Travel Media

Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum

Learn about the culture of the unconquered Seminole Indians. Located on a 60-acre cypress hammock, more than one mile of boardwalk nature trails winds through ceremonial grounds and a living village.

Located 17 miles north of 1-75, exit 14. Big Cypress

Amelia Earhart Park

Explore 515 acres, including a freshwater lake, photo above, and the Bill Graham Farm Village (open 9a. m. to 4 p. m.), complete with a petting zoo and weekend pony and hayrides. The park also features Tom Sawyer’s Play Island, picnic pavilions, and bike and paddkboat rentals.

401 E. 65th St., Hialeah

Art Center – South Florida

Art Center provides work and exhibition space for more than 81 visual artists through its juried artists program. Art Studies in various media and artistic levels are available for all ages.

Galleries and studios are free to the public.

At 800, 810 and 924 Lincoln Road Miami Beach.

Art Deco District

Eight hundred classic buildings, photo above, from the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s make up this historic area. Walking tours depart from the Art Deco Welcome Center (1001 Ocean Drive) every Thursday and Saturday. Miami Beach (305) 672-2014.

Biscayne National Underwater Park

With 181.000 acres of marine habitat, the park offers prime sightseeing for snorkelers and divers, and glass-bottom boat rides. Fast end of SW 328th St., nine miles east of Homestead (305) 230-1100.

Butterfly World

Three acres of tropical gardens, photo below, house thousands of live, brilliantly colored butterflies. The natural habitat also includes a hummingbird aviary suspension bridge and museum. 3600 W Sample Road, Coconut Creek (954) 977-4400.

Church of St. Bernard de Clairvaux

Dating from 1141 and exemplifying early Gothic and Romanesque architecture, the church was brought to America by William Randolph Hearst in 1925.

It remained in crates until 1952 when it was erected in North Miami Beach. 16711 W Dixie Hwy, N. Miami Beach (305) 945-1461

Coconut Grove

This trendy and sparkling area, photo below, is full of galleries, theaters, night- clubs, fine restaurants. CocoWalk and Mayfair Shops. Beautiful Peacock Park and Kenneth Myers Park are along the waterfront. Very romantic place.

On Biscayne Bay bounded by S. Dixie Hwy. (Hwy, 1), S. Bayshore Drive and Douglas Road Coconut Grove.

Coral Castle

This architectural curiosity of coral rock, built by Latvian immigrant Edward Leedskalnin between 1923 and 1951, is a national historic site. Open daily, 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. 28655 S.

Dixie Hwy. Homestead

Coral Gables

Founded in the 1920s, Coral Gables features plazas, fountains. Roman-style arches and Cuban tile blended with lush foliage. The turreted Colonnade, Coral Gables Playhouse, University of Miami, exceptional dining, theaters and public golf courses make this a choice destination.

Bounded by Biccayne Bay Sunset Drive, Old Cutler Road Ponce de Leon and Red Road

Deering Estate at Cutler

Take a guided tour of more than 420 acres, including endangered natural areas and archaeological sites, with recreation facilities and a view of Biscaync Bay. The estate also boasts the historic Richmond Cottage, portions of which date back to 1896, and the Mediterranean Revival winter home of industrialist Charles Deering, completed in 1923.

Open daily from 10a. m. to 5 p. m. 16701 SW 72nd Ave. Miami

Everglades Alligator Farm

Airboat tours and shows featuring alligators, snakes and other wildlife educate visitors on the native land and species.

Open daily, 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. 40351 SW 192nd Ave

Everglades National Park

Covering 1.5 million acres of land and water, this habitat of tree islands, mangroves, coastal prairies and subtropical hammocks is fed by a 200-mile- long, 50-mile-wide river. Many native and endangered species call it home.

Fairchild Tropical Garden

This 83-acre paradise of tropical plants offers tram tours, miles of paths, a conservatory and museum. Open year round, 9:30 a. m. to 4:30 p. m. 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables.

Flamingo Gardens

Everglades and wildlife adventures begin with a tour through botanical gardens featuring a 200- year-old live oak hammock and some of Florida’s largest champion trees. From a 1-1/2 – mile tram ride, view Everglades, rain forests and citrus groves, with flamingos, alligators, river otters and birds of prey.

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Thailand is nestled between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, bordering Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. It is exotic yet accessible, with something for every visitor. Relax on white sand beaches, hike through vast areas of tropical forest, or live it up in the humming capital of Bangkok.

There is much for you to discover in Thailand. The country offers a huge range of new experiences in sights, sounds, tastes, and outlook. But different as it may be from your home, Thailand is probably the easiest exotic country for visitors. The people are friendly, leisure activities are well organized, the food is great and you receive excellent value for money.

Thailand is nestled between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, bordering Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. It is exotic yet accessible, with something for every visitor. Relax on white sand beaches, hike through vast areas of tropical forest, or live it up in the humming capital of Bangkok.

There is much for you to discover in Thailand. The country offers a huge range of new experiences in sights, sounds, tastes, and outlook. But different as it may be from your home, Thailand is probably the easiest exotic country for visitors. The people are friendly, leisure activities are well organized, the food is great and you receive excellent value for money.

One of the great things about Thailand for the traveller is the variety of places to visit. From the urban chaos of Bangkok, to the beautiful mountains of the north, to the amazing beaches and islands of the coast Thailand offers the visitor a wide range of alternatives when choosing a vacation.

Most visitors arrive first in Bangkok. Despite the heat, traffic, pollution and crowds Bangkok has a lot to offer in the way of tourist attractions. The old town around the Royal Palace is the cultural heart of Thailand and is full of temples markets and traditional shop house architecture. The centre of Bangkok with its towering skyscrapers, gleaming department stores and luxury hotels is not only the business district but also the main entertainment area. Bangkok is a truly cosmopolitan city fueled by an unparalleled energy.

The north of Thailand is very different. Ancient and beautiful towns dotted with the golden roofs of ancient temples lie in the valleys and plains flanked by tree lined mountains populated, not only by northern Thais, but also by ethnic minorities with their own languages, dress and traditions. Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are the two most visited towns and both serve as a good base to explore this beautiful and remote part of Asia.

At the other end of the country along the miles and miles of coastline you can find some of the best beaches in the world. There are choices for all tastes and budgets. Phuket is sophisticated and developed with not only great beaches but also a plethora of opportunities for sailing, diving, golf and fishing. Whether you want peace and quiet or music and action, in Phuket it’s always only a short distance away. Nearby Krabi is perfect for a family holiday with beautiful white sand and dramatic limestone scenery.

In the Gulf of Thailand Koh Samui provides a world class alternative with a wider range of cheaper accommodation. Nearby Koh Phangan is still comparatively basic and budget travelers enjoy the peace and quiet of what, at times, resembles paradise. Further away, near Cambodia, Koh Chang is also very quiet. If you want a beach resort with attitude, then head to Pattaya. Some love it, some hate it but it is never short of energy.

Throughout Thailand one is never far away from history and its legacy. The ancient capitals of Sukothai and Ayuthaya are both remnants of a glorious past. Through Isaan there are hundreds of examples of the power of the Khmer empire of Angkor. Both Phanam Rung in Buriram and Phimai in Korat are as good examples of Angkorian architecture as one can find.

West of Bangkok is Kanchanaburi and the famous, if tragic, Bridge over the River Kwai. Built by slave labour and allied prisoners during the Japanese occupation of World War II, it is a somber reminder of recent history and the suffering of war. Around Kanchanaburi there is also beautiful mountain countryside and waterfalls.

Whether you are a history enthusiast, a water baby, a party animal or just in need of peace and quiet the odds are in your favour that somewhere in Thailand you can find what you want.

Each year, some 250 million monarch butterflies arrive to the luscious volcanic highlands of central Mexico. Guided to the area by an inexplicable internal clock known scientifically as circadian, the monarch butterflies travel up to 3,000 miles to the state of Michoacan, which becomes the butterflies’ winter getaway. Nature-goers can visit the butterflies anytime between November and March, although the best time to see them is in February and early March, right before they head north again.

Originally from southern Canada and the northern United States, the orange and black monarchs hibernate during winter and mate in spring before returning back north. Each year from late October to early November, the delicate creatures flee the north’s freezing temperatures and embark on a month-long trip south, flying some 70 miles per day to reach the Oyamel mountaintop fir forests of the Mexican state of Michoacan. Those fortunate enough to live along the monarchs’ route south are frequently exposed to the site of large groups of butterflies flying overhead on route to their winter sanctuary.

Once reaching the Oyamel forests, the monarchs cluster together by the thousands in pine trees, weighing down branches with their sheer mass and making the forests glow the like the bright orange of their wings. These butterflies spend the entire winter in Michoacan, finally mating in the spring and then returning north, laying eggs along the way.

The beautiful butterflies leave Mexico in late February and early March in a mass migration and the monarchs should reach the central United States by mid-April. By that time, the females will have laid their eggs for 1,000 miles as they make their one-time trip. They return home exhausted and with tattered wings after the 3,000 mile trip. A typical butterfly will make just one round trip during its lifetime. Witnessing this incredible migration is reason enough to follow the Monarchs down to Mexico.

In the easternmost part of Michoacan is an immense monarch butterfly reserve spanning nearly 100 square-miles. In 1986, the Mexican government declared the region a special biosphere reserve where thousands of butterflies cluster together in the early morning and nights, covering whole trees and branches.

Several of the monarch butterfly sanctuaries are open to the public, including Sierra Chincua and El Campanario. Sierra Chincua is about a 30-minute drive north of Angangueo, once an important mining town. El Campanario, also known as El Rosario sanctuary is much more frequently visited. It lies above the small village of El Rosario, almost an hour’s drive up some rough terrain from the village of Ocampo. Common departure points to the sanctuaries are Ocampo, Zitacuaro and Morelia.

Spending a night in Angangueo is ideal because from there visitors can secure transport to the reserve early in the morning, when the butterflies are still in the trees. A comfortable hotel is the Albergue Don Bruno (tel. 011-52-715-156-0026). Maruata (tel. 011-52-443-324-2120) runs 10-hour tours to the sanctuary including transportation, food and bilingual guide for US$60. For those spending the weekend, the 62-room Villa Monarca Inn (tel. 011-52-715-153-5362), located in the outskirts of Zitacuaro, is an ideal place to go.

Angangueo, Zitacuaro and the nearby towns of Maravatio and Ocampo hold a monarch Butterfly Festival each February, featuring traditional dance, music and craft markets, in celebration of their annual winter visitors.

Local tourist areas include the beautiful colonial town of Morelia, Michoacan’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, giving travelers yet another reason to visit. Other popular tourist stops, including Lake Patzcuaro, the quaint town of Patzcuaro, Janitzio Island and the Tarascan Indian ruins of Tzintzuntzan, are also nearby.

The beautiful butterflies leave Mexico in late February and early March in a mass migration and the monarchs should reach the central United States by mid-April. By that time, the females will have laid their eggs for 1,000 miles as they make their one-time trip. They return home exhausted and with tattered wings after the 3,000 mile trip. A typical butterfly will make just one round trip during its lifetime.

About the Mexico Tourism Board

The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico’s tourism attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico’s tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Latin America.

FOR PRESS ONLY: For additional ideas, help with a story or general travel and tourism information about Mexico, please contact the MTB’s North American Press Room directly at 1-800-929-4555, by e-mail at northamericanpress@visitmexico.com, or visit our press Web site at www.visitmexicopress.com. To access an online warehouse of free, downloadable b-roll, visit www.thenewsmarket.com/visitmexicopress.

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Erick Laseca

Mexico Tourism Board

312-228-0517

erick.laseca@bm.com