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Guadalajara, Mexico
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Guadalajara Newsletter - January 2017

WHAT'S NEW

COME Festival

Third Annual COME Festival

This March, Guadalajara will host its third annual COME Festival, a lively four-day gastronomical experience that invites visitors and locals to enjoy vibrant Mexican flavors while tasting traditional dishes and sipping on the best wines, beer, and tequilas of Guadalajara. The event is so much more than just food tasting, as local chefs and food historians will be leading talks to educate attendees on the history of Guadalajara's cuisine, as well as the style and techniques these authentic dishes require. Guests can learn how to apply these methods in their home kitchens by attending a cooking workshop taught by a local chef. The festival will run from March 2-5, 2017. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience.

WHAT'S NEW

World Baseball Classic

World Baseball Classic

For the first time, Guadalajara will play host to the 2017 World Baseball Classic (WBC) at Estadio Charros de Jalisco on March 9-13, 2017. Ticket strips for WBC games will be available at www.worldbaseballclassic.com. Local hotels such as the Aloft Guadalajara are offering special hotel packages, starting at $85USD per night from March 6 to March 14, 2017 which includes daily breakfast, Wi-Fi and parking. For reservations please contact reservations@AloftGuadalajara.com.

getting around

Volaris Airplane

New Volaris Flights – Milwaukee

Getting to Mexico's second largest city, Guadalajara, is about to get a lot easier this spring. Volaris recently announced nonstop flights from Miami to Guadalajara, which starts on February 1, 2017 and operates four times a week, on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Additionally, the airline is also debuting Milwaukee to Guadalajara, which will start on March 3, 2017 and operate two times a week, departing on Wednesday and Friday, returning on Tuesday and Thursday.

Hotel spotlight

Hotel Spotlight

Hyatt Regency Andares Guadalajara

Opening on February 22, 2017 the Hyatt Regency Andares Guadalajara will be the fifth Hyatt to open in Mexico. The property is located in downtown Guadalajara within the Zapopan district, just steps away from the luxury stores at the high-end mall in Andares. The Hyatt Regency Andares Guadalajara is equipped with 257 rooms and has three unique dining outlets featuring local and international cuisines, approximately 29,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, spa facilities, a fitness center, and an indoor swimming pool.

Hotel Hyatt Andares
Foodie

foodie corner

Pozole

Pozole

Made with pork and hominy (dried corn), pozole is a traditional Mexican soup that is available at food stands, markets, and restaurants throughout Guadalajara. This dish is served at celebratory events such as Mexico’s Independence Day, Quinceañeras, weddings, birthdays, and baptisms.


Ingredients:
  • 6 ancho chiles, seeded
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 2 1/4 lbs hominy corn
  • 1 garlic head
  • 1 small white onion
  • 10 bay leaves
  • sea salt
  • Loin or pork leg approximately 1.5 lbs
  • 2 pig legs, cleaned and quartered
To Serve:
  • 12 lemons, quartered
  • Oregano, to taste
  • Piquin chile, to taste
  • 1 white onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 head of lettuce, finely shredded
  • 12 radishes, sliced

Method: In a small bowl, combine the chiles and enough hot water to cover them and soak for 15 minutes. Put them with their soaking liquid into a food processor or blender, add 1 teaspoon oregano, and process until smooth. Strain, put into a frying pan or skillet, and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, then remove from the heat and set aside.

Put the garlic head, onion, bay leaf, remaining oregano, salt to taste and water into a large saucepan and cook over low-medium heat for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, put the meats in a large saucepan, add enough water to cover, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 45 minutes, or until soft. Remove the meat and shred. Cut the meat from the bones into bite-size cubes and set aside.

Add the corn to the garlic and onion stock and cook for 30 minutes, until the corn is fully soft. Add the chile paste and check the seasoning.

Ladle the soup into bowls, dividing the meat generously among each bowl. Serve with lemons, oregano, piquin chile, onion, lettuce, and sliced radishes. Recipe courtesy of WNYC.

Question and Answer

Q&A

Cesar Orestes

Director of Sales & Marketing at Demetria Hotel

Cesar Orestes - Director of Sales & Marketing at Demetria Hotel

1. What is an unusual activity that visitors should try?

Visitors should experience La Ruta del Tequila (translated as the Tequila Trail or Tequila Route from Spanish) — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2006. It is a scenic region in the state of Jalisco that connects tequila-producing towns. Under Mexican law, tequila must be made by a Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT)-certified location in one of five Mexican states. Most of the 140 distilleries that meet these requirements are located in the state of Jalisco, specifically in the town of Tequila, about an hour outside of Guadalajara.

2. List your three favorite reasons to visit Guadalajara and why.

Guadalajara defines Mexican traditions, and it is the center of Mexican culture, authentic people and rich heritage such as Mariachis, Charros, and more.

3. Where would you send a customer to experience the rich culture of Guadalajara?

Travelers to Guadalajara must visit the nearby towns to embrace our rich culture, and stops at Tequila, Tlaquepaque and Chapala should be on everyone’s itinerary.

In the area around the town of Tequila, greenish blue fields of agave stretch out for miles. The fields of blue agave plants are so beautiful that they have been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tlaquepaque is best known for its craftsmanship and longtime tradition of mariachi performances. Local arts and crafts fill the showrooms and stores in this town, where travelers will find carved wood furniture, colorful ceramics, and hand-stitched clothing among other goods.

Lake Chapala is Mexico’s largest freshwater lake and is located a one-hour drive from Guadalajara along the border between Jalisco and Michoacan states. The area offers visitors and residents alike a peaceful and quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of Guadalajara.

4. If you only had four words to describe Guadalajara, what would they be?

Tradition, culture, tequila, and authentic.

GDL News

Guadalajara in the News 

The Best Places to Travel in JanuaryTravel + Leisure shares why Guadalajara is a top vacation spot for a January getaway.

The Hottest Places You Need to Check Out in Mexico in 2017The Active Times praises Guadalajara as a must-see destination in 2017.

Four Fabulous Properties That Showcase Mexico’s Rich Spa HeritageDay Spa Magazine highlights where to have the ultimate spa experience in Guadalajara.

The Chefs, Artists, and Tequila Makers of GuadalajaraOutside Magazine takes a look at Guadalajara’s top tastemakers.

Top 10 CitiesRough Guides includes Guadalajara in its picks for the top 10 cities to visit in 2017.