Archaeologists Have Discovered Exceptional Find In Mérida, Spain

In Mérida, Spain, archaeologists recently discovered an “enormous” Roman bath. But it is that inside these baths, in the area of the apodyterium or changing room, archaeologists have discovered yet another surprise: an almost intact iron bars on a window.

Mérida is home to a UNESCO World Heritage site that contains the remarkably well-preserved remains of an ancient Roman colony, Augusta Emerita.

According to the Roman historian Cassius Dio, the emperor Augustus, (27 BCE – 14 CE) founded Augusta Emerita after the end of the Cantabrian War, in 25 BCE and was the capital of Lusitania.

It soon became one of the largest cities in Hispania, with a territory of some 20.000 square kilometers, to which the emperor Otho added even more in 69. The well-preserved remains of the old city include a large bridge over the Guadiana River, an amphitheater, a theater, a vast circus, and an “exceptional” water-supply system.

Now, within these baths, archaeologists have found a crisscrossed set of iron bars that are “practically intact”, the Consortium of the Monumental City of Mérida said in a statement.

“Another exceptional find,” the consortium said.

The iron bars, which would once have covered a window, were found in the apodyterium or changing room of the baths.

The researchers reported that these bars were part of the deployment of the walls and the roof of the structure, hence the presence of other materials such as bricks, tégulas, and tiles. A similar iron grill was found during the work of the archaeologist García Sandoval, between 1962 and 1963, in the kitchen of the Casa del Anfiteatro.

The house of the amphitheater, dating from the 1st century AD. It is located outside the walls of Augusta Emerita, very close to the space used for gladiator combat and the theater.

“There is still a lot of archaeological heritage under the subsoil of our two-thousand-year-old Mérida that… awaits to be excavated,” the consortium said.

The Casa del Anfiteatro had a courtyard, a kitchen, and a mosaic floor depicting scenes of the grape harvest.

The iron bars will now be cleaned and restored so that they can be put on public display.

Source: https://arkeonews.net/

Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants Set To Return On November 15th In Mérida, Yucatán

MÉRIDA, Yucatán — Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022, sponsored by San Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, will return on Tuesday, Nov. 15 to a regular list and an in-person awards ceremony — the first full gathering of Latin America’s gastronomic community since 2019. Previously held in Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Argentina, the awards program will return to Mexico in 2022 with a new home here in Mérida in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism of the State of Yucatán.

Chefs, restaurateurs, media and gourmands will gather in the cultural and gastronomic capital of Mexico’s southeast region for the pinnacle of the year’s culinary calendar to celebrate the richness and diversity of Latin American cuisine. An exclusive events program hosted throughout Mérida will culminate in the awards ceremony on the evening of Nov. 15. Three special award announcements will precede the live program, including Latin America’s Best Female Chef Award on Sept. 20, the Icon Award on Oct. 11 and the American Express One To Watch Award on Oct. 25.

Despite the toll Covid-19 took on the region’s restaurant sector, 50 Best will celebrate more dining venues than ever before with the announcement of an inaugural list of 50 more restaurants ranked 51st to 100th best in Latin America. The 51-to-100 list will be announced on Nov. 3, shining a much-deserved spotlight on a greater number of hospitality establishments and the diverse culinary cultures of the region.

“We are very excited to bring as many people as possible together from across Latin America once again in 2022,” said William Drew, Director of Content for Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants. “We look forward to celebrating more restaurants, teams and culinary talent than ever, as well as experiencing the vibrant city of Mérida and exploring the gastronomically diverse region of Yucatán. At the same time, 50 Best aims to foster collaboration, inclusivity and discovery, and help drive positive change in the hospitality sector.”

Michelle Fridman, Tourism Minister of Yucatán, called it “an honor” for the state to host Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022. “The Yucatán is home to one of the best gastronomy scenes, and as we start our celebration of a year of Yucatecan cuisine, we are thrilled to show the world’s greatest chefs our culinary offer,” she said.

The 50 Best organization’s role in promoting restaurants and showcasing culinary talent remains more important than ever, continuing to support the hospitality sector by inspiring diners to seek out exciting gastronomic experiences.

Mérida, Capital Of The State Of Yucatán Is A Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2021 Winner For 5th Year In A Row

The capital City of the state of Merida ranked as one of the top Mexican Cities in this year’s Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2021 making this the 5th time the city appears on the Mexico’s Top City in the annual survey.

The awards, announced this morning recognize the top hotels, islands, cities, cruise lines, airlines, spas and more around the globe, based on the results of its annual readers’ survey. Readers rated cities on the following characteristics: sights/landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping and value.

Home to a thriving Mayan community, culture and gastronomy rooted in the colonial era, and some of the best architecture in Mexico, the state of Yucatán is a must-see for anyone looking to emerge themselves in Mexican culture. The state capital, Mérida, also known as the White City, offers a unique duality of ancient Mayan culture and modern facilities. A popular destination in Mexico, Mérida is an excellent base of operations for visiting the rest of the state and its remote destinations, which include the Yucatan Riviera, Cenotes and Haciendas, Puerto Maya, and the Mayan World Capital.

Merida is full of history, music, and color. The Historic Center of the city is the second largest in Mexico and, among its streets, visitors will find large and beautiful French-style buildings that are testimony to the luxurious life that their owners led in centuries past. Cenotes, haciendas, cultural cities, pristine beaches and nature are the perfect cross section of all that Mexico has to offer.

“This year has been exceptionally challenging for the tourism industry; airlines, agencies and destinations have been in this together, ”said Michelle Fridman, Minister of Tourism for the State of Yucatán. "To be included in the prestigious World's Best Awards by Travel + Leisure as one of the best cities in Mexico and Latin America, especially this year, is a real honor. T + L readers have traveled a lot and, with their votes , have chosen Mérida for the fifth consecutive year as one of the main destinations to visit,” she added.

The state of Yucatan has remained proactive in ensuring the biosafety of its local community and visitors. After closing itself to visitors, it quickly developed a health and safety certificate which was soon after verified with the Safe Travels Seal from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), and creating a safe bubble for visitors.

Merida’s international airport (MID) has seen an increase in arrivals. Earlier this year it was announced that 100% of international flights had returned to the airport and this week, Aeroméxico announced that it would almost double weekly connections between Mexico City and Mérida to 33, resulting in the arrival of 3,267 passengers a week to Yucatán. Volaris also continues with a gradual increase in operations to and from Merida, bringing service to a total of 45 flights this July, a 60% increase over last June.

Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2021 is featured in the October issue of Travel + Leisure, on newsstands Sept. 17, and at www.travelandleisure.com.

Summer Vacations Are Back Just In Time For Exploring The State Of Yucatán

MÉRIDA, Yucatán — After months of pandemic restrictions, vacations are back, and the state of Yucatán has all the ingredients for a summer getaway for the ages. Yucatán is an ideal open-air road-trip destination that offers attractions related to archeology and history (e.g., ancient Mayan ruins and Hanequenera textile states going back to the 19th century), nature (cenotes and pink flamingos), sun and sand (the Riviera Yucatán), cuisine (cochinita pibil) and the living indigenous Maya culture, all within short distances of each other. It’s ideal for any traveler looking to experience a unique state in Mexico.

Approximately the size of Maryland, Yucatán is just over 15,000 square miles in area and connected by an easily navigated network of roads. To make the touring experience a little easier to manage, the state’s Ministry of Tourism has developed six tourism zones, each excelling in different offerings.

Mérida: Cultural and gastronomic capital of the south

The capital of Yucatán makes for a great home base for a visit to the destination. Mérida is home to more than 10,000 in hotels for all budgets, and Merida International Airport (MID) offers non-stop flights from Miami, Houston, Dallas, and San Diego via Tijuana’s International Airport. Oakland/San Francisco has a direct flight. Founded by the Spanish in 1542 on the site of the ancient Mayan city of T'ho, the city stands out for its wide offer of cultural, historical and artistic attractions. Not least among these is Mérida’s colonial-era downtown, featuring European architectural influences such as an outstanding predominant French style that can be admired in the large houses lining Paseo de Montejo, the main avenue of the city.

Mérida also offers myriad entertainment and gastronomy options. Visitors should start any visit in the historic downtown area, where they can not only admire the great variety of colonial buildings but also take in a host of museums, galleries, theaters, parks, outdoor cafés and bars — as well as more than 300 restaurants serving international cuisine and local dishes like huevos motuleños, Poc Chuc, Sopa de Lima.

Puerto Maya: From the turquoise sea to the pink explosion

The Puerto Maya region, located in the northeast of the state, is a coastal area offering a unique and colorful natural spectacle, with protected natural spaces and diverse fauna ranging from the deep blue of the cenotes’ (natural water holes) crystalline waters to the pink explosion of the flamingo population. Walk along the shores and admire the incredible exuberance that covers the Mayan coast of Yucatán. Travel the coast by boat and be a privileged spectator of the immense flocks of flamingos that cloud the sky as they fly by. Sail through the quiet mangrove to indulge your inner adventurer.

Puuc Route and Mayan Villages: A journey through history

The Puuc Route (puuc means "mounds" in Mayan) is a tour of archaeological sites that has undoubtedly become one of the favorite walks for both Yucatecans and visitors to the region.

This tour includes the archeological sites of Uxmal, Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak, Labná, Oxkintok, Calcehtok Caves and the Loltún Caves. Throughout the tour, visitors will find structures that have been completely restored, others that are still in process and some that are still covered with grass, trees and dense vegetation. The latter are very similar to those found by the first explorers at the end of the last century.

Capital of the Mayan World: Land of the eternal Mayab

The Capital of the Mayan World is one of the most representative regions of the state, given that the municipalities that comprise it are important historical, cultural and archaeological centers, such as Ek Balam and the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Pyramid of Kukulkán at Chichén Itzá.

The modern Maya still live here, with much of native and historical tradition upheld among the people. The Mayans’ secret to keeping their indigenous culture alive seems to be their adaptability. Even though the culture could not avoid being influenced by modernity, it managed to preserve many of its traditional bases.

Riviera Yucatán: A hidden treasure between the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico

Talk about the Yucatán Riviera and you have to talk about the rich variety it boasts along its 235 miles or so of stunning coast, from the beaches of Celestún all the way to El Cuyo. Along the Riviera, visitors will encounter various ecosystems, such as tropical forests, cenotes and underwater caves, that come together to make for an unforgettable experience. Progreso is the state’s major cruise port.

The Riviera is home to a unique gastronomy, with ancestral recipes that, blended with the particular flavor of the seafood of the area, create a range of options to delight gourmands.

Cenotes and Haciendas Zone: A wonderful journey through the past and present of Yucatán

The Yucatán is known for its haciendas, built in the second half of the 19th Century with the support of old families that had owned large territorial properties since colonial times and became wealthy through trade in, among other things, henequen. Today, many historical haciendas serve as high-end hotels.

Moreover, the state is known for its wealth of cenotes, fantastic watersheds and caves that were flooded during the last Ice Age. Besides being time capsules in which incredible limestone formations can be observed, they constitute the main source of fresh water in the region, since there are no rivers on the surface, due to the layer of limestone found below the state.

Yucatán has long enjoyed a reputation as Mexico’s safest state, a position that was enhanced last week when the U.S. Department of State updated its travel warning to Mexico. The first update since placing the entire country under a Level 4 Travel Advisory (“Do No Travel”) because of Covid-19, the update moved the state to the lowest level of travel restriction, Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. This marks the first time a Mexican destination achieved Level 1 since the agency began issuing warnings for Mexico divided by state.

State Of Yucatán At Lowest Level Of Travel Restriction, Level 1, By U.S. Department Of State

MÉRIDA, Yucatán — Yucatán’s Tourism Minister, Michelle Fridman Hirsch, continues to spearhead a proactive campaign to not only reestablish airport and cruise port connectivity but add new routes as part of the state’s Economic and Tourism Recovery Plan.

Last week, it was announced that Yucatán has already seen the return of 100% of U.S. flights and the return of the first cruise ship to Puerto Progreso.

Fridman Hirsch is currently participating in Routes Americas 2021. The only air service development event, it provides a platform for airports and destinations to highlight cost-effective route propositions to airline decision makers as they look to rebuild their networks and reintroduce capacity back into the market. During the event, the minister met with North American airlines representatives to start conversations on possible new routes from carriers such as JetBlue, Aeroméxico, Spirit Airlines, Air Canada, Volaris, United Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, WestJet and Air Transat.

Fridman Hirsch and her team also participated in this year’s summit of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), where they met with the entity’s leadership in an effort to start conversations on Puerto Progreso and the current offering the port and its region can offer passengers. Puerto Progreso underwent an extensive remodeling project prior to the pandemic and more local tour operators have included tours for cruise passengers. The delegation also met with representatives from Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

Yucatán has long enjoyed a reputation as Mexico’s safest state, a position that was enhanced last week when the U.S. Department of State updated its travel warning to Mexico. The first update since placing the entire country under a Level 4 Travel Advisory (“Do No Travel”) because of Covid-19, the update moved the state to the lowest level of travel restriction, Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. This marks the first time a Mexican destination achieved Level 1 since the agency began issuing warnings for Mexico divided by state.

State of Yucatán To Offer Rapid Covid-19 Testing At Airport For Travelers Flying To U.S. From Mérida's International Airport

MÉRIDA, Yucatán — In accordance with measures recently imposed by the U.S. government in its strategic plan to combat Covid-19, the government of the state of Yucatán, led by Governor Mauricio Vila Dosal, has prepared to facilitate the transit of passengers bound for the U.S. with the installation in Mérida International Airport of a module for rapid antigen tests that meet requirements set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

With the support of the Ministry of Tourism Development (Sefotur) and the Ministry of Health of Yucatán (SSY), as well as Grupo Asur and in coordination with various airlines that operate international flights, this initiative is carried out to provide facilities to all those travelers who, after visiting our state, plan a flight with a final destination or transit point in the U.S., since it will allow travelers to undergo a rapid antigen test for the detection of Covid-19, thus complying with U.S. entry requirements.

On Jan. 21, President Joe Biden signed an executive order called "National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness,” which stipulates that all those who wish to enter the U.S. must present a negative test for Covid-19, in addition to the mandatory use of a mask, among other measures. More info can be found at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/21/ executive- order-promoting-covid-19-safety-in-domestic-and-international-travel /

This module at the Mérida International Airport is an additional option for travelers who have a final destination in the U.S. and who have not been able to take their test previously. It will be operated by a private laboratory that meets the requirements demanded by the health authorities of both countries and will be providing service from Jan. 26, the date the CDC decree comes into effect.

In addition to the operation of this module, some hotels will be offering information and service with different laboratories that meet the necessary requirements for taking tests at their facilities, as well as other facilities for those tourists who prove positive. These services vary from one establishment to another, and travelers should consult with their hotel.

Test will be available at the Mérida airport and in the state’s hotels and laboratories. There is a cost to them, to be covered by travelers. Passengers must present their boarding pass for travel into the U.S.

Travelers should note that travel requirements are unique to each government and they should check with official sources to have the most up-to-date information.

These actions help us to continue consolidating Yucatán as a benchmark for Good Sanitary Practices and the construction of sanitary bubbles that provide reliable alternatives to our travelers and protect the health of Yucatecans.

To date, Yucatán has implemented its Sanitary Certification protocol for tourism service providers throughout the value chain, with more than 1,200 companies, establishments and providers certified with the same biosafety standards, including guides, tour operators, agencies, carriers, venues, restaurants, hotels, the cruise port terminal, bus stations, airport and airlines, among others.

The Certificate of Good Sanitary Practices is one of the most robust programs of its kind, allowing for the Yucatán to be the second state in Mexico to obtain the endorsement of the international Safe Travels seal awarded by the World Travel & Tourism Council.