Recently in Mexico Category

Mexico takes pride in its rich heritage of artistry and craftsmanship. Within the quaint historical district of San Jose del Cabo, a quieter alternative to Cabo San Lucas and just six miles from the Westin Resort & Spa, Los Cabos, opportunities for picking up authentic handmade treasures abound.

Begin your excursion at the Plaza Mijares, a picturesque square crowned by towering palm trees and a tall white mission church. Here, you can get a good sense of the district's historic charm before setting off on your shopping adventure. The plaza's southern border, Boulevard Mijares is lined with a nice row of boutiques. Be dazzled by the glistening gemstones at Don Romulo Mexican Fire Opals, then head next door to Necri Boutique. A stunning assortment of hand painted Talavera pottery, a type of Majolica ceramics, fills the colorful shop. Select a traditional water pitcher or a fine set of dinner plates before setting off for Copal Artesanias, a family-run boutique filled with wool rugs, enamel and lacquer ware, and wood carvings. Sculptures, paintings, ceramics, and jewelry are elegantly displayed at Silvermoon Gallery, which leads to El Rincon del Opalo. Here, breathtaking Mexican fire opals are set in gorgeous gold and sterling silver settings. The surrounding streets are filled with equally enchanting shops, art galleries, and beautiful restaurants with open air gardens and patios, so be sure to allow plenty of time for your exploration.

Leon Trotsky (1879-1940) was one of the leading figures of 20th century Russian history, having fought alongside Vladimir Lenin during the October Revolution of 1917. In the decades that followed, however, he ran afoul of Joseph Stalin, and was exiled to Mexico. Today, Trotsky's historic home in Mexico City's Coyoacán neighborhood is a museum dedicated to Marxist thinker's life, and it's filled with his art, writings, and other mementos Bolshevik philosophy. It was here in this "little fortress" that Trotsky wrote some of his most scathing critiques of Stalin, accusing the Soviet leader of betraying Marxist ideals for authoritarian leadership and bureaucratic ministries. Sadly, it was also here where one of Stalin's agents finally dispatched of the philosopher in 1940, having posed as a young writer in search of advice. Today, visitors to the Leon Trotsky Museum will find a unique snapshot of Mexican life in the mid-20th century, with a tranquil courtyard brimming with flowers and plants - including rare cactuses that he collected on trips to the countryside - as well as shelves of rare books, an ancient-looking dictaphone, tattered Mexican rugs, and a stone engraved with a hammer and sickle adorning his burial site. Just minutes from the Frida Kahlo House, this unique destination provides a rare opportunity for visitors to see what life was like for those bold enough to criticize Stalin during his infamous rise to power. Starwood has five hotels in Mexico City, including the luxurious St. Regis Mexico City.

[image via trotskyana.net]