Mexico News
New and updated hotels in San Miguel de Allende
The sounds of construction are part of the daily soundtrack as you walk the narrow streets. San Miguel is growing, and there’s no stopping it now.
Dream Hotel Group will launch its five-star Chatwal San Miguel de Allende this year. It will be located at The Vines in San Miguel de Allende and will have 44 freestanding villas and 125 branded residences, all on a cliff overlooking the iconic steeples and boldly hued buildings of the city below.
Hyatt is hard at work building a new hotel in the city as well. Still to be named, the hotel will be located across the street from the Rosewood and will have a total of 44 rooms. It will be part of the brand’s Unbound Collection.
Hilton, in addition, will open the Homewood Suites by Hilton San Miguel de Allende with 94 rooms and the Hampton Inn by Hilton San Miguel de Allende with 120 rooms. Both will open this year.
One of the beloved boutique hotels in the city center is the Casa 1810, a lovely hotel with a bold art-forward design and a rooftop restaurant that offers 360-degree views of the city. The hotel is readying to open a second property, just off of Parque Juarez.
The new hotel will have 19 rooms and a restaurant for 150 guests. It will be called Casa 1810 Parque, while the existing hotel will be renamed as Casa 1810 Centro. The new hotel is scheduled for a September opening.
Eco-resort opening on Quintana Roo’s Lake Bacalar
Set to open at the end of July, Habitas Bacalar will open on the banks of Mexico’s Laguna de Bacalar, a massive freshwater lake south of Tulum.
Habitas Bacalar will be an eco-sustainable resort with 35 cabanas, all facing the lagoon. A restaurant will feature an open-air kitchen, and there will be a spa, wellness area, and public spaces designed to bring guests together.
Activities will include floating meditations, temazcal (sweat lodge) ceremonies, water therapy, and more.
Cruise News
Viking restarts Europe river cruising
Viking restarted its European river cruises on July 22 with select sailings in Portugal, France, and along the Rhine. Viking announced the restart just hours after the European Union voted to reopen its borders to vaccinated travelers.
The sailings, part of the company’s Welcome Back collection, will be open to vaccinated guests only.
The July itineraries are among its most popular. They include its eight-day “Rhine Getaway” from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland, and the 10-day “Portugal’s River of Gold” from Lisbon to Porto. In France, it will operate the eight-day “Paris & the Heart of Normandy”; the eight-day “Lyon & Provence” cruise from Avignon to Lyon; and “France’s Finest,” a 15-day journey that combines the northern and southern France itineraries.
Deal of the Week
Maya traditions in Chiapas
Step off the beaten track to explore Tzotzil and Tzeltal Maya villages, where colorful huipils are woven on backstrap looms and women shape graceful pottery by hand.
Travel back in time, roaming the stone plazas and carved temples of ancient Mayan sites, including a private after-hours visit to UNESCO-listed Palenque.
This trip uncovers the most unique and noteworthy experiences in Chiapas and pairs them with acclaimed travel writer Don George as your charismatic leader and a Chiapan as your expert guide.
9 days | 12 guests
November 29-December 7, 2021
January 24-February 1,2022
November 28-December 6, 2022
Optional post-trip extension in Mexico City
Comprehensive look at the state of Chiapas and its indigenous people
- Tzotzil and Tzeltal Maya villages, meeting weavers, and ceramicists
- Private after-hours tour of UNESCO-listed Palenque, plus Yaxchilán and Bonampak
- Lacandón people with a ritual performed by their only living shaman
- History and politics through colonial San Cristóbal de las Casas
- Expertly led by charismatic award-winning travel writer Don George
- Optional post-trip extension to explore the flavors and history of Mexico City
Chiapas has much to lure the adventuresome traveler, including the remote Mayan sites of Yaxchilán and Bonampak, both nestled into the Lacandón jungle, and Palenque, tucked at the foot of Sierra Madre del Sur. However, the key to unlocking the true Chiapas experience may be the indigenous people who have been steadfast in protecting their long-standing traditions and cultural identity over the centuries.
Their stories are revealed through village visits and meetings with artisans. Travel through time, exploring the colonial period through architecture and pre-Hispanic civilizations through archaeological ruins. All along the way indulge in delicious local cuisine traveling with a seasoned guide, born and raised in Chiapas, and award-winning travel writer, Don George.
Pricing
Group Trip: From US$7,650 per person
Optional Mexico City Extension (4 days): From US$3,325 per person
Based on double occupancy
Custom Trip: Please call for individually tailored recommendations and pricing
Inclusions
- Expertise of GeoEx’s travel specialists
- Services of GeoEx’s in-house air reservations team
- All accommodations
- All ground transportation and airport transfers
- Sightseeing, events, visits, and entrance fees
- Most meals
- Bottled or filtered water at included meals and while sightseeing
- Services of local guides, drivers, and other staff
- All gratuities
- Emergency evacuation services and secondary medical expense insurance
Judy Newell, an international travel consultant for 50 years, heads Perfect Journeys, and specializes in unique travel experiences to destinations around the world. She custom designs journeys that are tailored to suit client’s interests, physical abilities, and budget. Please contact Judy for further information on Travel News topics and around-the-world travel. Cell phone 415 111 8765, Vonage 949 300 3682; email judynewell@perfectjourneys.net.
Sources: Travel Weekly, Habitas Bacalar, Viking River Cruises, Geographic Expeditions