Visit two states in three days
By Jaime Fernandez

Instituto Allende Tours Bernal and Querétaro  Sat, Aug 22, departing at 9am US$65 Michoacán  Trip preview Wed, Aug 26, 4pm Free Sat–Sun, Aug 29–30, departing at 8am Instituto Allende, 152-0226 Ancha de San Antonio 20 US$235

Bernal and Querétaro

On August 22, Instituto Allende’s weekly field trip heads to the quaint village of Bernal and then to the city of Querétaro. Bernal’s weavers produce wool blankets, sweaters, wall hangings, shawls, vests, rugs and pillowcases. The town also is renowned for semiprecious stones and a towering boulder that looms over the village. 

In nearby Querétaro, the tour stops at the Aqueduct, the Cementerio de los Hombres Illustres, the Plaza de Armas, the Villa del Villar del Aquila Fountain, an outdoor market, the Hill of the Bells, the Benito Juárez Monument and the Chapel of Archduke Maximilian.



Michoacán overnight

Instituto Allende leads a two-day, overnight adventure to the state of Michoacán, heading to the city of Morelia via Yuriria, for a tour of the famous monastery. Morelia is Mexico’s only preserved seventeenth-century city, and the tour visits the Cathedral, the Clavijero Palace, the Government Palace and Plaza de los Maritires.

The quaint lakeside town of Pátzcuaro boasts postcard-like views and is the location of the hotel used by Instituto guests. This is a memorable trip into one of Mexico’s most fascinating and colorful regions.

Michoacán is famed for handicrafts, copper products, woodcarvings, ceramics, weaving, embroidery and furniture. Its artisans create the country’s best guitars and violins. This field trip affords time to browse some of Mexico’s finest markets in three different towns.

A guided tour of the State Museum of Handicrafts sets a standard for perhaps later shopping with superb antique lacquer-ware, the best examples of Tarascan pottery and lovely needlework. On Sunday, it’s off to the archeological zone high on a bluff above Tzintzuntzan, the one-time pre-Hispanic capital of the Tarascan Empire. 

Bilingual guides lead the all-inclusive Instituto Allende tours. Reservations are a must and fees must be paid in advance. For more information, visit Ancha de San Antonio 20, or call 152-0226.

A free lecture at Instituto each Wednesday at 4pm previews upcoming trips.