Maybe it's because I love cochinita pibil. I'm not really sure what it is about Mexico that keeps me coming back for more. One such location - a veritable carrot in front of my hungry horsey mouth - is the protective colonial town of San Miguel de Allende, recently declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (The World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). The fortified town, first established in the 16th century to protect the Royal Route inland, reached its apogee in the 18th century when many of its outstanding religious and civic buildings were built in the style of the Mexican Baroque. Some of these buildings, masterpieces of the style that evolved in the transition from Baroque to neoclassical, acted as a melting pot where Spaniards, Creoles and Amerindians exchanged their cultural and artisanal influences. Founded in 1542, the town of San Miguel de Allende sits at 6,400 feet above sea level and the streets of this colonial town are lined with palacios that today are a mixture of residences, galleries, restaurants and boutiques.
One and a half blocks from the main city square of San Miguel de Allende, my pick for hotel properties is the boutique Casa de Sierra Nevada, a mixture of 16th to 18th century Spanish colonial buildings. With 31 rooms and suites spread among five colonial mansions, including a 17th century fort, and the former residence of San Miguel de Allende's Archbishop in the 16th century, all we can say is... talk about living la vida purista. The hotel's buildings, situated around the town rather than one location, creates an experience akin to living in a beautiful, historic apartment with new amenities and genuine Mexican hospitality. 
Known for countless years as a center of art and literature, famous mexican artists and ex-pats flock to the cobble-stone streets and historic enclave to perfect their art and find peace and inspiration. With sculpture, glass-blowing, silversmithing, and photography workshops all within local reach, check out the link below for some spectacular art programs that will be sure to lift your creative spirits and make you say..."Hay que dejar tiempo para el esparcimiento!"
Which basically means something like: 'All work and no play sure makes Juan (or Juanta) a real snoooooze.'
http://www.casadesierranevada.com/web/omig/omig_courses_art.jsp
