While living in Sarasota, we’ve made it a point to explore what Florida has to offer. After three years here, we realize that there’s more to see than beaches and theme parks. We’ve already seen the big attractions like Disney World and SeaWorld, so now, between trips to other countries, we’re focusing on sights closer to home. Before we eventually leave Florida, we want to visit places that don’t make the top ten lists. This blog is about some of…
Music As night falls, Guanajuato streets don’t just get quieter, they start to sing. We were drinking a beverage in the Jardín de la Unión when we heard guitars and harmony bouncing off centuries-old walls. That was our cue to follow the sound and join a callejoneada, a roving street serenade that’s part concert, part walking tour, and part spontaneous party. The tradition began in the 1960s when University of Guanajuato students borrowed the idea from Spain’s old estudiantinas, who…
Our Uber drove us one hour from San Miguel de Allende to its sister city of Guanajuato, and we weren’t sure what to expect. A friend had recommended that we visit, so we figured, why not? As we entered the city through its winding tunnels and colorful streets, we were struck by how vibrant and alive it felt. It was a different energy from the relaxed vibe of San Miguel. Guanajuato buzzes with movement, students walking to class, street performers…
Just a short drive north of San Miguel de Allende is one of the popular day-trip destinations: La Gruta Restaurant & Spa. These natural hot springs were the perfect way to slow down and unwind. We visited La Gruta on a Wednesday morning, which several locals recommended as the ideal time to go. Here’s why: the pools are drained and cleaned every Monday and Tuesday, so by Wednesday morning, the water is at its cleanest. Plus, arriving early meant we…
We kicked off our four-week adventure with a flight from Sarasota, Florida, to Querétaro, Mexico. Querétaro is the closest major city to our first stop: San Miguel de Allende (SMA). We spent three days exploring Querétaro on a previous trip, so this time we just stayed overnight before making the 1½-hour drive to SMA. Our original plan was to take a bus, but when we saw that an Uber cost less than $50, convenience won out over adventure. For years…
A Special Blog Post Next week, we are heading to Mexico for 4 weeks to escape the summer heat and humidity of Florida. We will visit several towns in the central mountain highlands to explore, hike, and enjoy local customs and cuisine. One of the activities we always plan as part of our travels is to take a cooking class. This trip will be no exception. During our planning, we asked what we wanted to learn from a class, and,…
By our fourth week in Panama, we started to feel the rhythm of the city. Every day we woke up early to go out for a run or walk followed by trying a new coffee shop. We walked to the grocery store a couple of times per week to stock up. Mid mornings we worked out at the gym. After that we returned to our air-conditioned apartment to get out of the sun and humidity until early evening. In the…
After four weeks in Panama City, we finally ventured out to the countryside. We were getting tired of the heat and humidity in the city, so, we decided to go to a small town called El Valle de Antón. We hopped on a bus for a 3-hour ride for a 3-day escape. El Valle de Antón is a peaceful town located inside an extinct volcanic crater in the cloud forest of Panama. The land is rich and fertile. There is…
I struggled to write about our “adventure” at the Panama Canal. I began writing about its history. From the 1534 Spanish exploration of the isthmus of Panama to France’s failed attempt to construct a canal in the 1880s. Next, I tried writing about our Panama Canal tour and leaving it up to the reader to learn about the facts and current events surrounding the Canal. However, I finally decided that I must write about some of the misinformation being spread…
We plan to travel in Panama for 6 weeks. We have no defined itinerary other than spending some amount of time in Panama City. We have rented 3 different Airbnb apartments mostly confined to neighborhoods close to Casco Viejo (Old Quarter). So far, our stay here has been very challenging. This time of year, temperatures are in the upper 80’s to low 90’s. The humidity hovers around 60-70 percent. In short, the weather is very similar to Florida weather in…