Most retailers and merchants in Mexico will politely accept American dollars, but they prefer Pesos. The exception would be in Northern Mexico and Baja where merchants happily accept dollars and there isn’t much chance to offend. You just need to make sure in these cases that you get a fair exchange rate. It is also a better deal for the tourist to use Pesos because prices are almost always less expensive when using Pesos.

You can plan ahead and use a currency exchange service before you travel, although you may find that a currency exchange at the airport might give you the best exchange rate. A good bill amount to obtain might be 500 Pesos, which would come in handy for tipping the bellman or a waiter. You can use your debit or credit card for all your other transactions and you can take along traveler’s checks for any emergency that comes along. All of your cards and travelers checks can be replaced if stolen so don’t take an inordinate amount of cash with you.

If you run low on cash you can always replenish your pocketbook at the many ATM bank machines that are prevalent in resort areas. You can cash your traveler’s checks at an exchange house or a bank, which will result in the face value of the check multiplied by that day’s rate of exchange. If the place you go tries to charge a fee for doing this, go somewhere else, as it is not common practice to levy fees or commissions for cashing traveler’s checks.

And don’t forget that friends and family will appreciate and enjoy seeing coins and currency from distant lands when you get home. Be sure to keep some Pesos to give a show and tell when you return. If you have children you will especially appreciate how much they will enjoy showing off your “booty” to their friends. And putting some of the Pesos you get while on vacation into your scrapbook or photo album will be a great reminder of all the fun you had in Mexico.

Using the currency of Mexico will not only make your cash go farther, but it will also stimulate your mind as you take in all the colorful images printed on the Pesos and immerse yourself into the culture of Mexico. Go to a currency exchange service and get a lot of different small denominations. Learning what certain everyday items cost and how little you have to spend to have a good time will only serve to better your vacation experience. Have fun!

Before you even leave for your vacation in Mexico be sure to hydrate yourself by drinking lots of fluids. Once you arrive at your destination be sure to drink only distilled or bottled water. Climate and altitude changes can have an effect on your body. Give your body time to acclimatize to its new environment and don’t go overboard your first day in Mexico. Eat sparingly the first day and only what your body is fairly familiar with. Make sure that any fruits or vegetables that you purchase get washed in distilled or bottled water and peel them if possible.

Washing your hands often can also keep you remain healthy. Taking along some antibacterial soap would be a wise idea. To go along with that you should have a small first aid kit that would include several different sizes of band-aids, antibacterial ointment, alcohol swabs, and any over the counter pain medication you might need. It is advisable to check with your physician before you leave the country to see if there are any preventative medications you should take to help in preventing common illness to that region. This is an important step to take especially if you are over 65 years of age, have an acute or chronic illness, or are pregnant. And any prescription medications you have should be kept in their original bottles with legible labeling that will prevent any misunderstandings.

Try to avoid over-indulgences of alcohol while in Mexico, as this will lower your body’s resistance to disease and raise the risk that you may become ill. If you do feel like you are coming down with something seek medical attention immediately and avoid contact with the general population. This is especially true if you are on a cruise ship or staying at a resort that has buffet dining. Besides, you want to be able to remember the great times that you had on vacation, so drinking in moderation would be a good way to keep your senses keen.

If you have any food allergies you should be especially careful about what you eat. Make sure you inquire of any restaurant staff where you dine about what is in each dish and if there are any items you are allergic to that it may be cooked in.

Most of us work hard all year long just to be able to take a week or two off to enjoy relaxing and having fun. No one wants to get sick on his or her vacation, but we have all probably had that experience. Becoming ill in a foreign country can have consequences that may be more serious depending on the circumstances, so do what you can to lessen the risks to your health while on vacation in Mexico.

It is advisable to rent from an international car rental agency instead of relying on a local agency. This way works better from customer service and availability aspects. A local agency doesn’t have much incentive to treat tourists well when they will probably never have the opportunity to use their service again and they may not have as much choice in car models. Also the large international agencies can set up your rental online or over the phone beforehand. Make sure to print a copy of the document that shows the name of the company, the make and model of the vehicle, and the price that you were quoted (in both dollars and pesos). If there is any discrepancy in price or type of vehicle this should settle any arguments.

When you rent a car in Mexico the rental agency will want you to have a credit card. They will need to run the card twice, once for the rental and once as a precautionary measure for any damages that may occur to the vehicle while it is in your possession. Once you return the car and an inspection shows it is in it’s previous condition you should make sure to get the second blank charge slip returned or destroyed in your presence. If all you have is a debit card you will probably be charged a deposit, but there is a chance that such a transaction will limit your withdrawal capability on that card.

Do not accept a vehicle from a rental office unless it appears to be in optimum condition. It won’t pay to take chances with a vehicle that may break down on a desolate piece of highway. In any case, rental agencies offer the same services in Mexico as they do in the U.S. such as roadside assistance and extra insurance for an additional fee. It is always advisable to take the extra insurance when renting in Mexico.

Renting a car and exploring Mexico at your own pace can be relaxing and liberating. It is relatively trouble-free and enjoyable as long as you know the best ways to avoid car rental nightmares. Rent from a known international company instead of a local company because a known brand will provide the best service and least hassles. Protect yourself by being aware of what you are charged and how payments for services are remitted. And make sure you take the time to inspect your prospective rental vehicle to assure yourself that it is in excellent condition and reasonably clean. These are just a few tips that will help you to avoid having a car rental nightmare while on your Mexico vacation.

Added to the UNESCO list in 1987, Sian Ka’an translates as “Origin of the Sky”. It provides a habitat for a diverse population of flora and fauna, as well as over 300 species of birds. There is a small ecotourism and education center there that serves as a model for sustainable development in sensitive tropical ecosystems. The center is funded by the various tours, fishing, accommodation on-site, and various other activities offered there. Some of the ecologically responsible techniques the center uses are rainwater collection, using wind and solar power, and employing systems for wetland waste management. It also provides educational outreach and biological research opportunities.

Accommodations at Sian Ka’an consist of tents that are raised off the ground to allow ecological and hydrological processes to continue. They have gorgeous views from private patios, as well as plenty of shade and cooling breezes. Bathrooms are shared, but they are always clean and also have stunning views over the water. The dining areas and kitchens are designed to maximize comfort while minimizing impact on the surrounding environment. The menu for the restaurant is wide and varied, but the best choice would be the fresh seafood dishes that are offered.

Activities in the park include fishing excursions, kayaking, or taking one of several tours that will highlight the canals and the Mayan ruins, abundant flora and fauna, and the history of the reserve. There is also a sunset tour that centers on bird watching where you will float along in an open-air boat through beautiful lagoons while viewing birds, plants, and diverse ecosystems. The tour then culminates in watching the sunset over the mangrove forest and lagoon.

The kayaking tours are designed to give visitors a more intimate access to the natural splendor of the park. Single or double kayaks are available and expert guides, who speak both English and Spanish, can accompany you through the reserve to bird watch and explore the wetlands. Free basic training is provided if you have never kayaked before. If you would like to explore alone, the guides can give you directions and information on where to go to use ancient trading routes through the park used by the Mayans. This is an excellent option for experienced kayakers, but an additional fee can give someone basic training to undertake this more advanced tour.

Sian Ka’an is a beautiful ecosystem to visit and learn about history, ecology, and sustainable technology that will open your mind to possibilities you may never have otherwise known about. At the very least it will give you an appreciation of conservation and natural beauty that should stay with you forever.

They sunny yet beautiful breezes and picture perfect views are a vacation paradise for tourists and a water recreation highlight for locals.  There are seven unique beaches that dot the seven mile coastline against a backdrop of real estate, resorts, cliffs, tall palm trees, and lush scenary.

Downtown La Jolla is conveniently located near most of the beaches which not only provide parking for beach visitors but plenty of fine restaurants, intimate cafes, culture, art galleries, and other types of commercial convenience.

Between mid day and 4 PM, the crowds at any of the La Jolla beaches can be very big.  The best advice when visiting any of the beaches in La Jolla is to come to the beach early and stay late - so that you can enjoy the magic of the sunsets and dusk views from across the ocean horizons.

Each beach at La Jolla will offer you something unique with different ways to enjoy the bliss of your vacation.  La Jolla Shores is the most popular beach for families with the largest expansion of flat, sandy beaches.  If you enjoy people watching, sunbathing, and lazy days on the beach - La Jolla Shores is where you want to be.

La Jolla Cove is another excellent beach, with steep sandstone cliffs offering amazing views and the paradise of sparkling blue water the cove is known for.  The La Jolla Cove is a swimmer’s dream come true because of it’s gentle water.  Along with the Children’s Pool, the Cove is rich with reefs that attract scuba divers and snorkelers to the abundance of marine life.

There are several La Jolla Caves that were carved by nature into the sandstone cliffs between La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores that help attract ocean kayakers from around the world.  There is  one cave in particular, known as “Sunny Jim Cave” that can be entered through a man made tunnel that leads to a steep descent through a narrow underground tube to a wooden deck.

With plenty of beaches all along the coastline, La Jolla is the place to be during the summer months.  La Jolla is a well known tourist attraction, with well over 7,000 people visiting on a daily basis.  If you enjoy the beach, La Jolla is going to feel like heaven on earth.

Along the way, La Jolla encompasses neighborhoods like Bird Rock, Windansea, La Jolla Shores, La Jolla Farms, Torrey Pines, Mount Soledad, and even La Jolla Village.

Residents of La Jolla and business owners refer to the “village” or “town” of La Jolla.  The official postal address for the zip code 92037 is actually La Jolla, and not San Diego as it is for most communities within the City of San Diego.  Sometimes, tourists get confused and believe that La Jolla is actually a seperate city, which it isn’t.

La Jolla is a community of the City of San Diego.  La Jolla has several community groups that work to unify the voice of the area, including several non profit organizations.

With it’s palm lined streets, large homes, and tropical climate and atmosphere, La Jolla is like a southern European village with it’s own touch of Beverly Hills along the retail shops on Prospect Street.  A lot of the natural charm from La Jolla stems from the presence of the ocean and Mount Soledad.

Several narrow curvy roads follow the contours of Soledad with hundreds of nice homes overlooking the ocean, nestled gently on the slopes.  There are several sandy beaches here as well, including the Windansea Beach, La Jolla Cove, La Jolla Beach, and La Jolla Shores.

La Jolla also has the Torrey Pines Golf Course, which was made famous by the PGA Tour Buick Invitational held there each February.  Down the steep cliffs frm the golf course is the famous Black’s Beach.

The downtown area of La Jolla is well known for it’s jewelry stores, upmarket restaurants, and even hotels.  Prospect Street and Girad Avenue also offer several famous boutiques.  Well known for its architectural and historical presence  is the La Valencia Hotel, which used to welcome movie stars on retreat from Hollywood.

Recently, harbor seals have taken over the Children’s Beach, which is a quiet man made cove near the downtown area.  The seals are protected under federal law, so removing them is nearly impossible.  Now, the beach is open, as the rope is down.  Swimming here is allowed, although it’s not recommended.

Built in 1913, this historic hotel is seconds away from the beach or the always happening village with its shops, restaurants, and art galleries.  The Grande Colonial guestrooms are unique, with many offering breezy ocean views from the windows.

The Grande Colonial in La Jolla is located in the Village of La Jolla on 910 Prospect Street, within walking distance from the ocean beaches.  The hotel is 15 minutes from Sea World, 20 minutes from downtown San Diego, the convention center, and even the airport.

Located on the Grande Colonial property is an outdoor heated swimming pool, with a health club located nearby.  All rooms are decorated with renaissance type furniture with village and ocean views.  The restaurant in the hotel is called the Nine-Ten.  The hotel is in a great location, being within walking distance to fine dining, boutique shopping, and unique art galleries.

For families on vacation, the Grande Colonial offers baby sitting for younger children.  There is exquisite in house dining, and plenty of hospitality.  In each room, there is air conditioning, heating, a hair dryer, view rooms, and even in room movies.

No matter what brings you to La Jolla, the Grande Colonial is worth a stay.  The rates vary, depending on what time of year you visit.  This hotel is one of the most well known in San Diego, pleasing visitors since 1913.  Once you stay a night in the Grande Colonial, you’ll have a new meaning to blissful paradise.

On average, around 7,000 people will visit La Jolla every day.  With so many people coming to such a small place, you can almost bet that finding a parking place is a chore.  There isn’t any parking meters, although many of the streets closest to the water do have one hour time limits.  You can go a little farther out for two hour parking, although you’ll have to observe the time limits.  Even in off season, parking enforcement is really enforced here.

Even during the off season, finding a parking place is very hard to do.  The streets are almost always crowded, although for good reason.  La Jolla is an excellent tourist attraction, with plenty of water and fun for the entire family.

If you pay close attention when you visit, you can find a few paid lots that are scattered around the town.  If you get closer to the downtown area, the lots will be a little bit cheaper.

Your best bet when visiting La Jolla might be a parking lot that’s well hidden - so few people will notice it.  If you turn downhill on Coast Blvd from Prospect, you’ll find it on the left, right across from the Cave Store.  Keep in mind though, vehicles over 6′5″ won’t fit through.

Known for its warm hospitality, the Empress Hotel has superior accommodations and very attentive service.  This superior hotel is a great place to relax and enjoy everything that San Diego has to offer you and your family.

La Jolla is an upscale coastal resort that sets amist beautiful cliffs and coves.  La Jolla offers plenty of shops, fine dining, distinctive galleries, and amazing beaches.  By staying at the Empress Hotel you’ll be captivated with the area and amazed time and time again.

Luxury
If your looking for luxurious accommodations, the Empress Hotel has them.  Accommodations here include either one king or two queen beds, available in several room types, including traditional, deluxe, empress, and even the empress spa suite.

All rooms at the Empress Hotel feature:
-  Cable television
-  A refrigerator
-  Coffee maker and bottled water
-  Free local calls and faxing
-  Voicemail and data ports
-  Private bath with hairdryer and bathrobes
-  Iron and ironing board

Services and amenities
The Empress Hotel offers superior service, such as valet parking, courteous room service, and other amentities.

The complimentary deluxe continental breakfast here includes fresh Starbucks coffee, served on the sun deck every morning.  The Manhattan restaurant is right around the corner as well, offering some excellent fine dining.

The hotel also offers an exercise center, spa, and sauna so that guests can pamper themselves.  They can also refer you to local spas and other things nearby that you may be interested in.

For those on a working vacation, the Empress Hotel offers complimentary Internet access on two floors.  Private meetings and conferences can be held in one of the two meeting rooms, available for groups of up to 50 people.  Both meeting rooms are equipped with high speed internet access.

If your going to be staying in the La Jolla area, the Empress Hotel is one the best hotels in the area.  The hotel is in a great location, minutes away from some of the biggest attractions that San Diego has to offer.

You can visit Sea World, the Birch Aquarium, and many other popular tourist attractions.  Best of all, you can come back to your relaxing hotel after a day of checking out La Jolla and San Diego and just relax - the way things were always meant to be on vacation.

On a yearly basis, tourists hailing from all over the world come and flock to Italy in their attempt to unearth the interesting and exceptional tourist destination spots that are more than often highlighted by the travel agencies to all and sundry. By personally visiting Italy, you will discover for yourself that everything is indeed much captivating and stimulating.

Visiting tourists like you will never have the time to feel bored during your stay in Italy. The remarkable tourist sights are pretty accessible. You just have to try it out for yourself so you can definitely say that you have experienced living life the “la vita Italiana” manner!

All corners of Italy suggest something. The lovely landscapes of the Verona Province simply never fail to captivate the interest of a visitor. The north western portion of Italy is more so the perfect spot for individuals who are interested in learning all sorts of culinary designs and tricks. The capital of Milan, Lombardia, is nonetheless the core of haute couture and commerce.

Venice and Verona are two of the most romantic tourist destinations of Italy where the so called whirlwind romantic affairs often progress. If you take particular attention to the characteristics of wines, then the best place to go to is Piemonte. In this spot you will find the wines which are squeezed directly out of the Nebbiolo grapes. Book fairs, museum visits, music festivals, and art galleries are among the topnotch places to pay a visit to when you set your foot in Italy.

Activities to Get Busy with

The months of March up to May and from September up to November are the best durations to go to Italy. If you prefer to take a marvelous sight at the beaches, then you must schedule your visit in between the months of May down to September. Meanwhile, skiing adventures are mostly advised from January to March.

The Italian festivities are also very rich. As a Catholic nation, Italy almost fills its calendar with the principal spiritual festivities all year round. Among the eye-catching celebrations include the Christmas and Easter seasons. If you plan your Italian tour in the summer months, then you can grab the opportunity of being a part yourself of the local festivities, historic events, and the series of art festivals. The month of February is the celebration of the Carnevale.

The most authentic costumes are worn by the people who partake in such festivity. The Easter celebration is vividly given life by the Lo Scoppio del Carro with several fireworks displays to enjoy. In May, the festival of snakes is held. Likewise, the Verona Opera Season is much awaited from the middle part of June up to August for the most favored opera performances to marvel at.

European family vacations are all worth it. For a worry-free travel, you can contact the trusted travel agencies which specialize in European tours. You never know but you may chance upon the discounted rates especially if you do group bookings!