Mexico | Gardens, History, Gastronomy, and Culture in San Miguel de Allende

Upon arrival at Querétaro International Airport, after clearing customs and collecting your luggage, you will be met and transported to your hotel in San Miguel de Allende, the lovely Villa Santa Mónica. Various arrival times are expected today. Enjoy some free time to explore on your own for the remainder of the day, expecting to meet with the group tomorrow morning.

Begin the morning with an orientation and welcome breakfast at your hotel. Then, visit Vivero La Huerta. Nestled just outside San Miguel de Allende, La Huerta is a vibrant, family-run plant nursery where mornings come alive with the soft rustle of leaves and the gentle aroma of earth. Stroll through its rows of colorful fruit, olive, and native trees, succulent plants, and more. Learn about local experts' secrets of propagation and sustainable cultivation and make the most of an experience ideal for those curious about Mexican horticulture. After the walk, enjoy light refreshments, like fresh juices, herbal teas, and seasonal bites, in the nursery's shaded courtyard. Return to the city and have lunch at a local café near the Parque Benito Juárez, a lush green space perfect for a post-lunch stroll. Head back to Villa Santa Mónica in time for an early-evening gathering with the group to enjoy cocktails at the hotel's terrace bar, Luna Tapas Bar, followed by a special welcome dinner at Hacienda El Santuario.

Today, explore the city's downtown area on a walking tour with your guide. Learn about the history of San Miguel, its rich Indigenous heritage and culture, foundation, how it became an artist's haven during the first half of the 20th century, and why it's been so popular with expatriates for the past century. Your guide will also point out the most remarkable galleries and shops for you to explore on your own during your free time. Take a break and enjoy lunch at the cafeteria of Fábrica La Aurora (cost will be on your own). A former textile factory that was converted into a vibrant cultural center for art and design, La Aurora's iconic building now houses art galleries and studios, design, furniture, antique, and jewelry stores, and much more. After enjoying lunch and spending time exploring La Aurora, travel back to the hotel for a short break. Then, visit the studio of a local artist and spend time getting to know their works and enjoying cocktails before going out to dinner at one of San Miguel de Allende's most celebrated restaurants for authentic Mexican cuisine, Los Milagros.

Following breakfast, travel to Cuna de Tierra for a private tour. Cuna de Tierra, the first winery in the state of Guanajuato, sprawls across more than 70 acres, where a wide variety of wine and wild grapes are grown to produce six red wines and one white wine. Cuna de Tierra's artisanal approach to vineyard management and winemaking, as well as its commitment to constant study and experimentation, sets it apart as a boutique vineyard that seeks to encourage the sustainable development of the local community and wine tourism in the region. This award-winning winery was carefully designed by architects Ignacio Urquiza Seoane and Bernardo Quinzaños Oria to honor the history and land that have allowed the conception of the numerous varieties of vines that surround it. After visiting Cuna de Tierra, head back to San Miguel de Allende, stopping en route at the town of Atotonilco for lunch at the beautiful Nirvana Restaurant. Following lunch, deepen your understanding and appreciation of Mexican culture as you discover breathtaking Mexican folk art and handicrafts at Galería Atotonilco. This gallery is located in an architecturally beautiful and unique building among lush gardens, combining modern and ancient elements to celebrate the history of the region and preserve its rich pre-Hispanic folk art traditions. Take home an exceptional piece of art available only in this gallery before heading over to visit the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco. This Jesuit sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008, dates back to the 18th century and is one of the best examples of baroque art and architecture in the region. Later, return to your hotel and enjoy a free evening to explore on your own.

After breakfast, embark on a 20-minute drive to El Charco del Ingenio, a botanical garden and nature reserve that features an extensive collection of native cacti and other succulent plants, many of which are rare, threatened, or in danger of extinction. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes, private tour of this extraordinary property and discover the natural wonder of the region after marveling at much of San Miguel's manmade beauty and splendor over the last few days. At this more than 170-acre botanical garden set in an ecological preserve, have the chance to spot wildlife, walk along greenery-lined trails, and learn about various species of local cacti. Meanwhile, the San Miguel community often gathers in the garden to watch performances, partake in ceremonies, and attend environmental education programs. Visitors can enjoy a hike through the park, a picnic alongside the waterfalls, or an evening at a concert in the outdoor amphitheater. Relax and enjoy lunch at El Charco del Ingenio's cafeteria before returning to your hotel for some free time to explore the many different shops and galleries in Downtown San Miguel de Allende. This evening, gather together in the lobby for the drive to Hecho en México restaurant for dinner.

This morning, drive a little over 3 miles outside of San Miguel de Allende to visit the Chapel of Jimmy Ray Gallery at the Casa de Las Ranas compound in the small town of La Cieneguita. The gallery was founded in 2012 as a creative oasis to present the work of Anado McLauchlin, one of many immigrants to have found their artistic calling in San Miguel de Allende, and select artists that Anado has bonded with on a visual and oftentimes emotional level. He named the complex after his father, James Raymond "Jimmy Ray" McLauchlin, and it includes La Casa de las Ranas (The House of Frogs), the private home of McLauchlin and his husband Richard, as well as a gallery and gardens strewn with artwork and supplies. McLaughlin's art is mostly mixed media with a found-object approach to architecture and sculpture, while the house and galleries are covered in brightly colored mosaics incorporating mirror pieces. Anado adopted his current name after traveling in India, and his art uses elements of that country's cultures alongside those from Mexico and the United States. As such, you can find Hindu religious imagery next to plastic luchador figures and cowboy pictures in his works. After visiting The Chapel of Jimmy Ray, have lunch at El Vergel Bistro & Market back in San Miguel de Allende. Return to the hotel for some free time in the afternoon. Perhaps you would like to take a stroll within the local city park, Parque Benito Juárez. This charming, tree-lined green space was designed in a French-inspired style, with fountains, benches, and decorative pools. This evening, celebrate your time in San Miguel with a farewell dinner at The Restaurant, founded and led by Chef Donnie Masterton. The Restaurant proudly sources its high quality ingredients from local farmers, ranchers, and artisans, to prepare comfort dishes with skill, respect, and simplicity just steps away from the main square of San Miguel de Allende.

At the appropriate time, you will be transported to the Querétaro International Airport for your flight(s) home.