Gulf Charms and Colonial Beauties, 13 days and 12 nights

Day 1 – Monday: ARRIVAL IN MEXICO CITY Arrival at Mexico City International Airport, reception and welcome by our staff. During the transfer to the hotel, the guide will provide information about the upcoming tours. Hotel check-in (rooms are available from 3:00 PM). Accommodation. (Breakfast and lunch are not included on this day).

Day 2 – Tuesday: BASILICA – TEOTIHUACÁN – MEXICO CITY After the included breakfast, we will head to the Plaza of the Three Cultures and visit the ancient market of Tlatelolco. We continue to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the sanctuary of Mexico’s patron saint, where we’ll admire Juan Diego’s original cloak with the Virgin’s image and have guaranteed time to attend mass. The tour continues to the archaeological site of Teotihuacán, where we’ll explore the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, among other important ruins. We’ll also receive a brief explanation of pulque production (“The White Liquor,” a traditional pre-Hispanic Mexican drink) and obsidian craftsmanship. Return to the hotel.

Day 3 – Wednesday: MEXICO CITY TOUR – COYOACÁN – XOCHIMILCO After breakfast, we’ll begin our tour of the Historic Center of the “City of Palaces,” named for its beautiful colonial architecture. We’ll visit the Constitution Plaza (Zócalo), the National Palace with Diego Rivera’s famous murals (subject to government permission), the magnificent Metropolitan Cathedral, and the ruins of the Aztec Templo Mayor. Panoramic views of major avenues and monuments. We’ll then stop in the heart of Coyoacán, a charming southern neighborhood known for its peaceful streets, stately mansions, lovely plazas, art galleries, and restaurants. Next, we head to the ancient canals of Xochimilco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we’ll board a traditional, colorfully decorated trajinera (boat) and admire the chinampas (floating gardens with flowers and vegetables), a hallmark of Mexican tradition. On the way back, we’ll pass by the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) to see Juan O’Gorman’s murals, the 1968 Olympic Stadium, the National Library, and the Rectorate buildings. Return to the hotel.

Day 4 – Thursday: CUERNAVACA – TAXCO After breakfast, we’ll depart for Cuernavaca, known as the “City of Eternal Spring.” There, we’ll visit the Historic Center and its beautiful Cathedral, the oldest in Mexico. We’ll continue to the Magical Town of Taxco, a small colonial city nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Madre del Sur. Its unique architecture features cobblestone streets, white stucco houses with red tile roofs, and iron balconies overflowing with hanging flowers. Taxco is also known as Mexico’s silver capital, offering a wide variety of silver items for purchase. We’ll enjoy free time to stroll through the cobbled streets, visit the Santa Prisca Cathedral, and soak in the atmosphere of a traditional Mexican town. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 5 – Friday: MEXICO CITY – TAJÍN – VERACRUZAfter the included breakfast, departure at 6:30 AM toward the beautiful state of Veracruz. Our first stop will be the archaeological site of El Tajín, known as “The City of the Thunder God” in Totonac culture. It is considered the most important pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican city on the northern coast of Veracruz. We will admire its niche decorations, reliefs, and mural paintings. One of the most fascinating structures is the Pyramid of the Niches, named for the 365 niches adorning its façades. Another unique feature of El Tajín is its high number of ball courts. After the visit, we’ll continue to the port city of Veracruz, where we’ll stroll along the beautiful boardwalk and enjoy the joyful, bohemian spirit of the jarochos. Overnight stay. Lunch is not included on this day.Note:Please bring your luggage, as tonight’s accommodation will be in Veracruz.

Day 7 – Sunday: PUEBLA – MEXICO CITY After the included breakfast, we will head to the magical town of Cholula, where we’ll visit the Church of Our Lady of Remedies, located atop the pyramid of the Cholula archaeological zone, considered the largest in the world by base size. We’ll continue to Santa María Tonantzintla, whose name means “place of our little mother.” With the arrival of the Spanish, the name Santa María was added in honor of the Virgin Mary. We’ll visit its church, regarded as the finest example of indigenous baroque. Finally, we’ll tour the city of Puebla, known for its colonial architecture richly decorated with tiles. We’ll see its beautiful Cathedral, the Main Square, the Chapel of the Rosary, and the Temple of Santo Domingo. Free time for shopping. Return to Mexico City. Note: Please bring your luggage, as tonight’s accommodation will be in Mexico City.

Day 8 – Monday: DEPARTURE FROM MEXICO CITY – QUERÉTARO – ATOTONILCO – SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE After the included breakfast, at the scheduled time, we will depart the hotel toward Querétaro, where we’ll visit the Temple of the Cross and the aqueduct, an impressive colonial-era architectural work that once supplied the city with drinking water. On the way, we’ll stop at the Sanctuary of Atotonilco, known as the “Sanctuary of God and the Homeland,” recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site and often referred to as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas” due to its cultural significance and contribution to Mexican baroque architecture. We’ll continue to San Miguel de Allende, where we’ll visit the Neo-Gothic style Parish of Saint Michael the Archangel, the Temple of Our Lady of Health, the Temple of Saint Anthony of Padua, and the Allende Cultural Institute. As we walk through this charming town, we’ll also see the first gas pump ever installed in the area, the House of the Dogs—named for its balcony decorations—the Noah’s Ark, and an old-style pharmacy that still preserves traditional methods of preparing medicinal formulas. Group welcome lunch included (drinks not included). Note: Overnight stay in San Miguel de Allende.

Day 9 – Tuesday: GUANAJUATO – TLAQUEPAQUE – GUADALAJARA After the included breakfast, we will depart for the city of Guanajuato, known as “The Cervantine Capital of the Americas,” where we’ll hear the legend of the Alley of the Kiss and admire the beautiful architecture of landmarks such as the Juárez Theater, the University, the Basilica of Guanajuato, the Alhóndiga de Granaditas, and the monument to El Pípila, among others. We’ll continue our journey to Tlaquepaque, where we’ll stroll through its colorful streets and discover the finest Mexican handicrafts, enjoying a lively atmosphere filled with charming boutiques, restaurants, and mariachis. At the end of the day, we’ll arrive in Guadalajara. Note: You must check out and bring your luggage, as tonight’s accommodation will be in Guadalajara.

Day 10 – Wednesday: GUADALAJARA CITY TOUR – RANCHO LOS 3 POTRILLOS – TEQUILA “MAGICAL TOWN” – TEQUILA HACIENDA – CANTARITOS DEL GÜEROAfter the included breakfast, we’ll begin our tour of Guadalajara, also known as “The Pearl of the West,” where we’ll admire its beautiful architecture and visit landmarks such as the Degollado Theater, Hospicio Cabañas, the Cathedral, and the Government Palace, among others. We’ll continue to Vicente Fernández’s ranch, Los Tres Potrillos, where we’ll see the stables and admire the impressive horses (entry to the ranch is subject to authorization by the artist and the ranch administration; under no circumstances is entry guaranteed. Even if access is granted, it is not possible to enter the private residence of the Fernández family or restricted areas. Only the ranch grounds are visited, and access is completely free, as neither the Fernández family nor we as tour operators charge any entry fee).We’ll then head to the Magical Town of Tequila, admiring the agave landscape along the way, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. In Tequila, we’ll visit the church, the arcades, and the main square. During our visit, we’ll enter a Tequila Hacienda or distillery to learn about the production process of this iconic Mexican spirit that brings joy to hearts around the world. We’ll tour the stills, the cellar, and the distillery, observe the jima process, and enjoy a tasting of this delicious drink.To finish, we’ll visit one of the most popular spots in all of Jalisco: the famous Cantaritos del Güero, where we’ll relax and have fun while enjoying a tasty tequila-based cocktail.

Day 12 – Friday: MORELIA – MEXICO CITY After the included breakfast, we’ll explore the city of Morelia, known as “the city of Pink Quarry,” founded in 1541 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features some of the finest examples of Hispanic American baroque architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries, including the Cathedral, the Government Palace, Plaza de Armas, Clavijero Palace, its monumental aqueduct, and the Church of La Lupita, along with a beautiful plaza and fountains. After the tour, we’ll depart for Mexico City. Group farewell lunch included (drinks not included). Note: You must check out and bring your luggage, as we return to Mexico City today.

Day 12 – Friday: MORELIA – MEXICO CITY After the included breakfast, we’ll explore the city of Morelia, known as “the city of Pink Quarry,” founded in 1541 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features some of the finest examples of Hispanic American baroque architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries, including the Cathedral, the Government Palace, Plaza de Armas, Clavijero Palace, its monumental aqueduct, and the Church of La Lupita, along with a beautiful plaza and fountains. After the tour, we’ll depart for Mexico City. Group farewell lunch included (drinks not included). Note: You must check out and bring your luggage, as we return to Mexico City today.

Day 13 – Saturday: MEXICO CITY AIRPORT After the included breakfast, at the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to board your flight home. Regardless of the airport transfer time, hotel rooms must be vacated by 12:00 PM (noon) at the latest. END OF OUR SERVICES. (Lunch and dinner are not included on this day.)