When Andrew Harper editors travel for pleasure, they can’t help but do a bit of reconnaissance work on the part of the company. True to form, one of our editors recently visited Oaxaca City, Mexico, and found it impossible not to scout out the area with members in mind. Over the course of five days, she ate at world-renowned restaurants, sipped fine mezcal at off-the-beaten-path distilleries, shopped at craft markets, browsed galleries and viewed ancient ruins and cave paintings. While the city center may lack luxury hotels of the type to which Andrew Harper members are accustomed, it is very much a place that more adventurous travelers would appreciate. Oaxaca is a vibrant, culturally diverse area with deep food and textile traditions that are admired around the world. Here’s what she had to say about her trip.

Overall impressions: Oaxaca City is the capital of Oaxaca, the fifth-largest state in Mexico. The region’s beach resorts on the Pacific Coast are roughly a six-hour drive away. The city was very safe, had few American tourists and felt like a more manageable Mexico City. Except for a couple day trips, we stayed in the bustling historic center, which boasts swanky cocktail bars, fine boutiques and coffee shops, along with Mexican craft and food markets.

Favorite moment: Seeing a traditional wedding celebration (calenda de bodas) parade through the streets. Hoisted in the air at the front were a festive spinning white globe and giant papier-mâché effigies representing the bride and groom. Following behind were women dancing in traditional dress with baskets on their heads and the jubilant wedding party. It felt really joyous.