CBC Spanish Dept. hosts trip to Monterrey, Mexico

 It’s not too late to sign up for the Coastal Bend College Spanish department’s ninth annual excursion to Monterrey, March 12-14. Spanish instructor Kay Past invites those interested in a cultural and educational trip to the beautiful mountain city to go with the CBC group.

 Those who already have passports just need to get their $50 deposit to Past by Feb. 15.  Anyone interested in the trip who does not have a passport or passport card can still get one in time if he or she applies by next week (or one can apply later and pay extra to expedite receiving the passport in time for the trip).

 The bus excursion is directed by Mari Sarmiento, an experienced and reputable tour guide. Past, the Spanish instructor at CBC, accompanies the group and assists with arrangements.

 The group will board the tour bus at CBC early Friday morning, March 12, and arrive in Monterrey mid-afternoon, where they will check into the five-star Crowne Plaza Hotel in the heart of  the city’s downtown. The group will enjoy the Paseo de Santa Lucía, Monterrey’s impressive and beautiful version of the San Antonio Riverwalk, and visit other downtown sites before dining in the Macroplaza area near the hotel and visiting clubs in the Barrio Antiguo.

 Saturday’s schedule will include art and history museums and other interesting sites in downtown Monterrey, and a visit to the spectacular Grutas de García, a cavern in a mountain accessed by a cable car. Sunday morning they will visit the famous Cola de Caballo (Horsetail) Falls and have lunch at the Cavazos Market before returning to Beeville that evening.

The cost for the trip is $249 for double occupancy for two nights in the hotel, round-trip charter bus transportation, all excursions and entrance fees. It does not include meals. Single occupancy is $299, and the price for a child 12 or under in a room with two adults is $189. A $50 deposit is due by Feb. 15 and the balance is due by March 1.

A valid passport or passport card is now required for land travel to Mexico. Applications should be made early in February to assure receiving the passport in time for the trip.

Spanish teachers who wish to earn Certified Professional Education hours may sign up for 20 hours credit through the CBC Continuing Education Office. This credit will cost $62 and teachers will work with Past to earn credit for the excursions.

Interested participants may contact Past at (361) 354-2401 or at kaypast@coastalbend.edu to sign up for the trip. Participants will be accepted on a first-come, first served basis.

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