Tag Archives: mexico

The Music of Oaxaca, Mexico

On Friday, the National Post published an excellent article by Karen Ashenburg about the abundance of music and dance that Oaxaca has to offer those traveling to the region (almost always for free). The article begins on a comical note as she explains that music was at the bottom of her list of reasons to travel to Oaxaca. But as anyone who has been to Oaxaca will attest, the music of the region is so beautiful, spirited, and abundant, it’s impossible to ignore it as being one of the most impressive aspects of Mexican culture.

Ashenburg’s article paints a vivid picture of the Zocalo, the city’s main square, as she describes the way the local music of Oaxaca slowly overtook her trip. From the bands in the Zocalo playing for dancing lovers, to the Mariachi groups serenading dining couples, to the pan pipers playing for anyone walking by, the wealth of music in the city (in addition to its food, its architecture, its crafts, its art, and its people) makes traveling to Oaxaca a must for anyone wanting an unforgettable cultural experience.

Michoacan Artisans at Work

Michoacan Artisans at Work

Michoacan Artisans at Work

On a recent trip to Michoacán in Mexico’s Colonial Heartland, several members of the Journey Mexico team got to watch local craftsmen at work pounding heated metal into things likes plates, bowls, platters, pots, pans, etc.

In the video below, you can see how these skilled workers operate in rhythm in order to work efficiently and safely.  Several Journey Mexico trips to Michoacán, such as our Colonial Mexico: Exploring the Heartland trip, take travelers to see craftsmen of all sorts at work.

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Mexico to Start Focusing on Cultural Tourism

We are always happy to see more articles, like Laura Del Rosso’s at Travel Weekly, about promoting Mexico’s opportunities for cultural tourism in conjunction with, and with the same effort as, its beach tourism. We all know that for years, Mexico has been publicized for it’s white sands, turquoise water, and pristine resorts, but it’s exciting to see more emphasis being placed on the myriad of cultural experiences Mexico has to offer.

In a previous article, we mentioned that Mexico has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other Latin American country, but we didn’t actually look at the numbers in comparison with the world leaders. In terms of cultural sites, Mexico has 25 sites, Italy has 42, Spain has 36, the UK has 23, France has 30, and the US has 8. In terms of natural sites, Mexico has 4, Italy has 2, Spain has 3, the UK has 4, France has 2, and the US has 12. With Mexico stacking up so strongly to these leaders of tourism in terms of cultural and natural sites, it obvious that we need to start advertising these sites the travelers of the world.

The reason I came to Mexico (from the US) in the first place was because I felt like “everyone’s done Europe.” From the moment I got here, I knew I made the right choice. Since I’ve lived here, I’ve had a few dozen people visit me, and I can honestly say that I am confident every one of them will be back to Mexico at some point in their lives. The country is just that beautiful.

We need to join together with Gloria Guevara, Mexico’s new Minister of Tourism, to combat the biased and misleading news agencies that are depriving the world of the unforgettable experiences that Mexico has to offer. Through cultural trips, wildlife experiences, and adventure travel, we can put Mexico at the top of the global tourism map, where it should rightfully be.

Food and Beverage Events in Mexico – Summer 2010

If you are a luxury travel enthusiast who loves all things food and drink, be sure to check out these events this summer in Mexico.

Alimentaria Mexico 2010

This is Mexico’s most important international food, beverage, and equipment exhibition, which will be held June 1st through the 3rd at Centro Banamex in Mexico City. This Summer’s event will be the eighth Alimentaria Mexico, and more than 12,000 participants are expected from around the world.

In addition to the 475 exhibits, this year’s Alimentaria will include a Mexican gastronomy conference, nutrition seminars, wine & spirits tasting, and more. For more about this event, visit the Alimentaria’s website.

MEXIPAN 2010

This is the number one expo for the Bakery, Confectionery, Chocolate, and Ice Cream industries of Mexico. This event brings customers and suppliers together to showcase new products and discuss trends within the industry. More can be found at MEXIPAN’s webiste (in Spanish only).