The sunset on the island Mljet Croatia
The typical colorful street facades

Colonial Mexico

Beautifully preserved, Mexico's colonial cities offer inspiring living and leisure experiences; many are also important World Heritage centers . .

It is in the colonial cities that the real Mexico begins to emerge. You'll see real people living real lives; experience magnificent scenery; stay at wonderful colonial hotels that offer terrific value for money; savor local foods and flavors as colorful and diverse as the cultures that created them.

Santiago de Queretaro

..or just Queretaro as its known, is a colonial city very important in Mexican history. The Spanish took control of the city in 1531 and designated it the "third city of New Spain". The members of Mexico's Independence Movement met in secret here to discuss the overthrow of their Spanish rulers.

The Mexican Constitution, written in 1917, was composed here. Also, it was the birthplace of the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) - the political party that governed Mexico for 71 years.

It is a bright, lively, very clean and easy for walking city. The feel of Baroque is present everywhere. Beautiful churches, mansions with their graceful balconies, the myriad of tree-lined plazas and quaint colonial side streets are making the historical colonial center very charming and interesting. Please enjoy the slide with some of our memories...

Enjoy more images of this remarkable place...

San Miguel de Allende

.. a colonial-era city in Mexico's central highlands, is known for its baroque Spanish architecture, thriving arts scene and cultural festivals. In the city's historic, cobblestoned center lies the neo-Gothic church Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, whose dramatic pink towers rise above the main plaza, El Jardin.

The setting is beautiful. Its colonial centro is a UNESCO World Heritage site. So it is mandated that homes, churches, civic structures, businesses..just about every original structure..retain its historic, original appearance. And that is strictly-enforced here. Even signage for businesses is discrete. Narrow streets, cobblestone or flagstone, are lined with homes in shades of yellow, red, orange, and brown terracotta, barrel-tile roofs. It might be tough to drive a car here, but it's certainly a pleasant place to take a long walk, exploring the architectural splendor that includes grand homes with wrought iron bars and imposing wooden doors, baroque churches with carved archways depicting religious scenes, and more.

Town's first foreign residents came right after World War II; they came to take art classes in local institues and since then it's been a favorite destination of artists, musicians and others interested in art and culture.

Because it's in the high sierra, the air is crisp and clean. And the climate is temperate year-round, staying in the 70s F most days and cooling down at night to the 50s F.

the Parish Church of San Miguel Arcangel with Gothic spires and a pink-colored façade. The Parish Church of San Miguel Arcangel with Gothic spires and a pink-colored façade. La Santa Escuela de Cristo, an 18th-century church with a bell tower decorated with reliefs San Miguel de Allende’s central plaza is known as El Jardin. This is the social heart of the city, a venue for fiestas and live music and a popular meeting place, day and night
The view of the Parish Church from the Instituto Allende
Templo de San Francisco One of typical streets San Miguel de Allende’s central plaza and the Parish Church of San Miguel Arcangel San Miguel de Allende’s central plaza and the main Jardin. San Miguel de Allende center.

One uncontrollable thing that stresses brides is weather. Everyone is looking for a desirable destination wedding place where it’s at least eternally spring. If you’re still looking for that, then San Miguel de Allende is just the perfect choice.

We have attended two weddings in this gorgeous place and always asking ourselves: what is so unique here that makes weddings’ memories last forever, regardless if you’re getting married or just attending your friend’s.

For sure the first impression is the romantic feeling of love spreading everywhere around and being surrounded by the amazing baroque Spanish architecture especially the gorgeous pink neo-Gothic church on the hill where life is lived in a different way.

This colonial city is not on the ocean, but you’ll forget about the beach when you see a sunset here and simply walk around the El Jardin central square where local Mariachi bands are playing and singing just for your soul (of course there is a 200 pesos charge per song) under the moonlight in front of the colorful church. The tranquility is just feeding your body and soul making you so comfortable and, of course, if you desire, there are several bars and restaurants around to feed your body with more concrete supplies - tequila and mind-blowing food.

There is also the lively and memorable tradition of the “callejoneda” wedding parade here accompanied with giant customized bride and groom puppets called “mojigangas”, mariachis, locals on stilts and traditional garb, paper stars and maybe a flower and booze laden donkey for good measure.

Traditionally, this walking parade starts in front of the church and goes a few blocks around to return back to the beginning post. After that, traditionally everyone follows the bride and broom to any of arranged local bars where the party begins.