Eleven months out of the year, San Miguel de Allende is a quiet and calm–yet uniquely sophisticated—small town located in the high desert three hours north of Mexico City. The other month—September—is so frenetic and crazy that you will swear you’ve stepped into a mad, Mexican version of Mardi Gras. You see, San Miguel isn’t your typical small-town Mexico, even though it looks the part from the outside.

The town is named after two important figures: San Miguel, the monk who founded the town in 1542, and General Ignacio Allende, one of the key leaders of Mexican independence from Spain. For years, San Miguel was nothing more than a stop over for travelers headed to and from the silver mines of Zacatecas, but it always lie in the hotbed of Mexican intellectualism—the state of Guanajuato. Though it was home to independent thinkers, artists, writers, and wealthy citizens from Mexico City, San Miguel found itself fading away in the early 1900s. As is the case with many dying neighborhoods and towns, the artists were responsible for bringing the town back to life.

In the 1930s two important events took place. The Bellas Artes art school was founded, and an American artist and teacher, Sterling Dickinson, moved there. Dickinson spent his time teaching children and serving the community by assisting with many public works. Today, his name is found all over town, while the Bellas Artes school draws students from all over the world.

The American invasion began in earnest following World War II, when G.I.s discovered (partly through the efforts of Dickinson) not only the town and its many art schools, but also that their education grants would go much further. Soon the word was out, and the 60s brought such characters as Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters, Jack Kerouac, Neil Cassidy, Alan Ginsburg, among others. And the visitors keep on coming. In addition to the numerous retirees that call the town home, students still come for summer courses, and even Hollywood has recently gotten into the act. Numerous music videos have been shot in San Miguel, along with the recent hits, The Mexican, starring Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts, and Once Upon a Time in Mexico, with Johnny Depp and Antonio Banderas.

The town center of San Miguel is a Mexican national historic monument, and features the Parroquia, the famous pink, Gaudi-inspired church that dominates the plaza and the downtown area. Laws are in place to keep out too much commercialism, and you won’t find too many American chain restaurants. If you’re looking for quality Mexican home cooking, though, San Miguel offers a wide variety of cuisine—from tacos on the street, to five-star restaurants to satisfy even the most demanding palate.

Much has changed recently. Today, land and property prices are booming, and San Miguel boasts some of the more pricey real estate in Mexico. Visitors wishing to spend time in this charming town, can find hotels to fit any budget. If you are planning on a long-term stay, furnished houses and apartments are available for affordable rates. For as little as $400/month, one can find fully furnished and remodeled old houses with gardens, cable, internet, and all the amenities of home. The internet is full of offerings, but they are usually much higher than what one can find asking around on the streets and tiendas. Local expats will tell you—the best way to find bargain housing is by asking in the neighborhood shops.

But back to September…

If a month-long, wild party is what you are looking for, then September is the month to be in San Miguel. This month is the month for Mexican Independence, and since General Allende is from here, the celebration goes on and on. The town begins filling up at the beginning of the month and by the time the 16th (Independence Day) rolls around, the party is in full swing with up to 200,000 in the small town. On the 23rd, is the Pamplonada, or Sanmiguelada—the annual running of the bulls, in which, like its famous cousin in Spain, thousands take to the streets to celebrate and chase the bulls in a dangerous, yet popular, festival. If you are thinking about going in September, you must book reservations far in advance. The towns population triples or even quadruples in this month, and people can be seen sleeping in their cars, tents, alleyways, and anywhere else due to the overflow of visitors.

Since the collapse of communism in 1989, Prague has consistently found itself among the top 10 most visited cities in Europe. Known for its beautiful and charming old buildings and alleyways, as well as its reputation as a haven for intellectuals and artists, Prague remains one of the most popular-and affordable-destinations in Europe. From the romance of the Charles bridge, to Prague Castle (the largest castle in Europe), to restaurants, bookstores, antique shops, and roaming jazz bands, the sights and activities have been drawing tourists in droves, and the flood of visitors isn’t likely to subside any time soon.

Prague has a laundry list of world class attractions including classical music, art galleries, castles, museums, churches, all in as stunning and gorgeous a setting as a traveler can find anywhere. For history junkies, Prague offers enough interesting delights to keep anyone busy for weeks, months, even years studying and visiting its beautifully persevered old buildings. Though World War II was most unkind to the Czechs, it did spare Prague from bombings, and the buildings in the city remain totally intact.

The Czechs are a fiercely independent people, but the fact that the Czech Republic is a small country, historically and geographically positioned between larger empires, independence for the Czechs has never been assured. Beginning with the Habsburgs and the Holy Roman Empire in the Middle Ages, then concluding in the 20th century with the rule of the Germans and Soviets, the Czechs have had to fight for their freedom, independence, and identity. Stifled for much of the past century, the recent renaissance of Prague and the Czech Republic has helped usher in boom times.

Prague has joined the European Union in many aspects, but has yet to accept the Euro currency as its own. The prices, while double or triple what they were in the early 90s, are still very low for European standards, making Prague a bargain, even nearly 18 years after becoming a free market.

Many Americans immigrated to Prague in the early 90s: some drawn by tales of $50 a month apartments and real Bohemian life, others by the idea of investment opportunities. Perhaps they were greeted in the train station by someone offering a bare-bones apartment or extra bedroom with sporadic telephone service and little or no hot water. Five star accommodations were non-existent. Whatever the reasons, the Prague that these early visitors found is not the same as the Prague that exists today.

The days of the $50 a month apartment are gone, but the quality of housing has improved dramatically. Now, the same studio apartment that cost $50 a decade ago can be found for around $400, but is likely to include satellite TV, DSL internet, and stylish, modern furniture. Many Americans who went to Prague in the early 90s hoping to take advantage of cheap rents and were shocked at the lack of services and amenities offered then, would be amazed at the modernization and improvements that have occurred in the past decade. A quick search on the internet will yield endless possibilities for affordable housing.

Under communism, the Czech traditions of coffee, beer, cigarettes, and café conversation were severely stifled (well, more the conversation than the others), but today Czechs are more than happy to sit, smoke, drink, and discuss politics, music, art, cinema, and current events with their visitors from different parts of the world. Some studies say that the Czechs consume more alcohol per capita than any other country…and it’s not hard to believe. Beer is incredibly cheap, and some of, if not, the best in the world. Budvar, Pilsner Urquell, and Velvet are some of the more popular and delicious brands.

Older Pragers greet the future and the changes underway with a mix of awe and scorn. Having lived through so many changes and travails, their reservations are quite understandable. The young Czechs, however, embrace the present and future with open minds and arms. Hope is in the air, and Prague will continue with its timeless traditions, even though the future is quickly becoming now.