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Mexico City: History, Art, Culture, and Politics

Program Number: 13964RJ
Start and End Dates:
2/3/2013 - 2/10/2013; 2/2/2014 - 2/9/2014;
Duration: 7 nights
Location: Mexico
Price starting at: $1,795.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type:
Meals: 20; 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Embrace and explore México City as it showcases all facets of Mexico’s national character. In a place where many public buildings are built from the stones of Aztec temples, past and present are inextricably linked, so that around each modern street corner is another opportunity to delve into the history of Mexico. Ballet folklórico, mariachis, and a cosmopolitan mix of museums and neighborhoods adorned with the art of the great muralists illustrate the story of Mexican antiquity alongside pre-Aztec pyramids and colonial squares.




Highlights

• Trace the history of Mexico City with local historians and in a variety of museums.
• In museums and exhibitions, study the life and work of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
• Explore quaint and historic neighborhoods like Coyoacan and San Angel.



Activity Particulars

Elevation above 7,000 feet. Walking up to one mile, cobblestone streets, stairs indoors and out.



Itinerary Summary

Arrivals Mexico City, 7 nights; departures.



Arrival Mexico City
7 nights
Departure

Historians trace Mexico City’s past from pre-Columbian times through the colonial period and into the present. Enhance your study of the city’s history on visits to its original Aztec core, the Museum of Anthropology, the Basilica de Guadalupe and the Teotihuacan archaeological site, including the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. Lectures on Mexican art and artists cover the lives and works of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo with visits to their museums, and you further your study at the National Palace, a modern-art exhibition, the Colegio de San Ildelfonso and the Museum of Dolores Olmedo. Your artistic study culminates in a performance by the famous folkloric group of Amalia Hernandez. Go inside striking neighborhoods, such as Coyoacan with its stately mansions, squares and vendors around the atrium of Saint John, as well as historic San Angel recalling colonial times with cobblestone streets, romantic squares and capricious architecture.




Mexico

The oldest of the land’s found by Europeans in the New World, Mexico has endured a rough history at the hands of Cortes and subsequent invaders. Despite a turbulent past, the country maintains its relaxed and inviting charm with a mix of modern and traditional from its industrious cities to its captivating wildernesses.
Accommodations
Four-star hotel on Paseo de la Reforma, the avenue joining the historical center to the financial quarter.
Meals and Lodgings
   Hotel Casa Blanca Mexico
  Mexico City, D.F., Mexico 7 nights
 Hotel Casa Blanca Mexico
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: The hotel is located one block of Paseo de la Reforma, the majestic avenue joining the Historical downtown with the city commercial and financial zones.
  Contact info: Lafragua No 7, Colonia Tabacalera, Delegacion Cuauhtemoc
Mexico City,  06030 Mexico
phone: +5550964500
web: www.hotelcasablanca.com.mx
  Room amenities: All room are totally equipped with Air conditioning and heating with individual control, cable TV, telephone, cold and hot water restroom and Complimentary private security box.
  Facility amenities: Restaurant, Air Conditioning, Security Box, Room Service, Travel Agency, Paking, Medical Service, Laundry, High Speed Internet, GYM.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Approx.100.00Sgl - $126.00Dbl No addtional nights.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Approx.100.00Sgl - $126.00Dbl No addtional nights.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Mexico City D.F. You will be staying at Hotel Casa Blanca Mexico that night.
  End of Program:
Mexico City D.F. You will be staying at Hotel Casa Blanca Mexico the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. In order to enter Mexico as a US Citizen you need to have one tourist migratory form (FM-T) per person. (Cost of FM-T is included in airfare). These forms are obtained at the first port of entry, at the borders, or at Mexican consulates and embassies. Keep the FM-T in your possession at all times and return to authorities before leaving Mexico. A Visa is not required but a passport is needed to obtain a FM-T permit and may be required to re-enter the US. Procedures for obtaining the FM-T vary with the nationality of each visitor. Request the requirements for your nationality in any of the Mexican Consulates or Embassies in your respective countries. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 8, 2007, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document (Merchant Mariner Document or Air NEXUS card) to enter or re-enter the United States
  Parking availability:
There is parking available
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
  Train or bus availability: Check with your travel agent for schedules
To Start of Program
  Location:  Mexico City, D.F.
  Nearest city or town:  Cuernavaca
  Nearest airport:  Benito Juarez Mexico City airport
  Transportation to site: For participants who book their air with Road Scholar Travel Services, there will be one (1), possibly two (2), Group Motor coach Transfer(s) from Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City to Hotel Casa Blanca. Transfers will be determined by group flight arrival times. Program Only participants can join the bus to the hotel at no charge. Upon arrival at Mexico City International Airport process through Immigration, Baggage Claim and Customs. If you arrive to Terminal 1 (T1) proceed to exit the airport through Gate #7. If you arrive to Terminal 2 (T2) proceed to "Restaurant Wings" located on the lower level of the building. Once you have arrived at your meeting place either outside of "Gate #7" (T1) or "Restaurant Wings" (T2), identify yourself as a program participant by displaying your "Geronimo Participant" flyer (enclosed in RS Prep Mat 2). Look for the Geronimo representative holding a sign bearing the Road Scholar/Geronimo Logo. The Geronimo representative will greet you and direct you to gather with the waiting Geronimo group. At the appointed time the Geronimo representative will walk the group to the waiting motor coach for transfer to Hotel Casa Blanca in Mexico City D.F.. Participants unable to participant in the Geronimo staffed group motor coach transfer due to flight arrival times will be responsible for securing a taxi for transfer to Hotel Casa Blanca in Mexico City D.F. Independent Taxi Transfer Instructions - Process through Immigration, Baggage Claim and Customs. Locate a porter in the airport for directions to the Taxi stand located inside the Airport. At the Taxi stand, purchase a ticket to the Hotel Casa Blanca in Mexico City D.F. (Approximately 300 pesos/$30.00 USD). This ticket purchase provides you a ride in a government sealed taxi and is the fare to the hotel. If the service warrents, you may wish to tip the driver at the end of the ride.
  From End of Program
  Location: Mexico City, D.F.
  Transportation from site: On the last day of the program, there will be a motor coach transfer to Mexico City D.F. Airport immediately following breakfast (about 8:am). Taxis to the airport are available. The cost is about 300 pesos per taxi (30.00 usdlls)
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Elevation Note: Elevation in Mexico city is 7200
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1:
(Sunday, February 3)
   
 Arrive To: Travel Day, Arrival into Mexico City. Motorcoach transfer to hotel/hotel check-in.
 Dinner: 6:30 p.m. meet in lobby for Road Scholar registration followed by welcome dinner at Hotel Casa Blanca restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Casa Blanca Mexico
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Lecture: "Mexico City History - Pre-Columbian Period." Field Trip: National Palace and the famous Casa de los Azulejos.
(Monday, February 4)
   
 Breakfast: at hotel restaurant
 Morning: Program Orientation. Lecture:Mexico City History - Pre-Columbian Period. Field trip: National Palace and the famous Casa de los Azuleios (a tile-covered 16th century mansion).
 Lunch: in a local restaurant
 Afternoon: Return to Hotel Social time prior to dinner.
 Dinner: Dinner at Hotel Casa Blanca restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Casa Blanca Mexico
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Field trip: The Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Guadalups and Teotihuacan archeological site - The Ceremonial Center and The Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon.
(Tuesday, February 5)
   
 Breakfast: at hotel restaurant
 Morning: Field trip: The Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Guadalups
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Feld trip continues: Teotihuacan archeological site - The Ceremonial Center and The Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon.
 Dinner: Dinner at Hotel Casa Blanca dining facility.
 Evening: Attendance at the Fine Arts Palace to see the performance of the famous Folkloric group of Amalia Hernandez.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Casa Blanca Mexico
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Lecture: "Mexico City History - Colonial Period". Field trip: Alameda and Fine Arts Palace and The Anthropology Museum. Attend Fine Arts Palace for performance by the famous Folkloric Group of Amalia Hernandez.
(Wednesday, February 6)
   
 Breakfast: at hotel restaurant
 Morning: Lecture: "Mexico City History - Colonial Period" Field trip: Alameda and Fine Arts Palace
 Lunch: Restaurant at Anthropology Museum
 Afternoon: Field Trip: The Anthropology Museum
 Dinner: at hotel restaurant
 Evening: Attend a performance of the famous Folkloric group of Amalia Hernandez at the Fine Arts Palace.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Casa Blanca Mexico
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Lecture: "Mexico Independence and Modernity". All day field trip: The Historic Center - Aztec Ceremonial Center, Templo Mayor and site Museum. Field trip: San Ildelfonso School
(Thursday, February 7)
   
 Breakfast: at hotel restaurant
 Morning: Lecture: Mexico Independence and Modernity Field trip: The Historic Center - Aztec Ceremonial Center, Templo Mayor and site Museum
 Lunch: in a local restaurant
 Afternoon: Field trip: San Ildelfonso School
 Dinner: at hotel restaurant
   
Accommodations: Hotel Casa Blanca Mexico
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Lecture: "Famous Mexican Muralist." Field trip: The Museum of Dolores Olmedo Patino works by Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Field trip: Xochimilco, The Floating Gardens.
(Friday, February 8)
   
 Breakfast: at hotel restaurant
 Morning: Lecture: "Famous Mexican Muralist" Field trip: The Museum of Dolores Olmedo Patino works by Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo
 Lunch: at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: Field trip: Xochimilco, The Floating Gardens
 Dinner: at local restaurant
   
Accommodations: Hotel Casa Blanca Mexico
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Lecture: "Mexico's National and Modern Art". Field trip: The neighborhood (Colonia) of San Angel. Visit Frida Kahlo Museum. Visit the neighborhood (Colonia) of Coyoacan.
(Saturday, February 9)
   
 Breakfast: at hotel restaurant
 Morning: Lecture: "Mexico's National and Modern Art" Field trip: The neighborhood (Colonia) of San Angel and visit the Frida Kahlo Museum.
 Lunch: in a local restaurant
 Afternoon: Field trip: The neighborhood (Colonia) of Coyoacan
 Dinner: Farewell Dinner at Hotel Casa Blanca restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Hotel Casa Blanca Mexico
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Motor coach transfer to Mexico City D.F. Airport immediately following breakfast.
(Sunday, February 10)
   
 Breakfast: at hotel restaurant
 Morning: Group and independent transfers to the airport
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Daily Life in Ancient and Modern Mexico City


Author: Cory, Steve


Mexico City: A Cultural and Literary Companion


Author: Caistor, Nick


History of the Conquest of Mexico


Author: Prescott, William H.


A Concise History of Mexico


Author: Hamnett, Brian R.


The Course of Mexican History


Author: Meyer, Michael C. and William L. Sherman




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