Top 10 Charming Cities and Towns

Santo Domingo Church

  The end of 2012 is rapidly approaching. On top of that, the second anniversary of Tanama Tales is around the corner. What better way to celebrate than remembering some of the best adventures of these past two years? Today, I bring you a recount of the Top Charming Cities and Towns we have visited. [...]

Cholula: The Oldest Living City in America

Colorful Restaurant

There is a song called “Que Chula es Puebla” (or How beautiful is Puebla). If Puebla is beautiful, then Cholula is magnificent. Puebla’s western neighbor (it is located 7 miles from the center) is famous because of its Great Pyramid.  Visitors are used to make a short trip to this ancient city.  Based on what [...]

Callejon de los Sapos: Splash of Color in Puebla

Scene from the alley

The term “Disneyesque” is used to describe places that are surrounded by an aura of perfection. There is an area or “barrio” in Puebla which tends to be described with such a term.  Its name even resembles a fairy tale land.  Locals know it as the “Callejon de los Sapos” or “Alley of the Frogs.”  [...]

Casa del Dean: Small Museum, Old Murals

Casa del Dean

Many times, I have heard Rick Steves saying, “If art is boring to you, it is because you do not understand it.”  I can’t agree more with his comment. In some museums, I have felt like leaving right away because nothing appeals to me.  The story is different when I buy and audio tour.  Things [...]

Tlaxcala: An Unknown Capital

Salmon pinks streets

Correct me if I am wrong.  You have never heard about Tlaxcala (congratulations if you had!). Tlaxcala (pronounced tlas – ca – la) is the name of the smallest state in Mexico.  The capital of the state bears the same name (actually, the state takes the name of the capital).  Even though you have probably [...]

Copan Ruinas: A Not so Ruined Town

Central Plaza

I don’t know who gave the name of Copan Ruinas to the gateway town to the Copan Archeological Site. Maybe authorities wanted to make clear the town is close to the Mayan ruins.  Or maybe they wanted to differentiate the municipality from the department of the same name or other nearby cities (like Santa Rosa [...]

Concepcion de Ataco, El Salvador

The famous cats of Diconte and Axul

Concepcion de Ataco is a town situated in the western mountain ranges of El Salvador.  It is located in the department of Ahuachapan across the popular Flowers Route (Ruta de la Flores). You don’t have to use the full town name.  Everybody knows the place by Ataco.  To me, this is the most beautiful town [...]

Brazil’s Dusty Azurre: Day 7 (Scene 2)

Restaurant

Last week, I discussed how the town of Parati maintains an unique charm because of how it has conserved numerous elements that transports us to a certain point in the past. But behind the horse carriages, old canyons and stony streets, there is another story.  The forward thinking of certain creative individuals made the town [...]

Brazil’s Dusty Azurre: Day 7 (Scene 1)

Pedestrian walking the streets

On the morning of Day 7, we left our beloved Rio de Janeiro in search of a change of pace. When I planned this trip, I wanted to see more of Brazil than Rio.  I know that was an audacious proposition due to the humongous size of the country.  On the other side, I read [...]

Valladolid: A Colonial Pearl

Church at Candelaria Park

Not long time ago, I posted a photo essay about the doors and windows of Valladolid, Mexico.  Take a look at that post here. Well, that was not meant to be my only post about this charming colonial town located in the Yucatan state.  An increasing photography aficionado like me uses every opportunity to practice [...]

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