The cities of Morelia , Pátzcuaro, Uruapan and Zitácuaro encourage travellers to follow any direction on the compass to visit any of the state's 137 towns and 17 beach areas that no visitor should miss. A stroll through the network of narrow, cobbled streets of the nearby towns and villages will both enchant and surprise visitors, thanks to the diversity of the mouth-watering cuisine, the profusion of civil an religious buildings from the days of the viceroyalty, the charming variety of vernacular architecture, wonderful museums and the 367 colorful local festivities held every year in Michoacán (including patron saints' days, Easter and, especially, All Souls Day: one of the most important expressions of Mexican folklore). Added to this are the endless delights of its customs and traditions, the friendly conversation of its inhabitants and the eye-catching local craftwork, (with its fascinating combination of Amerindian, Asian, African and Hispanic influences).

The pleasure of journeying through Michoacán's different districts grows by the moment, as one joins the locals in exploring the possibilities for culture and leisure, peace and relaxation, entertainment and adventure (with mountain-biking, whitewater rafting, hiking, climbing and potholing). In Michoacán, you learn to see things in a different light, above all in the layout of its capital Morelia , a World Heritage site and one of New Spain 's foremost and most harmonious cities. The different styles of “novohispanic” buildings are a magnificent example of the splendours of the viceroyalty, contributing to the city's reputation for beauty based on its astrounding architectural achievements, enhaced by the skill and dexterity of the chisels that shaped the local stone, which, in fact, gave the city, founded in 1541, its nickname of “City of Pink Stone”. Close to the city are Lake Cuitzeo , the Huandacareo Ceremonial Center (dating back to 1200 B.C.), Charo and Queréndaro. A little further away stands Zinapécuaro, with its abundance of thermal waters. The countryside on the way to Pátzcuaro is dotted with peaceful towns and villages such as Cointzio, Capula, Tiripetío, Cuanajo, Tupátaro (whose small church boasts the most remarkable coffered ceiling in the state) an Tzurumútaro, home to a craft market.

The center of Michoacán's lake district is Pátzcuaro (Gateway to Heaven”), founded en 1324. At the very heart of Pátzcuaro lies Vasco de Quiroga Square , with streets radiating upwards and downwards, red-roofed houses, age-old eaves and emblazoned facades. Around the square, visitors will see solidly built old inns and coach houses, and be lured by its plateresque and baroque churches, craft shops and nooks steeped in legend.

To wander through the lake-side towns and villages is to witness the essence of an inexhaustible world of the imagination and the archeological digs of Tzintzuntzan an Ihuatzio, where you will find yourself walking among the mysterious remains of the Purépecha culture. Near the lake stands Quiroga, a craft center of great prestige. Here and in Pátzcuaro the time-honored skills and creativity of artisans from all over the state are reflected in some twenty different kind of craftwork, including pottery, metalwork, gold- and silverwork, wood carving, stonework, textile making, articles made form vegetable fiber and the pre-Columbian art of lacquer work. Visitors wishing to look around the workshops of Michoacan's artisans will find as many as 107 communities dedicated to the various crafts. Visits to the islands of Janitzio, Tecuen, Yunuén y Pacanda, pony trekking through the Zirahuén woods or boat trips on the sky blue and cobalt waters of its lake are adventures that require time, such as trips to the nearby villages of Santa Clara del Cobre, Ario de Rosales, La Huacana , Tacámbaro and Puruarán.

The archeological site of Tingambato is just a few miles from Uruapan (“Flower and Fruit”), a city founded in 1533 on a plateau surrounded by hills and known as the Garden of Michoacán . This is the world's avocado capital and “the true cradle of lacquer work”. Here, the traveller can enjoy a visit to the source of the River Cupatitzio in the Eduardo Ruiz National Park , the only one within a city, and take in breathtaking views of the nearly 200-foot-high Tzaráracua waterfall. The San Pedro Factory still turns out beautiful traditionally made cloths.

Uruapan is the point of departure for the coast of Michoacán , a magnet for surfing enthusiasts, since it has some of the best beaches in the country for this sport. The state boasts about 130 miles of virtually unspoilt, unexplored coastline. From the mouth of the Balsas River , one of the most popular rafting streams, to the mouth of the Coahuayana, cliffs alternate with bays, inlets, coves, marshes and incredible beaches. From the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas and the impressive 490-foot-high Infiernillo Dam we can go down to Boca de Apiza, where sailfish make the sea an anglers' paradise, but on the way there we can also visit Playa Azul, Caleta de Campos, Maruata, Faro de Bucerías o any other equally fascinating fishing village.

The historical site of the eastern region is Zitácuaro (or “Place of Ropes”): a heroic city razed by fire three times. It was here that the Suprema Junta Nacional Americana, the first form independent government, whose task was to guide the country towards its new future, was established. The city is now important as a route center, from which visitors can easily reach El Bosque Dam, Enandio Falls, Tuzantla and Huetamo or the San Felipe de los Alzati Ceremonial Center, the old mining towns of Angangueo and Tlalpujahua and the Monarch butterfly sanctuaries, to which most of the butterflies migrate in late October, returning to the United States and Canada at the beginning of spring. In Contepec, Agua Blanca, San José Purúa, Jurapeo and Los Azufres the visitor will find countless spas, whilst Maravatío has a traditional pharmacy dating back to the 19 th century, where medicines are still made in the old-fashioned way. The towns of Tuxpan and Ciudad Hidalgo , the Pucuato, Sabaneta and Mata de Pinos Dams and the Tziranda Grotto are set in delightful surroundings, where sacred fir woods alternate with orchards. One of the Tziranda caves is home to 23 different species of bat. Thanks to pollination by butterflies and bats, the state is one of Mexico 's main flower producers.

With every step that they take, travellers will realize that Michoacán is a treasure-house that dazzles one with its opulent contents, including its cuisine which takes visitors by surprise since some of its recipes go back to before the arrival of Hernán Cortés. As everybody knows, any kind of travel means a journey for the palate and, the more varied the local kitchens are, the more delicious the dishes will be. The diversity of Michoacán cooking is partly due to the mixture of native, European and Asian ingredients. The state's most famous dish is its Pátzcuaro white fish, prepared according to taste (with garlic, in butter, breaded, in batter, fried or charbroiled). Next come the golden fried charalitos (fish fry), Tarascan soup (with onion, garlic, herbs, stock, tomato, chilli and tortilla strips), michi broth (a fish broth with bitter prickly pears), Morelia enchiladas (served with a piece of fried chicken, carrots and potatoes in vinegar) and aporreadillo (strips of dried beef sprinkled with a slightly spicy stock). The most characteristic snacks are the corundas (small, triangular tamales, accompanied by beans, pork in tomato sauce and cream). Uchepos are small tamales made of tender corn, served with atole (a hot drink made of corn flour, mixed with water, milk, sugar and other ingredients). Of the great variety of vegetables and spices, Serrano and guajillo chilli peppers. On the Tarascan Plain, a typical dish is churipo (beef stew with a guajillo chilli pepper-flavoured stock and vegetables), minguichi (cheese sauce) and atapákuas (thick sauces with cheese and beef). The most famous desserts are the Morelia ates (a kind of dried fruit strip made of tamarind, mango and guava), the Zamora chongos (a custard of milk, sugar, cinnamon and rennet) and the Pátzcuaro nieves de pasta (an ice cream made of milk). And by far the best-known Michoacán aperitif is charanda.