RAC's itinerary looks pretty good. Palenque is wonderful and Merida is a lovely old colonial city - representative of many in Mexico. A good Yucatan itin if you have limited time in (as RAC said) this huge country. Crellston, did you say how long you'll have? IMHO you would miss a lot by skipping Mexico City. We find something new and interesting to experience every time we go. Mexico City, Puebla, and Oaxaca are easily done together. And/or Guanajuato (gorgeous) and San Miguel de Allende (also gorgeous thought more touristy). Puebla and especially Oaxaca are so worth seeing. We did some of Veracruz and Puebla states last trip two years ago. Some great nature areas around there. That said, like volcanogirl, I'm now a little nervous about the Veracruz area (in addition to border areas) based on latest reports of bodies found etc. Know the violence is not directed at tourists, but nevertheless it does give you some pause. One of our very favorite places on last Mexico trip was Cuetzalan - a little mountain village about a 6 hr bus trip north of Mexico City (4 from Puebla). Has a wonderful market, very indigenous town. Cool, misty, hilly. just great.

There's a lot to do in Chiapas that we're not getting a chance to do for our next trip--San Cristobal, the Lakes, Comitan, Las Guacamayas, the Pacific etc. So, you could easily spend two weeks in Chiapas alone.

Thanks everyone for you suggestions and advice but the cost of flights etc. from teh Uk has proved prohibitive at this time of year so we have decided to leave Mexico/CA for another time, i.e. later in 2012 and to book flights way in advance. Your comments have proved invaluable and provide an excellent basis for planning that trip (I suppose we did leave it a little late for Xmas travel!).