We are located in Morelia, the capital of Michoacán state. It is a pre-Hispanic city with one million people, founded in 1541 and designated a Colonial City by the Federal Government. It looks more like Spain than any place in Mexico.

Michoacán is said to be the most diverse of all the Mexican states for its rolling hills, deep lakes, winding rivers, green valleys, desert, mountains, and, of course, the Pacific Ocean.

Mexico, our closest neighbor to the south.  We are located in the center of Mexico, with Mexico City a 4 hour drive west; Guadlajara a 3 hour drive northeast; and Acapulco a 5 hour drive southeast.

Our Casas are located 2 blocks from the main square of town. It is simple and easy to arrive (with the airport a 30 minute cab ride away), and to get around on a day-to-day basis, as well as taking cabs, buses or private cars for day and weekend trips.

The first sight you see of our private courtyard building are the magnificient double wooden doors that grace our entrance with the majesty that has been part of Morelia for almost 500 years. Mexico has photo books published just on their doors alone! So we are proud of ours!

Once you enter the courtyard, you walk to the back of the building and turn into the wing which is unseen from the street or courtyard. There we have 2 places– one we call the Casa, and the other the Studio.

The Casa

The larger of the two spaces, the Casa has:

• 2 bedrooms
• a sitting/dressing room
• a bathroom with shower
• a semi-enclosed indoor courtyard set up for eating
• a kitchen (fully stocked with everything for a down-home cook or gourmet chef, AND a stove with oven and broiler, which is unusual in Mexico. But I had to think of those who wanted to perfect their browned sugar toppings for Crème Brulee!)

The Studio

The Studio has an adjoining door via the interior courtyard from the Casa, as well as its own outside entrance as well. This makes the two units perfect for 2 families, or 1 large party, or artists who want to live in the Casa and use the Studio as an art studio.

The Studio is made up of:

• one grande room, used for sleeping, sitting and a work area
• a bathroom with shower
• a fully equipped kitchen
• a semi-enclosed, private courtyard area, set up for eating.

The Courtyard

It is wonderful to be in the courtyards and see the sun and the stars. In the outdoor courtyard, alongside our 2 places–we have many beautiful plants and some garden chairs so you can sit outside to enjoy a café, a drink or simply take in the sun.

The Surrounding Area

Many vacations I have spent in my Casa and the outside courtyard, and lived simply within the 2 block walk to the main square and the famous Café Cathedral.

Often the farthest I go daily is the 8 block walk to the Market, Mercado Independencia, but that place, now that's another story! It is one block square, with hundreds of merchants selling their wares. Fresh eggs, home baked breads, sugared sweets of every type, hardware, horseware, housewares, herbs, spices, plants, pots, restaurants, cowboy hats, shoes, boots, baskets, hats, fresh flowers, blankets, shawls, tablecloths, pottery, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish market and meat market, where you see first hand the preparation of animal parts to eat that you didn't even know existed. (not for the faint of heart OR vegetarians!)

This place grows on you, and hardly a day goes by where I don't find at least one excuse to make the trip. I usually walk there for the exercise and the sun, have lunch along the way, and then cab back (for $1.50) with all my wares. The cab drivers are friendly and help with unloading and carrying everything inside.