Acapulco Renaissance Promised

Federal, state and local officials along with a group of business leaders headed by Carlos Slim have joined together in an effort to restore Acapulco to its former glory. Once the only international resort destination in Mexico, Acapulco long ago was overshadowed by Puerto Vallarta, Cancun and many other seaside playgrounds. Latest blows have come from violent battles between warring drug cartels. Now plans call for everything from new parks and another museum to improved public transportation and a 10-mile-long tunnel beneath traffic-clogged streets.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Opening Dates for Yellowstone

Lodges, restaurants and activities in Yellowstone National Park will open in spring starting in late April with complete operations on board by mid-June.

Visitor services open in stages to coincide with increasing demand as spring gives way to summer. The park itself reopens to automobiles in April when the roads are cleared of snow.

Opening dates for lodges and campgrounds operated by concessioner Xanterra Parks & Resorts are:

Lodges

April 20 — Old Faithful Snow Lodge Geyser Grill and gift shop

April 27 — Mammoth Hot Springs gift shop and Terrace Grill

May 4 — Old Faithful Snow Lodge, rooms, restaurant and cabins

May 4 — Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins, and restaurant

May 11 — Lake Yellowstone Hotel, rooms, cabins, restaurant, deli and gift shop

May 11 — Old Faithful Lodge, cabins, cafeteria. Bake Shop and gift store

May 18 — Old Faithful Inn, rooms, gift shop, snack shop and restaurant

May 25 — Grant Village, rooms, gift shop and restaurant

June 1 — Canyon Lodge, rooms, cabins, restaurant, cafeteria, deli and gift shop

June 8 — Roosevelt Lodge Cabins, dining and gift shop

June 10 — Lake Lodge Cabins, cafeteria and gift shop

June 15 — Grant Village Lake House restaurant

Campgrounds

May 4 — Madison Campground

May 11 — Fishing Bridge RV Park

May 25 — Bridge Bay Campground

June 1 — Canyon Campground

June 21 — Grant Village Campground

Activities

May 19 — Circle of Fire tour (Lake Hotel and Fishing Bridge RV Park)

May 23 — Old Faithful Inn Photo Safaris

May 25 — Lake Yellowstone Hotel Photo Safaris

May 25 — Bridge Bay Marina (dock slips)

May 25 — Mammoth horseback rides

May 26 — Yellowstone in a Day tour (Mammoth and Gardiner)

June 8 — Roosevelt horseback and stagecoach rides

June 9 — Roosevelt Old West Cookout

June 15 — Boat tours, rentals and charters

June 26 — Canyon horseback rides

Complete details about accommodations, restaurants, tours and activities in Yellowstone National Park can be made by visiting www.YelllowstoneNationalParkLodges.com or calling (307) 344-7311 or toll free 866-GEYSERLAND (866-439-7375).

Passengers Robbed

Cruising to Mexico suffered another setback this weekend when a group of passengers from the Carnival Splendor were robbed at gunpoint while on a nature trail tour near Puerto Vallarta. Some cruise ships no longer call at Puerto Vallarta nor at Mazatlan as a result of such incidents. Many vessels that sailed along the Mexican Pacific have been rescheduled on other routes. Puerto Vallarta is to be the venue for the Tianguis Turistico trade show about a month from now.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Cheli & Peacock presents the Adamson story: 2 regal cats set free and thrive

From the heart of Kenya came the stories of Elsa the lioness, the star of the novel and Academy Award-winning film, “Born Free,” and Penny the leopard, the star of the novel, “Queen of Shaba,” both taken care of by the same owner with the same goal in mind: to live in the wild. Elsa’s Kopje and Joy’s Camp, owned and operated by Cheli & Peacock, remain as a tribute to the cats’ journeys — safari camps that once housed Elsa or Penny — and carry on the conservation goals that the Adamson family held dearly.

Elsa became the first lioness successfully released back into the wild, the first to have contact after release and the first known to have cubs after release. After Elsa’s mother was shot charging two wardens, George and Joy Adamson took in and raised Elsa and two other cubs in Meru National Park where Elsa’s Kopje now stands. After a duration of six months with increasing difficulty in taking care of three cubs, the two larger cubs were sent to a zoo in the Netherlands. Instead of sending Elsa to a zoo, the Adamsons decided to keep her with the intent to free her back into the wild. As a result of many months training Elsa to hunt and survive on her own, the Adamsons were successful in the end. Although Elsa is no longer alive, guests of Elsa’s Kopje are able to visit her grave within the park.

After Elsa’s death, George and Joy Adamson’s interests went in separate directions, as did their lives (George wanted to continue to work with lions while Joy’s focus moved to other cats). Penny the leopard was 8 weeks old when a ranger found her and handed her over to Joy. The process of teaching Penny how to hunt consisted of getting Penny to jump up at or chase animal skins, then chase hares until she caught one, until finally she progressed to hunting big gazelle. Penny was another success story of an animal in captivity taught to survive on her own and released into the wild. Penny had a litter of two cubs before the publication of “Queen of Shaba.”

Joy Adamson spent the rest of her life raising money for wildlife, thanks to the popularity of “Born Free,” sharing the proceeds with various conservation projects. These conservation efforts have been carried on by Cheli & Peacock’s C&P Portfolio, a collection of 14 prestigious eco-tourism lodges that include Elsa’s Kopje and Joy’s Camp.

Elsa’s Kopje, named after Elsa the lioness and an Andrew Harper 2012 Grand Award Winner, is renowned for being one of the most elegant lodges in Africa. Elsa’s Kopje is almost invisible to the eye as you approach its home on Mughwango Hill. It blends into the rocky crags of the “kopje” (small hill), built above the site of George Adamson’s original campsite. Every cottage is the ultimate room-with-a-view and is uniquely designed and crafted, incorporating the natural features of the rocky hillside. Rates range from $410 to $650 per person sharing per night, depending on the season. This includes game drives, line fishing, bush meals, sundowners, guided bush walks, local airstrip transfers, a range of drinks and laundry.

Joy’s Camp is built on the site of Joy Adamson and Penny’s tented home in Shaba National Reserve, amidst an elegant oasis in the arid lands of Samburu. The 10 chic canvas bedrooms have views of the surrounding hills, overlooking a natural spring. Each tent is uniquely decorated with handmade glass and the vibrant fabrics of the local nomadic tribes and each tent also has its own private veranda, ideal for game viewing. Rates range from $370 to $590 per person sharing per night, depending on the season. This includes game drives, guided bush walks, bush breakfasts along the Ewaso Nyiro River and gorge, sundowners, trips to Magado Crater, local airstrip transfers, a range of drinks and laundry.

For more information, visit Elsa’s Kopje and Joy’s Camp. You may also e-mail info@chelipeacock.co.ke or call +254 (0)20 6003090/1.

Airlines Thrive

Mexico’s airlines carried 13 percent more passengers in 2011 that in 2010, the Transportation Ministry has reported. This in spite of the at least temporary grounding of financially troubled Mexicana and Aviacsa. Mexicana may be back. The bankruptcy court hearing the case says Med Atlántica, an international hotel operator, has come up with the $300 million needed to get Mexicana flying again. Now the Transportation Ministry needs to get involved. One problem is whether Med Atlántica is a Mexican entity or controlled by Europeans.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

West Cliff Inn’s Food Tour Package Offers Taste of Santa Cruz

Local eateries, culture and history are on the menu for guests who book the new Food Tour Package at the West Cliff Inn in Santa Cruz.

Offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, March 23 through Nov. 11, this getaway combines a stay at one of the region’s most enticing inns, with an in-depth culinary walk through hidden neighborhoods of one of California’s favorite beach towns.

The Santa Cruz Food Tour package includes one night at the West Cliff Inn, two tickets for the Santa Cruz Food Tour ($105 value), Four Sisters Inns’ signature buffet breakfast, afternoon wine and hors d’oeuvres, homemade cookies, and use of the inn’s bicycles to pedal around the area.

Both locals and visitors alike are fans of the Food Tour, which explores a 1.7-mile walk for about three and one-half hours, starting at 2 p.m. As participants sample delectables in out-of-the-way eateries, they also learn the history of Santa Cruz and its colorful neighborhoods. Walkers are advised to arrive hungry, as the afternoon of noshing is guaranteed to leave them full. Options are available for those with special dietary needs or preferences, such as vegetarian or dairy-free.

Rates for the package vary depending upon date and room selected. In the spring and fall, from March 23 to April 30, and again Sept. 1 to Nov. 11, costs range from $240 to $340, depending upon guestroom choice. During the summer season, package rates range from $270 to $395.

All 10 guestrooms at the West Cliff Inn feature marble tile bathrooms, and some include a jetted spa tub or separate sitting area. Nine rooms have fireplaces. One room has a private deck with an outdoor jetted spa. Each room also has complimentary high-speed Internet access, an MP3 player, and a flat-panel, wall-mounted television.

The West Cliff Inn is ideally located on a bluff across from Cowell’s Beach and the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The Surf Museum is just down the block. The stately, three-story Italianate Victorian has been completely renovated and offers a breezy, coastal décor. For reservations or more information, call the West Cliff Inn toll-free at (800) 979-0910, or visit the company’s website at www.foursisters.com.

Tides crowned as Viceroy

The Tides in Zihuatanejo, on Mexico’s Pacific coast, soon will be known as the Viceroy Zihuatanejo. The Tides began as Villa del Sol and helped convert Zihuatanejo into a haven of luxury boutique resorts, in contrast to the bigger, more flashier places in neighboring Ixtapa. The Viceroy Hotel Group also operates a Viceroy at Mayakoba along the Riviera Maya on the Mexican Caribbean.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

No More Mexican Cruise Ships

Actually, the Ocean Dream was Spanish-owned although registered in Malta, but its original appeal was to Mexicans who had neither passport nor visa. None was needed for cruises along the Mexican Pacific. The other route, into the Caribbean, avoided the USA, so no American visas were required. But the Spanish operator, Pullmantur, has sold its ship. Another liner, the Mexican-owned Ocean Star, proved to be unseaworthy and failed to complete its first trip.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Alerts alert

Mexico’s Home Secretary or Secretario de Gobernación claims that U.S. State Department warnings cautioning Americans to avoid travel in nearly half of Mexico’s states is “ridiculous” and “out of proportion.” Alejandro Poiré says million of tourists visit Mexico without incident. Adding that he believes “these alerts overstate or misstate the standards and security situation that exists in our country.” An updated travel warning on Feb. 8 urges travelers to “defer nonessential travel” to 14 of Mexico’s 31 states due to drug-related violence that has cost more than 47,500 lives since 2006. However, warning also notes that “millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year” and that resort areas are generally safer.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Disabled Travelers Take Notice

Disabled travelers are now on “equal footing” with other travelers as they view all of Italy’s historic sites from a specially designed trekking wheelchair, thanks to Rome and Italy Tourist Services. In this one-of-a-kind chair, offered only by Rome and Italy Tourist Services, visitors can experience every Italian archeological site no matter what the ground surface might be.

Using a seat and frame with only one wheel, plus two arms in the front and back to support the chair when not in motion and allow for movement up or down hills, the chair is easily rolled and carried by two trained guides. 360-degree maneuverability around obstacles such as stones, holes and steps allows visitors to safely navigate the country’s ancient streets and steps, areas previously off limits to disabled travelers. Shock absorbers under the chair keep the ride smooth.

Popular sites such as the Roman Forum, Pompeii and Herculaneum are no longer impossible for disabled visitors to navigate. Notes Program Director Stefano Sghinolfi, “It is our great pleasure to make all of Italy accessible to everyone who would like to visit. This chair is the first of its kind and opens doors to those challenged by walking on our country’s ancient streets.”

The chair is available 365 days a year and can be rented for a single excursion, which includes a guide as well as two assistants to carry the chair. The minimum rental price is € 300 (about $397) for a three-hour tour. The service can be booked directly online at www.romeanditaly.com, by email to info@romeanditaly.com, or by phone to 011-39-06-44258441 (from US). To see the chair in use at the Roman Forum (dialogue is in Italian), visit http://bit.ly/x0PoDE.

(Editor’s Note: The price is a little high, but at least a disabled person now has an opportunity to see some of Italy’s greatest historical sites.)

Grand Canyon Railway announces 2012 schedule of steam locomotive runs

Grand Canyon Railway has announced the 2012 dates for special runs of its steam-powered “Cataract Creek Rambler” as well as other steam runs between Williams, Ariz. and the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

The Cataract Creek Rambler is an eight-mile trip operating May 12 and 13 and June 9. Powered by steam locomotive 4960, GCR operates a single class of service in the train’s historic 1923 Harriman cars. Trains depart on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets for the “Cataract Creek Rambler” will be sold on-site for unreserved seating and will cost $15 for adults and $10 for children 15 and under.

Steam excursions for the Railway’s regular 65-mile journey from Williams to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and back to the Williams Depot will coincide with various celebratory dates in 2012. The April 22 run celebrates Earth Day; June 2 kicks off summer; July 4 is Independence Day and Sept. 15 is GCR’s anniversary.

The steam locomotive has been converted to use recycled vegetable oil for fuel, and reclaimed rain and snow melt — collected during the winter and Northern Arizona’s rainy season — are used in the boiler for steam. GCR estimates it uses 7,000 gallons of water per day when it operates the Cataract Creek Rambler and 11,000 gallons per round trip to the Grand Canyon. This is water that otherwise would be pulled from the aquifer.

“The train is great fun for all the family, but it is a trip on the steam engine train that really gets the train enthusiasts excited,” said Bob Baker, general manager of train operations. “We are proud to continue the heritage of running the magnificent steam engines to the Grand Canyon.”

The daily roundtrip operations depart Williams at 9:30 a.m. and arrive at the Grand Canyon Depot at 11:45 a.m. For the return trip the trains depart the Grand Canyon at 3:30 p.m. and arrive in Williams at 5:45 p.m. The Railway’s typical four classes of service will be used. Rates for adults range from $75 to $190, and children’s rates range from $45 to $110. Children 15 and under are permitted only in the coach and first classes.

In addition to the special steam runs, Grand Canyon Railway operates an all-diesel fleet of locomotives year-round which significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, air pollutants and water associated with steam locomotives. GCR further reduced pollutants in 2007 when it began using Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel fuel in its diesel locomotives. This fuel will be required by law in 2012.

Grand Canyon Railway has two operable steam locomotives that have been restored to like-new working condition. Locomotive No. 4960 was built in 1923 by Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia. It operated a freight- and coal-hauling service for the Midwestern Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad until the late 1950s and made its first official run on the Grand Canyon line in 1996.

The train trip from Williams to Grand Canyon National Park runs 65 miles through ponderosa pine forests and scenic high-desert landscapes. The train offers four classes of service — coach, first class, observation dome and luxury parlor.

The Grand Canyon Railway Hotel was designed to resemble the historic Fray Marcos Hotel and Williams Depot structures that stand nearby. The hotel is comprised of 199 standard rooms, 87 deluxe rooms, 10 suites and one luxury suite — the Rail Baron Suite — as well as a spacious meeting room available for wedding receptions, seminars and other functions; a large courtyard with barbecue and wet bar; a game room for children; a large enclosed crescent-shaped pool and hot tub and an exercise room.

Grand Canyon Railway is an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service. For more information, go to http://www.thetrain.com or call (800) THE-TRAIN (800-843-8724).

Mardi Gras

It is carnival time in much of Mexico — and much of the world. Festivities already have begun in Veracruz, Mazatlan and elsewhere, growing wilder as the weekend approaches. Big day traditionally is Tuesday, Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, after which comes Ash Wednesday and Lent. Then we have the week before Easter, when all of Mexico goes on vacation, or tries to.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Mexicana Mess

This week a bankruptcy court was expected to declare Mexicana Airlines legally dead and order that its assets be sold to satisfy creditors. Last minute offers to revive the carrier — grounded since August of 2010 — failed when required funds could not be produced. Nonetheless, the presiding judge ruled that the case will remain open indefinitely and ordered that slots being used provisionally by other airlines be returned. Volaris filed for an injunction against the ruling and Interjet has asked that the judge be replaced.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Travel Warning for Pakistan

The State Department warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Pakistan. This travel warning replaces the travel warning for Pakistan dated Aug. 8, 2011, to update information on security incidents and remind U.S. citizens of ongoing security concerns in Pakistan.

Following the deaths of 24 Pakistani military personnel on Nov. 26, 2011, protests have taken place across Pakistan against the United States, International Security Assistance Force and NATO. There also have been widespread demonstrations and large political rallies condemning drone strikes and Pakistan’s ongoing energy crisis. These protests are likely to continue. U.S. citizens in Pakistan are strongly urged to avoid protests and large gatherings.

The presence of al-Qaida, Taliban elements, and indigenous militant sectarian groups poses a potential danger to U.S. citizens throughout Pakistan. Terrorists regularly attack civilian, government, and foreign targets. The Government of Pakistan maintains heightened security measures, particularly in the major cities. Threat reporting indicates terrorist groups continue to seek opportunities to attack locations where U.S. citizens and Westerners are known to congregate or visit, such as shopping areas, hotels, clubs and restaurants, places of worship, schools and outdoor recreation events. Terrorists have disguised themselves as Pakistani security personnel to gain access to targeted areas. Some media reports have falsely identified U.S. diplomats — and to a lesser extent U.S. and other Western journalists and non-governmental organization workers — as being intelligence operatives or private security personnel.

Tianguis Taking Shape

The first Tianguis Turistico not to be held in Acapulco is expected to attract 30 percent more buyers from 50 percent more countries than last year. Jointly hosted by Puerto Vallarta and the neighboring Riviera Nayarit, the exhibit will be held in the Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center starting March 25. Compared to last year, organizers say that 25 percent more exhibitors will be taking part.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Love Ya, Babe!

Just in time for Valentine’s Day. DIN Interiorism has announced plans to refurbish what had been known as hoteles de paso into what it will call hoteles de amor, that is to say, love hotels. Although managers of more plush establishments long ago declared that they no longer were supervising morals and suggested a weekend in Cancun was more romantic than a box of candy, less posh places still offered enclosed garages — to shield couples from prying eyes — for rooms rented by the hour, attitudes have changed in the 21^st Century. Love hotels will feature toys for adults, games and swimming pools with waterfalls. At the outset, some 35 inns with a total of more than 2,000 rooms are planned. All will be remodeled hot pillow joints.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Franchises Thriving

According to the Mexican Hotel Association, 90 percent of all chain hotels in the country are franchises. And expansion is planned. InterContinental, which includes Holiday Inn, expects to add 47 more properties to its list in the next few months. Mexico’s own Posadas is looking at 50 while Grupo Santa Fe, which operates Hilton hotels in Mexico, has plans for Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and more.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers