Flavours of Mexico

On arrival at Mexico City International Airport (AICM), we’ll meet you for a shared transfer to your selected hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure – you can relax and enjoy the hotel facilities or head out to explore the surrounding area at your own pace. Overnight in Mexico City.

After breakfast, we depart at 09:00 for a guided exploration of Mexico City’s historic centre, taking in the Zócalo, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace – home to Diego Rivera’s murals – noting that the palace is closed on Mondays. We then continue to the National Museum of Anthropology – Mexico’s most emblematic museum of pre-Hispanic cultures and also closed on Mondays. At around 14:00, you may return to the hotel with the guide or choose to remain at the museum and make your own way back. Overnight in Mexico City.

After breakfast at the hotel, we set out on a full day exploration of Mexico City. We travel along Insurgentes Avenue – passing the bullring, the University of Mexico and the 1968 Olympic Stadium – before reaching the canals of Xochimilco. Here we board a traditional trajinera for a cruise among the floating gardens. You may choose to hire mariachis or buy food and drinks from passing boats. We then continue to Coyoacán – widely regarded as the city’s cultural heart – to see its sixteenth century mansions and the Church of San Bautista. We finish at the Frida Kahlo Museum, La Casa Azul, for an insight into the artist’s life and work. Overnight in Mexico City.

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart Mexico City for Puebla, travelling past the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl en route to Cholula – a designated Pueblo Mágico. Here we visit the Great Pyramid of Cholula (Tlachihualtepetl) and the hilltop Sanctuary of the Virgen de los Remedios, exploring the blend of pre-Hispanic and Catholic traditions. We continue to Santa María Tonantzintla to admire its exuberant indigenous baroque church.We then proceed to Puebla for a break for lunch at a local restaurant – meals not included – followed by a guided walk through the historic centre, taking in the Cathedral, the richly decorated Rosario Chapel and the Parian handicrafts market. If time allows, we also visit a Talavera pottery workshop. Overnight in Puebla City.

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Chipilo at the scheduled time from 70 Calle Florencia – corner with Liverpool – to explore its Italian heritage, where a northern Italian dialect is still spoken and the traditions of the original immigrants endure. We then continue to Atlixco, renowned for its gastronomy, landscape, architecture and flower production. On arrival in the historic centre, you have free time for lunch and independent exploration – suggested visits include the Municipal Palace, the Parish of Atlixco, the Third Order Chapel and the former Convent of San Francisco. Overnight in Puebla City.

Breakfast at the hotel, then morning pick-up for our journey to the archaeological site of Teotihuacan – known as the place where the gods are made. En route, we learn about the region’s traditions of textile and obsidian production. At the site, we visit the Palace of Quetzalpapálotl, the Feathered Snails, the Pyramid of the Moon, the Citadel and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, and admire the imposing Pyramid of the Sun. Lunch at a typical restaurant is included. At around 16:00, we transfer to Mexico City International Airport (AICM).