Mexico: Colonial & Culinary

Breakfast in hotel.
Today, let us show Mexico City to you, in its origins, in its transformation to contemporary culture, learning about ancient roots and culinary aspects. Visit the Square of 3 Cultures in Tlatelolco, where in prehispanic times were held the market places of all goods, which also were provided to the theocratic quarters of priests, and where nowadays the Aztec ruins lay next to colonial Santiago church, surrounded by the rather modern living complex of Nonoalco- Tlatelolco. Get into Mexico City’s historical center (UNESCO World Heritage – UWH), where you explore the area walking, see Zocalo main square with National Palace and Metropolitan Cathedral around, get into a local market and see all the fresh fruit and vegetables and have some tasting of typical Mexican food. Visit also the ruins of Aztec Main Temple which remain from prehispanic Aztec capital Tenochtitlán (Templo Mayor is closed on mondays / in those Mondays, the view would be from outside only). See also the Fine Arts Palace with its fascinating mural paintings inside, as well as Alameda Central Park and get glimpses into traditional bakeries and Mexican artisan sweet shops. After a day full of city center exploration, return to your hotel. There we recommend not to miss a dinner (not
included in package price) in the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, which is well known for its exquisite cuisine!

Breakfast in a hotel.
The morning is dedicated to Mexico’s National Museum of Anthropology, a unique example of its kind in the world. The visit there is for the viewing of some major exhibition hall about main prehispanic cultures in Mexico, also seen from the prehispanic point of view, calling all the included cultural area Mesoamerica. On route then out of Mexico City, afternoon visit of Teotihuacán archaeological site (UWH). The name was given by the ancient Aztec culture, which, when they arrived to settle in central valleys of Mexico, already found this pre hispanic city abandoned, and for the mighty structures thought, that such place could have been built by gods only. During your visit walk, see so emblematic structures like so called Citadel, Quetzalcóatl-Temple, Road of the Dear, and yes, of course, also the great Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, among others. Evening arrival in your overnight place in countryside Cañada de la Virgen in the outskirts of Mexico City, where the landlady welcomes you in her charming rural mansion to fully relax in nature and silence.

Breakfast in a hotel.
Today’s route goes through the rich region of wines & cheeses in the federal state of Querétaro. Get to Magical Town of Bernal for a view into this fairy tale-like place with the great monolith in its background. Visit also one of the traditional vineyards outside of Bernal, where you will taste from different wines, accompanied with artisan cheeses from the region. Enjoy a rich lunch on the vineyard, before in the afternoon, you will arrive in San Miguel de Allende colonial town for hotel check-in and resting time of day at leisure.

Breakfast in a hotel.
Morning departure from San Miguel de Allende for Guanajuato. In route, visit the Sanctuary church of Atotonilco (UWH), as well as Magical Town of Dolores Hidalgo with its important past in Mexico’s Independence History, since from here is Father Hidalgo, who is supposed to have initiated the struggle to get free from Spanish colonial crown. Afternoon arrival in Guanajuato city to visit its historical center (UWH) with Juarez Theater, Alhondiga, Hidalgo Market and all the small squares and lanes in irregular pattern due to the position of Guanajuato in a narrow valley.

Breakfast in a hotel.
Make a full-day excursion around Guadalajara, first to visit the Magical Town of Tequila. In Route, see the UNESCO World Heritage Landscapes of Blue Agave plants, and then in town visit a typical Tequila liquor distillery to learn about the processing of the plant and taste from the beverage. For lunch, reach Teuchitlan Lagoon and a waterfront restaurant, for afterwards to visit the interesting arch. site of Huachimontones, where the prehispanic culture has built the ancient temples on circular basements. Late afternoon returns to Guadalajara and your hotel for resting free time.

Breakfast in a hotel.
In route from Patzcuaro to Morelia, visit some amazing towns of artisans, colonial and pre hispanic art & architecture. In Santa Clara del Cobre, craftsmen & women work with copper and create beautiful all-day life articles. In Tupataro picturesque small town, the wooden roof of the church has incredibly beautiful inner paintings from the early colonial era in Mexico. In Tzin Tzun Tzan many people work in wood and straw handcrafts and the local archaeological site, from which you also can enjoy great views over Lake Pátzcuaro, has some characteristic shapes in so-called Yácatas. Tzin Tzun Tzan was the capital of the prehispanic kingdom of Tarasca culture which never was dominated by the Spanish colonial crown. Evening arrival in Morelia colonial city and your hotel. Evening free at leisure to enjoy town.