Robert de Gast, author of the popular The Doors of San Miguel de Allende crosses the thresholds of homes in this historic Mexican town to discover their remarkable outdoor paradises--sunstruck, lushly colored courtyards, patios, and breezeways--that lay beyond them. Come with de Gast as he guides viewers to parts of San Miguel visitors seldom see and offers glimpses into the daily lives and traditions of those who live in this unique place. Established in the sixteenth century as a Franciscan mission, the lovely town of San Miguel de Allende has been an art and artisanal center for nearly two centuries. Its cool summers and mild winters have more recently made it a popular destination for vacationers from North America and Europe. A part-time resident of San Miguel since 1991, Robert de Gast is an award-winning photographer and a widely published writer. His avocations include hot-air ballooning, which he pursues in Mexico, and sailing, which he does for part of the year on the East Coast of the United States.

Photographs highlight the traditional doorways into the houses and other old buildings of the historic Mexican city.

Eternal San Miguel de Allende is a celebration offers a rare insider's view into the interiors of 18th Century San Miguel de Allende mansions and haciendas, as well as a look into the lesser known and thrilling traditions that exist only in this fabled Mexican town. Long a magnet for the artistic and literary avant-garde, San Miguel de Allende remains a potent mix of old world heritage and Mexican indigenous traditions.

Profiles homes from the colonial town of San Miguel de Allende, surveying numerous interior, architectural, and garden design ideas, from stately rural haciendas and villas to renovated colonial townhouses.

Struggling to free itself from a century of economic decline and stagnation, the town of San Miguel de Allende, nestled in the hills of central Mexico, discovered that its "timeless" quality could provide a way forward. While other Mexican towns pursued policies of industrialization, San Miguel--on the economic, political, and cultural margins of revolutionary Mexico--worked to demonstrate that it preserved an authentic quality, earning designation as a "typical Mexican town" by the Guanajuato state legislature in 1939. With the town's historic status guaranteed, a coalition of local elites and transnational figures turned to an international solution--tourism--to revive San Miguel's economy and to reinforce its Mexican identity. Lisa Pinley Covert examines how this once small, quiet town became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to one of Mexico's largest foreign-born populations. By exploring the intersections of economic development and national identity formation in San Miguel, she reveals how towns and cities in Mexico grappled with change over the course of the twentieth century. Covert similarly identifies the historical context shaping the promise and perils of a shift from an agricultural to a service-based economy. In the process, she demonstrates how San Miguel could be both typically Mexican and palpably foreign and how the histories behind each process were inextricably intertwined.

“Walking through the old wooden doors at Fonda San Miguel is like a journey back to colonial Mexico. . . . World-class Mexican art and antiques decorate the interior, and famed Mexican chefs have taught and cooked here. Acclaimed as one of the best Mexican restaurants in the country serving authentic interior food . . .” —USA Today “The stately yet bright and colorful hacienda decor and standout Mexican-interior cooking . . . will transport you straight to Guanajuato.” —Vogue “It anchors the city as its premier Mexican restaurant institution.” —The Daily Meal, which named Fonda San Miguel one of “America’s 50 Best Mexican Restaurants” Updated and reissued to celebrate the restaurant’s four decades of success, Fonda San Miguel presents more than one hundred recipes. The selections include many of Fonda’s signature dishes—Ceviche Veracruzano, Enchiladas Suizas, Cochinita Pibil, Pescado Tikin Xik, and Carne Asada—as well as a delicious assortment of dishes from Mexico’s diverse regional cuisines. Supplementary sections contain tips on buying and cooking with the various chiles and other ingredients, along with information on basic preparation techniques, equipment, and mail-order sources. Full-color photographs illustrate special dishes, and representative works from the impressive Fonda San Miguel art collection are also featured, along with notes on the artists.

Over the past 35 years, hundreds of thousands of readers have agreed: This is the classic guide to "living, traveling, and taking things as they come" in Mexico. Now in its updated 14th edition, The People's Guide to Mexico still offers the ideal combination of basic travel information, entertaining stories, and friendly guidance about everything from driving in Mexico City to hanging a hammock to bartering at the local mercado. Features include: • Advice on planning your trip, where to go, and how to get around once you're there • Practical tips to help you stay healthy and safe, deal with red tape, change money, send email, letters and packages, use the telephone, do laundry, order food, speak like a local, and more • Well-informed insight into Mexican culture, and hints for enjoying traditional fiestas and celebrations • The most complete information available on Mexican Internet resources, book and map reviews, and other info sources for travelers

"DOORS & MORE", grew as we experienced "The Magic of San Miguel de Allende" Initially, when friends start talking about their most recent trip to Mexico, popular destinations like Cabo San Lucas , Mexico City , Guadalajara , Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, Tulum came to our minds as Mexico's 'most popular destinations.One evening, while having dinner with friends that travel extensively, they excitedly told us about a trip they had just taken to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. They raved about the culture, the architecture, arts the joyous atmosphere, and the food they encountered.My wife shocked me when she said that this city has been on her ''Bucket List'' for many years. I was surprised since this was the first time I heard this wish. This started a quest for more knowledge about San Miguel, and the eventual scheduling a trip to the city.