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Geographically speaking, the valley, bisected to the south and west by the Rio Atoyac, lies in the central region of the state, 1158 meters above sea level, with average temperatures of 18C and four and a half hours' drive from Mexico City. This is the site of Oaxaca City with its 200,000 inhabitants, a hill flattened at a height of 400 m by the Zapotecs-meaning "the cloud people" in their language, to build a sacred city.

Monte Alban has preserved testimonies of one thousand five hundred years of this empire, which reached its peak in approximately 800 AD. Two centuries later, the Mixtecs, who left traces of their magnificent craftsmanship in precious metals and subsequently founded Mitla that was still flourishing in the far east of the Valley at the time of the Spaniards' arrival, occupied the area.

The colonial city, called Antequera, built in 1529, was for some time the second largest in New Spain, as shown by the age and magnificence of its churches and monasteries. Two of its 19th century governors became presidents who changed the country: Juarez and Diaz.

In 1987, UNESCO declared Oaxaca and Monte Alban a World Heritage Site, which gives some idea of what visitors can find here; at the foot of the archaeological zone, a city preserved for centuries in which the Colonial era shines through the altarpieces and green stone of its buildings. It also contains the legacy of these two cultures that emerges in the work of its goldsmiths, potters and painters, its cuisines, music and the colourful, exuberant fiestas, streets and markets.

Stroll along the walkways that will take you to Santo Domingo past the Museum of Contemporary Art, climb up Monte Alban, watch the sunset in its enormous plaza and imagine the time when its buildings were painted red. Later on in the evening you can round off a wonderful dinner with a traditional mezcal. Make sure you remember two important fiestas: the Guelaguetza and the Noche de Rabanos or Night of Radishes.