Celebrate!! XXIII FESTIVAL DE MEXICO, PREMIER ARTS FESTIVAL

Edited by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady

For art lovers and culture seekers, March is an ideal time to be in Mexico City with the return of the XXIII Festival de Mexico from March 15 to 31, 2007. Mexico City welcomes world-renowned talents in music, dance and theater to perform at the Centro Historico, the lively downtown area.

The Festival de Mexico in the Historic Center is known as one of the most vibrant celebrations of art and culture in Latin America. For two weeks in March, the festival offers a range of over 100 diverse performances including opera, chamber and symphonic music, jazz, folk, pop and rock concerts, theatre, classical ballet, modern dance and dance theatre. Such can't miss talents include "The Passion According to St Mark" musical choir from Germany, Austria and the U.S.; the Tero Saarinen dance company from Finland featuring contemporary dance, ballet and Japanese Butoh; the Shen Wei Dance Arts from China combining contemporary dance with Chinese traditional opera; and the Emmanuel College Choir from the University of Cambridge, England. In its 23rd season as a non-profit organization, proceeds from the festival help rescue and restore the historic art and architecture of the town center in Mexico City. For full performance listings, visit www.fchmexico.com

MARQUIS REFORMA OFFERS CENTRO HISTORICO PACKAGE
FROM MARCH 15 – 31, 2007

Marquis Reforma, the official host hotel for the cultural festival, offers a Centro Historico package with deluxe accommodations in a Reforma Suite, daily buffet breakfast, transportation to the venue, two daily tickets for a preferred performance at Festival de Mexico and 20% savings in treatments at SPA Marquis. Additionally, guests receive two sightseeing tickets on Turibus, a double-decker bus service reminiscent of London buses that breeze by the Historic Center and other can't miss attractions; daily fresh fruit platter at turndown and late check in and check out. The Centro Historico package starts at $360 US D per room, per night based on double occupancy. Performances are based on availability. Taxes are additional. For reservations, call 1-800-235-2387 or book online at www.marquisreforma.com.

The 209-room Marquis Reforma and member of Leading Hotels of the World offers guests handsome surroundings in a post-modern, Art Deco influenced style. Most of the guest rooms are suites. A highlight of the boutique hotel is the luxurious 16,000 sq. ft spa, the largest in the region and only member of Leading Spas of the World in Mexico City. SPA Marquis features 11 treatment rooms, Swiss shower, sauna, Jacuzzi, steam bath, indoor swimming pool and fully-equipped fitness center. The hotel's two restaurants are presided over by a chef honored at the illustrious James Beard House in New York. On fashionable Paseo de la Reforma in the heart of Mexico City's cultural and financial district, the Marquis Reforma provides immediate access to the city's finest parks, museums and restaurants.

Madelyn Miller is a travel and food writer who loves Mexico. Read her stories on www.travellady.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.cocktailatlas.com , www.teatAtlas.com and www.carladynews.com

HELPFUL HINTS

WHERE TO EAT

La Jolle in the Marquis Reforma.

Au Pied de Cochon, is an original French bistro atmosphere that is open 24 hours a day offering traditional French cuisine featuring seafood and other imaginative dishes. Located in the Presidente Intercontinental

Best Driver/Guide

Eduardo Nieto Villalobos "Lalo"
5679.8116 home
Cell 044-55-1954-6734

BEST MARKET

Mercado Sabado

BEST MAP

Hammond International
Mexico and Central America
www.hammondmap.com

GUIDEBOOKS

INSIGHT POCKET GUIDE MEXICO CITY
APA Publications
www.insightguides.com

LONELY PLANET MEXICO CITY'
By John Noble
www.lonelyplanet.com

MOON HANDBOOK MEXICO CITY
By Chris Humphrey and Joe Cummings
Avalon Travel Publishing
www.moon.com

FROMMERS MEXICO 2006
(comes with foldout map)
By David Baird and Lynne Bairstow
Published by Wiley Inc
www.frommers.com

MEXICO: HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAVEL GUIDE
By Robert H. Page MD and Curtis P. Page MD
Including a comprehensive directory of the best hospitals and English Speaking
Doctors
Published by MedToGo
info@medtogo.com

INSIGHT GUIDES MEXICO
Extremely well organized with lots of practical tips
Langenscheidt Publishers
www.insightguides.com

A TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE JEWISH CARIBBEAN AND SOUTH AMERICAN
By Ben G. Frank
A practical, anecdotal, and adventurous journey through historic Jewish Caribbean and South America including Kosher restaurants, cafes, synagogues, and museums, plus cultural and heritage sites.

LET'S GO MEXICO
Edited by Anthony Gabriele
ST.MARTIN'S PRESS
www.letsgo.com

Lonely Planet Mexico
Well organized with great pictures and maps
Terrific section on shopping
www.lonelyplanet.com

EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES MEXICO
DK PUBLISHING, INC
WWW.dk.com

FOLK WISDOM OF MEXICO
By Jeff M. Sellers
Proverbs turn truth into Poetry
www.chronicebooks.com

TRAVELERS TALES GUIDES
MEXICO
Edited by James O'Reily and Larry Habegger

MEXICAN DAYS
Journeys into the Heart of Mexico
By Tony Cohan
www.broadwaysbooks.com

MOON HANDBOOKS PACIFIC MEXICO
By Bruce Whipperman
Avalon Travel Publishing
www.Moon.com

Michelin Tourist Guide to Mexico, Guatemala and Belize

HIDDEN BAJA
By Richard Harris
Ulysses Press
www.ulyssespress.com

EAT SMART IN MEXICO
A travel Guide for Food Lovers
By Joan & David Peterson
Ginko Press
www.gingkopress.com

LIVE BETTER SOUTH OF THE BORDER
By Mexico Mike Nelson
Fulcrum Publishing
www.fulcrum-books.com

ON MEXICAN TIME
By Tony Cohan
An American writer and his wife find a new home-- and a new lease on life--in the charming sixteenth-century hill town of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

BEST SOUVENIRS OF MEXICO

legal drugs. I always get Retin-A for myself and friends. I know people who also buy antibiotics and other prescription drugs that are available over-the-counter in Mexico
Damiana. A sweet liquor believed to be an aphrodisiac. I think it works because it is so yummy you drink too much. And the bottle could be a collector's item, it is shaped like a voluptuous nude woman
Mexican sea salt. Easily available in supermarkets. A wonderful gifts for gourmet foodie friends.
Other food gifts include mountain grown coffee, Mexican vanilla, and sweets made of tamarindo and coconut.

MOST REQUESTED THINGS TO BRING BACK FOR FRIENDS

RETINA- if you are old enough to need it, you know what it is and will appreciate that it costs about 90% less if you buy it in Mexico. If you have lots of friends who want it, it may be worth a trip to Walmart. But call ahead and tell them you want to order some, the day I was there they only had 3 tubes in stock. I had had four disappointed friends.
Kahlua
Mezcal with a worm

MY FAVORITE MEXICAN DRINK

Dirty banana (recipe compliments of Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa)
½ oz. condensed milk
½ oz. coconut cream
½ oz coffee liquer
1 oz. brandy
½ banana

Combine all ingredients and blend with ice
Serve in tall glass garnished with a banana slice

TO GET A TASTE OF MEXICO AT HOME

CULINARY MEXICO
By Daniel Hoyer
Gibbs Smith Publisher
www.gibbs-smith.com

LA COMIDA DEL BARIO
By Ron Sanchez
Latin-American cooking in the USA
Sanchez is one of the co hosts of MELTING POT on Food Network
Clarkson Potter Publishers
www.randomhouse.com
www.clarksonpotter.com

A YUCATAN KITCHEN
By Loretta Scott Miller
Regional recipes from Mexico's Mundo Maya
Pelican
www.pelicanpub.com

SPEAK LIKE A NATIVE

HIDE THIS SPANISH BOOK
Berlitz
The cover gives this warning: Highly inflammatory text inside, so not open near Spanish teachers, not for classroom use. Inside, you will find the lingo on sex—before, during and after, and fashion trends and styles.
www.berlitzbooks.com/hidethisbook.htm

LISTEN TO THE SOUNDS OF MEXICO

LATIN PLAYGROUNDS
A Fiesta of upbeat Latin American music for children and families
Putumayo World Music
www.putumayo.com

MEXICO
Savor the spicy and romantic flavors of Mexican music from the "sones" of Veracruz to the "boleros" of Oaxaca
www.putumayo.com

MUSIC FROM THE COFFEE LANDS
Melodic, uplifting Latin and African songs are the essence of this musical journey. Get a cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy this music from the "coffee lands"
www.putumayo.com

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this Cd will be contributed to Coffee Kids, an International non-profit organization established to improve the quality of life for children and families who live in coffee-growing communities around the world.

RECENT MEXICO STORIES BY MADELYN MILLER

Mexican Food http://www.travellady.com/Issues/November06/3694MexicanCuisine.htm

The difference between Tex-Mex and Mexican food
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/September06/3564TexMex.htm

Sugar Skulls and Altars
Mexico celebrates Day of the Dead
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/September06/3531SUGARSKULLS.htm

Acapulco—Fun for all
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/July06/3397Acapulco.htm

Lusting for the Lemon Lady and other marvelous memories of Merida
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/July06/3001LemonLady.htm

Grazing on Grasshopers and other Culinary Delights
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/January05/1010GrazingonGrasshoppers.htm

Unesco World Heritage Site Baja, California
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/June06/3356WORLDHERITAGE.htm

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Mexican Beer
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/May06/3267Celebrate.htm

Playa Parasio. A pictures perfect Mexican vacation
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/March04/604Mexicocancun.htm

Puerta Vallarta: The culinary capital of Mexico
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/Issue50/PuertoVallarta.htm

From the Closet to the Spotlight: Mexican contemporary art
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/January03/FromtheClosettotheSpotlight.htm

Something Seductive to do when it is really cold Outside
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/November03/SomethingSeductive

Cancun Nude resort
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/July03/CancunNudeResort.htm

I was an Inaugural Virgin:Ixtapa
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/February04/IWasanInauguralVirgin.htm

Hummer Trekking in Los Cabos
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/January07/3800ADVENTUREHUMMER.htm

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