A means of marketing the agave-based spirit mezcal, and accepted practice, has traditionally been to suggest pairing a quality anejo (aged at least a year) with fine chocolate which contains 70% or more cacao. But a recent maridaje in downtown Oaxaca, a city in southern Mexico, aimed to push the envelope to limits barely explored, or rather enjoyed. Management of the retail outlet and tasting room of Mezcal El Cortijo teamed up with the chocolatier owners of a local truffle manufacturer known as Xhuladii.

Only weeks after Oaxaca hit a new low at its Feria del Mezcal in an unsuccessful attempt to lure spirits aficionados to the world of mezcal's complexity and plethora of flavor and aroma nuances, residents of and visitors to the city were treated to a sampling of four premium El Cortijo mezcals matched with an equal number of chocolate truffles, each filled with a renowned local delicacy, and in one case a traditional Mexican aromatic herb.

The evening began with a reposado con gusano at 38% alcohol by volume, paired with a truffle filled with tiny chapulines (salted and spiced fried grasshoppers, a typical Oaxacan snack food and ingredient in more complex dishes). The hint of barrel essence and honey from aging, and of course the subtle flavor change created by the gusano (popularly referred to as a worm, but actually a larva) matched exquisitely with the combination of savory crunchiness on the chocolate's inside, with its smooth , sweet exterior.

Next our hosts upped the ante with a madrecuishe at 46%, minutes earlier our palates having been primed for a higher alcohol content. Madrecuishe is a variety of Agave karwinskii, noted for its complexity. This one was grown in the Miahuatlan district of Oaxaca, celebrated for its rolling hills and climate conducive to the growth of this agave species. While the chicatana filling of the truffle accompaniment was a tad too watery, the unique taste of this seasonal insect, overly liquefied or not, provided perhaps the most exotic of tastes one can ever hope to encounter in Oaxaca. The casing was comprised of three different chocolates. The consensus of the 15 or so attendees was that this pairing was the weakest of the lot, though no one could deny the quality of the spirit and truffle individually.

The third mezcal entry was another from Miahuatlan, an herbal arroqueño of the Agave americana var. oaxacensis sub-species. At 49%, it was paired with a truffle laden with a local herb known as hierba de borracho, or poleo, normally lauded for its medicinal properties. The hint of fragrant floral of the mezcal worked extremely well with and more than adequately toned down the strong notes of the leafy poleo's spearmint / citrus character.

Our final pairing featured a mezcal made from an agave popularly known as a pulquero, in this case a variety of Agave salmiana, one of several species used to produce the fermented beverage pulque. The 46.3% spirit was matched with a semi-sweet truffle filled with coffee brewed from locally grown beans. The mezcal tasted stronger in alcohol content than its stated percentage, potentially coming close to overshadowing any specific flavor (though touted to be perfumado). It required a robust accompaniment. And so both the truffle's chocolate and its coffee filling served the spirit well by softening its strength and allowing its perfume to emerge.

Those of us with substantial collections of different mezcals should take the time and effort to seek out equally diverse types of chocolate, including of course a selection of truffles. Experiment alone, with a partner, or better yet within the context of a gathering of like-minded friends. This all makes for yet another means to an end – the appreciation of the world's most complex and variable spirit, Mexico's own mezcal.

You’ve been ready for vacation since the day you started your new job, eagerly counting each day you accrued like a miser counts coins. This is going to be more than a vacation; its going to be an explosion of independence and your ultimate expression of individuality. Its time to show the boss whose the boss! The days off you worked so hard to earn should not be squandered, they should be your opportunity for adventure, escaping the standard and mundane and breaking free of the usual and predictable. You want your vacation to be an international adventure, but you don’t want to spend all of your vacation time traveling in the air to your destination. Mexico is the answer to all of your questions and the solution for all of your vacation desires. Here are 5 reasons to make Mexico your vacation destination.

International in no time.

You meet them in the lunch room every day; those guys that keep bragging about the places they’ve been all over the world. Their passport is falling apart, one more ink stamp and there just won’t be anymore room! They’ll have to apply for a continuation or something. This is the time to get started on yours. In just a couple of hours (depending on how close you live to Mexico of course) you are passing through customs, and crossing the border, into a foreign land and a new country. Congratulations, you are now an international traveler! The signs are different, the voltage is different and the language is different. You are in a different country that is now beckoning you to explore the culture and experience the regional adventures that abound. This is way better than an afternoon at that kitschy ‘Swiss Village’ in the next state. This is the real deal.

Cultural Experience

So you’ve ridden the Mummy Madness ride at the state fair. Sorry, that doesn’t count as ‘touring Egypt.’ See the Mayan Ruins for yourself, experience the color and pageantry of another culture, and celebrate the history of an ancient civilization. Let all of the stories, myths and legends come to life just for you. Learn a new history while being able to dispel old myths first hand. Explore Mexico like an urban anthropologist, taking in the entire cultural experience, learning and observing. Much of what you will see and do you have only read about or, perhaps you saw it in film or television. Here it is presented to you, for interpretation and personal experience. A unique experience that you will keep with you always.

The Moveable Feast

If you think that means takeout food, you definitely need to book the first flight to Mexico. Culinary tourism is one of the most popular vacations people are planning these days. Vacationers still want to see all of the sights of course, but they also want to eat everything in sight while they get there. Sure, there are a lot of places close by offering the world’s best coffee and world famous burgers. Now is the time to look far beyond the obvious and ordinary, and explore the delicious and exotic. Food tours of Mexico will guarantee a culinary adventure like no other. If you can imagine it, the odds are pretty good you can find someone, somewhere frying it up. You can play it safe enjoy your familiar favorites or, you walk on the wild side, returning from vacation with gastronomical tales guaranteed to terrify and titillate all that are brave enough to listen.

Surf and Turf

You want to spend every day on the beach, doing nothing but relaxing in the sand and listening to the waves. No, wait. Scratch that. Mountain climbing in the high country, or maybe trekking through the jungle, or perhaps exploring the desert. Mexico provides the most diverse geology and terrain in the shortest distances. From the beach, you can gaze upon majestic peaks far in the distance. To access some of the beaches, a trek through the jungle is required. In the colorful deserts, stars blanket the night sky. Just one look at the satellite map online and the imagination runs wild. From the Gulf of California, through the desert, over the mountains and into the rain forests, then back to the beach again, this time at the Gulf of Mexico. Hundreds of miles of endless coastline stretching to the south. The culture and experience changing and diversifying at every beach.

When legends become legendary

There’s something in the waves, in the air, in the sky. The mood, the buzz, the hum. No one can seem to put their finger on it but, but they keep going back for more. There is a vibe and a mojo in Mexico that you just can’t get anywhere else. A recycling, reinvigorating swell of romance and exotic adventure. The food, the people, the colors. Somehow they all combine to help you reignite the sense of adventure you thought you had lost long ago, or perhaps Mexico will unlock the adventurous spirit you never knew you had. The solitary traveler in Mexico ends their journey deep in self discovery, while the couples who venture there return with rekindled emotions and new, bonding memories. It will be hard to separate the fantasy from the reality as the mysterious, ancient and exotic surroundings of Mexico fill you with memories and experiences that you could never find anywhere else.

Many people normally would not describe a building as being particularly “special,” (unless you built it!) however; there is one very special building in the cosmopolitan city of Guadalajara, Mexico that is certainly worthy of the title.

Upon entering the Cabañas Cultural Institute you’ll find this to be true because of the rich history of the building and also because the Institute is home to some of the most fascinating Mexican murals by the late and brilliant muralist Jose Clemente Orozco.

The building was named after its founder and financial backer Bishop Juan Ruiz de Cabañas.

Something so very endearing about this wonderful treasure in Guadalajara is that it was originally built to provide a home for orphans, the poor, handicapped and the elderly.

To no surprise, it became a World Heritage site in 1997 and can be described by many as being “simply breathtaking!”

The Cabañas Cultural Institute is affectionately known by many of the elders in Guadalajara by its previous name of Hospicio Cabañas (Cabañas Orphanage). If you ask many of them, one or two may fondly recall passing by to see little children playing happily.

The construction of this special building began in the early 1800’s under the supervision of architect Manuel Tulsa and its doors were opened in 1810 to the first orphans while still under construction. Unfortunately, the construction had to stop temporarily due to the War for Mexican Independence (1810-1821) and wasn’t finished until around 1845.

In 1937 Jose Clemente Orozco (Jalisco native) was invited by the government to paint the chapel of the Institute which he later completed in 1939.

The Cabañas Cultural Institute is now used as a cultural promotion center and offers classes as well as tours of the awe inspiring large scale murals by Orozco including his world famous mural Man of Fire (Hombre de Fuego).

Since the worldwide recession began to bite away at the European economy we have seen a steady stream of expats looking to move to South America. Countries such as Mexico have been magnets for European expats looking to escape from the economic downturn and looking to start a new life in a country which is very prosperous and certainly on the up.

Mexico has for some time had a reputation with regards to crime, drug cartels and corruption although the Mexico we see before us today is very different.

Why are expats moving to Mexico?

Mexico is expected to become the 10th largest economy in the world by the end of 2013 with growth expected in the region of 3.3%. While this is a reduction from the 4% growth seen in 2012 it is still something which their European counterparts would be very envious of. As a consequence, with Mexican unemployment on the way down, there are many reasons to look at Mexico from a financial viewpoint.

Will the past reputation of Mexico rear its head again?

There is no doubt that the Mexico we see today still suffers from the stigma of years gone by when drug cartels ran cities and towns, crime was rife and indeed there were regular claims of corruption within political and government circles. Historically Mexico has always been very popular with US expats but many European expats were put off by the stigma of years gone by which has taken a long time to shake.

The government has made great strides in its fight against drug cartels, corruption is being tackled within government circles and crime statistics certainly back up the government’s insistence that Mexico today is safer than it has been for many years. There is still much work to be done, certain areas of the country are still susceptible to crime and it would be incorrect to say the situation is perfect. However, to say that no progress has been made would be a very damaging critique of the Mexican government and highly unfair.

Looking to the future

The year 2012, despite the ongoing worldwide economic downturn, saw a record investment from overseas companies such as those from the US and Europe. This is likely to continue in the short to medium term as overseas investors look for so-called “safe havens” where their funds will be relatively safe compared to the likes of Europe and North America. When you also take into account the increase in the standard of living across Mexico, a growing disposable income and unemployment which will be under 5% by the end of 2013, what is not to like about the country?

There are still certain areas of the international trading arena which the Mexican government has yet to penetrate, there are still many markets at which Mexico is lighter than it should be but the fact is that in general the economy is stronger today than it has been for many years and the future, despite the worldwide economic downturn, is still very upbeat.

Conclusion

Like so many countries in South America/Latin America, Mexico has suffered from a terrible reputation in years gone by. Crime gangs have ruled the roost in some cities and towns, drug cartels have tentacles which reach into local and national government and corruption has allegedly been rife across a whole array of different areas of authority. The ever growing influx of expats is changing the stigma attached to Mexico as the “real picture” continues to emerge. It will be interesting to see what position the economy reaches in the worldwide league table after the worldwide economy recovers and indeed whether 10th position is just a stepping stone to higher echelons of the worldwide economy.

The Mayan Riviera, a stretch of coastline on the Yucatan Peninsula running from just outside Cancun in the North to the ancient Mayan site of Tulum in the South is rapidly growing in popularity. Why has this previously quiet area of the Yucatan Peninsula become a magnate for tourists?

Costs and Atmosphere on the Mayan Riviera

For visitors from North America, the Mayan Riviera is a more laid back alternative to Florida. It can also be cheaper to visit than either Florida or the Caribbean islands such as Barbados or Jamaica.

For visitors from continental Europe or the UK there is the added attraction of the current favorable exchange rate. This can make traveling to the Mayan Riviera a more cost-effective option than visiting Southern Europe over a two-week stay.

Mayan Riviera Ancient Sites

Few tropical destinations have the benefit of the fascinating ancient sites on the Mayan Riviera. At Tulum in the South the ruins are actually right on the coast, so you can admire them from your sun lounger! Other sites of note (all possible in a day) are Coba, Chichen Itza, and, Xel Ha.

Beaches, Diving, Snorkeling and Water Sports

Where does one even start to describe the beaches on the Mayan Riviera: Beautiful white sand beaches with warm ocean water. Warm breezes and your favorite cocktail served at your sun bed – now that’s what I call a holiday! The Mayan Riviera is blessed with the stunningly beautiful Caribbean Sea with all its opportunities for water sports and diving/snorkeling. The island of Cozumel is a real magnate for diving enthusiasts, offering deeper water closer to the shore than the mainland resorts.

Activities and Theme Parks

If golf is your thing, you are well catered for here, with courses in or neat all of the major resorts. For the kids try Xel Ha or Xcaret – Eco-Theme parks that they will love. Shopping is fabulous with many bargains to be had including local crafts. Other possibilities include kayaking, sailing, and horse riding.

Conclusion

The range of possibilities on a holiday/vacation to the Mayan Riviera is simply amazing. The climate and Caribbean Sea are beautiful, the people friendly, and the cost reasonable – what are you waiting for?

Traveling in Mexico can be an overwhelming experience. Mexico offers the best of both worlds -rich ancient heritage as well as modern cities equipped with all amenities that travelers seek. The terrain and climate in Mexico varies from rocky deserts in the north to tropical rain forest in the south, a traveler's delight. Many consider Mexico an excellent choice for retirees.

Travel in Mexico should be defined by your choice. For the nature traveler there is a wide range of options. Travelers can choose to take a long drive deep inside Mexico, meeting people and driving through serene stretches of nature. For the traveler who is awed with history, the travel itinerary might include places like the Historic Center, Zocalo, the National Palace, the Templo Mayor, Mexico City Museum, San Ildefonso Museum, Alameda Park, Madero, Iturbide Palace, National Art Museum, etc.

However, regardless of your travel tastes, travel to Mexico is usually considered incomplete without a visit to Mexico City. It is hailed as being amongst the world's largest metropolises, and also the oldest urban center in the Western Hemisphere.

US citizens traveling to Mexico do not require a passport. They only need to present proof of citizenship and photo identification. Travelers, however, are recommended to carry a valid passport to reduce inconveniences. For the ones who wish to travel to Mexico in their cars, a temporary import permit must be obtained from the Mexican Customs office at the port of entry, or any one of the Mexican Consulates located in the US.

Although Mexico is considered a year-round destination, hotels in Mexico usually work on two seasons. The high season starts from December 15 through Easter, and the low season is the rest of the year. The best bargains thus can happen around late spring, summer, and fall. Whatever is the time of your visit or the theme of your travel, Mexico is one of the choicest locations in the world.

The legendary Volcano 'Popocatepetl' with its' towering white peaks of snow can be seen on a clear day from the great metropolis of Mexico City. Mexico's Popocateptl Volcano is a steep volcanic cone located about 45 miles southeast of Mexico City and rises beyond 17,000 feet in elevation. This majestic mountain is breathtaking to the viewers sight and is snow capped year round. Popocateptl Volcano has captured peoples' imaginations throughout the ages and has a story that reaches back into the mists of time. Next to the Popocateptl Volcano is the Iztaccihuatl Volcano. Iztaccihuatl meaning, "white woman" in Nahuatl. This mountain actually has four peaks, the tallest reaches 17,158 feet and many see the silhouette as resembling that of a sleeping woman.

Iztaccihuatl Volcano is located next to the Popocateptl Volcano . Speaking geographically, these two volcanoes represent the second and third highest mountains in Mexico. Iztaccihuatl is an extinct volcano. Popocatepetl is still active having spewed smoke and ash as recently as 2001. Popocateptl means "Smoking Mountain" in the Nahuatl language. As Aztec mythology has it, Popocateptl and Iztaccihuatl were once humans who were deeply in love. The legend is about two star-crossed lovers, the young brave warrior Popocatepetl and the princess Iztaccihuatl. Iztaccihuatl's father who was a mighty ruler, placed a demand on Popocatepetl before he could take Iztaccihuatl as his bride. He required that Popocatepetl first engage in a battle against the tribes enemy and return victorious. Some variations of this legend include the stipulation that Popocatepetl must return with the enemys' head as proof of his success. Story has it that Popocatepetl went off for war with.

Iztacclhuatl waiting for her beloveds' return. Popocatepetl won the battle and was ready to return to Iztacchuatle when word reached the ruler that the warrior had been slain. Upon hearing the false news, the princess, Iztaccihuatl falls ill and succumbs to her deep sorrow, dying of a broken heart. When Popocatepetl returns to his people with triumph, he encounters his beloveds' death and he is heartbroken and inconsolable.

Popocateptl carries Iztaccihuatl's body to the mountains where he has a funeral pyre built for his princess and himself. Grief stricken, he dies next to his beloved. The Gods, touched by the plight of the lovers, turns the humans into mountains so that they can finally be together. Today, they remain with Popocatepetl residing over his princess Iztacclhuatl. On occasion, Popo will spew ash, reminding everyone watching that he is always in attendance and that he will never leave the side of his beloved Izta.

One of the many joys of taking Mexico vacations to Guadalajara is that this charming city is jam packed with so many fun and inspirational things to do and see!

Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco and is located more towards the middle of Mexico on the Western side. You’ll also be happy to know that it is just a couple of hours from Puerto Vallarta (which makes a nice little extra weekend trip)!

While you are visiting Guadalajara, which just might turn out to be one of your favorite of all Mexico vacations, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of the many wonderful historical, cultural and sports attractions that this world famous city has to offer… in addition to its charm!

The city is very modern yet surprisingly still preserves its past which is clearly evident when you step into the downtown district known as el centro historico. While you’re touring through downtown Guadalajara, you’ll realize that the attractions are very close together and easily make up a fun walking tour (be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes).

The main attraction of downtown and a proud and shining emblem of the city is the Guadalajara Cathedral. The Cathedral construction began in the 1560’s and took over 50 years to complete! Any time you step inside you are sure to find people attending mass or many tourists looking on with curiosity at this marvelous structure.

Just a few steps away from the Cathedral is the Rotunda of Illustrious Men and Women of the state of Jalisco. The rotunda is dedicated to a few select, departed citizens of Jalisco who were honored for their outstanding contributions to society. One in particular was a famous muralist Jose Clemente Orozco, who sprinkled the city with some powerful and extraordinary murals.

The murals of Orozco can be viewed about 15 minutes away in the Cabañas Cultural Institute which once served as an orphanage when it was first built. The old chapel at the institute is home to some of Orozco’s masterpieces and the most famous may be his mural appropriately titled “Man of Fire.”

If you are a brave soul and interested in history then you may want to consider a stop by the Bethlehem Cemetery, El Panteon de Belen. When you visit this peaceful and beautiful attraction, you will truly feel like you’ve been transported back in time.

It is historically rich as it served as a cemetery during a particularly hard time of famine and disease in Guadalajara back in 1785. This old cemetery stopped serving as a “working” cemetery in October 1896. It has since been converted as an eerie attraction and museum for visitors and residents of Guadalajara to enjoy… and enjoy it they do!

Many residents believe this old graveyard to be haunted and night tours are even available if you are feeling brave enough to walk around the old tombs at night!

If you are a sports fan you will want to see at least one of Guadalajara’s most popular sport, soccer. There are 3 division one soccer teams and 2 stadiums. Even if you are not a sports fan you’ll be able to appreciate the camaraderie and excitement of the soccer games.

After a long day of seeing museums, a graveyard, beautiful colonial buildings and discovering you newfound love for soccer, the end to a perfect day is biting into a yummy torta ahogada, the all time favorite and famous “drowned sandwich” of Guadalajara!

This wonderful city is definitely a jewel of Mexico and a “must do,” so make Guadalajara, Mexico vacations next on your list of places to see.

Tijuana is the largest city in the state of Baja California, Mexico located at a 25 minutes drive from the San Diego Airport and at a distance of around 150 yards from the border of California and Mexico. From past many years Tijuana has been a prime medical tourism destination for people from US and Canada. Americans in many numbers are traveling across the Mexican border to Tijuana for medical treatments they can't afford at home. Plastic surgery, weight loss, dental surgery, IVF, stem cell are few of the medical treatments opted in Tijuana. From all these weight loss surgery in Tijuana is one of the most sought after medical procedure among medical tourists in Mexico.

Why weight loss surgery in Tijuana is popular?

Price advantage is one of the major factors for the popularity of weight loss surgery in Tijuana. Cost of various bariatric procedures like gastric band and lap band in Tijuana is up to 80% less as compared to US. Price rang for bariatric surgery in Tijuana can be from $ 8000 to $ 11000 depending upon the type of procedure. Apart from lower costs there are other advantages like:

• Quality of care: Tijuana and other parts of Mexico offer same level of medical care as in US and other developed nations.
• Skilled Surgeons : Medical and other staff are highly experienced in respective fields. Many doctors in Mexico are trained in San Diego and other parts of US. You can also find many US board certified surgeons licensed to practice both in US and Mexico.
• Ease of travel: Mexico is located at a short distance especially for bordering states like Texas, California, Arizona etc. Even travel expenses to Mexico are very low.
• Enjoy vacation with treatment: Given huge discounts on weight loss surgery in Tijuana you can plan a vacation and enjoy here along with medical care.

Do you want to know more about weight loss Tijuana and other locations in Mexico?

Hernia surgery in Mexico is safe, affordable, and hassle-free. Mexico is an established medical tourism destination internationally and is especially popular with Americans because of the proximity and high quality of medical care. A hernia is a protrusion of a tissue, structure, or part of an organ through the muscular tissue or the membrane in which it is normally contained.

There are different types of hernia, namely Inguinal, Femoral, Hiatal, and Umbilical, etc. And Mexico offers affordable hernia surgery options for all the types of hernia.

• Inguinal Hernias: Inguinal hernias usually occur in men. In an inguinal hernia, a part of the intestine slips down the canal and gets inside the scrotum. (You can consider India or Mexico for Inguinal hernia repair.)
• Femoral Hernias: This affects men and women, but mostly the latter. An intestinal loop slips down the canal containing major blood vessels between the abdomen and the thigh and protrudes in the groin and inner thigh area.
• Umbilical Hernias: An umbilical hernia happens because of a weakening of the abdominal wall at the site where the umbilical cord is joined. Umbilical hernias usually occur in children.
• Hiatus Hernia: A hiatus hernia happens when a part of the upper stomach gets up into the diaphragm.

Hernia repair in Mexico

Hernia surgery becomes necessary when hernias cause pain or hinder you in your daily activities.

Open Mesh Surgery: A small incision is made at the site of the hernia and the displaced tissue is then put back in the abdominal cavity. Then, the hernia rupture is closed with a plug made of sterile mesh. This mesh is in turn made secure by suturing another piece of sterile mesh material over it.

Laparoscopic or Keyhole Surgery: You will be administered general anesthesia. The surgeon will put in small tubes through the abdominal wall, one of which is the laparoscope and operates while seeing the images on a TV screen. Then, the hernia site is closed up in the same way as in the open surgery.

Recuperation time after hernia surgery in Mexico

Open mesh is performed under local anesthesia; patients tend to experience less pain but takes upto 4-6 weeks for them to return to normal activity. Yet, going by statistics till date, open mesh surgery seems to have a lesser recurrence rate. With keyhole surgery, patients can get back to work in about a week. Hospital stay is also minimal – you are discharged after you are able to walk, which is not more than a couple of hours after surgery. But this surgery is performed under general anesthesia and is more expensive. Also, recurrences are sometimes reported in this method. Children have no restrictions on activity after hernia surgery, but doctors usually recommend avoiding contact sports for some time. Generally, doctors recommend that adults should not lift anything heavy or strain themselves for about a month or two after surgery, because it may undo the hernia repair.

Cost of hernia surgery

The average price of an inguinal or femoral hernia surgery is between $10,000 – $ 11,000 for an adult male in the United States. If that sounds too steep a figure, do not be disheartened. Help is at hand. Go for Hernia surgery in Mexico and save money Even if you have insurance, it may not cover hernia, because some health plans qualify some forms of hernia surgery as “elective”. This is where medical tourism in Mexico comes to the rescue. At about a third the cost, you get top-class medical care at Mexican hospitals. These hospitals have strict standards on hygiene and are affiliated to well-known institutions in the US. Also, Mexico is very close to the US among all other medical tourism destinations. Hernia doctors in Mexico are highly qualified and experienced in all surgical methods available.

Mexico offers cheap hernia surgery options and this is very attractive to Americans, especially those with no or inadequate insurance. Also, as hernia surgery is pretty routinely carried out, Mexico hernia surgeons have gained expertise in this. Hence, rest assured: you are in safe hands.