Recommend March 2013 - (Page 51)

VICTOR HERRERA For fabulous romance & destination wedding photos in Mexico, look up Photographers of America— photographersofamerica.com— and be inspired. Queretaro courtyard of Museo del Arte On the same elegant street, Quinta Las Acacias’ 17 rooms and suites offer an eclectic mix of Old World European style and Mexican decor. The mountain views from the rooftop terrace make a picturesque option for a reception. Rates start at $149 per night. (quintalasacacias.com) Weddings in San Miguel de Allende can be sedate, elegant affairs— or wonderfully vibrant ﬁestas with wedding parades, a darling tequila burro, and even salsa dancing classes! San Miguel-based Penzi Weddings & Events (smapenzi.com) can pull all this together and more with a complete wedding program and itinerary that will keep everyone enthralled and happy. Hotels that offer a wonderful cultural experience include the awardwinning Casa de Sierra Nevada (casadesierranevada.com), a group of restored mansions within walking distance of the gothic-inspired spires of the famous La Parroquia church (rates start at $384 per night), and Preferred Boutique Hotels’ La Puertecita (lapuertecita. com), a walled, terraced 33-room beauty set amid 300-year-old aqueduct ruins. This resort also accommodates same-sex weddings. Room rates start at $144 per night. Morelia (capital of the state of Michoacan) offers a fairytale setting for brides, where they can marry in a majestic baroque cathedral made of pink stone and have their reception in what was once a bishop’s palace, i.e., Hotel Los Juaninos (hoteljuaninos.com.mx). Brilliantly restored, it has an amazing restaurant with a view of the cathedral, with room rates starting at about $155. Prefer a bird’s-eye view of the city? Couples can marry with the whole of Morelia laid out at their feet like a shimmering pink mirage on the terrace of Villa Montaña Hotel & Spa (villamontana.com.mx), a villa-style property set on a hilltop. Receptions can also include fascinating regional cultural experiences such as the famous danza de los viejitos, Pirekua music of the Purepecha natives or even a spectacular recreation of a Purepecha “soccer” game with a ﬂaming ball. Custom wedding events start at $30 per person (min. 50 people). Hacienda Ucazanaztacua (haciendaucazanaztacua.com) in Michoacan is a dream and a must for couples who are looking for a traditional wedding amidst fabulous architecture and beautiful nature. The uniquely designed rooms, done up with ﬁreplaces, jacuzzis, punchy colors and ornate decor, offer breathtaking views of the surrounding area. A bride and groom (there’s a scenic terrace that holds up to 300 persons) who want to immerse themselves in traditional Mexico will love that the hacienda’s “old house” was built by hands by the locals. It’s idyllic for couples who want to honeymoon in the same spot where they marry, as there are boat rides on the surrounding lake, a spa, hiking in the hills, and 10 minutes from the village of Tzintzuntzan, the center of Purepecha culture for centuries. Sightseeing: Queretaro’s aqueduct, all 74 arches of it, is considered one of the most eloquent symbols of colonial Mexico, and the historic center is as famous for its churches and buildings as it is for its andadores. These ample corridors radiating from the busy plazas house sidewalk cafes, handicraft shops and wonderful boutique hotels. City-sponsored trams take visitors on guided tours throughout the historic center—a great way to take in the most important sites. Tell clients not to miss the Casona de los Cinco Patios, a historic mansion constructed in the style of the 18th and 19th centuries with a gorgeous gourmet restaurant, San Miguelito, and La Antojeria, which sells a variety of the best foods from around the state. Promotur Queretaro (promoturqueretaro.com.mx) offers several inner-city tours as well as visits to the nearby Sierra Gorda, a must for adventure-lovers. march 2013 / 25 20-29 CentralColonial.indd 25 2/21/13 9:35 AM http://www.photographersofamerica.com http://www.haciendaucazanaztacua.com http://www.quintalasacacias.com http://www.smapenzi.com http://www.casadesierranevada.com http://hoteljuaninos.com.mx http://promoturqueretaro.com.mx http://villamontana.com.mx

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend March 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

Recommend March 2013