This location has been used for many movies. . It's also a popular spot for weddings and…read morereceptions. It's a really gorgeous spot with the view of the cathedral just behind it. There is a small kitchen that serves few light snacks and coffee if you're just strolling through and want to take in the beautiful courtyard.

This is an art school that caters to English speakers. The building is worth a look, it's a nice…read morecolonial style building with courtyards and columns and is a very pleasant space. I was told that the school was started by American veterans after World War II using veterans benefits money. It seems to be a big success. If you are here for a longer time, you might consider signing up for some classes.There are several offices and shops such as a bookstore inside, and in one corner there is a coffee shop that serves breakfast and lunch.

We arrived for a great breakfast at the outdoor cafe and then visited all the galleries and shops…read morethe rest of the morning. What an amazing venue and lovely way to spend the morning. Although we were there on a nice sunny day, this would also be a great spot to visit if the weather wasn't cooperating. I wish I had brought an extra suitcase, so much great art, items and unique and inspiring pieces.

If you're looking for more of the upscale Carmel-by-the-Sea vibe, you can find it here in spades…read more It's far enough from Zona Centro for you to avoid most of the tourist congestion but close enough to stroll over. Arresting pieces of public art come into view before you get to the entrance of this former textile factory. Too bad they've been placed rather unphotogenically in the parking lot (Photo 8). They've done an excellent job renovating the buildings and sprucing up the grounds. There are three upmarket components to this expansive complex: art galleries, retail stores, and cafes. It can make for a pleasant browsing experience should you be in the mood for it, but if not, it illustrates a rather polarizing divide between the haves and have-nots in San Miguel de Allende. If you're seriously considering a purchase here, you know which camp you're in. There's certainly enough outdoor furniture and ornate bric-a-brac here to fill your summer home. The only items Jamie W and I bought were a pair of iced coffees and an artful slice of apple pie at Geek & Coffee, a charming terrace cafe on the grounds (Photo 16), a pleasant break before we headed back to town. RELATED - Exploring San Miguel de Allende? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/4NSK-pc5tS

My tour group took us here to show us this popular Conservatory of Roses music school at the Miguel…read moreBernal Jiménez Campus Santiago Tapia No. 334 Historic Center 58000 in Morelia, Michoacán. Mexico. It is very similar to San Francisco Conservatory of Music in San Francisco, California, USA where they train students to be excellent musicians in their craft. Also both places offer free student concerts during the semester, just check their website or flyers at the school. You may be asking why is the school named Conservatory of Roses? The name was invented by the residents of ancient Valladolid, towards the end of the 17th century. As stated on the school's website "...The church that we see today was built for the school, dedicated to Santa Rosa de Lima, from which the nickname "roses of Castile" was derived for the students and, by extension, the site in general. It was completed in 1752 at the expense of Bishop Martin Elizacoechea. Its façade has a double doorway following the tradition of nuns' temples and is richly sculpted in baroque style with pilasters, medallions, plant reliefs and images of saints." The Italian architecture of the columns is very nice looking. I am surprised not many people use Yelp in Mexico, so I will do my best to give an accurate description of this building and as I walked by the courtyard, I passed by rooms with music flowing out of them, like two female students in a room with a violin and then another room I heard sounds of a piano coming from a window on the ground floor. Conservatory of Roses is a unique institution in Mexico which is a non-profit civil association that operates through its own income up to 80 percent, and receives public funds to complete the resources required for its operation. They Offer high-quality education for their students to being successful in entering the world of music work at a national and international level. As stated from their website, They work with students in a very wide range of ages, ranging from preschool level (kindergarten included) to graduate level (passing, of course, through primary, secondary and high school). Here's a summary of the background of the building and school from their website translated in English. In the year 1743, the Santa Rosa de Santa María Girls' School was founded in the city of Valladolid, Michoacán, in the same building that the Conservatory of Roses occupies today. The property had previously belonged to the Dominican Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena, an institution that stood out in the former province of Michoacán for its intense musical activity. The Girls' School was also distinguished by the role that music teaching played in it, which is why it is considered today as the most remote predecessor of the Conservatory of the Roses. The College operated until 1870, when it was permanently closed after almost a decade of ups and downs and partial closures. Thirty years later, in 1904, the San Gregorio Magno Sacred Music School was inaugurated in Morelia, with the aim of providing professional training to church musicians In 1921 the Orfeón became the Official School of Sacred Music of the Archbishopric of Michoacán, where in 1926 the first titles of "Gregorian Chant License" and "Mastery in Composition" were granted. Among the disciples graduated in 1927 was Miguel Bernal Jiménez, who the following year was sent to Rome to specialize in the organ and upon his return to occupy the position of teacher of this instrument. His return meant the beginning of a new era in the teaching of sacred music in Morelia. During the last decades, since the death of Miguel Bernal Jiménez, Father Marcelino Guiza had been in charge, who ended his management with the appointment of Maestro Carreño. Father Guiza managed to keep the institution alive, facing situations of enormous adversity. The renovation that began in 1986 continued with the restoration of the central building of the Conservatory, which was almost completely unusable, even without roofs. The new Council of Associates and the community of teachers became aware that a fundamental academic transformation was necessary, which would review the very mission of the institution. It was from then on that the Conservatory focused on the professional training of musicians, regardless of any religious objective. Starting in 1994, the teaching staff was radically transformed, consolidating the different musical disciplines. Many Mexican and foreign teachers joined the institution, whose work quickly turned the Conservatory into a cutting-edge institution in musical education at a national and international level. It was a complex process. If you come across this school, please feel free to wander in the open door and explode the nice campus filled with history.

I tried to sign up for a class prior to my arrival, but they were all full, not the ones I wanted,…read moreor too long. I came here to so I could see what the place looked like before I go home and try to sign up for classes again. While viewing the place I met one of the teachers. The lobby is filled with work by the various teachers. All of the teachers are good painters and I enjoyed viewing their work and hope to take a class by them and come out with similar results.

Conclusion: Cristina and Fernando, although they do know about art, are the most paranoid…read moreself-serving couple I have ever met. Things that happened in order: 1. 1st day. I unexpectedly had to pay my hotel bill on the first day in pesos. Therefore, I came up a little short for the art studio. I told them I had a credit card, but they wanted their money in pesos. I gave them 6,000 pesos in cash and told them I would have the rest (about $150) for them on Wed. 2 days before the end of class and in pesos. They were very upset and made me feel like a criminal in front of the other 2 participants. 2. I asked Cristina if I could leave my purse in the school while we went out sketching. She said no, she didn't want the responsibility. I had to draw while holding a purse. 3. Cristina asked what my experience was and I told her I didn't draw well and my home teacher had me copying her work. Cristina started saying How would you like it if someone came into your house and stole your stuff. You're stealing. 4. Fernando: I asked him if I could take a photo of his painting, the one we were all painting together where he was explaining what to do as we painted. He said he doesn't let students take photos of his work, even though this was the teaching painting. 5. I asked him a question about how I could get more value shifts into my trees. His answer was to talk for 10 minutes about how he always has a student who doesn't like their work. I liked my work. I only asked him one question. Neither Fernando nor Cristina like questions. 6. I ran back up to the studio to see if I left my phone up there. He was calling after me somewhat frantically, Where are you going, like he didn't want me up there alone. 7. Before class, we were made to stand outside on the extremely narrow, hot sun and broken sidewalk outside the studio until the maid opened the door one minute before class was to start. The above are 7 reasons why I would never recommend this school to anyone! To Cristina, In answer to your comment below: 1. I did not arrive late. You made us all late while you complained that I didn't have the full amount in pesos so you could avoid paying taxes. 2. I told you I had all the money before I had to pay my hotel bill on the first day, Sunday eve. In pesos. Out of $750, I was only about $150 short and told you I would pay the rest on Wed. Which I did. What you had was plenty to teach me for 3 days and you knew you would get the rest. Where would I go? 3. Racist comments - what planet are you on? I told you I love Mexico, I am A Spanish teacher and you know what, even the nice young girl from Hong Kong said she thought you would be more flexible. None of us were happy about waiting outside till the last minute. We talked about it. 4. It is not an unrealistic expectation to be treated well, in a pleasant environment and have your painting questions answered. 5. You offered me my 6,000 pesos back. You were not about to give me my previous $300US back and you also knew I had come to Mexico just for your art class, which I thought would be good. As I told you, what about my $500 plane flight? I had to stay and you knew it. You say you knew I would give you a bad review. I'm not surprised you knew that after the way you acted. That is one reason Yelp was created, to let others know if a certain business treats its patrons well. In spite of you, Cristina, I did learn some painting techniques from Fernando, who despite a few things is not altogether a bad guy. In fact, if he was teaching somewhere else without you, I might even give him another try. Also, in my above review, I forgot to mention that the class studio is up a narrow steep fight of stairs and is extremely hot (in March) and I am not a person who feels heat much. There is no air conditioning, no fan and the window can't be opened due to the noises coming from the extremely busy street below.