CAMINOS DE MICHOACAN 2026

I'm calling this tour Caminos de Michoacán - The Post Mortem Edition because it begins exactly as the Day of Dead celebrations officially end, allowing us to experience the poignant beauty of this important Mexican tradition without the crowds.

The tour begins in the elegant Colonial city of Morelia where we will spend three nights in the Centro Historico of Morelia, a Unesco World Heritage Site that is often referred to as “The Pink City” for the hue of the locally quarried stone in its facades.

A guided tour of this beautiful city will include visits to many of Morelia’s historically important sites where we will view art and architecture, folk and fine art, murals and museums.

One for sure stop in Morelia be at the state-run Casa de Artesanias, a museum (and gift shop, oh boy!) that provides a comprehensive visual overview of the arts and crafts produced in Michoacán we will be seeing throughout the tour.

From Morelia we’ll be off to my home town -- the picturesque Pueblo Magico of Pátzcuaro to experience the lake region’s rich altruistic and artistic heritage and learn about the thriving Purépecha culture there.

Some of Mexico's finest folk art is produced in the villages surrounding Lake Pátzcuaro—hand-forged copper in Santa Clara del Cobre, ceramics and natural fibers in Tzintzuntzan—and our days here will include time at the yearly artisans' fair on the main square as well as visits to the homes and studios of the area’s most respected artisans.

Our lovely B&B in Pátzcuaro, the Mansion Iturbe, is located smack dab on the Plaza Grande—considered one of the most beautiful town squares in all of Mexico. Our time here will allow plenty of time to enjoy the town itself: strolling the plazas, shopping in the markets, enjoying a coffee at one of the many sidewalk cafés. And because the the timing of this tour, we will be in Pátzcuaro while the annual Artisans' Fair is happening on the plaza - literally steps from our hotel.

Throughout our time in Michoacán we will taste of some of the region's unique and beloved dishes—Corundas and Huchepos, Sopa de Tarasca, Carnitas, and more.

One afternoon will be spent in a private lancha on Lake Pátzcuaro, taking in the gorgeous landscapes surrounding us while sipping a mezcal and singing along to Caminos de Michoacán before having dinner at a lovely site overlooking the lake.

And... for those of you who can’t get enough of a good thing, I am offering 3-day extension to this trip to take in the annual Masters of Mexican Folk Art Fair in Chapala, Jalisco. This yearly curated event features true masters in their field from throughout Mexico. It's perfect for collectors (they even have a shipper on site) as well as folks who simply like to look.