Mexico Vacation Travels Pictures, Reviews, & Deals » Morelia Mexico: Tourists Information on Morelia Hotels, Travels, and Map

Paradisus Riviera Cancun, Puerto Morelos

kathy — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:00:27 +0000

This beautiful hotel that is modeled on a Mayan Village is halfway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. The hotels staff will surely treat you like royalty from the moment they pick you up at the Cancun airport which is only a short 15 minutes ride. As soon as you arrive at the hotel, you can treat yourself to international cuisine and entertainment at six world-class restaurants and seven premium bars or at their award-winning spa which is by the way certified by The Leading Spas in the World to take away all your exhaustion from the travel. Also you can even take a dip to one of their 3 waterfront pools featuring exquisite Bali beds underneath luxurious oceanfront palapas.

Paradisus Riviera Cancun offers a total of 496 oversized Suites, including 136 Royal Service Suites and four Ambassador Beachfront Suites. Each of them constructed with only the finest and most luxurious in dÃ©cor, architecture and amenities. Some of the suites are in European-style and amenities that are beyond compare.

Lowest guaranteed rate starts at $185. Visit Paradisus-Riviera-Cancun.com

Honoring Local Artisans in Morelia, Michoacan

nelsonmelle — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:46:12 +0000

Sugar skulls at a Morelia marketplace (photo by kwbill courtesy of Flickr)

The artistry of Mexico is often very apparent regardless of where you go in the world. The bright colors and pageantry of Mexican life lives through the arts and crafts of this lively culture. The work of Mexican artisans has traveled throughout the world and is highly coveted by many. Morelia is one of the best places to immerse yourself in the grandeur and beauty of Mexico’s artistry.

The Morelia marketplace is a popular, tourist-friendly adventure offering amazing craft finds including handmade works like the sugar skull-Calaveras above.

Morelia Crafts Market (photo by Jeff K courtesy of Flickr)

The Morelia market place is located in the regal ex-Convent of San Fransisco. Local artisans offer their beautifully hand made goods at amazing prices. If you are able to, talking with the artisans opens a window into the pride and history of locals and the importance of craftsmanship to the people of Mexico.

Temple of San Fransisco (photo by 21st Century Catholic courtesy of Flickr)

The ex-convent itself is an amazing structure and one of the oldest religious buildings in Morelia. The Spanish Renaissance architectural plateresque design is evident while the Moorish windows offer an elegance that is truly worthy of photographing.

Below, a local Morelia artisan tends to the intricate design and details of embroidery work outside the museum. Handed down from generation to generation, it is often difficult to trace how far back the craftsmanship have traveled through the ages. One thing is known, however, the pride in their skills and workmanship is brilliantly apparent in the crafts sold in Morelia.

Local Morelia artisan (photo by Phillip Bouchard courtesy of Flickr)

Are Chapulines the New Potato Chip?

nelsonmelle — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:10:31 +0000

Chapulines as a topping (photo by Cesar Rincon courtesy of Flickr)

The popularity of Mexican cuisine has found its way onto the tables of homes across the world. Tacos, enchiladas and chips with salsa are just a few favorites. How do you think your family would feel about seasoned insects?

Visit cities like Oaxaca or Puebla and the local marketeers are sure to offer a culinary delight that has been enjoyed in the region for over 3,000 years. Chapulines, which are cooked and seasoned grasshoppers, are quickly becoming a popular favorite of tourists.

Chapulines in the marketplace(photo by Matt Murf courtesy of Flickr)

These crispy delights can be eaten as a snack, much like nuts, sunflower seeds or popcorn. Vendors often sell small bags of Chapulines so shoppers can eat while perusing the marketplace. There can be various flavors for Chapulines, but the most common is flavored with lime. Chili-flavored Chapulines are popular, but some locals believe the chili is usually used to cover the taste of stale grasshoppers. Still, many adore the hotter variety.

Chapulines sold in Cholula(photo by Andresmh courtesy of Flickr)

Visit Oaxaca, and the popular tlayudas are enjoyed with Chapulines as the meat. Tlayudas are a crunchy taco that usually has a smear of refried beans and pork lard and a topping of meat and lettuce or cabbage. Oaxacan cheese, of course, is also added. Chapulines and guacamole are also a marriage made in Mexican heaven and the two create a delightful treat as the topping for a tlayuda.

Tlayudas with chapulines (photo by erlin1 courtesy of Flickr)

Chapulines can be a delightful snack while enjoying the Mexican marketplace or a divine dinner topping for a delicious tlayuda. Although bizarre to some, the chapuline quickly becomes a favorite of tourist because of the crispy and flavorful characteristics similar to potato chips or fried soybeans.

The bizarre becomes standard fair once you give into this intriguing delicacy. With popular shows highlighting chapulines, maybe it stands a chance to become the next snack food favorite.

BUYING HAND MADE GUITARS AT PARACHO, MICHOACAN

kiwy49 — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 23:52:25 +0000

Situated in the mountains of western Mexico, at 7300 feet above sea level, this small town is world famous as the source of guitars and all kinds of wooden handicrafts. Paracho is located 141 km (87 miles) west of Morelia city, south of Zamora and not far from Mt. Paricutin, in the state of Michoacan.

In this town about 60 percent of the jobs are related to the production of acoustic instruments. This includes wood sales, paints, and mechanical parts. There are factories that mass produce instruments but these are referred to as “comun” or common. Only a few of the craftsmen produce “fina” or fine instruments. The best work is done totally by hand. A fancy custom bridge may take 20 hours to craft to perfection. Custom in flayed names or designs in antique, ivory, or shell may take even more time.

The “centro para la investigacion y desarrollo de la guitarra” (center for the investigation and development of the guitar) is located here in Paracho, and every August the National Guitar fair takes place here in the town. Awards are given to the craftsmen of the finest musical instruments. Awards are also given to concert guitarists and students learning to play. The judges are usually craftsmen themselves. They closely inspect craftsmanship, detail, and tone quality. So if you are a lover of music or you like to play the guitar as I do, you should come to Paracho.

As you enter the town, guitar shops of all caliber line the streets. Mexican guitars in a tremendous range of prices and quality are available. Prices range from about $100 to $3000 USD.

Casa En El Campo Hotel and Spa

Kori Ellis — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 07:21:16 +0000

It seems like everyone is “going green” these days. If you want to help protect the environment â€“ even when you are on a vacation â€“ consider Casa En El Campo Hotel and Spa. An environmentally friendly hotel in Mexico, Casa En El Campo Hotel and Spa makes you feel at one with nature.

Located just outide Colonial Morelia, Casa En El Campo Hotel and Spa has modern style buildings that are designed specifically to include as much of nature as possible. Whether itâ€™s solar panels or the amazing amount of plant life in the area, the environmentally friendliness of this hotel is never in doubt.

Even the spa and the restaurant are based on the “going green” concept. You can get a floral message in the spa, which is a treatment that is extremely popular in Mexico. The restaurant has a waterfall, a grove of orange trees and the food is all made with organic ingredients.

The rooms are each uniquely decorated with local art pieces. Casa En El Campo Hotel and Spa specifically used materials, art and sculptures from Mexico to help the local economy. The rooms are also packed with organic products. Specifically, Casa En El Campo Hotel and Spa has a lot of organic products made from the avocados that are grown in Mexico.

Including taxes, you should expect to pay approximately $200 per night for a master suite. For more information about Casa En El Campo Hotel and Spa and to make your reservation, you can visit their website at CasaEnElCampo.com/en/.