response – and a wonderful, lush one at that! Unlike in Arizona, here you’re surrounded by water and vegetation.

• ●  Rosario Sanctuary, Michoacán:​ Butterflies? Each year is witness to a massive migration, where not thousands, but millions​, of Monarch butterflies head here, just begging for you to capture them in a photo!

• ●  Potrero Chico, Nuevo León: ​If you’re a rock climber, this is probably what your heaven looks like! Even if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, the crazy, steep cliffs here will inspire awe from any vantage point.

• ●  Basaltic Prisms, Hidalgo:​ If you’ve never seen the“Devil’s Postpile” in California, you’ve never seen the likes of this. Even when you get there, you’ll have trouble believing these hexagonal columns are really sculpted by nature – and not aliens!

• ●  Popocatépetl-Iztaccíhuatl National Park, Puebla:​Come to the site of two of Mexico’s most famous volcanoes, and walk the unreal landscape of black lava and sometimes even snow!

• ●  Cuatro Ciénegas Biosphere Reserve, Coahuila:​ Averdant marsh right at the base of grey, barren mountains? Yep – that’s Mexico for you!

• ●  Firefly forests, Tlaxcala:​ Exactly what it sounds like. Come in June, July, or August and prepare to be amazed.

Which would be your first stop? 

~Natalie
travelbynataliekroll@gmail.com

Mexico’s wonderful secrets

Everyone’s heard of Cabo and Cancun, but Mexico has more. So much more! Here are some of the lesser-known gems in this wonderful country – and each one of them could be worth a week-long trip in itself.

● Huatulco:​ Or,in other words, a beach goer’s paradise. This charming town near Oaxaca is a wonderful place to spend a week on the beach. And it’s one of Mexico’s most forward-thinking destinations, loaded with rules to protect the environment and preserve the ambiance. Buildings cannot be more than six stories tall, and the wonderful, lush surroundings are mostly untouched.

● Punta Mita:​ Just sixteen kilometres north of Puerto Vallarta, you’ll feel like you’ve entered into another world. And a world loaded with glam! From vacation rentals to high-end hotels like the Four Seasons, golf courses, and private beaches, here you’ll be able to lay down for a week and truly relax.

● Guanajuato: ​If you Instagram a picture of yourself standing in this central Mexican city, before a hill piled with houses in every color – vibrant and bright like the feathers of tropical birds – your followers will be convinced that you hacked into Photoshop. And you might have trouble believing this place yourself. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this Guanajuato is a kaleidoscope in every sense of the word: from the bustling plazas to the lovely Mercado Hidalgo, where you can buy authentic souvenirs aplenty. Don’t miss the city’s famed underground streets and tunnels, which you can explore on a walking tour or at your own leisure.

● San Miguel de Allende:​ Visit this wonderful mountain city, part of the state of Guanajuato, and ninety kilometres east of the city of that name. Walking the cobblestoned streets, it will feel like you’ve stepped back in time. And there’s history here for sure: from the days when this was a stopover point for transporting silver out of the mountain mines, to when it fell into disuse, until it was revived by a Chicago native who transformed it into the artist’s and expat’s hub that it is today.

● Zacatecas:​ Also in Mexico’s centre, this wonderful, colonial city is a must for history lovers – or anyone who wants to see how the real Mexico is, away from the crowds. The city got its start as a silver mining hotspot – and some of the old mines have become museums today. There’s also a nearby hill, the Cerro de la Bufa, where you can ride a cable car to the top and be rewarded with sweeping vistas of the city below.

● Mérida:​ The capital of the Yucatán is sadly overlooked a sa tourist destination, with everyone flocking to Cancún and missing out on the wonderful history here. But everything you can do from Cancún – Mayan ruins or pristine beaches – you can do from Mérida. And then some! Wander the Paseo de Montejo, lined with stone mansions, and get a sense of the colonial times at the Sunday Market. Then wrap up the day in one of a dozen quaint boutique hotels.

Which sounds like it would be your favorite?? 
~Natalie

travelbynataliekroll@gmail.com

Here’s where to go when you get to Mexico!

Mexico is – if nothing else – huge. And unlike a lot of the world’s biggest countries (Russia, Canada, and the USA – because of Alaska) it’s not just a frozen wasteland. Pretty much every part of the country is inhabited, and pretty much every part of the country has things going on. In fact, a trip to Mexico without a guide wouldn’t just be foolish – because you’d miss out on so much – it would be downright intimidating!

The best way to see Mexico is – simply – to make more than one trip. Pick one or two places off of this list that sound nice – and limit your touring to them. Actually find time to ​relax​ during your vacation, instead of always running around. Trust that this warm, wonderful country will be calling you back, and that you’ll return.

That said, here are the top, must-see spots for your many visits to Mexico:

1. Puerto Vallarta

There’s a lot more here than the wonderful Pacific Ocean. There’s wonderful, authentic regional food. Tequila tastings, even. Check out the landmarks, like Los Arcos and the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe – all of which make for wonderful photo-ops.

And then there’s the ocean. There are wonderful beaches – rivalling any in Cancún. Or head to the shore for a cruise to one of the nearby islands, or a whale watching tour.

2. Cozumel

This island is a famous stopping point for Caribbean cruises – but it’s a great trip from the mainland, too. The highlights are the wonderful reefs that surround this Caribbean jewel, around which there are wonderful spots for snorkel and scuba. The marine life that you’ll see is unbelievable.

3. Cancún, Tulum, and the Playa del Carmen

This whole beach – from Cancún to Tulum – is worth a stay of a week, or maybe even a month. The sand is spotlessly white, and coconut palms abound. After all, this is the Caribbean!

The Caribbean coast – and the Yucatán Peninsula – is a wonderland of pristine beaches and beautiful jungles, mystical Mayan ruins and sinkholes filled with water where you can plunge in for a swim. Even if you visit nowhere else in the country – Cancún is a must-see!

4. Mexico City

Once the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, this mountain city – the country’s most populous – is loaded with culture and history. Aztec sites and ruins, fantastic food, and world-class hotels. Don’t miss the Palace of Fine Arts and the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. And consider a food tour – where you’ll be introduced to Mexico’s finest.

One thing to know is that Mexico City is at a high elevation – 2,240 meters, or 7,350 feet. If you’ve ever had shortness of breath, keep this in mind before you sign up for any extreme sports in the city!

5. Cabo

Many people – even if they’ve heard of nothing else in Mexico – know about Cabo San Lucas. But, while it’s renowned as a spring break party spot, there’s much more here. Go clubbing galore – but also check out this city’s fantastic, luxurious hotels and top-notch golf courses.

If you’re looking from a respite from Cabo’s nonstop fiesta, stay in nearby San José del Cabo: a great place for relaxation.

Which would you go to if you had the choice?? 

~Natalie
travelbynataliekroll@gmail.com

Going to the Yucatán? Dive into a cenote!

Forget the ocean; when you come to Cancún and the Yucatán, the water you really need to swim in is in a “cenote”! What’s that? Pronounced “sen-oh-tay,”It’s an underground pool: a sinkhole where fresh water, which comes from the low-lying region’s many lakes and rivers, mixes with salt water from the sea.

The ancient Mayans believed that cenotes were a direct link to the underworld. And in ancient times, human sacrifices may have been

held at them. Now, however, these wonderful pools of blue-turquoise water have a much less menacing draw. They’re a favourite spot – for locals and tourists alike – to plunge into the glowing, clear water and go for a swim.

A trip to Cancún wouldn’t be complete without a stop at a cenote. Fortunately, these unreal geologic formations – not found anywhere else in the world – are more than commonplace on the Yucatán Peninsula. There are hundreds; but here are some of the best:

● Cenote Dos Ojos ​(TwoEyes) is very close to Tulum, and it’s worth setting up a day trip to see both of the ruins and the pool together. At the cenote, you have the option to swim, snorkel, or just jump into the luxurious, tepid water. If you’re licensed for scuba diving, that’s an option too here – as long as you aren’t claustrophobic!

● Gran Cenote ​in Tulum is one of the best cenotes on the Yucatán Peninsula, though it is heavily trafficked. However, it includes all the amenities, and two swimming areas connected by a cave. In short, this visit to underwater stalagmites is well worth dealing with a few crowds.

● Cenote Suytun​ is one of the best cenotes to visit straight from Cancún – complete with a beautiful sunbeam that shines through the cave in the summer, giving this magical place the aura of an ancient Mayan sacrificial altar. Which – like many of its neighbours – it really once was!

● Cenote Samula​ is a bit off the beach – and off the beaten path – near Valladolid. And while it may be necessary to hire a driver to get there, the stunning watering hole is well worth it. The contrast between the brown rock and perfect blue water is stunning, as light shimmers through the pool in colours you’ve probably never seen before.

● Cenote X’keken ​is in the same complex as Cenote Samula, and it’s easy – and well worth it – to go to both. You’ll get one of the best views of the startlingly pure blue waters of a cenote, just beneath the jutting rocks of the jungle from which dangle a multitude of exposed roots. The colours are spectacular and Instagram-worthy, for sure – so make sure you’re brought enough SD cards for your camera or phone!

● Cenote Angelita​ isn’t a touristy site. But if you’re a diver, you’ll have the experience of a lifetime here. Rotting wood on the bottom of this 60m (200ft)-deep, vertical sinkhole collects into a greenish-black cloud of hydrogen sulphate that hangs at the point where saltwater and freshwater – because of their differing densities – refuse to merge. Above, it may be daylight, but dive under this cloud, and you’re swimming in the dark.

Ready to go? 

~Natalie 
Wake Up To A New Adventure! Book today! 

The top five reasons to go to Cancún (besides the obvious one!)

Okay, so you don’t really need five reasons to go to Cancún. One should suffice: the beach in this city, if you’ve ever seen photos of it! But here are five reasons more that you should be packing your bags and setting out on a trip to the glorious Mexican Caribbean: 

1. Check out – or, better yet, check into – the Moon Palace: one of the region’s top ten beach resorts, and all-inclusive to boot. Swimming pools? How about ten. Places to eat? The resort has a good twenty. Golf? Check. Spas? There are several. When you come to Cancún, you’re going to be at a premiere spot right on the Caribbean ocean. So let yourself get pampered a little! 

2. If you’re at all into ancient history, one of the best sites – and by far less crowded than the more well-known Chichen Itza – is Tulum, an easy day trip from the tip of the peninsula. You can wander these wonderful ruins alone or with a guide. (But if you actually want to learn anything about the ancients who built it, you’ll need a guide!) On the stone, iguanas pose so that you can take selfies. Overall, it’s an appropriate place on the shores of the Caribbean: relaxed. 

3. Right off the coast from Cancún, the Isla Mujeres isn’t only for women. (And that’s despite the name meaning “women’s island” in Spanish!) Here you can enjoy the relaxed vibe of a Caribbean, while keeping the skyline of the city in sight. Spend a relaxing afternoon at the beach, between two of the best meals you’ll eat in Cancún. This island is renowned for its food, | TravelAgentSociety.com | and you’ll find everything – from superb Italian and French flavours to wonderful, local Mayan and Yucatecan cuisine. 

4. While the Tulum ruins are right on the beach, the ruins of Cobá are tucked away in the jungle. However, they are well worth the extra effort to get to. At Cobá, you’re allowed to climb one of the ancient Mayan pyramids, and get the reward of a spectacular vista across the Yucatán jungle. Furthermore, you’ll be enveloped by the feeling of authenticity: these ruins today are as surrounded by the ever-encroaching forest as they must have been ages ago. Cobá is a must-see – and the drive from Cancún is less than two hours! 

5. Tired of beaches and ruins? Then it’s time to hit the clubs! The best club in Cancún, by far, is Coco Bongo – a huge dance club with a thousand incredible acts, any one of which will make you forget that you’re not in Las Vegas! Tickets come with unlimited drinks, and the club stays open well past the USA’s mandated closing time for such establishments. Dance the night away – and then sleep all day at the beach. You’re in Cancún!

Want to go?
Let me help you Wake Up To A New Adventure! 

~Natalie 

travelbynataliekroll@gmail.com

History buff? You’ve come to the right place!

Greece is a country that’s truly rich in history. The birthplace of Western civilisation, it has long been known for its ancient philosophers, doctors, and artists. But did you know that there were civilisations that rose and fell in the area long before the “Ancient” Greeks trod here. Or that the history of Greece didn’t stop when Socrates died, but continued on, uninterrupted, to the contemporary age, through a blend of religious and political upheavals. This rocky coast and these stoic, tough islands have long withstood the test of time.

Here’s a brief guide to the history of this incredible country:

2700-1500 BCE: The Minoan civilisation. This is Greece’s oldest civilisation, and it flourished on the island of Crete. This island is still one of the country’s most important spots – for tourism now! – and it’s as good for exploring the ruins as for sunbathing on the beach.

1600-1100 BCE: The Mycenaean civilisation. Before you think that it’s short-lived, realise that the USA has been around for less time. And this civilisation’s influence may have been as great as the USA’s is today! The highlight here is a visit to the ruins of the capital, Mycenae – which are remarkably well preserved

776 BCE (the first Olympic games) to 323 BCE (the death of Alexander the Great):

Ancient Greece. From Homer to Plato and Socrates to Alexander the Great, a lot of Greece’s most well-known history occurred in the millenium before the birth of Jesus. Relics from this period abound. From the Acropolis to the temples at Delphi, this was Greece’s golden age – and a main draw for many visitors.

276-146 BCE: The Hellenistic period. A dark age for this mighty power. The global influence of Greece declined, until...

126 BCE - 393 CE: Roman Greece. This was a resurgence of Greece, under Roman rule. Much of the Romans’ most famous attributes were copied from the Greeks, from their artwork to their religion. Despite occupation, this was a high point for Greece, and many Roman monuments remain.

4th – 15th century: Byzantine Greece. From the fall of the Western Roman Empire, to the fall of Constantinople in 1453, Greece was a part of Byzantine Empire, one of the most powerful empires in history. Greek Orthodoxy developed, and many monasteries and churches were built.

15th century - 1821: Ottoman Greece. After the fall of the Byzantines, Greece fell (like most of Eastern Europe) under Ottoman rule. This was a very important period of the country’s history of which many artifacts remain, such as the ones in Thessaloniki.

1821 onward: Modern Greece. The re-emergence of Greece into the global sphere was a rocky one. The country had a revolution in 1821, followed by a kingdom, a dictatorship, occupation by the Axis forces, and finally the “Third Hellenic Republic”, which continues to this day.

As you can see, Greece has a long and varied history. But, fortunately, relics from every moment in this country’s past are still observable today. If you truly love history, you could spend decades coming back here!

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Greece has ancient history. But even Ancient Greece had ancient history!

Photo by Josiah Lewis from Pexels

The ruins of the city of Mycenae – located in the Peloponnese, in the south of the Greek mainland – represent an entire civilizations that flourished in the second millenium BCE (1000-2000 BCE). And dominated the Greek landscape in times that date back to the fall of Troy. Back to what was ancient history even as the Ancient Greeks, like Homer, were telling stories about it.

Have you heard of King Agamemnon? He was a mythical king – and the brother-in-law of the famous Helen of Troy. Who may not have been so Mythical. Mycenae is where he is purported to have ruled.

The Mycenaean culture is sort of a pre-Greece to the Ancient Greeks. By the time of Herodotus, this was already long deserted and almost a thousand years old. But, for a long time – long before the dominance of Greek city-states like Athens and Sparta – the Mycenaean culture dominated the Greek mainland.

The well-preserved city is, frankly, amazing. Even the Ancient Greeks marvelled at it, crediting the creation of the high stone walls to the Cyclops, because they couldn’t otherwise conceive of how it had been done. The architecture is quite different from that of other Greek ruins. There are no columns here! Rather, Mycenae is made up of huge blocks of stone, and – in ways – bears more resemblance to Machu Picchu than to the Acropolis.

There are other benefits to visiting Mycenae, too. Mycenae lies away from the beaten tourist path, which means that visitors will glimpse a part of the country that’s not as familiar with tourists. It’s more authentic, and the people won’t be after getting the most euros out of your wallet; they’ll be genuinely friendly. You can dine out and taste the true flavours of southern Greece. You can buy souvenirs that are truly authentic.

Many people come as a day trip from Athens, because the drive only is about an hour and a half. But if you don’t stay closer to this ancient stronghold, you’re really missing out on the experience. Mycenae is well worth at least a full day to visit – not just for the ruined city, but for the joy of exploring the Peloponnese. Stay somewhere closer, like the Apollon Hotel in Argos, a mere 11km south of the ruins.

And as you’re coming here – or leaving back to Athens – the ruined city of Corinth is well worth a visit. Yes, it’s the place where Saint Paul was sending his many letters to the “Corinthians”. It’s definitely rich in history – and features prominently in the shared knowledge of Westerners.

A visit to Mycenae is truly special. It will be unlike anything else you do in Greece: ancient or modern. So give this ancient-ancient city a chance – and let it amaze you!

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