New Orleans
New Orleans is the country's most quixotic city. A stroll through New Orleans will usher you through time, with remnants of the city's French Colonial past still standing today, almost two hundred years after the Louisiana Purchase. At the same time, the city doesn't dwell on the past, as the Central Business District is where you'll find modern buildings, upscale hotels and posh restaurants.
St. Charles Avenue is the bloodline of the city, linking the French Quarter, the Garden District and Uptown. The country's oldest running streetcar runs along St. Charles, sparking thoughts of Tennessee Williams classic play, ?A Streetcar Named Desire, which was set in New Orleans.
Of course, at no time does the city loom larger in the world's collective conscience than during Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday. Beads become more valuable than diamonds, and the city throws itself into full hedonist mode to celebrate the last day before Lent.
The French Quarter sums up New Orleans better than anywhere else. While Bourbon Street is replete with bars, clubs, and a general anything goes atmosphere, you'll also find the solemn and beautiful St. Louis Cathedral. New Orleans laissez-faire attitude amongst quaint streets and colonial homes makes for the perfect combination of old and new, strict and indulgent. New Orleans is at once approachable and mysterious.
Cozumel
If you're looking for a beautiful Caribbean style vacation
within Mexico, then look no further than Cozumel, Mexico. This lovely hideaway
is Mexico's largest island, yet remains somewhat undiscovered by Mexico's 20
million annual visitors. Cozumel is located 12 miles offshore of the city of Playa del Carmen. Yet
only 3 percent of its land has been developed, making it an ideal place to
explore the region in its pristine and nearly unaltered state.
Cozumel's history is centered on its importance to the
Mayan culture as one of three ceremonial centers in the region, and this link to
the past can be further explored by paying a visit to one of 40 archeological
sites still present on the island. When the Spanish took over the island in
1519, Cozumel became a pivotal trading center in salt and honey. The collapse of
the Spanish Empire in the late 16th century ushered in nearly 300
years of obscurity to this Caribbean land, yet it has recently flourished as a
popular cruise and travel destination; luring people from across the globe to
bask in its wonderful weather, amazing diving locations, and friendly people.
Cozumel, although not nearly as developed as its northern
neighbor Cancun, still contains all the resources necessary for the ultimate
cruise destination. Shopping is prevalent, and duty-free stores, selling
everything under the tropical sun, invite the seasoned bargain hunter. Cozumel
has been consistently rated the best spot in the world for scuba diving
and snorkeling. Restaurants on the island are world-class as well as affordable.
Finally, its proximity to the popular excursions of Xel-Ha Lagoons, the Mayan
ruins at Tulum, and Playa del Carmen solidify its position as one of the top
cruise destinations in the Caribbean.
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