We're going to Morelia for 9 days over Christmas, staying at Villa Montana. I haven't been there in, well I'm not ready to admit how many years. We want to see the Monarchs, the copper in Santa Clara, and Patzcuaro. Any other not so usual suggestions? How about restaurants in Morelia?

expat20,
We stayed at Hot. Mision Iturbe (wonderful) in Patzcuaro over Thanksgiving - don't miss Cha Cha Cha (Buena Vista #7 - adjacent to the Basilica N. S. Salud) for a great, inexpensive meal - the Purepecha-inspired soups, appetizers and entrees are unique and excellent for winter dining. Mistongo at the foot of the Casa de Once Patios was VG also.
We found Tocauro's mask carver's shops among the best: from the SE, take the second road in Tocauro Left off the lake ring road at the bus stop. Felipe Horta is just on the R and Juan Ortega is a block up on the L.
Santa Clara del Cobre was worth the drive, but I had no idea copperware was so expensive.
Feliz viaje.
M (SMdA, Gto.)

I'm surprised that the previous post said that copper was expensive. We were there a few years ago, so maybe prices have risen. We got some wonderful items for really reasonable prices.

We were in Morelia in February and stayed at the Hotel Los Juaninos (right next to the cathedral). The Juaninos has a wonderful restaurant, the name of which I'm blanking on. I hope they're still doing lighting of the cathedral and fireworks on Saturday eves. If so, go to the Juaninos outside bar for a ringside seat, then stay for dinner. Sorry I've forgotten the other places we ate in Morelia - but we never had a bad meal! Of course the price of Santa Clara del Cobre pots is relative - I saw virtually the same tiny one we bought in SC for $9 for $60 in DC. We enjoyed seeing the monarchs too - and this year is supposed to be much better than last. . ..

The copper stuff we saw and liked was all in excess of $300.US.
M

Well, I guess it's all relative, but I think you were looking for more high end copper than I was!

I hit send too soon.

Restaurants - I can't remember any specific names, but we really enjoyed the food in Morelia. There is a soup that the area is known for - it was wonderful. (Maybe Tarascan soup?)

here are some sources I used when I was in Morelia in Feb. 2004

http://www.cdctesoros.com/

http://visitmorelia.com/english/index.asp

http://michoacan-travel.com

Susan,
Yes, it's Tarasca - I liked it better than most of the great local Gto.
"Aztec" soups.
M

You can visit the Paricutin volcano, the one that erupted in a farmer's field in the 1940's. It's maybe a 90 minute drive from Morelia -- look for Uruapan on the map and then the little town of Angahuan. You can walk to the former town (all that is left is the top of the church) or ride the tame horses with a guide leading the way. Wear sturdy shoes to climb on the lava.