We toured Madrid from the open top of a Hop On Hop Off bus, our favorite way to get an overview of a new city. Tickets start at $27.50.
Riding Lisbon’s Famous Tram 28
No trip to Lisbon is complete without a ride on iconic Tram 28, an old-fashioned tram that takes you through the city’s most famous neighborhoods in a vehicle so narrow it almost brushes the historic buildings.
The classic yellow trams retain original 1930s features like brass dials and polished wood interiors. It squeezes in and out of unimaginably narrow alleys.
It’s a great introduction to the city, and a unique experience no one should miss!
Hamlet in Prague
We went to a fascinating art exhibition called “To Be or Not To Be” the Clam-Gallas Palace in Prague’s Old Town. The first is called Hamlet, and the bust is a study of the contrast and struggle between life and death. The last image in this series has the names of the artists.
A Mexican Mega-Resort Experience, Part 3: Even More Vidanta
Want to feel like you’re rich and famous? Come with us on Part 3 of our tour of a Mexican mega-resort, the luxurious Vidanta Nayarit on the west coast of Mexico.
We’ll tour more of enormous Vidanta, including La Cantina, Gong, and other restaurants; the Grand Bliss; the Mayan Palace; walking on the boardwalk pathways that connect the resort; the Plaza marketplace that carries everything you need (groceries, bakery, froyo, flip flops, sunglasses), and everything you don’t ( gourmet chocolate, jewelry); the Sanctuario entertainment hub; and many other parts of this breathtaking resort.
Want to see what you missed? Part 1 took us from arrival at Puerto Vallarta Airport, through transit to the resort, and the check-in experience.
In Part 2, we took an early morning tour of Vidanta’s Grand Mayan Hotel and beyond, including breakfast, restaurants, beach, pools, fitness center, a lazy river, and the sky dream gondola. Soak up the lifestyle of the rich and famous!
Thanks for joining us on this three-part tour of this Mexican mega-resort!
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A Mexican Mega-Resort Experience, Part 2: More Vidanta
When we bought a fractional ownership at Vidanta Resort in Mexico, we had no idea the world of luxury we would soon encounter. We’re a middle-class family, not accustomed to the perks of the super-rich that we find at Vidanta. If you’re like us, you’ll enjoy taking me take a three-part tour of this Mexican mega-resort, and spend a few minutes feeling like one of the rich and famous.
In this Part 2 of our Mexican Mega-Resort Experience series on the Messy Suitcase travel channel, we’ll take an early morning tour of Vidanta’s Grand Mayan Hotel and beyond, including breakfast, restaurants, beach, pools, fitness center, a lazy river, and the sky dream gondola. Soak up the lifestyle of the rich and famous!
Part 1Â took us from arrival at Puerto Vallarta Airport, through transit to the resort, and the check-in experience.Â
Part 3 – coming soon! – will feature a tour of more of the enormous Vidanta, including La Cantina, Gong, and other restaurants; the Grand Bliss; the Mayan Palace; walking on the boardwalk pathways that connect the resort; the Plaza marketplace that carries everything you need (groceries, bakery, froyo, flip flops, sunglasses), and everything you don’t ( gourmet chocolate, jewelry); the Sanctuario entertainment hub; and many other parts of this breathtaking resort.
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A Mexican Mega-Resort Experience, Part 1: Arrival at Vidanta
When we bought a fractional ownership at Vidanta Resort, we had no idea about the world of luxury we would soon find ourselves wrapped in. Two ordinary, middle-class people who allowed ourselves to get sucked into the timeshare game, we are not accustomed to valets transporting our luggage to our room, or giant soaking bathtubs in our bathrooms, or massive fitness centers, or luxury spas, incredible swimming pools, a lazy river outside the door, or countless other perks of the super-rich that we find at Vidanta.
Come take a three-part tour of a Mexican mega-resort, and spend a few minutes feeling like one of the rich and famous.
Part 1 takes us from arrival at Puerto Vallarta Airport, through transit to the resort, and the check-in experience.
Part 2 takes us on an early morning tour of the Grand Mayan and beyond, including breakfast, restaurants, beach, pools, fitness center, a lazy river, and the sky dream gondola
Part 3 takes us on a tour of more parts of enormous Vidanta, including La Cantina, Gong, and other restaurants: the Grand Bliss, the Mayan Palace, walking on the pathways, the Plaza marketplace that carries everything you need (groceries, bakery, froyo, flip flops, sunglasses),and everything you don’t ( gourmet chocolate, jewelry), the Sanctuario entertainment hub, and many other parts of the resort.
Watch for Parts 2 and 3, coming soon. Enjoy!
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Ponce Art Museum: After the Earthquake
Many have told us about the outstanding quality of the Ponce Art Museum (Museo de Arte), but two large earthquakes in January 2020 changed all that, when the main building was badly damaged and closed. They finally reopened a section of the museum this year, and we decided to check it out!
After the earthquakes, the Museum displayed items at its gallery in San Juan, and took to the streets with workshops to shelters and schools. When COVID hit, it expanded its digital platform. Now it’s gradually opening again while raising funds to repair the earthquake damage.
The museum still has very limited offerings, though we really enjoyed what we saw. It costs just $6 to get in, half price for seniors. Free guided tours are conducted at 10 AM (Spanish) and 1 PM (English).
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(Note: Ponce is pronounced POHN-say.)
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Messy Suitcase New Intro
We are so proud of this awesome new intro for Messy Suitcase videos that we simply HAVE to share it! It’s a collaboration between Hamburg, Germany-based musician/composer Patrick Hamm and Champlain College Filmmaking student Gavin Greenawalt.
La Playita: A Local Beach, a Hidden Gem
Looking for serenity? Or a party? Depending on the day, you can find either at La Playita, one of our favorite local beaches. La Playita, found at the end of a dirt road tucked among the mangroves near Puerto Real, is just a mile or two from our home in Cabo Rojo.
The beach can be completely deserted, offering a serenity that’s hard to find anywhere else. But a holiday weekend can bring entire families partying for the day, and even overnight campers, though there are no facilities.
This picturesque stretch of white sand offers shallow waters, palm trees, and mangroves. You’ll see fish and even rays jumping out of the water, pelicans flying by, and sand crabs scurrying around. Unfortunately, you will also encounter some trash, and maybe meet a stray dog or two. People park their cars right on the beach, so it’s not a bad place for people with accessibility issues. The water is calm, warm, and fairly shallow – perfect for swimming, splashing, lounging in the water sipping a drink, fishing, or kayaking.
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So grab your beach chairs, pack a cooler with drinks and some frozen Gasolinas (party in a pouch!), stop into Mercado’s Bakery to get sandwiches and chips and use the bathroom– remember, no facilities – and settle on in under a sea grape tree with a good book. Enjoy!
Messy Suitcase Mini-Tour: Playa Corcega in Rincon
We spent a sweet morning at a beach in south Rincon that is popular with local swimmers and snorkelers. It’s a quiet beach with soft golden sand, but not a lot of shade. A reef can be found about 50 meters from the coastline. Unfortunately, the water kicked up a bit and kept us out of the water. Next time!
There are no amenities and no services, but the village of Rincon is a couple of miles away. Bring a cooler and your lunch.
