David Simmonds

Our old friend and colleague Nick Gallo tragically died just over four years ago. Please read about that here. The following year we at Mexico Premiere started the Nick Gallo Award, dedicated to Nick’s memory and the lofty standards he brought, yes, demanded, to travel writing.  The Gallo Award fills the void left when, at that same time, the yearly Pluma de Plata Award, presented every year at Tianguis by the Mexican government, was discontinued. Nick, by the way, was a two-time winner of the Pluma de Plata. The dude was good. Hell, he probably could have won every year. Internet search some of his articles and you’ll see what I mean.

So here we are again and it’s time for all of you travel writers who have written about Mexico in 2011 to send us one or more submissions for this year’s award.  The guidelines can be found here.

Please note that we have opened it up to print and web entries this year, with a minimum of 500 words – although longer is probably better. Nick’s artist wife Laurie designs and makes the beautiful plaque awarded to the winner. And thanks to our good friend Sylvie Laitre of our co-sponsor Mexico Boutique Hotels, we are also offering – drum roll here –  three nights at the incomparable Casa de Mita hotel, near Puerto Vallarta! This is a very exclusive, high-end resort and we are very thankful to them for this generous gift with a monetary value of about $2,000. Yes, I thought that might get your attention.

Casa de Mita is an ultra-chic beachfront pad, and an ode to good taste and effortless elegance. Owner Marc Lindskog has elevated all-inclusive to a new level, where service is as five-star as the meals, and the only place you’ll need your wallet is at the tiny—but irresistible—boutique shop. Their “all-inclusive exclusive” menus vary daily to celebrate the catch of the day, and local specialties are tweaked to haute cuisine. Plus, it’s all served al fresco with ocean views. Its intimate size (six guestrooms and two suites), excellent service and sense of place make it the very definition of a “Mexico Boutique Hotel.”

So, amigos, get those entries in to us now. Lisa Coleman, Lydia Gregory and I look forward to reading each submission, and we really appreciate helping to keep Nick’s legacy alive.

See original source HERE