Learn authentic Mexican cooking

“MY wife, Kathy, and I recently attended a cooking school in Tlaxcala, Mexico. The school is at a charming B&B; owned by the instructor Dona Estela Silva and her American husband, Jon. Tlaxcala, capital of the smallest state in Mexico, is a two-hour bus ride from the airport in Mexico City. The city is charming and tranquil. The classes are small, limited by the three rooms available, and deal with the preparation of poblano cuisine from scratch. We had a great experience.”

Tuition $1,200 (includes room for six nights, five cooking classes and three meals a day).

Mexican Home Cooking, 64 Abdo, Tlaxcala, Mexico; 011-52-246-468-0978, mexicanhomecooking.com.

NEAL SWANSON

Santa Cruz

*

California comfort

“WE spent March in Palm Springs at A Place in the Sun Hotel. What a delight. It was built in the ‘50s; the bungalows encircle the pool. There are lots of citrus trees. The owners are a great couple who make your stay very pleasant.”

Doubles from $159.

A Place in the Sun, 754 San Lorenzo Road, Palm Springs, CA 92264; (760) 325-0254. www.aplaceinthesunhotel.com.

BEVERLY AND MOE GRABELL

Santa Monica

*

Send recommendations to Readers Recommend/Travel, Los Angeles. Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012; e-mail travel@latimes.com. Include your name, address and phone number, as well as the address, phone number and website of the place you are recommending.