SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE

A Baroque oasis for poets and painters, dancers and musicians, the lovingly preserved San Miguel de Allende has drawn lovers of the arts to its storied streets for centuries. Stately tile-roofed haciendas and Neoclassical homes— donning the cheery colors of regional guava, melons, and mangoes—retain their original charm inside and out. Bustling cafés, boutiques, galleries, theaters, jazz clubs, restaurants, and endearing hotels fill every space with a vibrant appreciation of the arts.

Expats from the U.S. or as far as Europe mingle with locals and travelers at open-air tianguis and mercados, searching for artisan crafts and treasured street foods. Tap into your own expressive side at the Belles Artes school with an art class, or appreciate the talents of Antonio Martinez de Pocasangre at the UNESCO-listed Santuario de Atotonilco; his 30 years’ worth of murals earned the church its title of “Mexico’s Sistine Chapel”. Soak in the history of main square Jardin Allende with a concert or festival, or the natural wonders of the town’s hot springs.

Whatever speaks to your soul, the inspiration you’ll find will be as sweet as the honey cultivated from desert blooms.