First Class Fun in Mexico

The average visitor to Mexico is completely amazed by exactly how many species of wildlife there are there. Most people will never realise that the jungles of Mexico make it one of the most bio-diverse regions on the planet. This diversity makes it a great getaway for the tourist that is tired of a typical African safari. Luxury holidays in Mexico can be spent exploring this bio-diversity and soaking up the unique culture of Mexico.

When planning luxury holidays in Mexico, it is advisable to decide early on what you want to see. Mexico is a country with a rich history and there is so much to see and so that you have to narrow down what your goals are in going there.

If you are looking to spend your luxury holidays in Mexico soaking up the Mexican culture, you need to understand that it is a mixture of cultures influenced by several Meso-American civilisations and impacted on by the Spanish conquest in 1519. You will, of course, want to explore some of the ancient sites and, in Mexico; there are a lot of them. The best preserved is probably Teotihuacan – now declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a city built and abandoned for an unknown reason by an enigmatic race of peoples that predate the Aztec. Very little is known about them except that they had a profound impact on the Aztec culture. Luxury holidays in Mexico would not be complete without sampling actual Mexican cuisine and, naturally, Mexico’s most famous export – Tequila – made from the blue agave plant.

If you want to spend your luxury holidays in Mexico having fun at the water’s edge, you could head to the Riviera Maya and spend some time enjoying the lush vegetation or snorkelling. Relax and unwind at the Mayan’s favourite holiday destination.

For something entirely different, why not visit Cancun, Mexico’s new premier vacation spot. The sandy beaches and wide array of resorts make it an ideal holiday destination. There are a wide variety of water sports on offer and the area is very popular with scuba divers and snorkelers alike. If getting wet does not suit you, you could always spend your time relaxing on the beach. Cancun has a very active night club scene and so can never be described as boring. There are a few ancient ruins that you can explore but Cancun has emerged as more of a gateway to the Rivera Maya and interior of Mexico for those with archaeological pursuits.

Holidaying in Mexico can be fun for the whole family.

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History in the Making

For the tourist looking for a country with a rich history, exquisite scenery, excellent cuisine and wine and a wide range of activities, Cyprus is the ultimate destination. Start your Cyprus luxury holidays off in Lemesos – center of the wine trade for Cyprus. Although this is only the second largest city, it scores a lot of points when it comes to a buzzing night life and a rich cultural heritage. Visit the remains of Aphrodite’s Sanctuary and learn more about the cult of the Goddess at the Emesis District Museum. Take the opportunity to get advice on how else to follow the trail of the Goddess while on your Cyprus luxury holidays.

If your tastes tend to even more ancient history, visit the Neolithic ruins on Cypress. Perhaps you prefer your history to be a little more modern? Check out the Byzantine art and mosaics which are dotted all over the country during your Cyprus luxury holidays. Cyprus itself was a great center during the Byzantine era and evidence of this can be seen in the many Byzantine era churches. Ten of these have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO and are not to be missed.

Of course, all this exploring is bound to make the traveler hungry but fortunately the Cypriots are famous for their hospitality and fine cuisine. Take long leisurely lunches alongside ancient olive groves and vineyards and immerse yourself in a culture where the rat race is largely ignored. Expect things to move more slowly during your Cyprus luxury holidays as this is how the locals live.

Aside from fine dining and wine, Cypress has a wonderful range of scenery to offer you on your Cyprus luxury holidays. Bronze yourself until you look like a Greek goddess on the warm, sandy beaches or frolic in the Mediterranean with dolphins. Should you ever grow tired of the beaches and numerous water sports, you could spend time in the mountains rock climbing or bungee jumping. If that is a little too energetic for you, you can always arrange day cruises to the surrounding Mediterranean islands for a change of pace.

Whatever style and pace of holiday you are looking for, Cyprus can accommodate you. The beaches are beautiful and unspoiled, the mountains spectacular and the people friendly and accommodating. All this and it is right next to the gorgeous Mediterranean Ocean. What more could you possibly want?

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Fall in Love with the Maldives

I doubt that any bride forgets her honeymoon but mine was especially memorable because we went to the Maldives. I have to say that the Huvafen Fushi Maldives is one of the most remarkable places in the world.

On arrival, we were whisked away to our Ocean Pavilion – our own little domain situated right out on the ocean. The rooms were luxurious and very comfortable but the views were something else. I thought that I might never leave the infinity pool. The spa shower was perfect for working out the bridal stresses from just before the wedding. It was heavenly to have a butler on call twenty four hours a day.

Of course, you cannot go to Huvafen Fushi Maldives without visiting their exclusive underwater spa treatment rooms and indulging in some of their unique treatments so I did get out of my infinity pool and my husband and I made our way to the spa for some pampering. I still cannot get over being able to see fish swimming past as I was being massaged. I felt as though I was underwater.

They say that a man cannot live on love alone and, lucky for us, we did not have to. I especially liked Vinum – the cavernous underground wine cellar with an astounding collection of wines.

My husband did book us on one of the dhonis, a traditional Maldivian sailing boat, and I was a little apprehensive at first – why leave the luxury of our ocean pavilion? Of course, the dhoni was gorgeous – modern and comfortable inside with a well-trained crew. The crew knew all the best diving sites and took us on a lovely sunset cruise and then we ate a meal specially prepared by our personal chef.

I did not think it could get any better than that but then I found out we were going snorkelling, at night. It was such an awesome experience I will never forget it. The next day we went back out in one of Huvafen Fushi Maldives glass kayaks and things look very different during the day. My new husband had to try his hand at a spot of deep sea fishing and tried to get me to go along but I opted to relax in the library with a book.

One of the most memorable experiences at Huvafen Fushi Maldives was being able to adopt a piece of coral – it may sound silly but it seemed to us to be a reflection of our love for each other and how, by protecting the coral, we were protecting that bond. At least we could leave our mark on the Maldives in the same way it left its mark on us.

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