Food, Wine and Tequila in Colonial Mexico

SAMPLE ITINERARY
OVERVIEWITINERARY DETAILDATES AND PRICES

This delicious and fully customizable eight-day Mexico food tour includes explorations of the extraordinary food and drink scenes in Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende, and Tequila.

Enjoy personalized private tours, exclusive private tequila tastings, hands-on private cooking classes, a visit to a boutique vineyard, and more.

Also, enjoy an in-depth lesson on cacao (followed by artisanal chocolate samplings) and shop at the delightful Medellin Market.

To accompany your fine exploration of Mexico’s food and drink, you’ll also get the chance to tour some of the country’s most celebrated cultural gems, including the historic centers of Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

Mexico City and San Miguel Allende – Visit these two famous cities and their historical centers with a private guide providing invaluable and expert information on both

Private Mexican Cooking Classes – Become a Mexican food expert with cooking classes led by expert chefs

Countryside Vineyard Tour – Stroll through a gorgeous vineyard enjoying tastings and a gourmet dinner

Private Tequila Experience in Tequila – Sample Mexico’s most famous spirit at source, touring traditional and modern distilleries to learn all about the tequila-making processes

Day 1: Arrive to Mexico City

Today you will be met by your driver outside of customs (international flights) and will be privately transferred to your hotel, for check-in and the rest of the evening at leisure. Tonight you may want to enjoy dinner (on your own) at one of the many gourmet Mexican restaurants in the area.

Overnight: Four Season Hotel Mexico City

 

Day 2: Mexican Cooking Class With Market Visit

Experience an insider gastronomic journey from market to table with your own private chef.  The privately guided tour starts at a traditional local market where  you will weave your way around the stalls, learning from your expert about the history of Mexican mercados and the importance of the unique produce on offer. Get to know the vendors and see the variety, freshness, and quality on display as you select some ingredients ahead of your cooking session.

Head to your chef´s city apartment in the vibrant gastronomic district of Polanco, where you´ll chop, boil, and grind seasonal ingredients in his home cooking space. Under top-notch guidance, prepare a 6-course meal that celebrates the origin, culture, and joy of Mexican cuisine. This interactive cooking class will take you on a trip through the color, flavor, and aroma profiles that tell the secrets of Mexico´s culinary history. As the drinks flow, prepare traditional appetizers, main dishes, and dessert before sitting down family-style to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Overnight: Four Season Hotel Mexico City

 

Day 3: Taste of Coyaoacan: Frida Kahlo, Cooking Class and Pairing Experience

Take a deep dive into Mexican art and gastronomy with this full day, privately guided experience. Walk in the footsteps of Frida Kahlo, wander the tranquil suburb of Coyoacán, and prepare Mexican cuisine like you´ve never seen it before!

The day starts at Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul, the artist´s beloved lifelong home, for a fascinating insight into how the artist worked and lived. Preserved as it would have been in Frida´s mid-20th century Mexico, you´ll be immersed in her world as you study the painter´s personal objects and original artwork on show. In recent years, a collection of Frida´s clothes and bathroom items were uncovered, giving you an intimate insight into how the artist dealt with the physical limitations caused by a traumatic accident in her youth.

Soak up the charm of Coyoacán with your private guide, an area that feels more like a peaceful village than the suburb of a sprawling metropolis! Wander through cobblestone streets, leafy green plazas, and depending on time and interest, you may like to explore the local market, the heart of any Mexican neighborhood. Meet your private chef at their cooking studio in Coyoacán and roll up your sleeves for a hands-on culinary experience. Under expert guidance, you´ll prepare a 4-course feast of Mexican flavors, journeying from traditional corn patties (sopes) with exotic bugs, to dough-less pre-Hispanic tamales (Mextlapiques), to the rich and complex notes of red Oaxacan mole. This cacao-based dish calls for an array of ingredients such as dried pasilla, guajillo and ancho chilis as well as raisins and almonds. Once finished, gather around the dining table to enjoy your efforts, with each course accompanied by a pairing and tasting of regional Mexican spirits; mezcal, sotol, and bacanora. Upon conclusion, you´ll be driven back to your hotel.

Overnight: Four Season Hotel Mexico City

 

 

Day 4: Transfer to San Miguel Allende with Teotihuacan en route + Dinner at Áperi

Today you will head to  San Miguel de Allende (an UNESCO World Heritage Site) via private driver. En route, stop at Teotihuacan for a visit at one of the most famous archaeological sites in Mexico. As you explore the site, learn about Teotihuacan’s accomplishments; the Temples of the Sun and Moon and other important structures shed light on the life and times of these powerful inhabitants of Mexico’s oldest and most important permanent settlement. After the site your adventure continues northwards towards San Miguel de Allende, at arrival you will settle into your lovely hotel to freshen up before tonight’s experience.

In the evening, enjoy a relaxed dinner at San Miguel de Allende´s award-winning Áperi restaurant. It will start with a signature Casa Dragones Blanco cocktail and a seat at the exclusive Chef´s Table. This beautiful private and open room sits adjacent to the kitchen, where you can see the magic happen as renowned Chef Omar Henríquez prepares your 4-course dinner. While dining, enjoy a pairing of Casa Dragones Joven, and finish with a Casa Dragones Añejo Barrel Blend to accompany dessert.

 

Overnight: Rosewood San Miguel Allende

 

Day 5: Private Tasting & Experience at a San Miguel Allende Vineyard

Delve into the enthralling world of Mexican wines with this evening gastronomic experience. Take a guided winery visit just outside of San Miguel de Allende, before enjoying a tasting-pairing of delicious wines and small plates at its vineyard.  Discover unique flavors and aromas at the beautiful, organic family vineyard, one of the few wineries in Guanajuato state that produces wine using only their own homegrown grapes. Following, you will be seated for a wine tasting, enhanced by the pairing of three dishes and a dessert, prepared by the executive chef. Upon conclusion, you´ll be driven back to your hotel in San Miguel de Allende.

Overnight: Rosewood San Miguel Allende

 

 

Day 6: Market to Kitchen Experience in the Heart of San Miguel Allende

Get ready for a tasty afternoon in San Miguel de Allende with this fabulous market-to kitchen experience. With the guidance of your own private chef, you´ll visit a vibrant market to hand-select the ingredients, before cooking a delicious meal and of course enjoying your creations!

After meeting your expert guide, together you´ll wander down to the city´s main food market (just 4 blocks away) where you´ll pick the freshest ingredients for the feast ahead from a variety of Mexican foods and herbs. Nibble on ´botanitas´ while perusing the produce and take in the sights, smells and atmosphere of this classic Mexican mercado.

Once back at the chef´s lovely kitchen, it´s time to get hands-on with the ingredients as your chef leads you through an exploration of the flavors, colors, and aromas of the Mexican cocina. You´ll learn many essential tips for making authentic Mexican dishes as you discover the chili and herb combinations that go into salsas, and how to cook up several ‘guisos’, or stews.Your mouthwatering preparations will culminate in a fine and flavorsome meal, straight from the market to the kitchen, accompanied by some tasty margaritas

Overnight: Rosewood San Miguel Allende

 

Day 7: Transfer to Guadalajara via Tlaquepaque, Evening City & Cantina Tour

Today you will be driven by private drive the 300km (3 hours 40 minutes) to Guadalajara. Comfort breaks can be made along the way. Visit Tlaquepaque to explore the area’s famed artisanal culture, before a brief visit to the historical center. Foodies will be in heaven in Guadalajara.

Later in the evening, soak up the history and culture of Guadalajara´s historical center as your walk the city streets with your private guide.  Admire iconic buildings, enjoy local gastronomy, and experience two Mexican cantinas; one with a modern twist and the other steeped in history.

Overnight: Casa Habita

 

Day 8: A Visit to Tequila – Distilleries & Tastings

On this unmissable Jaliscan experience, visit the home of tequila and witness its striking blue agave fields, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Accompanied by your own private Maestro Tequilero, learn about the value of the history and processes behind the celebrated spirit, produced through generations of work. You´ll visit the eponymous town of Tequila, explore two distilleries, and of course, enjoy a private tequila tasting.

The town of Tequila is found about 1.5 hours outside of Guadalajara. On the way, take in the extraordinary sight of majestic agave fields. The historic El Tequileño distillery calls Tequila home, founded by Don Jorge Salles Cuervo in 1959. With a local distillery guide, learn about a more industrialized tequila making method that uses steam pressure in the process, cooking the core of the agave plant in just 8 hours. Afterwards, there´ll be time for a 2-course traditional lunch at a folkloric restaurant located in the town´s main plaza, Fonda Cholula. Following your meal, you can take an optional walk around Tequila. This pueblo mágico is almost 500 years old and picture perfect with its main plaza and church, cobblestone streets, and colorful houses.

Get back on the road and head to the second distillery of the day, Cava de Oro. In contrast to El Tequileño, this distillery employs a more artisanal process with a smaller production. Explore with your knowledgeable guide as you discover up close how Cava de Oro produces its tequila with a traditional, woodfire cooking process that takes 2 days to complete. You´ll then get to taste the results in the VIP cellar with its atmospheric 300 barrels and 5-meter doors. Your Maestro Tequilero will guide you through a selection of premium tequilas as you learn how to conduct a tasting, identifying the spirit´s aromas and characteristics.

Overnight: Casa Habita

 

Day 8: Private Tequila Experience – History, Distilleries & Tasting/Master Tequila Expert

On this unmissable Jaliscan experience you´ll visit the home of tequila and witness its striking blue agave fields, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Accompanied by your own private Maestro Tequilero (Master in Tequila), learn about the value of the history and processes behind the celebrated spirit, produced through generations of work. You´ll visit the eponymous town of Tequila, explore two distilleries, and of course, enjoy a private tequila tasting.

To start the day, your expert will pick you up from your hotel and together you´ll drive around 1.5 hours to Tequila. On the way, take in the extraordinary sight of majestic agave fields, where you´ll make a stop to admire the impressive panoramic vistas.
The historic El Tequileño distillery calls Tequila home, founded by Don Jorge Salles Cuervo in 1959. With a local distillery guide, learn about a more industrialized tequila making method that uses steam pressure in the process, cooking the core of the agave plant in just 8 hours. Afterwards, there´ll be time for a 2-course traditional lunch at a folkloric restaurant located in the town´s main plaza, Fonda Cholula. Following your meal, you can take an optional walk around Tequila. This pueblo mágico is almost 500 years old and picture perfect with its main plaza and church, cobblestone streets, and colorful houses.

Get back on the road and head to the second distillery of the day, Cava de Oro. In contrast to El Tequileño, this distillery employs a more artisanal process with a smaller production. Explore with your knowledgeable guide as you discover up close how Cava de Oro produces its tequila with a traditional, woodfire cooking process that takes 2 days to complete. You´ll then get to taste the results in the VIP cellar with its atmospheric 300 barrels and 5-meter doors. Your Maestro Tequilero will guide you through a selection of premium tequilas as you learn how to conduct a tasting, identifying the spirit´s aromas and characteristics.

Upon conclusion, you´ll be privately driven back to your hotel in Guadalajara.

Overnight: Casa Habita

 

Day 9: Departure from Guadalajara

Your private driver will meet you at your hotel in Guadalajara and you will be driven to Guadalajara International Airport. Most of the select hotels that we work with are within a 40-50 minute drive from the airport.

Dates

Our trips are fully customized, allowing us to build your itinerary for any time of the year.

Prices

Our custom-tailored journeys start from $1,000 USD per day for two travelers. Contact us today to discuss your travel desires and design a personalized proposal with exact pricing.

Please note, our pricing guideline is a starting from price and is not necessarily applicable to the suggested hotels contained within the suggested itineraries on this web site. Itineraries are customized prior to final pricing.