As we were walking down the Chattahoochee drive taking in beautiful colors of fall, my sister and I felt inspired to go on a weeklong vacation for the holiday season. We were really in a mood for a travel to a lovely destination. On a beach, we agreed. Yes… so, what could be better than Cancun we thought, after all it has the finest beaches in the world and it’s America’s Egypt they say.

So much excitement. We did some quick planning. All in a week – visa, shopping, swimwear, beachwear. And we set of for our 8-day Cancun vacation. We drove some. Took a flight from Florida. And landed in Cancun. The place we were stayed was beachfront and fabulous. Cancun Plaza at Kukulcan Boulevard. We had already booked it on vrbo.com.

And, here we were. In Cancun. The sleepy Maya fishing village until the 1970s, and now – a resort town of today, chopped through the jungle. Swell of a job by the Mexican government.

Cancun Plaza was superbly amazing. Our routine would start off with a plunge in the hotel pool and relaxation at the beach bar enjoying the mild and gentle breeze, which I’m told is nearly all-year round. And then go sightseeing in the remarkably calm weather and perfect temperature. I tell you this place is picture postcard stuff with white sand and palm trees everywhere. The place was abuzz with young tourists. But Puerto Morelos, Akumal, and Tulum are quieter stretches of sand. We socialized at the different bars by the beach. There is opportunity to enjoy loads of water activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, jet-skiing, swimming and fishing. In fact, one of the latest craze in Cancun is swimming with whale sharks. But we were crazy about swimming without sharks and playing Marco Polo. And then rest up on the gorgeous beach.

There is more to Cancun than surf, sand and sun.

As we toured around Cancun, we discovered a lively metropolis. There are plenty of shops to visit, restaurants and cafes and souvenir markets to stop by. We shopped at the La Isla Shopping Village for our souvenir shopping and bought fancy items like cuff bracelets, handmade Mexican products, Talavera ceramics and stunning scarves.

Dining here is second to none. A number of renowned and talented chefs have have introduced distinctive flavours to of authentic Mexican cuisine to this paradise. There gorged on the exciting flavours of fresh seafood and local produce in the Caribbean. We didn't miss out on the experience of visiting fine restaurants either. Should not be missed. The food is top class.

Cancun holds the history of an ancient culture within the walls of its buildings.

So one whole day was spent in exploring all the archaeological zones of the Riviera Maya and were captivated by pyramids next to crystal waters and the breath-taking views of Cancun and its surroundings. It is an unforgettable adventure. Cancún Archaeological Museum Museo Maya de Cancun shows off the splendor of Mayan culture. The collections are one of the best in Mexico and includes pieces not only from the State of Quintana Roo, but also from the sites of Palenque and Chichén Itzá, among others. We got free admission, it being a Sunday.

Our two hour long drive to Chichén Itzá, the complex of Mayan ruins on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula was the most memorable one. It's an amazing structure with gorgeous carvings. This temple is dedicated to Chac Mool, the ancient God of Rain. A massive step pyramid - El Castillo or Temple of Kukulcan, dominates the ancient city, which thrived from around 600 A.D. to the 1200s. El Castillo represents the Snake Mountain, a mystic place in Maya folklore where creation first occurred. Intricate stone carvings survive at structures like the ball court, Temple of the Warriors and the Wall of the Skulls. We did not wait to see the beautiful sound-and-light show that illuminates the buildings' sophisticated geometry by the night. It was best to go in the morning before it got crowded. We picked up souvenirs after a good bargain.

As we were wandering, we came across Cenote Sagrado – this gorgeous sinkhole with groundwater underneath. A short walk away was La Inglesia which is a short walk away from the main plaza of Chichén Itzá. It is adorned with intricate carvings and it also has hoops from the game that was played in that era.

This is a fairly well-preserved structure inside the Chichén Itzá site but now off-limits to the public..

Chichén Itzá The best preserved Mayan complex, Chichen Itza stands testimony to the genius of the ancient civilization, particularly regarding their astronomical advancement, as the main pyramid is in fact a huge clock and calendar. It is the most beautiful structure that will leave a lasting impression on you and is a must go to for everyone.

Nightlife in Cancun is vibrant and thrilling

Back to present times! Nightlife in Cancun is vibrant and thrilling - night clubs, beach bars and margaritas. Cancun’s spectacular club Bulldog Cancun was the ultimate party experience for us because of fantastic food and drinks, great bands and a wide range of activities to enjoy. There are so many music clubs with an array of sounds of Cuban piano, salsa, and reggae. And there are also high-tech types of clubs such as Sweet and Mandala to keep you dancing all night long which we didn’t do.

We had a great trip to Cancun! But it was time to say goodbye to a tour full of lasting reminiscences – ancient and new.

If you are planning a trip and have any questions or advice for future travellers, feel free to leave a comment. And if you like this article, please give it some response! You can either call me or whatsapp me on +3123072504 or email me on c_shamu@yahoo.com