8 Mexico City deserves at least two full days if time allows whilst the surrounding area can be seen on guided day trips. On the overland route used by the Spanish to transport goods from the Philippines to Spain, the town of Cuernavaca is known as the ‘Town of Eternal Spring’, a charming collection of churches small and vast, pretty gardens and an atmospheric main square. A little further afield the hillside town of Taxco has winding cobbled streets, beautiful churches and dozens of silver shops. Head east from Mexico City past the spectacular smoking Popocatepetl volcano and you reach the colonial gem of Puebla, famous for its beautiful ornate tiles and its chilli and chocolate mole sauce. It is well worth a full day and a night here to absorb the history and charm of the place. Mexico City itself has a vast selection of accommodation to suit all budgets. We have suggested just a few of our favourite options. CASA VIEJA, MEXICO CITY The Casa Vieja is a beautiful converted mansion located in the quieter residential area of Polanco. Each of the ten guest rooms are named and individually decorated in bright Mexican colours with traditional furniture, comprised of locally made tiles, ornate wood carvings and beautiful fabrics. Whilst the décor is traditional, and the hotel full of character the facilities are all modern. Breakfast is served on a rooftop terrace amongst hummingbirds that flit from flower to flower. FOUR SEASONS, MEXICO CITY Mexico City’s Four Seasons Hotel is well located; the Zócalo is a 15 minute stroll away and the Palacio de Bellas Artes is even closer. With 240 spacious bedrooms the hotel is large, yet attractive, built around a central courtyard and fountain where guests can dine in what feels like a Parisian street café. Facilities include a heated outdoor pool, small gym and an excellent restaurant serving a range of Mexican cuisine and fine international cuisine. THE GRAN HOTEL, MEXICO CITY The Gran Hotel is an old historic hotel in the heart of the city, overlooking the Zócalo. The foyer is sheltered by a beautiful stained glass roof which gives the place something of a feel of New York’s Grand Central Station, and its 60 comfortable rooms fan around this central area. The rooftop cafe and restaurant have wonderful views, high above the hustle and bustle of the city. Mexico City and Around The buzzing metropolis that is Mexico City is a fascinating contrast of old and new, grey and green, rich and poor; a place to love or loathe. Founded by the Aztecs in the 14th century on the site of a great lake, the city now stretches right across a vast valley. After the Spanish conquest of the Atzecs, many of the city’s original buildings were built over and are only now being rediscovered. Today the city is a mix of ancient ruins, colonial buildings and modern high-rises. Its soul is overwhelmingly centred around its vast Zócalo (main square), where the Mexican flag has flown proudly for centuries, and where crowds gather in celebration or in demonstration at every opportunity. The city is not without its charms; the Anthropological Museum is one of the finest on the continent, the floating Aztec Gardens of Xochimilco make for a colourful day out, whilst the magnificent pyramids of Teotihuacan rival those of Giza. Casa Vieja, Mexico City The Gran Hotel, Mexico City The Zócalo, Mexico City

Mexico Telephone: 01993 838 670 9 Pyramids of Teotihuacan LAS MAÑANITAS, CUERNAVACA From the outside, Las Mañanitas looks more like a traditional Mexican home than a first class hotel. Step through the doors however, and you enter an oasis of calm in much-loved gardens where peacocks strut across manicured lawns that surround the large inviting swimming pool. With just 21 guest bedrooms the hotel retains an intimate atmosphere, and its restaurant is widely considered the best in the state. The Colonial Cities During Mexico’s colonial era the mines of its central heartland produced much of the world’s silver, gold and precious stones: as a result the colonial cities were born. Many are now important industrial centres, but have generally retained their charming historic hearts. They provide a different perspective on this fascinating country. Colourful Spanish architecture, cobbled streets and plazas abound, each one different from the next. They vary from traditional villages such as Patzcuaro, with its local Indian community in colourful costumes living around a lake, to modern commercial cities such as Queretaro, with its pedestrian walkways and sprawling suburbs centred around its colonial heart. Guanajuato, meaning “Place of Frogs”, is a vibrant, colourful university city, a series of winding roads and underground streets making the best of its location in a narrow gorge, while San Miguel de Allende is more relaxed and artistic, with cobbled streets climbing steep city-centre hills. Morelia’s city centre on the other hand is dominated by an impressive cathedral with archways framing streets that have barely changed in hundreds of years. Decidedly different from one another, each of the cities has its own particular charm and appeal intermixed with a laid back atmosphere and pleasant cafés creating the perfect environment for watching the world go by. A guide is essential to reveal their hidden corners and colourful past. The cities are a good few hours’ drive from one another so we suggest taking your time and spending at least a week to discover the area, or a couple of days visiting just one or two cities. All are at their best on the Day of the Dead on November 1st, when the streets are transformed into macabre street parties. San Antonio Church, San Miguel de Allende Guanajuato VILLA MONTANA, MORELIA Located just ten minutes by road from Morelia, the Villa Montana has stunning views over the UNESCO-recognised city from its vantage point on the slope of Cerro de Santa Maria. With just 36 beautifully-decorated suites, the hotel maintains an intimate feel, with guest rooms spread throughout delightful grounds. Facilities include a large swimming pool, extensive spa and one of the city’s most respected restaurants. CASA DE SIERRA NEVADA, SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE The Casa de Sierra Nevada is a collection of charming colonial houses set around cool courtyards within easy walking distance of the centre of the town. The main house, today a historic landmark, was originally built as the Archbishop’s home in 1580 but is now operated as a hotel by Orient-Express. In all there are 33 guest rooms, each decorated in a mix of colonial and Mexican styles. Ice cream vendor Casa de Sierra Nevada, San Miguel Allende