SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE TOUR
February 12-18, 2009

Everyone’s favorite Mexican hill town, San Miguel de Allende is at the heart of Mexico's Colonial Circle, a wealth of Spanish colonial history and architecture. The jewel is nestled in the mountains (altitude 6100 feet) northwest of Mexico City, about a 90-minute drive east of the Guanajuato-Leon airport.

Exceptionally beautiful, the Mexican National Treasure radiates Spanish heritage. The zócalo, or town square (here called the Jardín) is the focal point; the Parroquia parish church anchors its south side and dominates the landscape for miles with gothic spires. The sophisticated town takes pride as a cultural mecca of internationally recognized art institutions, artists and their studios, music and language schools plus plenty of regional restaurants. Antique stores, galleries, craft and folk art shops abound, a mere cobblestone street away from one another.

Our group of food lovers will stay in a lovingly restored home, now B&B with handsome gardens, mere steps off the Jardín, right in the center of town. Private nooks and crannies are scattered throughout the large property and encourage quiet relaxation or a place to enjoy wireless Internet. Charming, generously-sized rooms are welcoming after a day of touring, shopping and cooking. Every morning a delectable Mexican breakfast is served, starring organic produce from the B&B’s garden. The large, comfortable kitchen is like a warm magnet, and will surely be our natural gathering spot. I’ll teach two hands-on cooking classes in San Miguel (one in the B&B’s traditional kitchen), followed by meals of dishes we cooked together.

One day we’ll visit Guanajuato, the state’s captivating capital and another Colonial Circle gem plus university town that adamantly maintains a Mexican lifestyle. Once Mexico’s most prominent silver mining city, Guanajuato is known for silver jewelry, famous potters, subterranean roadways (old silver tunnels), enticing architecture, a lively zócalo and romantic, twisting alleyways. We will also shop in Dolores Hildago where the Mexican Revolution began. The town is well known today for hand painted Talavera pottery factories—and—exotic ice cream flavors.

Ever wonder what makes a great tequila, great? I’ll teach a tequila class (with tastings, of course!). I’ll also lead a tour of San Miguel’s weekly, huge, open-air marketplace where we’ll scout regional produce and local specialties. We’ll visit a local cheese factory making artisan cheeses and bring back plenty for tastes. Dining at traditional restaurants and favorite casual spots for authentic foods—such as the best carnitas on the planet—are a given! We will visit private homes in San Miguel de Allende and tour an amazing private folk art museum in the countryside. San Miguel de Allende is known as a shopper’s paradise, so there will be time set aside in our busy schedule for exploring some of the most exciting stores in the country.

$2300. Per person, based on double occupancy.

Six nights hotel, all meals, ground transportation, demos, tastings, tours and entrance fees are included in the price.
Air travel and van/taxi to and from hotel not included.
¡SALUD!
Enjoy traveling with a small group of food-loving participants.
Registration deadline is December 1, 2008

Space is limited. Reservations are accepted upon receipt of 50% tour cost deposit with a signed application for each participant. Total payment is due 60 days prior to the start of a specific trip.
Notification of cancellation must be received in writing from participant.
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