As we get older the presents matter less to us, and the experiences matter more. Our Christmas tree is full of souvenirs from our travels, but there’s always space for more ornaments and lights. If we had unlimited funds for Christmas lights and decorations, I’m sure I could compete against any of the Disney…
It’s one thing to SEE a tradition in another culture, it’s a whole other world to be a part of it. Living in Mexico has allowed us to get to know our neighbors and learn about Mexican traditions and culture. One of those traditions is Las Posadas. Posadas is Spanish for lodging or accommodation. This…
Experiencing Christmas in another country is always exhilarating. What will be similar? What will be different? This is our first Christmas in Queretaro, Mexico. Lights shaped as Christmas trees and stars hang from the lamp posts. Stores are draped in garlands of poinsettias and sparkling lights, and Christmas music blares out of every doorway and…
Have you ever wanted to stay at a winery? Walk through the vineyards at sunrise or toast the end the day with a glass of wine? Wineries all over the world are creating hotel experiences like this, but a few in Mexico have kicked up enotourism to new heights. We stayed at La Santisima Trinidad…
The Pueblo Magico of Dolores Hidalgo may be smaller than its neighbor San Miguel de Allende, but it’s rich in Mexican history, art and charm. This tiny town is where Father Miguel Hidalgo gave the cry for independence from the Spanish rule. The Mexican War of Independence may have started in this town, but it’s…
Part of the charm of San Miguel de Allende are the old haciendas transformed into boutique hotels and Bed & Breakfasts. Some have been renovated for a more modern look, but many retain the 18th and 19th century feel with antique touches. One we recently stayed in was Casaliza Hotel Boutique. Casaliza has all the…
Our favorite restaurant in San Miguel de Allende is Aperi. It’s our monthly splurge for fine dining and creative cuisine. We try to explore new areas and restaurants every time we visit (luckily, we are less than an hour away). We enjoy traditional and regional cuisine in Mexico, but Aperi is the closest restaurant to…
We did quite a bit of research before selecting the greater Queretaro area to relocate to. One thing we did not look into was what are the local food specialties? Call it dumb luck but we were fortunate enough to stumble onto some fairly remarkable local delicacies, most notably carnitas and barbacoa. Carnitas Santa Rosa…
Did you know that Mexico produces and supplies 45% of the world’s avocados? And did you know that Mexico grows 14 varieties of mangoes? One of the highlights of traveling around the world is visiting local markets. Now that we live in Queretaro, the Mercado La Cruz isn’t a tourist attraction for us. It truly…
Deciding where to stay in San Miguel de Allende can be a tough decision. Location isn’t much of a problem since many choices are within a kilometer of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, the pink church in the heart of San Miguel. Beautiful boutique hotels are on every street, all with their own particular…
Mineral de Pozos popped up on our radar one day while searching through Mexican travel websites. It sounded kind of cool. An old mining town that was abandoned twice in the last century, this little ghost town is coming back to life with real estate options, festivals and a Pueblo Magico designation. Mineral de Pozos…
Chocolate was introduced to Europe in the 16th century, but the indigenous people of Mexico have been consuming chocolate for thousands of years. The Europeans went crazy for this natural caffeine source, and began experimenting with adding sugar, milk and cocoa butter to transform the drink into a solid form that could be eaten. While some may…