Mexico Colonial Adventure

Day 1 Mexico City

Arrive in Mexico City at any time. There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and enjoy this charming city. Please try to arrive before 6pm for an important group meeting where you can meet the Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and the other group members. Following the welcome meeting, head out for your first of many optional meals with this group as you wine and dine your way through Central Mexico. Explore one of the world's largest metropolitan areas or take an optional day trip to the famous archaeological site of Teotihuacán. Today, Mexico City is the world's fastest-growing urban centre, offering a great variety of impressive museums and galleries as well as a wealth of architectural styles likely unequalled anywhere else in the Americas. Mexico City--or D.F., as the locals refer to it--also hosts a variety of food to complement its impressive visual style. If you prefer to get outside the city, the pyramids of Teotihuacán and the canals and gardens of Xochimilco are two good places to start. A former Aztec capital, Teotihuacán was destroyed in the struggle against Cortez and the Spanish conquistadors who followed him. You can still see some of the ruins of the great Tenochtitlán in the city centre, and a subway takes you through one of the temples. At night, you'll have the option to witness the high-flying practitioners of “lucha libre,” Mexico's world-famous brand of wrestling. Combatants don colourful masks and catapult themselves towards their opponents off of the ring's ropes, employing a variety of different moves and holds to pin them to the mat for a three-count. The largely Mexican crowds are usually rowdy, making “lucha libre” an entertaining way to throw yourself head-first into the local culture. A word of caution: Mexico City may be slightly overwhelming at first. The world's most populous centre is a crowded, smoggy, urban place where the altitude combined with atmospheric conditions may cause irritation of eyes, nose and throat. Also be aware that the heat may affect you upon arrival, with a general sense of lethargy and/or loss of appetite. This is no cause for alarm; it is simply a reaction to the heat. Be sure to drink plenty of water (cold bottled water is available everywhere) and do not attempt too much in any given day. Mexico is the third largest country in Latin America and the most populous Spanish speaking country in the world. Its geography ranges from swamp to desert, from tropical lowland jungle to high alpine vegetation and from thin arid soils to others so rich that they grow three crops a year.

Day 2 Mexico City (B)

Explore the world's largest metropolitan area or take an optional day trip to the famous archaeological site of Teotihuacán. The former Aztec Capital (you can still see some of the ruins of the great Tenochtitlán in the centre of the city, or take a subway ride through one of the temples) was destroyed in the struggle with Cortez and those who followed him. Today it is the world's fastest growing urban centre, offering a great variety of impressive museums, galleries and range of architecture, perhaps unequalled anywhere else in the Americas. Mexico City or D.F., as the locals refer to it, also has a variety of food to match its impressive visual style. If you prefer to get outside the city, the pyramids of Teotihuacán and the canals and gardens of Xochimilco are two good places to start. If you'd prefer to explore a quieter area of town, a visit to Coyoacan is advised, where you can stroll the beautiful main square or visit one of several art museums - both Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera are featured here. A word of caution: Mexico City may be slightly overwhelming at first. The world's most populous centre is a crowded, smoggy, urban place where the altitude combined with atmospheric conditions may cause irritation of eyes, nose and throat. Also be aware that the heat may affect you upon arrival, with a general sense of lethargy and/or loss of appetite. This is no cause for alarm; it is simply a reaction to the heat. Be sure to drink plenty of water (cold bottled water is available everywhere) and do not attempt too much in any given day. Mexico is the third largest country in Latin America and the most populous Spanish speaking country in the world. Its geography ranges from swamp to desert, from tropical lowland jungle to high alpine vegetation and from thin arid soils to others so rich that they grow three crops a year.

Day 3-5 Oaxaca (2B,L)

Upon arrival you'll be treated to a short included orientation walk to help you get your bearings in this beautiful colonial town. The colourful and lively markets and the impressive Zapotec ruins of Monte Alban are just two of many reasons to visit wonderful Oaxaca. The conqueror of Mexico, Hernán Cortez, chose the Valley of Oaxaca as his personal domain in the Americas and many visitors have followed in his footsteps. Surrounded by the Sierra Madre del Sur and Sierra Madre de Oaxaca mountain ranges, Oaxaca is a lovely colonial city, which has maintained not only the physical structures, but also the serenity of an era gone by. Explore the colourful markets and enjoy an included cooking class to get the most out of the Mexican cuisine experience! Consider visiting a mezcal factory that produces the fiery "other tequila" which is this region's specialty if you're feeling a little feisty. Monte Albán, a spectacular grouping of pre-Hispanic (Zapotec) mountain top temples, is just a short bus ride away, as is the Valley of Mitla with its colourful ruins and hand-loomed carpets. Stepping from the cultural to the culinary, Oaxaca is also a great area for trying out new tastes and textures. From the sublime to the exotic, the restaurants and markets around town will challenge you to one adventure after another. After all, this is the home of Mezcal (look for the unfortunate worm at the bottom), Oaxacan chocolate, cheese, and yes, even salted grasshoppers, if you are so inclined. Estimated Travel Time: 6 hours Approximate Distance: 450 km

Day 6-7 Puebla (2B)

Next up, we hit Puebla, famous for its hand-painted tiles, unique handicrafts, mouth-watering Mole Poblano (a mouth-watering spicy sauce made with cocoa and infinite varieties of chillies) and rich colonial history. You'll enjoy a guided walking tour of the downtown core and visit to nearby Cholula to see its pyramid and bustling market. Puebla has managed to incorporate its colourful colonial past with a growing and progressive modern city centre. There are enough churches and well-maintained, colonial buildings to satisfy the most ardent lover of architecture. The markets, of course, are also present for buying, browsing or photographing. The Amparo Museum, located downtown is one of the most important historical museums in Mexico if you want to buff up on the past. After a guided walking tour of Puebla's downtown, we'll travel to nearby Cholula, home to the Great Pyramid. The pyramid is the largest archeological site of a pyramid in the western hemisphere and was an important religious and mythical centre in pre-Hispanic times. A church was first built atop the pyramid in the 17th century, and today a rebuilt church stands in the place of the original one. There are fantastic views of several volcanoes from the top of the pyramid. Cholula also has a very lively traditional market, which you will visit. Women sit on the floor and sell seeds, flowers, herbs and more. Many local food specialities are available at the market as well. Puebla is world-re-known for its cuisine, some of which is defined here: "Chiles en nogada" - found late summer/early fall harvest season. Ground meat is seasoned and combined with raisins, pine nuts and local fruit before being stuffed tinto roasted poblano chiles. These stuffed chiles are then dipped in batter and fried before being topped off with a creamy sauce made partially of walnuts and then topped with pomegranates. "Molotes" - Chorizo (spicy sausage), squash blossoms with cheese or herbed sliced new potatoes are tucked into a circle of thin corn dough before all is sealed and fried in oil until crisp. "Tinga" - Shredded pork is is added to a clay pot filled with tomatoes, garlic, onions and chipotle chiles and simmered until the flavours combine. This mixture is served on tostadas, or hardshell tortillas, with lettuce and avocado. Estimated Travel Time: 5 hours Approximate Distance: 350 km

Day 8 Puebla (B)

Depart at any time. Puebla is home to an international airport, and there are frequent buses from the Puebla bus station directly to the Mexico City International Airport.