What is a #winelover doing thinking about a post pandemic Tequila Adventure in Mexico? After reading an article about the Tequila Train it made me think of earlier days in Mexico. I still remember our earlier drive through Mexico in 2011. That trip took us down the east coast of Mexico. I know folks might prefer their tequila straight but I like a good margarita. For sure those who know Tequila well, while they might enjoy a margarita, they are lovers of the nuances of Tequila. Since I have a great appreciation for wine I know I need to learn more about Tequila.
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| Margarita Time, Mérida, Mexico © Spaswinefood |
Remembering Earlier Margarita Travels
After we entered Sonora, Mexico at Agua Prieta, we headed towards Neuvo Casas Grandes on Ruta 2, and then onto Ruta 10. The drive from Agua Prieta to Neuvo Casas Grandes, Sonora went quickly so we decided to continue onto Chihuahua.
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| Heading into the Sierra Madre Occidental © Spaswinefood |
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| Sierra Madre Occidental in the Distance © Spaswinefood |
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| Sierra Madre Occidental © Spaswinefood |
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| Sierra Madre Occidental © Spaswinefood |
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| Travels Along Ruta 10 © Spaswinefood |
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| Near Neuvo Casas Grandes, Ruta 10 © Spaswinefood |
It was onto Chihuahua, Chihuahua for the first night. Here are a few photos from the route.
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| Ruta 45 North of Chihuahua © Spaswinefood |
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| Ruta 45 North of Chihuahua © Spaswinefood |
In Chihuahua, Chihuahua we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. After a restful stay in Chihuahua we onto Torreón the next morning on Ruta 45, then Ruta 49. Enroute to Torreón we continually passed farmland.
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| Along Ruta 45 to Jimez, then onto Ruta 49 © Spaswinefood |
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| Along the Route © Spaswinefood |
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| Along the Route © Spaswinefood |
The state of Chihuahua is one of the richest agricultural states in Mexico. In the area around Delicias we saw fruit processing plants and walnut farms.
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| Walnut Trees near Delicias, Ruta 45 © Spaswinefood |
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| Balernia Sign, Ruta 45 © Spaswinefood |
At Torreón, Coahuila we stopped at Hotel Fresno Galerias for the night. This hotel was excellent value for the price. Hotel Fresno Galerias © Spaswinefood
Finally, after two days in Mexico, we stopped for a margarita.
Margarita Time, Hotel Fresno Galerias © Spaswinefood
Also there was Spinach dip and a salad for dinner.
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| Spinach Dip © Spaswinefood |
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| Vegetable Salad © Spaswinefood |
From Torreón it was onto Saltillo, via Ruta 40, here we would head south to Matehuala via Ruta 57. In Matehuala, San Luis Potosí we stayed at Las Palmas Midway Inn and dined at the Las Plamas Restaurant.
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| Margarita Time, Las Plamas Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
Eventually we arrived on the east coast of Mexico. As we traveled down Mexico's East Coast, one of the stops included Mérida.
Mérida
Fortunately on our road trip down Mexico's east coast we took time to explore the beautiful colonial city of Mérida, Yucatán. It took us a pleasant two and half hours to drive from Campeche to Merida. We found Merida to be a city with great architecture, amazing culture and exciting cuisine. To add to that list there are amazing archeological ruins nearby.
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| Plaza Independencia, Mérida, Mexico © Spaswinefood |
Mérida is an Architectural Treasure We spent two wonderful days in Mérida, the capital of the Yucatán state. Mérida's beautiful historic city center is an architectural treasure. The city's historical center is second largest in Mexico. We knew we wanted to be at the center of this architectural treasure so before leaving Campeche we made reservations at the pet friendly Casa Lucia Hotel right in the historic center of Mérida. Given that Mérida is a large city it is important to be clear on your driving directions before attempting to find a specific street location.
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| Casa Lucia Hotel, Mérida, Mexico © Spaswinefood |
Mérida has Amazing Cultural Activities and Nearby Archeological Ruins
We explored some of Mérida's historic district. There are plenty of cultural activities to check out in Mérida, with local Mayan festivals, concerts and other year around cultural events. The area is especially beautiful at night, with the historic buildings lit up. You will also see horse-drawn carriages. Mérida is a world of rich Mexican folklore and ancient Mayan influences.
Our first night in Mérida was the beginning of a Mayan festival at Plaza Independencia. There was lots of activity. We watched a Folklorico performance. We saw people hanging out in the plaza to take advantage of free Wi-Fi connection. Of course not everyone was online, there were some checking out the local treats, such as papas frites (french fries), churros on the plaza. There are many restaurants near the zócalo. There are also great places to drop by for a pizza or snack and a margarita.
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| Folklorica at Plaza Independencia, Mérida, Mexico © Spaswinefood |
Mérida has Great Yucatán Cuisine
Mérida is a fun place to explore Yucatán cuisine, which has strong European and Mexican influences.
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| Ceviche at Portico del Peregrino, Mérida, Mexico © Spaswinefood |
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| Enchiladas con Mole, Portico del Peregrino, Mérida © Spaswinefood |
We arrived mid-day and took lunch near the Plaza Independencia (zócalo) at Restaurant Portico Del Peregrino, 57 Calle 501, between 60 and 62 Centro, Mérida. For lunch we ordered Lemon Soup, a Yucatán specialty and for entrees our choices were Ceviche and Cheese Enchiladas with mole. We shared a lemon pie for dessert. A display of tequila at the restaurant caught the attention of our attention on the way out.
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| Amaro Restaurant, Mérida © Spaswinefood |
Next day, we dropped by Amaro, a vegetarian restaurant for lunch. For lunch we ordered margaritas, Eggplant Enchiladas and fish with vegetables and rice. We finished dinner with a flan to share. This time on the way out this time we saw a wine display. Dinner on the second night was at La Parranda Restaurant. We ordered Sopa de Frijoles (bean soup) and Vegetarian Fajitas and of course margaritas.
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| Amaro Restaurant, Mérida © Spaswinefood |
Mérida is the perfect colonial city to explore culture, food and history. During our east coast adventures in Mexico we very much enjoyed checking out the beauty of Mérida.
Any day I can begin lunch with margaritas and taco chips is a tequila adventure. Those interested in the history of the amazing cocktail margarita should take a look at this article. For sure this popular cocktail has become well known world wide.
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| Margarita Time, Cerro San Cristobal, Guatemala © Spaswinefood |
Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo. Hence a most delightful time it was to reflect on earlier tequila times! Indeed springtime is perfect timing to contemplate future tequila adventures. For sure, in preparation, I will be reading about Tequila in advance of my travels, starting first with this Wikipedia article. Napa Valley's Wine Train offers a National Tequila Day experience on Cinco de Mayo. Just in case you are interested in such a tequila adventure in Mexico checkout this food and wine article, and/or Jose Cuervo article on the Tequila Train. I invite you to join me in my future Tequila travels in Mexico and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
Sharon
Dreaming of Tequila Adventures in Mexico
May 2021
© Spaswinefood
Mustard Fields, Rutherford, Napa Valley © Spaswinefood
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