Mexico will be celebrating two important anniversaries in 2010. The year marks the bicentennial of Mexican independence - the independence movement in Mexico began in September of 1810 - and the centennial of the Mexican Revolution, which began on November 20, 1910.

Many projects are in the works to celebrate these anniversaries. Several museums that have been chosen to serve as venues for the Independence Bicentennial and the Revolution Centennial celebrations are being remodeled. Many of the country's ancient sites are receiving maintenance, and ten new archaeological sites will be opened. There are exhibits of prehispanic, Spanish, modern and contemporary Mexican art planned at museums in Mexico and around the world, and infrastructure and memorial architecture construction projects are also being planned.

Countdown clocks have been strategically placed in cities throughout the country which mark the days until September 15, 2010. When traveling around Mexico you may also notice signs posted along Mexican highways that say "Ruta 2010" which is part of a project of tracing historic routes of military campaigns of both the War of Independence and the Mexican Revolution.

Read more about Mexico's 2010 Bicentennial Celebrations

One of the first things you might consider when planning a trip Mexico is whether to travel independently or with a group. Travel with a tour group may be a good option for you if: it's your first trip to Mexico; you're going on your own and you would prefer the companionship that you would have as part of a group; you don't speak Spanish and you're concerned about being able to communicate and get your basic needs met; or you want to cover a lot of distance but you want to avoid the hassle of having to make travel arrangements for buses and hotels.

Traveling with a tour group has advantages and disadvantages, and you should give some thought to how you like to travel before deciding whether to travel as part of a group and what type of tour is right for you. About.com's Guide to Senior Travel, Nancy Parode, has a great resource for exploring the pros and cons of tour groups.

If you do decide to take a tour group trip to Mexico, there are different types of tours to choose from. Some groups are geared towards senior travelers, some toward younger travelers, and some have a mix of ages. Some group tours are coach tours and others are backpacking groups with a leader who will take you on public transportation.

Here's a list of tour companies offering multi-day group tours in Mexico: Group Tour Companies Operating in Mexico.

More Mexico travel planning resources:

• Mexico Travel Planner
• Best Mexico Guide Books
• Top Mexico Destinations

_{Photo Tim Hall/Getty Images}

The 8th annual Yucatan Bird Festival is taking place this month, from November 19 to 22. This festival aims to promote the rich diversity of bird species found in the Yucatan and develop a conservationist culture among tourists and tour providers. Activities will include field trips, conferences, photographic exhibits and a "bird-a-thon." Events will be held in Merida, Celestun and the archaeological site of Uxmal.

The Yucatan Peninsula is home to over 500 bird species, and besides being an excellent destination for birdwatching, visitors can also enjoy beautiful beaches, water parks and ecological reserves.

Read up about other events taking place this month: Festivals and Events in November.

_{© Suzanne Barbezat}

A woman lights candles on the grave of a family member during Day of the Dead.

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