A view of the Cathedral of
San Miguel de Allende.
A new tour of San Miguel de Allende benefits from a happy paradox:
While the community hosts a sizeable enclave of expatriate
Americans, San Miguel remains the most Mexican of towns. The
450-year-old National Historic Monument in central Mexico has long
been a favorite destination of American travelers so much so that
some 8,000 U.S. and Canadian citizens now call it home.
Two of those transplanted Americans, Camie Sands and Linda
Lowery Keep, have created the Simply San Miguel lifestyle tour
especially for North Americans who might want to consider settling
here. Clients who book a tour will be treated to a
behind-the-scenes round of cocktail parties, house and garden tours
and cultural events. Meanwhile, local realtors, bankers, architects
and attorneys answer questions about the perks and pitfalls of
relocating to Mexico.
Even better for Mexico aficionados, other experts explore the
ancient cultures that underpin San Miguel’s many religious and
civic celebrations. Bill and Heidi Le-Vasseur welcome guests to a
reception at Casa de la Cuesta, their bed-and-breakfast
establishment that doubles as a folk art museum. Masks, ceramics,
antique toys and Day-of-the-Dead skeletons fill rooms, stairways
and patios. The collections having long since outgrown the
residence, selected treasures now occupy an adjacent museum, which
provides a showcase for Bill’s authentic danza masks and Heidi’s
more eclectic displays.
Guests mingle at Casa De Las Flores
Rick and Debra Hall, who own the folk arts shop Zocalo, likewise
immerse visitors in Mexican traditions. The Halls invite tour-goers
to their country house in nearby Atotonilco, a place of pilgrimage
for its 18th-century shrine. Debra recounts historical anecdotes as
she leads guests through the church, its walls and ceilings
lavished with “folk-baroque” paintings of biblical scenes in a kind
of indigenous Sistine Chapel.
Perhaps even more engaging is the Hall’s own house, jam-packed
with whimsical creations by contemporary artisans. In the day’s
gastronomic highlight, guests are served a homemade comida, the
food itself an entree into Mexican culture.
Visits to new homes offer yet another perspective. Hillside
mansions overlook the town’s rooftops from poolside terraces, the
view punctuated by church spires and centered on San Miguel’s icon,
the rose-colored Parroquia a “parish church” that masquerades as a
Gothic cathedral.
But this is one tour that focuses more on people than on places.
A fountainside dinner at the biblioteca (library) introduces
visitors to locals who are just as passionate about their charity
work as others are about creating or collecting art. An
enthusiastic Robin Loving, who enthralls listeners with stories of
the girls at Santa Julia Orphanage, typifies the many Americans who
work to alleviate poverty among the area’s original
inhabitants.
The tour leaders go to great lengths to personalize the trip,
even sending out a questionnaire to gauge interests beyond
shopping, gallery-hopping and a cooking class. If there’s a
performance at Teatro Angela Peralta, clients will know about it;
if there’s a fiesta, or Las Posadas Christmas processions, visitors
may be invited to participate with the townspeople.
Although the tour allows for “walking-around time,” and all
activities are, of course, optional, clients might like to schedule
an extra day at the end for further exploring or just to unwind.
After my own week of whirlwind activities, I was happy to reflect
on my experiences while relaxing at a rural retreat called Casa de
Aves, near Atotonilco. Having signed up with nary a thought of
moving to Mexico, I found that Simply San Miguel offers a fun time
no matter what the ulterior motives.
Even if your clients decide not to relocate, they’ll enjoy a
week of wining, dining and socializing in a beautiful, art-filled
colonial town.
| CONTACT
The week-long tour, $1,700, double, for everything except airfare,
pays travel agents a 10 percent commission on the entire package.
In addition, an agent who brings a group of 10 paying guests gets a
free trip.
www.simplysanmiguel.com Casa de Aves
www.casadeaves.com
Commission: 10 percent |
