Mexico

The Best of Central Mexico: Magical Towns and Bustling Cities

Program No. 23083RJ
Beginning in Mexico City’s bustle, journey to five colorful, European-inspired cities in Central Mexico, experiencing archaeological gems, open-air markets and savory cuisine.

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At a Glance

Forget the Mexico you think you know. Oh, the sensory-piquing surprises — archaeological gems, mouth-watering mole, locals’ warm welcomes — that await you in Mexico’s romantic, central highlands! Beginning in bustling Mexico City, journey to five magnificent, European-inspired cities and learn about 3,500 years of rich history rooted in advanced, indigenous civilizations. Venture to elevations of 6,000-plus feet in these colonial jewels that pulse with an effervescent mestizo culture thriving to this day. Open-air markets, 16th-century cathedrals, a cooking class — find memories of a lifetime at every turn!
Activity Level
Varies by date
Walking 2.5 - 3 miles on six days; standing up to two hours. Climbing one flight of stairs. Driving 2-4.5 hours some days. Walking on cobblestones, generally uneven, sometimes with narrow sidewalks, unavoidable uphills, and high steps. Standing in museums and archaeological sites.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Experience the indigenous Purepecha village of Patzcuaro, a quaint, colorful town of simple adobe homes founded in the 1320s and an adjoining ancient village.
  • Discover world-renowned cuisine and experience a cooking class in Oaxaca that begins with a trip to the market and preparation of a four-course meal.
  • Witness the allure of San Miguel Allende that continues to attract Americans to its orderly colorful streets.

General Notes

All dates follow the same itinerary, but select departures of this program are “On Your Feet” Activity Level to allow for a more relaxed pace.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Maria Mitrani
Maria Mitrani was born in Italy, then lived in Canada, the United States and France. She finally settled in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, where she has been living since 1976 with her husband and three children. She has a bachelor’s in Italian and art history from the University of California at Berkeley. Since 1985 she has led learning adventures through different parts of Mexico and is a specialized guide for Baja California. She is one of the owners and founders of Andiamo.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Maria Mitrani
Maria Mitrani View biography
Maria Mitrani was born in Italy, then lived in Canada, the United States and France. She finally settled in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, where she has been living since 1976 with her husband and three children. She has a bachelor’s in Italian and art history from the University of California at Berkeley. Since 1985 she has led learning adventures through different parts of Mexico and is a specialized guide for Baja California. She is one of the owners and founders of Andiamo.
Profile Image of Cristina Vannucci
Cristina Vannucci View biography
Cristina Vannucci was born and raised in Italy. After graduating from college she worked in England and the United States, then spent several years traveling and working between Italy and France. Cristina arrived in Mexico by chance in 1992 and made it her home working as a group leader ever since. For over 20 years, her love for this country has taken her to hidden places, allowing her to meet different people and to learn about the vast array of culture and nature within.
Profile Image of Benjamín González
Benjamín González View biography
Benjamin González was born to a traditional Mexican family. As the son of an anthropologist mother and sociologist father, he decided to major in history. His curious spirit has driven him to travel to the 32 state capitals of Mexico and a number of countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Benjamin enjoys sharing his knowledge about Mexico in a natural, local, and joyful way. When he's at home, he likes to read and to write posts for his travel followers.
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Year
2025
  • 2024
  • 2025
Date and Direction
Dec 04 - Dec 18 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Jan 09 - Jan 23 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Jan 16 - Jan 30 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Jan 30 - Feb 13 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Feb 06 - Feb 20 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Feb 20 - Mar 06 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Mar 06 - Mar 20 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Mar 20 - Apr 03 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Apr 24 - May 08 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Sep 18 - Oct 02 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Oct 09 - Oct 23 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Nov 06 - Nov 20 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Dec 04 - Dec 18 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
2025
  • 2024
  • 2025
Dec 04 - Dec 18 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Jan 09 - Jan 23 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Jan 16 - Jan 30 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Jan 30 - Feb 13 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Feb 06 - Feb 20 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Feb 20 - Mar 06 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Mar 06 - Mar 20 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Mar 20 - Apr 03 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Apr 24 - May 08 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Sep 18 - Oct 02 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Oct 09 - Oct 23 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Nov 06 - Nov 20 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
  • Dec 04 - Dec 18 (Mexico City to Oaxaca)
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.
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15 days
14 nights
35 meals
14 B 10 L 11 D
DAY
1
In Transit to Program, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Mexico City
D
Zocalo Central Hotel

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).

Afternoon: After checking in to the hotel and confirming the meeting room with the front desk, take some time to freshen up and relax. Orientation: 6:00 p.m. Gather in the private meeting room. Register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, and other important information. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet at the hotel front desk when you check in. 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. Our knowledgeable Group Leader will also serve as our Study Leader on field trips and other group activities, presenting important aspects of Mexican history, culture, traditions, and economy during transfers. Transportation will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Periods in the daily 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

Dinner: In the private room of the hotel.

Evening: Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
2
Chapultepec Park, Anthropology Museum, Historic Zócalo
Mexico City
B,L,D
Zocalo Central Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach, city driving. Walking up to 3 miles during the day on city sidewalks generally flat and uneven. Standing up to 2 hours per event during field trips. Climbing one flight of stairs.

Breakfast: On the scenic terrace of the hotel.

Morning: As the ancient center of the Aztec Empire and the first and most important of Spanish colonial marvels in the New World, Mexico City offers culture and history in a vibrant atmosphere. We will begin to explore this fascinating city. We will board our motorcoach and ride to the more visited section of Chapultepec Park. The origin of Chapultepec Park, one of the largest and most beautiful urban parks in the world, dates to the Aztecs who planted the first Ahuehuete trees — a few of which are still alive today — near a spring and built an aqueduct that was later destroyed by the Spanish. In addition to its wonderful variety of green spaces, the park contains nine museums, a zoo, an amusement park, lakes, and more. Chapultepec is an important social and cultural destination for local people as well as visitors. Among the many attractions, the park houses the world-famous Anthropology Museum in which we will have an expert-led exploration. Leaving the park, transfer to a “taqueria” for a traditional Mexican taco lunch.

Lunch: At a local “taqueria” restaurant

Afternoon: Back on the motorcoach, we will drive along majestic Reforma Boulevard where every roundabout exhibits a monument. We will arrive at the historical Zócalo, the main plaza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The large plaza is enclosed by the Cathedral, the National Palace, and other majestic colonial buildings. With our Group Leader we will visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, constructed with stones from the destroyed Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. We will also view from atop the recently excavated Templo Mayor archeological site where the base of Tenochtitlan’s main pyramid has been unearthed. Our Group Leader will explain the importance of the imposing National Palace, currently the home of Mexico’s President. Since the days of the Aztecs, the plaza has been and still is the site of political, religious and social events. It is always busy and lively. Free time to enjoy the ongoing activities on your own, join the Aztec dancers or simply people watch. You may choose to relax at the hotel, located around the corner from the plaza. Regroup for dinner.

Dinner: In a local Mexican restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
3
Xochimilco Floating Gardens, Coyoacan, Frida Khalo
Mexico City
B,D
Zocalo Central Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach, city driving. Stepping into a flatboat from a cement platform. Walking up to 3 miles during the day on city sidewalks, generally flat and uneven. Standing up to 1 hour in museum. Climbing one flight of stairs.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will board the motorcoach and ride to Xochimilco. The Aztec city of Tenochtitlan was located on a lake in which the Mexicas, as the Aztecs called themselves, traveled by canoes and cultivated the land using chinampas, wooden trellises set on the water. Today, a small portion of the lake and of the agricultural system still remains in Xochimilco, where colorful “trajineras” — small boats decorated with flowers — travel in the canals through the “floating gardens”. Boats with food, flower vendors and mariachis ride alongside the visitors adding to the folkloric event. We will hop aboard a “trajinera” and join in the fun while gaining a deeper understanding of the complex Aztec city. Together with Mexico City itself, Xochimilco is part of the designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the UNESCO inscription, “With its network of canals and artificial islands, it testifies to the efforts of the Aztec people to build a habitat in the midst of an unfavorable environment. Its characteristic urban and rural structures, built since the 16th century and during the colonial period have been preserved in an exceptional manner.” We will then continue on a field trip to Coyoacan, a beautiful and quaint colonial neighborhood of narrow streets, small plazas, and a Zócalo. Cafés, museums, bookstores, and art centers abound. We will have some time for independent exploration to stroll along the quaint streets, enjoy the lively plaza and choose a restaurant for lunch.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: While in Coyoacan, we will visit Casa Azul, home of the famous artist Frida Kahlo, now a museum of her life and works. On the return drive, we will get off the motorcoach at Alameda Park and continue by foot to further explore Mexico City’s historical center. Our first stop is at the imposing Art Nouveau Palacio de Bellas Artes, the Palace of Fine Arts, where we will stop to admire the emblematic building. We will then walk to Correo Mayor, an eclectic palace that served as the Post Office and stroll along the busy downtown streets lined by impressive colonial and neoclassical buildings until we reach the hotel. Time is at leisure before dinner. We will walk to a nearby restaurant with a view of the “Templo Mayor” and the Cathedral.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
4
Transfer to Morelia, City Field Trip
Morelia
B,L
Hotel de la Soledad

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach. Driving 190 miles, approximately 4 hours. Walking up to 1 mile throughout the day on city sidewalks and cobblestone streets, generally flat and uneven. Standing up to 1 hour at a time during field trips. Climbing one flight of stairs.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will check out of the hotel and leave Mexico City behind with a view of ultra-modern skyscrapers in the Santa Fe neighborhood. As we cross forested mountains, we look for the snow-covered tips of volcanos that form the Trans-Mexican Volcano Belt. During the ride, our Group Leader will present the fascinating history of the state of Michoacan, its indigenous Purepecha population, and the origin of its fine crafts. We expect to arrive late morning in Morelia. Capital of the state of Michoacan, Morelia is known as the aristocrat of colonial cities. The historic center is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Characterized by outstanding urban planning, its wide avenues are lined with more than 200 majestic palaces, a prominent Cathedral, and stately plazas. Most of these were constructed with pinkish quarry stones, contributing to a formal, unified appearance. We will check in to our centrally located hotel and have lunch in the charming patio.

Lunch: At the hotel.

Afternoon: With our Group Leader, we will begin to explore the city during a walking field trip. As we stroll along stately avenues, we will be able to admire the beauty of each palace, its architecture and decoration. We will admire the facade of the majestic Cathedral and the Government Palace. As we walk amid fountains, parks, and plazas, we will see one of the homes of José Maria Morelos, a hero of the War of Independence, who gave Morelia its name. Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the afternoon and evening are free.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Evening: At leisure. You might like to stroll in the main plaza to see the cathedral beautifully illuminated and mingle with local people at cafés under the arches.

DAY
5
Purépecha Villages & Towns
Morelia
B,L,D
Hotel de la Soledad

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach. Driving 90 miles, approximately 2 hours. Walking up to 3 miles during the day on city sidewalks and cobblestone streets, generally flat and uneven with uphills. Standing up to 1 hour at a time during field trips. Climbing one flight of stairs.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: The state of Michoacan — often called the “Soul of Mexico” — is home to the indigenous Purepecha people. In pre-Hispanic times, they had developed a realm powerful enough to resist Aztec domination. The Spanish called them Tarascans. After the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs, the Tarascan kingdom eventually fell. Today their population of more than 100,000 still cling to ancient traditions and contribute greatly to the richness of Michoacan’s crafts, considered some of the finest in Mexico. We will board our motorcoach and head out to villages around Lake Patzcuaro. As we ride, our Group Leader will delve more about Mexican culture and traditions. Our first stop is Capula, home of the famed Catrina dolls, the colorful elegantly dressed skeleton symbol for the Day of the Dead celebration. We will visit a workshop to awe at the endless variety of interpretations. Time stood still in the small picturesque Purepecha village of Santa Fe de la Laguna. We will see these reserved people trading their goods in the simple market of the town plaza, fish still jumping, then we will enter the home of a potter who revived ancient pottery making techniques and have blue corn tortillas right off the grill in a traditional kitchen. Continue to Patzcuaro. Founded in the 1320s by the Purepecha, the small quaint town of Patzcuaro is a colonial gem of simple tile-roofed adobe homes painted in red and white, ancient churches and somber convents that reveal its indigenous-colonial-Mestizo roots.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Purepechas proudly relish their traditions, including music and dancing. In the restaurant patio, we will delight on a private brief presentation of their most noted dances and songs performed by an indigenous folkloric group. Our Group Leader will then take us on a walking field trip through plazas, up and down cobblestone streets, including the House of 11 Patios. Free time to explore on your own, sit at a cafe or you may join the Group Leader to see a mural painted by Juan O’ Gorman. Returning to the hotel in Morelia, we will have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner in a restaurant under the arches facing the Cathedral, a favorite among locals.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Tonight or any night when appropriate, enjoy the “sobremesa” — lingering at the table to chat after dinner — as is customary in Mexico. Prepare for check-out and transfer tomorrow.

DAY
6
More Morelia, Transfer to Guanajuato, El Pipila Viewpoint
Guanajuato
B,L,D
Edelmira Hotel Boutique

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach and in/out of Sprinters. Driving 120 miles, approximately 3 hours. Walking up to 3 miles during the day on city sidewalks and cobblestone streets, generally flat and uneven with steps. Slow walking and standing up to 1 hour during field trips. Climbing one flight of stairs.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will continue to explore Morelia by bus and on foot with our Group Leader. The city boasts a magnificent aqueduct, one of the best preserved in the world. Built with the pinkish quarry stone, the 1 mile aqueduct is supported by 253 arches. Near the end of the aqueduct, we will have a moment of free time. You may admire the aqueduct close up and, if desired, view the brightly decorated Santuario de Guadalupe, unforgettable with its brilliantly colored and decorated interior. The Virgin of Guadalupe is an integral part of Mexican identity, as our Group Leader will discuss. We will then stroll to the small Calle del Romance (a romantic alley) and to the Fuente de las Tarascas, an emblematic Morelia fountain. Hop back on the bus for the brief return ride to the main plaza. We will then have some time for independent exploration or simply to relax before checking out of the hotel and regroup for lunch.

Lunch: At a local garden restaurant.

Afternoon: Next, we will ride to the queen city of Mexican colonial jewels, Guanajuato, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our Group Leader will lecture on the importance of mining in Mexico as we ride. In the 18th Century, the discovery of some of the richest silver finds in history promoted the construction of this magnificent city. Nestled in the mountains, Guanajuato is notable for its charm as well as its very narrow, winding, often steep streets (callejones), stairways, small plazas (plazuelas), subterranean streets, and colorful buildings. Buses cannot enter the narrow streets, thus we will transfer into private vans. As we drive along the panoramic road, we stop at El Pipila Statue for the finest viewpoint in Guanajuato. There, the city lies in front of us on a steep hillside, colorful and imposing as if it were a painting. Then we take a funicular to reach the hotel located in a quiet niche in a pedestrian zone of the Jardín Union, the main plaza. After checking in, we will have time to freshen up and relax before dinner. You might also like to find a bench and take in the surroundings of the tree-shade plaza sided by the elaborate façade of Teatro Juarez. We gather again for dinner on the plaza.

Dinner: At an elegant local restaurant.

Evening: You may want to explore Guanajuato’s serpentine streets by night on your own or stay in the plaza where music and merriment is always present.

DAY
7
Guanajuato Highlights, Free Time
Guanajuato
B,D
Edelmira Hotel Boutique

Activity note: Walking up to 3 miles during the day on generally narrow sidewalks, uneven cobblestones, up-hills, many steps. Standing up to 1 hour at a time during field trips. Climbing one flight of stairs. Teatro Juarez is currently closed, however may re-open by your travel date.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will set out with our Group Leader on a walking field trip to explore some of the city’s highlights. Bright, colorful homes and buildings line the streets, alleys, and plazas. The alleys can become so narrow that a popular legend tells of a couple kissing from their balconies. We will stop to admire the imposing white stone building of Guanajuato University fronted by a wide staircase with 133 steps — viewed from the bottom! The striking, deep yellow Guanajuato Basilica is one of the city’s most renowned architectural, historical, and ecclesiastical landmarks. Situated on a hilltop facing a larger plaza, it is prominent in the daytime and brightly lit at night. Construction began in 1671, sponsored by local silver miners, and was completed in 25 years. The main object of veneration inside is a jewel-laden image of Our Lady of Guanajuato. The story goes that this wooden statue of the Virgin and Child was carved by an unknown artist in Andalusia prior to the Moorish invasion of Spain and was then guarded in a cave to hide it from the Moors — where it stayed for eight centuries! Eventually, the King of Spain gave it to the basilica as a token of thanks for all the wealth dug out of the silver mines and sent to the Spanish treasury. We will also trace the city’s turbulent history at the Alhóndiga de Granaditas, a former granary that now contains a regional museum. In 1810, it was the site of the first battle in the Mexican War of Independence.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: 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. You might like to wander through the maze of alleys, plazas, and markets, or find a café to sip a beverage and observe the vibrant city life. Other possibilities include the home and museum of world famous artist Diego Rivera, the adjacent Modern Art Museum, and a museum dedicated to Cervantes. In the late afternoon, gather at the stately entrance of Teatro Juarez, with its magnificent, neo-classical exterior that faces the central plaza. As we enter the theater with our Group Leader, we will be able to appreciate its richly ornate, flamboyant decoration that follows the horseshoe design of most European opera houses. For dinner, take a break from Mexican specialties to delight on Italian cuisine in a first floor restaurant that overlooks the plaza.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: One of Guanajuato’s most popular traditions is the “callejoneada” in which groups of musicians in period dress sing, dance, and retell local legends (in Spanish) as they weave through old cobbled streets, steep alleys, and plazas. Elective: Those with energy, stamina, and enthusiasm are welcome to follow the callejoneada. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
8
San Miguel Allende, Queretaro
Queretaro
B,L,D
Doña Urraca

Activity note: Getting in/out of Sprinters and on/off a motorcoach. Driving 90 miles, approximately 2.5 hours. Walking up to 2 miles during the day on narrow sidewalks, uneven cobblestones with up-hills and steps. Standing up to 1 hour at a time during field trips.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Due to the narrow streets, we will take private Sprinters to reach our motorcoach. Picturesque back sides of homes are visible through the openings of the underground tunnels and narrow passageways. On our motorcoach, we continue our journey to Queretaro. We will make some stops along the way. During the drive, our Group Leader will tell us more about the economic, social, and religious structure of the Spanish colonial period leading to the Mexican Independence. We will drive to Atotonilco, one of the sites known as the Cradle of National Independence. On September 16, 1810, Father Hidalgo, a priest who became “the Father of Mexico”, gave the famous cry for freedom, now called the “Grito de Dolores”, in a Dolores Hidalgo church. He then marched to Atotonilco where he took the banner depicting the Virgin of Guadalupe as a symbol of the nascent insurgent army. These two emblematic events sparked the beginning of the War of Independence from Spain. September 16 is celebrated as Mexico’s Independence Day. We will visit the Sanctuary of Atotonilco, known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes the picturesque town of San Miguel de Allende. From the UNESCO inscription: “San Miguel de Allende acted as a melting pot where Spaniards, Creoles and Amerindians exchanged cultural influences while the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco constitutes an exceptional example of the exchange between European and Latin American cultures…Its interior decoration, especially mural painting, makes the Sanctuary a masterpiece of Mexican Baroque.”

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Named in honor of General Ignacio Allende, one of the fathers of Mexican Independence who was born here, San Miguel Allende gained international fame thanks to the establishment of Instituto Allende in the 1950s attracting foreigners to its art and Spanish courses. We will take a walking field trip with our Group Leader to see the town center and appreciate the variety of architectural styles represented in its buildings, especially La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel — the Parish of Saint Michael the Archangel — that can be seen from everywhere. Founded in the mid-1500s, it was rebuilt several times over the centuries. Though ancient in appearance, the soaring towers and neo-Gothic façade we see today are from the late 19th century. Brief free time to explore on your own. We’ll then move on to Querétaro. During the drive, our Group Leader will narrate the eventful years following the independence discussing Benito Juarez, the French Invasion, the Revolutionary War, and the eventual signing of Mexico’s Constitution. Santiago de Querétaro is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the UNESCO inscription: “The old colonial town of Querétaro is unusual in having retained the geometric street plan of the Spanish conquerors side by side with the twisting alleys of the Indian quarters. The Otomi, the Tarasco, the Chichimeca and the Spanish lived together peacefully in the town, which is notable for the many ornate civil and religious Baroque monuments from its golden age in the 17th and 18th centuries.” We will check in to our hotel set in an 18th century villa, then walk to a lively Mexican restaurant for dinner.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. You are welcome to walk back to the hotel with our Group Leader or stay in the plaza to enjoy the nightlife, mingle with local people, and return to the hotel on your own.

DAY
9
Exploring Querétaro, Aqueduct
Queretaro
B,L
Doña Urraca

Activity note: Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day on cobblestones, generally flat and uneven. Slow walking and standing up to 1 hour during field trips. Climbing one flight of stairs.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Away from the flow of tourism, Santiago de Querétaro’s dynamic historical center pleasantly surprises the visitor. A monumental aqueduct, a symbol of the city, boasts 75 arches reaching a height of nearly 100 feet. We will explore the city on a walking field trip with our Group Leader through the most notable elements of the historical center featuring Baroque and neo-classical architecture. We will learn how Querétaro has played a significant role throughout Mexican history from its founding in 1531 to the plotting of the Independence, the execution of Maximilian of Austria, the writing of the Mexican constitution, and the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe. An expert-led visit of a 16th century Franciscan monastery immerses us into the life of the monks and the many events which took place in this historical site. Maximilian prison cell and a Quarry Cross related to an Otomi legend are in the monastery. As we walk along charming streets and lively plazas, we’ll enter the courtyard of the Government Palace. Once known as the Casa de la Corregidora, it was the home of Josefa Ortíz de Dominguez, a heroine of the Mexican independence movement, declared a Benemérita del Estado. We will also enter Queretaro’s Art Museum located in the former monastery of San Augustin founded in 1728, to appreciate the ornate courtyard, considered one of the most magnificent in Latin America. On our way to lunch, we admire the facade of the sumptuously decorated Baroque mansion of Casa de la Marquesa.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Elective: The Otomi Indigenous people of Queretaro are responsible for the creation of Lele dolls, the colorful rag dolls with ribbon-decked hair considered a cultural heritage. You may join the Group Leader to a local Otomi Indian craft center where the women will guide you through the steps of making your own rag doll. This relaxing fun activity offers the opportunity to interact with and get to know the lifestyle of these indigenous people who come to the city from remote villages in the surrounding mountains. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are free to rest and relax or explore independently. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. You may choose to join the Group Leader on a walking excursion to Santa Rosa de Viterbo Church to admire the stunning unique exterior and the contrasting Baroque Neo-classical interior.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and early transfer in the morning.

DAY
10
Transfer to Puebla, Teotihuacan Complex
Puebla
B,L,D
Quinta Real Puebla

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach. Driving 230 miles, approximately 5 hours. Walking up to 3 miles during the day on gravel paths, and cobblestones, generally flat and uneven and climbing high uneven stone steps.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Today is an early departure. We will check out of the hotel and board our motorcoach for the transfer to Puebla, Mexico’s fourth-largest city, important for its rich history, culture, and economy. Our drive will cross agricultural fields nicely divided by stone walls and rolling hills that encircle Mexico City. As we ride, our Group Leader will lecture on pre-Columbian cultures. In route, we will visit Teotihuacan, one of Mexico’s most noted archeological sites, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the UNESCO inscription: “The holy city of Teotihuacan ('the place where the gods were created') is situated some 30 miles north-east of Mexico City. Built between the 1st and 7th centuries A.D., it is characterized by the vast size of its monuments — in particular, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl and the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, laid out on geometric and symbolic principles. As one of the most powerful cultural centers in Mesoamerica, Teotihuacan extended its cultural and artistic influence throughout the region, and even beyond.” Known as the City of the Gods, Teotihuacan was the home of an important culture that influenced succeeding Mesoamerican civilizations and a population greater than Rome from the 1st century BCE to the 5th century CE. With our Group Leader, we will explore the site, walk along the Avenue of the Dead, enter some of its palaces, and admire from below the famous Temple to the Sun, approximately 200 feet high and the slightly smaller Temple to the Moon.

Lunch: At a restaurant by the archeological site.

Afternoon: Continuing our journey, the Group Leader will lecture on Mexico’s renowned cuisine as well as completing the chronicle of Mexican history to conclude with present day Mexico. Arriving in Puebla, we stop at the monumental fountain of the fort area where the Battle of Puebla was fought on Cinco de Mayo: May 5, 1862. The outnumbered Mexicans, led by General Zaragoza, outfought the superior French force, providing a moral victory in the larger war against foreign intervention. We will check in to our hotel, a former 16th century convent and have some time to freshen up. Puebla — originally Ciudad de los Ángeles, City of the Angels — was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its wealth of historical and cultural riches, especially architecture. Its gems of Spanish-colonial buildings include over 360 churches, palaces, a historic library, and private houses, many of which are decorated with colorful ‘azulejos’ — Talavera-style ceramic tiles. With our Group Leader, we will set out for the imposing zocalo and view the façade of the monumental cathedral. Begun in 1575 and completed in 1649, it is the second largest in Mexico; its twin bell towers are the tallest in the country. Time on your own to enjoy life on the Zocalo, then gather again for dinner at a rooftop restaurant facing the cathedral which is magnificently lit at night.

Dinner: At a local restaurant with a view of the plaza.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
11
Exploring Puebla
Puebla
B,L
Quinta Real Puebla

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day on cobblestone sidewalks generally flat some uneven. Slow walking and standing up to 1.5 hour during field trips. Climbing one flight of stairs.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll step on the motorcoach to encounter highlights away from the city center. On the way to San Andrés Cholula, sight the facade of San Francisco Acatepec covered in colorful shiny tiles. The beautiful church of Tonantzintla, on the other hand, is noted for its exceptional interior where nearly every inch of plaster molding is decorated in an “indigenous baroque” style with colored images of flowers and fruits, human and animal faces and figures with indigenous headdresses, as well as abstract designs reflecting the mix of pre-hispanic and Christian worlds. We continue to visit the Museo Internacional del Barroco, inaugurated in 2016. The sleek, avant-garde exterior design contrasts dramatically with the Baroque art inside. In an exploration of the museum amid paintings and interactive displays, we will gain an in-depth knowledge of the many aspects of Baroque and the important role played by Mexico in general and Puebla specifically for its development. Return to the city center for lunch.

Lunch: In a local restaurant, we will have a traditional Puebla meal consisting of mole (pronounced “MOH-leh”). The poblano mole originated in Puebla. This rich, smooth sauce — often served over chicken, turkey, or other meats — is highly labor intensive, prepared with ground chiles and other ingredients such as chicken stock, tortillas, nuts, seeds, spices, garlic, onion, and tomatoes, as well as chocolate, plantains, and raisins for sweetness, and sometimes more.

Afternoon: After lunch, with our Group Leader we will visit Biblioteca Palafoxiana, listed in UNESCO’s “Memory of the World” register. Founded in 1646, it was the first public library in the Americas. The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore on your own. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. If desired, you may join the Group Leader on a walking visit of the Church of Santo Domingo to appreciate the baroque ornamentation of the Capilla del Rosario, located inside the church, lavishly covered with gold leaf.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
12
Transfer to Oaxaca, Exploring the City
Oaxaca
B,L,D
Quinta Real Oaxaca

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach. Driving 210 miles, approximately 4.5 hours. Walking up to 2 miles during the day on cobblestones, generally flat and uneven. Slow walking and standing up to 1.5 hours during field trip. Climbing one flight of stairs.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After checking out of the hotel, we will board the motorcoach for Oaxaca, the last destination of our journey. We’ll cross a mountainous area with changes in altitudes and ecosystems: pines forests, tall cacti, dry desert. Volcanos can be sighted. Our Group Leader will lecture on “magical” cities, and protected areas that preserve Mexico’s rich cultural heritage. We will reach Oaxaca, one of Mexico’s most captivating cities, its Centro Historico is another designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Oaxaca is the home of complex indigenous cultures, magnificent baroque colonial buildings and churches, delicious mestizo cuisine, excellent crafts, traditional celebrations, bustling markets, archeological sites, and the birthplace of Benito Juarez, a national hero and a beloved president of Mexico. Upon arrival at our beautiful centrally located hotel set in an ex-monastery, we’ll have lunch in a garden setting. Luggage will be stored until rooms are available for check-in.

Lunch: In the hotel garden.

Afternoon: After check-in and some time to freshen up, we’ll set out with our Group Leader on a walk to get acquainted with Oaxaca. Close to the hotel is the magnificent Santo Domingo Church and plaza. A pedestrian street connects it to the spacious and lively Zocalo dominated by the baroque Metropolitan Cathedral. Next, we enter the famed market. Among the many local specialties sold in the market, heaps of fried grasshoppers create a memorable sight! Stop at a chocolate factory to see the process of making Mexican chocolate. Return to the Zocalo where folkloric music groups encourage locals to dance to their favorite rhythm. Dinner is in a restaurant facing the Zocalo and the merriment.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. You may remain in the plaza and mingle with local people, enjoy the music or return to the hotel.

DAY
13
Monte Alban, Santo Domingo Cultural Center, Cooking Class
Oaxaca
B,D
Quinta Real Oaxaca

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach, city driving. Walking up to 3 miles during the day on cobblestones, generally flat and uneven and on gravel paths and climbing some high stone steps. Slow walking and standing up to 2 hours during field trips. Climbing one flight of stairs.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will board our motorcoach for a field trip with our Group Leader to Monte Alban, the social-political-economic center of the Zapotec civilization from 500 BCE to 800 CE, one of the earliest and most important of Mesoamerica. Situated on a mountain top with grand vistas of the Oaxaca Valley, this vast archeological site, part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing with Oaxaca, is impressive. Among the many objects discovered during excavations are elaborate, splendidly made pieces of gold jewelry and other fine objects found in famed Tomb #7. In addition, of particular interest in Monte Alban are “Los Danzantes” — the dancers — a series of more than 300 rock carvings depicting figures in playful positions. We will then return to Oaxaca to enter Santo Domingo Cultural Center. The monastery, founded by the Dominicans in the 16th Century, is currently a museum where the jewels of Tomb #7 of Monte Alban, considered one of the most important findings in Mesoamerica, are exhibited.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: Time is at leisure for independent exploration or a bit of relaxation before our cooking class - dinner event. A brief ride in our motorcoach will take us to the kitchen of a local restaurant where we are greeted by the chef. Wearing colorful aprons, we’re ready to work. Mole, salsas, guacamole, tortillas and Oaxacan specialties are part of the gastronomic experience. We’ll have the opportunity to taste Mezcal. While Tequila is technically a kind of mescal, it is produced only from blue agave in five specific regions. On the other hand, Mezcal can be made from a variety of agaves growing in widespread regions. The production process of each beverage is quite different.

Dinner: At the Cocking Class

Evening: Return to the hotel. You may wish to take an evening stroll in the attractive streets and plazas surrounding the hotel.

DAY
14
Santa María del Tule, Teotitlan del Valle, Alebrijes
Oaxaca
B,L,D
Quinta Real Oaxaca

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach. Driving about 20 miles, approximately 1 hour. Walking up to 1.5 miles during the day on cobblestones, generally flat and uneven. Slow walking and standing up to 1hour during field trips. Climbing one flight of stairs.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will board our motorcoach with our Group Leader for an all morning visit of the Oaxaca Valley making several stops. Santa Maria del Tule houses the famed 2,000 years old Moctezuma cypress. With a 46-foot diameter and a 190-foot circumference, it is said to be the widest tree in the world. In Teotitlan del Valle, a small village dedicated to the production of hand-woven rugs, we will see weavers at work. Enter the home and workshop of a family devoted to carding, spinning, and dying the wool with natural dyes that is then woven on frame looms to produce high quality rugs representing pre-Columbian designs, famous paintings, or original patterns. On the return drive to Oaxaca, we will stop for lunch in a country type restaurant featuring Oaxacan specialties.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: The top of the afternoon is on your own to relax, enjoy the hotel, the pool, or to explore the city center. You may wish to enter Santo Domingo Temple, the most ornate of Oaxaca’s churches, stroll through the galleries or visit a museum. In the late afternoon, join in an entertaining hands-on activity. Gather at the hotel for the short walk to a gallery where alebrijes are exhibited to appreciate these unique Oaxacan traditional art pieces. Enjoy a display of finely crafted Alebrijes, appreciate its craftmanship, learn about its origin - brightly painted wood carvings of imaginative figures, often fantastical, that originated in Oaxaca and have become world renowned. Led by a craftsman and assisted by the Group Leader, participate in an alebrijes workshop trying your skills at painting one! Return to the hotel to get ready for the farewell dinner at the hotel’s elegant dining room.

Dinner: At the hotel. Toast farewell to Mexico and to travel companions, until we meet again

Evening: Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

DAY
15
Program Concludes
Oaxaca
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out 12:00 Noon. See your program travel details regarding transfers. If you are returning home keep passports on hand. Personal travel permits must be returned upon leaving Mexico, the airline will collect them during check-in.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

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. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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