Oc17sum mexico

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TEN UNEXPECTED DAYS IN MEXICO Text by PACO OJEDA

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f you’ve considered spending a holiday in Mexico, chances are that destinations such as Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel de Allende or Mexico City have caught your eye as tempting choices. All three destinations stand alone as highly rated destinations, internationally. Combine them into a single ten-day trip, however, and you will treat yourself to a memorable combination of cosmopolitan sophistication, colonial romance and tropical adventure.

MEXICO CITY—FOUR DAYS

Despite the fact that the average travel time from Orange County is shorter to Puerto Vallarta than to Mexico City, we recommend you begin your vacation in Mexico’s sprawling capital. Originally built over a lake by the Aztecs in 1327, the second largest metropolitan area of the western hemisphere (behind New York’s metropolitan area) provides a broad range of experiences, from exploring its preHispanic origins, to shopping at some of the most upscale boutiques in Latin America.

Set your sight on Polanco, an upscale neighborhood, home to some of the wealthiest families in Mexico City. You’ll find the city’s most expensive street here, Presidente Masaryk Ave., with brands such as Luis Vuitton, Cartier, Chanel, Gucci and Hermès to name a few, along with world-class art galleries, shopping malls and gourmet restaurants.

Las Alcobas, a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel located in the heart of Polanco provides a variety of amenities that will make your stay as enjoyable as possible, from pre-arrival guest services and airport pickup to a personal butler. lasalcobas. com. For sky-high views of this modern metropolis, along with equally alluring

features, consider The St. Regis Mexico City, a landmark hotel located on Paseo de la Reforma Avenue, often compared to Paris’ Champs-Élysées. stregismexicocity.com Some of the city’s most important museums are located in this general area, beginning with the gargantuan National Museum of Anthropology—the largest and most visited—where you will find significant pre-Columbian artifacts, such as the iconic 24-ton Aztec calendar stone. The ultra-modern Soumaya Museum at Plaza Carso features European works from the 15th to the 20th centuries. Across the street, Museo Jumex is devoted to contemporary art.

A visit to the Zócalo, Mexico City’s main square, is a must, and the perfect spot to take in one of the largest city squares in the world is the rooftop bar at the Best Western Majestic Hotel. From this vantage point, you can appreciate the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Templo Mayor Aztec ruins, and the Palacio Nacional, a palace for the ruling class of Mexico since the Aztec empire, all next to each other. hotelmajestic.com Mexico City is a world class dining destination that would take weeks, if not months, to explore. Given your available time, Pujol on Presidente Masaryk— named as the best in Mexico City by Wall Street Journal and 17th best in the world

by Restaurant magazine in 2013—is a perfectly-located choice. For a classic Mexico City dining experience, consider the San Angel Inn, an old Carmelite monastery converted into one of the city’s most legendary restaurants. sanangelinn.com

SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE—THREE DAYS It will take you about two hours to reach San Miguel de Allende—an hour flight plus

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LEFT Puerta Vallarta

Botanical Gardens.

FAR LEFT Villa Bahia.

BELOW Casitas Maraika.

BOTTOM RIGHT Villa

Verano & Puerta Vallarta Beach Club.

a 45 minute drive—from Mexico City. Once there, you will find yourself at one of Mexico’s most picturesque destinations, with Baroque/Neoclassical structures and sights that will make you regret not carrying a pocket camera with you at all times.

Most of your activities will take place within the town’s Centro Histórico (or historic center), compact enough to explore on foot or short cab ride. Colonial era homes, with orange, yellow and ochre façades, have been meticulously maintained or restored to house, restaurants, boutique hotels and folk art shops favored by many international short- and long-term visitors drawn to San Miguel’s cultural appeal.

Consider staying at the Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, with luxurious haciendastyle accommodations; or at the very least, enjoy dinner at their Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar, featuring an unforgettable nighttime view of the city. rosewoodhotels.com. Nearby Hotel Clandestino feature eight unique suites that provide the perfect balance between simple elegance and comfort, not to mention equally stunning views from their rooftop bar. clandestinohotel.com.

Required visits include the town’s Jardín Principal, or Main Garden, where you will usually find several color-coordinated mariachi bands looking for work during the evening hours. Across the street, the Parish Church of San Miguel is the emblem of the town. For fine art and home decor enthusiasts, a visit to Fabrica La Aurora—a former textile factory turned cultural arts and design center—is a must.fabricalaaurora.com

PUERTO VALLARTA—THREE DAYS

Puerto Vallarta has come a long way since it was discovered by the Hollywood elite during the 1950s., today offering lodging and international dining experiences that easily match those found in Mexico City. The Sierra Madre mountains provide a majestic backdrop to a destination that has managed to retain some of its small-town charm.

The city is divided by the Cuale River and most first-time international visitors are quickly drawn to the tourist-friendly neighborhoods located on the southern side.

Villa Verano, a grand rental estate on the popular Los Muertos Beach features a 12 bedroom hacienda style villa along with 3 free-standing, beautifully appointed beach front villas with private pools and full staff. villaverano.com. For a smaller retreat, Villa Bahía, a waterfront fully-staffed 5 bedroom villa rental, provides a luxuriously comfortable experience. villabahiavallarta.com Tropical nature lovers must schedule a visit to the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, located 30 minutes south of Vallarta, or spend the day at Casitas Maraika’s Beach Club, accessible only by boat. vbgardens.org, casitasmaraika.com. Several restaurants in town, such as Hacienda San Angel and Bistro Teresa, feature world-class cuisine with spectacular city and sunset views. And sampling ordinary Mexican street food becomes an extraordinary experience in the trustworthy hands of Vallarta Eats Food Tours’ tour guides. Art lovers should consider a guided tour of Vallarta’s public sculptures provided by Galería Pacífico.

By the time you fly back home, you will most likely be planning a return visit to any one of these destinations, or perhaps all three!

CONCIERGEONLINE Conciergeonline is a Mexican company established to provide exclusive and personalized concierge services. They are here to help you solve all your problems and/or inconveniences that may arise before, during and after a trip; offering you a range of services, tailoring experiences for you. For reservations and extraordinary concierge services, please email rocio@conciergeonline. com.mx or visit conciergeonline.com.mx or call +52 322 429 7498.

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