Traveling with the Jones — Sharing Travel Discoveries

16 Fun Facts About Cancun, Mexico

by Janis on October 22, 2020

In anticipation of an upcoming visit to Cancun, we wanted to learn more about the major tourist destination in southeast Mexico.

1. The city of Cancun is located on the northeast coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.

2. Located on the Caribbean Sean, Cancun is one of Mexico’s easternmost points. Isla Mujeres— just off the coast of Cancun — is the first place where the sun rises in Mexico each morning.

3. Cancun is a young city, created 50 years ago as a tourism project by the Mexican government after it was identified as an ideal place to draw tourists with its white sand, balmy tropical weather, turquoise blue waters, and ideal location in the Caribbean.

4. Only three residents — all caretakers of a coconut plantation — were living in the Cancun area when construction on the first tourist-oriented services began on April 20, 1970. Today the city of Cancun is home to nearly 750,000 people.

5. Cancun is divided into two main sections, Downtown Cancun, and the Hotel Zone. Downtown Cancun is where most of the locals live, while the Hotel Zone is a popular tourist area with more than 65 hotels and resorts, as well as stunning beaches, numerous restaurants, and shopping centers.

Map of Cancun, Mexico with Hotel Zone marked in red. From Google Maps.

6. Cancun’s Hotel Zone is a 22.5 Kms (14-mile) long island shaped like the number 7 with the Caribbean Sea on one side and Nichupte Lagoon on the other. Blvd. Kukulcan runs the length of the Hotel Zone. Addresses of hotels and other attractions are often listed by km (kilometer markers) such as km 1.5 or km 20.5. Two bridges at each end of the island connect the hotel zone to the mainland.

7. Cancun is surrounded by ancient cities built by the Mayan civilization, which peaked around 250 to 900 A.D. While two of the most famous Mayan ruins — Chichen Itza and Tulum — are a one to two plus hour drive from Cancun, there are two Mayan ruins in the Cancun Hotel Zone:

El Rey Archaeological Zone is located at km 17. El Rey has structures of all sizes to climb and explore, and it is a quick city bus ride away from most Cancun hotels.
San Miguelito Archeological Site can only be accessed through the Museo Maya de Cancun (Cancun Mayan Museum) at km 16.5. (NOTE: this museum has been temporarily closed due to COVID-19 pandemic.

8. With a tropical climate, Cancun’s average temperature is 80.8 °F. The city averages 240 sunny days and 115 days with rainfall each year. The rainy season runs from May to October when hot temperatures, high humidity, and quick, but intense summer thundershowers are common. Cancun’s dry season typically runs from mid-November to April as the northeast trade winds bring northerly breezes, sunshine, and relative humidity is lowest.

9. The sea temperature near Cancun is always warm, with lows of 79 °F in winter and highs of 84 °F in summer thanks to the Yucatan current continually bringing warm water from further south.

10. Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean begins June 1st and ends November 30th, and most hurricanes occur August through October.

11. Cancun’s 14 miles of shimmering white sand beaches are made from crushed coral which does not get hot, therefore will not burn your feet.

12. In 2009 to 2010, Cancun underwent a major beach restoration project that added 1.3 billion gallons of white sand dredged from the seabed to the coast. The project cost of $70 million U.S. dollars.

13. Second only to Australia’s famous Great Barrier Reef, the Maya Barrier Reef is one of Cancun’s major draws for snorkeling or scuba diving. This 600-mile reef is filled with marine life, swaying corals, and crystal-clear turquoise waters.

14. Between Cancun and Isla Mujeres there are more than 500 life-sized underwater statues created by eco-sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor in the underwater museum of contemporary art (MUSA). Visitors can have a closer look by snorkeling or scuba-diving through the museum, or by taking a glass bottom boat excursion. The underwater statutes include The Silent Evolution, Man On Fire, The Gardener of Hope, and many more.

15. With nearly 25.5 million passengers in 2019, the Cancun International Airport (CUN) is the second busiest airport in Mexico. The airport has two parallel runways and four passenger terminals. It is about 15 to 18 miles from the Cancun Hotel Zone.

16. As a part of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, Cancun does not observe daylight savings time. The area is on Southeastern Time (ST) year-round. In the winter, Cancun time is the same as Eastern Standard Time (EST) like New York and Toronto. In the summer, Cancun time is the same as Central Daylight Time (CDT) like Chicago and Houston.

Have you been to Cancun? What fun fact can you add?

Share your comments or questions via Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram.

To learn more about Cancun, Mexico, check out these resources:

DK Eyewitness Top 10 Cancun and the Yucatan

Expat Secrets of Mexico – Thrive as a couple in safety and comfort for <$25K per year!

For more fun facts posts, visit Fun Facts from Travel Destinations Around the World.

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5 Hotels in Amsterdam for a Pre or Post Cruise Stay

by Janis on October 11, 2020

bathroom sink, Room 501, Hilton Amsterdam Hotel

A frequent question I hear is “where should I stay in Amsterdam before or after my cruise?”

Amsterdam is a popular departure and arrival port for ocean cruises to Northern Europe destinations such as the Norway fjords, the Baltic Sea/St. Petersburg, and the British Isles. In addition, numerous river cruises sailing throughout central Europe also depart from the Amsterdam cruise port located in central Amsterdam on the IJ waterfront.

We always try to spend a few extra days in Amsterdam before or after our cruise. From world-class museums to food tours to massive parks and green spaces, the city offers a multitude of delightful experiences for visitors. It is also relatively easy to explore other cities on a day trips from Amsterdam such as Utrecht, The Hague, Rotterdam, Delft, Gouda, and Leiden.

Depending on how long we plan to stay in Amsterdam, and what we want to do helps us choose the location of our hotel in Amsterdam. Also, of note, we tend to stay in Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy affiliated hotels as we are generally paying with hotel points or trying to earn more of them.

5 Recommended Hotels in Amsterdam for a Pre or Post Cruise Stay

Amsterdam Movenpick City Center Hotel. Photo by Janusz Sliwinski

1. If you want to stay close to the Amsterdam cruise port, the Movenpick Hotel Amsterdam City Center is the ideal hotel. This 4-star hotel is literally next door to the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam which is Amsterdam’s main cruise port located in central Amsterdam on the IJ waterfront.

The white check mark points to the Movenpick City Center hotel next to Amsterdam's main cruise port. — The white check mark points to the Movenpick City Center hotel next to Amsterdam’s main cruise port.

The Amsterdam Movenpick hotel is also within walking distance of the Amsterdam Central Station, the city’s main transport hub. You can take a train directly from the lower level of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport directly to Central Station. Cruise lines such as Holland America often use the Movenpick for guests who buy their pre or post cruise hotel stay through the cruise line.

2. The DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Central Station hotel is also near the Amsterdam cruise port and remarkably close the Central Station for easy train access.

Doubletree by Hilton Amsterdam Central Station Hotel. Photo by OCLC Research

During one of our pre-cruise Amsterdam visits, our friends stayed here at this DoubleTree by Hilton Central Station hotel.

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We joined our friends for drinks at the hotel’s Sky Lounge Amsterdam restaurant and bar on 11th floor. This indoor and outdoor space offers incredible views looking out over the IJ river. It was particularly beautiful at sunset.

3. If you want to stay in the heart of central Amsterdam, The Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel is an ideal choice.

We enjoyed a three-night pre-cruise stay here and loved the easy walks to the canal belt, the Jordaan neighborhood, Central Station and much more. There are 165 canals in Amsterdam covering about 31 miles; more than 2,500 houseboats are moored on these canals.

Singel Canal, Amsterdam, The Netherlands — The large, round domed building in the photo above is a former Lutheran church that is now part of the Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel.

From this Renaissance hotel, we would first cross the Singel Canal as we started out to explore Amsterdam. The large, round copper-domed Koepelkerk (a former Lutheran church that’s now an event hall connected by a tunnel to the Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel) was a distinctive landmark to guide us when we were ready to head back to our hotel.

It is a manageable walk from the Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel to the Amsterdam’s Westerkerk (West Church) and the Anne Frank House. Check out all of the nearby views from walking around Central Amsterdam.

4. If you want to spend a couple of days in Amsterdam taking in museums and avoiding crowds of tourists, the Hilton Amsterdam Hotel is located near the Vondelpark in Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter. It is within walking distance of Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, as well as the Heineken Experience.

Famous as the location of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s 1969 ‘bed-in for peace,’ the Hilton Amsterdam hotel offers guests the 538sq. ft. “John and Yoko Suite” filled with memorabilia from the couple’s stay.

garden terrace, Hilton Amsterdam Hotel — Enjoying a snack on the garden terrace at the Hilton Amsterdam Hotel.

This hotel is perfect for those who want to spend a couple of days in Amsterdam taking in museums and avoiding crowds of tourists. It is within walking distance to the Vondelpark and the key museums, but outside of the most-tourist-crowded area of Central Amsterdam. The area right around the hotel feels like you are part of a neighborhood, rather than immersed in an area crowded with tourists.

desk and seating area, Room 501, Hilton Amsterdam Hotel

We stayed in room 501 in a king junior suite. For an in–depth photo tour, take a Look Inside the Hilton Amsterdam Hotel.

Hilton Amsterdam Airport hotel — Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol hotel

5. If you are arriving late in the evening or have an early morning departure out of the Amsterdam airport, spending the night in the Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol hotel is a terrific option.

Hilton sign from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol directing travelers to Hilton Hotel

To reach the Hilton hotel, you just follow the signs along an enclosed walkway from the baggage claim area of the Schiphol airport.

Alternatively, if you are transferring to the hotel from downtown Amsterdam, your driver will deliver you to the hotel’s front door.

view looking up to the sky at the Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

When you first walk into the Hilton Amsterdam hotel at Schiphol airport, the light draws your eyes upward where you can see the sky through a glass roof.

King bed, Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Hotel

This is a King Executive Room, with access to the 11th floor Executive Lounge. The rooms have a bright, contemporary design.

Best of all, the soundproofing is solid, important for a hotel attached to a busy airport like Amsterdam’s Schiphol. Check out this Look Around the Hilton Airport Hotel.

Have you stayed in Amsterdam before or after a cruise? What is your favorite hotel?

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10 Things to Eat, Drink or Do in Columbia, Missouri

by Janis on September 29, 2020

When I learned that a travel industry friend — who is not from Missouri — would be spending her weekend in Columbia, visiting her daughter and getting to know the city and surrounding mid-Missouri area, I had to share some recommendations.

Downtown Columbia, Missouri Photo credit: ME

The daughter is a freshman at the University of Missouri, just like I was some years ago.

While I have returned to Columbia, Missouri numerous times in the years since graduation, I needed to check that my favorite places were still going strong. While going down the Google ‘rabbit hole” I reminisced about good times in Columbia, and found some new things enticing me to make a trip back to mid-Missouri soon.

Here are my 10 recommendations of what to eat, drink or do in Columbia, Missouri (that do not involve going to a football game) – Go Tigers!

1. Explore the University of Missouri Campus

You must explore the University of Missouri (also called Mizzou, MU, or Missouri) campus at least one time, beyond the dorms.

The Mizzou campus is surrounded by beautiful trees, flowers, and gardens. Since 1999, the entire campus has been turned into the Mizzou Botanic Garden with hundreds of new trees and shrubs and thousands of flowers planted each year. You will find specialty gardens and tree trails throughout the campus. Check this list of gardens, their locations, descriptions, and a printable pdf map.

Jesse Hall is at the back of the Quad behind the Columns at the University of Missouri in Columbia. Photo by ***Stevehrowe2***

Next, head to the Francis Quadrangle (the Quad) — oldest part of the campus where you will find Jesse Hall, built in 1895, and the Columns, all that remains of Academic Hall, which burned in 1892.

Around the Quad you can check out the Chancellor’s Residence, an Italianate Villa-style house that is the oldest building on a public university campus west of the Mississippi River. Look closely in front of the house to see an obelisk that was Thomas Jefferson’s original tombstone. It was given to Mizzou by Jefferson’s family in recognition of Mizzou being the first public University founded within Thomas Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase.

2. See why Shakespeare’s Pizza has Flourished Since 1973

You might be hungry by now so it is time to check out Shakespeare’s Pizza, a Columbia, Missouri landmark since 1973 known for its popular, creative pizzas and unique decor. The original location is at the intersection of 9th and Elm — just across the street from the Quad part of the Mizzou campus.

While the original restaurant was demolished, a new building reusing the decor and building materials opened at the same location in 2016. There are two other locations in Columbia: Shakespeare’s West at the corner of West Broadway and Broadfield Drive, and Shakespeare’s South on Peachtree Drive, off Providence Road. Frozen pizzas are also available in select Missouri grocery stores.

3. Enjoy German Comfort Food at The Heidelberg

‘The Berg’ — located close by at 410 S. 9th Street — has been a cornerstone of the MU Campus since 1963. The Fried Pork Loin or mouth-watering Reuben with the warm German Potato Salad on the side will make you happy. There are plenty of non-German options on the menu — from fresh salads to burgers, wraps and a range of appetizers.

4. Share a Seat with a Life-Size Statue of Beetle Bailey

Cartoonist Mort Walker, creator of the comic strip Beetle Bailey, is a Mizzou alumnus.

Beetle Bailey: Daily & Sunday Strips, 1966

While still a student at the University, Walker created his first Beetle Bailey comic strips while hanging out at The Shack, a local beer joint which burned down in 1988.

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A life-size statue of Walker’s cartoon character Beetle Bailey, sitting at a table resembling those in The Shack, is in front of the Reynolds Alumni Center. In addition, Mort’s Grill, a restaurant in the Student Center, is named in Mort Walker’s honor.

5. Make Time for a “Tiger Stripe” Break

Try the “Tiger Stripe” premium ice cream at Buck’s Ice Cream Place, located on the south side of Eckles Hall under the black and gold awning on the University of Missouri campus. All ice cream at Buck’s is made fresh on the MU campus by food science students.

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Tiger Stripe ice cream is the official ice cream of the University of Missouri with chocolate “stripes” swirled through a golden French vanilla. Buck’s always has other flavors available if Tiger Stripe is not your thing.

6. Stroll, Relax and Enjoy the Shelter Gardens

Visit the Shelter Gardens at 1817 W Broadway in Columbia. These popular gardens are home to more than 500 different plants from the Missouri area. This lovely spot is often where locals and tourists take remarkable pictures with gorgeous backgrounds.

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The gardens — sponsored by Shelter Insurance — are a popular picnic spot, or a place for a nice stroll. There is a waterfall, a rock garden, the Vietnam veterans’ memorial, and more, sure to provide you with a relaxing atmosphere.

7. Have an Outdoor Adventure at Rock Bridge State Park

Visit the Rock Bridge Memorial State Park at 5901 South Highway 163, five miles south of downtown Columbia. If you are looking for a great outdoor adventure, the Rock Bridge Memorial State Park has got you covered. This geological preserve and public recreation area cover more than 2,000 acres of land waiting to be explored.

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Rock Bridge Memorial State Park allows its visitors to hike, bicycle, and explore the world of sinkholes and an underground stream. The boardwalk on the Devil’s Icebox Trail gives access takes you to the opening at Connor’s Cave.

Park trails are available for hiking and cycling, and horseback riding is offered in the 750-acre Gans Creek Wild Area. Download a trail map here.

8. Hike or Jog the MKT Nature and Fitness Trail

The MKT trail in Columbia, Missouri. Photo by HornColumbia

One of my favorite places to exercise when I was at Mizzou was the MKT Nature and Fitness Trail. It is a nine-mile-long recreational trail is built on the right-of-way of the former Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad. Developed from 1982 onward, it is a spur of the longest rail trail in the United States, the Katy Trail.

There is a map to download for all of the hiking/biking trails in Columbia.

9. Pretend You are on a Tropical Beach

Tropical Liqueurs — where it is always 85 degrees and sunny — opened its first frozen cocktail bar in downtown Columbia, Missouri in the fall of 1985.

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A variety of different “slushy” frozen cocktails are made in the big metal machines every day — with flavors such as “Cherry Bomb“, “Jungle Juice“, and “Tiger Paw“.

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Perhaps the “Brain Freeze” or the “Silver Bullet” are more your style. There is always at least one non-alcoholic flavor every day. Normally, those under age 21 can enter Tropical Liquors before 7:30 pm, but that is not allowed under the current COVID -19 restrictions. There is an outdoor deck where you can enjoy your slushy with food you bring with you, or from a visiting food truck. Some of the locations sell 1-gallon buckets to go for your next party at home.

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While Tropical Liquors has always been locally-owned in Columbia and not a part of a chain, the company has added three more stores in addition to the downtown location at 515 East Broadway; there’s a South Columbia location at 3805 South Providence Road; a St. Louis location at 1800 South 10th Street; and a Springfield, Missouri location at 420 South Campbell Avenue #100.

10. Consider Staying Outside of Columbia at a B & B

Ever since the Mizzou Tigers became a part of the SEC conference, it is often difficult and expensive to find hotel rooms in Columbia during football weekends.

The School House B & B in Rocheport, Missouri

The small town of Rocheport, Missouri is about 15 miles west of Columbia. My “Theta” sorority friends and our husbands stayed at the School House B & B in Rocheport during one of our Columbia weekend gatherings several years ago. The location is close to the Katy Trail, which is beautiful for a fall foliage walk along the Missouri River. There are wineries nearby as well.

Have you visited Columbia, Missouri? What place would you add to this list?

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4 Fun Things To Do in Jacksonville, Florida

by Rachel Foxwell on September 26, 2020

An evening view of Downtown Jacksonville, Florida. Photo by Robyn

When I think of tourism in Florida, my mind jumps to places like Orlando, Miami, and Key West. After spending a summer working in Jacksonville, Florida, a not-so-tourist city, I came to admire its charm and space. Though it is the largest city in the U.S. by size, the heart of Jacksonville proves easy to navigate.

Top 4 Fun Things to Do in Jacksonville

Sunrise at the Jacksonville Beach Pier. Photo by Excel23

1. Spend a day at the beach.

Jacksonville has several miles of coastland, making it the perfect place to spend a day relaxing in the sun. The Jacksonville Beaches, known locally as “The Beaches”, are a group of towns and communities on the northern half of an unnamed barrier island, separated from the main part of Jacksonville by the Intracoastal Waterway.

Unlike many other cities in Florida, the Jacksonville beaches are not overly crowded.

Also take advantage of the fishing pier; if you’ve never tried saltwater fishing, you’re in for a treat. Small hammerhead sharks are a common catch.

2. Take a walk downtown at via the Jacksonville Riverwalks

Downtown Jacksonville has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to go shopping, enjoy a meal at a local restaurant, or check out the nightlife, downtown Jacksonville has it all within walking distance.

American Cruise Lines ship docked on the St. Johns River in downtown Jacksonville, Florida. Photo by Mathew105601

Be sure to take a walk down the Jacksonville Riverwalks — a network of multi-use trails along both the north and south banks of the St. Johns River.

The Jacksonville Riverwalks passes the Times-Union Performing Arts Center in downtown Jacksonville, Florida. Photo by Mathew105601

The roughly 2-mile Downtown Northbank Riverwalk offers a fantastic view of the St. Johns River for you to stroll at your leisure past the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville, the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, and the CSX Building.

The 1.25-mile Southbank Riverwalk connects local landmarks such as Friendship Fountain, Museum of Science and History and Riverplace Tower.

3. Visit nearby St. Augustine

Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, Florida. Photo by Iagology

St. Augustine claims the title of being the oldest continually inhabited city in the United States. Popular attractions include the Castillo de San Marcos Fort, the St. Augustine Lighthouse, and shopping at the many art and snack shops.

St. Augustine Old Town. Photo by Iagology

Whether or not you are a history buff, St. Augustine proves a refreshing getaway from the city.

4. NFL Football, Festivals and Theatre

The Jacksonville events calendar is filled to the max with activities the city has to offer.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 640px-TIAABANKJAX.jpg — TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Photo by Excel23

A few noteworthy events include cheering on the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL professional football team at TIAA Bank Field, watching a play at one of Jax’s many theaters, or attending the Jacksonville Jazz festival or the Food and Wine Festival, to name a few.

If you are thinking about a trip to Florida, consider visiting Jacksonville for a city with beaches and more.

Rachel Foxwell Slifka, a native of Monona, Iowa, completed her degree in Hospitality Management at Iowa State University. She also has an MBA from Western Governors University Though her heart is in the Midwest, Rachel enjoys traveling and living all over the world. Learn more about Rachel here.

Did you know that the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd both got their start in Jacksonville, Florida, and helped usher in a new kind of southern music that would alter the course of seventies rock?

Jacksonville and the Roots of Southern Rock

A new book by Michael Ray Fitzgerald explores the subject. Jacksonville and the Roots of Southern Rock is available from Amazon.

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