Costa Maya, Mexico is a great place to experience the Mayan culture. The port of Costa Maya is fairly small and the fishing village of Mahahual is just a short ride (2 miles) away. As you get off your ship you will find yourself in a delightful shopping/dining/entertainment area. Right here there are 3 swimming pools and just a quick walk to a beach. You could easily spend all your time in the port area of Costa Maya but there is quite a bit more out there with just a little bit of planning and a sense of adventure.
Hanging acrobat show you can watch right after exiting your cruise ship
The people of this town are more than ready to show you a little bit about their culture. Let’s explore some wonderful activities to experience the culture of Costa Maya, Mexico.
Visit Mahahual
This fishing village is only 2 miles from the cruise ship port. Many visitors feel this is where you see the real culture of this area. Only about 1000 people live in Mahahual and their living is dependant on tourism. You will find beautiful beaches and beach clubs, restaurants, bars, shopping and people ready to help you learn about their culture.
Cooking Classes
One excursion that many guests love is the cooking classes taught by local residents. Guests are taught traditional cooking techniques of the Yucatecan Mexican people. Guests might learn to cook foods like tortillas, empanadas, flautas, pico de gallo, tamales, coconut helado, jicama salad and even more. This is definitely an excursion that you can take home with you and bring back fond memories when you cook the foods at home. Ask your travel advisor for help finding a great cooking class.
Visit the Mayan Ruins
One of the most popular cultural activities is to visit Myan ruins. You will find ruins from as early as 200 BC.
Chacchoben Ruins
Chacchoben is the closest ruin site to Costa Maya. It is about 50 minutes away. You can schedule an excursion ahead of time or hire a taxi or shttle when you get to the port. Renting a car is also a possibility. The roads are clearly marked.
Chacchoben includes two main temple pyramids dated 200 B.C. to A.D. 700. These ruins are relatively newly discovered as they weren’t found until 1941. The site was opened to the public in 2002 after 8 years of restoration. You can either take a guided tour or explore the area on your own. There isn’t much signage so you will learn a lot more about the history and Mayan culture if you have a guide. The surrounding jungle gives this area a very ancient feel. And, because the nearby jungle is lush you might spot a spider monkey. Note: you are not allowed to climb up the ruins.
Dzibanche and Kohunlich Ruins
These two ruin sites are less traveled as they are a bit farther away. A guided tour will really bring the Mayan history and their culture to life for you. Vegetation enveloped this area at one point so the archeological history is also very interesting. Both sites can be visited in one day.
Dzibanche was a large city between 300 and 900 A.D. There were plazas, palaces, temples, homes, and public buildings that you see remnants of today. The most impressive pyramid is the Cormoranes Pyramid from the 5th Century A.D. You are allowed to climb these ruins to get a bird’s eye view of the surrounding jungle and archeological site. Be careful and watch your footing!
Kohunlichis the largest and most spectacular site. It isn’t as busy as it is about an hour and a half away. You can also climb to the top of the temples here for another beautiful view of the jungle. You are most likely to see those pesky spider monkeys here.
Today was all about the Mayan Culture that you can discover in when your cruise ship docks in the port of Costa Maya. But, this certainly isn’t all there is to do in Costa Maya. Oh no! Stay tuned for a future post about all the adventureous activities available in Costa Maya!
Have you visited Chacchoben? Is this ruin site or one of the others on your bucket list for your next cruise to Costa Maya?
If you would like more information about cruise lines and intineraries that visit Costa Maya I would love to point you in the right direction. Contact me and we can get started planning right away.
Vienne Jazz Festival: One of the most unique and largest in Europe
Roman Amphitheater built in 1 AD is the main stage for the Vienne Jazz Festival.
Just a few miles south of Lyon, France, on the banks of the Rhone River, you have the opportunity to attend one of the largest Jazz Festivals in Europe, the Vienne Jazz Festival.
Vienne, France is deeply rooted in Roman history. One of the must see destinations in Vienne is the Roman amphitheater built in 1 A.D. One great way to see this fascinating site is at the Annual Vienne Jazz Festival! The acoustics and history of the setting make this festival very unique.
When is the Vienne Jazz Festival
The Vienne Jazz Festival is held every year in late June/Early July. The dates for the 2021 festival is June 23rd-July 10th.
What’s at the Vienne Jazz Festival
The festival hosts many world-renown jazz and blues artists. Artists such as Miles Davis, Stan Gets, Claude Challe, Sonny Rollins, Bobby McFerrin and Tom Misch have performed on this iconic stage since the festival’s founding in 1981.
Ever year, over 200,000 concert goers listen to hundreds of artist spread throughout 4 stages. In addition to the main amphitheater stage, a smaller stage holds daytime concerts and a couple late night venues hold events for those wanting to listen into the wee hours. If you have young ones traveling with you, they will love the children’s concerts.
Jazz music is not all you will find at the festival. Other activities such as projections, film screenings, book readings, conferences and workshops will educate and entertain guest with everything from gospel music to yoga with jazz. You will also hear music other than jazz such as soul, funk, blues, R&B, folk, hip hop and world music.
While main stage headliner concerts will require tickets most events and activities are free.
Jazz à Vienne means jazz anytime, anywhere for anyone.
See Vienne Jazz Festival on a river cruise
A river cruise is a great way to enjoy the Vienne Jazz Festival. Vienne, France is a port stop on river cruises down the Rhone River. If you are sailing on AmaWaterways, the Colors of Provence cruise will be perfect. You have a couple of options to work the festival into your vacation.
Attend a concert on the day you are in port in Vienne. If you sail on the Colors of Provence itinerary from Lyon, Vienne will be your port of call on Day 3 (the sailings going the opposite direction do not have as much time in Vienne). For 2021 you can choose between two sailing dates, June 24, 2021 (not as much time in Vienne) and July 1, 2021(best option). AmaWaterways Essence of Burgundy and Provence cruise is also an option but the stop is short. Other cruise lines have stops in Vienne in which you could catch a festival concert.
Add a couple of days in Lyon, France either before or after your river cruise. AmaWaterways Colors of Provence itineraty either begins or ends in Lyon. Lyon is just a short train ride or drive from Vienne so it makes a great place to extend your river cruise. You can not only attend the festival you can also spend more time eating your way through Lyon, the Gastronomy Capital of France.
If you would like more information about river cruises that include Vienne, France and the Vienne Jazz Festival, please contact me.
The pool at Disney’s Polynesian Resort and Bungalows, a Deluxe Resort.
When you think of staying at a Disney World Resort it probably isn’t necessarily for the resort. Most people think of their resort as a place to lay their head in between park days. BUT, your Disney World Resort can be so much more. There is so much to see and do at Disney World Resorts that you could almost plan a vacation to stay solely at the resort and never step foot in the parks. How do awesome pools at Disney World Resorts fit into this? Let’s find out!
Maybe your family doesn’t want to spend every waking moment in the parks but would like to have a couple of down days at the resort. If you want relaxation days at the resort then picking out your resort becomes a bit more important. It is important to consider what each resort has to offer. And, one of the big things is the POOLS at your Disney World Resort!
Important note: Pool hopping between resorts is not allowed so this is one reason resort selection is very important! There are two exceptions: All-Star resort guests may hop between All-Star pools and those staying at Disney’s Port Orleans can use both Riverside and French Quarter pools.
Pools vary by Disney World Resort type
While all the pools are very nice at the Disney World Resorts they are certainly not all equal. You can start narrowing things down just by the type of resort you choose:
Value Resorts: These pools are just a very large open pool more like a community swimming pool. The area around the pool has some really fun decor surrounding the pool, but the pools themselves are fairly simple. There will be at least two large pools at each value resort. You might also find a small splash area for little ones at some of the value resorts.
Moderate Resorts: The pools at moderate resorts are a definite step up. The awesomeness of the pool areas vary from resort to resort. The pool area is unique to each resort, beautifully fitting the theme of the resort. The pool is large with a waterslide or two and fun water elements. You will also find a splash area. Since these resorts are larger there are also a simple, quiet pools or two around the resort.
Deluxe Resorts and Villas: These resorts have the best pool areas. You could spend the day at these pools and have fun all day. They have multiple slides and at some resorts, they are quite long. You also will find beach areas at some and zero-entry for little ones.
Using the Disney World Resort pools in 2020/2021
Due to COVID-19 there are a few changes at the pools.
Pools will have reduced capacity.
Since park hours aren’t as long many guests are wanting to go to the pools later in the day, so plan accordingly.
Featured pools (the big ones near the main building with the cool slides) may have reduced hours
Leisure pools (the quiet ones away from the main building in Moderate and Deluxe Resorts) are open 24 hours.
Masks for guests 2 and up are required in all public areas including the pool area.
BUT, GUESS WHAT! If you are swimming you don’t have to have your mask on making this one of the only places you can go mask free. That is an awesome benefit of going to the pools at your Disney World Resort.
3 Awesome Pools at Disney World
Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club
The pool at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club, called Stormalong Bay, is one of the best on Disney World property. You will love the zero-entry beachy area and the wrecked pirate ship waterslide. This waterslide is one of the longest you will find. Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club and Villas is a Deluxe Resort.
There is a lovely beachy area and zero-entry section at Stormalong Bay.
Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club
The pirate ship waterslide is a long journey of fun across the walkway and into the pool on the other side.A quiet pool at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club and Villas.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Beach pool is a great place to spend a day out of the park. If you stay at this resort you will love the large pool with fun slides. Your young kids will love the nearby pirate ship splash area. Something fun for everyone! In each “country” there is a also a smaller simple pool. While the main pool area isn’t too far away it is really convenient to have a pool just steps from your room. Disney’s Caribbean Beach is a moderate resort.
One of the fun slides at the pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach.
Fuentes del Morro pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach
Pirate ship splash area at Disney’s Caribbean Beach
One of the quiet pools at Disney’s Caribbean Beach
Disney’s Pop Century
The value resort, Disney’s Pop Century, has three different pools to choose from. They are big and open and there is lots of room for everyone. Around the pool areas, you will find some fun activities and games as well as lots of chairs for lounging around. The giant Twister is a ton of fun! Disney’s Pop Century is a fantastic value resort option.
Bowling Pin Pool at Disney’s Pop Century
Computer Pool at Disney’s Pop Century
Unfortunately, the Hippy Dippy Pool is not pictured because it was under construction when I visited. The Hippy Dippy Pool is a fun flower shape and has some really nice water elements and a small splash area for little ones.
One last awesome feature of Disney World Resort Pools…
The pools at the Disney World Resorts are all heated to 82 degrees. This means that they can stay open all year round. They do close them during bad weather and really low temperatures but you wouldn’t want to be out there then anyway.
Do you have a favorite pool at a Disney World Resort? Do you have a question about the pools at one of the other Disney World Resorts? Please let me know in the comments below!
Would you like help picking out the perfect Disney World Resort for your family vacation in 2021? Contact me and we can get started planning a fabulous Disney World vacation right away!
Nuremberg, Germany has a long, robust, 950-year history. It is a marvelous city to visit on a river cruise or for a few days. There are so many things that you can choose to do and see in Nuremberg you could become a little overwhelmed. Since the stories of history are so important to remember, this first post about Nuremberg will focus on the monumental WWII historic places you can visit during your day. So, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s get started learning about the places that you can visit to remember WWII history in Nuremberg, Germany.
The links below have some great historical information and are very interesting to read if you enjoy that sort of thing. ( I sure do!)
Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds
Congress Hall–Houses the Documentation Center of the Nazi Party Rally Grounds
In 1933, Adolf Hitler declared that Nuremberg, Germany should be the “City of the Nazi Party Rallies,” so plans were made and construction was begun. Even though these buildings were not ever finished this area stands as a remembrance to this dark time in German history that is not to be forgotten.
The Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds (Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgelände) is one of the most important museums in Germany dedicated to remembering the Nazi regime. The rally grounds is an absolutely enormous area. The parade grounds alone were designed to hold 200,000. Now, in one wing of the unfinished Congress Hall (designed to seat 50,000), you will find the main exhibit called “Fascination and Terror.” This exhibit chronicles the rise of the Nazi Party, Nazi rallies, racism, anti-Semitism, the German resistance, and the Nuremberg Trials.
Guided tours are available in English if reserved ahead of time. Self-guided tours are also available in English to help you explore this piece of WWII history in Nuremberg, Germany.
Before you visit you might want to watch “The Triumph of the Will,” a propaganda film produced in 1934. The film shows a Nazi Party Rally at the Rally Grounds with over 700,000 attendees, soldiers marching, clips from speeches of prominent Nazi leaders and Adolf Hitler. It isn’t the most exciting film, but it is still very fascinating.
Memorium Nuremberg Trials
Another interesting place to visit for WWII history in Nuremberg, Germany is the Memorium Nuremberg Trials. This exhibit focuses on the war trials conducted by the Allies between 1945 and 1949 that tried Nazi officials for crimes against peace, the rules of war, and humanity. You will find this memorial in Nuremberg’s Place of Justice directly above the courtroom where the trials took place.
If you are lucky you might even get to see the actual courtroom, room 600. Access is limited during the weekdays since it is an active courtroom used today. If you happen to visit the Palace of Justice on a Saturday you can experience an audio tour of the room (in English) bringing this sobering piece of history back to life.
River Cruise Tours
Most river cruise lines will include tours in each city and town you visit. These are generally overview tours that help you get a better understanding of the town. So, while in Nuremberg you most likely have the option of a city tour. Your tour will probably include a visit to the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds and possibly even the Palace of Justice. For some, this quick visit might be enough. But, if you are a history buff (and especially WWII) you will want to plan to come back to this area later in the day to fully take in all the exhibits.
Have you visited this part of Nuremberg, Germany? If not, is it on your list of must-visit places? Let me know in the comments below!
There are so many wonderful dishes to taste while you are in Bratislava, Slovakia. Now, you can certainly take a tasting tour (complimentary option on your AmaWaterways river cruise) but then you just have to remember the taste. Taking a cooking class in Bratislava will allow you to take the taste of Slovakia home with you! Read on to find cooking classes in Bratislava, Slovakia
Chefparade Cooking School
Do you want to taste the traditional Slovak cuisine and learn to prepare “Bryndzové halušky”?Chefparade has two locations in Bratislava ready to teach you. This cooking school is a contemporary cosmopolitan cooking studio where you can master Slovak cooking. The hands-on courses will give you the confidence to make the dishes at home. Not only do you learn about specific recipes they will also teach basic cooking practices if needed. Their courses are on request so contact your travel advisor to reserve a class.
Bread and Pastry Classes with Tanya Novak
Tanya Novak is a master baker and pastry chef. She teaches classes (in English) in conjunction with Boulanger&Patissiere. She teaches classes for beginners and professionals. You can take a class to make bread and baguettes, macarons, butter croissants, Brioche Feuilletée, and other delectable desserts. Have your travel advisor assist you in booking one of her classes.
Bon Manufaktur Confectionary
Bon Manufaktur is a unique Slovak Confectionary as they turn sugar into art. They sell their own hand made products ranging from candies and lollipops to marshmallos and chocolates. You can go in for some decadent desserts and watch a caramel show but wouldn’t it be much more fun to learn how to make some yourself!
They offer workshops for children and adults from basic to expert skills. A basic class teaches you how to make a somewhat simple lollipop where the upper level classes guide you to creating works of art. Classes are in English.
There are other cooking class possibilites that you travel advisor can look into for you:
Bratislava Cooking Workshop–In this 3 hour class you prepare a 3-course Slovakian meal. The menu changes but you might make potato dumplings with sheep’s cheese or creamy garlic soup. After you finish cooking you get to enjoy the meal you prepared. Yum! This workshop isn’t currently available but might be in the future. Have your travel advisor keep an eye out for you.
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