Colonial Mexico with Insight Vacations. (Oct. 18 - 23, 2008)

I had a lovely opportunity to travel with Insight Vacations and enjoy 5 nights on a whirlwind coach tour of Mexico City and several well known colonial towns.

Flying Alaska Air was quite frankly, a wonderful surprise. The 4 hour, non-stop service departed LAX 1025a and arrived local time 415pm. I complimented the flight attendants on their attention to detail, prompt service AND pleasant attitudes, something which I have found to be few and far between in the airline industry today.

Should your clients not have a transfer upon arrival, please advise them to visit the official taxi booth, just near where they clear customs. There is one set price of $240 MEX Peso ($25.00 USD).

Our first night was at the modern JW Marriott Hotel, comfortable rooms and dreamy beds. Views of the city are quite lovely from 14th floor. Brasserie Lipp is in lobby of hotel. Very famous French brasserie in Paris, now on the international scale.

Our evening started at a lovely restaurant featuring local cuisine and of course "Mariachis"! JW Marriott is located in very highend locality.. favorite "imported" shops such as Hard Rock Cafe and Starbucks are a few steps away. One comment, ask front desk for a room facing the pool. That will ensure a good nights sleep. Our side of the hotel had the joyous sound of disco boom-boom from 1230a - 4am.. even 14 floors up from the disco across the street.

Mexico City touring included world-renowned National Museum of Anthropology and exploration of Maya and Aztec exhibits. Historic center of Mexico City is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The cities central square is the third largest in the world. Our visit also included the "Zocalo", surrounded by the National Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral. The National Palace houses Diego Rivera's impressive murals reflecting the Mexican Muralist Movement and history of Mexico.

Next we coached south to the city of Puebla, where our hotel, Camino Real Puebla was a former convent built in the 16th century in pure Viceroyship-era style, for the wealthy order.

Puebla is well known as the "Gastronomic capital" of Mexico as well as is historical architectural style. Our dinner that evening featured a signature dish "Chicken Mole"! Our discovery of Puebla included a tour of the historic center, which also is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The impress Cathedral to the the central square area is a historians dream. Many buildings decorated with "azulejos" (tiles) and many beautifully sculpted freestones makes Puebla a worthy stop.

Motoring along from Puebla thru the new south section of Mexico City called Santa Fe, we eventually stopped for lunch at a local favorite restaurant. La Escondida is a replica of a Swiss Alp resort area. Quite a site just off the main highway to Morelia. This restaurant was built many years ago with numerous ponds (with swans and ducks), miniature buildings, depicting little Swiss towns and lots of creative topiary all built on a steep mountainside. As there were numerous steps up and down to the restaurant from the parking lot, taking your time is key as the altitude is over 7000 ft.

Our arrival to Morelia, another UNESCO World Heritage site, found us staying at the exquisite Villa Montana Hotel & Spa. Most memorable was the coach driver trying to squeeze into the narrow street for our luggage drop off. What a feat!!

Villa Montana Hotel & Spa was once a large residence that captivated the owner and he continued to build more and more villas on this hillside over looking the scenic city of Morelia. Each villa is quite special and designed with a different layout. Most include a sitting area and wood-burning fireplace. My villa was a 1 bedroom villa. Including a separate living room and bedroom. Quite a large bathroom with tub as well and authentically decorated. Our dinner was lovely and our dessert was served out on the patio with the city lights twinkling in the distance.

Morelia's touring included the Cathedral and Government Palace with it's beautiful murals.

Departing Morelia, we drove thru the countryside to quaint villages Patzcuaro and Santa Clara del Cobra. Each equally boasting a small central square with church and tourist shops. You can find copper items, lacquered trinkets and general handicrafts in both towns. Normally a stop at at local artisans workshop is included with the tour.

Our evenings destination was the former mining town of Guanajuato. This town was built in the 18th century on top of the silver and copper mines, so there are many different levels of history found here. Almost every square inch of hill and cliff sides are covered in multi-level dwellings. Each in brightly painted colors. So unique and most with understandably awe-inspiring views of the city.

The Camino Real Guanajuato was our hotel for our short stay. Built in modern, yet colonial Mexican style. This was a former Hacienda.

Another UNESCO World Heritage site, Guanjuato boasts 36 "visual endings"! This means from 36 different angles in and around the city, the visual site is incomparible! Finding our way thru the subterranean passages, that were once the cities sewer system, the city converted those passageways into the city streets! Once thru, we found ourselves at the foot of the "Juarez Theatre", Alley of the Kiss, Hidalgo market, and La Alhondiga - site of the first rebel victory in The War of Independence. Guanajuato is a tourist destination, but also boasts a large university, right next to the impressive Cathedral. If you are an artist, this is a most picturesque city I have ever visited. This will be on one of my return lists!

And one site not to be missed near Guanajuato.. "Mummies of Guanajuato". Located about 40 minutes outside the city. If you are into unusual tourist sites.. this is a must see.

Next day we travelled through numerous little towns, one being the famous San Miguel de Allende. Yes, this town was declared a National Monument in 1926 and just achieved UNESCO World Heritage site status most recently. Historical sites include the famous Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel and Casa de Allende. And they do not have bad home-made ice cream either! San Miguel is known as a retirement community for many Americans. And many in the entertainment field have large residences in or near San Miguel. (Madonna to name one!)

We pressed on to our final city of Queretaro, another UNESCO World Heritage site. Our late arrival found us at Hacienda Jurica, located outside in the suburbs.

Before arriving to Hacienda Jurica, we made a stop in Queretaro to the central square that boasted it's 16th century Monuments Zone and wealth of historic buildings. A large festival was taking place. Lots of Latin American dancers were recreating their homeland dances.

Finally on our last morning, we boarded the coach at 5am for the 3 hour drive to Mexico City. Along the way we visited our last tourist stop of the tour. This was at the ancient world's most impressive city of Teotihuacan. One of the most famous archeological sites in Mexico. With our guide, he explained the significance of the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. Much advanced thinking and technological wonders were found at Teotihuacanis'. Just standing in front of these impressive pyramids gave you the sense of their power and higher thinking from thousands of years ago.

Our tour ended at Mexico City airport and we relaxed during our 4 hour flight back on Alaska Airlines.

Julie Northington,CTC