COLONIAL MEXICO 2025 – 11 DAYS

Meeting at the airport and flight with a stopover to the capital of Mexico, Mexico City.

Early morning arrival in Mexico City. Boarding the coach and departure for the beautiful colonial city of Morelia, whose historic center is a real "open-air museum" in itself and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrival and panoramic visit to the city, during which we will see, among other things, the Plaza de Armas, the Government Palace, the Rose Garden and Conservatory, the Clavijero Palace, the local candy market, the old Aqueduct, the church of San Francisco and the square with the magnificent "Tarasco" women's fountain. Transfer and check-in at the hotel. Afternoon free for a walk in this wonderful city. Dinner. Overnight.

This morning we will depart for the neighboring city of Pátzcuaro, with the most authentic architecture from the colonial period. During our tour we will see the Basilica of Our Lady of Health, the Temple and College of the Society of Jesus, the House of 11 Patios and other interesting points of the city, whose picturesque squares Vasco de Quiroga and Gertrudis Bocanegra invite us to walk and explore a wide variety of crafts. Then we will visit Tzintzuntzan, one of the most traditional towns located near the shores of Lake Pátzcuaro. It was the most important city and later the capital of the Purépecha Kingdom. Return to Morelia. Dinner. Overnight.

Morning departure for Guanajuato, a city that has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. We will enjoy a spectacular view of Guanajuato from the panorama where the Pipila monument (El Pipila) is located, with the colorful houses climbing the surrounding hills - an excellent example of colonial architecture. We will reach the city center in the most impressive way: the historic funicular. This is followed by a tour of the city center, a unique labyrinth of pedestrian alleys and small shady squares. We will pass by the University, see the Juarez Theater, whose facade is decorated with muses from Greek mythology, learn about the tragic love story between a rich girl and a poor miner in the famous "Callejon de Beso" alley, and see the house-museum of the painter Diego Rivera, husband of Frida Kahlo. We will also admire the imposing building "Alhondiga de Granaditas", from which the revolution against the Spaniards began. We end up in the bustling covered market of the city, full of traditional products and small shops with the most authentic Mexican atmosphere. Dinner. In the evening, don't forget to take a walk in the central square to enjoy Mariachi music. Overnight.

This morning we will depart for Atotonilco, where we will visit the 18th century fortified church, considered by many to be the Mexican "Sistine Chapel", due to its rich interior decoration and magnificent frescoes depicting the life, passion and resurrection of Jesus. We continue by road to San Miguel de Allende, a small quiet town, a real colonial gem and a place of residence for artists and intellectuals, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. San Miguel de Allende is also known as the setting for many Mexican and American films. Arrival and tour of the city, during which we will see the baroque church of Archangel Michael, which is the city's landmark, the monastery of the Assumption, the residence of Ignacio Allende, hero of the revolution, the church of Saint Francis, etc. Transfer and check-in at the hotel. Dinner. In the evening we will take a walk in the beautiful city, which has a wide variety of cafes and restaurants. Overnight stay

Morning departure for the picturesque city of Queretaro (Sandiago de Queretaro), which is filled with charming and surprisingly well-preserved Baroque churches, temples and mansions with beautiful balconies and ornate facades. The Spanish conquered the city in 1531. It became a transit point for those traveling between the capital and the provinces of the interior, and its prominent position was recognized by the name "Third City of New Spain". It later played a leading role in both the struggle for Independence and the Revolution. The Mexican Constitution was written and signed here. The city's most prominent landmark is a 74-kilometer-long aqueduct, which was built in the early 1700s to supply the city with water. The ancient structure crosses the center of one of the main streets of the city, with intersections tied to the high arches. We will tour the historic center of the city, we will see the former Convent of the Cross, the City Hall, the Convent of San Francisco, the Church of Santa Clara with the characteristic Fountain of Poseidon, the "De la Corregidora" Square and the Theater of the Republic. After our visit we will return by road to Mexico City. Shortly before arriving at the hotel we will go to Xochimilco, where we will take a ride on a traditional boat (trajineras) and see the extensive network of canals and aquacultures called Chinampa. The so-called "Venice of Mexico City" is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With these wonderful images, which we will accompany with tequila and Mariachi music, our day will be completed. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay

This morning we will visit the famous Frida Kahlo Museum, which was the house in which she lived with her husband Diego Rivera. It includes paintings by both painters, photographs and their personal belongings, but both the house itself with its characteristic blue color, and its garden, are two separate attractions in themselves. Then we will visit the old historic center of the capital, where the heart of the city beats, in the legendary Zocalo square, which was the ceremonial center of the Aztec capital - Tenochtitlan - where we will discover magnificent period buildings that strongly reflect its past. We will see, among other things, the Presidential Palace (exterior), the impressive Cathedral founded by Cortez in 1525, the Palace of Fine Arts, the City Hall, Juarez and La re Formon avenues, etc. Then we will visit the extremely interesting National Anthropological Museum, which houses the most important findings of the country's pre-Columbian civilizations (Aztecs, Mayas, Zapotecs, Olmecs, etc.). Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight

Morning departure for the famous Basilica of Guadalupe, which houses the image of the Virgin Mary that appeared on the cape of the Indian Juan Diego in 1531. Here we will visit the old (18th century) and the modern (about 30 years old) church of the Virgin Mary - patroness of Mexico. Then we will reach the largest archaeological site in Mexico, Teotihuacan, located 50 kilometers from Mexico City. Teotihuacan, the "place of the gods", which flourished between 200 and 650 AD, was the ancient religious capital of the Teotihuacans and a place of pilgrimage for the Aztecs. The Avenue of the Dead, which runs through the city center, is five kilometers long and is surrounded by religious and ceremonial complexes, the most impressive of which are the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

Free day at your disposal for your last walks in the city or shopping. Dinner. Overnight stay

Early morning check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport. Return flight to Athens via a stopover.

Arrival in Athens