Smart Travels Pacific Rim With Rudy Maxa: Guadalajara and PuertoVallarta / Mexico City and Ixtapa (DVD), Small World Prod., Special Interests

Two episodes plus bonus clips: Guadalajara is alive with mariachi music, colonial architecture, and passionate artists. Rudy explores the rich history and culture of the most Mexican of cities. And he takes in the art scene from papier-mache pinatas to dramatic Orozco murals. A tequila factory tour reveals secrets of great margaritas. Then it's an easy hop to the coast where Puerto Vallartas traditions thrive along side new resorts. Mexico City is modern, crowded, cosmopolitan, and steeped in tradition. Rudy begins with Mexicos ancient roots just outside the city at pre-Aztec Teotihuacan. The superb National Museum of Anthropology provides more insights into ancient Mexico. For modern day excitement, we hang out at the Zocolo, Mexcio Citys massive main square and the center of national life since the Aztec era. Finally we head beach-ward to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo on the Mexican Riviera.