Tourist board brings artist to Toronto to showcase diversity of destination
IAN STALKER
The interior Mexican city of Guadalajara gave some Toronto residents an opportunity to brush up on their knowledge of the inland Mexican city and their artistic sides as well.
Guadalajara tourism authorities held what was billed as a “paint-and-sip event” at a Toronto art gallery on Oct. 17, bringing prominent Guadalajara artist Claudio Limon to the Ontario capital for the event.
And says Fernanda Landa of Guadalajara’s tourist board, art aficionados visiting her city will find a destination home to colonial architecture, “vast museums and galleries,” and open-air artisanal marketplaces. Guadalajara is also the home of mariachi music.
“We love traditions and we live our traditions daily,” she said of the city’s 6 million residents. “We say Guadalajara is the most traditional city in Mexico.”
The city’s Colonia Americana district was last year named the coolest in the world by a U.S. publication, which noted its many restaurants and bars, galleries, craft shops and walkways.
Landa said her city is continuously hosting events, including an international book fair that’s reportedly the world’s second-largest.
Landa added the surrounding area will appeal to tourists, who can visit the likes of the town of Tequila, which like Guadalajara is in the state of Jalisco, home of the spirit of tequila. The town of Tequila is believed by many to have been the birthplace of tequila, and is home to many tequila distilleries, including famed Jose Cuervo. The Jose Cuervo Express train provides a full-day train package that includes a guided tour of the Jose Cuervo distillery and agave fields, lunch at a Mexican hacienda, and a tequila tasting. The Herradura Express in turn is a 90-minute journey featuring a guided tour of the Herradura distillery and live entertainment at the estate. The Sauza Tequilacopter offers a guided tour of Casa Sauza, the agave fields, and the Sauza distillery, coupled with a tequila tasting experience.
Landa added that Tequila’s Mundo Cuervo is the “Disneyland of tequila.” Mundo Cuervo is owned by Jose Cuervo and has been labelled a “veritable tequila theme park.”
Tequila production has earned the town of Tequila and the surrounding area UNESCO World Heritage Site status, and those exploring the town will find a museum devoted to the alcohol.
Another community Landa suggests tourists consider visiting is Ajijic, which borders Lake Chapala, the largest lake in Mexico, and is 45 minutes from Guardalajara.
That community is known for its quaint appearance and has a climate many label an eternal spring, making it popular with Canadian expatriates, who can enjoy a local English newspaper.
As well, Tlaquepaque is one of the communities that Mexico has designated a Magical Town because of qualities tourists will appreciate. It has colonial structures and is known for its production of pottery and textiles.
Landa said those seeking a vacation that combines both an urban setting and a coastal Mexican beach experience can visit both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta on the same holiday, with the 2 destinations a quick trip by air and 4 hours by car.
“We don’t have a beach (in Guadalajara) but we have so many cool attractions for visitors,” she said, adding her city can easily entertain individuals, couples or families.
