FYI- Club Med Ixtapa is no longer some crazy swingers' place. It is a family centered vacation or a great getaway for two (as it was in our case). Just to be on the safe side, call Barbara 888-722-0697<strong> </strong>to make sure you aren’t going during something crazy…like Spring Break for example.

<img src="http://blog.cavaliervacations.com/Images/Ixtapa%20078.jpg" alt="Some of the kids playing soccer -  uhh futbol" width="448" height="336" />

Day One: Flying Down-Travel Day
Wear Comfortable clothes – the flight is 3+ hours from Phoenix (I like to bring socks in my carry on and wear flip flops…that way if the flight gets cold, I am comfy.
Carry on your laptop and tech gear so you know it will be safe.
When you arrive at the Zihuatanejo Airport, you need to go through customs and then track down the G.O.s who are there to get you to the property. You will either be taken by car or by bus depending on what is available.
On Arriving at the property, we were greeted by G.O.s with a cold washcloth and some lemonade. A good idea is to go to the front desk and set yourself up with your accounting and get any financial questions answered there. Activate your Internet (if you have a laptop), and ask about reservations for the fancier restaurants. ALSO, Get the weekly schedule and come and get the daily schedule every day. You will want this for the sports and activities. Also, the front desk will have news clippings from around the world every day if you just can’t truly get away.

Early in the Week:
Seeing the variety shows…There are campy (but fun) shows put on by the G.O.s every night. See one early, and then you can decide from there…one of the cool ones to see is the Carnival one because fellow G.M.s (vacationers) will be in it. If you took up the trapeze during the week you might be in it too. Get reservations at the fancier restaurants: These become packed later on in the week with people who waited ‘till too late. Also to note: Guys – when you go to the French restaurant you will probably want to double order as this is the only place where you may go hungry from the miniscule portion sizes, and that way if your girl is still hungry, she can eat some of the extra as you will have as you will have three of everything between you if you do this.

<img src="http://blog.cavaliervacations.com/Images/Ixtapa%20002.jpg" alt="Picture is blurred to protect the innocent (JK)" width="448" height="336" />

<img src="http://blog.cavaliervacations.com/Images/Ixtapa%20119.jpg" alt="Another Dance Party at night - you don't have to participate if you don't want to - but what the heck...right?" width="448" height="336" />

Start taking pictures and video NOW. After taking a break from life for a day, jump right into the activities…they are excellent (also they offset the extra calories from the free margaritas and all of the free food). Here is the list from when I was there:

<img src="http://blog.cavaliervacations.com/Images/Ixtapa%20027.jpg" alt="Ruthie and Mickey  gearing up for tennis - (Rolf and Barbara in the Background)" width="448" height="336" />

<img src="http://blog.cavaliervacations.com/Images/Ixtapa%20024.jpg" alt="Yes, i can pilot a sailing vessel - now that is carbon footprint reduction" width="448" height="336" />

Free practice : Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Crazy golf, Soccer, Volley Ball, Weight Room

Initiation group lessons :
Archery, In-line Skating, Sailing

Initiation- Beginners :
Kayak, Petit Tennis

Group lessons for all levels :
Aqua Fitness, Cardio splash, Cardio-Tennis, Circus, Climbing, Club Med Fitness, Power walk, Tennis, Yoga

<img src="http://blog.cavaliervacations.com/Images/Ixtapa%20023.jpg" alt="We Did so many things that we decided mid-week to try everything we could" width="448" height="336" />

<img src="http://blog.cavaliervacations.com/Images/Ixtapa%20128.jpg" alt="Ruthie did water polo! Thanks for the suggestion Barbara" width="448" height="336" />

Don’t forget the Trapeze – DO IT, IT IS THE BEST! Also, there are some sports that will happen at certain times of the day find them out EARLY…We recommend the Water Polo. It was a blast and it was for beginners (not real water polo).

Mid Week:
If you play poker, there were two water polo tournaments during the week. I didn’t want to do the one on Friday because it would have been our last night. There was also a game on Wednesday. I would have played if I had known. So I recommend you plan your poker for mid-stay.

<img src="http://blog.cavaliervacations.com/Images/Ixtapa%20011.jpg" alt="Uh yeah - that is Ruthie on the trapeze" width="448" height="336" />

<img src="http://blog.cavaliervacations.com/Images/Ixtapa%20012.jpg" alt="Ruthie getting ready to invert" width="448" height="336" />

<img src="http://blog.cavaliervacations.com/Images/Ixtapa%20013.jpg" alt="Ruthie getting ready to back flip!" width="448" height="336" />

<img src="http://blog.cavaliervacations.com/Images/Ixtapa%20017.jpg" alt="Like I would let Ruthie have all the fun" width="448" height="336" />

<img src="http://blog.cavaliervacations.com/Images/Ixtapa%20018.jpg" alt="OK - It can be a little scary - but YES - I will do it again" width="448" height="336" />

Late Stay:
Save time for the people you meet on your trip. You will want more hang time with them late in the week. There are amazing people who will be there from all over the world. The more active you were the more people you will know from those activities.

<img src="http://blog.cavaliervacations.com/Images/Ixtapa%20130.jpg" alt="You will meet amazing people in club Med Ixtapa - Think about it" width="448" height="336" />

<img src="http://blog.cavaliervacations.com/Images/Ixtapa%20019.jpg" alt="This is our crew - Everyone that Barbara Hylton sent to Club Med Ixtapa on our trip" width="448" height="336" />

From Top Left and Going Clockwise: Sandra, Mickey (Me), Ruthie, Michelle, Kemp, and Our Hero - Barbara

Last Day:
Your last day will consist of packing and eating. We really didn’t want to get dirty before we flew home. We ran around like maniacs taking pictures…which is why I recommend you start taking pictures early. Dress for comfortable travel.

<img src="http://blog.cavaliervacations.com/Images/Ixtapa%20112.jpg" alt="OK - I would go back, just to have some more white chocolate bread" width="448" height="336" />

Length of stay: I recommend that you go for 7-10 days. At 7 days, I felt like we were leaving too early…I didn’t want to go home yet. I felt like at 10 I would have been ready to go back (I would like a couple more just hang on the beach and be lazy days). If I had been there for 14 days, I probably would have had my fill.