Tours from Ada Tours

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, seeing 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 gimpls 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 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 seeing 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. In route then out of Mexico City, make first a further excursion to get into the prehispanic region of the Toltecs, there to visit their ancient capital of Tula, where in the archaeological site you can see, among others, the interesting Atlantes statues, which formerly carried the temple roof, which has disappeared over the centuries. In the later afternoon/early evening, reach your overnight place in the countryside outskirts of Mexico City, where the landlady welcomes you in her charming rural mansion to fully relax in nature and silence.

Breakfast in hotel.
Morning drive out of Cañada de Cisneros. In ongoing route for Teotihuacán, visit the colonial ex-convent of Acolman. Here you will see and learn about, how the Spanish crown conquered ancient Mexico not only economically, but overall, in the religious way. 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 prehispanic 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 Tlaxcala city, capital of the state with the same name.

Breakfast in hotel.
After the first meal, leave for the northern part of Tlaxcala state. Tlaxcala is well known for its fighting bull breeding farms. Visit one of these farms, have an interesting and explicative drive around the big area, cross among the massive animals, for then also to get to a nearby hacienda to learn about still active rural life in these agricultural centers in family ownership, which exist since the Spanish colonial reign. Have lunch on base of the rich recipes of the family, before you get into nearby Magical Town of Tlaxco, which has a charming small center, as well as a long history in silver works and artisan cheeses! Evening arrival in countryside hacienda Tenexac, where the bull tradition is also alive. Enjoy to have overnight in a typical Calpanería room!

Breakfast in hotel.
In Coatepec, visit one of the traditional coffees fincas, there to see and learn about the coffee plant, the coffee cherry and how this is processed to gain this worldwide famous, aromatic beverage. Drive then down to the coast and city of Veracruz, which keeps its original ambiance of tropical port city in front of Gulf of Mexico. Have a relaxed visit walk there, see the main square and surroundings arch and cathedral, learn about the origin of the city and stroll along the waterfront “malecón”. Enjoy lunch on base of typical, and if you like also seafood, recipes, and do not miss to let serve yourself with a traditional Café Lechero, with milk poured from high above to create its characteristic foam. In the later afternoon, drive back into the higher lands and reach the Magical Town of Orizaba, the commercial center of trading for the mountain region around. Enjoy a relaxed evening walk in the colorful town, also to see the ancient Steel Palace, which came into town in pieces from Europe, when in late 19th century the railway was built to connect the Gulf Coast with Mexico City.

Breakfast in hotel.
During the morning visit to Monte Alban (UWH), a great archeological site originally founded by the prehispanic Zapotec culture. Built on a flattened mountain top, it was of ceremonial and strategic importance for the central valleys of Oaxaca. We will walk along the site’s Main Square, Observatory, Tomb #7 as well as the Stones of the Dancers. Midday returns to Oaxaca and visit its beautiful historical center (UWH), including the Cathedral, the magnificent Santo Domingo church and adjacent Regional Museum of Anthropology. Get also in the traditional commerce quarter, wherein Market 20 de Noviembre, you will not only see fruit & vegetables, but also all the smoking food booths, as well as to learn about insects to be an important part of Oaxaca’s cuisine since prehispanic times.

Breakfast in hotel.
Latest check-out from hotel at noon. Have transfer to airport or coach station in Oaxaca, or even directly back to Mexico City (distance Oaxaca-Mexico City approx. 480km / 7h drive).