Morelia is the state capital of Michoacan, and is located 303 km (187 mi) west of Mexico City.  It has a warm, semi-humid climate with rain during the summer and an average temperature of 20º C (68º F).

The city’s Historic Downtown Area, declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO, houses many beautiful colonial buildings and churches (over 1,000 historical buildings and sites), such as the Palacio Nacional and La Catedral de Morelia (The Cathedral of Morelia), a Baroque-style building built during the 1600-1700’s. During the colonial period, Morelia became home to a number of established religious orders, which makes the city an important place in Mexico’s history of art and culture. Morelia offers a pleasant and hospitable atmosphere, and is also host to important cultural events, such as international film and music festivals.

Thanks to its strategic location, many tourists use the city as a base before heading out to nature reserves, such as the monarch butterfly sanctuary and the Parque Nacional Jose Maria Morelos (The Jose Maria Morelos National Park).  To the southern end of the city is the Santa Maria mountain range, where the upper elite residential districts, private schools and universities are located. The main university, the Universidad Michoacan de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, founded in 1551, is one of Mexico’s oldest and most respected public universities.

Local Tarascan Indian traditions are of cultural significance to Morelia, and are displayed in the clothing worn, the crafts they make and the historical importance of the archaeological ruins at Ihuatzio and Tzintzuntzan.  Also on offer are a variety of traditional Purepecha cuisine dishes.

Patzcuaro, which means ‘place of stones’, was founded in 1540, and is located high in the mountains in the central valley region of the state of Michoacan 2,200 meters (7130 ft) above sea level, 50 km (31 mi) southwest of Morelia.  It’s climate is humid, with rainfall during the summer and an average temperature of 16º C (61º F).

Originally developed as a religious centre, because it was believed to be the doorway to heaven where gods ascended and descended, the town retains its ancient and rural atmosphere with unique architecture and cobblestone streets shared by horse and car. Of interest are the monumental churches, such as Nuestra Señora de la Salud and Templo de San Agustin.  The grass covered Plaza Vasco de Quiroga is Patzscuaro’s central square which is always bustling with activity.  At the Casa de los Once Patios (The House of Eleven Patios), which was once a former monastery, you’ll discover a wide variety of local crafts, such as maize paste sculptures and famous lacquered wood items.

Surrounding the city to the north is Lake Patzcuaro, one of Mexico’s highest lakes.  A trademark of Patzscuaro are the traditional ‘butterfly fishermen’, who go in search of whitefish. The area is also ideal for outdoor recreational activities like mountain biking, hiking and paragliding.