Mexico colonial

Welcome to Mexico! Your private driver will meet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel, located in the historic centre of the capital. If time permits, you can visit the Zocalo where you will discover the cathedral and the National Palace. You can admire the works of Frida Khalo's famous lover, Diego Riveira. Then, you will reach the Palace of Fine Arts and the Alameda Park through the pedestrian street Madero. You will finally reach the famous Avenida Reforma with its monuments and buildings touching the sky.



By car: Mexico City airport - Mexico City 10km (30min)

Today is a free day to enjoy Mexico City. You will walk around the city centre. You will first go to the Zocalo, where you will discover the cathedral of Mexico City and the National Palace. You can admire the works of Frida Khalo's famous lover, Diego Riveira. Afterwards, you will go to the Palace of Fine Arts and the Alameda Park through the pedestrian street Madero. You will stop at the Casa de los Azulejos. For a great view of the city, you can climb to the top floor of the Latinoamericana Tower. You will continue to the Monument to the Revolution, offering another view of the capital. You will then catch up with the famous Avenida Reforma with its monuments and buildings touching the sky. At the end of this avenue is Chapultepec Park and its Museum of Anthropology, a great introduction to the evolution and history of Mexico. You can stroll through the park's paths, ride a pedal boat on its lake or climb up to the castle of the same name, which has been converted into a museum.

This morning you will reach Teotihuacan at the entrance to the site and climb the pyramids of the sun and moon and the temple of Quetzalcoatl that you have seen from the sky. Teotihuacan means "where the gods were born" and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. In its heyday, this city was one of the largest urban centres in the ancient world. You will stop at the obsidian craftsmen to appreciate this meticulous work of goldsmiths. Return to Mexico City with a stop at the Basilica of Guadalupe (the old and the new), the second most visited religious monument in the world after the Vatican. You will discover the famous tunic where the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared almost 500 years ago... watch out! End of the day free to visit the historical centre of Mexico City. You will take the direction of the Zocalo where you will discover the cathedral and the National Palace. Then, you will go to the Palace of Fine Arts and the Alameda Park through the pedestrian street Madero. You will finally reach the famous Avenida Reforma with its monuments and buildings touching the sky.



Driving directions: Mexico City - Teotihuacan 60km (1h) / Teotihuacan - Basilica 45km (45min) / Basilica - Mexico City 10km (25min)

Today you will go to the quiet district of Coyoacán, the artists' quarter, the Mexican Montmartre. Here you can visit the Frida Khalo and Leon Trotsky museums. Frida Khalo is undoubtedly the most famous Mexican painter for her art, but also for the tumultuous relationship she had with another master: Diego Riveira. At the end of the day, discover Xochimilco and embark on a "trajinera", a kind of large, semi-open, colourful boat, which sails quietly between the floating flower gardens of the canals once used by the Aztecs, to the sound of the mariachi music.



Driving directions: Mexico City - Coyoacan 25km (30min) / Coyoacan - Xochimilco 20km (30min) / Xochimilco - Mexico City 30km (50min)

Today you will leave Mexico City for Puebla. On the way, you will stop in Cholula, a "pueblo mágico" in the Puebla region, considered one of the oldest cities in America. You will walk through the colourful streets of this student city and see the Great Pyramid in the distance, which you will reach. At the top of the pyramid is the church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, built by the Spanish. An incredible view of the city and the Popocatepetl, Iztaccihuatl, Citlaltepetl and Malinche volcanoes. On the way back down, you can visit the archaeological site. Continue to Puebla. Known for its resistance to the French invasion, it still has the vestiges of this conflict that you can admire during your excursion in the centre. Religion is another facet of Puebla, as the city has many religious buildings that have earned it the name Puebla de los Angeles. Legend has it that the city was founded as a result of a dream by angels.



By car: Mexico City - Cholula 130km (2h) / Cholula - Puebla 20km (40min)

Departure this morning to the beautiful city of Santiago de Querétaro. It is one of the most emblematic of Mexican culture as it was here that the Mexican independence movement exploded, ending Spanish rule. It is also where several important events in Mexican history took place, such as the signing of the constitution in force today. Like many cities in the country, its history is closely linked to the influence of the local parish, that of Santiago, hence the impressive number of places of worship in the different neighbourhoods. You will be able to see several of its buildings listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Casa de la Corregidora, the Casa de la Marquesa and the church of Santa Rosa de Viterbo. Finally, you will see the aqueduct of Querétaro, considered the most important urban work of the 18th century, which is illuminated at night.



Driving directions: Puebla - Queretaro 335 km (4h)

This morning, you will discover one of the state's most popular tourist attractions, the Peña de Bernal. This impressive monolith is the third largest in the world and has earned the village at its foot the title of "Mexico's Magic Village". You will walk through the centre of Bernal and visit its museum of sweets, made from goat's milk. Bernal is also part of the Art, Cheese and Wine Route of Queretaro, as is Tequisquiapan, which hosts the annual Wine and Cheese Fair. Tequisquiapan, another of Queretaro's "magic villages", has retained the timeless character of colonial Mexico. On the way back, you make a final stop in San Juan del Rio, a typical small town in the heart of the Bajio region. Here, in addition to the extraordinarily well-preserved religious heritage, you can admire the Bridge of History, symbolic of a period in Mexican history.



Driving directions: Queretaro - Bernal 60km (50min) / Bernal - Tequisquiapan 35km (35min) / Tequisquiapan - San Juan del Rio 25km (35min) / San Juan del Rio - Queretaro 50km (1h)

Free day in Querétaro. You will be able to see several of its buildings classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, such as the Casa de la Corregidora, the Casa de la Marquesa, the church of Santa Rosa de Viterbo. Another impressive monument not to be missed is the Art Museum, which is housed in the former convent of San Agustin. A walk through its historic centre and a visit to the regional and city museums will help you understand the importance of this city in Mexican history. You can complete your historical tour with an escape outside the city with a visit to the Cerro de las Campanas Park, the place where Maximilian was shot in 1867. In the evening, don't forget to visit the illuminated aqueduct of Querétaro, considered the most important urban work of the 18th century.

Departure for San Miguel de Allende. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will relive the tumultuous history of this symbolic place of Mexican independence. You can visit the house of Ignacio Allende, one of the great supporters of the revolt against the Spanish crown, the Plaza Allende, the San Miguel church and the former Governor's Palace, which in 1810 was the first town hall in free Mexico. San Miguel de Allende hosts many internationally renowned festivals throughout the year, making it a prime location for modern Mexican culture.



Driving directions: Queretaro - San Miguel de Allende 65km (1h10)

Free day in San Miguel de Allende. You will start the day with a visit to the historical centre and in particular to the main square called plaza de Allende with its parish church San Miguel Arcangel. Don Ignacio Allende is one of the main actors of the Mexican independence since he led the army gathered by Miguel Hidalgo against the Spaniards. You can visit his house located in this square in his honour. The city centre is small and you can easily stroll through its cobbled streets where you will discover a number of art galleries, antique and craft shops, but above all restored religious buildings with incredible architecture such as the Oratorio de San Felipe Neri, the School of Fine Arts, the churches of Concepcion, San Francisco or the Tercer Orden. At the end of the day, take a trip to the mirador to observe this unique city from afar, illuminated by the soft light of the sunset.

This morning you will travel to the Sanctuary of Atotonilco, one of the most beautiful churches in Mexico, considered the Sistine Chapel of America and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008. This church played an important role in Mexican independence, as it was here that Hidalgo's troops stopped, removed the portrait of the Virgin of Guadalupe and used it on their standard to invite the people to rise up against the Spaniards. You will continue your historical journey with a visit to Dolores Hidalgo, an authentic and colourful village in the state of Guanajuato, of great colonial elegance, which is recognised as the crucible of Mexican independence. Indeed, on 16 September 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo made a call from his church to fight against the colonial power. His famous speech is repeated every year by the President of the Republic to commemorate this important day. Grab an ice cream and stroll through its charming and picturesque city centre. You can also visit the house of José Alfredo Jiménez, a famous ranchera singer and composer. At the end of the day, you will reach Guanajuato, capital of the leather industry, where the mining activity has covered the city with a kaleidoscope of colours.



By car: San Miguel de Allende - Santuario de Atotonilco 20km (25min) / Santuario de Atotonilco - Dolores Hidalgo 30km (30min) / Dolores Hidalgo - Guanajuato 55km (1h10)

Free day in Guanajuato. Walking through its historic centre, one of the most picturesque in the country, you will discover emblematic buildings such as the Teatro Juárez, architectural jewel of the porfiriat and perhaps the most beautiful theatre in Mexico after the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. The "callejon del beso", the underground street Miguel Hidalgo, the "Museo de la Aunt Aurora" (horror museum), the "casa de las leyendas" or the mine of La Valenciana are all places not to be missed if you want to understand Guanajuato.

This morning you will travel to Leon. Capital of leather and footwear, this city is rich in colonial architecture. You will walk through its historic centre to discover its many religious buildings such as the cathedral, the expiatory temple and the temple of Saint John. You will pass by the Founders' Square with its lion fountain, under the triumphal arch and cross the Martyrs' Park. Obligatory stop at a leather workshop. Then you return to Guanajuato at the end of the day.



Drive: Guanajuato - Leon 60km (1h15)

Perhaps it's time to say goodbye to Mexico and its beaches? Your stay is coming to an end. Leave the hotel for Mexico City airport for your return flight.



Drive: Guanajuato - Mexico City 360km (4h30)