Mexico's Magical Colonial Cities (YG)

9 days from Mexico City to Guadalajara

2024 Tour Details

For centuries, Mexico’s signature mole Poblano has dazzled the palate with its dizzying number of surprising ingredients, including fruit, chocolate, and chili peppers among the list of twenty or more components to the delicious sauce. The varied sights and sounds of Colonial Mexico have the same astonishing effect on those who venture down its cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways. For it’s here that you can see Baroque architecture reminiscent of the Old World, museums that rival Europe’s finest, and even a pyramid wider than any in Egypt. With visits to five UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the pink-spired, 17th-century church of San Miguel de Allende, this tour of Mexico takes you back in time while leading you to some of today’s most magnificent scenery. From the rainbow-lined sidewalks of Guanajuato to the inviting plazas of Guadalajara, you’ll be shimmying to mariachi music, sipping mezcal and margaritas, and shouting everyone’s favorite word, Tequila!

Small-Group Discovery Dates Available

Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select North America dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.

We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect vacation—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides (with headsets to hear every word); to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites!

Dates & Prices Book Online

800.268.3636

Photo Highlights

Meals

Meals & Itinerary

Breakfast daily, 5 lunches, 2 dinners

Notes:

This vacation visits remote regions where some facilities are not up to the first-class standards you expect from Globus. However, we have selected the best available hotels that satisfy our high standards of cleanliness and comfort.

This program requires walking on cobblestone streets and uneven pathways.

Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN MEXICO CITY

Welcome to Mexico! Please schedule flights to arrive by 4 pm in time to meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome drink. A transfer from Mexico City International Airport to your hotel is included.

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Day 2 MEXICO CITY

Treasures of Mexico Start your day in Mexico’s capital city with a visit to the Palace of Fine Arts. Later, a guided sightseeing includes Paseo de la Reforma Avenue, the historic center (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) featuring the Zócalo, the National Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and Templo Mayor (the great temple of the Aztec capital). This evening is at leisure. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for shopping, dining, and additional sightseeing.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEM Soak in the culture of Mexico as you attend the Folklorico Ballet Show at the beautiful Palace of Fine Arts. The National Ballet of Mexico is the most important ballet company of the country. It was created more than 3 decades ago and is made up of more than 400 people. During the show, you’ll see folkloric dances of several regions of Mexico such as Oaxaca, Chiapas, Tabasco and more.

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Breakfast

Lunch

Day 3 MEXICO CITY. EXCURSION TO CHOLULA & PUEBLA

Sites & Bites in the City of Angels Today, travel to Cholula where a guided sightseeing tour includes the famous Church of the Lady of Remedies, which sits atop the largest pyramid in the world. There’s time to stroll the charming streets before continuing to Puebla, known as “the City of the Angels.” Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant to sample Poblano mole (a traditional regional dish). Afterwards, visit Puebla’s historic center (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), see the many brick houses with tiled “Talavera” facades in shades of blue or turquoise, the Cathedral, and the Parián Handicraft Market.

LOCAL FAVORITE
TASTES & TRADITIONS Over lunch today, learn the history of Mexican mole and how it was created over 300 years ago by nuns to honor the archbishop. It is one of the most recognizable dishes in Mexican cuisine and is made from a unique mixture of chocolate and peppers. While many Mexican dishes have changed significantly throughout the centuries, mole poblano is one notable exception. It features the same ingredients, preparation method, and serving styles as it did 300 years ago.

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Breakfast

Lunch

Day 4 MEXICO CITY–SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE

Legendary Beauty Travel to San Miguel de Allende, considered one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, enjoy a walking tour of the historic main square with Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, a 17th-century church known for its soaring pink spires. This afternoon is free to explore on your own. Stroll the cobbled stone streets, shop for a souvenir, or browse one of the many art galleries. Dinner is at a local restaurant this evening.

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Breakfast

Dinner

Day 5 SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE

Art & Leisure in San Miguel This morning, visit the Fabrica la Aurora and attend a local artist interaction. The remainder of the day is at leisure. You may choose to return to the historic center, visit the quirky mask museum, or just relax by the pool at your hotel. Your Tour Director will have suggestions to make the most of your time.

LOCAL FAVORITE
CULTURE & TRADITION Be charmed by the artistic environment that San Miguel de Allende is well-known for. Visit the Fabrica La Aurora, a former textile factory that has become a culture center and home to art galleries, studios, and stores selling furniture, jewelry, linen and more. While here, visit the Fernando Diaz Art Studio and have an encounter with him and other local artists. You’re sure to leave understanding the beauty of San Miguel de Allende and the appeal it has to artists from all over the world.

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Breakfast

Day 6 SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE–DOLORES HIDALGO–GUANAJUATO

The Fight for Freedom Our first stop today is Dolores Hidalgo where in 1810 priest, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, led the fight for Mexican independence from the Spanish empire. After a short orientation tour, continue to Guanajuato, a former silver mining town set in the mountains of central Mexico. A walking tour includes the historic center (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Basilica, the University, and the famous Callejón del Beso (the Alley of the Kiss). See the city’s underground streets and panoramic views from atop El Pipila. Tonight is free to explore this magical city on your own.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDARY LIVES Visit Dolores Hidalgo to learn about the inspiring life and legacy of the priest and founder of Mexico – Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. Hear the heroic stories of how this humble priest became a great leader in Mexico’s War for Independence in the fight for liberation and his influence on those who would pick up his mantle for freedom. Today, Hidalgo's remains lie in a Mexico City monument known as "the Angel of Independence" along with other Revolutionary heroes.

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Breakfast

Lunch

Day 7 GUANAJUATO–TLAQUEPAQUE–GUADALAJARA

Arts & Craftsmanship This morning, travel to Tlaquepaque, best known for their production of Mexico’s handcrafted goods. You’ll see artists at work on glass blowing, pottery, jewelry and more. While here, visit Paco Padilla’s Taller de Cerámica (ceramic workshop). Over a late lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a traditional mariachi show and music. This evening is at leisure. Your centrally located hotel is within walking distance to restaurants, shopping, and sightseeing. Your Tour Director is available to answer questions and give suggestions.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HERITAGE & TRADITION New Orleans is famous for jazz and Scotland for its bagpipes. Mexico is famous for mariachi. Originating in the 1880s, mariachi began as a rural tradition in western Mexico. The music is known for its violins, trumpets and guitars, with its musicians known for their three-piece suits, embroidered ties, belts, buttons, and wide-brimmed sombreros. While enjoying your lunch, take in this traditional and loved Mexican culture experience. Your toes will be tapping before you know it!

LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL MASTERPIECES Meet award-winning artist, Paco Padilla. Learn the importance of ceramics in the region as well as the history of the Padilla family. A tour of the workshop explains the process of creating these pieces of art. Next, enjoy a hands-on ceramics experience. Before you leave, you might even be treated to story or song or two by Mr Padilla, an accomplished singer and musician as well as potter!

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Breakfast

Lunch

Day 8 GUADALAJARA. EXCURSION TO TEQUILA

Magical Mexico Travel this morning to the Agave Landscape of Tequila (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Enjoy an orientation walk through the city center followed by a guided tour of the Mundo Cuervo (Jose Cuervo) distillery. Return to Guadalajara and this evening join your Tour Director and fellow travel companions for a festive farewell dinner. The perfect ending to your time in magical Mexico!

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LOCAL LIBATIONS Tour the famous Mundo Cuervo (Jose Cuervo) distillery, founded in 1758 and home of the ancient and famous Mexican drink, tequila. Learn the history of the company and the process of harvesting and making tequila. Afterward, enjoy a tasting of some of the company’s most popular tequilas. Ole!

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Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 9 GUADALAJARA

Adios, until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. A transfer to the Guadalajara International Airport (Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Airport) is included.

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Breakfast

Tour Director

With GLOBUS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

JOSE MARTINEZ

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

“Hello! My name is José Alfredo Martínez. I enjoy showing guests the best of Mexico from archaeology, art, places of natural beauty, folklore, history, wildlife, and introducing them to our special cuisine. The most important thing for me to do as a guide is to have you fall in love with my great country. I look forward to welcoming you to Mexico! Bienvenidos a Mexico! (Welcome to Mexico!)”

Accommodations

Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyGlobus site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 CAD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 CAD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 CAD)
$$$$ (Over $150)

No Excursions are available at this time.

The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.

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