9-Day Colonial Mexico Tour from Mexico City Tour Code: 445-20233 graylinemexico

We will start the panoramic tour of the city, visiting the Historical Center, Cultural Heritage of Humanity, as well as the National Palace, the Plaza de la Constitucion or Zocalo, the Aztec Templo Mayor, and the Metropolitan Cathedral, as well as its main avenues, then we will visit the Chapultepec Forest and the Paseo de la Reforma. In the afternoon we will go to the XOCHIMILCO neighborhood, a wonderful place with its canals and semi -floating gardens for a ride on a "trajinera". In the evening we will visit the Plaza de Garibaldi, the vibrant epicenter of its music, you will be immersed in a typical Mexican show while enjoying live music. Dinner is included in a typical restaurant.

Breakfast. We will first travel to the Magical Town of El Oro de Hidalgo, which was one of Mexico's main mining centers. Gold and silver mining attracted investors and workers from all over the world, and we will find European-style buildings (such as the old station or the Juárez theater). We will continue our route through the mountains and forests where monarch butterflies spend the winter, and we will visit La Mina de Las Dos Estrellas, a mine-museum that promotes the region's mining history and culture. We will visit the Magical Town of Tlalpujahua, with its magnificent Baroque sanctuary and cobbled streets. This town is known for the manufacture of Christmas decorations. We will be surprised by the presence of Santa Claus in many of its shops. Time for lunch (lunch not included). We will continue on to the Magical Town of Patzcuaro, one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Mexico, with pre-Hispanic origins. Its colonial architecture, craft markets, and atmosphere make it unforgettable

We will depart for Morelia, a city declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, known for its magnificent pink Stone architecture and historic center, highlights include the Cathedral and the Plaza de Armas, its university was founded in 1540. Time for a stroll and lunch. We will continue our route to Cuitzeo del Porvenir, located next to the second largest lake in Mexico, where you can visit the former Convent of Santa Maria Magdalena, with its 16th-century Plateresque architecture, and stroll through its cobbled streets and historic buildings. We will continue to Guadalajara, capital of the state of Jalisco, a colonial city and birthplace of mariachis and tequila.

In the morning, we will visit Guadalajara, a modern metropolis with its colonial historic center, cathedral, market, and Plaza Tapatia. We will visit the Hospicio Cabanas, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. After the visit, we will depart for the Magical Town of Tequila, including admission to the MUNDO CUERVO distillery to learn about the process of making the famous Mexican drink (admission and tasting included). We will have free time for lunch in Tequila. (Lunch not included). Return to Guadalajara.

We will leave the hotel and head towards the state of Guanajuato. In the afternoon, we will visit the beautiful university city, declared a World Heritage Site, with its steep slopes, narrow streets, and temples. We will take the funicular up "El Pipila" to admire the panoramic view of the city.

We will travel through the mountains to Dolores Hidalgo, the birthplace of Mexican independence. Afterwards, we will visit San Miguel de Allende, a beautiful World Heritage city with colonial architecture and cobbled streets. Time for a stroll. In the afternoon, we will visit the Sanctuary of Atotonilco, known as the "Sanctuary of God and the Fatherland," also a World Heritage Site (sometimes we will not be able to visit the interior due to retreats being held there). Later, we will arrive in Queretaro, with its beautiful colonial center, main square, lively restaurants, and pedestrian streets.

We will depart for Tula and visit its archaeological site, the ancient capital of the Toltecs. Its main attraction is the Atlanteans, imposing figures of warriors four meters high. In addition, there are pyramids, palaces, and carved columns that reflect the sophistication of this pre-Hispanic civilization. We will arrive in Puebla, a historic city known for its culinary tradition, colonial architecture, and ceramics. Its large Renaissance cathedral and lively main square are particularly noteworthy. We will then depart for Valquirico, where we will admire its architecture inspired by the European countryside, especially Italian Tuscany, and its medieval style that transports you back to that beautiful era.

Today we will leave from Mexico City and then transfer to the airport for our return flight back home.