Get your culture fix this spring and summer by heading down South. Mexico isn't just a country of beautiful beaches and underwater adventures. It is a country that is also famous beyond North American borders for its history, culture, and artistic influence. For my two cents, there is no better way to experience this "other" Mexico than by visiting the Colonial region. Located in the heart of Mexico, you will feel closer to Seville than you will Cancun or Cabo.
From the buzzing, artsy metropolis of Mexico City to the creative flow of Guanajuato, some of the world’s greatest and most beautiful cities are located in Colonial Mexico. One of the most well-known destinations is the city of San Miguel de Allende. Consistently rated by leading publications every year as one of the world’s top destinations for luxury travelers, SMA is strikingly vivid in its beauty. Not only is it home to distinguished art galleries, world-class culinary delights, and a blossoming wine scene, San Miguel de Allende also tops our list of friendliest places to visit.
Everything we do at RH Travel is privatized and customized, and Colonial Mexico is particularly well-suited to the COVID era. Think of it as Mexico’s version of wine country, because it quite literally is. Wide-open landscapes, top vineyards, distinguished tequila distilleries, farmland, and few crowds. Private and boutique 4 and 5-star haciendas and ranches are the norm here as opposed to luxe resorts crowded with beachgoers.
Interested yet?
If you are ready to travel, the city of San Miguel de Allende makes a perfect 4-day/3-night getaway. At RH Travel Design, we can help plan the ideal weekend escape for you. A private tour of the city, tailored to your interests, is a must and a great way to kick off the trip once you settle into your hotel or villa. I love arranging exclusive visits to the galleries and ateliers where my clients are able to consult with the artists and owners themselves to find the perfect piece to take home. A soak at Escondido Mineral Hot Springs is your afternoon treat before dinner, while a private tour of the nearby city of Guanajuato makes for a lovely day trip on your first full day. One of our favorite hotels is the Rosewood San Miguel de Allende. Its private residences are great for families, not to mention beautifully designed.
For a more immersive vacation, you can take a deeper dive into the entire Colonial region. The countryside is gorgeous. Think vineyard tours, hot air balloon rides, wellness programs, farm-fresh produce, and dairy, combined with distinguished tequila distilleries. Horseback trails wind between the vineyards like the dirt roads of Chianti. PRO TIP: If you’re on a horse, you can’t get in trouble after a tipple or two! While you’re visiting with the somms and master distillers, your children can learn about Mexican agricultural traditions as they help local farmers harvest agave in the fields.
Have an equestrian in the family? How about a horse-themed itinerary? You could follow in the footsteps of the Conquistadors via the historic trail of El Antiguo Camino Real on horseback from boutique hacienda to boutique hacienda. The trail is perfectly suited for short rides of two hours but can be customized to your families’ wishes. Some ranches can allow for rides with true cowboys, experiencing the Old West in New Spain.
Whether you or your child were inspired by the movie “Coco”, or you are looking for an alternative to Napa, the possibilities for a world-class holiday in Mexico are truly endless. Let your creativity shine! I would love to hear your ideas!
**Photo courtesy of Hacienda San Gabriel de Las Palmas
