I don’t know if Val’quírico is more beautiful than strange or more strange than beautiful. It’s both things, at the same time. A Tuscan-inspired town, fully planned and built in Tlaxcala, which —whether we like it or not— works. And that’s what unsettles you.
We arrived with that mix of curiosity and skepticism. You leave the car outside (no cars inside, and what a relief), you take a sort of bike-cart that brings you closer to the heart of the place, and suddenly you’re there: stone, wood, arches, façades with real texture. It isn’t a hollow stage set. The concept is refined down to the details. If you’ve never been to Italy, it’s probably the closest you can feel without crossing the ocean.
And yes: it’s artificial. But it’s so well done that your judgment softens as you walk.
Val’quírico is closed-off, pedestrian-only, and that makes all the difference. Strolling is a delight: no traffic, no rush, just photogenic corners and those streets that invite you to get a little lost. The businesses are a happy mix: many artisan shops, indie proposals, some chain stores, and restaurants of every flavor —Italian, French, Mexican, Argentine.
When night falls, the rhythm and mood change. If you’re staying inside, you enter with no problem; if not, there are schedules and a small recovery fee to get in. Inside, the lighting is well thought out: where there is light, it’s warm and subtle; where there isn’t, the town really turns dark, like those places that seem to switch off all at once. It’s strange… and it’s lovely.
My wife and I walked —once girlfriend, now life companion— and there was a moment of silence, three, four, five minutes without seeing anyone. That makes the place feel more authentic, even though we know it isn’t. Most restaurants close early, only a few remain open. And that calm gives you photos and a walk that’s even more enjoyable than in the daytime.
Next day, breakfast, strolling again, seeing with more light what last night was in shadow. Val’quírico has that repeatable charm: you walk down the same street and it offers a new scene. It’s close to Mexico City, accessible, and for those of us who can’t go to Europe every two weeks, it’s an escape that’s absolutely worth it.
I want to go back at Christmas. They do a special lighting and everything suggests that the town, with that backdrop, becomes even more memorable.
I have a certain discomfort with the project itself: replicating Tuscany in Mexico will always rub me the wrong way. I can’t give it a 10 without feeling like I’m disrespecting the authenticity of Italy. But it must also be said: for being in Mexico, it’s fantastic.
My score: 9/10.
And that missing point isn’t for what you see, but for what it means. Even so, I recommend it without hesitation. Val’quírico confuses, seduces, and in the end, wins you over as you walk.
