Book excerpt: From the sophisticated resorts of San Miguel de Allende to the lively festivals of Guanajuato, these celebrated colonial cities situated in the mountains north of Mexico City will allure travelers of all types. Now in its second edition, this favorite guide has been restyled and is illustrated with full-color maps and photos throughout. Distinctive for their accuracy, simplicity, and conversational tone, the diverse travel guides in our Explorer's Great Destinations series meet the conflicting demands of the modern traveler. They're packed full of up-to-date information to help plan the perfect getaway. And they're compact and light enough to come along for the ride. A tool you'll turn to before, during, and after your trip, these guides include chapters on lodging, dining, transportation, history, shopping, recreation, and more; a section packed with practical information, such as lists of banks, hospitals, post offices, laundromats, numbers for police, fire, and rescue, and other relevant information; maps of regions and locales, and more.