Denver Travel Examiner: Mexico vacationers safe, smiling and planning to return, despite the U.S. Department's travel alert

Denver Travel Examiner: Mexico vacationers safe, smiling and planning to return, despite the U.S. Department's travel alert

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Quebec City Winter Carnaval & Ice Hotel (Hotel de Glace)

Pack your snow boots and layers of warm clothing, we're on a winter adventure!


I'm not normally a winter person, but my recent visit to Quebec City's Winter Carnaval, the biggest Carnaval (carnival) in the World, is an experience worth repeating. You'll be enjoying the fun with nearly 750,000 Carnival-goers during this 17 day annual festival, beginning the end of January each year.
Pictured right is the icon of the Winter Carnaval, Bonhomme, and to the left me with Bonhomme.
Bonhomme is a loveable, 7-foot mascot, a popular, jovial snowman who represents the essence of the carnival -- the love of the snow and festivities. Children chant, "I love you, Bonhomme" during the night parades that wind through the streets of Charlesbourg and Quebec City.

After a travel day of delays (including delayed luggage), I finally arrived in Quebec City at Jean-Lessage International Airport. I was transfered to my home for the next few days: Hilton Quebec, a 571-room property with sweeping views of the city. This Hilton is located on Quebec's Parliament Hill and connected by indoor walkways to the Québec City Convention Centre and a concourse of shops. For Winter Carnaval goers, you're minutes away from the action.

Below left, the walled Old Quebec City and below right, the city view from Hilton Quebec.

I checked in and freshened up to experience yet another amazing, rotating 360 degree view of the city and surrounding area, atop the Loews Le Concorde Hotel. I dined at the L'Astral, which features culinary local and seasonal tastes, including the traditional Caribou,.

A mix of red port and alcohol. Caribou is an authentic alcoholic beverage of aboriginal origin. Historically, caribou was a welcoming glass for friends of rural neighbors. Today it's a traditional year-round drink, often served at the Winter Carnval.

Quebec City is the world's Snow Capital and this year was no different. It was brisk, snowy and cold, but once you jump in to enjoy the festivities of the Winter Carnaval, you'll quickly forget the cold. It's a walkable historic city filled with revellers enjoying the winter activities. For 17 days in a row, you'll see young, old, families and singles -- all enjoying a multitude of ahtletic, artistic and cultural events.

From snow sculptures to snow bathers; snow-rafters and ice sliders; to the traditional canoe raceacross the mighty St. Lawrence to the Night Parades and nightlife, this wintry white city is enthusastic about their Quebec Winter Carnival. Enjoy this photo gallery of Winter Carnival activities:












I visited the Ice Hotel (Hotel de Glace) twice. Once Friday morning for a few hours, and then I did the unthinkable (for me anyway), Sunday I braved an overnight adventure at the Ice Hotel. For more details, on that chilling adventure, read my article at Examiner.com and/or blog. Less than an hour from Quebec City, the Ice Hotel is a great add-on to your Winter Carnaval adventure.


Mark your calendar for the 56th Annual Quebec City Winter Carnival dates for 2010: January 29 through February 14. Perhaps you'll see me there with my family.

Until next time -- which will be a more tropical destination !

Diana

Mazatlan, Mexico

Flip-flops optional.

Wow, where has the time gone? Apparently gone to the travel bug, as I've been home and gone several times since December. Check out my other blog for updates on December and January travels.

The big news is that I'm writing articles, really travel blogs, for Examiner.com as the Denver Travel Examiner. Make sure you join me at Examiner.com! Click here to visit my archived articles, including the current one.

Here's the latest on Examiner.com, a review of my recent visit to Mazatlan entitled: "Denver getaway: Flavors of Mazatlan

"Spring break on your mind? How about a budget Denver getaway to Mexico? Does golden-sand beaches stretching for 16 miles along the Mexican Pacific coast, culinary delights, rich culture, ecological tours, world-class sporting events, vibrancy of color and people, and strong U.S. dollar exchange, give you the itch to travel to Mazatlan, Mexico?

Click here to read the rest of the Mazatlan, Mexico article.

That's it for now.

Diana

Jet Airways - Ticket to Comfort

Recommended Shoes: Cozy Slippers

When traveling overseas, my biggest complaint is feeling like a sardine squashed into an airplane seat, usually next to a snoring or loud seatmate.

My recent round trip to Brussels was onboard Jet Airways reclining comfortably in its Premier Class. Take a look at me enjoying my Premier class pod -- don't I look comfy? Pajamas are provided -- all I need bring is my slippers.

The 7 1/2 hour flight was amazingly peaceful and began with a smiling staff, genuine "good evenings" and "how are you" before finding my seat. My personal "attendant" immediately handed me a warm scented washcloth -- a perfect relaxant to my already stressful journey.

Follow-up was a seat-side served meal including a couple of glasses of much-needed wine. Sea Bass was my dinner selection on the flight to Brussels from JFK, but my return flight to the U.S. only provided India food options (with curry, etc). Unfortunately, my stomach can't handle anything remotely spicy, so I settled for fruit, soup and salad.

My experience in the air into JFK (arriving in from another non-connecting airline from Denver to JFK) thus far had been less than stellar, with my one pretty-in-pink suitcase deciding to go AWOL in the never-ending abyss of lost luggage. An hour later, after scrambling and searching, keeping my fingers crossed, I finally succumbed to filing a lost baggage claim before heading to Jet Airways terminal.

About Jet Airways, Wikipedia reads, "Jet Airways is an airline based in Mumbai, India. It is the country's second-largest international airline after Air India and the largest domestic airline. It operates over 400 daily flights to 64 destinations." In July 2008, Jet Airways was honored as second-best long-haul airlines, after Singapore Air.

Even my counter check-in at Jet Airways was peaceful, even though I arrived with less than one hour to departure. The counter employee immediately eased my tension, told me all was okay, checked me in, and then she gave me a pass to the airport lounge (and a free drink coupon).

The plane was huge and roomy, even economy seats looked comfy. I felt like the Queen of the Airlines -- finally after such a stressful travel day. When I was given my own pair of PJs, I almost cried (hysterically!) -- and I admit I was quite happy to have sleeping clothes (even more if I would've known my my luggage wouldn't arrive until nearly 4 days after arriving in Brussels!).

Here's the specs: Jet Airways offers unprecedented levels of luxury, privacy and comfort in the air. Première (business) class pods are considered the most comfortable Business Class seats in the sky that convert to 73"-long totally flat beds and feature lumbar support and massage systems. Leg room in Economy is more generous than the norm and seats have been designed using the science of advanced ergonomics. Passengers in both classes have access to the state-of-the-art Panasonic eX2 entertainment system, complete with 200+ movies, games and endless music choices - heard through Bose noise-cancelling headphones.

Check out Jet Airways for more details, or click here to see Premier seating video. here's a summary: With over 357 flights daily to 42 destinations in India, we connect a place every 5 minutes. Jet Airways has come a long way since its first flight in 1993. It's one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, and now it's all set to change the way you fly - for the better! Jet Airways operates flights to 20 international destinations, offering you a better choice in the skies. Daily services are from three gateway cities (Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi) to its European hub in Brussels and onwards to New York (Newark and JFK) and Toronto. The airline also offers daily services to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Colombo from Chennai.

Read more about my Belgian adventures at my Where in the World is Diana blog.

Until next time, Diana

Belgium, Brussels: Chocolate & Beer

If you get the opportunity to visit Belgium, RUN -- don't walk! But don't forget to bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes. Those cobblestone streets aren't made for fashionable shoes that pinch the toesy or worse. If you still want to look good, wear those high heels, but make sure you stop at the hundreds of tasty breweries, pubs (aka cafes) along the way. The beer scene is simply amazing!

I'm blogging about Brussels pub crawl at Where in the World is Diana Today? Blog.

Instead of repeating the same blog, I'm going to add the pictures to this blog and link the two. Have fun, checking out my pics!

Cheers to Brussels! Diana

Devil's Thumb Ranch & Belgium: Brussels & Namu

Check out my web site's blog for my recent November visit to the environmentally friendly, year round ranch resort and spa, Devil's Thumb Ranch with an awe-inspiring view of the Continental Divide. We overnighted in their new Lodge.

Sustainability is key at Devil's Thumb Ranch . The owners have done an impressive job of using local resources to build the lodge even incorporating beatle-eaten wood as part of the new lodge construction. The International Conservancy have honored the Ranch with Environmental and responsible developemtn awards and top eco-friendly hotels in the world.

From a mountain lodge getaway, Tuesday I'm heading to Belgium to visit Brussels and then Namur -- a chocolate, castle and beer tour with a touch of romance in Namur. Dreading the long flight, first to JFK (with one connection in Charlotte) on U.S. Airways and then my first flight on Jet Airways direct to Brussels.

I'll be bringing my best pair of walking shoes and an umbrella.
More on that later -- I promise!
Diana

blogging about Houston

Howdy,
Just blogged about Houston trip at Where in the World is Diana Today. Check it out.
Also, I twitter about my travels and just whatever I feel like -- check it out or hey, why not follow me on twitter?
Back in Denver to the "real" world tomorrow.
Diana