San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
September 24 - October 1, 2024
The jewel of Mexico's colonial era, San Miguel de Allende, hidden in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains, exhibits some of Mexico's finest colonial architecture.
Since being declared a National Monument in 1926, all architectural changes in the historical center are banned, signage is regulated, and neon is forbidden.
The charm of the town is subtle and is to be absorbed and savored as you walk its cobblestone streets; peer through large wooden doors to discover gardens of bougainvillea, hibiscus and calla lilies; and sense its age as the many church bells mark the time of day, call to mass or announce a Saint's day.
Our hotel, Casa de La Noche, is conveniently located within a 10 minute walk of the jardin (town center). The hotel includes several plant filled patios where we will enjoy our morning breakfast each day.
Daily temperature range is 65-70 degrees with almost no humidity-a perfect climate! Our September trip is a mix of time to explore on your own (botanical gardens, shopping, local market) and planned activities-a guided walk of San Miguel, a day trip to Guanajuato (boyhood home of Diego Rivera), a half day in Delores Hidalgo and to the shrine of Atotonilco.
We are in San Miguel during festival week which means processions, music, Indian Conchero dancers, and fireworks.
It will delight you!
Day by Day Overview
Monday, September 24 - Leon, Mexico Airport
Meet at Leon, Mexico Airport (BJX) or Queretaro, MX Airport (QRO) and transfer by van to Casa de la Noche, San Miguel de Allende. www.casadelanoche.com
Tuesday, September 25 - San Miguel and Atotonilco
Following breakfast, we will meet our guide at 10am in the town center for a walking tour of San Miguel de Allende. Afternoon excursion (1:30pm) to Viejo San Miguel (old San Miguel)-this is the mission church that was the beginning of San Miguel; the Galeria Atotonilco-the home and gallery of Mayer Shacter, collector of Mexican folk art. www.galeriaatotonilco.wordpress.com and also Atotonilco shrine-a sanctuary built in the 1700s; sacredsites.com/americas/mexico/sanctuary_of_atotonilco.html. Return late afternoon
Wednesday, September 26 - San Miguel de Allende
Today at noon we have a special treat a "Food Tour of San Miguel" (7 of the group does food tour today). Before that tasty event and afterwards you have free time to do as you would like: excellent shopping in San Miguel, visit the Botanical Gardens-beautiful natural cactus garden or visit Aurora-a former textile mill from 1901 now a show place for local artists. (We can discuss these options that morning).
Thursday, September 27 - Guanajuato, Mexico
After breakfast we leave San Miguel (9:15am) for an excursion to Guanajuato, the capital of the state and once among the richest cities in the world, glutted with silver. We visit the internationally famous Opera House of Guanajuato, the boyhood home of Diego Rivera, and the city center of Guanajuato. On our return, we stop in Delores Hidalgo-the starting point for the Revolution of 1810. Return late afternoon.
Friday, September 28 - San Miguel de Allende
Marina Lopez Flores will take us shopping at the local mercado followed by a cooking class at her home. The mercado, under one roof, has almost everything a local family would want to buy: vegetables, fruits, flowers, spices, meat, clothes, shoes, music, piņatas, etc. Our cooking class, done in a typical home, will have half of our group in the morning and half in the afternoon. This is always a favorite experience of the week. We return here for dinner-the fruit of our labor today. When you're not cooking, there is always something happening at the Jardin (center).
Saturday, September 29 - San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel stands out as a fiesta town. The Festival of San Miguel (St. Michael's Day) celebrates the city's patron saint. There are parades, giant paper mache people, and lots of fireworks. Your camera will be clicking wildly.
Sunday, September 30 - San Miguel de Allende
Today have a little sleep-in to recuperate from a late Saturday night. The Jardin is the place to be today continuing the birthday celebration festivities for St. Michael. A good day to do last shopping.
Monday, October 1
Departure day. Morning transfer from Casa de la Noche to Leon or Queretaro Airport.
This is the planned schedule but is subject to change if needed by circumstances.
