Top 50 destinations in the world

San Miguel de Allende was in some heady company when Condé Nast Traveler published the results of their annual readers poll, finishing in the top five destination for The Americas.  The top 5 destinations in Europe included Florence, Rome, Venice, Barcelona and Salzburg.

The annual poll asks reader to select their top 50 destinations in the world, and once again, San Miguel de Allende was on the list.

Here’s what one Condé Nast reader has to say about San Miguel de Allende:

“This is small-town colonial Mexico at its best! A short plane ride from Dallas and private car will meet you for the 45 drive to any of several homey inns in the midst of cobbled streets, arts and native crafts, marvelous restaurants, music from jazz to klezmer (you thought Mexico only has “Mexican” music?!) and much more. Warm welcome for English-speaking visitors, great bargains still for the U.S. dollar (where else can you say that?). It’s a wonderful place to kick back.”

San MiguelTravel Information

For travel information visit Explore&GoMexico.com.  You’ll find recommendations for hotels in San Miguel, restuarants, activities and more.

Photographer Lander Rodriguez captures the beauty and spirit of Semana Santa (Holy Week) in San Miguel de Allende.

Email Lander:  landerro@mac.com

Photo by Trish Cronin, Santa Fe Photography Workshops

Photo by: Robert Crum

]]> http://blog.exploreandgomexico.com/mexico-photo-wednesday-san-miguel-de-allende/feed/ 0 http://blog.exploreandgomexico.com/international-jazz-blues-festival-in-san-miguel-de-allende/ http://blog.exploreandgomexico.com/international-jazz-blues-festival-in-san-miguel-de-allende/#comments Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:18:28 +0000 Shari Reynolds http://blog.exploreandgomexico.com/?p=138

Visitors from all around the world will travel this year to the gorgeous Mexican colonial city of  San Miguel de Allende to enjoy jazz and blues performed by some of the finest musical artists including the David Sanchez quartet, David Gilmore Quartet, North Sea Coyotes, Antonio Sanchez Trio, Hot Club of San Francisco, Eddie Gomez Trio, Tlaxcatecatl Latin Jazz Band, San Miguel Cats Jazz and many more at the XV International Jazz and Blues Festival.

This year’s festival kicks-off on November 26th with an outdoor concert performance by the “San Miguel Jazz Cats” at Jardin Principal and finishes on December 5th with a stunning “Motown Tribute” with special guests and festival artists gathered at the outdoor amphitheater located in Santa Maria del Obraje,a short walk from the town center. Music lovers can swing to the melancholy blues and cool jazz performed in various corners of the city like the parks, classic Cultural Center at Bellas Artes, Real de Minas Hotel and the Santa Maria del Obraje Amphitheater. The open-air performances are free of charge.
San Miguel De Allende which is known for its architectural beauty and is considered one of the best three places to visit in North America by Conde Naste and a UNESCO international heritage destination.  Part of its charm and appeal is the culture and tradition visible from the cobblestone streets to the gothic church towers.  It has been a center for national and international tourism because of its mild climate and artistic inspiration. As a center of cultural arts in the state, San Miguel is the perfect setting for this international celebration of jazz and blues.

Tickets
Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.sanmigueljazz.com or La Conexión and Border Crossings in San Miguel de Allende.   For more information visit the website.

Visit Explore and Go Mexico:

• San Miguel de Allende – Get information about the city — what to do, where to eat and how to get there.
• San Miguel de Allende hotels - Find a hotel or B&B in San Miguel.  Check the travel deals!
• Guanajuato hotels – Check out Guanajuato — 45 minutes from San Miguel for day trip to the state capital.

The tradition of Día de los Muertos is that on November 2^nd, the souls of the deceased can visit their beloved families in this world. The lights of candles and petals of zempoaxochitil (marigolds) guide each soul to its own altar and house so they can celebrate and consume what has been prepared for them. The imagery in this video shows the beauty and magic of San Miguel de Allende during Day of the Dead.

Photography enthusiasts ranging from beginners to professionals can immerse themselves in a photographic journey in San Miguel de Allende this fall. For the ninth consecutive year, Santa Fe Photographic Workshops hosts 12 weeklong workshops in this charming colonial town set in the northern highlands of central Mexico.

Veteran photographers such as Sam Abell, Joyce Tenneson, Greg Gorman, Paul Elledge, and Eddie Soloway, inspire all levels of photographers in pursuit of personal vision, portraiture,  documentary storytelling, and travel photography. Participants explore the soul of San Miguel amid the vibrant culture, rich heritage, private gardens, and Day of the Dead festivities.

The three-week program, occurring October 25 through November 15, is hosted on a private campus within walking distance of the main plaza of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. San Miguel remains a safe refuge for participants to grow creatively while capturing fireworks illuminating the gothic spires of the Parroquia, listening to strolling musicians in El Jardin, and making personal connections with local families. The photographic experience is extended to the local community during the free instructor images presentations on Monday nights at Teatro Ángela Peralta.

For more information on workshops in San Miguel de Allende, or other workshops offered by Santa Fe Photographic Workshops, visit www.santafeworkshops.com, or call (505) 983-1400.