ocampo

Our house, La Casa de Los Abuelos, is a recently remodeled city house in the historic district of the city of Santiago de Querétaro, in the colonial highlands of Mexico. The house is all on one floor - ground level; three rooms on each side of a central open patio with small fountain. The bedrooms and library are on one side, the Living Room, Dining Room and kitchen on the other. There are two spacious bedrooms: a master bedroom with queen size bed and view into the patio and an even larger guest bedroom, with twin beds that convert to king-size if preferred. Each bedroom has its own full bath, done in typical Mexican talavera tile. Separating the two bedrooms is the library with gas burning fireplace, books, and cable television with DVD player.There is wireless internet service throughout the house. We have recently added a land phone for local calls. We supply our guests with the first phone card which allows up to 300 minutes of long distance calls to the states and some countries in Europe. You can give the number to your friends and family in the United States and receive calls from them.

The cozy sala (living room) is furnished with traditional but elegant burgundy leather “equipale” furniture, just right for curling up with a book. There is a CD player, plenty of CDs of a variety of music, games, like dominos, and a game table. The dining room has a table with eight chairs and large glass doors to the patio. There are plenty of dishes, glasses, wineglasses and flatware. The colorful, fully equipped Mexican kitchen has a microwave as well as full size Whirlpool appliances including dishwasher and a purified water system. There is also a roof top terrace garden with view of the city, wonderful for coffee in the morning, or a relaxing drink at night.

The house comes with high count bed linens (flannel sheets for cool winter nights), plenty of towels, extra blankets and pillows. There is also a washer and dryer.

The ceilings are high with small skylights in the library, kitchen and bathrooms. The floors are all Mexican tile. The house is light and airy and very comfortable. Bedrooms, kitchen and living room have ceiling fans. The walls are 3 ft. thick, so it is cool in the warmest months (April and May). The library is cozy and warm with the gas fireplace on rare chilly evenings in the short winter. The house is self-catering but with maid service cleaning once a week.

PLEASE NOTE: NO SMOKING AND NO PETS

Querétaro (pronounced Care-ét-ah-roh)

Querétaro has a central historic district designated as a United Nations World Heritage site, but is also a modern economically up-scale city. It is over 475 years old and has a rich history including important events in the War for Independence from

Spain

, the Revolution (1910-1920) and the Maximillian era. Our house is within easy walking distance of 6 public squares (including the main Jardin Zenea), cafes, pedestrian walkways (andadores), restaurants, many museums, art galleries and the historic Theater of the Republic -- the home of the Querètaro Symphony Orchestra. The Hidalgo Market, a typical open Mexican market is only a block away.

The city is noted for its large mansions, churches and ex-convents and monasteries built in the 17and 18th centuries. An important historic monument of the city is the early l8th century aqueduct spanning 1280 meters. There are many restaurants (traditional Mexican and international food) and even the best are very reasonably priced. It is a vibrant city with a lively nightlife. It’s well known as a safe, and a clean city, very welcoming to visitors, but retaining its traditional Mexican lifestyle. Querètaro has recently been designated as

Mexico

’s safest city. It is also its cleanest. The streets are swept twice a day and trash picked up every night of the year.

You can stroll around the center until all hours of the night and find music, theater, street performers or just families out having fun. . Mexico is always a fiesta, and some of the best are celebrated here in Querètaro.

The climate in the central highlands of

Mexico

is ideal. There is no wrong time of the year to visit Querètaro – it is cooler in the summer months than most of the US. It is in the high desert so there’s no humidity. Surprisingly, April and May are the warmest months, and even then the mornings and evenings are cool and refreshing.

Temperatures range from 85/60F (29/16C) in the warmer months to 75/55F in the cooler months (24/13C)

Querètaro is well situated for day trips to other interesting colonial cities and villages. It is less than an hour from San Miguel de Allende, Tequisquiapan and Bernal. Climbers take note: Bernal has the world’s second largest monolith. Sorry, we are at least a 6 hour drive to beaches, but if you want to include a beach trip or some time in the capitol, Mexico City (three hours away by luxury bus) we can supply you with information and help make arrangements.
See Querétaro at:

We are a US couple who love

Mexico

. We visited/vacationed here for a number of years, and decided to sell our house in West Virginia and make our life here. Bob is a professor of philosophy and sociology (retired) who now teaches bioethics at the state university here. Maria is a civil rights attorney (retired) who is now a teacher of English.

We offer the personal touch and especially cater to visitors who want a real Mexican experience with a little help. We live only two blocks away and are available on fast dial on the land phone. We greet you when you arrive with a complimentary basket of wine and chocolates, gourmet coffee and teas. You have your choice of an electric coffee pot or a French press to make sure your first morning coffee is how you like it. There are various breakfast items available so that you can relax on your first morning.

We supply a comprehensive booklet to explain things in the house, the neighborhood and the city. We speak both English and Spanish and can help you make any appointments you may want. Let us know ahead and we can arrange beauty parlor, spa or car rental information. We keep a list of local restaurants and gift shops.

We are in easy walking distance of two language schools and help with any pre arrangements you may want to make

We supply our guests with directions and instructions on how to get through the Mexico City Airport. Let us know if you need this and we will e mail them before you leave home.

When possible, we pick you up at the bus terminal in Querètaro or the Querètaro airport

You can reach us by e-mail at: bobwvsc@yahoo.com or by US phone 740-994-4316 (this is an Ohio number direct to us in Querètaro).

You don’t have to retire to

Mexico

to experience and enjoy the rich, colorful culture. You can rent la Casa de los Abuelos in the historic center and enjoy the incredible Mexican climate, culture, friendly people, music and good food.

Rental fee: $800 USD per week, 2 weeks $1400 USD, $2000 USD per month –or equivalent in euros or pesos - includes utilities and once-a-week cleaning service.