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Barbie Has a Passport, a Fact Which is Actually Causing Controversy

She's been a veterinarian, an Olympic gymnast, a marine biologist, an 80s rock star, a mermaid and the president (many times over). She's Barbie, and her range is even unencumbered by nationality. The newest Barbies are additions to the classic "Dolls of the World" collection, and one in particular is causing quite the uproar.

A "Mexico Barbie," complete with a traditional Mexican dress and a pet chihuahua, has a passport has an accessory. Yikes.

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Mexico City Travel / Mexico City Field Trip / Mexico Travel / → All Tags

A First-Timer's Guide to Mexico City: Taking On Teotihuacan

We don't hear too much about Mexico City these days, even though it's a totally doable flight and an easy trip from most major US Cities. So this week we're changing that, and clueing you in to the must-dos for a first timer's trip to La Ciudad de los Palacios (The City of Palaces), AKA Mexico City.

Teotihuacan and Chichen Itza are probably the two most famous pre-Hispanic historic sites within easy tourist reach in Mexico. While Chichen Itza is over on the Yucatan Peninsula and more accessible via Cancun, Teotihuacan is just north of Mexico City and therefore perfect for a day trip. You can rent a car and/or hire a driver to get you there, but there are also several reputable tour companies that can do the trick for you.

Wayak Tours, which operates out of the Mundo Joven Catedral hostel just off of the Zocalo, is a good one. In addition to Teotihuacan, they’ll take you to Tenochtitlan as well as the Basilica de Guadalupe, where the Virgin Mary was said to have appeared to the Spanish.

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A First-Timer's Guide to Mexico City: Get Lost in Chapultepec

We don't hear too much about Mexico City these days, even though it's a totally doable flight and an easy trip from most major US Cities. So this week we're changing that, and clueing you in to the must-dos for a first timer's trip to La Ciudad de los Palacios (The City of Palaces), AKA Mexico City.

Mexico City has an embarrassment of riches. The city’s just so grande and so full of museums, ruins, churches, and the like that even tackling one neighborhood at a time may not be enough. Chapultepec Park, which spans almost 1,700 acres, is the largest city park in the Western hemisphere. You can easily spend a whole day in and around this e, which is reason enough to give yourself more than just a few days in Mexico City.

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A First-Timer's Guide to Mexico City: On the Canals of Xochimilco

We don't hear too much about Mexico City these days, even though it's a totally doable flight and an easy trip from most major US Cities. So this week we're changing that, and clueing you in to the must-dos for a first timer's trip to La Ciudad de los Palacios (The City of Palaces), AKA Mexico City.

Mexico City is dotted with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but we want to talk about Xochimilco, one of the last remaining remnants from when Mexico City was an island. This district of canals is a popular place for locals to hang out on weekends and, naturally, the way to see the canals of Xochimilco is by boat.

The traditional small, brightly colored boats of Xochimilco all bear the names of women (Brenda, Rosita, Carolina) and can be rented by the hour. Adding to the female-friendly vibe is the fact that women are traditionally given rose corsages when they board. While on the water, other boats glide by and hawk their wares, selling everything from spicy corn on the cob to silver jewelry to beer and soda. If you’re interested, simply signal and the boat will attach itself to yours long enough for the purchase to be finalized.

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A First-Timer's Guide to Mexico City: From Zona Rosa to Roma

We don't hear too much about Mexico City these days, even though it's a totally doable flight and an easy trip from most major US Cities. So this week we're changing that, and clueing you in to the must-dos for a first timer's trip to La Ciudad de los Palacios (The City of Palaces), AKA Mexico City.

Zona Rosa isn’t the neighborhood most representative of Mexico City, but it’s safe and a great place to be a tourist. This upscale area is convenient from the airport (you can get there for about 200 pesos, or less than $20, by taxi) and has all the basics a visitor needs: pharmacies, ATMs, and stuff that’s open late.

Though Zona Rosa deservedly gets the rep of being all foreign restaurants and overpriced internet cafes, there’s also some excellent scenery nearby. El Angel de la Independencia (Angel of Independence) is a large, beautiful sculpture located in a traffic circle on the busy Paseo de la Reforma. On weekends, it’s not unusual for ice cream vendors to set up shop near El Angel or for marathon runners to pass by on their morning route. If you ever get lost, El Angel is such a recognizable landmark that almost anyone in Mexico City will be able to point you in the right direction. Also nearby is the statue of Diana the Huntress, who is said to be pointing her arrow “toward infinity.”

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A First-Timer's Guide to Mexico City: Zocalo A-Go-Go

We don't hear too much about Mexico City these days, even though it's a totally doable flight and an easy trip from most major US Cities. So this week we're changing that, and clueing you in to the must-dos for a first timer's trip to La Ciudad de los Palacios (The City of Palaces), AKA Mexico City.

If you only have one day to spend in Mexico City, spend it in the center of town, where there’s the best concentration of activities. The big main square is technically named Plaza de la Constitucion, but it’s been called the "Zócalo" for so long that locals will scratch their heads and wonder what the heck you’re talking about if you use the formal name.

Zócalo means “base,” and it's all kind of a joke. A former president planned to build a huge monument in the square, but only got around to finishing the base. The name stuck, and now Zócalo is also the name of the metro station serving the area.

First off, check out the Palacio Nacional, or National Palace, which used to be the residence for the presidents of Mexico. Now, however, it’s a free museum, and the real highlight is the collection of Diego Rivera works adorning most of the building. Be sure to scope out the giant mural, a triptych which covers major events in Mexican history, from the days of the Aztecs to the arrival of the Spanish and beyond. (Frida Kahlo’s also in there somewhere, if you can spot her.)

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What It's Like to Be Stuck Onboard a Crippled Cruise Ship

Yikes. If you haven't already heard, there's a Carnival Cruise ship drifting without electricity (and, thus, propulsion) in the Caribbean. It's the Carnival Triumph, a megaship which embarked on a 4-night cruise from Galveston, Texas over the weekend, only to be crippled by an engine room fire on Sunday. Not much was known about the state of the ship and onboard conditions for the passengers until several were able to place phone calls when a sister Carnival ship came to the Triumph's aid with backup food and water.

The ship is being pushed by two tugboats from her position off the coast of Mexico and she should reach Mobile, Alabama on Thursday.

Still, this is one more entry into our series of "The Evolution of Cruise Ships," as events like this do happen as much as you pray they won't on your cruise. In fact, one of our friends suffered a similar fate on her cruise, though it took place before the age of cellphones/internet/immediate news dissemination.

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How To Get Tickets To / Art Travel / Frida Kahlo / Mexico Travel / Mexico City Travel / Museum Travel / → All Tags

How To Get Tickets To Visit Frida Kahlo's Wardrobe in Mexico City

The flamboyant artist Frida Kahlo knew there was no better runway than the runway of life and that was evident in her over-the-top style. For the first time in almost 60 years, the public can now view the extravagant wardrobe of Kahlo in Mexico City.

The exhibit, named "Appearances Can Be Deceiving," is housed in her former home-turned-museum in the Del Carmen area of the city, and it features about 300 items from her personal wardrobe. Everything from dresses and headpieces to jewelery and her famed corsetry are all on exhibit to honor the unique life of the artist.

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Surfing Travel / Mexico Travel / Wavecation / Sports Travel / Summer Travel / Lists / → All Tags

Six Beginner Tips to Start Surfing ASAP

Is “learn to surf” on your bucket list? If not, it should be. Not only is surfing one of the world’s most popular sports, it also enjoys an extremely high “cool factor” which keeps the newbies flooding in. Before you frolic out into the waves however, here are a few things you should know about surfing:

· Do take a lesson
Sure you can figure it out on your own, just like you can spend all day at the ski slopes flailing down the mountain, but why would you? There are professionals to help with this. The art of surfing requires an understanding of numerous nuances and subtleties that demand years of practice. Learn some pointers from someone who’s already paid their dues.

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A Semi-Secret Surfing Oasis South of Zihuatenejo, Mexico

Less than an hour’s drive outside Zihuatenejo, Mexico (including 15 exciting minutes on a very unpaved road), you’ll find Playa Viva—a beachfront oasis amid miles of tranquil (and surfable) beaches.

Being the first trip away from our one-year-old, my wife was looking forward to lying by the pool with a good book for three days while I, the avid surfer, was looking for waves. Although Playa Viva isn’t a world-renowned surf destination like Troncones and La Saladita to the north, I was pleasantly surprised with chest-high, glassy waves each morning. Even in the afternoon when the waves weren’t as good, the swimming and body surfing was fun in the rougher water.

For land lovers, Playa Viva hosts daily adventures like yoga on the sundeck or an hour-long ATV ride into the mountains to visit a cacao and coffee farm. And yes, lying by the pool with a book is available as well.

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Surfing Where? Five Beginner Surf Spots Close to Home

Surfing at Tofino's Wickaninnish Inn

When it comes to surfing, some surf breaks are made for beginners. Think of these as the bunny slopes of the surf world. You’re no doubt familiar with many of them. Waikiki beach in Hawaii is one of the best. Tamarindo in Costa Rica is also popular. Both offer warm water, tropical surroundings, gentle waves and plenty of options for surf lessons and surf board rentals.

But what if you’re not in Hawaii or Costa Rica? What if you’re looking for a surf experience closer to home? Well, you just might have better options than you thought.

Here are five great beginner surf breaks you probably haven't heard of, close to home:

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Social Media / Travel Photography / Animals / Instagram / Mexico Travel / → All Tags

The Very First Instagram Was Taken While Traveling

Two days ago, social photo sharing app Instagram posted a small update on their blog which then rippled throughout the internet. It was their second birthday, and they were celebrating by reflecting on the very first Instagram photo ever posted.

The image of a flip flop-shod foot and a happy dog was snapped and uploaded by Instagram founder Kevin Systrom in July 2010. It wasn't until October of the same year that the public could chime in with their own pics, as Instagram notes that the app was actually titled "Codename" until those later months.

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