Our First Mexican Trip

We were to board “another” bus to head to a town called Guanajuato. Guanajuato is an old mining town that once produced a third of the world’s silver. The town was built above the mines – on the hilltops. Later on, when the mining stopped and the population increased, the mines were opened up as roadways. So now there are tunnels throughout the entire city, which just blows your mind when you notice someone’s house just above a tunnel entrance. Words fail to describe this little town – streets curling this way and that, turning into alleys and stairways, of course tattered with the most beautiful Mexican architecture, churches, and squares. It really takes your breath away.

Word of advice: never walk by a shop thinking you’ll return to it later, because you won’t find it. Really, it's like the Twilight Zone! The streets are so narrow; it was a sight watching buses try to fit through the small passageways! A real hidden gem and a definite "must see"!

It is also the birthplace and home of famed Mexican artist Diego Rivera. The house, now converted into an art gallery/museum, still has most of the furniture, etc. from his youth. It was interesting being able to actually go into one of the houses and see what they actually looked like from the inside! I was not a huge fan of Diego Rivera's work, and not being an art connoisseur, I was not overly impressed with his work. However, just being there in this magnificent 3 storey house with courtyard in the centre illuminated by a skylight was enough for me to marvel at Spanish architecture at its best. There's even a small theatre on the 2nd floor with a huge mural painted on the wall with pictures of every person I believe crossed the artist's path. You sit there and you can just smell the rusticity of the place and you imagine all the parties and entertaining that was done at this house – pretty amazing.

After that, we headed to walk about the city. We headed to the local Zocalo (town square). We decided to have lunch and just watch the city walked by.

Best Way To Get Around:

This is not a bad place to stay, with a friendly staff. They serve a continental breakfast and the rooms were clean. All in all, it was an okay place for a small town.

If your ideal vacation is a mix of elegance and tropic sun in equal parts then you'll love the upscale Grand Nuevo Vallarta. Located on one of the largest stretches of beach in Nuevo Vallarta, the resort is just a short 15 minute ride from the airport and 25 minutes from the center of Puerto Vallarta, a charming town with plenty of shops and sights to discover. Surrounded by the vast beaches and lush scenery of Mexico's Bay of Banderas, this stunning resort on the Pacific lets you get away from it all in style. The hotel boasts 294 rooms with beautiful marble-floored rooms and breathtaking views of the ocean.

When the glistening bay beckons, you'll have a host of water sports to choose from that include windsurfing, sailing and kayaking. If you'd like to try snorkeling or scuba diving then stop by the pool for an easy lesson from one of our friendly instructors. We've got plenty of activities on dry land also including volleyball, aerobics and an equipped exercise room. If golf is your game,there are three golf courses to choose from: "Flamingo Golf Course", "Tigre Golf Course", "Marina Golf Course" and "Vallarta Golf Course". All three are 18 holes and are just 10 to 15 minutes away by taxi.

When you build up an appetite, visit one of our specialty restaurants or enjoy a lavish feast at our main buffet restaurant. The fun is just beginning as the sun sets over Banderas Bay. Sip a tropical concoction as you stroll along the beach under a starry sky, meet friends in the lounge or check out the live local entertainment and staff theme shows. Grand Nuevo Vallarta offers the perfect combination of fun, romance and tranquility.

The main restaurant, Topacio, features an impressive buffet offering a wide variety of international cuisine. Enjoy delicious Italian specialties in a charming setting at this a la carte restaurant Caruso's. La Troje, Viva Mexico! Visit this specialty restaurant for authentic a la carte Mexican fare.