Colonial Treasures of Mexico

Included Premium Highlights

• Visit the National Museum of Anthropology and its superb Maya and Aztec collections
• Visit the National Palace, Metropolitan Cathedral and view the Templo Mayor
• Explore the UNESCO-listed Pre-Hispanic and holy city of Teotihuacan
• Visit one of San Miguel de Allende's most beautiful private gardens or art galleries
• Visit one of Guanajuato's richest silver producing mines of the colonial era
• Discover the UNESCO-listed site of Xochicalco and visit the museum
• Visit Hernan Cortes' spectacular hacienda and enjoy lunch on the beautiful grounds
• Visit the outstanding Rosary Chapel, one of Mexico's most elaborately decorated chapels

Included Personal Insights

• Find out about the amazing sacred Aztec Calendar and its use to the Aztec people
• Enjoy Mariachi bands and learn about their history and significance to Mexican culture
• Enjoy a cocktail at Casa de la Marquesa in Queretaro and learn about this colonial jewel
• Meet a Chef in Guanajuato and learn about cooking techniques and ingredients
• Learn all about tequila, Mexico's national drink, and enjoy tequila tasting
• View copper artisans at work in Santa Clara del Cobre and try your hand at copperworking
• Enjoy silversmith demonstrations in Taxco and learn about the silver-making process
• Learn about the unique art of Talavera ceramic production on a guided workshop tour

Included Other Excursions & Sights

• Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Historic Monuments Zone of Queretaro
• Stroll with your Tour Director through San Miguel de Allende, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Walk through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Guanajuato with your Tour Director
• Explore UNESCO-listed Morelia and view the beautiful 18th century, 253 arches Aqueduct
• Tour Purepecha country view the archaeological site of Tzintzuntzan and visit Patzcuaro
• Stroll the main plaza in Ixtapan de la Sal
• Explore Taxco, a National Monument and world-class silver jewellery centre
• Discover Puebla's Historic Centre on foot and navigate its neighbourhoods by coach

Included First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended legroom and onboard restroom
• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack
• Airport arrival and departure transfers on the first and last day of your tour
• First-class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Insight Traveller document wallet, Welcome on Tour book with map and information pack

Included Quality Dining

• 4 Highlight Dinners of local cuisine in Mexico City, Guanajuato and Puebla (HD)
• Choose from a selection restaurants on your Dine-Around evening in Morelia (DA
• 10 Full Breakfasts (B), 9 Lunches (L) and 3 three-course table d'hote Dinners or Buffets (D)

Day 1 - ARRIVE MEXICO CITY

Welcome to Mexico! On arrival at Mexico City International Airport, your airport transfer service takes you to your tour hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Your Tour Director is at the hotel this afternoon to welcome you and answer your questions. Please join us at 7 p.m. for a Welcome Drink and meet your fellow travellers. Hotel: JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City Hotel

Day 2 - MEXICO CITY SIGHTSEEING

Start the day with a visit to the world renowned National Museum of Anthropology, and explore the superb Maya and Aztec exhibits. One of the highlights of your visit is a presentation by your Tour Director on the amazing Aztec Calendar, often referred to as the Sun Stone. Next visit the Historic Center of Mexico City, a UNESCO World Heritage site. After lunch explore Mexico City’s imposing central square, the third largest in the world. The “Zocalo,” as it is known colloquially, is flanked by some of the city’s most impressive sites including the National Palace, Metropolitan Cathedral and Templo Mayor. First admire the frescoes and learn about Diego Rivera and the Mexican Muralist Movement at the National Palace. Next visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, the largest church in Latin America. Finally visit the Templo Mayor, or Great Pyramid, the most important temple in the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan. Then enjoy Mexico’s world-famous cuisine at a welcome dinner of tasty signature dishes at one of Mexico City’s fine restaurants. Enjoy traditional live Mariachis and learn about the history and importance of Mariachis in Mexican culture. After dinner, there is the option to experience one of Mexico’s most acclaimed artistic treasures - the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, a world-class performance celebrating colourful ethnic traditions from pre-Columbian to modern days. (B,L,HD)

Day 3 - MEXICO CITY - QUERETARO

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Teotihuacan, one of the most famous archeological sites in Mexico and one of the ancient world’s most impressive cities. Under the expert guidance of your Tour Director, discover a vast complex of monuments, including the Temple of Quetzalcoatl and the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon. Learn of the Teotihuacanos’ accomplishments and their far-reaching cultural and artistic influence.Then journey to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Queretaro. A private cocktail reception awaits you in one of the city’s oldest and most beautiful colonial mansions; meet the owner, tour the mansion and learn more about this outstanding architectural jewel. Later explore the sights of this little-visited colonial gem with special attention given to the Historic Monuments Zone and its wealth of outstanding buildings. Later check-in for an overnight stay at a sprawling 16th century hacienda with time to enjoy the grounds and pool before dinner.
Hotel: Hacienda Jurica (B,L,D)

Day 4 - QUERETARO - GUANAJUATO

Arrive in San Miguel de Allende, a colonial architectural jewel with beautiful mansions, flower-filled patios, luxuriant gardens and cobblestone streets. The town was declared a National Monument in 1926 and is considered one of the loveliest of Mexico’s colonial cities. Enjoy a stroll through the city center under the guidance of your Tour Director to see the famous Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel and the beautiful Casa de Allende. Visit one of the spectacular private gardens the city is famous for, then wander on your own and browse the many interesting shops, museums and galleries, or simply relax in “El Jardin,” the central square. Then continue to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Guanajuato. Check-in at your hotel, located on the site of one of Guanajuato’s most beautiful haciendas where metals from local mines were once processed. The building has been proclaimed part of a World Heritage site and is protected by Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History. Dinner tonight is served at one of Guanajuato’s finest restaurants, situated in an old colonial hacienda with glorious gardens. Meet the Chef and learn about tonight’s menu and ingredients.
Hotel: Camino Real Guanajuato (B,L,HD)

Day 5 - GUANAJUATO SIGHTSEEING

Set out with your Tour Director on an exploration of this captivating city, built at the center of the world’s leading silver mining area of the 18th century. Guanajuato’s history, culture and monuments are as rich as its silver mines were during the Colonial era. Explore the winding streets, subterranean passages and lively downtown. View the most interesting sites including the Juarez Theatre, Alley of the Kiss, La Alhondiga - site of the first rebel victory in the War of Independence, Hidalgo Market - designed by famous engineer Gustave Eiffel, La Valencia Mine, and visit the Mummies of Guanajuato - the city’s most unusual attraction. Lunch is served at a lively café along the shaded Union Garden. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure in the city center, or relax by the hotel swimming pool. This evening dinner is served at a restaurant situated on top of a hill, high above the city, with breathtaking panoramic views over this colonial jewel. After dinner join your Tour Director for an informal presentation and tasting of Mexico’s national drink - tequila,at the hotel’s amazing glass-floored bar with surprising views into one of the thousands of mine shafts that crisscross this fascinating city. (B,L,HD)

Day 6 - GUANAJUATO - MORELIA

Traveling back in time from the Colonial era to pre-Columbian times, you arrive in the state of Michoacan and the impressive colonial city of Morelia. The exquisite colonial architecture has made the Historic Center of Morelia a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stop at El Carmen, where a wonderful display of regional handicrafts can be found, then view the beautiful Conservatory of the Roses, Clajivero Palace and Palace of Justice. At the outstanding central square, visit the Cathedral and Government Palace with its beautiful murals. Check into the delightful Villa Montaña Hotel, designed as a rambling village on a hill with superb views over the historic center. This evening enjoy a Dine-Around program at a choice of restaurants that capture the essence of Morelia’s finest dining.
Hotel: Villa Montaña Hotel & Spa (B,L,DA)

Day 7 - PATZCUARO EXCURSION

Explore the Purepecha highlands and discover the subtler aspects of this little known corner of Mexico.Your first stop is in Santa Clara del Cobre, where you enjoy an exclusive visit to one of the local copper craft shops. Observe local artisans at work,learn about the copperworking techniques that produce some of Mexico’s most unique and coveted works, and perhaps try your hand at copperworking! Next visit the small, tranquil colonialvillageofPatzcuaro, the center of Purepechan culture, situated on the shores of Lake Patzcuaro. On the way back to Morelia, stop at the Purepecha archeological site of Tzintzuntzan for a brief but interesting visit. Back at the hotel, enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Relax with a drink on the terrace overlooking the city or take a dip in the inviting pool. (B,L)

Day 8 - MORELIA - TAXCO

.
Heading for the legendary silver mining town of Taxco, cross into the state of Mexico and stop in the delightful whitewashed village of Ixtapan de la Sal. Back on the road, enter the state of Guerrero and drop down into the perennial spring time climate of Taxco, one of Mexico’s most beloved colonial towns. From the hotel, marvel at the impossibly situated village wedged into the mountain which was home to the very first and largest Spanish silver mine in the Americas.This boom and bust town has been declared a National Monument to preserve the original character displayed in the cobbled stone streets, red tiled roofs and white adobe buildings. Explore the winding streets lined with cafés and shops, the Plaza Borda (central square) with its ornate church - the Parroquia de Santa Prisca, and Casa Borda.Taxco is famous for its hundreds of silver workshops and has become the most prolific silver jewelry center in all of Mexico. Visit one of the renowned silver mines,watch silversmiths at work, and learn about American architectWilliam Spratling who moved to Taxco in the 1920’s and brought Mexican silversmith to sophisticated international standards. Dinner is at the hotel this evening with superb views of the colourful city center.
Hotel: Hotel Posada de la Mision (B,L,D)

Day 9 - TAXCO - PUEBLA

Rise early for breakfast before setting out to one of Mexico’s most important and exceptionally well-preserved archeological sites - Xochicalco. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Xochicalco’s ritual centers, temples and plazas cover almost 2500 acres. Xochicalco was a meeting place for a wide variety of cultures including Toltec, Olmec, Zapotec, Mixtec and Aztec. After a visit to the interesting museum, explore the site and view the marvelous Pyramid of the Plumed Serpent. Next find yourself transported back in time to the era of the Spanish conquistadors at the stunning 16th century hacienda of Hernan Cortes, conqueror of Mexico. Explore the majestic buildings and luxuriant grounds before enjoying a delightful lunch in this well-protected refuge. Heading east, journey to Puebla and check in at your remarkable hotel, a former convent built in the 16th century in pure Viceroyship-era style for a wealthy religious order. Discover why Puebla is considered Mexico’s gastronomic capital as you enjoy dinner at a local restaurant featuring “Cocina Poblana” - Puebla’s signature dishes, including two of the country’s most popular recipes: mole and chiles en nogada (seasonal)!
Hotel: Camino Real Puebla (B,L,HD)

Day 10 - PUEBLA SIGHTSEEING

Step aboard a private open air tram for a guided tour of the Historic Center of Puebla, a UNESCO World Heritage site, rich in architectural treasures, traditions and cuisine. The bucolic central square is impressive with its colonial style Cathedral and host of buildings decorated with the ubiquitous azulejos (tiles.) Navigate the most interesting neighborhoods with stops at the Rosary Chapel to admire the dazzling interior, and at one of the finest Talavera Ceramic workshops in the city. Learn the age old tradition ofTalavera craftsmanship that has evolved from pre-Columbian roots and assimilated techniques, materials and process from Spain and the modern era. Enjoy lunch in a shaded courtyard before setting off to wander the city’s picturesque streets on your own. Perhaps visit a museum, explore the shops, join a Mexican cooking lesson or relax at a sidewalk café and soak in the atmosphere. Tonight’s farewell dinner is a privately catered event in one of the lovely courtyards of your hotel. Meet the Chef and learn more about the ingredients and techniques involved in tonight’s tasty local dishes! (B,L,D)

Day 11 - PUEBLA - MEXICO CITY - DEPARTURE

This morning discover Cholula, one of the most important pre-Columbian religious and educational centers, and the oldest continually inhabited city in the northern hemisphere. Cholula is home to 365 churches and the Great Pyramid, the largest monument and the largest pyramid by volume ever constructed in the world. After a visit to the Great Pyramid, return to Mexico City where the tour ends with a complimentary transfer to Mexico City International Airport and the Insight hotel for passengers extending their stay. Please do not schedule flights before 4 p.m. (B)

Please note: In selected locations,the tour requires walking on uneven surfaces and climbing some stairs.

Don't miss our current specials: Save 7.5% on Europe Winter Travel November to April is the perfect time to visit Europe. The climate is often surprisingly mild, and the cities belong to their inhabitants and just a few discerning visitors. There is no better, more complete way to enjoy this experience than on an Insight Vacations escorted tour. Best of all prices are substantially lower than in peak summer season! Save 7.5% on any 2010/11 Winter Europe packaged tour if you book and pay in full by August 13th. Click to view all Insight Winter Vacations TERMS: Booking and full payment for land portion must be made by August 13th, 2010. Offer is valid for new bookings made betweenJune 21st, 2010 and August 13th, 2010. Valid for land portion only. Travel must depart between November 1st, 2010 and April 3rd, 2011. Offer NOT valid on Select Choices departures or on Israel, Jordan, Greece, Turkey and Egypt. Offer applies to new bookings only. Normal name change policy applies. Offer is applicable to groups – with availability and collection of travelers’ names at time of booking. Promotion is NOT combinable with Early Payment brochure discount or any current air promotions. Promotion is combinable with all other brochure discounts. Once payment is received, cancellation penalties apply. Offer may be withdrawn at any time and subject to availability. Other restrictions apply. Please call for details. CST No. 20687545-20. Great Savings and Discounts FRIENDS & FAMILY DISCOUNTS SAVE 5% FOR 5 - 8 PASSENGERS Why not share your Insight tour experience with your friends and family – and save money! If 5-8 passengers book together we offer a discount of 5%. Further savings are available for groups of 9 or more passengers! This discount cannot be combined with Frequent Traveler, Young Traveler or Triple Room Discounts. To qualify, the names of all passengers traveling must be advised to Insight at the time of booking. Does not apply to Oberammergau Passion Play Option, additional accommodation, airfares or fl ight supplements, Select London Week, Select London & Paris, Select London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, and tours with Mediterranean or River cruises. YOUNG TRAVELER SAVINGS 5 - 17 YEAR OLDS SAVE UP TO 10% Insight offers you the opportunity of sharing your happy holiday memories with your children or grandchildren. This discount applies only to tours featuring the “Young Traveler Discount” in the price panel. Check the itinerary pages now to see how much you can SAVE! Young Travelers must be under the age of 18 years old on the tour departure date and accompanied by an adult (limit of one Young Traveler Discount per room). Children under 5 years old are not accepted on any escorted tour. This discount cannot be combined with our “Friends & Family Discount”. SINGLE TRAVELER SAVING INSIGHT’S ROOM MATE MATCHING For people traveling alone on an Insight coach tour, we’ll match you with someone of the same gender, so you don’t have to pay the single room supplement. If we fail to match you, we’ll provide a single room at no extra cost†. There is a no-smoking policy in all shared rooms. Does not apply to additional accommodation, Riad upgrade option, airfares or flight supplements, Select London Week, Select London & Paris, Select London, Paris & Rome, Irish Elegance, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours and tours with Mediterranean or River cruises. †Single rooms are not available for the Oberammergau Passion Play Option. TRIPLE ROOM DISCOUNT When three people travel together room, each of the three enjoys a discount off the tour price. See the Triple Room Reductions on the itinerary of your choice. This discount only applies to tours featuring the “Triple Room Discount” in the price panel. Note the third bed on occasions, will be a foldaway. This discount cannot be combined with our “Friends & Family Discount”. Triple rooms are not available for the Oberammergau Passion Play Option FREQUENT TRAVELER SAVING In recognition of our loyal customers, Insight now extends to all traveled guests automatic membership into our Club Bon Voyage, as well as a 5% Discount off the Land portion of their next Insight trip. You will need to travel within the next two years. So act NOW and take full advantage of this great offer. Enrolment forms and discount vouchers are available from your Tour Director. Insight’s Club Bon Voyage and 5% Discount is not available retroactively. Only one voucher is available per person, per tour, per year and only one voucher can be redeemed against each further tour booking. This discount cannot be combined with our “Friends & Family Discount” and “Extra Tour Discount.” Does not apply to Oberammergau Passion Play Option, additional accommodations, Select London Week, Select London & Paris and Select London, Paris & Rome. EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNT ON EARLY BOOKINGS Insight’s most popular tours fi ll very quickly. Don’t be disappointed, book early! You’ll be assured of the tours you want, and the earlier you pay, the more you SAVE! Here’s how... Pay in full 12 months prior to your tour departure date and SAVE UP TO 10% Pay in full 10 months prior to your tour departure date and SAVE UP TO 7.5% Pay in full 6 months prior to your tour departure date and SAVE UP TO 5% Tours must be paid in full for this discount to apply. This discount only applies to tours that feature the “Early Payment Discount” in the price panel.
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/18/2010 - 9/28/2010	$2,299
10/2/2010 - 10/12/2010	$2,299
11/6/2010 - 11/16/2010	$2,299
1/29/2011 - 2/8/2011	$2,299
2/12/2011 - 2/22/2011	$2,299
3/12/2011 - 3/22/2011	$2,299
4/9/2011 - 4/19/2011	$2,399
6/25/2011 - 7/5/2011	$2,399
7/16/2011 - 7/26/2011	$2,399
8/27/2011 - 9/6/2011	$2,399
11/5/2011 - 11/15/2011	$2,399
2/11/2012 - 2/21/2012	$2,450
3/17/2012 - 3/27/2012	$2,450
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.

Included Premium Highlights

• Visit the National Museum of Anthropology and its superb Maya and Aztec collections
• Visit the National Palace, Metropolitan Cathedral and view the Templo Mayor
• Explore the UNESCO-listed Pre-Hispanic and holy city of Teotihuacan
• Visit one of San Miguel de Allende's most beautiful private gardens or art galleries
• Visit one of Guanajuato's richest silver producing mines of the colonial era
• Discover the UNESCO-listed site of Xochicalco and visit the museum
• Visit Hernan Cortes' spectacular hacienda and enjoy lunch on the beautiful grounds
• Visit the outstanding Rosary Chapel, one of Mexico's most elaborately decorated chapels

Included Personal Insights

• Find out about the amazing sacred Aztec Calendar and its use to the Aztec people
• Enjoy Mariachi bands and learn about their history and significance to Mexican culture
• Enjoy a cocktail at Casa de la Marquesa in Queretaro and learn about this colonial jewel
• Meet a Chef in Guanajuato and learn about cooking techniques and ingredients
• Learn all about tequila, Mexico's national drink, and enjoy tequila tasting
• View copper artisans at work in Santa Clara del Cobre and try your hand at copperworking
• Enjoy silversmith demonstrations in Taxco and learn about the silver-making process
• Learn about the unique art of Talavera ceramic production on a guided workshop tour

Included Other Excursions & Sights

• Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Historic Monuments Zone of Queretaro
• Stroll with your Tour Director through San Miguel de Allende, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Walk through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Guanajuato with your Tour Director
• Explore UNESCO-listed Morelia and view the beautiful 18th century, 253 arches Aqueduct
• Tour Purepecha country view the archaeological site of Tzintzuntzan and visit Patzcuaro
• Stroll the main plaza in Ixtapan de la Sal
• Explore Taxco, a National Monument and world-class silver jewellery centre
• Discover Puebla's Historic Centre on foot and navigate its neighbourhoods by coach

Included First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended legroom and onboard restroom
• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack
• Airport arrival and departure transfers on the first and last day of your tour
• First-class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Insight Traveller document wallet, Welcome on Tour book with map and information pack

Included Quality Dining

• 4 Highlight Dinners of local cuisine in Mexico City, Guanajuato and Puebla (HD)
• Choose from a selection restaurants on your Dine-Around evening in Morelia (DA
• 10 Full Breakfasts (B), 9 Lunches (L) and 3 three-course table d'hote Dinners or Buffets (D)

Save 7.5% on Europe Winter Travel

Great Savings and Discounts

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
• Tours :: The Most Common Questions about Escorted Tours