Designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Renzo Piano, the Modern Wing will provide a new home for the museum’s collection of 20th- and 21st-century art. Now a decade in the making, this 264,000 square-foot building makes the Art Institute the second largest art museum in the United States. The building will house the museum’s world-renowned collections of  modern European painting and sculpture, contemporary art, architecture and design and photography The extraordinary scope and quality of these collections will be a revelation; each will be displayed more comprehensively than ever before. The opening of the Modern Wing will allow the Art Institute to take its rightful place as one of the world’s great collections of modern and contemporary art.

According to the Financial Time’s Travel Unravelled, “the  AIC’s new Modern Wing is a building to rival the outstanding art collection it’s been built to house.”

La Siranda, a classic residence in the heart of Patzcuaro, which has been transformed into a cozy, special class casa-hotel with 5 suites and picturesque grounds. It combines tradition, refinement and serenity, with the element of exclusivity and therefore has no name on its facade. 

With origins in the eighteenth century, the grounds were once the orchards of the Santa Caterina de Siena convent. The property retains spaciousness and breadth prevalent in the houses of that era, and has been furnished with modern and sophisticated decor that blends tastefully with Mexican furniture and objets d´art from around the world. 

The spacious suites are crowned with impressive five meter ceilings and wooden beams, and also feature adobe walls, fireplaces, modern bathrooms, king size beds, heating for winter, and fine folk art from Michoacan.  I ate two meals on the terrace.  The food was the best I had in town!

Located adjacent to Plaza Grande, known for it´s exceptional size and elegance, La Siranda is a neighbor of the Casa de los Once Patios, the Santa Caterina de Siena convent, which was constructed in the 18th century, but today is home to many artisans who reflect the richness of Michoacán culture in their work. It is within walking distance from the former Jesuit College, the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Salud, and other magnificent buildings of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, when Pátzcuaro was the political and religious center of the current state of Michoacan.

Patzcuaro is easily reachable from Morelia.  The new cuota from the north is now open so it cut off an hour from the drive from San Miguel de Allende!

I heard that Santi in Geyserville is amazing.  I never got there however. Check out Powell’s Sweet Shoppe for their blackberry cabernet sorbet!  I also like the Flying Goat.  They had great chai and I undertand the have wonderful coffee also  Locals recommend the Downtown Bakery and Creamery for breakfast  and Hotel Healdsburg for jazz at night.