Alice Archer's Trip to Mexico

Designer Alice Archer shares her favourite places from her trip to Mexico

MEXICO CITY

Mexico City offers a unique collision of contemporary city life and historic preservation. World-class museums, restaurants and parks rub shoulders with the remains of several cultures. The nightlife, the shopping and the history make it a must-see.

WHAT TO SEE:

National Museum of Anthropology

We spent a whole day exploring the stunning collections of this museum. Here you can see Aztec and Incas artefacts alongside exhibits on temples, everyday life in Mexican villages and lots of beautiful handcrafted textiles.

Xochimilco Floating Gardens

This world heritage site is 17 miles outside the centre of the historic centre of Mexico city. You can rent a brightly coloured boat and be punted along the beautiful canals of Xochimilco. My friend had her wedding here and we celebrated with a banquet on boats, serenaded by mariachis.

WHERE TO STAY:

Amomoxtli, Tepoltlan

1.5 hours out of Mexico city this hotel is situated in a lush and tropical location. It’s very tranquil and overlooks a beautiful mountain up which you can hike.

WHERE TO EAT:

Rosetta

This beautiful restaurant is set in a grand Colonia Roma townhouse. We went here twice during our short trip- it was delicious with a fantastic romantic atmosphere. It serves high quality Italian food with an ever changing menu, according to seasonal produce. Elena Reygadas founded this restaurant in 2010 after having worked for Chef Giorgio Locatelli in London.

San Angel

This is my favourite place in Mexico City, an old Carmelite monastery which has been turned into a restaurant. We popped for an afternoon Margarita. Sitting around the courtyard we looked upon spacious gardens, exotic flowers and glamorous people having long lunches. It felt like we were visiting a different century; in this old Hacienda Goicoechea, viceroys and the aristocracy would relax here and take a break in New Spain’s capital.

WHAT TO PACK:

Asha Floral Top / Mes Demoiselles - Ashmore Floral Wrap Skirt / Mes Demoiselles
Jossef Cotton Dress / Dodo Bar Or - Elizabeth Chiffon Dress / Alice Archer
Elfreida Silk Short Kimono / Alice Archer - Floral Flapbag / Toino Abel