CasaQuest

Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Mexico City, Mexico - Tour Begins
Mexico has many faces, each offering visitors a unique insight into this fascinating country and its people. Archaeological sites representing complex and mysterious ancient cultures; fascinating colonial cities, churches, haciendas, and town squares; and lively mariachi bands are just some of the sights and sounds that collide in a travel experience like no other. Welcome as you join Collette Vacations in exploring Mexico's magnificent colonial cities. Your amazing journey begins with a flight to Mexico City, an incredibly diverse and stately city known for its monuments, parks, flowers, fountains and tree-lined avenues. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

Meals included: Dinner
Lodging: Sheraton Centro Historico, Mexico City

Day 2: Mexico City, Mexico
Join a local expert in exploring Mexico City's Centro Historico (UNESCO World Heritage Site) where you will find Plaza de la Constitucion, the second largest square in the world. Visit the 16th century Metropolitan Cathedral and view the nearby ruins of Templo Mayor (Great Temple) with shrines to the gods of rain and war. Next, travel to Our Lady of Guadalupe pilgrimage center where, in 1531, a "Lady from Heaven" appeared to a humble Native American. Today, more than 10 million people visit this world-famous shrine. Later, witness an interesting presentation on the many uses of the cactus plant followed by local craftsmen demonstrating the art of stone crafting and jewelry making. Your day continues to ancient Teotihuacan, known as the first true city of the Americas and home of Mexico's tallest pyramid. Your day ends with a captivating folklore ballet show showcasing Mexico's traditional dances, lively music and colorful costumes.

Meals included: Breakfast
Lodging: Sheraton Centro Historico, Mexico City

Day 3: Mexico City - Queretaro - Guanajuato
Travel the rolling hills and valleys of central Mexico to charming Queretaro. Enjoy free time for lunch and exploring the historic city center (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Here you will find beautiful examples of Baroque architecture, cozy restaurants, and tree-lined boulevards featuring exquisite colonial buildings. Your travels continue to captivating Guanajuato (UNESCO World Heritage Site), a romantic city where history, art and beauty are woven into a tapestry of winding streets, open plazas and intimate squares.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging: Hotel La Abadia, Guanajuato

Day 4: Guanajuato - San Miguel de Allende - Guanajuato
After breakfast, a short ride brings you to picture perfect San Miguel de Allende. This beautiful mountain city has become famous as an artist and writer's colony with a large population of retired U.S. and Canadian residents. A local expert takes you on a leisurely-paced walking tour of this well-preserved 16th century mining town famous for its Gothic revival church called La Parroquia. Enjoy the remainder of the day exploring San Miguel's cobblestone streets, colonial mansions, animated town square and outstanding antique shops with imaginative furnishings and folk art.

Meals included: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel La Abadia, Guanajuato

Day 5: Guanajuato - Zacatecas
Join a local expert in exploring the hidden treasures of Guanajuato. At the Alhondiga de Granaditos Museum you will learn why this attractive, perfectly preserved colonial city is considered the cornerstone of Mexico's Independence movement. Later, explore the main plaza of Union Garden and Mercado Hidalgo, a 1910 cast iron and glass building designed by Gustave Eiffel. This afternoon you travel the picturesque countryside of valleys and vineyards to Zacatecas (UNESCO World Heritage Site), an undiscovered colonial gem full of cultural treasures at every turn.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging: Hotel Del Bosque or Hacienda Del Bosque, Zacatecas

Day 6: Zacatecas - Montecatini Terme
Zacatecas, known as "the city of light and color", became a mining town in the 16th century when one of the world's richest silver veins was discovered. Your morning city tour features Plaza de Armas and the 17th century Baroque Cathedral of Zacatecas. Next, visit the fascinating Rafael Coronel Museum with its collection of 4,000 hand-carved, hand-painted Mexican masks used in ritual dances of indigenous communities. A must for all is a tour of El Eden Mine where mine cars will transport you to the depths of an old silver mine followed by spectacular views of the city from Bufa Hill.

Meals included: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Del Bosque or Hacienda Del Bosque, Zacatecas

Day 7: Zacatecas - Tlaquepaque - Guadalajara
Travel south to the state of Jalisco arriving at Tlaquepaque, one of Mexico's largest arts and crafts centers offering a wide variety of original crafts ranging from ceramics to stoneware articles to brass ornaments. Enjoy time to browse, shop and taste the local cuisine such as pozole or a lonche ahogado (a traditional pork sandwich drowned in tomato sauce). Or listen to mariachi bands as you admire the ancient colonial houses that are kept in magnificent condition. Your day ends with a visit to one of Guadalajara's most important sites, Hospicio Cabanas (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Here, in the early 20th century, the chapel was decorated with a superb series of murals, now considered to be some of the masterpieces of Mexican art by José Clemente Orozco, one of the greatest Mexican muralists of the period.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging: Hotel Intercontinental President, Guadalajara

Day 8: Guadalajara - Tequila - Guadalajara
The Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila (UNESCO World Heritage Site) comprise more than 85,000 acres of blue agave fields, distilleries and typical haciendas dedicated to producing Mexico's national spirit. Visit an agave field and witness one of the local workers demonstrate the planting and cultivation of the valuable blue agave plant. Explore the interesting Mundo Cuervo Brewery and Museum to see the actual process of converting the blue agave plant to various grades of tequila. Later, enjoy leisure time to sip fine tequila or explore the shops and restaurants in the charming town square.

Meals included: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Intercontinental President, Guadalajara

Day 9: Guadalajara - Patzcuaro - Morelia
This morning, a leisurely ride brings you to the state of Michoacan and the traditional town of Patzcuaro, known locally as the "Pueblo Magico". Founded in 1540, this beautiful town is known for its rich history, traditions, grand architecture, and natural beauty. Communities of Purepechas Indians populate the region and still adhere to their traditions and costumes. Bartering for goods is common amongst the townspeople. The fishermen of the area are known the world over for their butterfly fishing nets used for centuries to catch the white fish from the lake. Enjoy free time to mingle with the locals and explore Vasco de Quiroga Square, one of the most beautiful and largest in Mexico. Later, your travels continue to beautiful Morelia, an extremely well-preserved colonial city with an aristocratic feel. Morelia also is a place where the traditions of the Tarascan Indians persist, as seen in the traditional attire they wear, the handicrafts they make, and the historical importance of nearby archaeological ruins.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging: Hotel Virrey De Mendoza, Morelia

Day 10: Morelia
A local expert provides a leisurely-paced walking tour of Morelia's historic city center (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Built during Mexico's Viceregal era, Morelia delights the visitor with wide boulevards and many architectural treasures such as the National Palace, the impressive 18th century aqueduct, and the magnificent Baroque-style cathedral with its pink stone facade. The afternoon is at leisure for you to experience the joy, traditions and colorful atmosphere of Morelia. Don't forget to try the traditional Purepecha dishes, such as corundas and uchepos (regional tamales) or indulge in such local fare as enchiladas placeras and ates (candied fruit).

Meals included: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Virrey De Mendoza, Morelia

Day 11: Morelia - Mexico City
Return to Mexico City for a fascinating tour of the world-renowned National Museum of Anthropology, designed by famed Mexican architect Pedro Ramirez Vasquez. Considered one of the most important of its kind in the world, The National Museum of Anthropology has a number of significant exhibits, such as the Aztec calendar stone, giant stone Olmec heads from the jungles of Tabasco and Veracruz, and treasures recovered from the sacred Maya cenote at Chichen Itza. In this remarkable museum, a local expert guides you through an array of cultures from all regions of Mexico, including the Mayas, Teotihuacan, Tula Olmec and Aztec. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner celebrating the end of an unforgettable trip to Mexico.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging: Sheraton Centro Historico, Mexico City

Day 12: Mexico City - Tour Ends

Meals included: Breakfast

Tour Pricing
Double: Starting at $1,299 per person

For departure dates and more information,
contact Mary Lyn Klein at 408.621.0850 or marylyn@casaq.com

By e-mail:
marylyn@casaq.com