San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
September 27 - October 4, 2027
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 Calderoni, our B&B hotel, is located on a quiet street and only minutes from the town center and the artisan's market. All rooms are unique and each is named for a different artist.
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 27 - Queretaro, Mexico Airport Meet at Queretaro, MX Airport (QRO) and transfer by van to Casa Calderoni, San Miguel de Allende. Luxury Bed & Breakfast San Miguel | Casa Calderoni
Tuesday, September 28
Following breakfast, we will meet our town guide at 9:30 am in the town center (the Jardine) for a walking tour of San Michael. At 1:30 we depart for our afternoon excursion to Viejo San Miguel (old San Miguel)-this now consists of a mission church---the beginning of San Miguel-1500's. Then we have a short drive to the home and gallery of Mayer Shacter, a collector of Mexican folk art (Galería Atotonilco - An unforgettable experience of México) then onto Atotonilco - a world heritage site that is a sanctuary built in 1700's. Return late afternoon.
Wednesday, September 29
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 the famous muralist, Diego Rivera and the city center of Guanajuato. On our return, we plan to stop in pottery village of Santa Rosa (take your credit card!) as well as a stop in Delores Hidalgo-the starting point for the Revolution of 1810. Return late afternoon.
The Diego Rivera House and Museum, Guanajuato | Travel By Mexico
Thursday, September 30
At noon (12:30) we have a special treat, a "Food Tour of San Miguel" (Taste of San Miguel Cultural Walking Food Tours). (seven of the group does food tour today and the other seven later in the week). Before that tasty event and afterwards you have free time to spend as you would like: excellent shopping in San Miguel, take a walk to the Botanical Gardens-beautiful cactus garden or visit Aurora-famous textile mill from 1901 and now a show place for local artists. La Fabrica la Aurora, San Miguel de Allende
Friday, October 1
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, piñatas, 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). (FYI- I lived with the Lopez Flores family when I studied immersion Spanish in San Miguel. The weeks I spent with this family are some of the most cherished of my life.)
Saturday, October 2
San Miguel stands out as a fiesta town. It hosts many festivals. 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, October 3
Today have a little sleep-in to recuperate from a late night before. The Jardine is the place to be today as the birthday festivities continue. Also a good day for last minute shopping. I get my Christmas shopping done in San Miguel!
Monday, October 4 - morning transfer from our hotel to Queretaro Airport.
Please Note: This is the planned schedule but is subject to change if needed by circumstances.
