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Mexico

Exploring San Miguel de Allende

Program No. 17262RJ
Discover one of Mexico’s most artistic cities as you join experts to explore San Miguel de Allende’s magnificent architecture, local crafts markets and historic center.
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  • Exploring San Miguel de Allende
Small GroupCity Discoveries
Length
8 days
Rating (4.73)
Activity Level
Starts at
2,949
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
8 days
7 nights
What's Included
16 meals ( 7B, 5L, 4D )
4 expert-led lectures
9 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
7 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 60 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time.
Afternoon:
After clearing Customs and Immigration, proceed to the arrivals hall and meet our Group Leader and program assistant 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.
Dinner:
In the hotel restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day; cobblestone streets. Taxis available at your own cost.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
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. Instructors will conduct all sessions in the classroom; a certified expert will lead field trips. All transportation will be provided via bus unless specified otherwise. 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 during the mid-19th century, and carvings of saints including one of St. Miguel Arcangel.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
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 with Indigenous influence. We’ll gather at our private meeting room for a social hour, an opportunity to get to know fellow travelers.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 2.5 miles throughout the day; uneven terrain. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 20 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time one way.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
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.
Lunch:
At Agustin Gonzales Village.
Afternoon:
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 folkways 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 in the 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. We’ll 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.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 1 mile throughout the day; periods of standing in museum up to 1 hour. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 28 miles one way, approximately 1 hour riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will begin in the classroom where our instructor will trace Mexico’s modern history with an emphasis on the 1910 Revolution through the long rule of a single party, the transition to democracy in 2000, and the ongoing challenges of stability, reform, and the drug war. We will then transfer via bus to Atotonilco 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. 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 independently explore and enjoy the center, 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.
Lunch:
Lunch will be a culinary journey where we sample different regional dishes. We will make stops at local restaurants and enjoy a variety of dishes, including drinks and desserts.
Afternoon:
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. This is an appetizing opportunity to experience the Mexican culture through its food.
Dinner:
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.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your 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. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Lunch:
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.
Afternoon:
Free time.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy local fare.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day; periods of standing up to 1 hour. Getting on/off a bus; minimal driving.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
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.
Lunch:
We will enjoy food pairings with wine tasting at Puente Josefa Vineyards during our next field trip.
Afternoon:
We will continue by bus to Puente Josefa Vineyards. Here, we will walk through scenic rows of grapevines, learning about the cultivation process, and the seasonal work that shapes each vintage. At the winery, the experience continues with a behind-the-scenes look at the production area—barrel rooms, fermentation tanks, and aging cellars—where we will gain insight into the artistry and science behind every bottle. We will also enjoy a curated tasting experience with food pairings with an opportunity to observe and photograph the vineyard’s mural. We’ll then return to the hotel.
Dinner:
We will meet in the hotel lobby and travel by bus to a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 35 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking up to 1 mile throughout the day; paved sidewalks.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
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.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
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. 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 20, 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. He married Frida Kahlo—20 years his junior—in 1929, and they remained married for 10 years. We will then walk to the hotel and check in.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
We’ll 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. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 1:00 p.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
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 like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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