While you spend time revealing why so many people have fallen in love with the city center by wandering the cobblestone streets, visiting artisan’s workshops and art galleries, and dining at renowned restaurants, you will also have time to explore the surrounding countryside: archaeological sites, boutique vineyards, and Magical Villages. Exclusive experiences that will make your San Miguel Allende visit one-of-a-kind include a private, intimate cooking class; a hot air balloon ride at sunrise over the city; invitation to Casa Dragones for a private showing and sampling of their tequilas; and a by-invitation only visit to view a lost collection of Frida Kahlo. While most travelers are tucked away in boutique hotels or resorts, you will have your choice of private, luxury homes to return to for a unique glimpse of why so many foreigners have now made San Miguel Allende their permanent home.
Highlights:
- Private Villa at Rosewood: Relax in the privacy of your own two to five bedroom villa, which includes access to all the amenities of a luxury resort
- San Miguel de Allende: Discover this vibrant UNESCO World Heritage City with numerous cathedrals, shops and restaurants and get an exclusive glimpse into the art scene.
- Archaeological Sites: Visit Atotonilco which is often compared to the Sistine Chapel and the Otomí site of Cañada de La Virgen.
- Food & Wine: Travel to the countryside to visit Dos Buhos Vineyard; savor Casa Dragones Tequila during a private showing; and journey to the local market to buy ingredients for your private cooking class.
- Guanajuato: Visit another colorful UNESCO World Heritage City with winding streets and subterranean passageways.
- Dolores Hidalgo: Discover one of Mexico’s original “Magical Towns” and the birth of the Mexican Indpendence Movement.
Day 1: Arrival Day – BJX or MEX
Welcome to Mexico! At arrival, you will be privately transferred to San Miguel Allende to your deluxe, luxury villa: Rosewood Private Residences, luxury vacation villas that are both elegant as well as sumptuously comfortable. State-of-the-art kitchens, spacious living areas and interior gardens with soothing fountains make these vacation homes the perfect place to getaway from it all. Each residence also boasts a fully functional rooftop that offers magnificent views of the city and is equipped with a jacuzzi and grill. Private underground parking and elevator access in all units are also included. Rosewood Private Residences are located just two blocks from San Miguel Allende’s main square, near all of the beautiful and colorful energy this town has to offer. Your villa stay includes a private butler and private cook for breakfast and lunch.
Overnight: Rosewood Residences – Villa
Day 2: San Miguel Private City Tour with Picnic Lunch at Dos Buhos Vineyard
Today after breakfast, your personal expert guide will meet you in the hotel lobby for a walking city tour of the colorful historic center of San Miguel de Allende. You will visit the most important attractions including the famous Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel designed by the indigenous stonemason Zeferino Gutierrez from a postcard depicting a Belgian Church! You will learn how the history and lore of San Miguel are intertwined with the Independence Movement.
At noon, your guide will drive you just outside of central San Miguel de Allende for a visit to the Dos Buhos Vineyard. Upon arrival you will be received with a glass of cold sangria (or bottle of Sentia water) to begin your privately guided tour of the property, the vineyards and the winemaking facilities before enjoying a deluxe wine pairing of 5 wines. You will sample the wines with a gourmet meal that includes a cheese platter with baguettes, homemade marmalades, Quiche Lorraine, a salad, poscuitto, cold cut meats, a gourmet chocolate chip cookie and chocolates. This menu can either be packed into a picnic basket or served under our beautiful Mesquite tree on an antique picnic table with elegant table settings.
After your tour and picnic lunch at the vineyard, you will be driven back to San Miguel de Allende by your private bilingual guide, for a visit to the Botanical Gardens. This large nature reserve is home to a varied collection of cacti and other Mexican plants. Many of the plants and flowers found there are rare and endangered. You will have a chance to explore the gardens and learn more about the diverse range of flora.
Upon completion of your excursion, your guide will drop you off at your lovely hotel for the rest of the evening at leisure.
Overnight: Rosewood Residences – Villa
Day 3: Privately Guided Excursion to Cañada de La Virgen Archaeological Site and Spa Day
Today you will visit the Cañada de la Virgen Archeological Zone for exploration on this interesting site. Cañada de la Virgen was occupied by the Otomí and is the northernmost Mesoamerican site to be found and excavated in Mexico. The Otomí placed great emphasis on the solar system so all of the structures are aligned with the planets and the sun. As you continue the exploration you will learn about the archaeological insights and remaining mysteries surrounding them.
Back at your private San Miguel de Allende villa, it’s time for some relaxation. Enjoy a 50-minute Laja Spa Massage experience with signature techniques that help release accumulated stress, working the entire muscular system from head to toe, soothing the mind and spirit.
Overnight: Rosewood Residences – Villa
Day 4: Private Cooking Class at Los Pirules Rosewood Terrace
Today you will be invited to a private cooking class in the handcrafted artisanal kitchen “Los Pirules” nestled in the middle of two gardens, where you will meet the chef for a unique gastronomic journey. The interactive class will give you the opportunity to learn about Mexican food along with step by step instructions on how to prepare it. You will be learning how to make guacamole, different types of salsas, shrimp ceviche and more! You may spice your dishes with the garden of herbs placed just a few meters from the kitchen. After the work in the kitchen the experience culminates in you sitting down to eat the meal that you have created!
Overnight: Rosewood Residences – Villa
Day 5: Private Hot Air Balloon at Sunrise & Evening Private Tequila Tasting at Casa Dragones
You will be met at your hotel at 6am by your private guide and driven to your awaiting hot air balloon. From here, your experienced pilot will give you a short safety briefing before you head up into the sky. Throughout your journey over the colonial San Miguel de Allende, your private guide will accompany you and share the history of the city and of the major landmarks as you fly above them. Watch the sun rise as you will glide over the streets, the houses, the treetops and the churches, getting a unique view of the city as it starts to awaken. Don’t forget your camera for this rather unique experience. Once you return to earth, you will be driven back to San Miguel for a post-flight toast and breakfast before you return to your villa to enjoy day at leisure.
Early this evening you are invited to experience tequila tasting in Casa Dragones, home to one of the finest, premium tequila brands of Mexico. After a short 2 blocks walk (on your own) you will visit the historic 17th century Casa Dragones house to attend a private tequila presentation and degustation, discovering the unique qualities of this limited edition, hand crafted Tequila!
Overnight: Rosewood Residences – Villa
Day 6: Private Art & Artisans Studio Tour / Afternoon at Leisure
Today you will observe firsthand different artisans working on their crafts! Your choices can include the following: a visit the Institute of Culture to observe students working on their art pieces; visiting an artisan workshop to admire beautifully blown glass sculptures; meeting a local family to view their wool rugs made with a traditional process; and stopping at art galleries and the contemporary art studios at La Aurora. You may also be able to visit the Cultural Center of Arts School and the handicap artist studio of arts and crafts. Time and interest permitting, your guide may take you on a tour of murals done by locally known artists like: David Leonardo Chaves and David Sicario.
As a surprise, enjoy a by-invitation only visit to the long-lost collection of Frida Khalo’s journals and etchings. Ignacio Loyola, the owner of an art gallery, holds this treasure of un-edited work of Frida Kahlo that you will be able to see as you gather around a table for a very interesting story of why and how Frida decided to collect her sketches and safeguard them
This experience will be custom designed according to availability of the artisans and to traveler’s particular interests.
Overnight: Rosewood Residences – Villa
Day 7: Full Day Excursion to Guanajuato visiting Dolores Hidalgo en route
Today your private guide will lead you on a captivating journey through the winding streets and subterranean passageways of the UNESCO World Heritage City of Guanajuato. Visit the tree-filled plaza of Guanajuato where many locals come together to relax and talk together. You will then drive on to Dolores Hidalgo, the heartland of the Mexican Independence movement. As you explore the streets, the churches and the museums you will learn more about Mexico’s history and the important moments that lead to the country gaining independence from Spanish rule. Your day will also include a visit to the town’s vibrant market and you will explore local ceramic and tile workshops. Just before the end of your visit, you will have the chance to sample a number of exotic sorbets that are popular in the area.
Overnight: Rosewood Residences – Villa
Day 8: Departure Day
Private Transfer from San Miguel de Allende for departure flight.
