Exploring San Miguel de Allende

After clearing Customs and Immigration, proceed to the arrivals hall and meet our Group Leaders who will be holding a Road Scholar sign. When everyone has arrived, we will board a bus and begin transfer to our hotel around 5:00 p.m. After arriving at the hotel, checking in and getting your room, take some time to unpack, freshen up, and relax.

In the hotel restaurant, we’ll enjoy a plated welcome dinner featuring Mexican and international cuisine with a variety of salads, soups, main dishes, and dessert, plus coffee, tea, fruit water, water; other beverages available for purchase.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the days ahead.

At the hotel, enjoy a buffet featuring Mexican and international cuisine including a variety of hot dishes, bread, pastries, yogurt, fruit, plus coffee, tea, juice, water.

Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. All transportation will be provided via bus unless specified otherwise. Instructors will conduct all sessions in the classroom; a certified expert will lead field trips and excursions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We’ll then be joined by our instructor for a lecture to learn about the history of San Miguel de Allende, a colonial silver trade city and birthplace of Ignacio Allende, a captain in the Spanish army who sympathized with the Mexican cause and was a vital figure in the War of Independence. In the mid-20th century the town was revitalized by domestic and foreign artists; who were interested in its colonial architecture. With our newly acquired knowledge, we will then set out on a walking field trip with a local expert to downtown San Miguel de Allende, including a visit to the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, an emblem of the city with its neo-gothic facade and tall towers, which can be seen across the town. With our local expert, we’ll go inside to see the oil paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries, a large German organ brought in in the mid 19th century and carvings of saints including one of St. Miguel Arcangel.

At local restaurant, we will have a plated meal featuring a local specialty, plus coffee, tea, fruit water, water; other beverages available for purchase.

We will walk with a local expert to Museo Casa de Don Ignacio Allende y Unzaga. The actual family home where Ignacio Allende was born, this preserved house from the early 1800s was bought by the state government and turned into a museum to display information on the beginning of the armed conflict for independence of Mexico. Along with valuable historical, social, and cultural context of the time San Miguel lived through, some sections of the museum also show how important San Miguel de Allende is as industrial and commercial center. Next, we will continue on our expert-led walk to Plaza Civica, which used to be the main market place and square in San Miguel de Allende. On the edge of the plaza is the Church of our Lady of Health, built in 1735 Baroque style and has indigenous influence. We’ll gather at our private meeting room for a social hour, an opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers.

At a local restaurant, we’ll have a plated dinner consisting of a 3-course meal including dessert, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

Heading out via motorcoach, we will transfer to the city of Dolores Hidalgo, known as the Cradle of Independence, for a field trip. Upon arrival, we will visit the church where Father Hidalgo rang his bell and gave the call to arms known as the Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores), which marked the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence on September 16, 1810. Afterwards, we will continue to Antotonilco where we will visit the Sanctuary of Atotonilco. Nicknamed the “Sistine Chapel of Mexico,” it was built in the 18th century after a priest had a vision of Jesus. The complex is known for its rich Mexican Baroque murals completed by Antonio Martinez de Pocasangre over three decades. Colorful and ornate on the inside, in 2008 it became an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is still used as a place of religious worship.

At a local restaurant, we will have a plated meal featuring a local specialty, plus coffee, tea, fruit water, water; other beverages available for purchase.

After lunch we will visit the UNESCO site which is the local chapel. We will also visit the Independence Museum near the church to admire artifacts, paintings, and murals related to the independence movement. As we return to the San Miguel de Allende, we will make a stop to visit La Fabrica de la Aurora, this is an art and design center that is home to local artists and craft studios ranging from antiques and jewelry to furniture and textiles. While here we'll explore and enjoy the center as a group, visiting its working artist studios, contemporary art galleries, ageless antiques, unique furniture, textiles and home goods, designer jewelry and clothing, and gourmet restaurants and cafes. After a while, take some time to look around independently. We will then continue to our hotel. Once we are back at the hotel, we will gather with our instructor. We’ll learn about the excavation of the Otomi archaeological site, Cañada de la Virgen. Through a slide show with photographs of the site we will visit tomorrow, we will learn in detail about the excavation and the artifacts that were found there.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in San Miguel de Allende. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

We will board the bus to go to the Otomi archaeological site where our expert will teach us about the seven architectonic structures that form sunken patios, ball game court, square, esplanades and the road of this pre-Hispanic settlement. We’ll then make our way to Agustin Gonzales Village.

At Agustin Gonzales Village, we’ll enjoy a buffet style Mexican luncheon with fruit water included.

We’ll then have the opportunity to expand our knowledge of the local culture that has existed in the highlands of central Mexico for well over a thousand years. Many visitors to San Miguel de Allende and la Canada de la Virgen leave without realizing that the Otomi culture is alive and well in the 21st century, and that a vibrant Otomi community exists nearby the archaeological site, at the village of Agustin Gonzalez. There, a women’s cooperative of rug-hookers has gained distinction not only for their colorful carpets but also for their efforts in preserving the history, art, music and folk-ways of their people. Each rug from the cooperative is a work of art, detailing many aspects of daily life in the village. Proceeds from rug sales go toward medical care, food and the education of village children. We'll then continue to our hotel. We will meet a the our classroom for a lecture on Pre-Hispanic cultures.Your instructor will make a presentation of the cultures that inhabited this area prior to the colonization. Learn about the food production, construction of temples and artifacts, religious rites and many other interest subjects related to the groups before the arrival of the Spaniards into Mexico.

On your own to enjoy what you like.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

After breakfast, we will travel to Charco del Ingenio Ecological Park for a field trip led by a park expert. Walking along the greenery-lined trails, we’ll learn about the various species of local cacti while spotting local wildlife. After years of petitions from several local organizations and administrations, the park became a Natural Protected Area in 2006 with a goal of mitigating the urban footprint and maintaining the natural environment. Afterwards, we’ll transfer to Downtown San Miguel de Allende

Lunch will be during the culinary journey, an opportunity to sample different regional dishes. The group will make stops at local restaurants where they will eat a variety of dishes including drinks and desserts.

We’ll spend the afternoon downtown on a culinary journey featuring several tasting locations specifically chosen to highlight the best of the regional flavors San Miguel has to offer. An appetizing opportunity to experience the Mexican culture through its food. We’ll then return to the hotel.

On you own to enjoy what you like.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

After breakfast we will gather for another lecture focused on San Miguel de Allende Lifestyle: During this presentation your instructor will cover the American Community in San Miguel de Allende, the medical services, cost of living, the most important cultural events among several other subjects. You will leave the classroom with great knowledge on how the America Citizens live in this place, and why they chose San Miguel de Allende to retire. br> Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in San Miguel de Allende. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

At a local restaurant. Enjoy a three course dinner with coffee, water, tea; other beverages available for purchase

At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Hotel buffet.

We’ll then board our bus for transfer to Guanajuato and, once we arrive, we will enjoy the view from a lovely lookout over Guanajuato. While here, a local expert will point out and explain the importance of the historic buildings below, such as Universidad de Guanajuato, Teatro Juarez, and la Iglesia de la Compañia, among others. We’ll admire the variety of colors of the traditional colonial homes against the green hills.

At a local restaurant, we’ll have a delicious plated 3-course meal featuring Mexican cuisine with soup, a main dish, and dessert, plus soft drinks, coffee, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Walking across the street from the restaurant, we’ll visit Juarez Theater which, since its inauguration in 1903, has been the center and the headquarters of the most important artistic events in the city. We’ll see the majestic and splendid interior led by our local expert while learning about the history, architecture, and unique decorations of this magnificent theater. Continuing with our expert, we’ll walk to the Museo Casa Diego Rivera where our local expert will explain the importance of the most significant works before allowing time for independent exploration of the museum. As the house where Diego Rivera was born, it is now a museum displaying the collection of Marte R. Gomez with work realized from Diego's early years until 1956, just one year before his death. Born in 1886 in Guanajuato, Diego Rivera began to take classes at the Academy of San Carlos at the age of ten. By the age of twenty, he had more than two dozen works at the Academy's annual exhibition and received a grant to go study in Europe. Returning to Mexico, his early works followed Mexican society and dealt with the Mexican Revolution, with his style expanding to include Maya and Aztec influence. Twenty years his younger, he married Frida Kahlo in 1929, to whom he remained married for ten years. We’ll then check into the hotel.

At a local restaurant, we’ll enjoy a farewell plated dinner, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase. Share some of your favorite experiences from the program with new Road Scholar friends.

We’ll then gather with our Group Leader for a program review and discuss transportation for the conclusion of the program. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.

Hotel buffet. This concludes our program.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!