When I told a family friend I was moving to Mexico their eyes lit up and they exclaimed, “You have to go to Merida!” Since coming to this country, whenever I’ve brought up this city it’s been met with enthusiastic comments about the beauty, food and surrounding nature.

Those keen to travel through Mexico’s glorious Copper Canyon in luxurious grandeur are now getting the opportunity thanks to the May 17 launch of the Chepe Express, a premium tourism concept that compliments the popular – but more modest – train ride, Ferromex’s Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico, more commonly known as “Chepe.”

If you read last week’s account of several days spent in Oaxaca City exposed to what a San Francisco-trained chef – Julio Aguilera of Oaxaca-cathedral-adjacent El Destilado – likes to sink his teeth into on the city’s wide spectrum of gustatory options, plus an account of his restaurant’s 12-something-course tasting menu, then you may recall where we left off.

It seems as if every village in Mexico with a couple of old churches and a few decently-preserved adobe buildings wants a slice of the Pueblo Magico pie.

Mexico’s National Health, Inoculation and Agricultural Quality Service (SENASICA) has initiated a program making it easier for pet owners to travel with their (most commonly) hirsute companions. 

Kayak, a web-based company known for hooking travelers up with accommodations and flights for a discount, has released the 2018 edition of its annual Travel Hacker Guide.