Viva Mexico

I’m not sure why we had never been to Mexico together before. Perhaps because all we ever hear about are the beaches and all inclusives and that really isn’t our scene. Mexico feels a little bit further away than it actually is as well. However, a direct flight will get you right into the centre of Mexico City in about five and a half hours. A perfect length of time for a movie and a nap. With virtually no time difference we didn’t have to worry about adjusting to a new time zone.

This is where our story begins, as our airplane descends right into the heart of bustling Mexico City. A city that has grown so much that development has enveloped the airport which was once on the outskirts. Scott and I decided that our first trip to Mexico together should be one with a little more art, culture, history and food than your average Mexican beach holiday. So we headed northwest to the state of Guanajuato, home to two cities which are UNESCO world heritage sites. We were drawn to the area by the beautiful scenery, colonial style architecture and the history. Our first stop was San Miguel De Allende.

SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE
When we travel a couple of things are important to us, staying in a central location and eating as many of the local foods as we can. We love to explore new cities on foot and San Miguel was no exception. We set our alarm for a little before sunrise and ventured out into the city streets with the locals. Wandering our way through the back alleys and up the hillside we arrived at the top of the city as the sun crested the surrounding mountains and shone its glorious golden morning light on the cities centrepiece, Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. Evenings in San Miguel are a photographer’s dream. As the charming city streets begin to fill with vibrant people a warm glow from the setting sun descends on the city. We could have spent days here exploring and people watching.

Eating in Mexico is a little different than back home in Canada, as expected I guess. Traditionally breakfast is one of the bigger meals of the day and ours were always accompanied by delicious tall glasses of green juice. Lunch comes later in the afternoon, is spent with friends and can often span a few hours. Dinner is usually late and light. We, however, only stuck with the late part of this tradition as we had so much food to try and so little time to do so.

STAY & EAT
We stayed in a charming colonial style boutique hotel right near the city’s main square. La Morada is a beautiful hotel with rooms that open out onto the centre courtyard. You’ll fall asleep to the sounds of the church bells softly chiming in the background. If you wake up hungry stop by El Correo for a hearty traditional breakfast and don’t forget to order a green juice! Nirvana Restaurant is a lovely destination for a lazy afternoon lunch. Sit out on the veranda and relax as chef Juan Carlos Escalante prepares a mouth-watering meal. Dinner on the rooftop terrace of Antonia Bistro is a must! Their shrimp tacos are the best we have ever had. They also have a great selection of local wines and the views of the city are unbeatable.

THINGS TO DO
Spend an hour or so wandering around Concept House Doce18. The space is filled with shops and restaurants. There is a local wine shop and the Casa Dragones tasting room, which is not to be missed. Of course, you’ll need to visit Sanctuary of Atotonilcoa World Cultural Heritage which was built in the 18th century. Try horseback riding with Rodrigo from Coyote Canyon, he will take you out through the surrounding hills and back down into the city. The Mask Museum and Fabrica La Aurora are also great ways to experience a little more of the cities arts and culture.

GUANAJUATO

It’s hard to believe that just an hour away from San Miguel is another city that is equally as charming and beautiful, but the city is just that, all be it very different as well. We fell in love with the city from the moment we laid eyes on it. The energy in the city is a little younger and more upbeat, but the city is still steeped in culture and history. A great way to get to know the city is by taking a walking tour. Guanajuato is situated in a narrow valley and filled with a complex network of alleyways and staircases, most of which are too narrow for cars. To keep the cars out of the narrow alleys the city traffic is diverted into a network of subterranean tunnels. The longest of which is 3 kms and was originally built in the early 1900s to divert the Guanajuato River that flowed right through the heart of the city and often caused significant flooding.

STAY & EAT
We stayed at Edelmira which is located right in the heart of the city, just a few short steps away from the main square and breakfast is included. La Trattoria de Elena is a great spot for a meal. The second floor of the restaurant is surrounded by a balcony overlooking the main square. Try the Chiles en Nogada if they have it on the menu. If you are looking for an afternoon sweet treat stop by Xocola-t Boutique for a chocolate and mezcal. It really is a once in a lifetime experience. For dinner try Casa Valadéz. They are renowned for their beautiful cuts of meat. After dinner sit back, relax and enjoy a Carajillo. This after-dinner cocktail is made of espresso and Licor 43 a traditional Mexican liquor.

THINGS TO DO
After you have familiarized yourself with the city’s narrow alleyways why not try an ATV tour past abandoned mines, hilltops overlooking the city and even rip through the official rally course in Mexico (be prepared to get dirty). Start your morning off with a walk through the beautiful tunnels, visit the Iconographic Museum of Don Quixote and check out the beautiful opera house Teatro Juarez.

A very special thank you to Visit Mexico, and Tourism Guanajuato for inviting us to experience such a wonderful side of Mexico that we weren’t expecting.