GRANDEUR IS THE ONLY INTIMIDATING ASPECT OF THESE GENTLE GIANTS

It’s whale shark season in Cancun, a natural occurrence marked by the return of the peaceful species to the warm waters off Mexico’s Caribbean coast each summer.

Visitors can swim and snorkel with the creatures, which measure 15 to 50 feet in length and weigh as much as 15 tons. Grandeur is the only intimidating aspect of these gentle giants, whose diet consists of plankton, which is what brings them back annually to Cancun’s nutrient-rich waters. The swimming experience is completely safe for curious travelers, according to Jesus Almaguer, CEO of the Cancun Convention & Vistors Bureau.

“This is an opportunity to showcase our efforts to conserve this endangered species to communities here and abroad,” Almaguer said.

Several tour operators offer whale shark tours for spectators as well as for those who want to jump in the water and swim alongside the gentle giants. EcoColors Tours introduced its tour 14 years ago, and it was recognized by the Mexican Ministry of Tourism as the country’s best nature tour at this year’s Tianguis Turistico trade show in Acapulco. More than 4,000 visitors signed on with the operator for the whale shark swims in 2014, a number that is expected to increase to 7,000 this season.

Price for a tour, including hotel pickup, boat transport, briefing session, snorkel, lunch and return to hotel starts at $165 per person. Ceviche Tours, which has offered a whale shark swimming experience since 2007, also has been recognized for its contributions toward protecting and preserving the species and sustaining the environment. Its tours start at $125 per person.

Visitors to Cancun between July 18 and 24 can take part in the eighth annual Whale Shark Festival, expected to attract 5,000 visitors to Cancun. Along with the tour, the festival includes traditional dancing, local food, a costume parade and a sand sculpture contest. Proceeds from the festival go to the Blue Realm Project and Amigos de Isla Contoy, two organizations dedicated to the conservation of marine life and ecotourism in the Mexican Caribbean.

Credit to Travel Weekly for this article  

The Affordability of a Destination Wedding has couples speeding off to the airport faster than you can say "I Do"

These days it is safe to say that just about every engaged couple entertains the idea of having a destination wedding , I mean, who doesn't get excited at the idea of going to a gorgeous and unique place to exchange vows? But at the same time, it can seem quite overwhelming. To help out with the great debate of “should we or shouldn't we?”  Here are some reasons that may help you make that big decision. 

Plan ahead -- far ahead -- for a destination wedding.

1. It really is an easy process to get married just about anywhere, especially the Caribbean and Mexico. Just knowing a few facts can shed some light and make it all seem less complicated. For most destinations it is required for you to arrive a few days earlier than your wedding date. So what right? by the time your wedding rolls around, you have already had some fun in the sun! 

2. You’ll certainly stand out from the crowd.. Did you know that more than 2 million American couples get married every year, and less than 20 percent of them have destination weddings. This will sure differ from the same hometown locations that maybe your friends and family have chose before.

3.  Most resorts offer free wedding planners, whether the event is for two or 200, and an abundance of packages keeps things simple while still giving options to customize. 

4. Save on those decorations because with a destination wedding in a stunning setting, your location of choice supplies the theme. When you have a backdrop like the Caribbean Sea, it doesn't take much to dress it up.  With the natural beauty of your surroundings you'll be more than covered with a few simple flowers and other modest accents, which are usually included in your wedding package.

5.  Enjoy quality time with loved ones. The standard wedding lasts for five hours, a destination wedding spans a minimum of three days, this allows you to actually spend quality time with your loved ones!
 

6.  A Destination Wedding will require travel and a longer time commitment so this gives you the perfect excuse to cut down on an often unmanageable number of invitees. A popular thing to do is throw a post wedding party complete with plenty of photos when you get back home.

7. Your guests also get a vacation. Ultimately, you will all have a blast! Destination weddings give friends and family that most valuable commodity, downtime to kick back, connect and celebrate. And what’s more fun than that!

8.  Part of the joy of a destination wedding is showing off a place that has special meaning to you, maybe sharing where you took your first vacation as a couple or just simply going to a place you've always dreamed of visiting.

9. Flexible timing helps your budget, after all, what does the day of the week matter in paradise? Look at the seasons for where you want to travel and go during the "off" season. Many resorts drop their prices dramatically after their busy seasons.

10. Just arriving at your destination will put you in a relaxed mood as the pre-wedding festivities begin. You can start the honeymoon early. 

For a picture-perfect destination wedding, you'll need the perfect planner to help take care of all the details,, ,,

Travel by Kelly. 401-714-6024