Mexicos Colonial Jewels

br />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.

Day 1: Mexico City, Mexico - Tour Begins
Explore Mexico's colonial cities where archaeological sites represent ancient cultures and churches, haciendas, town squares and lively mariachi bands set the stage for your adventure. Enjoy a welcome dinner.

Day 2: Mexico City, Mexico
Join a local expert to explore Mexico City's Centro Histórico – a UNESCO World Heritage site built atop of the ruins of Tenochtitlán. Discover the Plaza de la Constitución; visit the 16th century Metropolitan Cathedral; view the Aztec ruins of Templo Mayor and travel to Our Lady of Guadalupe pilgrimage center’s famous shrine. Enjoy a presentation on the uses of the cactus plant followed by local craftsmen demonstrating the art of stone crafting and jewelry making. Visit Teotihuacán, a city dating back to 200 BCE. Stroll the Avenue of the Dead for views of the Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon. Tonight, attend a folklore ballet showcasing Mexico's dances, music and colorful costumes.

Day 3: Mexico City - Querétaro - Guanajuato
Today you visit two UNESCO World Heritage sites. Travel to Querétaro, enjoying time to explore the historic center where you find beautiful examples of Baroque architecture, restaurants and tree-lined boulevards featuring exquisite colonial buildings. Continue to captivating Guanajuato and admire the photogenic twists and turns of its famous streets.

Day 4: Guanajuato - Dolores Hidalgo - San Miguel de Allende - Guanajuato
Enjoy a demonstration of Talavera pottery-making at a local workshop where artisans hand-paint designs on vases and tiles. Continue to Dolores Hidalgo, the pueblo where Father Hidalgo proclaimed the independence of Mexico in 1810. A short ride brings you to charming San Miguel de Allende, a UNESCO World Heritage site. A local expert leads your leisurely-paced walking tour of this well-preserved 16th century town. Visit Atotonilco el Grande sanctuary, featuring illustrative murals. Enjoy the remainder of the day exploring San Miguel's cobblestone streets and antique shops.

Day 5: Guanajuato - Zacatecas
Explore Guanajuato with a local expert. At the Alhondiga de Granaditos Museum, learn why this colonial city is considered the cornerstone of Mexico's Independence movement. Stroll the main plaza of Union Garden and Mercado Hidalgo before venturing underground to explore a network of tunnels under Guanajuato’s streets! This afternoon, travel through picturesque countryside to Zacatecas – “the city of light and color” and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Day 6: Zacatecas
Travel in a mine car to the depths of El Eden Silver Mine for a captivating tour. Then, enjoy a panoramic cable car ride from El Grillo Mountain to Bufa Hill for incredible city views. Witness how Zacatecan silversmiths fashion metal into jewelry at a local workshop. Visit the fascinating Rafael Coronel Museum with its collection of 4,000 hand-carved and painted masks. Enjoy a walking city tour featuring the Plaza de Armas and the Baroque Cathedral of Zacatecas.

Day 7: Zacatecas - Tlaquepaque - Guadalajara
Travel to Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, a renowned artisan center. Enjoy time to shop, sample local cuisine and listen to mariachi bands. Visit Hospicio Cabañas, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the early 20th century, the chapel was decorated with a series of murals by José Clemente Orozco, one of the greatest Mexican muralists from the period. Enjoy a panoramic tour of Guadalajara.

Day 8: Guadalajara - Tequila - Guadalajara
The Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is set on 85,000 acres of blue agave fields. Visit an agave field where a local worker demonstrates the planting and cultivation of blue agave. Explore the Mundo Cuervo distillery and museum to see the process of converting the blue agave to various grades of tequila.

Day 9: Guadalajara - Pátzcuaro - Morelia
This morning, visit Pátzcuaro, Michoacan, founded in 1540 and known for its grand architecture and natural beauty. Enjoy free time to mingle with locals and explore beautiful Vasco de Quiroga Square. Visit Morelia where the traditions of the Tarascan Indians are evident in their traditional attire and handicrafts.

Day 10: Morelia
Enjoy a leisurely-paced locally guided walking tour of Morelia's historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage site. View the National Palace, the 18th century aqueduct, and the Baroque-style cathedral. Your afternoon is at leisure.

Day 11: Morelia - Mexico City
Return to Mexico City and tour the National Museum of Anthropology, designed by Pedro Ramirez Vasquez. A local expert brings to life engaging exhibits like the Aztec calendar stone, giant stone Olmec heads, and Maya treasures recovered from the sacred Chichen Itza. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner.

Day 12: Mexico City - Tour Ends
Your tour ends today in Mexico City.

Don't miss our current specials: Save up to $500 on Galapagos Island Cruises Save $500 per couple on Galapagos Islands or Machu Picchu and Galapagos Islands tours! Certain restricitons apply. Please see terms and conditions below. Terms & Conditions: Save $500 per couple on any cabin category for Machu Picchu and Galapagos departures through May 2010 and The Galapagos Islands' departures (including departures with Machu Picchu Extension) through December 2010. Offer valid on new bookings only. Not valid on group or existing bookings. Offer is not combinable with any other offer. FREE Door to Door Service Now Vacations Start at HOME! Don't worry about getting to the airport... because a vacation should be worry-free. With Collette Vacations, enjoy free round trip sedan service that takes you from your home to the airport when you purchase an air-inclusive Collette tour.* This personalized service - including gratuities - is available on new air-inclusive bookings to the South Pacific, Canada, and Europe; and on ALL Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures and Explorations by Collette tours. On departures May 2010 and beyond, Door to Door transfers are included with air-inclusive bookings to all destinations Great Savings • Added Comfort • More Convenience
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
3/20/2010 - 3/31/2010	$1,399
7/17/2010 - 7/29/2010	$1,449
11/6/2010 - 11/18/2010	$1,499
2/26/2011 - 3/10/2011	$1,499
3/19/2011 - 3/31/2011	$1,499
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Save up to $500 on Galapagos Island Cruises

FREE Door to Door Service

Ratings & Reviews:

This tour has no reviews yet. Have you experienced this tour? Write a review.

Related Travel Articles

• See Europe :: Travel Safely and In Style, Escorted Tours
• Europe Language Tips