Travel log
Independence tour
Day 1
QUERETARO´S VINEYARDS
Be amazed as you explore the vineyards in the semi-desert of the state of Queretaro where, although it might seem impossible for vines to grow due to the conditions of the land, you’ll be astounded to find that this is indeed possible as you visit the towns of El Marques, Tequisquiapan, Ezequiel Montes and Colon.
What wine cellars to visit?
Without a shadow of a doubt, you’re first stop should be Cavas Freixenet, one of the most important wineries in the Americas. Situated just ten minutes from the magic town of Bernal, this winery is famous for its production of sparkling wines. Climb down the 25 meters leading you to its wine cellar, the deepest in all of Queretaro. Take a tour of its facilities, where you’ll be taught about everything from the cultivation of its vineyards to the bottle sealing stage. If you visit the cellar during the month of August, you’ll be able to experience the harvest festivals, where you yourself will get the chance to squash grapes as you reenact the more antiquated forms of wine production.
Just 15 minutes from the town of Tequisquiapan is La Redonda, which offers free tours every day of the week. Take a look at some of the grapes on the ranch such as the colorful Salvador grape or the famous Cabernet Sauvignon. You can also discover the part of the ranch where vineyards grow on dry soil, a sunny and well-ventilated space with an excellent water-filtering capacity, all of which enhances the properties of the grape. Take in a brief tour of the wine cellar, where you can taste and purchase the wines produced there.
Finish off your tour at the Los Rosales vineyards, situated in the heart of Tequisquiapan, where the land and climate are ideal for the maturation of the grape used in the artisan wine production of Misiones Chapelet. This winemaker’s products are renowned for the intense red juice of its Salvador grape, giving the final product an incredible color, depth and roundedness which is so characteristic of Los Rosales wines.
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |
BERNAL ROCK
Located 37 miles from the city of Queretaro, visitors will find the imposing Bernal Rock, a rocky formation measuring about 1,000 feet in height. This monolith, located in the Gorda Sierra of Queretaro, is considered the world’s third largest, after the Gibraltar Rock in Spain and the Sugar Bread in Brazil.
Rock and mountain climbers will find heaven on Earth at Bernal Rock: along its surface, visitors will find coves, cliffs and rocks worth exploring. But do not be fooled by its apparent climbing simplicity; to reach the top, climbers must have some experience. On March 21st of each year, during the spring equinox, this site welcomes thousands of tourists looking to get close to nature and get a charge of energy.
At the foot of the rock, visitors will find Villa de Bernal, a Magical Town with beautiful portals, cobblestone streets with an irregular layout, taverns, restaurants, handcrafts, traditional food stands, museums (such as the Mask Museum) and colorful houses. Its downtown area is home to the Saint Sebastian Martyr Temple, a building with an eclectic style built from 1700 to 1725.
At this picturesque little town, craftsmen create wool blankets and ponchos used as protection against the wind coming from the sierra mountains; and on the streets, visitors will find quince, guava and peanut candy.
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |
