Friday May 17, 2013
Club Med is having a flash sale this week, from May 17 to 22. This is a good opportunity to enjoy a trip to Mexico at a reduced rate. By booking during the sale, you'll save 40% on 7-day stays at the Cancun Yucatan Club Med during the month of June (June 1 to 29, 2013). Rates start at $1049 USD per adult for a 7 night all-inclusive stay. The Cancun Yucatan Club Med is an excellent option for a family vacation, with an excellent location, friendly atmosphere and lots of activities for both children and adults, plus, kids under 4 stay free. Read a profile of the Club Med Cancun Yucatan from About.com's Guide to Family Travel. The offer expires on May 22, so book now to take advantage. More info on the Club Med website: Club Med Flash Sale.
Find more deals for family vacations: Kids Stay Free at Mexican Resorts.
Photo courtesy Club Med
Wednesday May 15, 2013
For the past few days Popocatepetl, an active volcano located 45 miles southeast of Mexico City and only 25 miles outside the city of Puebla, has been spewing smoke and ash. Seismic activity has also increased around the volcano. On Sunday the alert level was raised to Yellow Phase 3, the fifth of a seven stage warning scale. There is at present a 7.5-mile restricted zone around the base of the volcano. Authorities are preparing evacuation routes for the vicinity in case the volcano's activity increases.
At nearly 18,000 feet in height, "el Popo" as it's affectionately called, is North America's fourth highest peak, and the second highest in Mexico. It has had minor eruptions in 2000 and 2005, and has shown moderate activity since 2012.
See the latest alert from CENAPRED (Mexico's National Center for Disaster Prevention). More information from the LA Times: Mexico prepares for more intense eruptions from Popo volcano, Volcano Discovery, and read about Coping With the Volcano: Popocatépetl Safety Tips from All About Puebla.
Photo Susana Gonzalez/Stringer/Getty
Tuesday May 14, 2013

Museum Night is celebrated in Mexico City on the last Wednesday of each month from 7 to 10 pm, but this Saturday, May 18 is International Museum Day, and over 50 museums in Mexico City will participate, with a variety of special activities throughout the day. Some of the museums will have free admission and others are offering a discount on entrance fees. Many of the participating museums will have extended hours. Shuttles will provide free transportation along four different routes from 11 am to 9 pm. See maps of shuttle routes, and a full list of activities: Día Internacional de Museos (in Spanish).
International Museum Day celebrations are coordinated by the International Council of Museums. The event began in 1977 as a way to raise awareness about the importance of museums in the development of society. This year over 120 countries will participate in the event. The theme for this year's International Museum day is: Museums (Memory + Creativity) = Social Change.
Don't miss some of our favorite Mexico City museums:
Thursday May 9, 2013

DreamPictures/Getty Images
El Día de las Madres (Mother's Day) is celebrated in a big way in Mexico. Mexicans pamper their moms, serenade them, give them flowers and gifts, and treat them to a nice meal out in a restaurant. In Mexico this celebration always falls on May 10th, unlike in the U.S. and Canada where it's celebrated on the second Sunday in May (May 12 this year).
One of the ways Mexicans celebrate their mothers is with a serenade. The serenade is ideally sung in the early morning, to wake up your mom in the nicest way possible. (If your mom's not an early riser, she may prefer to sleep in and save the serenade for later in the day, though.) The favorite song to sing to moms on Mother's Day, and to anyone on their birthday or to congratulate them for some special occasion, is Las Mañanitas. This is a traditional Mexican song that dates back to at least the 19th century. The writer of the song is unknown.
Have you considered using music to show your mom how much you care about and appreciate her? Hire a mariachi band, or if you're musically inclined, sing for her yourself. Here are the lyrics of Las Mañanitas (with translation), and a video so you can learn how to sing Las Mañanitas.
For a really special Mother's Day gift, treat your mom to a luxurious Mexican vacation. Here are some ideas: Mother's Day Getaways.
¡Feliz Día de las Madres!