Author: Connie Burk

September 25 – October 3, 2024
Nine Days and Eight Nights

This trip is now full. Please Contact Us if you’d like to be placed on a waiting list for next year.

Veracruz is a very interesting place. During our trip we will visit the most emblematic archaeological sites and we will also enjoy the second most important Archaeological Museum in Mexico. We will also enjoy two traditional fiestas in Coatepec, one in honor of San Gerónimo and the other is called: El Jarochodromo. It is a festival full of music, joy and the most beautiful dance in Veracruz. We will also visit historical places and museums with invaluable collections. This trip has it all!

QUICK LOOK

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TRIP

• • Visiting the Iron Palace in the most charming village in Veracruz where Gustave Eiffel touched the history of this interesting place.
  • Using all of your senses to explore four magical villages in Veracruz: Coatepec, Papantla, Orizaba & Córdoba.
  • Visiting three amazing archaeological sites: Quiahuiztlán, Tajín & Cempoala.
  • Visiting Antigua, the first place that Hernán Cortés founded in Veracruz.
  • Finding the most exciting coffee plantation and its owners in Coatepec.
  • Enjoying the best coffee in Veracruz.
  • Celebrating the most important festival in Coatepec, in honor of St. Jeronimo, where on every corner, there will be lots of color, dances, music and the unique joy of the people honoring life.
  • Discovering the most fascinating archaeological treasures at the Xalapa Museum, where we will learn about the three cultures that are part of Veracruz, the Olmecs, the Totonacs and the Huastec.
  • You will drink, eat, smell and be delighted with the flavors and fragrances of apples, vanilla and coffee, the aromatic flavors of Veracruz.

GALLERY

ITINERARY

SEPTEMBER 25

I will meet you at the Benito Juarez International Airport in México City at 1:45 p.m.; then we will take the road to Papantla, Veracruz. We will have our welcome dinner immersed in the traditional flavors of this rich cultural area of México.

SEPTEMBER 26

We will visit the archaeological site of Tajín, where we will explore the ball court, the murals and the main plazas. We will discover together the history and the trascendence of this place, then we will visit the magical village of Papantla where we will have a culinary experience with the traditional cooks: Women of Smoke. You will taste the most exciting ingridients of the Totonac cuisine.

SEPTEMBER 27

Today we will drive to Coatepec. But before that we will make three important stops in order to discover more about the history of Veracruz. We will drive close to the Gulf of México, and we will stop to visit Quiahuitlan, Cempoala and then Antigua.

SEPTEMBER 28

Today we will enjoy one of the best museums in México: the Xalapa Museum, where we will learn about the three cultures that had a great influence in Veracruz, the Olmec, the Totonac, and the Huastec. Every piece will tell us a fascinating story.

SEPTEMBER 29

Today is the most important fiesta in Coatepec, in honor of Saint Geronimo. We will join the dances, music and the tapestries. There will be plenty of color and nostalgia. This is one of my favorite festivals in México, because how is it possible to see such different cultural expressions and  to be witness of the syncretism in Veracruz. You are going to love every minute of this day.

SEPTEMBER 30

Today we will visit a coffee plantation while learning about the process involved to achieve the most exquisite cup of coffee. Then we will have a culinary experience in Coatepec, in this village emerge the fragrances of the best coffee in Veracruz.

OCTOBER 1

After breakfast we will take the road to visit Orizaba a charming place close to the Pico de Orizaba. There we will visit several historical buildings, including the Iron Palace, an emblematic masterpiece designed and executed by the famous architect, Gustave Eiffel.

OCTOBER 2

Today we will visit another incredible magical village of Veracruz, Córdoba, where we will learn about the production of sugar cane and coffee plantations and we will visit the extraordinary Historical Center and the Hacienda San Francisco Toxpan. Every place will be the perfect combination between history and culinary fragances. Then we will have a gastronomic experience at the best restaurant in Córdoba, La Tasca.

OCTOBER 3

We will take the road to the Benito Juarez International Airport in México City. We will arrive at the airport by 2:30 p.m

COSTS (USD) & DETAILS

The tour includes:

• • Ground transportation
  • Daily tours
  • A guide specialized in archaeology, ethnography and anthropology
  • Entrance fees to all the attractions detailed in the tour description
  • Accommodations
  • Daily breakfast at the hotel
  • Welcome dinner and seven lunches with culinary experiences and the aromatic flavors of Veracruz

It does not include:

• • Tips
  • Telephone calls, laundry, etc.

This trip was designed for only fourteen travelers.

March 7-15, 2024
Nine Days and Eight Nights

The goal of this trip is to enjoy the colors, flavors, and aroma of the local markets in Oaxaca and the deep beauty of the indigenous people and the diversity in the folk art and gastronomy. During these days in Oaxaca, we will enjoy every second to discover this outstanding city’s cultural and gastronomical diversity. We invite you to participate in this exquisite adventure and to be delighted by the Oaxaca markets and to be indulgent with your curiosity and sense of wonder.

QUICK LOOK

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TRIP

• • Visiting six local markets in Oaxaca, discovering the best flavors and aromas in each location, being part of the daily life in the communities, and meeting local people
  • Exploring fascinating ingredients in the Oaxacan tradition and learning about its exquisite cuisine
  • Having culinary experiences in the best restaurants in the city
  • Meeting local artists and artisans learning about textiles, rugs, pottery, silver and leather
  • Recovering the past in two outstanding archaeological sites: Monte Albán & Mitla
  • Learning about the fantastical wood carvings known as alebrijes, and having a one-on-one experience with the precursor of this tradition in Arrazola, Oaxaca
  • Tasting the authentic flavors of Oaxaca in the local markets like the gorgeous chocolate, tasty bread, and exquisite cheese. If you are brave enough, you will try some exotic insects like grasshoppers and much more
  • Learning about Rodolfo Morales, Francisco Toledo, and Rufino Tamayo, three important artists who influenced Oaxaca with their contributions and art

GALLERY

ITINERARY

MARCH 7

We will organize your transfer from the airport to our hotel. The meeting point will be at the hotel. Then we will have a welcome dinner.

MARCH 8

After breakfast, we will drive for an hour to get to Ocotlán de Morelos, one of my favorite villages. There we will learn about Rodolfo Morales and Guillermina Aguilar, and we will visit the traditional market, where you will be introduced to fantastic local people who will talk about the tlayudas and the blanditas, two of the main dishes in Oaxaca. Then we will have a wonderful lunch with exquisite local flavors while you are learning about the clay tradition in Ocotlán.

MARCH 9

We will visit the two main markets in Oaxaca, City, and there you will be able to appreciate also some pieces of textiles, baskets, leather, pottery, and fantastic local ingredients. Then we will visit the Tamayo’s Museum and the Textiles Museum. You will be surprised about our spot to have lunch, and you will love it, not only because of its elegant atmosphere, but also because of its architecture and exquisite cuisine.

MARCH 10

On Sunday, the perfect market to visit is Tlacolula, and you will be so enthusiastic about finding this spot, opening your heart to discover beauty everywhere. In the meantime, you can get lost with the effervescence of colors and flavors. I’m sure you will take fantastic photos, and you will try different flavors. We will have the energy to visit the baroque church behind the market, and we will learn about its unique purpose. Then we will go back to Oaxaca City to have lunch.

MARCH 11

Today, we will enjoy Teotitlán del Valle, and the traditional market there is exceptional. We will meet my friend, Eugenia Mendoza, who will introduce you to the Zapotec language with some of the vendors. As soon as you learn some easy words to express in the local language, you will have the time to explore the market on your own. Then we will visit Eugenia’s house to learn about the traditions of Teotitlán and the dyeing process and woven rugs. After having an exquisite lunch, we will visit the archeological site of Mitla, and you will make the connections between the designs in Teotitlán and the motifs found in Mitla.

MARCH 12

Atzompa is a beautiful village where the master potters have been creating fantastic pieces with glazed green clay, and we will visit the local market. We will then go to the great Monte Albán, the most important archaeological site in Oaxaca. In the meantime, we will meet a local potter artist and we will receive an extraordinary introduction to her art.

MARCH 13

If you like the cheese and other flavors of Oaxaca, today is for you, the market in Etla. You will delight in the beautiful colors and the variety of fruits an vegetables you will find there. Then we will visit the Centro de Artes San Agustin, where Francisco Toledo created a wonderful cultural center. You will be amazed by its architecture and Toledo’s influence. We will also make a stop at the Paper Factory, one of the most important cultural projects in the area. We will return to Oaxaca City in time to experience another unique gastronomical adventure.

MARCH 14

There is another charming market waiting for us, Zaachila, a living museum, and an extraordinary experience. Be alert to see wonderful things and try exotic fruits and vegetables. Then we will visit Arrazola, and we will meet with the Jiménez family, who are the best-known wood carvers of the colorful and whimsical alebrijes.

MARCH 15

At the time of your preference, we will organize your transfer from the hotel to Oaxaca’s local airport.

COSTS (USD) & DETAILS

The tour includes:

• • Transfers from the local airport in Oaxaca to our hotel and vice-versa
  • Comfortable transportation
  • Daily tours
  • Entrance fees to all the attractions detailed in the tour description
  • A guide specialized in archaeology, ethnography, and anthropology
  • Accommodations
  • Daily breakfast at the hotel
  • Welcome dinner & eight lunches

It does not include:

• • Tips
  • Telephone calls, laundry, etc.

This trip was designed for only fourteen travelers.