Day 1

ARRIVAL MEXICO CITY

We arrive in Mexico, the world's largest metropolis! Transfer to our luxury hotel La Casona, a stately home with pink facades and period balconies, listed as an artistic monument by the National Institute of Fine Arts.

Mexico City is also the oldest urban centre in the Western Hemisphere, when it was called Tenochtitlan. Spanish conqueror Hernan Cortes and his men were awestruck by the sight of the imposing temples of the Aztecs. Reporting back to King Carlos V, Cortes was struggling to convey the majesty of what he saw. Imagine the King's surprise at learning that "one of the plazas is twice the size of that of Salamanca ", and "the principal pyramid is taller than the tower of the cathedral at Seville ", or that the stone and wood craftsmanship that adorned these monuments "could nowhere be bettered".

Day 2

MEXICO CITY

In the morning we will start exploring the city! Our local guide takes us along the main boulevard Paseo de la Reforma to the Centro Histórico (historic centre). Nowhere is Mexico 's explosive past better depicted than at its central plaza, the Zócalo. Surrounded by some of the finest buildings of the colonial era, lie the remnants of one of the Aztecs' principal monuments, the Templo Mayor. Its mysterious shapes stand as a haunting tribute to the pre-Hispanic civilization that flourished here long ago.

The afternoon is free to continue exploring the city on our own. Our guide can drop us off the world renowned Anthropological Museum . We can also visit the house of Frida Kahlo, or the colourful floating market of Xochimilco. And in the evening we have to have dinner at a typical Taquería!

Day 3

MEXICO CITY

After breakfast we will visit, with our local guide, the Basílica de Guadalupe. On December 12 th 1531, the Virgin of Guadalupe is said to have appeared to Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill, bridging two worlds, that of the Aztec who saw her and that of the Spanish conquerors who now ruled his land. She has since become the patron and symbol of Mexico, a country born of this fusion of cultures.

We continue to Teotihuacán, at its peak a city of over one hundred thousand people - not only was it the largest city in America , it was one of the largest cities in the ancient world. This grand civilization, which arose in the second century BC, would dominate the culture of the valley of Mexico for almost a millenium and stands as the most significant cultural influence throughout the history of Central American civilizations.

The site is impressive for its scale, both in the size of the Pyramid of the Sun (the third largest pyramid in the world) and the majesty of the Calle de los Muertos (Street of the Dead) - originally 4km long and flanked by temples, palaces and platforms. Return to hotel.

Day 4

MEXICO CITY - QUERÉTARO

A 2-hour drive will take us to Querétaro, one of Mexico 's colonial jewels. This picturesque town is studded with charming and amazingly well-preserved baroque churches, temples and mansions boasting graceful balconies and ornate facades.

The name "Querétaro" is believed to be Purepecha for "site of the ballgame" or "place where there are rocks." If the second translation is true, perhaps the rocks the Indians were referring to were the opals, amethysts and other semiprecious stones found in rich supply throughout the mountainous region.

In 1531, the city was overtaken by the Spanish. It became a point of transit for anyone traveling between the nation's capital and the interior provinces, and its prominence was acknowledged with the designation "Third City of New Spain." It later played a leading role in both the struggle for independence and the revolution. It was here that Mexico 's Constitution was written and signed.

The city's most prominent landmark is an 8-kilometer long 74-arch aqueduct built in the early 1700s to supply the city with water. The ancient structure runs through the center of one of the city's main thoroughfares, with intersections laced through its high arches. Appropriately, a fountain built in the city's main square pays tribute to the man who financed the 12-year project (1726-38), Don Juan Antonio Urrutia, the Marquis de la Villa del Villar del Aguila.

We will explore the city with our local guide. Overnight at the luxurious hotel Doña Urraca, nestled in the heart of historic downtown.

Day 5

QUERÉTARO – SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE - GUANAJUATO

After breakfast we head for the colonial town of San Miguel de Allende, so strikingly lovely in its architecture that it has been designated a national monument. Its many beautifully restored colonial mansions house delightful patio restaurants and fine shops. Students of all ages come to San Miguel de Allende to study art, painting, weaving, sculpting, photography and Spanish. All this makes the city a fascinating place to spend a few hours!

Our local guide will explore with us the hidden colonial streets of the town. After lunch we continue to Guanajuato, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. Nestled in a narrow canyon between huge mountains, Guanajuato is a photographer's delight with its quaint plazas, colonial buildings, winding cobblestone streets, hidden alleyways and underground passageways.

When the Spanish arrived, they discovered the mountains here were rich in silver and a mining town flourished that soon became the richest city in Mexico, producing more than a third of the world's silver by the turn of the 18th century.

Guanajuato played an important role in Mexico 's War of Independence. In 1810 it was invaded by Father Miguel Hidalgo - a rebel priest and leader of Mexico 's independence movement - and his ragtag army of farmers and mine workers. The wealthy mine owners fled to the town's granary, barricading themselves and their treasures behind its thick walls, until a brave young miner nicknamed El Pipila immortalized himself by breaking down the door and allowing the revolutionaries to defeat their enemies and seize the city. A hilltop monument honoring Pipila is also the site of a lookout that offers a magnificent view of the town and its mazelike layout.

Our local guide will explore the city with us. Overnight at the hotel Quinta las Acacias, an elegant summer residence from the 19th century.

Day 6

GUANJUATO - MORELIA

After breakfast we head for Morelia, considered the aristocrat of colonial cities. You will find a few modern buildings, but mostly the architecture has been kept in the traditions of Old Spain. Wide polished-stone streets and stately buildings give this city its special attraction.

Mexico 's first viceroy, Antonio de Mendoza, founded the city in 1541 and named it Valladolid after his home in Spain . After Mexico 's War of Independence, the city was named Morelia in honor of a local hero, José María Morelos. In the center of town, the lovely Plaza de los Mártires is the focal point of town life. It is flanked on one side by the cathedral, constructed of pink stone, with twin towers 200 feet high. It took more than 200 years to build and is one of the most beautiful in the country.

Our local guide will visit with us Morelia´s highlights. Overnight at the hotel Los Juaninos, a former Episcopal palace ideally located in a privileged corner of historical downtown.

Day 7

MORELIA - GUADALAJARA

After breakfast we head for Guadalajara, the second largest metropolis in Mexico and one of the most serenely beautiful and stately cities in North America . It is a city of parks and fountains, of monuments and rose-lined boulevards, a city alive with colour. Its rich colonial heritage dates back to 1542 and is evident throughout the city.

Our local guide will take us for a visit to Tlaquepaque, a village outside of Guadalajara, with its famous mariachi bands and gorgeous handicrafts specializing in leather, glass and textiles. Overnight at the elegant hotel Villa Ganz, 10 minutes from Guadalajara 's historic centre.

Day 8

GUADALAJARA – TEQUILA – COSTA CAREYES

Today we head for the ocean! We will make a quick detour to the village of Tequila . In 1656 the village of Tequila (named for the local Ticuilas Indians) was granted a charter by the governor of New Galicia. Tax records of the time show that Mezcal was already being produced in the area. This Mezcal, made from the local blue agave, established a reputation for having a superior taste, and barrels of the "Mezcal wine from Tequila" were soon being shipped to nearby Guadalajara . The oldest of the still-existing distilleries in Tequila dates back to 1795, when the Spanish Crown granted a distiller's license to a local by the name of José Cuervo. In 1805 a distillery was established that would ultimately come under the control of the Sauza family. By the mid 1800s there were dozens of distilleries and millions of agave plants under cultivation around Tequila. Gradually, the locally-produced Mezcal came to be known as Tequila (just as the grape brandy from the Cognac region in France came to be known simply as Cognac ).

We will visit a distillery, and continue to the coast of Costa Careyes and our hotel, set in a palm grove on the edge of a pristine rocky cove with a golden sand beach.

Day 9 - 13

COSTA CAREYES

Our hotel, El Careyes, is build in a pueblo-style horseshoe around an immense oasis pool and lush gardens. In a spirited blend of Mexican and Mediterranean styles, El Careyes' smooth white walls contrast with colorful Mexican tile, furnishings and art work.

This is a great place to contemplate nature in this biologically diverse area: we can observe turtles on their annual return to lay their eggs or engage in some serious birdwatching. The active can enjoy snorkeling, fishing, sailing, kayaking and tennis. A full spa caters to those seeking relaxation. To watch the sun go down as we enjoy a fine dinner at the restaurant La Lantana is the perfect ending to the day.

Day 14

COSTA CAREYES – MEXICO CITY - DEPARTURE

Transfer to the airport and flight to Mexico City. Connecting flight home.