Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Perched dramatically on cliffs overlooking the blue Caribbean Sea, Tulum is the most popular archaeolgical site on the Riviera Maya. This ancient Mayan port reached its peak around 1200 AD when it became an important trading center. The compact city is surrounded by a high stone wall and is dominated by El Castillo, an imposing structure fronted by steep steps and crowned by a handsome temple. Next to El Castillo stands the squat Temple of the Descending God, which is famous for the unusual stucco sculpture of a diving god above its entrance. Tulum can get crowded when the tour buses start arriving, so the best times to enjoy its splendor are early morning and late afternoon.

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Tulum, Riviera Maya, Mexico - Images by John Mitchell

Puebla: Mexico's City of Angels

Founded by the Spanish in 1531 as Ciudad de los Angeles (City of Angels), Puebla is one of Mexico's most historic cities. It is also one of the country's most photogenic. Blue, white, red, green, and yellow Talavera tiles that originated in Talavera, Spain, adorn the domes of Puebla's many handsome churches and the facades of its dignified colonial mansions and palaces. Over the centuries, indigenous craftsmen have added their own designs to Puebla's dazzling tiles and famous Talavera pottery. Also, the French occupied Puebla during part of the 19th century, leaving their indelible mark on the city's architecture and culture. The Historic Center of Puebla was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

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Puebla, Mexico - Images by John Mitchell