Before I begin, let me tell you the name of this Dutch town, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, does begin with an apostrophe.

But good news: it is commonly known as Den Bosch. What a relief!

Den Bosch is a very picturesque medieval town located in the south part of Holland, just about an hour train ride from Amsterdam.

And like Dutch people say, it’s also a very gezellig (cozy) town.

Its origin goes back to the 12 Century, when Henry I, Duke of Brabant founded the town.

And today it has a population of about 150,000 people, making it very easy to walk around and explore.

So what to do when visiting Den Bosch?

Den Bosch offers its visitors a great wealth of history and culture.

To begin, you can admire one of the most beautiful cathedrals in all of Holland. The majestic Saint Jan Cathedral was built 800 years ago in a Gothic-Brabantine style.

Inside the cathedral you can admire a huge pipe organ, beautiful detailed sculptures all over the building, and colorful stained glass.

For most visitors, the main attraction in Den Bosch is the river boat tour on the serene waters of the Binnendieze, the historic river that goes through the city.

The river has its origins in Belgium, where it is called Dommel,  a stream of water that forms part of the short Dieze River. It changes names as soon as it crosses the walls of ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

During this relaxing ride, Den Bosch reveals its medieval beauty.

Its versatile channels also show how important they were for the trade of many goods such as beer, wool, and other products.

At points, you will even go through low tunnels, right below the main buildings of the town! And if you think this is claustrophobic, I won’t even tell you about the bat nests you can see inside. Oops!

Don’t forget to explore the colorful open markets in the main square and check all the action.

You can find clothes, flowers, shoes, produce, and all types of food. I love the fresh herring sandwiches with lots of onions, Dutch style of course. Yum!

At nights, there are many great bars and restaurants for all tastes. Some even offer live music.

You’ll see Dutch people love to go out a lot and have fun.

Interesting Facts About Den Bosch:

Perhaps the most famous person in Den Bosch is renaissance artist Hieronymus Bosch.

Contrary to other Flemish styles, his paintings were dark and frequently used evil figures to incite fear and to symbolize the sins of men (see photo).

King Philip II of Spain acquired many of Bosch’s paintings and therefore, many of his works are in display the Prado Museum in Madrid.

The town’s professional soccer team is FC Den Bosch, the first club of Dutch international player Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

Den Bosch also had a sad chapter in its recent history. During World War II the Nazis operated Kamp Vught, a concentration camp near Den Bosch were 30,000 prisoners (12,000 of them Jewish) were placed.

I took this picture on January 7, 2006 when the City of Tampa, Florida had a fascinating artistic event called Lights on Tampa. All around downtown you could admire different art expressions through the use of light.

In the example above, The University of Tampa‘s main building was the canvas for Argentinian artist Jorge Orta, known around the world for his very colorful large-scale image projections. He has also done similar installations in famous sites such as the Pompidou Centre in Paris, Machu Picchu citadel in Peru, Cappadocia in Turkey, and the Zócalo in Mexico City, among others.

Do you remember the feeling of the first time you fell in love? Or how about a time in your life when you couldn’t hold back a tear because you realized just how much you love life?

La Parroquia - Church of St. Michael

Let the picturesque town of San Miguel de Allende seduce you and awaken your senses in a magical life-appreciating vacation you’ll never forget.

San Miguel de Allende is a very unique town located in the heart of Mexico in the Bajío region and it was just recently (2008) declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As soon as you arrive you’ll feel transported back into the past, welcomed by San Miguel’s colorful colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. The central landmark is the tall Gothic-style Parroquia, the Church of St. Michael, located in the main square.

As a matter of fact, the town is full of pictorial churches and beautifully decorated plazas with lively fountains and luscious green areas. The sounds of the birds and distant giggles of playful children melt in unison to enhance the spirit of viva la vida.

San Miguel de Allende is as romantic and artistic as Florence, Italy, but with the colorful smiles, the folkloric music, and the vibrant aromas of the always friendly, México.

There are plenty of reasons why this town is one of the most charming and visited places in the country. If you’re looking for an escape from urban reality and hoping for a moment of tranquility, I suggest visiting the hot springs. The phenomenal pools are only 10 minutes by car from the city center.

However, San Miguel de Allende offers you a chance to immerse yourself into the wonderful art & culture of Mexico. So take advantage of this, you won’t regret it!

Besides offering a wealth of art galleries and musical venues, San Miguel de Allende hosts all types of cultural events throughout the year. One of the most famous is the Expresión en Corto International Film Festival, which takes place at the end of July.

Of course, people who have long-term travel plans stay in San Miguel de Allende to study Spanish while perhaps taking painting or cooking classes. San Miguel de Allende really is the Mexican Florence.

For those who love photography, my only recommendation is to simply walk through the town and snap away. San Miguel is your inspiration!

In conclusion, San Miguel de Allende is capable of stimulating your senses in so many ways that we invite you to see for yourself, what all the tremendous fuss is about.

Where to Stay

I’ve been to San Miguel de Allende several times and have stayed in several places, but my absolute favorite is Casa de la Cuesta. This charming Bed & Breakfast is a gorgeous example of traditional Mexican architecture (although somewhat recently constructed). It is run by an American couple, Bill and Heidi, and has 6 uniquely decorated rooms.

Casa de la Cuesta B&B

This colonial hacienda-style home has a large center courtyard where guests can relax while listening to the sounds of the fountain and birds. Because Casa de la Cuesta is located on a hill, most rooms and patios offer spectacular views of the town. Most importantly, the comfortable Bed & Breakfast offers a superb Mexican breakfast.

After a busy day walking through the markets and picturesque squares, you can come back to the B&B and enjoy a glass of wine from a selection of Mexico’s finest vineyards. If you like white wines, they typically have L.A. Cetto’s Blanc de Blancs, one of my favorite Mexican wines.