Mediano o Grande? An Ice Cream Tour of Mexico City

Once home to a great ancient empire and now a cutting-edge and progressive modern capital, Mexico City has been one of the Americas’ mightiest metropolises since its inception. 

While the United States of America is certainly on the younger side when compared to certain European and Asian nations, the country isn’t totally devoid of time-honored celebrations, with Halloween serving as a cultural staple at the very end of October. Also known as All Hallows’ Eve, this fall festival took hold across North America due to the influx of Irish and Scottish immigrants during the 1800s, and is celebrated today with pumpkin carving, colorful costumes, and plenty of sugary treats—and when it comes to planning the perfect party, no one does it quite like the East Coast. With the holiday season in full swing, these spirited cities are packed full of lively events and late-night parties for all to enjoy.

With a population of over 21 million people, Mexico City is a densely packed metropolis with Indigenous origins dating back to the 1300s, when it was called Tenochtitlan.

I grew up in a Mexican household in the heart of American suburbia, one of those kids who spent their childhood ping-ponging across the border. Summers meant Mexico, splitting my time between the north and west, as comfortable on janky city buses as I was body surfing on white capped waves. Adulthood meant more of the same, but instead of summer months, it was entire years, and instead of the north and west, it was the south and east. 

Welcome back to another episode of the TravelPulse Podcast! 

Is Mexico an affordable destination? And how much is a meal in Mexico? Given the size and diversity of the country across 32 states, answering budget-related questions is anything but straightforward.

A domestic flight in Mexico was delayed by almost three hours after a swarm of mosquitoes invaded the plane, Storyful reported.

As Morocco continues its recovery from last month’s earthquake (which devastated many of the rural communities in the High Atlas Mountains), life in Marrakesh carries on largely uninterrupted, especially in the city’s economically vital tourism sector. That includes the opening of a clutch of new hotels, like Farasha Farmhouse, a four-room boutique property. Formerly an artist’s private retreat, Farasha, which lies 30 minutes outside of the city center, is the vision of Rosena and Fred Charmoy. The Marrakesh-based couple are the founders of Boutique Souk — a local high-end events company popular with visiting celebrities and fashion brands (their client list includes Chanel and Saint Laurent) — and are known for their theatrical, over-the-top parties and weddings. Farasha, though, is a more tranquil endeavor. “We loved the mountain views on both sides of the property,” says Rosena, referring to the Atlas and Jbilet ranges that appear to envelop the acres of olive groves and herb gardens. The two-story main building, which holds three suites and the soaring, open-plan common space, is complemented by a neighboring stand-alone cottage. To furnish the place, the Charmoys turned to local creative friends: floors are laid with custom tapestries from Beni Rugs; sculptures were installed by the Moroccan contemporary artist Amine El Gotaibi; and the book collection comes from the family estate of Diana Vreeland, the legendary former editor of Vogue, donated to the hotel by her son Freck, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Morocco. Food here is similarly considered, overseen by the chef Aniss Meski. The olive oil is made on-site, most vegetable dishes use the farm’s produce and a flock of chickens provides a daily supply of fresh eggs. And if the prospect of snagging one of only four guest rooms seems like a tall challenge, fear not: six more will be available to book starting next year.

Mexico is huge! From fluffy, white ski slopes and thick, steamy jungle to cacti-strewn deserts and sublime stretches of untouched sand, expect to use many transport options to get around the world's 13th biggest country.

Puerto Escondido is famous for its waves for expert surfers and has places for beginners. (Photo Credit: Ministry of Tourism of Mexico, Sectur)

Cantinas and cathedrals. Art and archaeology. Mariachis and mountains. Ruins and rainbow reefs. Mexico makes for a mesmerizing escape for lovers of adventure, romance, history, culture, food, and fiery festivals.

As diverse as it is enchanting, Mexico is a year-round destination. This 32-state nation boasts glistening coastlines, numerous microclimates and an astonishingly varied terrain.