By now, you’ve undoubtedly heard about Casa Kimberly, the villa on Calle Zaragoza in Puerto Vallarta that Richard Burton purchased for Elizabeth Taylor in the 1960s. It’s probably not far from your Puerto Vallarta Vacation Rental, and it’s well worth a visit, just to see how the rich and famous lived back in the day.

You may not know, however, that Casa Kimberly is part of a neighborhood called Gringo Gulch (polite folks may refer to it as the Zaragoza neighborhood). In this part of town, overlooking the Rio Cuale, other members of the leisured classes from the United States chose to build villas of their own so they could enjoy the many special treats that the city had to offer.

A Neighborhood with Real Roosters
Many of the homes in the neighborhood were designed by Guillermo Wulff, the guy who designed the sets for Night of the Iguana (another Hollywood connection). They are largely built in the Mexican fashion, constructed of adobe blocks and covered with stucco, and cool breezes bring residents out on their patios and porches in the evening. Gringo Gulch is not so much an exclusive landing place for wealthy Americans these days; instead, it is a real residential neighborhood, with everything that entails – laughing children, barking dogs, loud celebrations and roosters announcing the new day.

The neighborhood continues to attract visitors who have a bit of a curious bone. The quaint cobblestone streets may be a menace for bicyclists, but if you take it cautiously, they shouldn’t be too much of a deterrent to a nice little walking tour of the area. There is a payoff for taking on the challenge of the steep streets: Gringo Gulch is pretty close to downtown and to the Zona Romantica, so you can finish your tour at one of the popular spots.

Café Roma at Encino 287 gets rave reviews from everyone who stops in for a pizza or a cold beverage. The staff is very nice, the prices are reasonable, and food is reportedly great. Club Roxy in the Zona Romantica at Ignacio L. Vallarta 217 is a popular nightclub that makes music for fans of all ages. There is no cover charge and devoted fans report that the house band is great.

Your Puerto Vallarta Vacation Rental, with its patio and hot tub, may seem light years away from the lively street life of Gringo Gulch. It’s all Mexico, though, and it’s all good.

When planning your vacation, if you have decided on Mexico, but want to stay in a smaller city, try Puerto Vallarta. A port city, yet also one with former agriculture as its biggest means of income, some of the reminders of that long gone era are still there. There are still the cobblestone streets in the main area of town, chickens in the streets as are commonly seen all over Mexico, there are locals who are quite friendly and welcoming, the area is close to the ocean as well as the mountains, and there is a flood of visiting people from all over the world almost year round. Puerto Vallarta is truly a popular gay travel vacation city.

There are a variety of fun filled ways to spend your days and nights in Puerto Vallarta. Some gay travelers rent bicycles and work on keeping their leg muscles strong as they bike along the Cuale River. There is sunbathing, sunsets, walking upon miles of white beaches, whale watching on Banderas Bay, horseback riding, and if you are up for a nightlife, there are dance clubs, which are also gay friendly with drag queen shows and in Mexico, the American dollar is worth almost twice as much as the Peso. This means your dollar goes a lot further, making for a very affordable vacation.

Puerto Vallarta is known as a gay friendly city and also boasts five star hotels for all its vacationers. Add in the artistic and magnificent scenery, cozy, quaint, little houses and you’ll understand why visitors come to Puerto Vallarta from not only the United States, Canada and British Columbia, but other countries as well. Because gay travel has increased with the need for more gay friendly vacation destinations, Mexico has become a favorite among all gays, especially in Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta. In the latter, if you love art and music, vivid sunsets, amazing sunrises, biking along trails or long strips of sandy white beaches, an exciting night life with over eighteen clubs to choose from, then Puerto Vallarta will quickly become one of your favorite vacation spots for years to come.

There also is Acapulco. Acapulco is famous for its beautiful stretches of white beach, warm, aqua colored ocean, to the comfortable and exotic hotels and home like villas. If you would rather stay in a condominium, those are available to rent also. For an exciting night life, there are gay bars and nightclubs where you and your partner can dance the night away.

Acapulco receives gay tourists from all over the United States and other countries because they cater to gays, making Acapulco an attractive destination. Some of the favorite gay clubs you won’t want to miss are Moons, a fantastic dance club; Club Savage, if you wish to saunter on over to the drag queen performances; Demas, another dance club with loud music, and the place to listen to Latina and American music, is at Cabare Tito beach. Fortunately, Acapulco realizes that their tourism relies on gays vacationing in safety and spending money, so Acapulco makes gay travel more attractive, safer, and more popular every year.

There is even a gay beach in Acapulco called Playa Condesa where partiers frequent, and is also known for its jet ski rentals and para sailing. A little further down are restaurants and a bar, all gay friendly. If you simply want to soak up some sun or sit in the shade, a vendor will be along to rent you an umbrella, chair, and sell you cool refreshing drinks. Gay travel to this beach is the highest in Mexico.

Casa Condesa situated on a hill from the beach, is a very popular gay guesthouse run by gay managers. Gay travelers who have stayed there haven’t wanted to leave Acapulco because the atmosphere is so friendly and safe. When you feel safe, you can relax and have fun. In fact, some felt such a wonderment in Acapulco, they have come back to live permanently.

Still, even if you are going for a vacation only, and you want a friendly, affordable, gay travel destination where you are sure to have fun, privacy when you desire, and acquire many new friends, relax, and enjoy your stay, because you will never regret traveling to Acapulco.

Mexico is considered as one of the most romantic places of the world. This place is considered as a famous destination for holidays, studies and honeymoons. If you are feeling tired and exhausted with your routine life then you can plan a romantic trip that too with your soul mate. Mexico is a perfect outing idea for you where you can spend quality time with your loved ones. This place is famous for its rich culture, dazzling nightlife, beautiful landscapes, lovely rivers, stunning mountains and much more.

If you want to plan a perfect honeymoon then you must certainly keep in mind some of the important facts. In this article I would be presenting a brief snapshot of everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable honeymoon. The must asked questions or in other words the honeymoon essentials are as follows:

Why Mexico?
The exotic Mexican culture, architecture, cuisine and of course the romantic sites will definitely make your vacation in Mexico a memorable one. Believe me it may turn to be a seductive and fun arousing dream destination for you.

How to reach?
You can easily reach Mexico by numerous means of transportation. One of the most popular means of getting to Mexico is through airplane. There are numerous domestic as well as international airports over here. Another option for getting to this place is by opting for car travel.

Places to visit?
This place has lovely nature, dazzling nightlife, good beaches, and incredible mountain scenery. It is full of greenery, aqua blue water and white sand. Numerous attractive places over here are Toluca, Riviera Maya, Punta Mita, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Ixtapa, Costa Careyes, Cabo San Lucas and Acapulco, etc.

Places to stay in Mexico
There are numerous excellent resorts, villas and hotels in Mexico. You can easily locate these hotels and motels in all the parts of this place. These hotels offer various exciting packages to all the honeymoon couples. You can also find villas all over. You can enjoy the deep aqua blue sea, overlooking the beautiful architecture of the city while staying in any top class hotel. You can also indulge in various recreational activities such as scuba diving, hiking, shopping, etc.

This place has everything that you could ever want to see on your honeymoon. Holidaying in Mexico will surely give you a memory that will last a lifetime. So what are you waiting for? Just pack your bags and have a rocking time with your friends and family.

Playing tennis is one of the best pastimes that you can do when you’re in Mexico. First, you may do it in one of the villas or resorts in the area, such as Grupo Mayan in Puerto Vallarta. Second, you can play the game with beautiful natural sceneries as your backdrop. Third, it helps you lose those unwanted pounds so you can go back home fitter than ever as well as give you more reason to dine in Mexican restaurants.

But for beginners, it’s a totally different struggle. Unless he gets good grasp of the game, he will find it real hard to fully understand the benefits of the game. What’s more, if he doesn’t fit the ball few times, he will feel disheartened and completely give up on the sport—talking about how to ruin your vacation.

If you’re one of those who are trying to learn the game, you can take advantage of the following beginner tips:

1. Check out the hotel. If you’re staying in a Grupo Mayan hotel, for example, you’re sure that it has a tennis court, where you can practice anytime you want to. And if you avail of their sports package, which could just involve tennis, you can play the games for free or at deep discounts. It will also force you to really try the game, just to make the entire package worthwhile for you.

2. Look for a trainer. Surely, you can study tennis books or watch videos, but nothing prepares you to the real game. You will learn a lot faster when you’re able to apply what you’ve learned immediately. You can hire a trainer for that. A Grupo Mayan hotel does have in-house tennis coach, who can give you pieces of advice on the basics of the game. At least, you won’t feel scared when you’re up against competitors. If it’s part of a sports package, then you won’t have to worry about spending anything.

3. Play with a friend. Do you know someone who is familiar with tennis? You can also ask him to teach you a thing or two. Better yet, play with him, making him as your opponent. If you don’t have one, you can always request your fellow traveler to help you out. Mind you, there are really a lot of good souls that you’re going to meet when you’re on the road. Your tennis buddy can just be one of them.

4. Rent the best equipment. You will appreciate the game more if you get to play it with the most ideal racquets. There are some of them that are just so bad that they’re bound to end your game in disaster even at your few early hits. You can buy them, but they can be pretty expensive. Your next best alternative is to rent. Grupo Mayan resorts have rental facilities, where you can find almost all classes of balls and racquets.

As a player, it’s very important that you are relaxed. Information can come in smoothly if you are. Don’t pressure yourself in learning the game quickly, as it didn’t take Federer and other world-class players overnight to become champions.

Xmas is over, the Tree is down, The New Year has begun and its still Winter, its wet and its cold and your body says

OK I am Ready for Sunshine? A Tan. Swim and Sunbathe. A Glass of wine in your own Jacuzzi? Breakfast is an Orange or Grapefruit picked from your own Tree.

How about Sunny California in January February or March for Unbelievable Prices.

A 3 Bedroom 3 Bath Villa with your own Pool and Spa with Incredible Mountain and City Light Views. Starting at $1500 a week (Dollars) and going really Upscale to a 5 Bedroom 4 Bath for $2950 a week.( Sleeps 8-12)

We have a selection of Condos for $1000 and up a week also. Plus we have special Couples rates and Honeymoon Packages.. And Guys what about a Golf Trip for you and a Cruise for the Lady we have those combos also. How about those anniversaries, Special Occasions, Family reunions we cater for them all.

So Margaritas anyone ?????

Top your Vacation off with a 3/4 or 7 Day Cruise to Mexico starting at $545 a person for a Balcony Cabin ( less for inside and onsite cabins -no

Balcony) Visit Cabo San Lucas , Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan. Pay Dollar Prices instead of pounds.

To Find out more and to Book a Vacation to Palm Springs , Rancho Mirage or Palm Desert or a Cruise to Sunny Mexico or a combination of both or just an inquiry for a future Date Please email Carole on mailto:Palmspringsinfo@aol.com or visit http://www.PSVC.net and take a look at our /www.homes-seekers.net?> beautiful Homes and Condos and email for Special promotion Rates.

Happy Holidays to one and all from

Carole

Your ex Brit California and Cruise Connection

Your Vacation also comes with Free chilled wine upon arrival and Ladies, a FREE Spa Treatment at a nearby Aveida Spa compliments of Hi=Lights Day Spa and the Palm Springs Vacation Connection. Book now and the first 10 Bookings also receive Dinner for 2 at a Top Steakhouse in the Valley.

If you are looking for summer things to do outside the United States, Mexico is just there waiting for you. Mexico is a very lively country with a multi-ethnic society of Spanish, Native American and American traditions. This ethnic diversity is very much reflected on the country’s culture and food, and here are two places in Mexico that greatly illustrates the fact:

Ensenada

Ensanada is located in the Mexican state of Baja California and is just 84 miles south of San Diego. From San Diego, you can join an Ensenada Day Tour, which is a great way to start your summer vacation. The tour gives a very warm introduction to the things to do in Ensenada and its Spanish atmosphere with its alluring shops and authentic restaurants. Learn more about the people’s culture and heritage at the Cultural Center of Ensenada and find out how they are greatly influenced by the Spaniards.

Join Ensenada resident and other visitors at the Ensenada Summer Wine Festival for some wine tasting. The festival is an annual international event that is taking place on the first ten days of August this year! Aside from the regular wine tasting event, the festival also holds a paella cooking contest, a gala dinner and a sunset musical performance. If you wish to experience the wine in Ensenada with a relatively smaller crowd, you can also go to Bodegas De Santo Tomas. It is Baja California’s oldest winery, and still conducts demonstrations of wine-making traditions. Bodega De Santo Tomas also offers samples of wines from their vineyard as well as samples of their bread and cheese.

A visit to a new place always includes shopping for souvenirs or memorabilia that you would want to bring home to remember the summer vacation by. Avenida Lopez Mateos is Ensenada’s main shopping street lined with retail stores selling everything that shouts a genuine Mexican identity, such as straw hats and wood carvings. If you are looking for something more refined, Avenida Ruiz is the place to go. It is the stretch where you will find the more polished shops and cafes.

There are so many dining options to choose from in Ensenada. One of the most popular ones is the oldest cantina in Baja California, Hussong’s Cantina. Dating back to the late 1800’s, Hussong’s Cantina was the hang out of some of the world’s literary geniuses and is said to have been the place where Margaritas originated.

Oaxaca

The province of Oaxaca is located in the southern part of Mexico and is named after its largest city. The best thing to do to get to know the city is to visit Plaza de la Constitucion de Oaxaca, more popularly known as Zocalo. The plaza has been the heart of Oaxaca for over 500 years. Surrounded by stores, the dominating feature of Zocalo is the very grand old Cathedral that dates back to the 18th century.

Seasons Of My Heart proudly offers and extraordinary Culinary Cultural Travels, and Mexican Cuisine Events and Oaxacan Food Holidays. For those who love to cook, want to learn how to cook or simply love downing authentic Mexican cuisine, this is perfect for you. They have tours available almost the entire year, with recipes and menus appropriate for each season.

Visit the world-renowned archaeological site of Milta, combining both Zapotec and Mixtec structures, the San Pablo Villa de Milta. It is among the constant in every visitor’s things to do in Mexico list. The ancient ruins are just so inviting.

Looking for accommodations in Oaxaca is a walk in the park as there are very many lodging options to choose from. Hostels like the Casa de Don Pablo Hostel have very affordable nightly rates, making you enjoy more of the numerous summer things to do in Mexico.

Mexico is one of the top vacation spots in the country. It is located between the Gulf of Mexico on the Pacific Ocean, bordered by the United States on the north., and Belize to the south. It is divided into six regions.

Northern Mexico is made up of deserts, nature reserves, and beautiful mountain ranges. Cities in this region are populated by key industrial companies and businesses. Central Mexico is also known as Mexico’s heartland. It has an abundance of natural surroundings and quaint towns.

Southern Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico offers plenty of marshes and forests. This region appeals to those who fancy exiting outdoor adventures.

The Yucatan Peninsula is paradise. Here is where one can find stunning beach resorts and the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. You can also have the pleasure of scuba diving along the world’s second largest coral reef. Submerged caverns in this area create wonderful fresh water pools to swim in. These pools are also called cenotes.

The most well known destination in the Yucatan Peninsula is beautiful Cancun. With it’s beautiful beaches and resorts, it is Mexico’s top vacation spot. In addition to the beaches you’ll also find nearly nineteen miles of villas, malls, and five star hotels. Dining is fabulous in your choice of over five hundred different restaurants. Temperatures in Cancun average between 81 and 95 degrees and is mostly sunny throughout the year.

On the Pacific Coast you will find a region that is full of culture and delectable cuisine. The Pacific Coast also has some of the best beaches perfect for swimming and fishing. The Baja California Peninsula contains world-class golf courses . You can also explore and discover the Sea of Cortez. It is here you can witness the beauty of the Grey Whales. The capital of Mexico is Mexico City. It is home to two volcanoes, Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuati. It has some of the best weather in the world with the average temperature of 72 degrees. It also offers a wide variety of museums, such as the Museo Nacional de Antropologia and the Museo Nacional de Arte. At the Museo Nacional de Historia you can also take in an exhibit that chronicles the nation’s history and art ranging from the pre-Hispanic era to present day.

Located northwest of Mexico City, Guadalajara is the second most populated city in Mexico. It’s temperatures range from 52 to 79 degrees. Guadalajara ranks among Mexico’s three most important cities. It is home to such famous symbols like mariachi, tequila, and the hat dance. You can enjoy beautiful architecture as well as may historic and religious buildings. Whether it’s swimming, sunbathing, or exploring, Mexico has a little of something for everyone.

By: Jim Scherrer

Some historians trace the sport of golf back to the Roman game of paganica, in which participants used a bent stick to hit a stuffed leather ball; however, according to the most widely accepted account, the modern game originated in Scotland around the 12th century with shepherds knocking stones into rabbit holes on the current site of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. The actual sport became officially recognized in 1754 when the Scots formed the organization known as the Society of St Andrews Golfers.

Since then, the game has grown in popularity to the point where there are currently more than 32,000 courses worldwide, of which approximately 17,000 are in the United States. Golf is now rapidly gaining popularity in the newly developing countries like China where there are currently less than 300 courses, however hundreds more are under contract; either in the design phase or under construction.

Since golf courses have 18 holes, the 32,000 courses would have a total of 576,000 holes; so let’s assume there are 600,000 golf holes in the world. Each hole may have as many as five or more tee boxes (women, geezers, regular men, championship, pro, etc) but most have only one green. Therefore, we can assume there are at least 600,000 golf greens in the world.

Almost all of these greens are merely an extension of the fairway where the grass is mowed very short and the cup is placed. There are probably less than 1,000 of these 600,000 greens that are islands. In fact, most of these “island” greens are actually manmade peninsulas with a narrow walking path to the green. They are surrounded by water but are still connected to the course by the walking path. It is estimated that there exists only a few hundred greens in the world that are true islands, surrounded by water on all sides and connected to land by a bridge.

Now, for the really interesting fact; there is only one “natural island” green out of the 600,000 greens in the world. It is the third hole at the beautiful Pacifico Course at the Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, Mexico, located about 25 miles from Puerto Vallarta. This world class course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, meanders along the Banderas Bay and the Pacific Ocean with incredible views on almost every hole. It is such a magnificent tract that in 2008 it was named the top resort course in the world by Conde Nast magazine.

The third hole at the Pacifico course actually has two greens, #3a and #3b; the first is a normal green while the second is the natural island green. The island is a lava rock formation about 200 yards from the mainland that has access only when the tide is out. When the tide is in and the special amphibian cart is unavailable, the golfers play to the #3a green. When the tide is out and you have sufficient skill and an adequate supply of balls, the #3b green provides one of the most challenging and memorable par three holes in the world. This hole is commonly referred to as “The Tail of the Whale”.

For those of us that have been golfing for many years and have played hundreds of courses, there are only a few holes that leave memorable impressions that we’ll never forget. Most often these are very special holes that we’ve seen the pros play on television or holes that absolutely take your breath away as you stand on the tee box. These are generally the longer par 4 or par 5 holes with exaggerated elevation changes, beautiful mountain scenes, or over water tee shots. Very few par 3 holes leave such a memory, however #3b at the Pacifico course is definitely one of them; it’s a sight that you’ll never forget.

One of the most intimidating shots in golf is the approach shot to an island green surrounded by water; it leaves very little room for error! Now, try a 200 yard shot to an island green nestled in a lava rock formation that resembles a catcher’s glove out in the Pacific Ocean. If that’s not enough challenge, throw in a gentle breeze off the Sierra Madres or a nice gust of wind off the ocean and you’ll have your hands full; bring plenty of balls! (The tide was in and the amphibian cart was unavailable the day we played this hole; so after hitting the green with our tee shots, we merely gave each other the putts for birdies, left the balls on the green, and proceeded to the fourth hole!)

The scenic Pacifico course at Punta Mita will soon be joined by the almost completed Bahia course, also designed by Jack Nicklaus and also having incredible Pacific Ocean and Banderas Bay views with the city and the Sierra Madres as a back drop. Another brand new course located in Litibu, only a couple miles north along this stretch of the Mexican Riviera, is the brand new Litibu Golf Club course that was designed by Greg Norman.

These three beautiful courses located along the Riviera Nayarit, combined with the other six fine courses in Puerto Vallarta, make the region a true golfing destination. There are also a number of new courses in the planning stages that will, in all probability, bring the total to more than a dozen resort courses for visitors to play in Greater Vallarta within three years.

Ten years ago, you would seldom see golf bags arriving at the small international airport in Puerto Vallarta; this is no longer the case, with the baggage carrousels at the huge modern new airport terminal delivering golf bags all day every day, as the golfing tourists flock to this golfing Paradise south of the border.

So, if you golfers want to have the time of your life, bring your sticks to PV where you’ll find seven months of monotonous winter weather, from November through May, when the average daily temperature is 73*F with virtually no rain. You’ll have nine incredible courses to play and if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to include the unforgettable #3b hole at Pacifico; the hole with the world’s only natural island green.

Finally, some of our American expat friends are beginning to wake up to the ranting and raving I’ve been doing about living in Guanajuato. Now, if you’ve been reading my columns on a regular basis you know from time to time I lose my mind, rather totally, and go all Pancho Villa about life in Guanajuato.

Mind you, I am not talking about normal Mexican things. I am not talking about things like stores never opening when they say they will. I am talking not about the traditional, provincial Mexican custom of never showing up on time for anything. I am not talking about never offering so much as a “How-Do-You-Do” when the kindly Mexican is asked why he didn’t call to cancel an appointment by his good anal-attentive American pal. That’s not what I mean.

I have been talking about things in my columns like getting shoved off the sidewalk into the path of a bus manned by someone who thinks he is a racecar driver. I am talking about calling for the bottled water to get delivered only to have it finally come after you’ve died from thirst and your body was shipped back to the States three months ago. That’s what I mean.

My friend sent me a story today. She is one who has finally admitted that perhaps my wife and I see this sort of stuff, and she doesn’t because she and her husband, in typical American expat fashion, stay pretty much holed up in their lavish estate (it isn’t really an estate but I am adding this in case she reads this-and she occasionally does) until they need something. When they venture out, when they pull themselves from their American TV channels beamed from space via satellite, they drive everywhere. They rarely walk so they seldom have the pleasure of being run over by a bus when a kindly Guanajuatense pushes them into its path.

Our friend went to the Mega Superstore today. Yes, gentrification has begun in Guanajuato with a superstore, on the scale of a Super Wal-Mart, to totally destroy a way of life and ancient culture in Guanajuato. She was in a line with just 7 people in it. A Mexican woman, with no groceries, was in line in front of her. When “her turn” came, she whipped out her cell phone and called her large extended family–comprised of several generations–to get up from the coffee shop and come up front to check out. So, here came her family, about 30 of them, with shopping carts full to overflowing, to cut in front of our friend and check out. Our friend did the “Guanajuato Shove” and cut in front of this woman saying, “Con Permiso” and checked out before she would have surely been thrown, shoved, and elbowed out of the way.

”In general, Mexicans are polite and formal when dealing with foreigners from the North. Newcomers from the States often take this treatment as friendliness, but it is far more complicated than that. Mexicans and other inhabitants of Latin America often wear a mask that
covers their true feelings.” – Ken Luboff

All sympathetic ranting and raving will be entertained and appreciated by phone or e-mail.

By: Jim Scherrer

Creative juices by definition are the motivating, inspiring, or enabling forces that represent the expressive side of one’s imagination; a precursor to creative thought and the corresponding ability to create something new. It only seems logical that in order to maximize the flow of one’s creative juices, he or she will be most productive when located in an area with a perfect climate and beautiful surroundings. The creator should be stress free and have plenty of leisure time; obviously, a good night’s sleep can’t hurt!