19 Nights, 20-Day Escorted Tour out of Vancouver, B.C.
Land Package: Thursday, January 10, to Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Land only: $2,600 U.S.
Plus Air: approx $900 Cdn.
All-inclusive except lunches and personal services
Colonial Mexico is very different from the coastal resorts. On our tour
we experience the "real" Mexico, not just the Mexico of the
tourists. We visit all four of the most well-known, most-beautiful and
colourful "heritage" colonial cities in Mexico - San Miguel de
Allende, Guanajuato, Patzcuaro and Taxco. The price includes everything
except lunches and personal services, such as laundry.
The tour is led by Margaret Rodgers.
Included in the price:
- Private transfers if arriving or departing with the group, and transport with air-conditioned bus and driver
throughout from/to Mexico City.
- A very good English-speaking guide throughout.
- 19 overnights in hotels as mentioned in the itinerary.
- All meals, breakfasts and dinners, as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Admission to attractions as per the programme.
- Tips to bell-boys, baggage handler and room maids.
Not included:
- Airfare and related taxes
- All Insurance
- Lunches, personal requirements, laundry
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities for driver and escort/guide
Additional nights in Mexico City after the tour can be organized.
Please contact Margaret if you wish this to be
arranged.
Day 1 (Thursday)
Approx. 5:30 p.m. arrive Mexico City with Japan Airlines.
Overnight - MEXICO CITY: Hotel Plaza Florencia
Day 2 (Friday)
An early start to drive north to Queretaro. After checking into
our hotel we take a Tram Tour of this lovely old colonial city full
of beautiful architecture, with its many squares of manicured trees,
fountains and intriguing musical statues, and its elegant 78-span
aqueduct. The rest of the day is free to enjoy this lovely
town. Of special photographic interest is the Convento de Santa Cruz.
Overnight - QUERETERO: Hotel Meson de la Luna. Dinner, Bed
& Breakfast
Day 3 (Saturday)
We leave for San Miguel de Allende, one of Mexico's four most
charming colonial colonial cities. En route we stop at the famous Instituto
de Allende where people come to take many kinds of artistic courses or
study Spanish. Continue to the Mirador or "look-out" over
the city before checking into our hotel.
After lunch, we take an orientation walking tour of the town - we visit
La Parroquia, one of the most majestic churches in Mexico, and see
the squares, churches and markets. The rest of the afternoon is free
to explore.
First of 2 nights - SAN MIGUEL: Hotel Posada San
Francisco. Dinner, Bed &
Breakfast
Day 4 (Sunday)
A free day in San Miguel. Suggestion: House & Gardens Tour
from the Library. Suggestions: lovely Belles Artes Museum and
Iglesia de Las Monjas, near La Caffe Finestre. Don't miss Maxwell's Craft
shop just down from the central plaza, and lots of activity around the
plaza on Sunday afternoons.
Last of 2 nights - SAN MIGUEL: Hotel Posada San
Francisco. Dinner, bed & breakfast
Day 5 (Monday)
We travel, via the mountain route, to Guanajuato, the 2nd of
Mexico's most charming colonial cities. It was originally a 'silver' city
built in a long ravine surrounded by mountains, with a unique set of
subterranean streets. En route we visit the magnificent El Templo de
San Cayetano, La Valenciana, then take the Panoramic drive to see the
statue of Pipila, a miner who played a crucial part in the fight
for Mexican Independence in 1810. We visit the unique Momias Museum, and
the Alhondiga, site of some of the most bloody battles during the fight
for Independence. After lunch we take an orientation walking tour of the
town to see the Teatro, the University, and visit the Museum
of Diego Rivera, one of Mexico's most renowned artists. The walking
tour leaves you at the wonderful Mercado Hidalgo!
Overnight - GUANAJUATO: Hotel San Diego.
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 6 (Tuesday)
We walk to see the narrow and most famous alley in the city, the Alley
of the Kiss after which the rest of the morning is free to
explore Guanajuato at leisure. After lunch we meet at the hotel to depart
for Guadalajara.
First of 2 nights - GUADALAJARA: Best Western Plaza
Genova. Dinner,
Bed & Breakfast
Day 7 (Wednesday)
The day starts with an orientation walking tour of Guadalajara's four
main plazas, visiting the Cathedral, and Palacio de Gobierno
containing murals by one of Mexico's greatest painters, Jose Clemente
Orozco. We see the Teatro Degollado, small parks, and other places
of interest. The afternoon is free to explore and shop, perhaps in
the Mercardo Libertad, Mexico's largest covered market. In the
evening we see the Ballet Folklorico, reputed to be the best in
Mexico.
Last of 2 nights - GUADALAJARA: Best Western Plaza Genova.
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 8 (Thursday)
An early departure for Tonala market, then visit the artist's
colony of Tlaquepaque. After lunch we drive to Morelia,
birthplace of José Maria Morelos. Known as the pink' city', it is full of
exquisite colonial architecture built of pink granite. A magnificent
cathedral overlooks a lovely central plaza. We visit the unique Mercado
Dulce which sells nothing but candies (the fudge is especially
delicious!).
First of 2 nights - MORELIA: Hotel de la Soledad. Dinner,
Bed & Breakfast
Day 9 (Friday)
An early departure to Angangueo, for a thrilling trip up a
mountain to see the magical wintering place of the Monarch Butterflies,
after which we return to Morelia where you have free time to
explore.
Last of 2 nights - MORELIA: Hotel de la Soledad. Dinner,
Bed & Breakfast
Day 10 (Saturday)
Today we set out for the third of Mexico's most charming colonial
cities, Patzcuaro, close to a lovely Lake Patzcuaro. But first, we
continue up the lake to Santa Clara del Cobre, a special artisan
village solely devoted to copper-crafts.
On return to Patzcuaro, after checking into our hotel opposite to the
Basilica, with great views over the town and lake, we have a walking
orientation of this fascinating town whose architecture is very specific
to the area, with picturesque red-tiled, overhanging, roofs, and artistic
signs. You are then free for the rest of the afternoon. In the
evening we have a special dinner to see the renowned "Dance of the
Old Men."
First of 2 nights - PATZCUARO: Hotel Posada de Don Vasco. Dinner,
Bed & Breakfast
Day 11 (Sunday)
We visit fascinating Isla de Janitzio, in the middle of the
lake, its houses with red-tiled roofs looking like a Mediterranean
village, surmounted by the 130 ft. enormous statue of José Maria Morelos,
father of Mexican Independence. You can climb to the top where, inside the
statue, the walls are painted with murals giving a detailed account of
Morelos' life. You are free to explore, and have lunch, on this
fascinating island until 1:00 p.m. when we meet at the dock to return to
the mainland. We continue on to Tzuntzuntzan, once capital of a
powerful Taracan kingdom, but now renowned for its special craft market
which specializes in straw goods and huge wooden carvings. We depart
approx. 3:30 pm. Back to Patzcuaro where the rest of afternoon is free.
Last of 2 nights - PATZCUARO: Hotel Posada de Don Vasco. Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 12 (Monday)
Depart 8:00 a.m. for Puebla, an old colonial city surrounded by
four of Mexico's highest volcanoes, and known for its buildings decorated
with ornate tiles. An orientation walking tour visits the
magnificent Iglesia de Santa Domingo with its famous gold-leafed Capilla
del Rosario, a chapel decorated with 23½-carat gold, then the
magnificent Amparo Museum.
First of 2 nights - PUEBLA: Hotel Colonial. Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 13 (Tuesday)
 Depart 8:30 am. for Cholula, a great city in Pre-Columbian times
religious capital of highland Mexico. The Spanish razed the 100's of
temples, but the Great Pyramid still stands, amazingly much larger in
volume than the pyramids of Egypt. We visit the museum and (optional) go
through the tunnels beneath the remaining pyramid. En route back to Puebla
we visit the San Francisco Acatapec Church with its stunning tile facade.
After lunch back in Puebla, we visit the Casa del Alfenique, a
beautifully ornamented 18th-century baroque house known as the
"wedding cake house." We leave you at the Artisans' Market
and where the rest of the day is free. This is the place to
buy plates and tiles, if that is your interest.
Last of two nights - PUEBLA: Hotel Colonial. Dinner, Bed
& Breakfast
Day 14 (Wednesday)
Depart 8:00 a.m. for Oaxaca (pronounced Wa-Ha-ka), a special
centre of native art and
culture, located high on a plateau surrounded by hills, and villages
specializing in all kinds of crafts. Nearby is the birthplace of Benito
Juarez, President and champion of the Mexican reform era - all over Mexico
you will see streets named after this hero, unlike another native of the
city, the notorious, long-reigning dictator, Porfio Diaz, who brought
about the revolution in 1911-17 and died in exile in Paris.
Depart 2:00 p.m. for an orientation walking tour - we visit the
birthplace of Benito Juarez, then Church of Santa Domingo with its
stunning interior; and the Museo Regional de Oaxaca which houses
some of the most outstanding Mixtec jewelry ever found in a tomb anywhere
in the Americas.
Our hotel is located not far from the mercado which is a
fascinating place in which to see the local merchants.
First of 3 nights - OAXACA: Hotel Calesa Real.
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 15 (Thursday)
Depart 8:30 a.m. for the monumental Mixtec & Zapotec archaeological
excavation of Monte Alban, one of Mexico's greatest pre-Columbia sites,
located at the top of one of the surrounding green mountains with a
breathtaking view. First evidence of human habitation dates from about 700
BC. This was the greatest capital left by the Zapotecs, later inhabited by
the Mixtecs from 1000 to the arrival of the Spaniards.
After lunch we visit Mitla, originally the most important of the
Mixtec cities. The decorations on the palaces are unique in pre-Hispanic
architecture, with fascinating mosaic designs. En route we also see the
oldest and largest tree in the world at Santa Maria El Tule, 160 ft.
around and 165 ft. tall. We visit the village of Teotitlan, famous
for its weaving, to learn how they make natural dyes, and visit the Mezcal
Factory.
Second of 3 nights - OAXACA: Hotel Calesa Real.
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 16 (Friday)
Depart 7:30 a.m. to visit some of the local villages. First, and
furthest, is the town of
Ocotlan where we also visit the most unique museum behind the very
attractive blue and white church. We return via San Bartolo Coyotepec,
world-famous for its black pottery where we see a demonstration. Back in
Oaxaca, the afternoon is free to explore the mercado, or for
last-minute shopping.
Last of 3 nights - OAXACA: Hotel Calesa Real.
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 17 (Saturday)
Depart 8:00 a.m. for Taxco, the fourth most attractive colonial city,
now the most important of the 'silver' cities, where we have a walking
tour. All roads lead to the Cathedral of Santa Priscilla, at
the top of the hill. Paid for by silver magnate, José de la Borda, it was
built from 1748-58, and its organ took six months in transit from Veracruz.
First of 2 nights -TAXCO: Hotel de la Borda.
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 18 (Sunday)
A free day to explore and enjoy Taxco.
Last of 2 nights - TAXCO: Hotel de la Borda.
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 19 (Monday)
Depart approx. 8:30 a.m. for Mexico City. Afternoon free
in the Zona Rosa area of
Mexico City for last-minute shopping, perhaps time for a visit to the
Archeological Museum or the zocalo, all within easy reach of our hotel.
Overnight - MEXICO CITY: Hotel Plaza Florencia.
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 20 (Tuesday)
Early departure for the airport for 8:55 a.m. departure to arrive in
Vancouver at approximately 12:25 p.m. with Japan Airlines.
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