Hi Edward,
	The Quinta Real in Zacatecas is beautiful.  It was once a Bull Ring,
but you probably already knew that. I was there only for the day, but I
checked it out with my tia and primas.  It was very cool because they have
built shops into it, a restaurant, etc.,  The center which is where the
bulls ran, is a huge beautiful, outdoor plaza for receptions. The entire
city is gorgeous.  The Spanish colonial presence is very real in this city
with rod iron rejas & balconies.  There is a wonderful museum on the Mexican
Revolution which is definitely worthwhile.  There is a display of currency
from that time period too.  There is an old convent built during the Spanish
reign which is missing it's ceiling due to the Mexican Revolution.  Can't
say enough!
	Zacatecas to Aguascalientes is quite a distance.  I went two years
ago, and the trip was essentially a day trip.  I would stay in both cities.
Aguascalientes is another worthwhile city to visit.  There is a lot of
history there as well.  Calle Madera has the most gorgeus old homes. In
April is the upcoming Feria de San Marcos.
Irma

-----Original Message-----
From: Victor Villarreal [mailto:vela_este@...] 
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2005 9:53 PM
To: ranchos@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ranchos] Re: Zacatecas travel



Ed,

Here's a list of links with some information about your destinations. 
As you can see, Colotlán is not listed on the internet but I found the name
of some local hotels.  Depending on who's travelling with you and if you're
in adventurer mode or not, maybe it is better to make plans to stay
somewhere else when visiting Colotlán.

Zacatecas, Zacatecas
http://www.zonaturistica.com/hoteles-mexico.php?idCd=617

Valparaiso, Zacatecas
http://www.zonaturistica.com/hoteles-mexico.php?idCd=615

Sombrerete, Zacatecas
http://www.zonaturistica.com/hoteles-mexico.php?idCd=613

Colotán, Jalisco
  Hotel Hacienda de los Gálvez
  Hotel Colotlán
  Hotel San Luis

Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes
http://www.zonaturistica.com/hoteles-mexico.php?idCd=1

Last year I travelled to Zacatecas and Jalisco, but not exactly the same
towns you're planning on visiting. In Zacatecas, Zac. there are many options
available.  The smaller towns have fewer options and you have to be prepared
for the very basic hotel accomodations.

Some important and friendly recommendations:  

plan your itinerary very carefully;  know your point A, point B, etc.; carry
a good map.

travel only by day;  roads are narrow with few signs; watch for speed bumps
in every town.

check your fuel level often; there aren't many gas stations as you're
accustomed to.

pay with pesos;  small denomination is preferable.

drink bottled water. (But everyone knows that, right?)

keep a low profile; try to blend as much as possible;  leave your jewelry at
home.

take your cel phone; charge your battery;  have at hand a list of numbers
from your contacts. (service is not available everywhere,
though)

Victor

p.s. If I think of something else I'll let you know.

--- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, Edward  Serros <ed@s...> wrote:
> I am planning to go to Zacatecas in four weeks. My original plan
was to stay
> in Zacatecas, Zacatecas (Quinta Real Zacatecas Hotel) as a base,
traveling
> on day trips to Valparaiso, Sombrerete, Colotlan, and
Aguascalientes. I
> would appreciate any comments on alternative accomodations,
alternative
> towns I can use a base, local hotels, rental cars, or guides. 
Actually the
> Quinta Real Zacatecas, sounds like a neat place.
> 
> Maybe some of you have traveled there. I have never seen much of
Mexico
> except the tourist resort spots or the border towns.
> 
> Thank you,
> 
> Ed Serros.





 
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