Mexico Wedding Planner 2013 - (Page 48)

EVER LOPEZ heritage as it is of its magniﬁcent historic center. Best viewed by horse-drawn calandria, it can take you down the Paseo Morelos from the Plaza de Armas past the towering cathedral (the interior is even more breathtaking) and the impressive Palacio del Gobierno (stop in to view the splendid mural by the famed Jose Clemente Orozco) to the Plaza de los Mariachis and the vast Hospicio Cabañas, home to the Cabañas Cultural Institute. The monuments are too many to mention. Count on tour operators such as Tapatio Tour (tapatiotour. com) to be your guide, and ask about nearby attractions such as Zapopan, Tonala and Tlaquepaque, where couples can buy everything from jewelry, ceramics, wrought iron, earthenware, and papier mache items to lovely rustic furniture (they ship). The charming town of Tequila is located roughly 40 miles northwest of Guadalajara. The rolling, bucolic hills are covered with ﬁelds of blue agave, whose heart and nectar eventually produce worldrenowned tequila. Today, visitors can explore the National Museum of Tequila, stroll the streets, enjoy the shops and experience life in a Mexican pueblo. For many years, though, Tequila and the surrounding area were relatively undiscovered by tourists, but in 1997 the Tequila Express (tequilaexpress.com.mx) brought things to life. A fun 2-hour train ride that begins an 8-hour tour, the Tequila Express departs from Guadalajara, taking passengers past towering red rocks into the fertile farm lands and magniﬁcent working haciendas that produce over 20 million gallons of tequila a year. It stops in Amatitan, where travelers can visit Tequila Herradura’s La Hacienda de San Jose del Refugio (herradura.com.mx), one of the world’s largest distilleries, as well as take tours to nearby Tequila. The only train that runs directly from Guadalajara into Tequila, the luxurious Jose Cuervo Express (josecuervoexpress.com) runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and brides can now rent a private coach for their wedding event. Upon arrival in town, they can go on to enjoy a sit-down dinner at Mundo Cuervo (mundocuervo.com)— part distillery, part museum and part elegant event venue. If the train doesn’t appeal to your clients, check out the guided tours by the state-sponsored Ruta del Tequila (rutadeltequila.org.mx), which includes visits via air-conditioned vans to distilleries such as La Cofradia (tequilacofradia.com), where couples can stay at its boutique hotel. Jalisco, the land of mariachi & tequila, has one of the most beautiful countrysides Weather: Very mild summers and winters, with afternoon rains from June through September. 22 / march 2013 20-29 CentralColonial.indd 22 recommend.com 2/21/13 9:32 AM http://www.tequilaexpress.com.mx/ http://herradura.com.mx http://www.delcarmen.mx http://www.josecuervoexpress.com http://www.casapedroloza.com.mx http://haciendaelcarmen.com.mx http://www.mundocuervo.com http://haciendalalabor.com http://haciendalomajim.com http://rutadeltequila.org.mx http://gdltours.com http://www.tequilacofradia.com http://visiontour.com.mx http://lepepartida.com http://titoycheo.mx http://smapenzi.com http://tequilatours.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Mexico Wedding Planner 2013

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: Travel Indochina
Safaris in Southern Africa
Un-Cruise Adventures in Alaska
Alaska is Celebrating in 2013
"Hard Rock" Chicago-Style: Rock out in the Windy City
Mexico Destination Weddings & Honeymoon Planner
Girldfriends' Getaway at Eden Roc, Miami Beach
Kyushu: The Rising Sun of Japanese Destinations
The New All-Inclusives in Jamaica Claim Their Turf
RIU Punta Cana
Costa Rica: A Trio of Detours
Touring Central & Eastern Europe

Mexico Wedding Planner 2013