Get to know your surroundings
By Jaime Fernández

Instituto Allende Tours Bernal/Querétaro Sat, Jul 4, 9am  Guanajuato  Sat, Jul 11, 9am Instituto Allende Ancha de San Antonio 20, 152-0226 US$65 per tour

Bernal/Querétaro field trip

On July 4, Instituto Allende’s weekly field trip heads to the quaint village of Bernal and then to the city of Querétaro. Bernal boasts a significant landmark with a towering monolith that looms over the village. Local weavers produce wool blankets, sweaters, wall hangings, shawls, vests, rugs and pillowcases. The town is also renowned for semiprecious stones. 

Afterwards it’s off to nearby Querétaro, with stops at the famous Aqueduct, the Cementerio de los Hombres Illustres, the Plaza de Armas and the city’s centerpiece, the Villa del Villar del Aquila Fountain. Also on the schedule are Queretaro’s popular outdoor market, a walking tour through colonial streets, a visit to the Hill of the Bells, the Benito Juárez Monument and the Chapel of Archduke Maximilian.



Guanajuato field trip 

On July 11, the Instituto Allende tour heads toward the colonial city of Guanajuato, the state capital. Guanajuato is just about an hour west of San Miguel.

Guanajuato is an astonishing eye opener. Its narrow streets wind their way between flower-bedecked plazas, and give way to unexpected balconies, bridges and red-tiled roofs that lie level with the street above. Few places appear more exotic.

Guanajuato both eludes and inspires description. Travelers are reminded of the hill towns of Italy and jewels of villages in southern Spain. The state capital boasts a peculiar combination of unrivaled Mexican and European qualities.

Guanajuato was once Mexico’s second largest city and one of the wealthiest cities in the world due to local silver mining. Opulently built structures have become left-behind art relics. It’s a somewhat flamboyant city, a maze of plazas, byways, dramatic tunnels and picturesque streets.

The city’s been deemed a World Heritage site by UNESCO. During this particular outing, special attention will be given to the preserved architecture of a colonial period in residential areas. Its underground tunnel system enables traffic to move beneath the busy city, relieving congestion. Riding beneath the busy streets makes for a unique experience. Time will be allotted for strolling and shopping in the city center.

Points of interest to be visited are the university and the stately government buildings; the Iconographic Museum of El Quixote that showcases a unique international collection of sculpture, paintings and graphics; and the home of native son and famous painter Diego Rivera that has been converted to a museum.

Bilingual guides lead all tours and offer rare insight in a secure environment. Reservations are a must. For more information, visit Ancha de San Antonio 20, or call 152-0226. Cost for each tour is US$65, which includes transportation, fees, a restaurant-served meal and snacks. A free lecture at Instituto each Wednesday at 4pm previews upcoming trips.