Atlixco, Mexico

The friendly skies: Talk about changes in altitude. Sitting about 1,000 feet lower than neighboring areas in central Mexico, Atlixco has much more agreeable weather than the surrounding Sierra Nevada region: Temperatures only vary from 68 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, nurturing a bounty of blossoms, palm trees, and outdoor markets.

On the ground: Known as the City of Flowers, Atlixco is actually a small village, and a very far cry from the beaches and booze of Cancún. While Atlixco can't escape the present (a Domino's has moved in), it's pretty close to past perfect. In addition to the many gardens and nurseries—particularly pretty in November and December, thanks to the abundance of poinsettias—there are 17th-century churches to stroll through, including a former Franciscan convent and the Pope St. Felix church. At Las Calandrias Hotel & Restaurant, the 17 colonial-chic suites have wooden headboards, stone floors, and crisp white sheets; fresh tortillas, guacamole, and house-made posole are on the buffet; and your poolside companions just might include a swan. Tuesdays and Saturdays are market days; feel free to stock up on souvenirs, as your luggage won't be stuffed with all the layers required of places with less predictable weather.

Las Calandrias Hotel & Restaurant
Carretera Puebla-Izúcar de Matamoros, Km. 5
Libramiento Atlixco, Puebla, Mexico
Tel: 01244 4462020

Next: Stay dry on a very rainy island >