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A family-owned ceramics studio, Cerámica Suro opened in the 1950s to manufacture wares for luxury hotels. When José Noé Suro, the son of the original owner, took over the factory, he invited some of his artist friends to collaborate on projects and began producing dinnerware for some of Mexico’s top restaurants. Today, visits to the factory are by appointment only; contact Journey Mexico to schedule a tour.

The studio recently moved to the art gallery, House of Gaga (October 2023 update).

The confluence of two rivers takes place in Guatín where one hails from the warm thermal springs of Puritama, and the other is the Purifica River, whose waters are from the Andes Mountains. This unique mix of warm thermal spring water and cold clear mountain snowmelt gives rise to the new river which supports the unique ecosystem of the Guatin Canyon. One of the most fun hikes in San Pedro is to trek alongside waterfalls, switching back and forth over large rocks. The canyon is also covered in different cacti like the amazing Candelaria cactus that can grow to be several meters tall. Photo: Francisco Ramirez (Eat Wine Blog)

You need to make an appointment to visit, but cannot leave Lima without seeing this stunning historic home near Lima’s main square. What is most astonishing is that the home has been in the same family since 1535, when Francisco Pizarro founded Lima. One of his captains, Jeronimo de Aliaga Ramirez, was able to build his home next to Pizarro’s house, and 17 generations of his family have lived in it since. The rooms are filled with original treasures and artwork, and I loved seeing Captain Aliaga’s personal sword on display. When I was there, family members were also roaming the home, though their personal living quarters are not open for touring.

Natales first microbrewery was started by California native Chad Horton and two friends who shared two loves: rock climbing and craft beer. They came to climb in the park and fell in love. With the pure water, he saw the opportunity to make a high quality draft beer for the town, which is on tap in nearly every restaurant and even in the Torres del Paine National Park. In downtown Natales, they now have their own brewhouse where they make the beer in a true “artisanal” method. The hoppy ales are unfiltered and unpasteurized ales, brewed with local malted barley, hops imported from the Pacific Northwest, yeast, and some of the best water on the planet. Bories 430, Main Square, Puerto Natales, +56 61241 1920 Photo: Francisco Ramirez (http://eatwineblog.com)

Located in the hills of the western Cachapoal wine valley, on the border with Colchagua, Alexdandre Vik has placed his bets on the terroir to be the birthplace of his stellar wine, VIK. Vik is one of the most ambitious wine projects in South America. Its vineyards encompass the entire Millahue Valley (a sub appellation) and are divided into 30+ “microterroirs.” The wine is under the watch of esteemed consultant Patrick Valette to produce Bordeaux-style blend that is elegant, silky and balanced. Come October, Vik will also have its very own five-star hotel, a sort of wine lodge “getaway” strategically perched on a hill overlooking the vines, lagoon, and Andes. Hotel guess can be pampered with long hikes, horseback rides, or biking in the vineyards, unwind with private yoga class or in their spa, and of course, visit the winery and drink this fabulous wine. Prices start at US$1,200 per night. Photo: Francisco Ramirez (http://eatwineblog.com)

La Virgen de Guadalupe-Our Lady of Guadalupe–is revered by Mexicans, and her image is ubiquitous, found in every form imaginable, from traditional statues to bumper stickers. She also lends her name to any number of businesses and buildings, including the Basilica to which faithful flock–many on their knees or carrying crosses–each December 12. The arrival of the pilgrims is a sight to behold, but so is the basilica, an architectural marvel, which you can visit any time of the year. Completed in 1976, the present basilica is not the first one to have sat on this site; an older one, which needed to be replaced because it was sinking, remains on the grounds and is open to the public after renovation and rehabilitation. The principal architect, Pedro Ramiréz Vázquez, who died in 2013, is responsible for some of the most compelling modern buildings in Mexico City, including Estadio Azteca and the National Anthropology Museum, as well as a number of buildings throughout the country and abroad.

There’s a lot to love about Cleveland, though I’ll admit I was a little shocked that there could be at first. I mean, it’s Cleveland, right? LeBron is gone, Drew Carrey doesn’t hang out there anymore, and the Indians haven’t been relevant since before Manny Ramirez’s third steroid suspension. I spent a week in the Mistake by the Lake, and have to say that I was enthralled by it. People are chill Midwestern types, the food comes large and in charge (thank you Melt Bar & Grilled!), and the downtown core is being gentrified nicely. To top it off, Cleveland is home to The West Side Market, one of America’s greatest wholesalers of awesome. Here I am ordering a Salmon Crepe from Crepe de Lux inside the market proper - not something you could have got your hands on 50 years ago, but this isn’t your grandfather’s West Side Market anymore (seriously, my grandfather has been coming here since it opened, and he says it’s not the same). The market is also home to sensational wieners, hot sauce vendors, meat merchants, seafood hawkers, and a 101 different Oho artifacts to spend your money on. The Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland is a brilliant part of town to photograph; nearly every street and or alley is loaded with cultural artifacts from a culture other than our own Western one. The market sits at the heart of the ‘hood, and should be at the top of your Cleveland itinerary.

Visitors often want to bring a souvenir from San Miguel back to the kids or friends at home...nothing too elaborate, but authentic nonetheless. Head to the three-block Mercado de Artesanías for a leisurely stroll amid the stalls. Start at the west end and work your way east to find silver, crafts, jewelry, pottery…if it fits in a suitcase, you can buy it here. To the east of the artisans’ market, visit the Mercado Ignacio Ramírez, where you’ll find head-high pyramids of fruits and vegetables, perfect for great photos; nightstand-worthy flowers; and food stalls offering everything from custom-made licuados—think smoothies, Mexican style—to peeled cactus leaves freshly prepared for a nopal salad. Good hunting!

Pamela Echeverría founded her original Avenida Ámsterdam space in 2010, after experiences at Galería OMR and the Museo de Arte Carrillo Gil. Since then, the gallery has made a name for itself by providing a forum for contemporary-art proposals based on impassioned research; its catalog has included artists such as Teresa Margolles (2009 Venice Bienniale and the 2012 Prince Claus Award), Erick Beltrán, Santiago Sierra (2003 Venice Bienniale, representing Spain), and Héctor Zamora, as well as Jill Magid, Pablo Vargas Lugo, Terence Gower, and Antonio Vega Macotela. Labor’s current headquarters were originally functionalist architect Enrique del Moral’s 1948 residence and lie just across the street from 1980 Pritzker Prize winner Luis Barragán’s house, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004.

An active parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego, Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá remains a tranquil place of worship and reflection. Regardless of your religious beliefs, the first of California’s 21 missions is well worth a visit for its extensive history. It was originally constructed in Presidio Park in 1769 but moved inland to its current site just five years later. Records show that it was the first place in California to cultivate olives; tree cuttings from this mission would later be used to found olive groves at other missions around the state. It’s also home to the grave of Father Luis Jayme, the state’s first Catholic martyr; he was killed when American Indians stormed the mission in 1775 and is now buried next to the altar. Destroyed many times over, the mission was most recently rebuilt in the 1930s, but looks as it would have in the early 1800s.