Our Day by Day Itinerary
DAY 1: FRIDAY, NOV. 4th; ARRIVE IN SAN MIGUEL * DINNER AT LA PARADA
Our week-long NextTribe trip to San Miguel was like Girl Scout Camp for grown-ups, but with margaritas instead of cookies. —Ellen Williams, New York City
Depart your hometown for the flight to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Upon arrival transfers will be provided from Leon/Guanajuato Airport (BJX) or Querétaro (QRO) airport to San Miguel. You’ll check into the charming Casa Calderoni in the historic center of San Miguel, just three blocks from the main square. Address: Callejon Pueblito 4-A, Centro. Spend the afternoon acclimating or stepping out for a quick bite to eat. There’s a terrific coffee shop just across the street. This evening we’ll get to know one another over dinner at local favorite, La Parada.
(Included: D)
DAY 2: SATURDAY, NOV. 5TH WALKING TOUR AND LUNCH * SHOPPING
After breakfast at the inn, included daily, you’ll meet your private guide in the main square (jardin) to enjoy an informative, two-hour tour of the historic center. Your guide, one of the town’s most noted historians and best-loved guides, grew up in San Miguel in a large family. She will give you a great insider’s view of a very different life in colonial Mexico just two decades ago.
Afterwards we’ll have lunch together at the lovely rooftop restaurant La Posadita. This local favorite has 180-degree views including the stone facade of the iconic Parroquoia church across the street. It also boasts one of the best margaritas in town so relax with some fresh guacamole and a drink while you soak in the views.
After lunch, Jeannie Ralston, Next Tribe co-founder and editor, will take you on a shopping tour of the town. Jeannie lived in San Miguel for four years and has written about the town for many publications, including the New York Times. She’ll take you to her favorite stores and to the Mercado de Artesanias, a collection of stands displaying tin mirrors, hand-woven shawls, embroidered linens, hand-painted pottery and the latest folk-art trends. The market continues outside to tiny shops showcasing their wares by the front door. Look for the shop with oilcloth bags as you exit the market at Calle Loreto―inside you’ll find placemats, cosmetic cases, and other clever items made from colorful Mexican oilcloth.
Dinner on your own but we will make reservations for the group.
(Included: B, L)
DAY 3: SUNDAY, NOV. 6TH; LA GRUTA HOT SPRINGS AND ATOTONILCO * BUILDING OUR ALTAR IN THE HOTEL AND TALKING ABOUT OUR LOVED ONES WHO HAVE PASSED.
At 10 a.m. you will be picked up at your hotel and we’ll visit the nearby town of Atontonilco. Baroque Mexican churches are not unusual, but the 250- year-old Santuario de Atotonilco is over-the-top ornate, a dizzying visual cacophony. Nearly every inch of wall and ceiling space is filled with detailed Biblical scenes and passages, which is why the church is known as Mexico’s Sistine Chapel and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. The sanctuary is also a pilgrimage site for penitents, who self-flagellate to atone for sins. Note the rope flails sold by vendors outside the church.
I didn’t know anyone else going on this trip, but I quickly made new friends and learned some things about myself. It was a great adventure. —Beth Woods, Austin, TX
After the church, you’ll be taken to one of the fabulous hot springs that surrounds San Miguel. La Gruta is the most famous of all the resorts and offers green leafy grounds and several pools. Swim through a man-made tunnel into a large domed room. At intervals through out the day, hot water straight from the ground pours into the room. The highlight is getting to stand under the powerful stream. It’s heavenly. Eat lunch at La Gruta (and book a massage if you’d like).
When we return, we will create an altar in the hotel lobby, and everyone is invited to put mementos and photos of lost loved ones on the altar. We will gather before dinner so that everyone who wants to can talk about the loved ones they’ve placed on the altar. A beautiful and cathartic experience. We’ll provide the wine and snacks.
Dinner on your own, but we will make reservations for the group.
(Included: B, wine and cocktails)
DAY 4: MONDAY, NOV. 7TH; VISIT TO CHARCO INGENIO BOTANICAL GARDENS * LUNCH AT A FAVORITE RESTAURANT* DRINKS AT LOCAL ARTIST’S HOME
You’ll be picked up after breakfast by your driver and taken to the botanical gardens at the top of town. Here you’ll enjoy a guided tour and lecture by one of the garden volunteers. Located in the heart of the central highlands of Mexico, at the highest point of San Miguel de Allende, El Charco del Ingenio Botanical Garden includes over 170 acres of nature preserve and indigenous plants. An extraordinary natural monument, its name comes from a legendary spring-fed pool nestled in an impressive canyon spotted by historic vestiges. An old reservoir extends on wetlands frequented by birds and surrounded by vast slopes of native scrubland. This is the scene of the Botanical Garden, devoted to the preservation of this area and its biodiversity, as well as a remarkable botanical collection of cacti and other succulent Mexican plants. After the approximately two-hour walking tour we’ll be dropped off at the main square for lunch at El Pegaso, a local’s favorite.
At 6:30, we will arrive at the home of a local artist. We’ll have wine and snacks at her home. Then, we’ll head to the rooftop restaurant Quince for dinner. Dinner on your own.
(Included: B, L, cocktails)
DAY 5: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH; FREE DAY FOR EXPLORING OR FINISHING YOUR SHOPPING * FAREWELL DINNER AT THE RESTAURANT.
Last year, our guests asked for a free day to visit other sites and shops we hadn’t had time for on our schedule. You could also book a massage at a spa close to the hotel.
Dinner tonight is The Restaurant, the most elegant dining venue in town. Its outdoor courtyard is stunning with a rose-filled fountain, handcrafted chandeliers, and often, live music.
(B, Dinner)
Last year, our guests asked for a free day to visit other sites and shops we hadn’t had time for on our schedule. You could also book a massage at a spa close to the hotel.
Dinner tonight is The Restaurant, the most elegant dining venue in town. Its outdoor courtyard is stunning with a rose-filled fountain, handcrafted chandeliers, and often, live music. (B, Dinner)
DAY 6: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH; DEPART SAN MIGUEL
After breakfast we will return you to the airport for your homeward flights. Return transfers to León and Querétaro Airports are provided.
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WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Accommodation for 6 nights at Casa Calderoni
Daily breakfast * Welcome cocktails and dinner on arrival day * Two-hour guided walking tour of historic center * Shopping tour * Lunch at La Posadita * Cocktail reception at private home * Lunch at El Pegaso * Lunch at La Gruta* Drinks at rooftop bar* Farewell dinner at The Restaurant * Reception at local studio or home
Entrance into the Botanical Gardens and guided 2-hour walking tour * Entrance to La Gruta Hot Springs and Atotonilco Church * Guided tour of two cemeteries * All transportation as required by the itinerary * Roundtrip transfers from León or Querétaro Airport to hotel* Detailed notes with restaurant, shopping, sightseeing instructions
PRICE
Price per person:
$1595, double occupancy
Single supplement: $500
$100 discount for NextTribe members
Join NextTribe here; choose from three different membership levels
Limited to 14 women.
Save your space with a $300 non-refundable (but transferrable) deposit.
Questions? Email us at info@NextTribe.com.
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FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS: Roundtrip airport transfers by shuttle are provided from Leon/Guanajuato (BJX) and Querétaro (QRO) Airports. There are two airports that service San Miguel: Querétaro (QRO) and León/Guanajuato (BJX). Querétaro is about one hour from town; Leon is about an hour and a half. I prefer flying into QRO as the ride to town is a bit easier—it’s more on a highway and less in the countryside. However there are generally more flights in and out of Leon. United, Delta and American Airlines service these two cities.
