Mexico Destination Weddings & Honeymoon Planner 2011 - (Page 21)

The Hacienda Los Laureles dates back to the early-1800s. While these hotels have preferred vendors and suppliers, they can no doubt recommend local DMCs such as Equis-O Eventos can also help organize weddings infused with Oaxacan history and tradition. They’ll hire waiters, ﬁnd ideal handcrafted gifts, get a great marimba band and even whisk the couple away before dawn so they can watch the sun rise in Monte Alban, the archaeological site that once served as a holy center for the Zapotec people. Sightseeing: The Plaza de la Constitucion is a good place to start a walking tour of the city, as it’s surrounded by ancient buildings and cafes that give the city much of its spirit. The Palace Museum is a few steps away, with regional and national exhibits as well as murals from Arturo Garcia Bustos in honor of former president Benito Juarez. The Oaxaca Santo Domingo Cathedral, built in the 17th century, is simple yet pretty inside and out. Next to the cathedral is the Alameda, a beautiful garden popular with families who come to enjoy live music, freshly made ice cream or a sunny afternoon. Also worth a visit: the Macedonio Alcala Theater, with an elegant façade and imperial cupola, and the Santo Domingo Cultural Center, which includes a temple with gold-leaf interiors and a former convent. Oaxaca has a tourist trolley called La Verde Antequera that provides an hour-long journey along the streets of the city center for a few dollars. A visit to Oaxaca’s markets is a deﬁnite “must,” especially the 20th of November or Food Market, with fresh and exotic produce and lots of places in which to enjoy a plate of typical goodies, including Oaxacan cheese and toasted chapulines (grasshoppers). Restaurants and cafes throughout will also offer that other Oaxacan delicacy, the typical mole and its inﬁnite varieties. Foodie couples might love to spend some time learning how to prepare regional and national dishes at Seasons of My Heart Cooking School, which offers single- and multi-day courses. Art enthusiasts will want to visit Oaxaca’s many art studios, museums and galleries, including the Textile Museum of Oaxaca, the Museum of Oaxacan Painters and the Ruﬁno Tamayo Museum of Pre-Hispanic Art, founded by the Oaxacan native. For additional cultural stops outside the city, there is San Bartolo Coyotepec, famous for its unique black-clay pottery; Hierve El Agua, made famous for its natural springs ﬁlled with minerals; and Mitla, originally a Zapotec center that ﬂourished more than 2,000 years ago and houses structures from its original and later inhabitants. Nearby, the village of Matatlan bills itself as the “world capital of mezcal,” so stopping for a sip of this native beverage might prove an interesting experience. From the city of Oaxaca, it’s about a 6-hour scenic drive to Huatulco and its beautiful bays. The whole of the Bahias de Huatulco National Park makes for a beachy romantic escape, in fact, with boating, ﬁshing and other diversions in store for nature lovers. Weather: Oaxaca’s enviable spot in the country’s high central plateau allows for near-perfect spring-like weather throughout the year, with rain in July and August. ● Contact Information Casa Oaxaca: casaoaxaca.com.mx Equis-O Eventos: equis-o.com Hacienda Los Laureles: (800) 728-9098; mexicoboutiquehotels.com Seasons of My Heart Cooking School: seasonsofmyheart.com More Destination Wedding Options Camino Real Oaxaca: camino-real-oaxaca.com Casa Bichu Boutique Hotel: (877) 223-9590; casabichu.com Dreams Huatulco: (866) 2-DREAMS; dreamsresorts.com/drehu Hotel Casantica: hotelcasantica.com May 2011 M21 http://casaoaxaca.com.mx http://www.equis-o.com http://www.mexicoboutiquehotels.com http://www.seasonsofmyheart.com http://www.camino-real-oaxaca.com http://www.casabichu.com http://www.dreamsresorts.com/drehu http://www.hotelcasantica.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Mexico Destination Weddings & Honeymoon Planner 2011

Mexico Says "I Do" to Destination Weddings
Baja California Sur
Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit
Acapulco
San Miguel de Allende & Guanajuato
Morelia
Cuernavaca
Oaxaca & Huatulco
Campeche
Marriage Requirements
Merida, Yucatan
The Mexican Caribbean
Built for Romance
How to Get There

Mexico Destination Weddings & Honeymoon Planner 2011