Mexico: Too dangerous?

by Brenda Yun on

Just as my Budget Travel piece on Mexico was released, news from Mexico came pouring in that shed unfavorable light on the travel situation south of the border. Within this week alone, Mexico’s been getting some important attention for being one of the most dangerous and travel-unfriendly places in the world to visit right now. Therefore, it seems necessary for us here at Gadling to catalog the recent headlines and stories as an extra precaution for those of you considering travel to Mexico in the coming months.

According to AZFamily.com, a local news station in Phoenix, university kids anticipating spring break in Mexico have been warned of the potential dangers of excessive partying in such hot spots as Puerto Vallarta: “The State Department says violence, especially on the U.S. Mexico border, has reached alarming levels with shoot-outs and kidnappings taking place in broad daylight.”

Some students who had been eagerly awaiting their spring break festivities on a Mexican beach have already cancelled their trips and have decided to wait until the situation gets better, which may be a long time coming. According to the Associate Press, the drug crisis in Mexico continues to escalate, and The Week reports that even Obama is trying to turn the tide by actively taking part in the clamp-down of drug-related crime at the border.

All of the major newspapers, including the Washington Post, which typically focuses on business and political news and tends not to report on travel-related topics, are suggesting heavy caution for travelers to Mexico. This leads me to believe that it might be best to avoid travel in Mexico at this time. This isn’t to say that you can’t or shouldn’t travel anywhere in Mexico. I imagine there are indeed places that are perfectly safe. However, getting to these destinations while avoiding the dangerous ones could prove difficult even for the most savvy of travelers.

Europe By Rail

by Kraig Becker on

For many, taking the train is still the most wonderful way to travel. It is a romantic throwback to a long gone era, before modern jets linked the world. For some, taking the train is just too slow, but for those that enjoy it, that is one its charms. It affords travelers the opportunity to see the countryside, often from a comfortable car filled with modern amenities.

The train system in Europe is well known as being an excellent way for travelers to explore the continent. Trains run on a regular basis to nearly every region, offering a convenient, affordable, and leisurely way to get to your destination.

The TImes Online has put together a list of four great European rail journeys offering up suggestions for those who would like to experience the very best that this mode of transportation has to offer. The routes they suggest include a tour through Eastern Europe, a ride through the Alps, a journey along the French Riviera and Italy, and an adventure that will take you to Gibraltar and beyond, into Africa. Each of the routes has multiple legs, and the article gives details on the best and most insteresting of them. It also has tips on how to book your train journey, complete with ideas on how to save money in the process.

There was a time when train travel through Europe was viewed as strictly the realm of students and backpackers. But recently there have been first class and adults only cars added, opening the trains up as a viable option for other travlers as well. With airfares to Europe at bargain rates, now may be a great time to go, and with cheap trains as an option, explore the continent like never before.

TARP Travel at Taj Campton

by Tom Johansmeyer on

The life of a business traveler is nothing short of miserable (trust me; I did it for about five years). We look for as few things to go wrong as possible, and when things cut our way (which is rarely), the experience is nothing short of thrilling. The Campton Place Taj Hotel in San Francisco is finally treating the road warrior well.

This is strange. Most airlines and hotels really don’t give a shit about business travelers. They know that corporate travel agents and rate agreements lock us into certain airlines and hotels. Our plans tend to be inflexible, unlike recreational travelers. We often spend more money for less service. We know it, and there’s nothing we can do about it.

Campton Place is willing to pretend, however, that they need our business. And, I couldn’t be happier.

In order to earn your travel dollar, Campton Place is offering:

• Welcome drink on arrival at Bistro & Bar
• Daily breakfast at the acclaimed Campton Place Restaurant
• High Speed Internet access (both Wi-Fi and Hardwired)
• One suit pressing complimentary
• Complimentary in-room Espresso machine / Tea maker
• Daily Wall Street Journal / New York Times / International Business Newspaper
• Complimentary use of in-house facilities (Business Center, Fitness Center, Concierge)
• Complimentary house car service in the mornings based on availability

As long as you stay for a minimum of two nights, rates start at $259.

Gadling Take FIVE–Week of Feb. 21-Feb. 27

by Jamie Rhein on

First, Tynan and Todd are off on their Pan Panama Road Trip with a new video update to prove it. Also, throughout the week, there have been more installations on Gadling’s Budget Travel Series: Mexico; Seattle; Boston; and Ft. Lauderdale.

Laid off? Take off with Intrepid Travel

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Lost your job and need to get away for a bit? Intrepid Travel understands. So, you can get a 15 percent discount if you’ve been laid off recently … and you can use it one trips to more than 100 countries.

While it’s easy to see today’s economic conditions as all doom and gloom, bookings for some of Intrepid Travel’s overland trips have increased this year. Sales for trips between Kenya and Cape Town (45 days long) doubled from January to November last year. CEO and co-founder Darell Wade says, “It appears that some people see being laid off as an opportunity to take a career break, reassess where they are at and see the world. By offering this discount we hope to make this opportunity a reality for them.”