Explore San Miguel Allende’s Artistic Heritage, Local Vineyards & Mexican Flavors with Hotel Matilda

San Miguel de Allende is a melting pot of histories, cultures and traditions, showcased through its beautiful architecture, artistic expression, and rich culinary scene. Get to know what makes this UNESCO-designated city tick and explore the treasures of the surroundings, from vineyards looking over rolling hills to a Shangri-La of Mexican Folk Art.

While the stylish, art-infused Hotel Matilda has rest and relaxation covered, Journey Mexico will take you deeper into San Miguel’s heritage. Observe Spanish colonial-era churches and buildings, uncover stories at museums and galleries, and ignite the senses at a vibrant local market where you’ll select ingredients for a Mexican cooking class. Your expert guide will show you Mexico’s ´Sistine Chapel´ and artisan pieces that speak of generational craft, you’ll be immersed in the region’s viniculture, and get to speak to the people who conserve heirloom seeds at an organic ranch.

San Miguel de Allende

HIGHLIGHTS

San Miguel Allende – Explore the charming city center’s historic streets, Spanish colonial architecture, galleries and museums.

6N Hotel Matilda – Unwind for six nights in luxurious guest rooms with beautiful interiors and sophisticated common spaces, injected with an artistic design.

Atotonilco – This sanctuary outside the city is a shining example of Mexican Baroque, featuring intricate walls and ceilings painted with religious imagery.

Market Visit & Cooking Class – Soak up the atmosphere of a local mercado and find out the secrets behind authentic Mexican cuisine with your culinary guide.

Art & Artisan  – Visit a curated space filled with hand-selected folk art and traditional pieces from all over Mexico.

Wine Culture – Journey to two different vineyards to uncover different production methods, enjoy wine tastings, and savor a 3-course meal.

Organic Ranch – A unique opportunity to explore the value of organic agriculture, learn about the sustainable value of the maguey plant, and connect with the region’s heirloom seeds.

Guanajuato – Get inspired in this colorful, culture-packed city and admire striking historical buildings like the Juarez theatre.

Hotel Matilda Experiences – Tempt your tastebuds at Moxi where Michelin-star chef, Vicente Torres, cooks haute cuisine with a Mediterranean twist. Indulge in a little pampering with Spa Matilda’s wellness rituals, beauty treatments, and massage therapies.

Day 1:  Private Airport Transfer to Hotel Matilda, San Miguel Allende

Your private driver will meet you at the airport and you will be driven to San Miguel de Allende. We recommend arriving to one of the three airports:  MEX (Mexico City), BJX (Leon), or QRO (Queretaro).
Consistently voted as one of the best hotels in Mexico, Matilda is a classy, design chic hotel on one of San Miguel’s iconic and colorful cobblestone streets. The hotel is named after the owner’s mother whose portrait, painted by muralist Diego Rivera, hangs in the hotel’s lounge-like lobby. The painting is just one of a many art pieces that decorate the hotel inside and out. Matilda is as much an art gallery as it is a hotel.  

Hotel: Hotel Matilda

Day 2: Privately Guided Exploration of San Miguel Allende

Today you´ll explore one of Mexico´s most beautiful cities, San Miguel Allende.  Your expert private guide will meet you at your hotel and together you´ll begin the day looking out over town and the surrounding area. Then, head into the city´s colorful historic center, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved colonial-era buildings and cultural authenticity.

Visit heralded landmarks including the gothic-style, pink Parish of San Miguel Arcángel and the iconic central plaza, where locals gather and chat under the shade of the trees. Follow your guide through pretty, cobbled streets as you get to know the personality of this culturally rich town and its museums, churches, galleries, and workshops. Upon completion of your visit you´ll be taken back to your hotel in San Miguel.

Dinner suggestion for tonight:  Moxi
Experience a culinary journey at Moxi, where Chef Vicente Torres elevates Mediterranean-inspired haute cuisine. Inspired by the vibrant surroundings and the expertise of local artisans, the menu guarantees a one-of-a-kind dining experience in San Miguel de Allende.

Hotel: Hotel Matilda

Day 3:  Mexican Baroque at Atotonilco, Folk Art & Wine 

Admire the artistry of Mexico’s “Sistine Chapel”, explore a wonderland of Mexican Folk Art, and step into the country’s growing wine scene at one of the region’s best vineyards.

Accompanied by your private guide, head to the Santuario de Atotonilco just outside San Miguel, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. See how this 18th century church is a beautiful expression of Mexican Baroque and learn about the rich history that unfolds through captivating walls and ceilings, intricately adorned with religious artwork, statues, and folk murals. Continue your journey into Mexico’s artistic heritage at a nearby gallery that serves as a vibrant nexus for skilled artisans. The owner’s passion for Mexico’s artisan tradition and personal connections with its makers is present in each carefully selected piece, hand-collected from all over the country. Enjoy this unique opportunity to admire some of Mexico’s best ceramics, antique furniture, sculptures, masks, and more, in one carefully curated space. Every piece purchased from the gallery supports a talented artist who works hard to keep Mexico’s incredible artistic legacy alive.

To finish the day, you’ll be whisked away to a top winery in Dolores Hidalgo  to experience why Mexico’s wine scene is gaining international recognition. Meet the winery’s sommelier at a private reception for a glass of wine atop the contemporary tower, admiring scenic views as you learn about the vineyard’s history. Take a guided walk around the grounds to see the journey of the grapes from vineyard to wine cellar and sample a trio of wines in an exclusive tasting with the owners. End the visit on a culinary note at the winery’s restaurant, where a private table is reserved for you to enjoy a three-course meal, paired with a selection of wines.

Optional Suggested Evening Experience on Property: Matilda Spa
After a day of exploring, it’s time to unwind and relax at Matilda Spa. Indulge in a soothing massage or one of the many spa treatments available, all designed to promote natural healing and relaxation.

Hotel: Hotel Matilda

Day 4: Privately Guided Exploration of Guanajuato City

On this full day exploration, you´ll get to know the intriguing city of Guanajuato. Guanajuato is a feast of interesting architecture, culture, and colorful buildings – start by taking in panoramic vistas of the city you´re about to experience! The historical center features cobblestone streets and old underground passageways that lead towards to the main square. As you stroll and observe Guanajuato´s endearing aesthetic, you´ll stop and make visits to churches, tranquil plazas, and museums along the way.

Your guide will illuminate the city´s rich history and favorite sites like Guanajuato´s university and the grand Juarez Theatre, sharing their expert knowledge with you. Celebrated Mexican muralist, Diego Rivera, was born in the city and you´ll make a stop at the artist´s house museum to learn more about his life and work with a special talk. No visit to Guanajuato is complete without passing by the ´Alley of the Kiss´, where you´ll hear about the love story that gives this charming narrow street its name.

Optional Suggested Evening Experience on Property: Drinks & Snacks at Monkey Bar

After a long day exploring Guanajuato, sit back and relax on the property and enjoy some drinks at The Monkey Bar. This oasis within the hotel offers the perfect escape to unwind and reflect on your adventures. Treat yourself to our signature Caviartini, expertly crafted with vodka and olive stuffed with caviar, for a truly indulgent and memorable sip. Let the ambiance of The Monkey Bar elevate your experience and transport you to a world of tranquility and luxury.

Hotel: Hotel Matilda

Day 5: Market to Kitchen Experience in the Heart of San Miguel de Allende

Get ready for a tasty afternoon in San Miguel de Allende with this fabulous market to kitchen experience. With the guidance of your own private chef, you´ll visit a vibrant market to hand select the ingredients, before cooking a delicious meal and of course enjoying your creations!

After meeting your expert guide, together you´ll wander down to the city´s main food market (just 4 blocks away) where you´ll pick the freshest ingredients for the feast ahead from a variety of Mexican foods and herbs. Nibble on ´botanitas´ while perusing the produce and take in the sights, smells, and atmosphere of this classic Mexican mercado.

Once back at the chef´s lovely kitchen, it´s time to get hands on with the ingredients as your chef leads you through an exploration of the flavors, colors, and aromas of the Mexican Cocina. You´ll learn many essential tips to making authentic Mexican dishes as you discover the chili and herb combinations that go into salsas, and how to cook up several ‘guisos’, or stews. Your mouthwatering preparations will culminate in a fine and flavorsome meal, straight from the market to the kitchen, accompanied by some tasty margaritas.

Optional Suggested Experiences on Property: Zen Garden and Wellness Treatment
After your cooking class take a moment to relax and meditate at the new Zen Garden, then treat yourself to pure relaxation at M’spa. Nestled within Hotel Matilda, this luxurious spa offers a serene escape where you can unwind and rejuvenate. Indulge in a blissful massage or pamper yourself with one of our exclusive spa treatments, expertly designed to revitalize your body and mind. Let the skilled therapists guide you through a journey of ultimate relaxation, complementing your culinary adventure with a perfect touch of tranquility.

Dinner suggestion for tonight: Mui Bar
Prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable culinary journey at the transformed Mui Bar, reimagined as a Ramen Bar. Indulge in the best ramen experience in San Miguel, crafted with authentic flavors and innovative twists that will leave you craving for more

Hotel: Hotel Matilda

Day 6: Into San Miguel Allende –  Maguey Culture, Seed Rescue & Mexican Wine  

Discover the hidden treasures surrounding San Miguel as you dive into organic food production and sustainable living at an ecological ranch, before getting a taste of Mexico’s growing wine scene at one of the area’s top vineyards.

Nestled in the Jalpa Valley, this sustainable ranch provides environmental education to the local farming community about the benefits of organic produce, regenerative agriculture, and fair trade. Today’s visit will focus on the ranch’s invaluable maguey and seed projects. Head to the maguey fields with your private expert, who’ll fill you in on the plant’s traditional uses that go back to the pre-Hispanic era. Uncover how farms in the region are utilizing the ecology of maguey to facilitate an ambitious regeneration project with the goal of decreasing CO2 emissions – you’ll also get to taste pulque, the tangy, ancient preparation of maguey.  Make a stop at the seed bank to learn about the challenges faced by Mexico’s heirloom seeds, while observing initiatives to rescue and preserve the integrity of ingredients like corn, squash, beans, and chilis. Savor the flavors of organic produce with a ranch-to-table lunch.

On route back to San Miguel, call in at an organic winery and tap into the region’s viniculture. Admire colonial architecture and serene views of the surrounding hills as you´re guided around the vineyard and production area, while sipping on tastings of four different wines.After an immersive day in Mexico’s central highlands, you’ll be driven back to your hotel.

Dinner suggestion for tonight: Farewell Dinner with Champagne Pairing at Moxi
Indulge in an extraordinary culinary experience tonight with the special menu expertly paired with Krug Champagne. As you toast to your last night in San Miguel, immerse yourself in the flavors crafted by Chef Vicente Torres and the luxurious bubbles of Krug Champagne. This evening promises to be a fitting finale to your unforgettable journey in San Miguel de Allende.

Hotel: Hotel Matilda

Day 7: Departure Day

Your private driver will meet you at Hotel Matilda and you will be driven to the airport.

Dates

Our trips are fully customized, allowing us to build your itinerary for any time of the year.

Prices

This journey starts from $1,900 USD per day for two travelers and can be further personalized. Contact us today to discuss your travel desires and design a custom proposal with exact pricing. Suggested/Optional activities are not included in the quote.