Journey Mexico Mexico’s Great Colonial Cities

On this trip through colonial Mexico you will be winding down cobblestone streets, exploring colorful folklore, discovering pre-Columbian sites and devouring Mexican cuisine. Friendly locals from the regions we will visit are glad to share a smile or invite you into their workshops to browse the rich crafts traditions that have continued unchanged for generations. Through The journey will blend together for a full immersion in the beautiful colonial Mexico.

Highlights

Mexico City:

Visit historical places such as the Mexico City Center, National Anthropology Museum, and UNESCO's Teotihuacan

Morelia & Patzcuaro:

Charming highland Michoacan and its lake district

Local Purepecha communities with traditional food and custom

United Nations World Heritage City and its beautifully maintained and restored colonial architecture

Impressive Cathedral and central square Casa de las Artesanias; a local crafts market with hand crafts from the state of Michoacan and beyond

San Miguel Allende:

Visit one of the many churches in town and explore the Museo Casa de Allende (house of San Miguel's most famous son and namesake, Ignacio Allende).

Guanajuto:

Spectacular colonial era architecture including Barroque churches and facades
Discover Juarez Theater, the Alhondiga de Granaditas and the cast-iron-and glass Hidalgo Market
Underground passage ways and mines including the Boca Mina, one of Latin America's most productive silver mines for over a century

Prices

$1,995 per client Twin Share $3,045 per client Single Possible group savings and discounts, inquire for more information.

Dates

2012-2013 Departure Dates (8 Days)
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Saturday, October 06, 2012
Saturday, February 16, 2013

Price Includes

Meet and Greet Service on arrival at Mexico City International Airport; All accommodation as noted above or in equivalent when available; all transport in private vehicle as noted in itinerary above; all guided services and tours as indicated in detailed itinerary above unless noted as “optional at extra cost”; all taxes; all meals as indicated in the detailed itinerary

Price Excludes

International and internal flights; entrance/exit airport fees; meals and/or beverages not indicated in detailed itinerary; Airport transfers not on group arrival; Alcoholic beverages, Gratuities to guides, drivers, wait-staff, maid service, porters; telephone calls and items of a personal nature.

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Itinerary

Day 1

Mexico City- Bienvenidos a Mexico! After being greeted at the airport, you will be transferred by private car to Mexico City’s best hotel — the Four Seasons Hotel Mexico, D.F. Your Tour Director will be on hand to greet you and answer any questions you may have about the exciting days ahead. Take the rest of the day to do some exploring on your own, get in a bit of shopping or relax and enjoy the pool. At 6 p.m., gather at the hotel with your fellow travellers and Tour Director for a Welcome Reception and light buffet meal. Hotel: Four Seasons Hotel Mexico, D.F.

Day 2

Mexico City- Begin your explorations of La Capital at the world-renowned National Museum of Anthropology with its stunning collection of Aztec, Mayan and Olmec treasures. Take a walk through history and see such wonders as the Aztec calendar inscribed upon the Stone of the Sun, which was excavated from Mexico City’s main square (the Zócalo) in 1790. After lunch at a local restaurant, discover the secrets of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Teotihuacan, once the largest city in the Americas. As you walk along the Avenue of the Dead with your expert guide, visit the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon and the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, and learn about the history and culture of this lost civilization. This evening, indulge in some of Mexico’s finest cuisine while being serenaded by mariachi musicians. (B,L,D)

Day 3

Mexico City-Morelia- Immerse yourself in the tradition of a nation in the historic centre of Mexico City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be swept away by the grand murals of Diego Rivera on the walls of the National Palace. Then pay a visit to the 16th-century Metropolitan Cathedral, built by the conquistadors atop a former Aztec temple. Travel back in time to the reign of the Aztecs at the massive pyramid of Templo Mayor. Later, hit the road to the colonial city of Morelia, built in the 16th century according to plans that melded Enlightenment ideas with local traditions. Enjoy a cool drink on the terrace of your exquisite hotel as the sun begins to set, casting a warm glow upon the typical pink sandstone buildings of the city. This evening at the hotel’s elegant restaurant, sample some Morelian specialities or the sumptuous international cuisine. Hotel: Villa Montana Hotel & Spa (B,L,D)

Day 4

Morelia-Patzcuaro- Journey off the beaten path today on your excursion into the atmospheric Purepecha highlands. Get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the region’s famed copper workshops in the scenic town of Santa Clara del Cobre. After watching the expert crafts people shape copper into exquisite works of art, perhaps try your own hand at this ancient art. Stop for a panoramic view of lovely Lake Patzcuaro’s shining waters and the very steep and rocky island of Janitzio. In the colonial village of Patzcuaro, be sure to try some of the local Tarascan specialities at lunch before returning to Morelia where you have the rest of the day at leisure. Spend some time in the pool, kick back on the terrace or venture into town for a bit of shopping. (B,L)

Day 5

Morelia-San Miguel Allende- On your way out of Morelia, marvel at the 18th-century aqueduct designed to bring water from hillside springs to the growing city. Then pay a visit to another colonial jewel, the UNESCO World Heritage city of Queretaro. Stroll the cobblestone streets and view landmarks such as the lovely Church of San Francisco and the expansive Plaza de Independencia. Relax and savour the royal treatment during your lunch at Casa de la Marquesa, one of the city’s grandest colonial mansions. This afternoon, relish the fresh mountain air of San Miguel de Allende, another UNESCO World Heritage site and home to gorgeous mansions with bougainvilleadraped walls, luxuriant gardens and burbling fountains. Upon arrival, check in to your luxury hotel in the centre of the city. Hotel: Casa de Sierra Nevada by Orient Express (B, L)

Day 6

San Miguel Allende- The best way to experience the wonders of San Miguel de Allende is on foot, so strike out today with your Tour Director to see the parish of San Miguel, a neo-Gothic cathedral unique in Mexico. Then take a stroll through the town’s history at the Casa de Allende. Enjoy a tasty lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, spend some time in El Jardin, the central square; visit some of the stellar art galleries or private gardens that have put the town on the map; or browse one of the bustling markets full of handicrafts. Perhaps return to your hotel for a relaxing afternoon in the colonial-style spa or try on your chef’s hat and whip up some local specialities at the hotel’s cooking school. This evening, why not try one of the esteemed restaurants within walking distance of your hotel? (B,L)

Day 7

Guanajuato- The Age of Silver had its epicentre in the mines of Guanajuato, and today your Tour Director leads you on a captivating journey through the winding streets and subterranean passageways of this UNESCO World Heritage city. View the grand Juarez Theater, the Alhondiga de Granaditas, a massive building that could store a year’s worth of grain; and the cast-iron-and glass Hidalgo Market, designed by Gustave Eiffel. Then, tour a local mine to learn about the rise of the mining industry after the discovery of silver in the 16th century. Before returning to San Miguel de Allende, you have some time for a bit of exploring, shopping or just soaking up the atmosphere. This evening, raise a glass to your travels through colonial Mexico during a festive Celebration Dinner at the stunning Andanza restaurant. (B,D)

Day 8

Mexico City- This morning, return to Mexico City. Your tour ends at Mexico City International Airport or the Four Seasons Hotel Mexico, D.F. if you’d like to extend your stay. Please do not schedule flights before 2:30 p.m.

As a 62 year old woman, no health problems, accustomed to being in Mexico, would the 8-day Colonial Heartland trip be a comfortable fit for me? How many singles typically are on this trip? Do you match me with a partner? What does that mean, in terms of traveling together and hotel accommodations? If someone else is a better match, can we switch? Is the guide from Mexico? Thanks - Sandie

By Sandie Wilde on 2011 08 24

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