Today visit the floating gardens of Xochimilco, which were once connected to the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City) by a causeway, and where the Aztecs grew much of their food. We will navigate the canals on board of a typical ‘trajinera’, a flower-decked punt, and will discover how Aztec life was before the conquest. Note: tour not available on Mondays ...
We will visit Coyoacan, a former colonial village, located in the south of Mexico City. Coyoacan still has its own identity, with narrow colonial-era streets, plazas, cafes and a lively bohemian atmosphere. We will walk along Coyoacan’s main plaza, churches and beautiful old buildings. We will visit Frida Kahlo’s home, where she was born, lived much of her life, and eventually died. ...
We will explore on foot the colonial city centre of San Cristobal de las Casas. We will visit the cathedral, on the north side of the pretty main square, with its lavish interior and gold-encrusted pulpit. We then walk a few blocks to the impressive 16th-century Dominican church Templo de Santo Domingo, with its intricate pink facade and gilded Baroque interior. Time to browse the handicraft marke...
Visit the archaeological site of Palenque, a World Heritage Site, located 7km outside of the town of Palenque. Palenque flourished between AD600 and 800, when its influence extended throughout the basin of the Usumacinta river. The site, surrounded by rainforest where toucans and howler monkeys live, is made up of some 500 buildings spread over 15 sq km, of which only a few have been excavated. E...
The Spanish settlement of Campeche, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built on the site of a former Maya fishing village in 1540. In colonial times it was the most important port on the Yucatan Peninsula, and its prosperity made it a frequent target for attacks by English, French and Dutch pirates, who looted and destroyed the city several times. As a consequence, thick walls were built around the...
We will drive to the archaeological site of Tulum, the only walled city the Maya built and the only one by the edge of the ocean. When the Spaniards first came upon the site in 1518, they recorded that it was as large as Seville. We will have time to explore the ruins, including the Castle, a beautiful pyramid perched on the edge of a cliff high above the pearl-white beaches below. From here one c...
We will drive to the archaeological site of Tulum, the only walled city that Mayas built and the only one by the edge of the ocean. When the Spaniards first came upon the site in 1518, they recorded that it was as large as Seville. We will have time to explore the ruins, including the Castle, a beautiful pyramid perched on the edge of a cliff high above the pearl-white beaches below. From here one...
We will drive to the archaeological site of Tulum, the only walled city the Maya built and the only one by the edge of the ocean. When the Spanish first came upon the site in 1518, they recorded that it was as large as Seville. We will explore the ruins, including the Castle, a beautiful pyramid perched on the edge of a cliff high above the pearl-white beaches below. From here one can see most of ...
We will drive to the archaeological site of Chichen Itza, located 120km east of Merida. Chichen Itza – one of the New 7 Wonders of the World – is the best restored of Yucatan’s Mayan sites. We will explore the magnificent ruins set in a dense jungle, including the Pyramid of Kukulcan – its height and striking geometric design dominating the whole site, the Great Ball Court ...
We will explore the historical centre of Merida, built more than 450 years ago on the site of T’ho, an ancient Mayan city. We will visit the magnificent Cathedral of San Ildefonso, built with the stones of ancient Maya temples. Construction of this cathedral began in 1561, and it is therefore the oldest one in Latin America. Inside we can find murals depicting the meeting between Francisco d...
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