To celebrate my birthday this year, we traveled to beautiful San Miguel de Allende in the Colonial Heartland of Mexico. San Miguel was recently voted the #1 city in the world to visit by Condé Nast Traveler readers and we’d heard many stories of first time visitors falling in love with its unique atmosphere and never leaving. Although we DID manage to return home, we were captivated by this colorful, friendly and laid-back town (a UNESCO World Heritage City) that boasts perfect weather, plenty of history, art, music and culture, and a wealth of lovely architecture. Honestly, I spent the entirety of this weekend trying to narrow down the photos to share with you. Rather than abbreviate the abundance of wonderful sights and amazing adventures we experienced (including photographing an abandoned hacienda with crumbling frescos and peeling French wallpaper), I’ll give you an overview here and share more in several future posts, okay?
Typical streets are a patchwork of colorful stucco, cobblestone and stone sidewalks.
Did I mention the doors? Sigh.
Touches of romance: rose petals in a fountain.
There are no street lights in the historic district, nor many stop signs. Cars (especially an abundance of old VW Beetles), dirt bikes, taxis and buses share the narrow streets courteously but with no dawdling. The roughness of the cobblestone enforces a bumpy speed limit. This is early morning, when, of course, I ventured out to photograph the quiet views.
This is Camila, a sweet donkey that was our companion and model for one of our shoots.
Still to come: the food, the ceramics, the people and a once-in-a-lifetime journey into the past!
In other news, we’ll soon launch a series of collaborations and projects with a talented friend, Suzette, who is also a passionate world traveler. Her website is a wonderful resource to fuel your armchair and real life travels so do stop by.
Wishing you a terrific week ahead and thank you, as always, dear friends, for sharing in our adventures.
xo
G
p. s. The title of this post refers to a book of the same name by Tony Cohen which chronicles his life as an ex-pat after moving to San Miguel.
So many wonderful photos. What a beautiful city and you have captured it perfectly..
Hugs~
Always beautiful photos! It’s like scrolling through an art gallery! :-)
Such beautiful colors and architecture!!
I love these photos! I can totally see how this city offers too much to squeeze into one post. Best of all, thank you for sharing the fuzzy Camila with me and of course much thanks for mentioning my travel website! XO
What a joy to see – Apart from your expert eye, carrying around so much heavy gear, and not forgetting your dedication to arising before anyone else is around, you deserve such magical results. Camilla looks as if she could almost talk.
One of my favourite Mexican towns…we’ve stayed there 3 times and find it very comfortable moving into the proverbial, mellow Mexican Time (loved the book!). Your photo’s have captured the essence of San Miguel beautifully.
Delicious…
Dearest Georgianna,
You are so lovely!!!!!! At last a picture of you! I wish we saw you more often! :)
The pictures are… fantastic! They are marvelous, admirable and so inspiring!!! The city is a real treasure! And Camila is very sweet) Thank you for sharing!
Hugs and kisses,
Olga
Hi G! Absolutely love all your photos and you’ve piqued my interest about San Miguel de Allende. A belated happy birthday wish to you! By your picture I’d say it looks like you found the fountain of youth. All the best in 2015!
I was hoping you would post photos from San Miguel – wasn’t sure if you would have been “on duty” during your birthday week. Thanks for sharing the photos – as usual they are fantastic! Love the doors, architecture, the light quality and the donkey!
So beautiful and colourful! The doors have captured my interest the most I guess, there is something special about them. And it’s lovely to see a photo of you, Georgianna!
Aahh, you get to the most divine places! Wish I’d been there with you; I certainly would have enjoyed a swim in that wonderful pool after a hard day at the ‘office’, taking pix of this lovely spot, and Camila. Your pic is stunningly similar to my closest secondary school-friend, Eileen. Almost spitting image! And you’re looking well. Happy belated Birthday, Georgianna! :o)
I wish I was there :) Beautiful colours, architecture, doors, photos. I like visiting Your blog :)
My dearest Georgianna, to come and visit you here is like opening a window on a wonderful, joy-filled world to me, your photographs express all the gladness you feel while you do your shots during your marvellous travels ( and you look so lovely ;) ! ).
Thank you for sharing all this beauty, my sweet friend, and Happy Birthday,dearie, even if my wishes arrive with so much delay, I’m sure !
With much love
xoxo
Dany
What a beautiful place, Georgianna!
I just love the tones in these magnificent images.
Thank you for sharing, my friend. xo.
I have no words. I really don’t. Your skill, your vision… the way you share your gifts. Sometimes they make me cry. Sometimes they leave me wordless. (All evidence to the contrary. ;^) )
Love the Mexico images and the one of you is so cute!
Have a good week!
xoxo Ingrid
Beautiful photos!
Brilliant collection, Georgianna! I have to share this on my FB page. Thank you so much for sharing your talent and allowing me to visit these breathtaking places through your photography. I can’t wait to see more!
P.S. Camila looks like such a sweetheart!
How magical your images are, Georgianna! Visiting you here gives me so much joy…. each and every time. :)
Did I ever tell you about my crazy love for burros and donkeys? I LOVE those images!!
Hello Georgianna,
First of all I would like to tell you that I am speechless… Your pictures and love for flowers which you share with us are just amazing :).
I would like to ask, because you mentioned using Florabella textures, do you also use Florabella actions for editing? Your edits are masterpieces :). I am thinking to buy one set, but I am not sure which one should I chose, and I would appreciate a recommendation. Thank you very much in advance, from my heart, and I wish you lots of sun during your travels. I came across your blog just recently but I will be so much waiting for your beautiful pictures :)
Moni
What I retain more when looking at this beautiful post is the colours, they are everywhere ! What a superb place. I love this photo of you in your beautiful dress and hat, you look lovely ! Can’t wait to see more posts of this wonderful place. Oh ! and I love the photos of Camila !
A beautiful week to you Georgianna :)
xo