We are often asked by seniors or by those wishing to travel with an older relative whether or not it is wise to choose Mexico as a destination. The answer is an enthusiastic Yes!… with a little fine print.

Mexico is a delightful place for seniors to travel. The people in general are gracious and happy to welcome foreign visitors. The culture is vibrant and festive, and there are very few places on earth where one can see as much history and natural beauty. In fact, Mexico remains today the number one expatriate retirement choice for citizens of both the US and Canada, in spite of the much publicized recent troubles with Swine Flu and drug trade related violence.

For most senior travelers, the biggest concern with whether or not they are going to get sick. Fortunately, with a little advance preparation and a few precautions on the road, you can enjoy all the country has to offer without missing a beat.

The first and most important preventative measure is to see your doctor before leaving home. Just do it. Your physician knows your history and will also be up to date on latest medical news. Follow his or her advice. Make sure you receive the proper inoculations and vaccinations. This precaution is fundamental.

Montezuma’s Revenge

After your visit to the doctor’s office, it’s time to deal with more mundane issues. First among these is the universal concern with Montezuma’s Revenge, aka the tourista, or “traveler’s diarrhea” which results from consuming tainted food or water. Though usually not serious, the tourista is extremely unpleasant, and takes at least twenty four hours to run its course, leaving its victims weak and gun-shy about experimenting with the local cuisine.

At the risk of sounding unsympathetic: anyone who comes down with the tourista in Mexico today is just not being careful. Just know the lay of the land. Mexico is not a third world country, but it is a country in development. Over the last twenty years, great strides have been made in improving hygiene, and this is especially true in the many tourist zones.

To avoid the tourista, follow these simple precautions:

• Give yourself a few days to allow your system to adjust. One of our favorite treats in Mexico is the delicious street food, but when you first arrive, stick to the restaurants that obviously cater to foreign guests.
• Be careful with unpeeled fruits and vegetables. Fortunately, it’s longer necessary to eliminate them from your diet while traveling in Mexico, and what a shame that would be! Throughout the country there is an abundance of wonderful produce served in ways that tempt the palate, serve up healthy doses of vitamins and other nutrients, and help keep your system hydrated. But it is important to check to make sure that all unpeeled produce has been sterilized by washing in disinfected water. If you are ever in doubt, never hesitate to ask. Don’t worry about offending your waiter…It’s worth it, believe me!
• Pack appropriate medicines. Pick up an anti-diarrheal at your local pharmacy and bring along a bottle of analgesic. A good multi-vitamin will ensure that you’re not missing essential nutrients while savoring an unfamiliar cuisine. If you forget to pack these items, don’t worry: there’s are pharmacies everywhere in Mexico and they are almost always first rate.
• Stay hydrated. This goes for everyone who travels to Mexico, regardless of age. It’s a hot place, and it’s very easy to dry out. Make sure you always have plenty of bottled water on hand at all times and take it easy with diuretic beverages such as alcohol, coffee, and cola.

Swine Flu

Again, the best advice here is to talk to your doctor. Having said that, it is clear that the Swine Flu, while officially a pandemic, turns out to be no worse than the more common viruses that appear every year during flu season. The good news for senior travelers is that, statistically, we are less likely to catch the Swine Flu than those who are younger. As we age, our immune systems become more mature and develop a greater ability to resist infections such as the flu virus.

Other serious disease.

There are localized, sporadic outbreaks of more serious disease in Mexico, but they are rare and generally only occur in isolated areas. Your pre-departure inoculations should keep you safe, but if you’re still concerned, just stay on the beaten track. There is a great deal to see in Mexico in places that the government has carefully developed to welcome foreign visitors. Expeditions to more remote locations, jungle or heavily forested areas prone to mosquito infestations, for example, do carry additional risks. We would never categorically exclude traveling to these areas, they are some of the best places of all, but they do require extra preparation and care. If this kind of travel is on your itinerary, tell your doctor.

Mexico is for most extranjeros a largely undiscovered, romantic, fascinating world of adventure. It’s a country to fall in love with. With just a little foresight, you can be sure that your trip will be safe, healthy, and worry-free.

I’ve spent a few decades trying to foresee the next disaster and prevent it from happening. Perhaps, as a reaction, I tend to be less structured in my vacations. I know where I’m going, and when I’ll be there, but I tend to presume that I can deal with whatever comes up when the time comes. Thankfully, I’ve pretty much been able to manage without encountering major problems.

Either method can work for a good, enjoyable vacation. Knowing what kind of person you are, and what you want out of the vacation is required. Whichever plan you embrace, some preparation is required. You have to know what budget you can use. This is money and time at least. If you intend to fly, you will need to have tickets far enough ahead of time to get the best price. If you drive, the car needs to be serviced to limit the chances of something breaking at an inopportune time. A car should be stocked with an emergency kit, with first aid supplies, water, a blanket and possibly some survival rations of some sort. You should always keep an atlas and local map in the car.

Even when simply going somewhere reasonably close to your home town, you should always do your research. There are many little treasures you can find that are not normally considered tourist destinations. I’ve been able to visit places from movies, books and history that were not on any guided tour. Whenever possible, I ask people I know in person or through the internet about the places I intend to visit. This has worked both ways, with both the person living there and me, the visitor, likely to learn about the place.

One of the lessons I’ve learned from my father is that a spontaneous vacation, where you go to a city and then explore instead of following an itinerary, can benefit from planning. Like my father, I keep a folder with every document and message pertaining to the vacation. It greatly helps when the time comes to deal with troubles. The folder includes places that might be useful, like an embassy, tourist center, welcome center or other such site.

The most important thing to remember about a vacation is to enjoy it. Bring what you need for comfort, plan for multiple things you might want to do, so you have available options in case something does not work. Don’t be afraid to follow your nose if you find something exciting. Just don’t break the budget you set when you started.

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Buying a timeshare isn’t too different than buying a traditional piece of property in that there are many questions you will need to ask and have answered before you put your money down. There are many different types of timeshares with different values. You will need to know what type of timeshare you are buying and what amount of time is included in the sale. Fixed weeks are very common as deeded ownerships, purchasing this type of ownership means that you will have ownership of a specific time during the year. This may or may not be a ‘fractional ownership’ meaning that you have a certain amount of ownership time in one specific facility.

There are some time shares that work on a point system, meaning you don’t have any fractional ownership in any specific property but you have a certain value of points that you can use in any of the resorts held under that timeshare entity. Fractional ownership means the timeshare owners actually own a portion of the property. The points system involves properties that stay in the ownership of the timeshare entity. You have no real property value at all, only points per year to use at the facilities. However you will still be charged monthly, bi monthly or yearly upkeep fees by the facility owners.

Make sure you understand all the fees that you are paying not only in the escrow but also in monthly, quarterly, semi-quarterly or yearly fees. In order to figure out your ability to own, you will need to know exactly what you are expected to pay and exactly what you are getting for your money.

Don’t just buy your timeshare from a timeshare company that pops a balloon to signify your purchase. Find out what the timeshare is worth on the resale market. Resales are not high value items. Make sure that you are purchasing this as a vacation proposition, not as an investment. Timeshares do not make good investment properties unless you are the builder or the sales team. That said, research the company you are purchasing from also. If they have a lot of bad comments, reconsider purchasing from them. Why put yourself through unnecessary stress. Understand, just like any other real estate purchase, when the sale is finished, it’s final, there are no returns. In that light, find out what your due diligence period is. If you are within that period and you feel like you might be making a mistake, you are free to back out of the contract without adverse effects.

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TIMESHARE CONSULTATION

When selling your timeshare company stability and viability are very important. As such, you will want to know how long the company has been in the business of selling time shares. If they are new to the process you will do yourself a favor by moving on to a more experienced reseller. If the company has been in business for a long while, that still doesn’t necessarily mean they will be a good company to use. You will want to know what their monthly average is in selling time shares and what kind of time shares the specialize in if they do specialize in one. Find out if they will give you references that you can call.

Find out as much as you can about their advertising campaign. What are they doing in order to attract potential buyers and what kind of exposure will your timeshare property have. Compare what the company will be charging you with what you are to receive for that charge.

What do they believe sets them apart from the multitude of other entities vying to sell your property. What in particular do they do that will potentially sell your timeshare faster than other providers? No not be lulled into a sense of security by a sales person telling you that your particular timeshare type is in such great demand that it will sell itself. Get an idea of what their sales strategy is and a ballpark idea of how long your timeshare may take to sell. Do not sign an exclusive right to sell  unless you have complete faith in this company’s ability to sell your property, otherwise, make this an open agreement that allows for other agencies to sell the property. In the same vein, if a company gives you a verbal guarantee that they can sell your property in a specific amount of time for a set cost, they are in all likelihood up to something. No company can guarantee that they will sell your property in a specific time for a specific price unless they intend to purchase the property should it not sell.

In the current economic climate, timeshares are not high on the purchase priority list for many people, because of this, the timeshare market has suffered just as much if not more than the traditional real estate market. If you are trying to sell your timeshare in this marketplace, be prepared to either sell at a greatly reduced value or be prepared for a long time on the market.

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TIMESHARE CONSULTATION

Italy is a romantic and gorgeous place to visit. This is why there are numerous people who flock into the country just to experience the beauty of this place. If you want to make you stay even more exciting, you can try visiting the unusual places in Italy. Do not worry because they are unusual in a good way.

One of them is Rome, which is known as the Eternal City by its natives as well as those who are fond of the place. What makes this city interesting is that it has a wide collection of the historical objects dating from different periods in time.

You will find works of people that were from the ancient times and let us not forget that there are also modern architectures and treasures that feature culture and arts. This is the capital city of Christianity and the exact same place where the rules, laws and medicine that are famous today have been born. What makes this one of the unusual places in Italy? This actually contains the most progressive communication network in Italy. This network includes airports and railways.

Another is Venice. This is considered as the biggest and most important ports for the Mediterranean Sea across the globe for thousands of years now. What makes this unusual is that this is not really a big city but it has a lot of tourist hot spots for the people to enjoy. Among them include the Canal Grande, San Polo, Rialto Bridge, Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Dorsoduro and the Piazza San Marco.

If you are looking for special attractions in Italy, why not head to Florence where you can find tons of them scattered throughout the city? Here, you can enjoy sites like the Piazza del Duomo and Piazza San Giovanni. These two adjacent attractions are among the most visited in Florence because it has a lot of attractions within it. These include the Museo, which is known as the Duomo Museo. You will find here an incomplete pieta done by Michelangelo himself as well as the bronze panels that was created by Ghiberti for the doors of Baptistery. The Baptistery is considered as one of the oldest buildings ever built in the city of Florence.

Milan is also an interesting place to visit and is known for its glamour and class. If you will visit this city, you must not miss the La Scala, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the Castello Sforzesco. These places are all treasures and they all have their own good reputations with the residents as well as with the foreigners. For instance, the Galleria is considered as one of the best shopping malls in the entire Italian region. This is because it has expensive and yet impressive stores that contain high quality products that will surely enhance your shopping experience.

Surely, there are a lot of interesting Italian sites. When you visit here, you should always take the chance to go to each of the unusual places in Italy so that your stay will be a memorable one.

If art and architecture pique your interest, go to Florence, Italy, the ‘Renaissance City’ on the River Arno. For this is a city bubbling over with treasures that will both surprise and delight. There are museums, galleries, cathedrals, churches, palaces, historic squares, artisan neighborhoods, landmark bridges. But that, in a nutshell, is the good thing about Florence. On a more sobering note, there is no way to see it all in one, two or even three visits.

So, for those visiting Florence for the first time, or even for those returning for seconds, here are the highlights, the top attractions of the city.

Piazza Duomo

Piazza Duomo should be at the top of every visitor’s list. For the piazza, or square, is not only at the heart of Florence, in the city’s Historic Centre, but it is dominated by Florence’s foremost, most recognizable attraction, the Florence cathedral, or Cupola Duomo. The cupola stands 100 meters high, with its massive, red-ochre dome (41.5 meters in diameter!) visible from virtually any vantage point in the city. Built between 1418 and 1434, this was the signature piece of architect Brunelleschi. Be forewarned, though, that the lines here are long. Admission to the cathedral is 6 euros, which is well worth it, if only for the spectacular views from the top.

Galleria degli Uffizi

The Galleria degli Uffizi, housed in the Palazzo degli Ufizzi on Piazza della Signoria, is Florence’s largest and most famous art museum, and among Europe’s most prestigious galleries. In two galleries, the East Gallery and West Gallery, in no fewer than 45 rooms, the Uffizi houses priceless collections of works representing both the Florentine and Tuscan schools, and virtually every art movement in Italy and Europe. Again, this is a hugely popular tourist draw and can easily overwhelm the first time visitor. Museum admission: 8.50 euros per person.

Palazzo Vecchio

Also located in the city’s Historic Centre, Palazzo Vecchio’s claim to fame is its domineering, 14th-century military-style town hall. Designed by Amalfo di Cambio and distinguished by its 94-meter-high tower, the fortress look-alike was originally built to house the Signoria, or the highest ranks of the city government. Inside, you can view several impressive frescoes describing the history of the Medicis, the ruling family which also once occupied these quarters.

Galleria dell’Accademia

This is Florence’s second most visited art museum, which, most notably, is home to Michelangelo’s ‘David’, as well as six other marble sculptures by him. Among other must-sees, the museum houses a fabulous collection of works by Benozzo Gozzoli, Uccello, Botticelli and Filippino Lipi. The museum is located just off Piazza San Marco. Admission fee: 8.50 euros.

Piazza Repubblica

An impressive square, populated with historic cafes, notably Donnini, Gilli, Giubbe, Rosse and Pazzkowski, which during the 19th century were popular among the known artists, writers and intellectuals of the day. Today, Piazza Repubblica is a veritable tourist haunt, and a great place for an espresso and pastry. As an added bonus, the area to the south and east of the square is packed with luxury shops and restaurants, all of them housed in historic buildings.

Museo Nazionale del Bargello

Here is Florence’s National Museum, filled to the rafters with Renaissance sculpture and a plethora of Florentine art. Among important works here are those by Ghiberti, Donatello, Verrocchio, Amanati, Cellini and Brunelleschi, as well as Giambologna, principally his bronze ‘Mercury’. The museum is housed in the Palazzo Bargello, located in the city’s Bargello district, Museum admission: 4 euros.

Giardino di Boboli

The Boboli gardens are a showcase of Italian landscaping at its most splendid, with fountains, grottoes and scores of stunning sculptures. Chief attractions here are the Isolotto, the small island in the middle of the water garden, Buontalenti’s grotto, the 18th-century Kaffeehaus pavilion, and the life-sized amphitheater where opera was born. Admission to the gardens is 2 euros each.

The Oltrarno

A warren of narrow, windy, cobbled streets, crammed with Florentine antique dealers, restorers, craftsmen’s and artisans’ workshops, and funky little restaurants and trendy nightspots, this is one of Florence’s most colorful and lively neighborhoods where you can literally breathe in the Florentine culture. Now also a focal center for the city’s vibrant youth, the quarter’s principal attraction is the 15th-century Palazzo Pitti, the largest palace constructed during the Renaissance.

Piazzale Michelangelo

Go to Piazzale Michelangelo for the view, for it offers perhaps the city’s best vantage point, with a lovely, expansive panorama of the city, particularly at dusk. Filled with souvenir sellers of every stripe, the square also has a bronze replica of Michelangelo’s ‘David’.

Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio, or ‘Old Bridge’, is an outstanding example of medieval architecture, and easily the most famous and most picturesque bridge in Florence. Originally built in 1345 over the River Arno, the bridge has been home to jewelry traders since the 17th century.

General Tips

1. Many tourist attractions do not allow photography – particularly museums.
2. It is considered rude to walk around towns in bikinis, beachwear, short shorts or skimpy outfits.
3. American and European DVDs use different formats, so what works at home may not work in Italy. This is becoming less of a problem with the rise of Multi Region DVD’s.
4. Returning or exchanging an item, even if it is flawed not common in Italian stores so make sure you check things thoroughly before you buy.
5. Some stores will not allow you to try on shirts and blouses.
6. Wheelchair access to restaurant bathrooms is rare, as are ramps and elevators in old buildings. Buses are also generally not wheelchair-compatible.
7. Topless sunbathing is common on the northern and central Italian beaches, however it is not advised in the more conservative and traditional south.
8. Hotels often don’t have pools or video games, while virtually nothing on the radio or television is in English.

Health and Safety

1. Olive oil and wine are a fundamental ingredient in Italian cooking. They are also natural laxatives and so can cause problems for those with sensitive stomachs.
2. In an emergency, dial 113.
3. If you are in trouble and need the help of passers by, yell AIUTO (pronounced ay-you-toe), which is Italian for HELP!
4. Serious crime is rare, however pickpockets and purse-snatchers are more common in the largeer cities.
5. Stick to bottled water as Italian tap water is sometimes heavily chlorinated

Eating out

1. Italians usually take their food as it is listed, seldom making special requests, such as “hold the mayo.”
2. Don’t wait for the check – ask for it.
3. Tip with cash. A ’servizio’ charge is usually included but a small tip is appreciated.
4. Breakfast is usually served from 7-10:30am, lunch from 12:30-2:30pm, and dinner from 7:30-10pm. Peak lunch and dinner hours are 1 and 9pm.
5. There are almost no restrictions on alcohol. It can be purchased at any time on any day and there is no minimum drinking age.
6. Kids menus are almost unheard of so ask upfront for a half portion if required.

Opening Times and Holidays

1. Banks are open weekdays 8:30am to 1:30pm and sometimes for an hour in the afternoon.
2. While some major churches are open all day, most are open from early morning until noon and then close for three to four hours, before reopening again, and close at 6pm.
3. Many museums are closed on Monday.
4. Most shops are closed between 1pm and 3:30pm for lunch. Due to Italy being a Catholic country, many stores are closed on Sunday.
5. Try and avoid traveling to Italy in August as most of the locals are on vacation and everything is closed.
6. Apart from Christmas, New Years, and Easter,  Italy also celebrates: Epiphany (Jan. 6), Liberation Day (Apr. 25), May Day (May 1), Festival of the Republic (June 2), Farragosto (Nov. 1), All Saints Day (Nov. 1), Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8), Feast of St. Stephen (Dec. 26).

Italy can be ranked as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, so there is an abundance of information available for anyone who wants to travel to Italy. Italy travel guides can be broadly classified into two categories–the first category includes those guides which contain all the relevant information about various tourist spots in the country, and the second category includes those travel guides which give information about a particular region or city.

A number of tour and travel operators, private publishers, and hotel and resort owners often bring out such travel guides. But it is always best to refer to the official web site and publications of the tourism board of Italy, as they provide authentic information.

In some of the private travel guides, there might be deliberate attempt to promote certain hotels, restaurants, resorts, shops, etc. This could actually mislead a tourist, especially one who is traveling to the country for the first time.

Italy seems to have endless number of tourist spots. Visiting all of them may not be possible for a tourist, even during the course of a long vacation. So it is always better to go through a good travel guide related to Italy, select the places you want to visit and get your reservations well in advance. Most of the Italy travel guides also provide information about hotels in various regions, along with a list of their rentals.

Several online travel guides provide free information about Italy’s popular places. However, it is always better to verify the information provided by non-governmental web sites. This could be done by using online travel and tourism guides provided by the Italian government and several city administrations. While traveling within Italy, a travel guide with maps of various Italian cities could always be a prized possession. Tags: Italy Travel Guide, Italy Travel Guides, Italy Vacations, Vacation In Italy
]]> http://www.freevacationtravels.com/italy-travel-guide/feed/ 0 http://www.freevacationtravels.com/spain-hotel-deals-making-your-money-go-far/ http://www.freevacationtravels.com/spain-hotel-deals-making-your-money-go-far/#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:30:23 +0000 Vacation Tips http://www.freevacationtravels.com/?p=19 There is nothing more rewarding after having a long hard work life than taking a small vacation. This is the time when you can shut out all the daily demands such as paying the bills and waking up to go to work.

It is time for you to relax and unwind. However before you can really do this you will have to sort out the place and accommodation. Most people like to go to Spain to experience the Siestas and the wonderful and colorful people.

In that regard it is only plausible that people will seek Spain hotel deals. This is the best way to make your money really work for you.

Taking Advantage Of The Possibilities

The Spain hotel deals can come in a variety of ways. This can be an extra night for every four nights or a lovely breakfast at certain hotels. Most people easily miss out on a cheap vacation because they often go at peak season. Most of the Spain hotel deals happen out of peak seasons.

So if you are able to get away for a small vacation then it is often best to take these Spain hotel deals. This could mean that you end up with more money to shop and to do other things. This could also mean that you will be able to enjoy the Spanish nightlife.

The Spain hotel deals are there to draw you in but they also help you save some money which in turn means that you feel less stressed. By taking these hotel deals you do not have to feel that you are obligated to overspend somewhere else. Making a traveling budget might sometimes seem silly but it can be the best way that you save money so that you can take other mini breaks elsewhere.

If you keen on a bit of an adventure then you should aim to at least stay in a Madrid Spain hotel. This way you can enjoy the lifestyle that most tourists come for. The lovely weather will leave you feeling more relaxed than ever and you will be rejuvenated to return to your life and get ready for another hot and sunny getaway.

You can also use this opportunity to pamper yourself by going to the spas, which sometimes are part of your Spain hotel deal. So the possibilities are endless, only if you are willing to search for them.

The El Prat Airport

The first airport that you can choose when arriving at Barcelona is the El Prat that is located twelve kilometers from the center of the city. However, to ensure that nothing spoils Barcelona Spain travel you should try and avoid traveling during the crowded public holidays when you could get lost in the high volume of traffic that comes to Barcelona Spain.

Barcelona Spain travel is an option that is very suitable even for a traveler that speaks a language other than Spanish and English because each tourist office has enough staff that are multilingual and so will be able to help you out in another language besides Spanish and English.

But what makes Barcelona Spain travel so attractive is the excellent accommodation available in this second largest Spanish city. It is possible to live in a one-star hotel for a rent of less than 20 Euros per night or you can choose to rent out the wonderful villas as well as apartments that are available for rent on a weekly basis.

Another good reason to consider Barcelona Spain travel is that this city provides great culinary fare and in fact Barcelona is really famous throughout Spain for its excellent restaurants that offer meals at fixed prices though the choice can sometimes be quite limited. However, for cheaper bites you can choose to eat at the numerous cafes that are mostly crowded with budget tourists and locals but where the food is tasty and well cooked as well as affordable to every kind of tourist.

Sea food is obviously a great option because Barcelona Spain is a major Mediterranean port and the fish named Graellada de marisc in particular is truly amazing and well worth a try. There are excellent shopping opportunities as well and the antique market in particular is very famous and popular.

Barcelona Spain tourism is a major money spinner for the city and a lot of the popularity of the city can be attributed to the excellent weather conditions found in this part of Spain. Being a major port on the Mediterranean you can see the influence of the sea on the climate and people there simply cannot get enough of the cool as well as warm sea breezes that make this city so enticing for not only the locals; but, also the millions of tourists that come here each year.