Meet Me In San Miguel de Allende in July for a fun packed week

 

SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE

Join me  in July for a wonderful week in San Miguel de Allende where we will stay at a charming B & B right in the historic center of town.  

Experience the exceptional treasures of San Miguel;

it's beautiful colonial architecture, delicious cuisine, native culture, comfortable climate, endless shopping and interesting museums.  A place I have lived and spent time in for over the past 50 years.  Because of my intimate relationship with San Miguel, I receive extraordinary service, have exceptional contacts and numerous resources in town.

A walking tour on Day Two 

with lunch at one of my favorite restaurants where Chef Anna Lilia will prepare a special meal just for us.  

After lunch we will tour, La Esquina, the children's folk art museum situated in an old colonial three-story home that has been meticulously restored.  The concept of Maestra Angélica Tijerina when creating La Esquina was to group the works into four main themes, to promote and disseminate popular toys and games highlighting their manufacturing characteristics, materials and social function, as well as their artistic qualities, expression of creativity and cultural diversity of the country.  Over the course of 57 years, Tijerina has collected an astounding collection of over 3,500 Mexican toys from 28 different states in Mexico.

More on La Esquina, go to the post on my Blog:   

Link: https://robintalkscookstravels.blogspot.com/2017/12/la-esquina-childrens-folk-museum.html 

One morning we will walk over to La Fabrica Aurora.  The La Aurora textile factory was one of San Miguel de Allende’s most important industrial operations from its opening in 1902 to its closure in 1991. It was the town’s biggest employer.  In 2004, it was re-inaugurated in its current form, a bustling collection of shops, galleries and cafes that many refer as a paradise for art lovers.

 

We will take a few side trips. 

One will be a day over in Guanajuato where we will experience the elegant architecture, 

 the beautiful Opera House, Diego Rivera Museum, 

the world renowned Gorky Gonzales’s ceramic studio and then enjoy a sublime, gourmet meal at the best restaurant in town.  

 Another day we will venture out into the countryside where we will visit the gallery and studio of one of the best artists in the area, Frank Gardner. 

After we will stop by the Sanctuary of Atotonilco, often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas because of its ancient and simply wonderful frescoes.  

The murals are everywhere and they are truly spectacular.

That afternoon we will be tour the vineyards and contemporary complex of Cuna de Tierra followed by a wine tasting and a delicious charcuterie lunch.
 

One evening we will head over to the phenomenal setting and spectacular home, Casa AguaMiel, 

and gallery of dear friends, Alfredo and Jim's, for an early dinner out on their beautiful courtyard starting with a Tequila tasting, then a variety of mesquite grilled pizzas with traditional and Mexican toppings, salads and side dishes, dessert, wine, beer and fruit waters.  

 

Another day, a hands-on cooking class with Chef Paco at his lovely home.  After our kitchen work, we will sit down, relax and enjoy the lunch we have prepared along with  some regional wine in the gorgeous setting of Paco's outdoor  garden.

The last day you are on your own to shop, sight see, wander around town before we meet up for our farewell dinner when I have my favorite trio play for us over our cocktail hour.

And much, much more! 

 

 

You simply just have to show up.  

I will have taken care of everything.  

That's the beauty of my tours.

It's a trip of a lifetime!   

 

 

TRAVEL IS THE ONLY THING YOU BUY 

THAT MAKES YOU RICHER

 

Meet me in San Miguel de Allende

July 18 - 25, 2024

 

An Oaxacan Adventure in September 2024

 

AN  OAXACAN ADVENTURE

For those who have been on my San Miguel de Allende tours, traveled with me to Chiapas, Mexico City and Puebla along on my Artisan and Architecture tour in the state of Michoacan, I know if you join me in October, Oaxaca will also capture your heart.   It certainly has mine.

I spent two relaxing weeks last year over Christmas in Oaxaca and it was a chance for my husband and me to fine tune my dining list, try some new places and cross some off my list.  And I tweaked my schedule for my last tour to Oaxaca in which I just returned from and which I was so excited about:  new restaurants, a few more stops on the side trips including one to Etla and much more... Everyone had the best time!

The main plaza, the zocalo, is one of the most spectacular in all of Mexico with its gazebo that usually has a marimba band playing in it at night, vibrant cafes and restaurants lining the plaza on the main and second floor, the Cathedral on one side, town's people visiting...  

We will be staying right in the heart of the historic center of Oaxaca City at the colonial Hotel Parador San Miguel.

One morning we will explore Monte Alban,

 the Zapotec ruins that was founded around 500 B.C..  

 At its grandest, over 25,000 people lived here.

Another morning at Mitla, ruins that date back to 100 A.D. with its distinctive geometric mosaics.

The architecture in the Oaxaca valley is diverse from this brilliant painted church in Ocotlan,

to the 16th century monastery in Cuilapan de Guerro,

to the lavish Baroque Santo Domingo de Guzman Church in the historic center of Oaxaca, 

to the Museum of Oaxacan Culture housed in a magnificent building with incredible views

to the Contemporary Art Museum that is in a beautiful colonial mansion dating back to the late 17th century.

We will visit many villages on their given market day which is a wonderful experience in itself.

One day will be an excursion over to Etla on their market day.  First stop at a ranchito where were we will have a cheese making demonstration along with a tasting, 

 then off to the market to take in all the sights before sitting down for a tamale tasting lunch followed by a famous Oaxacan treat, Nieves (flavored ices) for dessert.  

After we will head over to the Centro de Artes de San Agustin Etla.   

Oaxacan artist Francisco Toledo spearheaded the project of converting an abandoned textile mill into an arts center, which was inaugurated in 2006.

We will take in a cooking class one day which includes a shopping tour of the market. 

Oaxacan cuisine is some of the most interesting and colorful in the world.

It is known for its use of Queso Oaxacan (string cheese), chocolates, tlayudas (shown above), empanadas with squash blossoms...

Famous for its numerous and diverse moles.  And its mezcal.  We will visit the city of Oaxaca market, the true spirit and soul of Oaxaca with the indigenous people dressed in their colorful clothing.  A real stimulation of the senses.

Comida at Origen, known for its creative regional-fusion cuisine to

Comida at the fabulous, colorful countryside restaurant, Azucena Zapotec, where everything is made fresh.

And my favorite dish, Azucena Zapoteca.  Squash blossoms stuffed with cheese and vegetables in a egg batter and tomatillo salsa.  Divine!  Besides a gorgeous presentation.

Dinner (cena) at Asador Vasco, a revered old restaurant specializing in Basque and Oaxacan cuisine seated on the second floor balcony overlooking the main square.

Each day we will be a dining extravaganza.

Our farewell dinner in Oaxaca at Casa Oaxaca El Restaurante where we will dine up on the rooftop terrace overlooking the Santo Domingo Church and enjoy the cuisine prepared by Chef Alejandro Ruiz, one of Mexico’s best chefs.

To give you an idea of the over the top cuisine, my entree,  lamb loin with a pumpkin seed and herb crust, a soft polenta with squash blossoms, sautéed artichoke hearts with garlic butter, spring onions and a port sauce with garlic and rosemary.  So, so delicious!!!

 

We will visit many of the Oaxacan masters in their villages such as the Aguilar Sisters famous for their ceramic figures, 

  the Mendosa family, ninth generation of weavers, in Teotitlan de Valle where we

will have a special demonstration on how the natural dyes are created before viewing all the family's beautifully hand-woven rugs to 

San Martin known for their hand-carved wood and beautiful painted Alebrijos (animals).

Another stop at the Navarro family famous for the weavings all done on a back-strap loom.

And a visit to San Bartolo de Coyotepec famous for their highly polished black pottery.

There is an abundance of museums:  Rodolfo Morales Museum in Ocotlan.  Rufino Tamayo Museum,  M. Alvarez Bravo Photographic Center,

and the Museum of Textiles in Oaxaca City

and Museum of Contemporary Art with outstanding exhibitions that are constantly changing.  There is even a Stamp Museum that we will visit.  There are cutting edge galleries in the historic center of town.  Lovely climate, friendly people and fabulous restaurants.  Oaxaca has maintained its artistic identity.  The culture, folk art, contemporary art, music, native dress, cuisine....

 

If interested, message me and I will send you a detailed itinerary along with pricing, flight information and deposit request.  I am limiting this to a total of eight and I already have two commitments.

An Oaxacan Adventure 

September 6 - 14, 2024