WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO DO?

Puebla

Alter a journey of 136 km (85 mi) from Distrito Federal to the city of Puebla, you can stay in one of the hotels of its historical center, which will allow you to more easily appreciate the colonial beauty of its streets and buildings.  Immediately after registering, begin your route with the first city block, where you can admire numerous architectural monuments of grand artistic value. Among these are the Cathedral, a building composed of 14 chapels of varying styles and decorated by the painter Cristóbal de Villalpando, the Edificio de La Concordia (Building of Harmony) and the Patio de los Azulejos (Patio of Tiles) in Baroque style with a quarry door combined with images of saints done in marble. Also visit the head office of the Ex Colegio Carolino (formerly Carolino School), which is now the Edificio de la Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (Building of the Autonomous University of Puebla) and photograph its facades, carved doors, and interior balconies. When it is time to eat, remember that there are a grand variety of dishes in Puebla, which is famous for its delectable gastronomy. Enjoy a good plate of gorditas (a thick corn tortilla with varied toppings) or chalupas con pipián  before continuing to the main course. This could be some mouth-watering and typical chiles en nogada (a tricolor dish comprised of green poblano peppers stuffed with minced meat, banana, raisins, apples and pine nuts, and infused with a sauce of white nuts, cheese, sherry, salt and sugar) when in season, or a good mole poblano (a sauce made from different types of chilies, dried plums, almonds, cinnamon and chocolate and served with chicken or turkey meat). Accompany this by a refreshing glass of agua de piña (fresh pinapple juice with sugar and water). Do not forget to visit the Fuente de la China Poblana (the Chinese Woman of Puebla Fountain) , which will dazzle you with its 30 meter (98 feet) wide carved stone base, which holds a 3 meter (9.8 feet) tall statue.  It is of a young woman dressed in the traditional style of the state, and known throughout the country by this name. Finally, guide yourself towards the Biblioteca Palafoxiana (Palafoxian Library) whose bibliographical archives of more than 43,000 volumes will impress you.  To end the day, do not forget to visit some of the famous shops of the Center, in which you can buy scrumptious and typical poblano confections, such as the tortitas de Santa Clara (a pastry with a cream pumpkin filling) or the exquisite camotes of pineapple, vanilla and coconut.