New & Noteworthy Museums Mexico City

A new museum dedicated to iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, named Museo Casa Kahlo, will open on September 27 in Mexico City. Located in the historic Coyoacán neighborhood, adjacent to the famous Casa Azul (Kahlo’s long-time residence). The new museum, informally called “Casa Roja,” will be in a building originally owned by Kahlo’s parents and later acquired by Frida for her sister Cristina. The museum aims to present a more intimate portrayal of the artist’s life, emphasizing her family relationships and personal world. The museum will showcase never-before-seen personal artifacts, such as letters, childhood photos, dolls, letters, jewelry and Kahlo’s first oil painting, and her only known mural. 

 
Mexico City possesses one of the utmost concentrations of galleries and museums in the world, plus an outstanding innovative cuisine scene rivaling London, Tokyo and Copenhagen. Add an abundance of design shops and classic hotels with our private exclusive experiences to understand why we think Mexico City is a Hot Destination!

A sprawling city simply bursting with energy, Mexico City is a true melting pot of international talent. Known for its incredible range of fine dining options as well as some of the city’s best street food. There are countless ways to spend your days – from visiting nearby ruins, to touring the home of Frida Kahlo, to participating in a cooking class, to catching a local wresting match (lucha libre). Mexico City is an urban jungle with something to offer anyone.

Just a short flight from the United States, Mexico is an often-overlooked destination for rich cultural offerings, a land seemingly familiar but with many unknown secrets simply waiting to be discovered. For many people images of margaritas, maracas, and tacos may be the first to come to mind. Our hope is to show you something more – to connect you with incredible local guides who truly love their country and want to show you the rich layers of its culture and who will bring you to the lesser known, but equally spectacular locations. Mexico City offers excellent contrasts in epic street food tastings to five-star chef driven dining palaces! Cutting edge art museums from folk to dynamic contemporary collections.

The experiences awaiting you in Mexico are plentiful and can be hand-picked to match your interests. We recommend at least three-to five days to explore the magnificent Mexico City, built on top of the ruins of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. We can secure private visits to many museums.

Personally designed itineraries usually include an evening Taco Tour! Head with your guide to Colonia Narvarte, Mexico City’s hidden gem of street food. A Taco Tour is the perfect introduction to Street Food! This neighborhood is a solidly middle-class neighborhood, perfectly safe and perfectly Mexican. Tonight, you will get to see a side of the city that many tourists miss. The neighborhood is known for its dozens of family-style taquerias and a tranquil atmosphere that has not changed much over the past couple of decades. Try tacos al pastor (succulent pork tacos cooked similarly to a kebob), zesty carne asada, and suadero tacos from some of the best local vendors. This tour can easily be customized for vegetarian or plant-based diets, with advance notice.

Recent Client Praise after visiting Mexico City and Oaxaca: Guides in Oaxaca and Mexico City – all very good, particularly our guide in Mexico City. We had a wonderful memorable vacation and enjoyed Celebrating our 40th Wedding Anniversary in Oaxaca and Mexico City —both destinations were everything we were hoping they would be and more!

Archeological visits— all excellent and very much worth our time. After hours, private tour of Anthropology Museum— so glad we took you up on this, very special to see it in the evening without crowds. Would like more time in there! Xochimilco experience— fantastic. Even though there is a more commercial way to visit here, the personal visit we experienced gave us an insider’s view of the floating farms. Our guide and the lunch they served us were fantastic.

That’s it! Again, thank you very much for all your help in making this a memorable 40th Wedding Anniversary Celebration, your teams are amazing and they gave us lovely Anniversary gifts as well!

When to Visit Lake Como: Seasons at Passalacqua and Tremezzo

Benjamin has stayed and loved; droves of clients approve and Highly Recommend… I ventured to the lake to partake in a dash of Dolce Vita! Repeating my recent suggestion of improving your Italian: among your Italian words and phrases, questo è importante: ‘Il dolce far niente” an Italian phrase and life philosophy, it translates as “the sweetness of doing nothing.”

View from bed, Passalacqua.

Two sister properties on celebrated Lake Como. Passalacqua is unique. Back in the 18th century, it was created as a place of the heart on Lake Como for friends, for love and leisure, for the pleasures of the table and the Italian art of dolce far niente. It is that same place of the heart today. A private Villa, now shared with the world. In sports, it’s called ringside, in theatre it’s orchestra or the stalls, at Passalacqua, the grounds and suites are definitely top tier on the shimmering lake. if there had been an option, I wouldn’t have departed! Seven acres of cultivated gardens, the charm and opulent rooms and suites have been updated with care, sacred grounds originally owned by Pope Innocent XI and later owned by composer Vincenzo Bellini. Prominent figures including Napoleon to Winston Churchill gathered here on the lake, including a bevy of our dear VIP Clients.

The best Season to visit Lake Como? Every season, end of summer is sublime!

Spring, when blossom scents the air and daubs white brushstrokes on green hillsides above cobalt blue water. Summer, when long lazy days merge into magical nights alive with promise. Fall, when the woods are tinged with russet and copper, when fragrant truffles and green-gold olive oil enrich the table. A 5-star hotel on Lake Como with warm, personalized service, Passalacqua is the gateway to a region for all seasons.

Back in the day, they knew that pools made for swimmers could also look stylish. Set on a garden terrace just below the main villa, edged by ancient climbing roses and a magnificent bay tree, la piscina lends itself equally to sporty laps and leisurely dips.

Lake Como – The tiny village with the hidden waterfall. The path meandering through wildflower meadows and cool forests to a medieval church. The little water-side trattoria that’s the insiders’ secret and a few grand hotels.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo To Die for Views!

There are many Palace hotels in Italy, what makes this one so Grand?! Sister property Grand Hotel Tremezzo. The Grand Hotel Tremezzo is housed in an iconic art nouveau villa on the western shores of Lake Como, with views across the crystalline waters towards Bellagio and the sunset-lit Grigne mountain range. Generations of travelers have fallen in love with this legendary hotel’s sumptuous rooms and suites, three pools, lakeside private beach and verdant private park – not to mention its dedication to the warmest hospitality all’italiana.

Each and every room and suite has breathtaking views, and the WOW factor- Water on Water floating pool, where could you find a better lake view? Tremezzo not only has stunning rooms and suites, the off property private Villa with its arabesque gardens, six beautiful suites, and an aristocratic history dating back to the 16th century, Villa Sola Cabiati—reached in minutes from the hotel by car or boat—is our exclusive-booking escape, complete with a private staff to help you live out your Lake Como dream. Old world service, where service is an honored profession, five star amenities. Splendor and Sparkle, lake and dramatic snow capped Alps surround the valley.

An afternoon on the lake can be organized at both hotels, I enjoyed a delightful afternoon spin, Life on the Lake in our typical Five Star Fashion. The lavish property is well-known for its magnificent floating pool, but a better kept secret is the heavenly garden, complete with a tennis court and another pool, shaded by olive, palm and banana trees. Garden aficionado’s note: the famed gardens of Villa Carlotta border the property.

Both hotels are family run by the delightful charming hotelier, Valentina De Santis, send our regards! And now from Assouline, a Love Letter to Lake Como!

Highly Recommend!