Art, Flavor & Friendship in San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende is a city that pulses with color, creativity, and community — and that’s exactly what Onward Travel guests get to experience during our weeklong journey there. Our itinerary is full of art, food, and history, but more than anything, it’s about meeting the remarkable people who make this city so vibrant.

Fabrica La Aurora and Estefanía

Once a textile factory, Fábrica La Aurora is now a thriving arts complex with galleries, studios, and workshops. It’s here that we meet Estefanía Mongrell, a surrealist painter with a bold, imaginative style (you can explore her work on Instagram at @emongrell.art). Guests join her in the studio for a hands-on workshop — part art lesson, part creative meditation. Unlike “paint-and-sip” classes, Estefanía encourages guests to explore materials freely, follow their own spark, and discover that even self-proclaimed “non-artists” can surprise themselves.

Our visit also brings us to Merry Calderoni, one of the early visionaries behind La Aurora, the first artist to establish a studio there, as well as the founder of the beloved bed-and-breakfast Casa Calderoni, where we stay. Each room at Casa Calderoni is themed after a different artist (Van Gogh, Picasso, Dalí, Georgia O’Keeffe, etc.), a perfect reflection of San Miguel’s artistic spirit. Merry herself is unforgettable — a glamorous artist with a past life as a circus performer (yes, she once whipped a cigarette from her husband’s lips on stage!).

Hats and Cocktails with Suki 

Another highlight is a private visit with Suki Palomina, a designer whose handcrafted hats have caught the attention of Vogue. Guests step into her intimate atelier to try on striking creations while sipping a drink and enjoying canapés prepared by one of her chef friends. The visit transforms into a lively aperitivo hour — part fashion, part party — and a chance to connect with one of San Miguel’s most stylish and creative makers. 

Gilberto’s Sandwich Counter

At Mercado Ignacio Ramírez, San Miguel’s bustling market, we squeeze onto stools at Gilberto’s sandwich counter. Watching him is half the magic: he greets friends and strangers alike while orchestrating orders, assembling overstuffed sandwiches, and pressing countless oranges for fresh juice and aguas frescas (he hand juices 240 pounds of oranges in one every day!). They may not be fancy, but Gilberto’s tortas are always one of the most memorably delicious meals of the trip.

Cooking with Chef Rubén

Cooking is another lens into San Miguel’s culture. With Chef Rubén Yáñez, guests explore the market to shop for ingredients before heading to the elegant Belmond Casa de Sierra Nevada hotel’s teaching kitchen to prepare a healthy Mexican feast. He thrives on teaching his students how to use a molcajete (a Mexican mortar and pestle), how to make tortillas, the nixtamal process of transforming dried corn into masa, the variety of fresh and dry peppers, and the use of herbs. Rubén is approachable – he’s focused on the food, and his class is consistently a guest favorite.

Music with Luis

Back at Casa Calderoni, we’re looked after by Luis, the warm and ever-helpful concierge. But many are surprised to learn that by night, he performs with his folk band at a local restaurant — music that Kat describes as “like stumbling upon a circle of fairies playing instruments in the woods.” Guests often make their own pilgrimage to hear him play.

Luis is on the left

Exploring with Vail

Finally, no trip would be complete without time with Vail Smerlinder-Suarez of Taste of San Miguel Food Tours. Originally from California, she fell in love with San Miguel decades ago and now leads both history walks and taco-and-tequila tours. Guests come away not only with full stomachs, but also a deeper understanding of the city’s past and present, thanks to her gift for storytelling.

Why This Trip Feels Different

What sets our San Miguel journey apart isn’t just the food, the art, or the beauty of the city. It’s the people. Each encounter — whether sipping cocktails in a designer’s atelier, painting alongside a surrealist, or laughing over sandwiches in the market — weaves guests into San Miguel’s creative community.

What Past Travelers Say

• “I loved the diverse activities we participated in. We had a wonderful group and met some very colorful characters — that made it so fun!”
• “Cooking classes were great. I loved the hat maker, meeting Merry Calderoni, and of course, the hot air balloon ride.”
• “The tour to the Mexican Highlands went above and beyond my expectations. The pace was perfect — kept us busy and engaged but never felt pressured or rushed.”
• “I loved all the meals we shared, especially the first-night taco tour. The group melded seamlessly — all the members were thoughtful and interesting. I also loved the tour of the winery and Fábrica La Aurora.”

Our March 2026 San Miguel de Allende trip is nearly sold out, with only four spots remaining. If this colorful city and its cast of artists, chefs, and storytellers are calling your name, now’s the time to reserve your place. Join us for an unforgettable week in Mexico’s most enchanting city!

Register now