WPIC Goes to Hidalgo, Mexico

By: Tracey Manailescu

While attending Icomex as a hosted buyer, I had the opportunity to attend a FAM trip of my choice.  I selected Hidlago, Mexico.  What an amazing opportunity!

We traveled by tour bus from Mexico City to the state of Hidalgo.  A short 45 minute trip along the highway to get things started. We ended up in Pachuca (the state capitol) which was 1.5 hrs. away from Mexico City.  We stayed overnight at Quinta Rivera hotel, and crammed in as many things as possible in the two days.

We went to three “Magic Towns”.

“The Programa Pueblos Mágicos (“Magical Villages Programme”) is an initiative led by Mexico‘s Secretariat of Tourism (SECTUR), in conjunction with other federal and state agencies, to promote a series of towns around the country that offer visitors a “magical” experience – by reason of their natural beauty, cultural riches, or historical relevance. The Mexico Tourism Board acknowledges that México´s magical element, and not only its sun and beaches, is what keeps many tourists coming back. Thus, they created the Pueblos Mágicos {Magical Towns} program to recognize places across the country that imbue certain characteristics that make them unique and historically significant.

A “Magical Village” is a place with symbolism, legends, history, important events, day-to-day life – in other words, “magic” in its social and cultural manifestations, with great opportunities for tourism.[1]

The programme was launched in 2001 and, by 2012, a total of 67 towns and villages in 28 different states had been awarded the title Pueblo Mágico.”

–http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pueblo_M%C3%A1gico

 

The first was Real Del Monte historic center where we saw beautiful buildings with an english influence.  We had the local “paste” which is a delicious pie with potato and meat.  We also got to try the one made with black bean paste, too 🙂

Then we were off to “Huasca de Ocampo” which was a quaint little town with cobbled streets and surrounded by forest. We were able to go to “Prismas Basalticos” which was absolutely gorgeous! This is a geological phenominon where the waters of San Antonio Dam are four waterfalls that run down the basalt columns.  They look like rows of stone.

The bridge was the perfect view to see everything in the middle of it all. You can take a quicker way across and zipline, if you choose.  There is also the extreme bike riding along the cliff for an upclose and personal view.  I took the bridge.

We then went to my favourite spot of the entire trip; “Hacienda Minera de Santa Maria Regla”.  Dating back to the XVIII century, this pace has it all!  Romance, tragedy, beauty, and it is even haunted.  There were three weddings going on that day. So, we saw three completely different set ups and the church decorated for a wedding ceremony, as well. As you will see from my personal photos, it is truly breathtaking!

We were able to enjoy a delicious meal here, and coffee outside while watching the wedding reception being set up.

In the evening, we went to Chico and had a shot at a bar (with a cookie) which I guess was their way to prepare us for a live Ghost walk through the town, which they called street theatre!!!  Whoa! (It was actually really a cool idea.)

We had dinner at a family owned restaurant in town, and then drove down the mountains for an hour in the dark, to our hotel.

We woke up in the morning and went to Pachuca’s Soccer Hall of Fame, then straight to the airport to come home to Toronto.  What a fantastic experience!