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VALLE DE BRAVO |
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West from Toluca , the road towards Morelia and the state of
Michoacán is truly spectacular. Much of this wooded, mountainous area -
as far as Zitácuaro - is given over to villas inhabited at weekends by
wealthy refugees from the capital, and nowhere more so than the small
colonial town of VALLE DE BRAVO , reached by turning off to the left
about halfway. Set in a deep, pine-clad valley surrounded by low
mountains, the town sits on the eastern shore of an artificial lake,
Lago Avandaro . With terracotta-tiled roofs, iron balconies affixed to
many of the older buildings, and a mass of whitewashed houses all
huddled together, it is an immediately appealing place, something which
has drawn a coterie of artistic refugees from the big city. They mostly
keep to themselves, leaving the water's edge for weekenders who descend
for upmarket relaxation: boat trips, sailing, swimming, water-skiing,
riding, paragliding, hiking and golf. If you indulge, it can be an
expensive place, but the town itself isn't that pricey and it does make
for a very relaxing break provided you come during the week, when fewer
people are about and some of the hotels drop their prices.
The zócalo, ringed with restaurants and centred on a twin-towered church,
sits on a rise a ten-minute walk from the waterfront where there's a
small tourist office (weekends only), and a couple of wharves where you
can take boat rides: either rent one from US$30 an hour, or join a
lancha colectiva for around US$2.50 an hour.
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