Montage Resort

LOCATION

Located in the north of Honduras on the edges of the fertile Sula Valley, San Pedro Sula is Honduras’ second largest city with approximately 800,000 citizens. It is the business and commerce capital of the country and home to a modern airport, which is serviced by International Airlines. These include TACA, American Airlines, Continental, Iberia, Copa, Sol Air, Atlantic Airlines and others. The city is also situated close to the Merendon Mountain Range, which creates an impressive backdrop when you are downtown looking north or when you are flying into the city’s airport.

LOCAL HISTORY

Nomadic people are believed to have traveled in the Sula Valley from before 1500 BC. Around 700 BC groups began to settle in the valley and agriculture began. Squash, corn, beans, wild chilies, herbs, bell peppers and cacao are believed to have been the first plants cultivated while turkeys, ducks and dogs were domesticated.

Objects of clay, stone, bone and shell from this period have survived until today. During 200 AD until 900 AD numerous villages existed in the Sula Valley. During this period, the area’s art reached its highest point technically and aesthetically. Pottery and ceramic vessels were taken to Copan and further afield into Central America. Also, during this time, the major architectural structures were built in the valley.

During 900 AD and 1500 AD the local population began to decline. No one is certain why, but recent discoveries have pointed towards the possibility of a plague, severe erosion, soil degradation and/or a long drought as possible reasons.

Pedro de Alvarado founded the city of San Pedro Sula in 1536. The city was to serve as a warehouse for goods flowing to and from the Honduran North Coast Ports to Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador. It was also a collection point for cocoa, indigo, leather, sarsaparilla and canfistula (a plant used medicinally).

Due to continual attacks of the city by pirates, the local residents decided to move away from the city into the countryside where they lived a self sufficient life. The city was nearly deserted until the later colonial era when it became a base for cattle ranchers.

In the mid 19th century, San Pedro Sula’s fortunes changed when commerce picked up at the port of Omoa and San Pedro Sula again became an important commerce spot in Honduras. But it was the growth of the Banana Industry and the reopening of Puerto Cortes that really set the city in motion to become Honduras commerce center.

Today San Pedro Sula is one of Central America’s fastest growing cities. Business and commerce continue to grow to today as does the city’s modern facilities and services.

ATTRACTIONS

The Museum of Anthropology and History is located a few blocks from Central Park on 3a Avenida between 3 and 4 Calles NO. The museum is a must see for anyone visiting San Pedro Sula. Its displays will take you through the Pre-Columbian to modern day history of the Sula Valley. The museum has a wide range of Mayan artifacts that have been found throughout the area and is open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm, is closed all day Tuesday, and Sunday it opens from 9am to 3pm. The entrance fee is $2 for foreign visitors and 20 lps (lempiras) for national visitors.

Guamilito Market is one the Honduras’ best handicraft markets. The market is between 8 and 9 Avenida and 6 and 7 Calles NO. The market is open daily, usually until around 5pm. The market is a great place to pick up souvenirs and gifts. Items of note are Honduran cigars, mahogany carvings, Mayan replica pottery, woven baskets, hammocks and a range of colored T-Shirts. Spend some time browsing and do not be afraid to bargain on the prices.

The Central Park of San Pedro Sula and the main Cathedral are definitely worth a look. The Cathedral, which was built in 1949, has just been remodeled and restored. The new Central Park (Parque Central) is open, fresh looking and at well lit at night. The park is always busy, with people coming and going and moneychangers and street vendors plying their trade. It’s a great place to sit back and people watch or to strike up a conversation with some locals. If it is a little hot outside, a popular place to hang out is the Espresso Americana Caf

Tags: adventure, central america, honduras, hotels, Resorts, san pedro sula, tours, travel, vacationadventure, central america, honduras, hotels, Resorts, san pedro sula, tours, travel, vacation

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You’ve seen the Expedia.com commercials with the couple in the beachside bungalow with mosquito nets… and the thought of going on vacation to stay in a tent gives you the creepy crawlies already. Not to worry, you won’t need a sleeping bag and a bottle of Off! for this exotic vacation. When was the last time you stayed in an air-conditioned, 790 square-foot tent with wooden floors, embroidered interior canopies, private gardens, outside deck for sunbathing, king size four-poster bed, freestanding rolltop bath and separate shower? And just to make sure you don’t feel like you’re “roughing it,” your tent comes with a DVD player and minibar.

It’s seems contradictory that the words “luxury” be used to describe a tent but at the Oberoi Vanyavilas, located between the Aravali and the Vindhya mountain ranges in South-Eastern Rajasthan, India, the concept is far from novel. Nestled among 20 acres of landscaped gardens, lemon and mango trees, and lakes and fountains, are 25 tents, bordering on one of the most extraordinary wildlife reserves in the world, Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve, which is home to the majestic Indian tiger, as well as deer, leopard, and crocodile.

Now, before you think that this is an isolated retreat, consider the fine dining options and extensive spa services available. In the Dining Room and Inner Courtyard, Executive Chef Saurav Banerjee and Indian Master Chef Arjun Singh Yadava present an impressive spread of Western, Thai and Indian cuisine from a revolving menu. The exquisitely decorated restaurant features hand painted frescoes of flowers and animals by the celebrated miniaturist Mohan Singh Kumawat. Outside is the walled terrace of the Inner Courtyard which is lit at night by a massive log fire (camp fire songs optional).

As with any quality resort, there is a spa, where you’ll find steam rooms, showers and private therapy suites and a long menu of spa treatments, massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. Try the stimulating Indian Spice Wrap and a delicious Orange Wrap. All the massage and aromatherapy treatments are aimed at relieving stress and promoting a deep sense of relaxation and wellbeing. And for fitness buffs who can’t miss a workout, there is an exercycle, rowing machine, steppers and a treadmill, as well as an outdoor heated pool.

Amy’s passion is writing about the good things in life: food, wine, fashion, and travel. Her writing credits include Downtown San Francisco Magazine, Dining Out San Diego Magazine, among many others, as well as numerous consumer and luxury websites such as http://www.justluxe.com and http://www.livingluxe.com.

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Sound far fetched? Not really. Nude recreation is the fast growing segment of the travel industry. It is a booming travel niche with over $400 million in annual revenues according to USA Today newspaper. In a recent Roper poll, 25% of Americans have gone skinny dipping in mixed company. You may have too when you were younger. Recapture that feeling of fun and freedom from your youth by vacationing at a clothing optional resort.

Traditionally, Americans had to go to Europe or the Caribbean to find upscale topless or nude resorts. Most American places were old style rustic campgrounds like the “nudist colony” you saw in the old Pink Panther movie. However, in the last decade, the U.S. has passed the best that Europe and the Caribbean has to offer. No longer to you have to travel overseas to be pampered at a clothing optional resort as some of the best are right here in the USA.

Most American nudist resorts are still the typical weekend getaway located at rustic campgrounds and cater to families and all their kids. However, upscale resorts have blossomed in Palm Springs, CA and Florida in the last decade. Of these upscale resorts, most still cater to families and their kids. However, one very popular place is unique and caters just to couples on vacation. So leave the kids with the grandparents or babysitter. This place is located in Palm Springs, CA and it is always rated by as one of the top clothing optional resorts in the world, the best in the west, and the most mainstream nudist resort in America. Palm Springs is a beautiful city. http://palmsprings.com With its average 340 days of sunshine per year, it is the sunniest city in America. It has championship golf courses, casinos, shopping, theater, and the best nudist resort in America. What else could anyone ask for on a vacation?

Who goes nude sunbathing? Everyone! Even one of our founding father’s Ben Franklin was a big advocate of nude sunbathing. Resort goers average from their 20’s to 70’s in age. They are teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, movie stars, entrepreneurs, police, and firefighters. About the only thing Democrats and Republicans agree on at nude resorts is they both enjoy nude sunbathing. The reason repeat guests love nudist resorts so much is they were tired of the same old boring chain hotel vacations. They wanted something different, fun, and safe. Nude recreation is perfect. It is very romantic. It is a great way for couples to reconnect away for all the pressures and stresses of the work a day world.

So this Father’s Day, or any day for that matter, if you are looking for a new, fun vacation experience and a great present for Dad, contact a clothing optional resort. You will be glad that you did.

Tom and Mary Clare Mulhall own the popular Terra Cotta Inn Clothing Optional Resort and Spa in Palm Springs, CA. http://sunnyfun.com The Chicago Tribune newspaper has reported that their clothing optional resort is one of the 10 Best in the world. They are very mainstream and perfect for couples trying nude sunbathing for the first time.

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