Recuerdos de Guadalajara, Mexico

Traveller RP in front of the Tequila Express.

Take the all-day Tequila Express from the train station in downdown Guadalajara for a 2-hour trip to the countryside where tequila is fermented and bottled. The large farms where the agave plant is grown is the source of the famous Mexican libation. For the all-inclusive fare of $USD80, you will receive the trainfare, a tour of the tequila farm and the brewery, and ending with a traditional lavish buffet luncheon served on the grounds of the host hacienda. Included also is a traditional Mexican show complete with the mariachi in traditional garb who will accompany the train travelers back to Guadalajara.

Cathedral and Plaza de los Laureles.
Monument to Mexican patriots "Rotunda de los hombres ilustres"

Guadalajara is Mexico's second largest city and worlds apart from the Capital Mexico City. Make sure to take a walking tour of the city's central area around the cathedral. Here you'll find shopping, restaurants and thousands of people walking both day and night. If you are lucky, you'll encounter a Mexican concert such as Los Panchos singing memorias of tunes of the 40s to cheering crowds of thousands.

Ireland: Granard City in County Longford

Proprietors Michael & Greta Hourican run one of the few hotels in town. Hearty meals can be had as well as comfortable lodgings at a reasonable price.

The country's highest "motte" or mound is located in Granard City, County Longford. These huge piles of earth were pre-Christian in origin and were presumabely contructed by the ancients as a means of surveying the surrounding countryside for potential invaders as well as for protection. A statue of St. Patrick adorns the top of the motte where behind is situated the cemetery. County Longford and Granard City is the ancestral homeland of the Reilly clan among others.

Granard City's main street as it approaches St. Mary's Catholic Church sitting gracefully atop the motte. Today's urban street scene has changed little from the 19-century photos on display in the local historical society shop. The town's main enterprise is a large backery serving the surrounding countryside and towns. Every few feet, however, is a pub where locals pass the wee hours of the night engaged in idle chatter.

Acapulco: Quick Restaurant Reviews

Bellavista - Open until 3 PM only. Bella vista means Beautiful view in English, and just like the name implies, thera are magnificent views from this cute restaurant, next to the Bella Vista Hotel's swimming pool.

Zapata Villa y Compañía (at the Hyatt Regency) - Ay, ay, ay! This is trully a Mexican space. Last night I was there, there was a party dining on the fountain!

Terra Luna (crepes) - Great little place. The best and fast service. Every crepe, from hot to desert, you will find here.

Baikal - Great vista from near the top of the Las Brisas hill. Great food too. A little annoying, aboput every fifteen minutes, the lights are dimmed and screens are lowered to show animal underater scenes!

El Campanario - Residing on a nice Mexican-style house, this restaurant is more than adequate. They serve Mexican delicacies from many regional cuisines. Our staff thinks it may be closed. No one was able to reach them on the phone.

Kookaburra - Great view. Good food. Good company.

Madeira's - Old style Spanish/Mexican hacienda. The dining room is outdoors, overlooking the bay, with old and cushy wooden chairs, candles, nice old Latin '40s music. Everything here speaks of an old era of romance.

Restaurants in Acapulco 2

El Olvido - A wonderul vista surrounds this delightful restaurant. Just steps away of La Diana next to La Condesa beach, it is centrally located on the water side of the Avenida Costera Miguel Alemán. Showing its European cuisine influences, their menu offerings include paté. The staff is so attentive, the food so delicious, and the vista so captivating that you can never forget (olvidar) this place. High to moderate-high prices -- they also offer a four-course fixed price menu. YYYY

Sirocco - This Spanish restaurant is Sahara-psycholdelic: it looks like Salvador Dalí helped the decor, and it works! Tapas are offered, and so is paella. The only problem with this place is the constant, and loud!, Spanish pop music and music videos. They have successfully incorporated additional Latin American dishes and drinks, like mojito (a Cuban rum-based drink), and steak in chimichurri sauce (from Argentina). Try this for a "surreal" night out. On the beach side, near the Papagayo's Park. YYY

100% Natural - This is the perfect spot for those of the vegetarian and health food persuasion. It is a the place for the best lunch, with healthy sandwiches, omelettes and salads. Hot after walking a few steps in the Acapulco heat? Just step in and sip one of several fresh fruit drinks -- you can select them from a wide variety of single fruits or from a nay kind of combination! They also offer freshly baked muffins and multi-grain breads. Everthing here is healthy, and their various branches around the bay are conveniently located. No besos.

Shopping in Acapulco

Sanborn's -

La Diana Market -

Super Gigante -

Hotels in Acapulco

Hotel Reviews

Las Brisas - Queen of the world's fine hotels boasting over 200 private or semi-private swimming pools and an unforgettable view of Acapulco Bay. A meeting spot of the rich and famous since the 1940s, Las Brisas offers unparalleled luxury and delightful ambiance. Every pool and bath is adorned daily with hibiscus flowers (amapolas) which is the hotel signature flower. Bed sheets are traditionally pink and the hotel Pink Shop offers guests luxury bath items, perfumes, soaps, and clothing. Breakfast is left at the door of your personal cabana each morning at your specified time. Private jeep taxis ferry the guests up and down the slopping hills to the private beach club. Expect to pay in the many hundreds of U.S. dollars but there are deals to be had during the off-season. Tipping is discouraged. Taste & Travel awards Las Brisas our highest rating with 5 besos. YYYYY

Hyatt Regency - Located near the airport/Las Brisas side of the conch-shaped Acapulco Bay and near the naval base, the Hyatt offers excellent location, restaurants, and service. Rooms rates are near the USD $300 range and offer excellent vistas. The suites offer some wrap-around balconies and ample room for entertaining guests. Taste and Travel awards the Hyatt Acapulco 4 besos. YYYY

Fiesta Americana Condesa - The Americana has been transforming itself from a middle-class hotel with average amenities to a first-class resort hotel. Within the last 3 years, the hotel has undergone major renovations offering timeshare facilities with upgrades to their public spaces, completion of a gymnasium and the construction of an additional pool. The state-of-the-art business center offers business travelers all the amenities of an office away from home. The excellent location on the Condesa Beach area of Acapulco Bay is centrally located affording guests fabulous vistas of the surrounding bay area. Room rates in the $200 USD range are average. Taste & Travel awards the Fiesta Americana with 3 besos. YYY

Romano Palace - Situated across from the Condesa Beach which is midway along the Miguel de Aleman (the Costera) highway surrounding Acapulco Bay, the Romano Palace offers rates around $100 USD. Saavy travelers may enjoy the great ocean views and economy but those guests desiring quieter and cleaner accomodations, may opt for another hotel. There needs to be a major investment in the bathrooms which have been neglected. Crowds with many children congregate in the open lobby restaurant making it seem more like a shopping mall than a hotel. Towels are unavailable at the pool after 4 pm and room towels are not permitted on the beach making it difficult for the guests. Taste & Travel awards the Romano Palace 1 beso. Y

Acapulco Condesa Palace - For the thrifty traveler desiring a central location and brand-new accomodations, this is the place for you. Set across from an old Spanish fortress on a small winding street, the supposed intimacy belies the fact that the neighborhood is home to a number of unsavory strip clubs. For those among you who want an afternoon siesta and a bit of peace in the afternoons, you should choose another hotel. The employees running the swimming pool facility have created a nuisance discoteque environment in the afternoons by blasting hip-hop music en espanol. Guests can forget about a siesta in their rooms or a lazy afternoon reading by the pool. The staff deserve high marks for their friendliness and helpfulness in trying to accomodate the guests. Their self-serving 4-star rating is far-fetched, however, since the baths which are new and clean, offer little room and no windows or vents. Business travelers needing to make phone calls abroad or send and receive faxes are out of luck. Even local calls must be placed from the front desk. For around USD $90-110 this hotel offers good value and is close to the beach. For students, families, travelers on a budget, the Acapulco Condesa Palace is the best of the economy hotels in the city. For higher-end tourists or business people, we recommend the Hyatt, the Americana, or Las Brisas. Taste and Travel awards 2 besos to the Acapulco Condesa Palace. YY

Hacienda Maria Eugenia - Located at the far end of the Condesa beach, this economy hotel was touted as clean and comfortable by former guests and internet bloggers, which is mostly true, but not entirely so. We are sorry to say that unless you're a back-packer, student, or a completely tasteless traveler, the Maria Eugenia is decidedly not for you. Taste and Travel believes there is little value or comfort here with rooms around USD $100 per day including tax. The rooms offer a view of a tacky side street or a completely surrounded pool full of children. The bathrooms are adequate and kitchenettes are supplied for budget-minded travelers who, in spite of the fact that Acapulco boasts some of the world's finest restaurants, prefer to take their meals in. Taste and Travel awards the Maria Eugenia 1 beso. Y

El Mirador - Located in the Quebrada section of the city at the far end of Acapulco bay, this hotel offers cabana-style living overlooking the rocky shores where the world-famous cliff divers perform every afternoon and some evenings. Visitors and guests can enjoy their meals in the common areas while marvelling at the dare-devel divers. There is no beach and is somewhat remote from the center city, the attractions of the Costera beach strip, or the Zocalo which is the plaza in the middle of the commercial district. The cliff divers make appearances in the lobby after performing on the cliffs for picturres with the guests. The Mirador is a moderately priced hotel and Taste and Travel awards them 2 1/2 besos. YY1/2

Las Torres Gemelas - These twin towers are located directly on the Condesa beach and offer junior suites with a balcony overlooking Acapulco Bay. The common dining areas offer a spectacular view of the ocean and the surrounding shorelines. Room rates with tax is around USD $100. The public rest rooms, common areas, guest rooms were either dirty, unattended, and in need of renovation and does not offer any value or comfort for travelers. Many Mexican families frequent the hotel as well as bargain-hunting non-Mexicans. Unfortunately, this ideal property needs a total renovation and should be avoided. Internet bloggers have complained about poor service, no service, dirty beds, and disinterested staff. Taste and Travel will offer no rating to this hotel at this time.

Restaurants in Acapulco!

Restaurant Reviews:

Zorritos - Meaning "little foxes" this traditonal Mexican restaurant offers ambiance, great food, and affordable prices. Taste and Travel awards 3 besos to Zorritos. YYY

El Cabrito - Another fine traditional Mexican restaurant offering excellent food in an indoor-outdoor atmosphere. Their speciality is chicken, beef, and their namesake goatmeat, grilled on hot coals in the traditional Huahaca style. Cabritos is modestly priced and well deserving of the 3 besos awarded by Taste and Travel. YYY

Casanova - In our experience, Acapulco's priciest restaurant. Unfortunately, the price does not bely the excellence or quality. Casanova is trying very hard to become a first-class restaurant, but they will first have to acquire a world-class chef, get air conditioning that works, and turn off the hot overhead lights which detracts from the ambiance. The food is mostly ordinary and unimaginative. This is a dining experience that was most forgettable. Taste and Travel awards Casanova. No besos.

Le Bistroquet - Situated off the busy and hustling Costera beach highway, this private-residence/restaurant is located on a quiet street behind a traditional walled garden. Diners eat poolside in the garden under large trees. The service is intimate and attentive. The owners are an exiled Cuban and a Spanish expatriate schooled in traditional Mexican/international cuisine. Expect moderate-high prices but well worth it. Taste and Travel awards Le Bistroquet 4 besos.
YYYY

Beto's (on La Condesa beach) - A typical breakfast/lunch haut. Great vistas of Acapulco Bay can be enjoyed. Convenience for bathers desiring lunch on the beach since waiters bring food/beverages to the beach. Unrated.

Coyuca 22 - Located on a winding hillside overlooking Acapulco Bay, Coyuca is unequaled for ambiance, service, and cuisine. Diners enter through a long stone-gardened stairway down into what was once/is a fine residence. Entering through the open-aired living quarters and on to a large formal patio with a pool, diners will be amazed at the vista before them. The entire magnificent Acapulco Bay lies at your feet with the city lights twinkling like fireflies before you. Surrounding the large patio is an Italianate ballastrade encompassing the dining tables. There is no finer vista in all of Acapulco and perhaps few in the entire world to match its beauty. Every course is an adventure and what a fine dining experience should be--totally unpredictable and pleasantly surprising in every respect. Expect to pay top dollar but visitors to Acapulco should not miss Coyuca 22. Taste and Travel awards Coyuca 22 our highest rating of 5 besos. YYYYY

Traveller Rafy will review these other restaurants:

100% Natural - El Olvido - Sirocco - Sanborn's - VIPs - Bellavista - Zapata Villa y Compañía (at the Hyatt Regency) - Terra Luna (crepes) - Baikal - El Campanario - Kookaburra - Madeira's

Welcome to Taste & Travel!

August 8, 2005: Just came back from Acapulco, Mexico. Please enjoy the views from Acapulco bay!