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Puerto Vallarta – Sun Meets Sand Meets Serenity!Story and Photos by Naeem Randhawa  Somewhere between take-off from Mexico City Airport and Aero México flight 603’s touchdown in Puerto Vallarta, there’s a drastic shift in mood and color among the anticipating vacation-bound passengers. I’m part of that shift, from work and life’s everyday tensions to that welcoming immediate sense of freedom, adventure and escape. Isn’t this why we all vacation?
When you choose a vacation, you want to invest in one that is truly rewarding, a destination that leaves you with something to bring back. After all, you can’t get away as often as you’d like so choose wisely! Puerto Vallarta is one of those smart destination choices – for many reasons. It’s been referred to as the Jewel of the Mexican Riviera, the Technicolor panoramic sun-drenched beaches being just one reason. Puerto Vallarta doesn’t have the pre-packaged run-of-the-mill vacation treatment that many other places often deliver. It doesn’t have you hustling and bustling around schedules for your next activity or leave you worrying about whether you’re getting a good deal for your hotel or meal. What it does have are picturesque sandy beaches, easy-going locals who greet you with a smile, dozens of unique activities from which to choose, some of the most sumptuous food you’ve ever had, great restaurants and hotels, and plenty of relaxation and serenity! My taxi arrived at the CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort. On the way to check-in, the walkway and terraces are lined with lush local flora, aiding the work-to-play transition. Continuously voted as one of the world’s best resorts every year by trade magazines like Condé Nast Traveler, and Travel and Leisure, the hotel’s reputation is well-deserved. All the rooms in the beachfront resort provide breath-taking views of the ocean and the You can find a variety of restaurants at The CasaMagna Resort with ambiance and a selection of cuisines. I dined at the Mikado that evening. Featuring Teppanyaki cooking, this restaurant offers Japanese (including sushi), Thai and Chinese dishes. The chefs serve at the table and perform some fancy cutting, dicing and slicing acrobatics while preparing your food. Be brave and volunteer and they’ll let you try a couple of moves. The restaurant is a fine dining experience with contemporary decor, including a wall of colorful hand made origami, a mini indoor garden and pond. The others restaurants on the premises include Las Casitas, a poolside grill serving Mexican dishes; La Estancia, which features a variety of dishes including steaks, seafood and Mexican fare; and Champions Sports Bar, an American sports-themed restaurant. With all these choices, you may never have to dine off property! If your will and determination hold out, you can get your game on in any of the resort’s three lighted tennis courts, work out in the health club or just relax in the spa and get a full body massage. On request staff will meet you on the beach for a massage by the water. Also, stop by for the nightly cigar rolling demonstrations by Leopoldo Ponce. Having learned the trade from his father, Ponce enjoys sharing the finer details of the technique of cigar rolling and happily answers questions from the crowd. I’m kicking myself for not buying more of those cigars; my supply ran out a whole lot sooner than expected! Old Town Square - Plaza Principal
The Plaza Principal with an impressive brick and mortar cathedral and a beautiful restored crown atop its tower is facing the square and at the center of the town. When I arrived, a local Mexican couple who had just gotten married was surrounded by celebrating family and friends and a mariachi band. The crowd spilled into the street, and a shiny yellow Cadillac from the ‘60s waited for the newlyweds. In the midst of this quaint setting, I intently tried not to let the Hooters and Domino’s across the square ruin the vivid moment! Local Art There is a vibrant artist community in the area. I joined an art walk hosted by a local artist and gallery owner. We walked along the Malecón or boardwalk, observing and photographing over half a dozen really elaborate copper sculptures, including bronze dolphins and a leaping humpback whale. The local artists use very bright contrasting Activities for Everyone One of the surprising things about Puerto Vallarta is the number and variety of activities offered. Planning for the trip, I researched the Internet but did not find nearly the amount of offerings that are actually available. Besides the multiple choices of beach and water activities like parasailing, boating and boat tours, sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, dolphin and whale tours, and a “pirate ship” tour, there’s plenty to do on land as well! You can go horseback riding through the jungle and mountains, ATV off road, hit the links at a championship golf course, visit the old set from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s movie Predator, take a treetop canopy tour, and sightsee in nearby towns.
The exciting ride starts with you following the guide as you curve out of town into the jungle. When you have more than a dozen ATV’s driving in a line, spitting up dust, you really begin to appreciate the handkerchief covering your nose and mouth. Although the ride is controlled, you do get to pick up some speed; I got my need for speed and got my vehicle up to 68 km/hr! Ah— what’s the point of throttle if you ain’t gonna use it! In the middle of the ride you arrive at a river and everyone turns off their machines to enjoy the surrounding lush jungle and cold water. Canopy Tours Thrill seekers will find plenty to do. I followed up the ATV tour with a canopy tour the next day with Canopy Tours de Los Veranos. Located south of the beach resorts, this company provides transport by old military-style, colorfully painted shuttle buses from downtown to their base locations. Canopy Tours is the largest canopy tour company and offers the thrill of riding zip lines from treetop to treetop through the jungle for any age, whether you’re eight or eighty!
How to Get There Aero México, Mexico’s largest airline, flies into Puerto Vallarta via Mexico City from its 17 gateway cities in the United States. Aero México Vacations offers personalized vacation travel packages and works in conjunction with top-rated hotels, restaurants and travel providers throughout Mexico. Contact them to review their package deals for savings to Mexican destinations. Puerto Vallarta is a destination that will leave you wanting to return again and again. The CasaMagna Marriott is a family-friendly resort inviting you to bring the clan with you on vacation. The ATV and canopy tours will satisfy your need for an adrenaline rush, and there are plenty of beautiful beaches and sightseeing and shopping opportunities as well as the chance to soak up the local culture. Consider Puerto Vallarta, the Jewel of the Mexican Riviera, for your next vacation. For more information: AeroMexico CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort
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JustSayGO Travel Show
majestic Sierra Madre Mountains in the distance. Upon arriving in my room, I put my bags down, opened the doors and stepped out onto my private balcony. You breathe in the atmosphere of the surroundings – beachgoers walking the beach, hotel guests dipping in the grand pool below, the fresh air drifting in from the Pacific, vacationers parasailing, local fishermen in the distance coming into the harbor, a mariachi band performing near the beach. The laptop remained closed for the rest of the evening!
Take a ten-minute taxi ride to stroll into the old town square or Zócalo and go shopping and sightseeing for the afternoon. Walking through narrow stone-paved streets, you can hunt for deals on clothing, ceramics and other souvenirs. Silver is big here, as in most Mexican destinations but be prepared to haggle if you’re shopping on the street. 
colors in their paintings and you can visit the gallery and buy some of these works of art. The prices are definitely a bargain considering the quality and amount of work that goes into each piece.
I decided to grab some goggles, tie on a handkerchief and jump on an ATV to go touring through the jungle! Wild ATV Tours provides all you need to know to handle your bike. They run through the safety drill and make sure you’re set to go. 
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