http://www.rivieranayarit.com What's New RSS Feed from Riviera Nayarit en-us All Rights Reserved. © Copyright IBCTV 2008 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:32:18 CDT Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:32:18 CDT Riviera Nayarit What's NewRudy Lombergerrlomberger@ibctv.com http://www.rivieranayarit.com/site/whats_new?post_id=154 Riviera Nayarit FESTIVAL GOURMET INTERNATIONAL MEXICO CELEBRATES 00:00 FESTIVAL GOURMET INTERNATIONAL MEXICO CELEBRATES <p>**14th Festival Gourmet International Features Riviera Nayarit’s Top Restaurants & Chefs**<br /><br />**Gourmands Also Have the Opportunity to Win a Free Riviera Nayarit Trip for Two to Attend Gourmet Festival** <br /><br />RIVIERA NAYARIT, Mexico – Mexico’s newest destination, Riviera Nayarit, is a sun-drenched getaway with 100 miles of Pacific beaches plus abundant nature and adventure attractions as well as wonderfully diverse cuisine from authentic Mexican specialties served in seaside restaurants in tiny fishing villages to elegant fine dining. Visitors should plan to visit November 13-23rd to enjoy the Festival Gourmet International Mexico which is celebrating Riviera Nayarit’s “treasure trove” of cuisine and quality restaurants. The Festival will offer special menus by 25 participating restaurants, cooking demonstrations by the area’s talented chefs, wine tastings, chef’s tables and much more. For more information on participating restaurants, programs and reservations visit <br /><br />Gourmands can also vie to win a four-night stay at the new Hotel des Artistes (European Plan), two roundtrip airline tickets, airport/hotel transfers, and four complimentary meals for two during the Gourmet Festival. All entrants need to do is come up with a creative name for an entrée dish created by chef Thierry Blouet of the Café des Artistes del Mar in Riviera Nayarit and they stand to win this amazing prize. No purchase necessary, only one entry per person and all fully completed entries must be submitted by October 6th, 2008. For full set of rules, regulations and how to enter competition visit <br /><br />Riviera Nayarit’s featured restaurants this year in the Festival include the Café des Artistes del Mar which just opened this year under the helm of chef Thierry Blouet who is known for his original outpost, Café des Artistes in neighboring Puerto Vallarta. Other participating restaurants include Aramara at the luxurious Four Seasons in the exclusive Riviera Nayarit enclave of Punta Mita; Bellavista at The Marival Resort & Suites; La Casona at the Villa La Estancia; Piaf at Grand Velas Resort & Spa; Frascati in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Green Break at the Grand Mayan Resort.<br /><br />Visit the Festival’s website for more details on special events (subject to change and availability). Highlights include:<br /><br />* Gourmet Festival Brunch at The Villa del Palmar, Flamingos Beach Resort & Spa on November 16th, from Noon – 3:00 p.m.<br />* Cooking demonstration at Frascati Restaurant in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle on November 17th at 10:00 a.m.<br />* Chef’s Table and Winemakers Dinner at Grand Mayan Resort’s Green Break Restaurant on November 20 at 8:00 p.m.<br />* Chef’s Table and Winemakers Dinner at La Casona at Villa La Estancia on November 21 at 8:00 p.m. <br /><br />The Festival Gourmet International was founded approximately 13 years ago by Thierry Blouet of Café des Artistes, Heinz Reize of Hotel Krystal and Silvan Müller of Nestlé, initially to promote Riviera Nayarit’s neighboring Puerto Vallarta's vibrant and excellent restaurants. With the launch of Riviera Nayarit in 2007, the destination was invited as a co-participant to enrich the profile of the gastronomic scene locally and internationally.</p> http://www.rivieranayarit.com/site/whats_new?post_id=154 Riviera Nayarit http://www.rivieranayarit.com/site/whats_new?post_id=156 Riviera Nayarit CLOSER TO NATURE: RIVIERA NAYARITâ��S WHALES, TURTLES & MIGRATORY BIRDS FEATURED IN VACATION PACKAGES 00:00 CLOSER TO NATURE: RIVIERA NAYARITâ��S WHALES, TURTLES & MIGRATORY BIRDS FEATURED IN VACATION PACKAGES <p>Worry Free Vacationsâ�� Packages Includes Stays at All-Inclusive Resorts</p> <p>Riviera Nayarit, Mexico - Get up close and personal with nature thanks to a variety of new Riviera Nayarit vacation packages and excursions that focus on adventure and wildlife, above the sea and beneath the surface. Worry Free Vacations, for example, is offering packages that include all the â��ingredientsâ�� necessary to experience the regionâ��s natural wonders. </p> <p>The line-up of Worry-Free Vacations packages feature snorkeling, horseback riding, dolphin experiences and other nature activities plus accommodations at all-inclusive resorts, round trip airfare, transfers, luggage handling, gratuities and more. </p> <p>One Worry-Free package features three nights at the all-inclusive Samba Vallarta by Pueblo Bonito Resort in Riviera Nayarit and the very popular Kon Tiki snorkeling tour, with prices starting at $599. </p> <p>Another Worry-Free package features the all-inclusive Vallarta Palace Resort in Riviera Nayarit plus the Palace Passport Promotion that provides unlimited select tours, including horseback riding, a Sunset cruise, Sea Life Park. During some travel dates, guests staying seven nights will also receive a complimentary swim with dolphins experience.</p> <p>For reservations or more information, contact your travel agent or visit <a href="http://www.worryfreevacations.com">http://www.worryfreevacations.com</a></p> <p>Riviera Nayarit, Mexicoâ��s newest tourism destination is blessed with an abundance of protected natural wonders including giant humpback whales, four kinds of protected sea turtles, wild dolphins, 250 species of migratory birds, countless â��big gameâ�� fish and other magnificent species of wildlife that inspire endless fascination and delight for travelers from around the world. </p> <p>With over 100 miles of coastline and beaches against the backdrop of the impressive Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains, Nayarit is a natural playground. Hundreds of humpback whales visit Banderas Bay each year From November through April. Vallarta Adventures <a href="http://www.vallarta-adventures.com">http://www.vallarta-adventures.com</a> is one of several companies that offers guided whale watching expeditions. </p> <p>Designated the official mascots of Riviera Nayarit, four protected species of sea turtle, including leatherback, Olive Ridley, hawksbill, and green turtles, use the coastal beaches of Nayarit as nesting sites. Indigenous to Nayarit, the Olive Ridley is one of the smallest species of sea turtle and nests between June and November. Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde <a href="http://www.project-tortuga.org">http://www.project-tortuga.org</a>, in the San Francisco area, features a marine turtle sanctuary open to the public. Wildlife Connection <a href="http://www.wildlifeconnection.com">http://www.wildlifeconnection.com</a>, an eco tour group based in Marina Vallarta, offers an evening tour to turtle camps where visitors can participate in the release of baby turtles and learn more about these fascinating creatures.</p> <p>According to the World Wildlife Fund, La Tovara National Park and the mangrove eco-region in San Blas in Riviera Nayarit are some of â��the most important winter habitats for birds in the Pacific, home to 80 percent of the Pacificâ��s migratory shore bird populations.â�� Among the most exciting sightings are the black-bellied tree duck, great blue heron, roseate spoonbill, the bumblebee hummingbird and the Mexican woodnymph. </p> <p>In January/February, The Festival of Migratory Birds <a href="http://avessanblas.uan.mx">http://avessanblas.uan.mx</a> is held to celebrate the avian wildlife in the area. In addition to special seminars and bird watching expeditions, boat tours of La Tovara National Park are also featured. And, Banderas Bay Tours & Travel <a href="http://ttf.com.mx">http://ttf.com.mx</a> offers a guided bird watching tour of San Blas by boat through mangroves and flat wetlands, with a visit to the Crocodile Reserve in El Manantial of La Camelota. </p> http://www.rivieranayarit.com/site/whats_new?post_id=156 Riviera Nayarit http://www.rivieranayarit.com/site/whats_new?post_id=159 Riviera Nayarit THE DREAM FIELD... 00:00 THE DREAM FIELD... <p>Located just 45 minutes north Nuevo Vallarta near the town of Guayabitos, this 9 hole Par 3 golf course was originally intended to challenge even the most experienced players, but nowadays it is the considered one of the best courses for start up golfers who want to learn this sport.</p> <p>Built on a surface of 8 Hecters, itâ��s construction initiated almost five years ago, when Gerardo Cervantes had a dream of building a golf course without even knowing how to play. And so, along side his family, his adventure began in the development of his dream known by locals as the â��little golf course of El Monteónâ��, where nowadays receives both experienced and beginner players from all over the region, but especially from Sayulita, San Pancho and Guayabitos areas.</p> <p>Gary Star House, a local resident and veteran military of Alaska, practices this sport every weekend at this course and offers offers free golf classes to the inexperienced player who wish to learn. Gary comments that: â��The course in certain way has a capricious design, because although getting to greens can be relatively easy, once on them the challenge begins because the high and curvy greens are deceptive. The course also has some tricky traps and obstacles along the fairways that provide an addicicoanl challenge element to the course. A bad swing and your ball will be surrounded by colorful fields of flowers that surround the golf course.â��</p> <p>Every year in the last weekend of February, a golf tournament is organized to obtain funds that are donated to an educative institution. This year, for example, there were 120 registered players and the funds were given to an elementary school in â��El Monteonâ��, along with 6 computers.</p> <p>The course is located at the #102 km off the Federal 200 Tepic-Puerto Vallarta highway and is just 5 minutes from Rincón de Guayabitos. It offers bar and restaurant services (restaurant only opens on weekends), and the course is open from 07:00 am to 6:00 pm from Monday to Sunday.</p> <p>To learn more about the golf course, you can visit our website <a href="http://www.dreamsgolfandresort.com">http://www.dreamsgolfandresort.com</a></p> http://www.rivieranayarit.com/site/whats_new?post_id=159 Riviera Nayarit http://www.rivieranayarit.com/site/whats_new?post_id=162 Riviera Nayarit THE OPENING OF A NEW RIU PALACE PACIFICO IN OCTOBER 00:00 THE OPENING OF A NEW RIU PALACE PACIFICO IN OCTOBER <p>The Opening of a new Riu Palace Pacifico in October</p> <p>With an updated and modern RIU style, next Thursday, October 2nd another RIU resort will open its doors: the RIU Palace Pacifico Hotel, located in the exclusive area of Flamingos in Riviera Nayarit.</p> <p>With itâ��s own style and fresh architecture that is always represented in this hotel chain, this new resort, with its all inclusive concept, renown all around the world will certainly be one of the most popular resorts in the region.</p> <p>The Riu Palaceâ��s are considered to this chains luxury line, and the Pacifico will certainly provide the vacationer an array of high quality services to satisfy even the most demanding guests.</p> <p>In adition to unlimited snacks, food and beverages served in its specialties restaurants and bars, the Riu Palace Pacifico will also be providing their guests the option of discovering regional dishes elaborated by famous chefs of this magnificent resort.</p> http://www.rivieranayarit.com/site/whats_new?post_id=162 Riviera Nayarit http://www.rivieranayarit.com/site/whats_new?post_id=161 Riviera Nayarit HOW TO ENJOY SAN BLAS? 00:00 HOW TO ENJOY SAN BLAS? <p><strong>HOW TO ENJOY SAN BLAS?</strong></p> <p>San Blas is a great destination for travelers who like to venture out to unexplored regions and discover virgin areas that are still tranquil and almost untouched by international tourism.</p> <p>Walking along the picturesque cobblestone streets of San Blas is a unique experience, where you are sure to be received by friendly locals in a tropical setting full of colors emitted by the surrounded tulips and bright â��bugambiliasâ��.</p> <p>Take and adventure and go whale watching (November through March), or snorkeling. Either way, you are sure to see our local marine life made up of dolphins, marine turtles and giant mantarays. Go shopping for local handicrafts. You can find leather manufactured articles like â��huarachesâ��, bags or hats. Maybe you would like to buy a dress or a shirt made of manta which is very typical of the region, and do not forget the handmade ornaments made of shells and snails. Head out to San Blasâ��s numerous nearby dazzling and magnificent beaches of silky sand and soft waves.</p> <p>Resting in the main plaza while drinking a natural fruit juice (known by locals as â��Agua Frescaâ��) and people watching is a favorite hobby of the locals that should be experienced by all visitors. </p> <p>Once dawn comes about and your stomach starts to rumble, head downtown and try out one of the numerous restaurants and bars to get a flavor of the true feeling of the town, Although San Blas is well know for its great seafood (one of the main staple in the region), there are many other options to choose from such as Italian, regional Mexican cooking, as well as some great Gourmet dining such as â��El Delfín Restaurantâ��, located in the Hotel Garza Canela.</p> <p>How to finish the day? Why not a cool tropical drink in your hand while viewing natureâ��s most spectacular display: the Pacific Sunset!!</p> <p>These are just some suggestions on how to enjoy the port of San Blas. Visit it for yourself and discover some of your own attractions. </p> <p><strong>Here is a list of some local Holidays and Traditions that may help find your own perfect attractions:</strong> </p> <p>On January 31st the town celebrates the birthday anniversary of the priest José María Mercado, head of the insurgent movement in the port of San Blas. </p> <p>On February 2nd is the feast of fishermen, this is a religious celebration.</p> <p>On May 3rd and 13th is celebrated the San Blas patron saint and the Virgin of Fatima, respectively. During the pilgrimages are featured native dances accompanied by fireworks.</p> <p>On June 1st, the Marine Day, people honor the marines who fell in the line of duty and an International fishing tournament is organized. </p> <p>Also, it is a tradition to do carnival celebrations during Holy week (Easter week), with decorated cars, colorful dances and costumes, and surfing tournaments. </p> http://www.rivieranayarit.com/site/whats_new?post_id=161 Riviera Nayarit http://www.rivieranayarit.com/site/whats_new?post_id=147 Riviera Nayarit RIVIERA NAYARIT INSPIRES CALIFORNIA SONG WRITER 00:00 RIVIERA NAYARIT INSPIRES CALIFORNIA SONG WRITER <p><strong>â��Sayulita,â�� a Tale of Mysterious Love by Smitty West, Celebrates Beauty, Passion of Mexicoâ��s Newest Vacation Destination</strong></p> <p><a href="http://media2.ibctv.com/nayarit/01%20Sayulita.mp3" target="_blank">Listen to the song now</a> (MP3 Format)</p> <p>RIVIERA NAYARIT, Mexico â�" Long before the rest of the world discovered its pleasures, Smitty West was enchanted by the Pacific sunsets, the beaches and the timeless charm of Riviera Nayarit. Now the Californian singer/song writer and keyboard player for the rock band Myridian has captured not only the beauty but the intoxicating passion and mysterious appeal of Mexicoâ��s newest vacation destination in song.</p> <p>â��Sayulita,â�� along with â��Posiblemente,â�� is featured on Westâ��s solo album, â��Your World.â�� Both songs were inspired by numerous visits with friends on the beaches of Nayarit and written there. â��Sayulita,â�� named for a delightfully bohemian Nayarit art colony, with its beachfront alfresco restaurants, stylish shops and fine art galleries, tells of sunsets, swaying bodies, dark eyes and the sea.</p> <p>In addition to his writing and performing, West is the founder of Ojai Songwriters Anonymous, a collaborative support group of songwriters in California. He also has been chosen as principal composer for Christopher Devineâ��s high-def film, Playing With Sticks. The album â��Your Worldâ�� features 12 original songs by West spanning the genres of folk, rock, Latin, metal and country.</p> <p>Lyrics for â��Sayulitaâ�� </p> <p>Oh Sayulita, mi senorita Te encanta cantar.</p> <p>You came to me in an afternoon dream, and the sky on fire. Your dark body sways, commanding the music to start. Enchanted by passion, your song casts a spell in the twilight. The cool evening air cannot quench the fire in my heart.</p> <p>The days melt away and the evening, I pray, will go on and on. Into the hours when only your voice fills the night. â��Te amo,â�� I plead, as your song goes higher and higher. But in your dark eyes there burns an unreachable light.</p> <p>I know not whether the future can ever release my love. For now I know clearly, your song was never for me. The flame in your heartâ�¦I see now that no man can own it. El canto del marâ�¦you only can sing to the sea.</p> <p>About Riviera Nayarit Riviera Nayarit is Mexicoâ��s newest travel destination stretching along 100 miles of pristine Pacific coast framed by spectacular mountains to the north of renowned Puerto Vallarta. Mostly undeveloped, the destination extends from the resorts of Nuevo Vallarta to the historic, colonial town of San Blas, including exclusive Punta Mita and the spectacular Banderas Bay. The region features luxury resorts and eco-tourism boutique hotels, world-renowned surfing, four professional golf courses, rare native wildlife including sea turtles and tropical birds, mountain and island adventures, shopping for local artwork and traditional Huichol handicrafts, charming fishing towns and miles of serene beaches. For more information, visit: www.RivieraNayarit.com. </p> http://www.rivieranayarit.com/site/whats_new?post_id=147 Riviera Nayarit http://www.rivieranayarit.com/site/whats_new?post_id=142 Riviera Nayarit THE 2nd INTERNATIONAL MARLIN & TUNA FISHING TOURNAMENT, 00:00 THE 2nd INTERNATIONAL MARLIN & TUNA FISHING TOURNAMENT, <p><strong>Larry Walker takes first prize at the 2nd International Marlin & Tuna Fishing Tournement, in Riviera Nayarit July 10th - 12th, 2008</strong></p> <p>RIVIERA NAYARIT, Mexico â�"The International Marlin and Tuna Fishing Tournament held its second annual competition drawing thousands of participants from all over the world including the United States and Canada. This yearâ��s tournament took place at the new Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. </p> <p>Larry Walker took the top prize of $40,000 USD for his various catches, most notably that of a nearly 13.5 foot, 702 pound marlin. Additionally, Walker was awarded a brand new 2008 Sea Pro boat, c186, Center Console, with a Mercury 115 hp EXLPT EFI 4 stroke; gift certificate for $1,000 to exchange it in the registration of the 3rd International Marlin and Tuna Tournament in Riviera Nayarit or the 53rd. Sailfish and Marlin Tournament in Puerto Vallarta; two round trip airplane tickets with Mexicana airlines, departing from any city in the USA or México to Puerto Vallarta and a voucher for a four night stay at the Marival Resort & Suites, Nuevo Vallarta.</p> <p>In conjunction with the tournament, The Riviera Nayarit Convention & Visitors Bureau, conducted an online contest which involved guessing the correct weight of the winning catch. Surprisingly, three lucky contestants picked the exact weight of the prize-winning marlin, weighing in at 702 pounds.</p> <p>The winning Marlin, shown here, weighing an impressive 702.072 pounds. Flanking the Marlin on the far left is Scott Osuna (captain) and Roberto Osuna (mate) and on the right, Larry Walker (1st place winner/angler) and Carlos Sanchez (Walkerâ��s friend)</p> <p>Larry Walker, first place winner, of the 2nd International Marlin & Tuna Fishing Tournament, accepts his Marlin "Safari Fishing" trophy for catching the prize-winning marlin, weighing 702.072 pounds. Walkerâ��s amazing catch is a testament to Riviera Nayaritâ��s reputation as one of the best fishing destinations in North America. From left to right: Marc Murphy (managing director the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau), José Alberto Alarcón (Performance Boats´, Sport-boat Director), Larry Walker (1st prize winner). </p> <p>For more information on Riviera Nayaritâ��s fishing and other activities, please visit www.RivieraNayarit.com. </p> http://www.rivieranayarit.com/site/whats_new?post_id=142 Riviera Nayarit http://www.rivieranayarit.com/site/whats_new?post_id=136 Riviera Nayarit â��DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADERS IN RIVIERA NAYARIT!â�� 00:00 â��DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADERS IN RIVIERA NAYARIT!â�� <p><img src="/etc/nayarit/files/site/DallasCowboy-Cheerleader1.gif" width="300" height="225" hspace="5" align="right">Riviera Nayarit.- The members of the popular cheerleading team of the Dallas Cowboys will be having photo shootings for their yearly 2009 Calendar in swimsuits.</p> <p>During what turns out to be their second visit to Riviera Nayarit, their beauty has not only made an impact at the open air theater, at the Marina in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, but also has brought the audience into a world full of magic, joy, enthusiasm and perfection.</p> <p>The “Cowgirls” will use gorgeous natural scenarios of this Riviera, such as quiet and unspoiled beaches, as well as enigmatic, cultural and wild places of enormous mysticism.</p> <p>Thus, the team formed by 25 beautiful, talented and sculptural young women will visit Nuevo Vallarta, where modern hotel premises and malls are located, in addition to its unmatchable beaches.</p> <p>The exclusive area of Punta de Mita, the quiet beaches at Rincon de Guayabitos and the historical Port of San Blas. At this last location, the gorgeous cheerleaders will visit the mangrove area of La Tovara, considered the most important in Mexico and where they will directly be in touch with nature and its wild surroundings.</p> <p><img src="/etc/nayarit/files/site/DallasCowboy-Cheerleader2.gif" width="300" height="225" hspace="5" align="right">The historical monuments at San Blas, such as the former Maritime Customs Office and the Cerro de San Basilio, where the Temple of Our Lady of Rosario “La Marinera” (The Mariner) of the XVII century is found, and the Edifice of the Antigua Contaduria, first Tax Collection Office of the New Spain, all these places will also be stages for the work of these sculptural cheerleaders of the most popular American football team: The Dallas Cowboys.<br> </p> http://www.rivieranayarit.com/site/whats_new?post_id=136 Riviera Nayarit http://www.rivieranayarit.com/site/whats_new?post_id=134 Riviera Nayarit MAJESTIC AND OF HIGH CUISINE, THE YACHT CLUB OF THE RIVIERA NAYARIT MARINA 00:00 MAJESTIC AND OF HIGH CUISINE, THE YACHT CLUB OF THE RIVIERA NAYARIT MARINA <p><img src="/etc/nayarit/files/site/FOTOS-MARINA--026.gif" width="300" height="225" hspace="5" align="right">Framed by the splendorous immensity of the Banderas Bay and modern premises of the piers at the Marina Riviera Nayarit, the restaurant and sky bar of the Yacht Club emerges as an excellent option for those who visit La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.</p> <p>Hosted by the renown and laureate Venezuelan Chef Lucio Linares, its cuisine offers Asian and Occidental plates based on the freshness of the fish and seafood, fine steak cuts and exquisite cheeses.</p> <p>Sea and Land gourmet specialties and an extensive wine cellar formed by 45 different labels will turn your visit into a superb event, for after trying our food you may step into the bar and have a nice after-meal drink.</p> <p>The view before you and the sense of freedom from the bar are simply unique and memorable. From there you may admire the majesty of the Banderas Bay, the modernity of its Marina, the typical town of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, and feel close to the stars since the “sky-bar” is kept at open air.</p> <p><img src="/etc/nayarit/files/site/FOTOS-MARINA--041.gif" width="300" height="225" hspace="5" align="right">One visit you must not miss during you stay in the Riviera Nayarit, where commodore Carlos Morett Huerta will make your visit a cordially pleasant one.<br> </p> http://www.rivieranayarit.com/site/whats_new?post_id=134 Riviera Nayarit