My wife and I had long heard about the charms of a small town in Mexico's "Silver Mountains" called San Miguel de la Allende. Known for their extensive expat community, art center, churches and fine restaurants, we wanted a non-beach Mexican vacation that would evoke a more traditional Mexico.

After exhaustive Internet research, we chose to stay at a new bed and breakfast in San Miguel called Casa Mision that had just opened months before. What good luck! Set behind tall walls in a quiet and shady cul de sac not far from the art center, Casa Mision was built like a Spanish manor house with two stories, outdoor walkways overlooking a sumptuous garden with a trickling fountain to sooth our frayed North American psyches. It felt like a world within a world; comfortable, clean, quiet, well appointed rooms and modern bathrooms with ample sitting rooms and all the amenities of home such as Internet service and free phone to the United State!

The breakfast offerings were delicious and bountiful. But there is more! Wine in the afternoon accompanied by custom concierge services offering advice, recommendations, reservations, even life wisdom by Anja, the friendly manager who keeps everything running smoothly. Owned by an American bohemian man who built it for his family who are not able to visit as often as he would like, he has decided (with Anja's help) to treat his guests like family. You will be the benefactor of his generous nature.

We heartily recommend Casa Mision as your base of operations for exploring this wonderful, unique town. This is Mexico at its best--culture, night life, market, walking tours, wonderful food, purified water, a small town ambience with so much to offer. Check out the hot springs outside of town. And take a sidetrip to Guanajuato, the regional center, for a taste of Old World Mexico where Diego Rivera used to live, visit a silver mine and art museum and especially, think about buying the exquisite silver jewelry that made my gold-loving wife appreciate the more subtle charms of its less precious sister.

You will be entranced by your stay at Casa Mision. Tell Anja that Patrick and Michelle sent you!