From London to México: An Unexpected Journey with Extraordinary Dames
Dame Cathy Sloman, President of LDE London, takes readers along on her unforgettable adventure through Flavors of México—a trip sparked by a casual summer chat and brought to life by the extraordinary hospitality of Dames across México.
When a casual summer WhatsApp chat with Dame Becky Minchew took an unexpected turn, I had no idea it would lead me to one of the most memorable trips of my life. Within days, thanks to Becky’s encouragement and the generous welcome from Dame María Gómez and the México Chapter, I found myself booked onto Flavors of México — a journey that would stretch far beyond the itinerary and deep into the heart of this remarkable country. What followed was two joyful, delicious, spirit-lifting weeks filled with culture, colour, friendship, and the unforgettable warmth of our global Dame community.
Tacos and Tequila
What began as a five-day tour somehow stretched into two glorious weeks (well, it is a long way from London). A night in Cancún, two exciting days in and around Mérida, then moving on from Yucatán to join the Dames in México City, before heading to San Miguel de Allende for the main event and finally back to the capital for a few extra days.
I loved seeing familiar faces from LDEI conferences and our Edible London tours and meeting some delightful Dames I hadn’t encountered before. The Dames are such an inspiring and joyful group - knowledgeable, generous and really excellent at having a great time.
Now a confession. México had never been at the top of my travel list. It’s not that didn’t want to go, but the world is vast and it just hadn’t called to me yet. How wrong I was. I fell in love: the warmth of the people I met, the welcoming hospitality, the stunning landscapes. And of course the food. Whether it was street tacos, a lovingly curated meal at a winery or a Michelin-starred feast, I loved the Mexican cuisine. I may have reached “peak taco” around 10 days in, but I soon got over that. I have had to rethink my position on tequila. Turns out it’s not just for student shots in dodgy bars (or was that just me and my mates?). A magnificent dinner paired entirely with tequila was extraordinary. And my new favourite cocktail? The perfectly smoky Mescal-based Naked and Famous.
And yes — there was karaoke on the tequila party bus. But as they say, what happens on the bus, stays on the bus.
Sunrise, Spirits and San Miguel
Some of us managed to drag ourselves out of bed in the wee small hours for a magical trip to see the sunrise over the canals of Xochimilco (“flower field” in
Aztec). Founded by the Aztecs around 900 AD, Xochimilco feels worlds away from Mexico City’s hustle and bustle, even though it’s a borough of the city. As the day slowly broke and the mist lifted, the beautiful chinampas (floating gardens built by the Aztecs) began to glow in the morning light. After a slowly boat ride, the team at Arca Tierra treated us to a divine three-course breakfast from their own produce and cooked in their smoke-fired kitchen.
And that was before Flavors of México had officially even begun. Our welcome dinner was a joyful taco fest at Califa and the next morning we were on the road to San Miguel de Allende. It’s easy to see why this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an utterly charming city with its impressive colonial buildings and hilly, cobbled streets (Maria’s advice to leave the high heels behind was spot on). San Miguel was electrified by the spirit of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), when the city, paradoxically, comes alive. I was blown away by this celebration, blending ancient Aztec traditions with Catholic influences. Death is a natural part of the life cycle not an end, with the soul embarking on a journey to the Land of the Dead.
Everywhere were ofrendas - glowing altars of marigolds, candles, food and drink guiding loved ones home from the spirit world.
Above and Beyond
The México Chapter went all out, here are a few of the treats Maria and her team
laid on for us:
Mojiganga making - decorating our own miniature traditional papier-mâché puppets
Private city tour - hidden corners only open during Día de los Muertos
Tamales-making and olive oil at Finca Luna Serena
Cheese tasting at a small artisan producer
Winery visits with luscious wines and spectacular views
Catrina make up for Día de los Muertos parade and farewell dinner
So many thoughtful gifts
The Flavors of México
And of course, the actual flavors - here are just some of the dishes I want to eat again at the earliest opportunity:
Green pozole, a rich, hearty soup, served with shredded chicken, at El Santuario
Mushroom soup at 1810, velvety perfection
Creamy rice with mushrooms, bone marrow, and truffle emulsion, followed by roast pork shank adobo at Moxi
Confit duck with black beans, roasted onions and avocado at Cuna de Tierra winery
Día de los Muertos feast at our Live Aqua hotel, the full Camino al Mictlán performance, blending music, dance, theatre, food and ritual in a breathtaking
evening of spectacle
A City of Art and Soul
Back in México City a small group of us stayed on. I was entranced by Frida Kahlo’s house, a living museum to her creativity and resilience. I left a little bit
smitten with her. I wouldn’t have wanted to be married to him, but Diego Rivera’s political murals, vast and angry, were equally powerful. A guided tour through his “Sunday in the Park” mural revealed more layers of meaning than the untutored eye could imagine. From simple yet beyond succulent Michelin star street tacos at El Califa de Leon to the full dazzling Michelin experience at EM, México City offers both extremes dining-wise, each equally unforgettable, and everything in between. I have barely scratched the surface, so I’m already plotting my return… If you ever
get the chance to join Flavors of México - take it.
Gracias
Gracias, gracias, gracias to María, Araceli, Veronica and Tan for their immaculate planning, their warmth and their celebration of México’s remarkable women (and some delightful men).
What struck me constantly during this journey was the extraordinary strength of our global network of women. No matter where we gathered, Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende or all the stops along the way, the welcome was instant, the connection genuine and the support unwavering. Being a Dame means stepping into a world where women open doors for one another, share their cultures and expertise with generosity and create experiences that enrich both our personal and professional lives. Trips like this remind us that LDEI is far more than a chapter—it’s a worldwide sisterhood that makes the world feel both bigger and closer at the same time.