Casa Tenerias (4 bedrooms for up to 8 people; in Centro; pool)

Regularly $7500 USD/month, now from May to Sept 14, 2012, only $3150 USD/month for rentals with a one-month minimum

http://www.san-miguel-house-rentals.com/Search/profile.php?ID=132

Casa del Quijote (4 bedrooms for up to 8 people; in quiet Ojo de Agua residential neighborhood)

Regularly $2625 USD/week and $6300 USD/month, now up to Sept 14, 2012:  $2000 USD/week and $5000 USD/month

http://www.san-miguel-house-rentals.com/Search/profile.php?ID=52

Casa de las Estrellas (3 bedrooms for up to 8 people, in northeastern Centro near the Mercado)

Regularly $1300 USD/week and $3200 USD/month, now up to Sept 14, 2012:  $1000 USD/week and $2500 USD/month

http://www.san-miguel-house-rentals.com/Search/profile.php?ID=26

Casa Buena Racha (2 bedrooms for up to 4 people, in Col. 5 de Mayo, 20 min by foot south of Jardin)

Regularly $1075 USD/week and $2310 USD/month, now up to Sept 14, 2012:  $875 USD/week and $1850 USD/month

http://www.san-miguel-house-rentals.com/Search/profile.php?ID=79

Casa Chupa Rosa (7 bedrooms for up to 14 people, historic house in Centro, large outdoor Jacuzzi, separate cook)

Regularly $6250 USD/week and $20,500 USD/month, now up to Sept 14, 2012:  $5000 USD/week and $16,000 USD/month

http://www.san-miguel-house-rentals.com/Search/profile.php?ID=72

Villa El Cerrito (4 bedrooms in main house and 3 bedrooms in casitas on the property for up to 14 people, pool, incredible gardens, separate cook)

Pricing varies depending on number of bedrooms used and number of guests, but now up to Sept 14, 2012:  20% discount off listed prices

http://www.san-miguel-house-rentals.com/Search/profile.php?ID=30

Casa Iris (2 bedrooms for up to 4 people, at edge of Centro in between Jardin and Instituto Allende)

Regularly $1020 USD/week and $2350 USD/month, now up to Sept 14, 2012:  $900 USD/week and $2350 USD/month

http://www.san-miguel-house-rentals.com/Search/profile.php?ID=80

Casa Carlitos (2 bedrooms for up to 4 people, on Calle Sollano in heart of Centro

Regularly $1130 USD/week and $2940 USD/month, now up to Sept 14, 2012:  $900 USD/week and $2350 USD/month

http://www.san-miguel-house-rentals.com/Search/profile.php?ID=100

Casa Abeja (2 bedrooms for up to 4 people, in quiet Ojo de Agua just 15 min by foot south of the Jardin)

Regularly $1130 USD/week and $2500 USD/month, now up to Sept 14, 2012:  $900 USD/week and $2000 USD/month

http://www.san-miguel-house-rentals.com/Search/profile.php?ID=27

Sunday, March 25, 2012:  Holy Week (Semana Santa) festivities begin in San Miguel with one of the most traditional religious processions in town, the arrival of Nuestro Senor de la Columna, borne on foot overnight from the Shrine of Atotonilco (15 miles north of San Miguel) to a temporary place of honor in the San Juan de Dios church.  This year, early on the morning of Sunday, March 25, hundreds of believers will await the procession as it wends it way down Avenida Independencia and into town, heralded by rockets and fireworks, along streets bedecked with purple and white decorations and “carpets” of fragrant flowers.

Friday, March 30, 2012: Residents of selected homes erect altars strewn with fragrant herbs and flowers, and decorations adorn the ancient fountains in town.  This marks Viernes de Dolores, Friday of Our Lady of Sorrows.  Neighbors offer visitors to the altars refreshments of cool fruit drinks and ice cream, representing the Virgin’s tears of sorrow.

Sunday, April 1, 2012: Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos) marks the first day of Holy Week in remembrance of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem.  Local vendors sell woven palm fronds outside most San Miguel churches.  Two processions will occur, the first at the chapel of El Calvario at the top of Calle San Francisco, in the early morning, led by a man on a donkey and trailed by 12 disciples en route to the San Francisco church.  The second takes place at the Parroquia, when an 18th-century image of Christ riding a donkey is carried from the church around 11 am to Parque Juarez and then returning down Calle Sollano to the Jardin.

Thursday, April 5, 2012: Jueves Santo (Holy or Mandy Thursday).  Most of the church altars are specially decorated to represent the Last Supper, the Washing of the Feet of the 12 Disciples and the Arrest of Jesus.  The faithful try to visit all seven of Las Siete Casas comprising the town’s main churches.  La Santa Casa de Loreto (inside El Oratorio de San Felipe Neri church) opens to the public once a year on this occasion.

Friday, April 6, 2012: The most solemn day in San Miguel, as church bells are silent and mournful processions wind through town for Viernes Santo (Good Friday).  Around noon, a court is convened in front of La Iglesia de San Rafael (next to La Parroquia), where  a re-enactment is held of Jesus being tried and consigned to his fate.  The following procession leads to each of the stations of the cross (marked by plaques throughout the Centro), before ending at the Capilla del Calvario.  Around 5 pm, a procession of Holy Burial leaves from the Oratorio de San Felipe Neri, paced by drum beat and frequently halting for prayer.  Shortly after dusk the pageant files up Calle Mesones, its entire length illuminated by the soft glow of candles.

Saturday, April 7, 2012: Sabado de Gloria (Holy Saturday) remains quiet until the early evening, when the candlelight procession of La Virgen de la Soledad leaves El Oratorio de San Felipe Neri, borne by a file of women veiled and dressed in black.  They circle the Plaza Civica and return to the Oratorio.

Sunday, April 8, 2012: Domingo de Pascua (Easter Sunday) is a day of masses, glorifying the Resurrection.  In the morning, the 6-foot-tall papier mache figures of Judas and other figures (often of current politicians!) are strung up between the Jardin and the old Presidencia.  The effigies hang there all morning until noon, when rockets are lit and each figure is blown up, much to the delight of the crowds.

Antigua Villa Santa Monica: Breakfast buffet starting at 9 am, including customized quesadillas off the grill.  Address: Fray Jose Guadalupe Mojica #22 (southern edge of Parque Juarez).  Tel:  152-0451

Dos Casas Boutique Hotel: 10 am – 1 pm.  250 pesos with a choice of entrees.  Address:  Calle Quebrada #101.  Tel:  154-4073

Rosewood San Miguel Hotel/1826 Restaurant: Mexican-style Breakfast from 10 am – 1 pm for 249 pesos (adults) and 93 pesos (kids).  Formal Sunday Brunch with extensive buffet items from 10:30 am – 3 pm for 380 pesos (adults) and 180 pesos (kids).  Address:  Calle Nemesio Diez (aka Calle Nueva) #11.  Tel: 152-9700

Casa de Sierra Nevada en el Parque: Sunday Brunch from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm, 300 pesos.  Address:  Santa Elena #2 (at Recreo).  Tel: 152-7040

Bistro en Los Senderos: Sunday Brunch from 11 am – 4 pm. Lovely country setting with green vistas over the restaurant’s organic garden.  Address:  Avenida Central #101 ( need to take a taxi or drive, as this is off the Libramiento, not within walking distance of Centro) .  Menu with variety of choices/prices.  Tel:  155-9595

La Puertacita Boutique Hotel: Sunday Brunch from 1:30 – 4 pm up the hill in Atascadero neighborhood.  International Buffet & Grill with live music for 195 pesos.  Call for free transportation from/to town. Address:  Santo Domingo #75.  Tel: 152-5011

Patsy’s Place: First and Third Sundays (but call to confirm; Tel:  185-2151) from 2 -4 pm.  Very special buffet spread at Patsy’s lovely rancho in the countryside 20 min north of town near Atotonilco.

The festival started in the city of Guanajuato more than 50 years ago. Since then it has grown to be one of the largest cultural events in Latin America, and many of the concerts and exhibitions now take place in San Miguel de Allende. This year, nine of the featured international events from the Guanajuato festival also will be performing here during the three-week period.

Some of the “must see” performances this year include:

GravityWorks: Friday, October 14, 2011, at the Jardín Principal. This local circus troupe will be performing spectacular aerial acrobatics and dance.

“Robinson at Rosewood: Jazz Two Ways”: Wednesday, October 19, 2011, at the Rosewood Hotel.  An exciting evening of Latin Jazz and Funk with two great new bands led by Doug Robinson.

The Oslo Camerata: Sunday, October 16, 2011, at the Teatro del Obraje. This Norwegian group will perform music by Karl Philipp Emmanuel Bach (Johann Sebastian’s son) and Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg.

El Quinteto Real: Saturday, October 22, 2011,at the Angela Peralta Theater.  El Quinteto Real, from Argentina, will play a tribute to tango and milonga.

La Grande Chapelle: Friday, October 28, 2011, inside the Parroquia church. This group from Spain will offer a vocal and instrumental concert of traditional Spanish music.

Forbidden City Chamber Orchestra: Saturday, October 29, 2011, at Angela Peralta Theater.  Contemporary music played with traditional Chinese instruments will be performed for the audience’s delight.

And many more…

For schedule and ticket information, check out this website: www.cervantinosanmiguelallende.com

# # #

1) Climb up the ancient pyramid at the newly opened  Cañada de la Virgen archeological site.

While you can cab to this fascinating pre-Hispanic pyramid about 30 min southwest of town to explore on your own for less cost, the absolutely best way to visit the site is to join a guided tour with archeologist Albert Coffee.  Albert’s tour, lasting about 4 hours including transportation to/from the site, costs $40 USD per person.  Now a San Miguel resident, Albert was the only U.S. archeologist who was invited to participate in the official government excavation and restoration of the pyramid, and he offers an entertaining and insightful treasure trove of historical/geographical/anthropological facts about the ruin.  You can contact Albert directly to ask about tour times.  His local phone in San Miguel is:  415-102-5583.  You also can send him an e-mail at: acoffee@live.com.mx.   NOTE:  To preserve the natural landscape, cars are not allowed near the archeological zone.  Visitors must hike about 3 km up a gradual slope to reach the pyramid, so this tour is for able walkers wearing comfortable shoes!  Be sure to bring a hat and some water, too.

2) Shop for local organic produce at the Saturday organic farmer’s market.

Since the spring of 2011, local farmers have displayed their organic lettuces, tomatoes, squash and herbs in booths set up in the southwest corner of the Rosewood/Artesana complex during a Saturday morning outdoor market.  A couple of booths also sell artisanal cheeses and wild honey.  In addition, you can sample freshly made gorditas and other Mexican snacks served at simple food stalls.  It’s good to show up early, around 9:30 am, for the best selection.  Enter the Rosewood/Artesana property from Ancha de San Antonio, near the intersection with Codo.

3) Take in the incredible city view from the rooftop Luna Bar at the Rosewood Hotel.

No doubt about it, the expansive panorama from the Luna Bar is now the best view in town.  The town appears to embrace you from this vantage point, which also is our top choice for your sunset cocktail hour.  From the hotel’s main entrance on Calle Nemesio Diaz (formerly also known as Calle Nueva and Paseo del Parque), take the elevator to the roof terrace on the third floor.  Drinks and tasty tapas are understandably pricey in this elegant locale, which opened to the public in February 2011.

4) Visit the “Museo la Esquina”, San Miguel’s unique Mexican toy museum.

This fanciful collection of Mexican folkart and toys represents the personal private collection of Angelica Tijerina, gathered over the past 30 years from her travels throughout Mexico.  Housed in a renovated old “casona” at the corner of Nunez and San Francisco, the toy museum is open Wed – Sat from 10 am to 6 pm and on Sun from 10 am to 3 pm.  General admission is 30 pesos.  You also can check out the museum’s website at: http://www.museolaesquina.org.mx/

5) Sample fresh artisanal local breads at the gourmet bakeries in town.

Call it part of the Mexican slow-food movement or a new appreciation for fine baking, but there seems to be a bevy of new bakers in San Miguel.  While the best place for pastries is still Chef Paco Cardenas’ Petit-Four bakery on Mesones, you’ll find crusty sourdough and multi-grain loaves, plus some sweet breakfast breads, fresh out of the oven at these other shops:

-Maple, located on Ancha de San Antonio across from the Telmex office;

-La Mesa Grande, located at the corner of Zacateros and Pila Seca; and

-Cumpanio, next door to the restaurant of the same name on Correo at Recreo.

You also can buy fine local breads at San Miguel’s favorite delis, including Queso de Luna, La Cava, Via Organica and Bové.

#   #   #

http://www.vogue.com/vogue-daily/article/destination-of-the-month-san-miguel-de-allende/

-    Casa Allende, Calle San Francisco #25;  Tel:  152-1860

Celebrity chef Eduardo Osuna (who formerly worked at some of the best restaurants in Mexico City) has opened his fine, contemporary Mexican “alta cocina” restaurant to rave reviews.  Appetizers are especially tasty:  duck carnitas tacos, gorditas stuffed with fresh crabmeat and smoked marlin carpacchio.  Some main dishes include a thick ahi tuna steak sauteed in a tequila cream sauce, mahi mahi steamed with vegetables and herbs in a parchment package, and poblano chiles filled with marinated squid and octopus.  All served in three intimate dining rooms, or sit at the grand old bar.  Website:  http://www.casaallende.com.mx/

-   Cumpanio, Calle Correo #29;  Tel:  152-2327

This chic new dining room cum bakery to the side (hence the name) is run by the same chef who excels at the Dos Casas B&B restaurant.  Eclectic selection of salads, fish dishes and meats, all accompanied by the wonderful bakery breads.  Website features both bakery and restaurant photos at:  http://cumpanio.com/

-     Cafe Firenze, Salida a Celaya #3 (opposite the Longhorn);  Tel:  121-0763

Charming, casual Italian fare dished up in the streetside dining patio or upstairs in the breezy dining room with open arched windows.  Friendly talented chef/owners are Antonio and Gerardo.  Order the melt-in-your-mouth braised ribs or delicate homemade raviolis.  No wine list, but OK to bring your own (but be discreet about it – in a bag).  Open 12 pm to 4 pm for lunch/comida and from 5:30 – 9:30 pm for dinner.  Closed Mondays.

-    Hotel Matilda Restaurant, Calle Aldama #53 (former site of the venerable, now gone Villa Jacaranda Hotel);  Tel: 152 1015

Very chic, contemporary boutique hotel features a fine dining establishment.  Menu items include:  foie gras three ways; smoked duck breast, red mole rack of lamb, truffled asparagus; daily steak selections, plus a separate bar snack menu with custom pizzas and salads.  You can check menu specifics at:  http://www.hotelmatilda.com/enter.html.  Special events are the Sunday brunch and Thursday ladies night. Popular with the weekend Mexico City crowd.

-    Café Rama (newly expanded and reopening in June 2011), Calle Nemesio Diez #7 (street also is known as Calle Nueva or Paseo del Parque!), Tel: 154-9655

Gourmet café fare…but the real treat is Chef Jason’s special Friday night dinners, by reservation only, with a prix fixe of 400 pesos and a set tasting menu that changes each week, depending on what’s fresh and in season.  One recent menu:  oysters with truffle emulsion; an apple and mushroom salad; tilapia on spinach; pork with an amazing sauce; and your choice of chocolate crepes or a stunning carrot ginger cake.  Another Friday night menu:  Thai-style tuna carpacchio; prawns with fresh green curry and pineapple/coconut fried rice; rare beef salad with chayote/ginger/garlic; hot and sour seafood soup; dessert choice of warm coconut pudding with frozen lime parfait or chili-infused chocolate tarte.  Regular café hours (with a la carte menu) from 8am to 6 pm on Tues – Sat. Friday night dinners begin at 8 pm.  You can check out the changing menus online at:  http://www.cafe-rama.com/

-   1826 Restaurant at the Rosewood San Miguel Hotel, Calle Nemesio Diez #11;  Tel:  152-9700      

Open from 12 noon daily and into the evenings, the main dining room of the new Rosewood San Miguel features a Wednesday “enchilada night,” a Thursday “BBQ night”, plus tequila tastings on Fridays, as well as a Sunday brunch.  You also should visit the rooftop Luna Tapas Bar, open daily from 4 pm, with hands-down the best view of the San Miguel panorama, especially at sunset. It’s also possible to arrange for a private dinner in the wine cellar with a menu of your choosing – perfect for celebrating a special event.  Check out the Rosewood dining website at: http://www.rosewoodsanmiguel.com/en/dining.cfm

-    Mio Frio, Calle Mesones #66 (at the corner with Calle Hidalgo); Tel: 153 8639

Great new fat-free frozen yogurt shop, run by the same talented folks who own/operate the OKO Noodle Bar.  Located in Centro, so good for picking up a frozen treat to go as you walk around town.  Lots of flavors, plus a full array of toppings.

 -     Burrimania, Ancha de San Antonio # 2-A;  Tel: 154-4141

Casual burrito and taco place, with fresh, local organic ingredients “California-style”.  Great prices:  35 pesos for a regular burrito (variety of fillings, but love the pulled chicken); 45 pesos for a burrote (big size!);  40 pesos for a naked burrote (without tortilla);  35 pesos for an order of tacos – crunchy or soft; 45 pesos for side salads (rajas with chicken, nopales, jicama).  Newly-wed owners Roberto and Antonieta dish up their large plates Monday through Saturday from noon to 8 pm during May and June 2011.  After July 1st, they will be open on Sundays as well with expanded hours from 11 am to 11 pm.  Delivery possible to houses located within Centro, Guadiana, La Aldea and the first few blocks of San Antonio across from the Instituto.

This year, the countdown to Semana Santa (Holy Week) begins two weeks in advance of Easter Sunday.  A schedule of the festivities is below:

Sunday, April 10, Procession of Our Lord of the Column, 6:30am:  The festivities will begin with the extraordinary procession of the miraculous image of Our Lord of the Column (Señor de la Columna), who is transported by pilgrims on foot walking overnight from the sanctuary in Atotonilco (about 12 miles north of the city) into San Miguel to an honored resting spot in the church of San Juan de Dios, where it remains throughout the Easter season.  Locals and tourists alike start gathering shortly after dawn along Calle Independencia and San Antonio Abad, the last stretch of the procession, to see the flower carpets and witness the devout procession as it nears the church of San Juan de Dios in the western part of Centro.

Friday, April 15, Our Lady of Sorrows, 7pm:  On this day San Miguel is adorned with purple, white and green to celebrate the day of Our Lady of Sorrows. Although these celebrations are not well known in all parts of the country, in Guanajuato the day is celebrated every year with great fervor. In homes, businesses and public spaces, decorated altars are on display late into the night, and their creators offer visitors cool fruit drinks and ice cream, representing the tears of Mary.  Throughout San Miguel, the old fountains are also decorated, and residents walk from fountain to fountain, admiring the altars en route.

Sunday, April 17, Palm Sunday, 11am:  The first day of Holy Week is known as Palm Sunday. In San Miguel, the celebration includes two processions representing Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, where He was received by onlookers waving palm fronds. The first procession begins at the chapel of El Calvario, located at the top of Calle San Francisco, from which a man portraying Christ rides a donkey at the head of the procession, followed by the 12 apostles. The procession ends at the church of San Francisco. The second procession leaves the Parroquia around 11am and circles the Jardin.

Wednesday, April 20, Holy Wednesday, 5pm:  A major celebration is the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross), which begins at the Oratorio church at 5pm and represents the 14 stations of Christ’s path to martyrdom, carrying the cross. The procession uses the 14 stations marked with a stone cross at certain walls of the main streets of downtown, starting at the Iglesia de la Santa Escuela and ending at the Capilla del Calvario.

Friday, April 22, Good Friday, 11am & 5pm:  Friday is the climax of the religious celebrations with two processions, the Sacred Encounter (Santo Encuentro), representing the meeting of Jesus with his mother on his way to Calvary leaving the Parroquia at 11am, and the Holy Burial, the longest and more solemn procession departing from the Oratorio church at 5pm with about 2,000 sanmiguelense dressed as uniformed Roman soldiers, angels, pallbearers and mourners to accompany statues of archangels, an 18th century life-size figure of the Virgin of Solitude, and a statue of the body of Jesus.

The Shrine of Atotonilco, now a UNESCO World Heritage site and religiously linked to San Miguel, has its own representation of the Via Crucis. It begins on Holy Thursday at 8pm with a restaging of the Last Supper and the arrest of Jesus at Gethsemane . At noon on Good Friday, it continues with the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate on the shrine’s esplanade. The barefoot Christ, wearing a crown of thorns, is flogged relentlessly on the back as he carries the cross to the place of crucifixion, near the entrance to the town. The procession lasts about one hour, culminating in Christ’s being tied to the cross in a simulated crucifixion.

A similar Via Crucis takes place in the working-class colonia of San Luis Rey just north of San Miguel, which begins on Thursday at 7pm with the ceremony in which Jesus washes his disciples’ feet . It continues Friday morning at 9am with the trial before Pontius Pilate. The Via Crucis with Jesus carrying the 65-kilogram wooden cross takes place over cobblestone streets for two kilometers to the place of crucifixion in the nearby colonia of Montes de Loreto.

Sunday, April 24, Destruction of Judases, noon:  Celebrations for Semana Santa end with the traditional destruction and blowing up of the papiêr-maché Judases at the Plaza Principal on the street between the Jardín and the former Presidencia building.

http://thecatalist.org/2010/08/violent-deaths-in-mexico-everything-is-not-as-it-seems/