Highlights
- Savor five tasting menus at an intimate Mexican fusion restaurant
- Enjoy a romantic cruise along the ancient canals of Xochimilco
- Wander the cobblestone streets of the enchanting Coyoacán neighborhood
- Discover the secrets of ancient Teotihuacán and sample pre-Hispanic dishes
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Mexico City, Romantic Chef's Table Experience | Mexico City |
| Day 2 | Cruise Through Xochimilco, Coyoacán Tour, Dinner at Los Danzantes | Mexico City |
| Day 3 | Discover San Ángel & Diego Rivera Anahuacalli Museum | Mexico City |
| Day 4 | Secrets of Teotihuacán: Pyramids, Cave Ritual & Culinary Delights | Mexico City |
| Day 5 | Depart Mexico City |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Mexico City, Romantic Chef's Table Experience
¡Bienvenidos a México! Upon arrival in Mexico City, your driver will be waiting at the airport to transfer you to your hotel. One of the largest urban centers in the world, Mexico's capital traces its roots back to the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, which the Spanish built upon in the 16th century. Today, the sprawling metropolis overflows with lively neighborhoods, historical sites, and culinary delights.
After you settle in, head to the city's Centro Histórico (Historic Center) to the Casa de la Luz Hotel Boutique, where a dinner reservation at the modern Mexican fusion restaurant Tezontle awaits. Enjoy five different tasting menus prepared in an intimate manner by the Oaxacan chefs. These masters utilize ancestral and contemporary cooking techniques to make a variety of Mexican specialties, such as chapulines (toasted grasshoppers), a traditional snack that has been around since pre-Hispanic times.
Day 2: Cruise Through Xochimilco, Coyoacán Tour, Dinner at Los Danzantes
Today, you'll discover the remnants of the Aztec Empire's vast water transport system among the floating gardens of Xochimilco. Spend several hours traversing the romantic canals aboard a traditional trajinera (typical canal boat) with an expert private guide. Learn all about the history and culture of the canals as the colorful gondola-esque boats take you past floating food vendors, artisans selling their crafts, and mariachi bands.
Your tour along the canals will also take you to several different chinampas, small islands built into the canals that make up an agricultural system, known as the most efficient and sustainable in the world. Visit the local ecotourism center to learn about the production of vegetables on the islands, and stop by a wildlife refuge dedicated to preserving the famous Mexican salamander, the axolotl.
Later, join a private guide for a tour of the bohemian neighborhood of Coyoacán. This is where Frida Kahlo's home, Casa Azul, resides, along with other colorful buildings and residences. Stroll the Jardín Hidalgo, the borough's central plaza, and visit the Parroquia San Juan Bautista and its gilded altar, built atop an Aztec school for the nobility. Grab warm churros under Plaza Coyoacán's string lights, but save room for tonight's romantic dinner at local favorite, Los Danzantes. Known for combining Mexican culinary traditions with contemporary flavors in every bite, your meal will feature specialties from the country's diverse regions, such as Oaxacan mole sauce.
Day 3: Discover San Ángel & Diego Rivera Anahuacalli Museum
Today, you'll visit the once-rural hamlet of San Ángel, now a neighborhood full of colorful colonial homes, narrow cobblestone streets, and sidewalk cafés. Stroll along the graceful, tree-filled Plaza San Jacinto with a local guide, and browse craft stores, exhibitions, art events, churches, and galleries. The square becomes an open-air gallery every weekend, where local artists display their colorful works. Nearby Juarez Street is home to the San Jacinto Parish, known for its landscaped atrium.
Later in the day, immerse yourself in the world of one of Mexico's most celebrated artists, Diego Rivera. The Museo Diego Rivera Anahuacalli (which translates to "surrounded by water" in the local Nahuatl language) is a temple to the arts designed by the muralist himself. The museum serves as a work of architecture, a studio, and a shrine, which showcases Rivera's own collection of pre-Hispanic art and exhibits dedicated to contemporary Mexican artists.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Secrets of Teotihuacán: Pyramids, Cave Ritual & Culinary Delights
Wake up early for a day-long excursion outside Mexico City to the archaeological wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Teotihuacán. The ruins of this ancient Mesoamerican city, also known as "The City of the Gods," date back to 100 BCE. Walk along the Calzada de los Muertos (Causeway of the Dead) and visit buildings such as the Palacio de Quetzalpapálotl, famous for its murals (don't miss the Mural de Puma), as well as the famous Pirámide del Sol (Pyramid of the Sun) and Pirámide de la Luna (Pyramid of the Moon).
After you've hit the highlights of the ruins, your guide will take you to a local cave to partake in a sacred ceremony. As part of this experience, you'll receive special gifts to enhance the significance of the ceremony, allowing you to connect deeply with the spiritual essence of Teotihuacán.
To refuel after your captivating journey, a delicious buffet lunch awaits you. Savor local flavors and dishes such as pre-Hispanic specialties like sopa Azteca (tortilla soup), fried corn cakes, roasted prickly pear cactus, escamoles (sautéed ant larvae), chinicuiles (caterpillars), or pipián (pumpkin seed sauce). Follow the delicious meal with locally made pulque and mezcal samplings, traditional beverages deeply rooted in Mexican culture.
Day 5: Depart Mexico City
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