I have been leading tours to various parts of Mexico since 2009 and two of my favorite cities that I take my groups to was recently voted by Travel & Leisure magazine readers as their favorite city to visit in the entire world! Oaxaca being number one and San Miguel de Allende coming in as number two. Mexico City is another favorite travel destination that I take my groups to and that was voted number 11.
Oaxaca attracts on many levels. It is colonial, pre-Columbian and indigenous at the same time.
Oaxaca has centuries-old dialects, beautiful colonial architecture, numerous churches built by the Dominican order that arrived in the 1520's, colorful and lively markets and an abundance of folk art.
Outside of Oaxaca City is Monte Alban, the grandest Zapotec city that was founded around 500 BC,
and Mitla, a Zapotec town built in 800 AD. Motifs from here appear again and again in the weavings of Teotitlan de Valle and Santo Ana Zegache. Artistry is everywhere from the shiny black pottery of San Bartolo de Coyotepec to the hand-carved and intricately painted wood animals of Santo Tomas Jaleitz.
Oaxaca cuisine is some of the most interesting and colorful in the world. It is famous for its queso de Oaxaca, tlayudas, chocolates, mezcal and the numerous and diverse moles.
Oaxaca has maintained its artistic identity. The culture, folk art, contemporary art, murals, native dress, cuisine.
A traditional Mexican proverb proclaims, "What you don't see, the heart can't feel." How true in Oaxaca!
450 year old San Miguel de Allende is a colonial gem with its graceful Baroque mansions,
cobblestone streets, magnificent churches, vibrant markets, art galleries and friendly people. A town where my family had a home right in the historic center of town and a place I have been traveling to for over 46 years. My first encounter was the summer 1974 when I went to one of the art schools, The Instituto Allende.
The signature structure in the main square, the jardin, is the town's parish church, the Parroquia. In any direction from the jardin, you will encounter numerous restaurants with great cuisine and many where I know the owners personally. A truly magical place to live and visit.
Built on the ruins of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, Mexico City is one of the largest and most populated cities in the world. It is cosmopolitan and cultured. The buzzing downtown area reveals the capitals celebrated history, from pre-hispanic and colonial-era splendor to its contemporary edge.
A giant metropolis with old-school cantinas, cutting-edge restaurants and dynamic museums (the second highest number in the world). Along with the colorful trajinera boating excursions through the ancient canals that are bordered by the lush chinampas, the floating gardens.
The city is blessed with a cornucopia of markets which results in such a diversity of excellent
cuisine all inspired by traditional Mexican techniques, recipes and ingredients
enhanced with contemporary touches.
Mexico City is like taking a trip through time from wandering the grounds of the
pre-hispanic ruins of Templo Mayor, walking by magnificent colonial buildings,
visiting the Palacio National with its Diego Rivera murals, to dining at some of the world's top restaurants, And all in one day!
Hopefully 2021 will be a better year and I will be able to resume my tours. So stay tuned... San Miguel de Allende will be one destination along with nine days in Puebla and Mexico City.
Everyone stay safe, and well and dream of traveling soon.
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