Jennifer Fernández Solano

Mexico’s diverse landscape is home to legions of beautiful places that would take a lifetime to explore. From white-sand Caribbean beaches lapped by turquoise waters to millenary rock formations and charming towns with well-preserved colonial architecture, Mexico has no lack of spots to enthrall its visitors with beauty.

Local travel writer Jennifer Fernández Solano gives us a glimpse into daily life in Valencia, Spain’s third largest city and the European Green Capital for 2024.

We asked our local writers to pick their favorite destinations in Mexico – and they didn't disappoint. From laid-back beach towns and scenic wine and cheese routes to spots that serve freshly caught fish by the kilo, this is where the locals go in Mexico.

Spain is one of Europe's busiest countries during the summer. But with warm temperatures in many parts of the country until November and mild winters, the off-season is the perfect time for a weekend escape from the UK and other countries with colder climates.
There’s no denying that Spain's most picturesque towns and cities are great to visit any time of the year, but some can get overwhelming during the high season.

The hotel feels brand new given that it went through a full renovation just a few years ago that totaled nearly $200 million.

December 24 marks the most significant night in Mexico’s holiday calendar, Nochebuena. Mexican families typically get together for a feast of turkey, bacalao a la vizcaína (a Basque-style codfish stew) and romeritos (seepweed served with patties of dried shrimp, potatoes and mole sauce). Families may also attend Christmas Eve events where they sing carols, don Santa hats or have baby Jesus figurines blessed by a priest.

When I moved to Spain, I knew that the country’s cuisine was vast and varied by region.
Yet I didn’t know much about where each local specialty came from, or even the difference between pintxos and tapas. (For the record: pintxos are bite-sized and meant to be eaten with your hands, while tapas are generally larger, served in small plates and eaten with cutlery.) One thing I did know was that pintxos hailed from the Basque Country (País Vasco).

Tequila’s long-held reputation as a party spirit has finally started to wane — and rightfully so. The Blue Weber Agave-based spirit is meant to be savored, sipped slowly instead of downed quickly in a shot glass. When consumed the way it’s meant to be, high-quality tequila is as good as any top-shelf liquor, if not better. As it turns out, tequila can absorb the qualities of the field where it’s grown, much like wine.

Mexico City has been on travelers’ to-visit lists for years, but it’s perhaps never been cooler to visit than it is now. The Mexican capital is certainly having a moment. And it’s no surprise why: With an abundance of museums, historical sites, and vibrant markets, there’s no shortage of things to do in Mexico City, no matter which time of the year you visit.

Mexican handicrafts are famous around the world for good reason. The country’s robust indigenous heritage comes alive through bright textiles, intricate silver jewelry, handmade leather footwear and unique ceramic pieces.

Día de Muertos is one of Mexico’s most revered and meaningful traditions. Deeply rooted in the traditions of pre-Hispanic Indigenous cultures, particularly the Aztecs and the Maya, this time-honored celebration pays tribute to loved ones who have died. Mexicans believe that during this time, the veil between the world of the living and the dead lifts, and the dead return to partake in the celebrations.

One of the most appealing aspects of going freelance is being your own boss; you imagine working on your terms and not answering to anyone. The reality is that you’ll often find yourself answering to multiple clients, some of which may be challenging to work with.
There are moves you can take to avoid dealing with headaches from the start. Below are some common client red flags to look out for and how to manage them when they come up.

As a managing editor, part of my job is to assign stories for the brands I work with. While I do assign work outright to trusted contributors for some clients, higher-volume accounts often utilize story pitching.

The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City offers some of the best views in the Mexican capital. Located on the 37th to 47th floors of one of the city’s tallest skyscrapers, the hotel’s floor-to-ceiling windows look directly onto the iconic Reforma Avenue and Chapultepec Park.

Rather than providing a retreat away from the hustle and bustle, The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City invites you to get to know the city from a unique perspective.

As one of the largest metropolises in the world, Mexico City offers so many entertainment options that even locals and repeat visitors haven’t discovered everything in CDMX’s confines.