Mexico is a country bursting with life - the people are vivacious, the landscape strewn with historical gems and the nightlife tequila fuelled. Where the Caribbean Sea meets the Yucatan Peninsula, coral reefs come alive, with sea creatures, great and small. Whilst the desert is home to agave, the mother of all tequilas and the blue plant has a lot to answer for in Acapulco and Cancún, where humans come ashore after a day in the surf to flirt in bars and nightclubs
Under Construction...
Under Construction...
Mexico - 9N/10D
DAY 01 - MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
Embracing a romantic fountain courtyard, this Mexico City luxury hotel provides a soothing oasis, complete with spa, pool and health club. Positioned on the Paseo de la Reforma, near Chapultepec Park and the popular Polanco neighborhood, Four Seasons Hotel México, D.F. places you in the midst of the capital's leading business, shopping and residential areas. Thoughtful Four Seasons care perfects every moment.
DAY 02 - MEXICO CITY
You will be picked up in the hotel lobby at 8:30 a.m. for a full day privately guided tour of the world renowned National Anthropology museum and Mexico's Historic City Center. Your expert guide will add contour and color to the myriad of fascinating exhibits with special attention on the Aztec and Maya rooms. You will continue on to the historic city center with visits to the Zócalo (the 2nd largest central square in the world) flanked by Mexico's most important and impressive buildings including: The National Palace, The Metropolitan Cathedral, a look from above into the Templo Mayor Aztec archeological site (does not include entrance or museum), the Palace of Fine Arts and more depending on time and interest.Time for lunch- (own account) at one of the many fine eateries in the capital of one of the world's great culinary countries. In the late afternoon you will return to your fine hotel for relaxation and dinner on your own.Museo Nacional de Antropologia: Mexico's National Anthropology Museum is one of the most important of its kind in the world; at the entrance stands a huge monolithic figure identified as the rain god, Tláloc. The Museum is divided into two completely separate sections dealing with different cultures and themes. On the ground floor, twelve rooms provide an introduction anthropology and display archaeological findings pre-Columbian indigenous cultures, while the upper floor documents the life-styles of contemporary indigenous inhabitants of Mexico. Each room is devoted to one cultural center or group of people. The National Museum of Anthropology houses the largest collection of ancient Mexican pieces in the world. Zócalo and Historic City Center: Mexico's central plaza or Zócalo as it is called locally is the 2nd largest in the world (after Moscow's Red Square) and measures approximately 200 square meters. Occupying the center of pre-Columbian Tenochtitlán and still exhibiting the well restored vestiges of the Aztec's principal temple Templo Mayor, Mexico's Zócalo also is home to the most important and impressive government and religious buildings including the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace which houses the local and national government offices. BREAKFAST
DAY 03 - MEXICO CITY- CAMPECHE
After breakfast at the hotel this morning, you will be privately transferred to the airport for your flight (not included) to Campeche. Upon arrival you will be met for a private transfer to Puerta Campeche with a brief tour of the historic Campeche city center on the way. Afterwards, check into your hotel and enjoy the journey back in time as you settle into Colonial living. You will be confirmed at the Hacienda Puerta Campeche in a Superior Room. A palette of richly chosen colors and an assortment of textures characterize the Hacienda Puerta Campeche. This luxurious hotel is a gem flawlessly displaying a collection of restored 17th century historical houses. Wander through corners of deeply colored yellows and oranges, exploring traditional lifestyle with modern luxuries. Discover the beauty of a Mexican hacienda along with attentive, personal service. Meander throughout our one-of-a-kind pool, with secret alcoves and open windows offering views of an outside world of beauty. Stroll through our luxurious gardens, with stunning arrays of vibrant colors set against 17th century stone walls. After the sun has set, wander to a romantic rooftop setting and indulge in the finest traditional cuisine while overlooking cool tones of blues reflected by the midnight sky at La Guardia Restaurant. Open the mahogany wood door and step barefoot onto the rust-colored Mayan tiles of our 15 traditionally decorated guest rooms or suites. Fully restored in original buildings with modern technology, our rooms feature 18-foot ceilings with exposed beams and rafters, comfortable beds, and cool tiled floors. Sink into the pillow-top mattress of an untouched bed, amongst flower petals, or curl up in our cotton-woven hammocks and nap, Mayan style. The relaxation options are endless at Hacienda Puerta Campeche. BREAKFAST
DAY 04 - EDZNA
This morning is yours to enjoy the Hotel and Campeche city on your own and perhaps partake in one of the many optional activities / services offered at the Hotel including: In the afternoon, after lunch on your own, you will be treated to a privately guided tour of the fascinating Maya archeological site of Edzná with your expert bilingual Spanish / English certified guide. You return to the Hotel in the late afternoon. BREAKFAST
DAY 05 - CAMPECHE- MERIDA
Private transfer from Campeche to Merida with guided visit to Uxmal en route. After breakfast you will head northwards with your final destination the lavish and sprawling Hacienda Temozon. You travel private with your expert guide as driver and escort into the heart of the Maya territory. You will visit the Puuc Route including the archeological sites of Uxmal. You will also have the option of sampling a Pibil (earth cooked) typical meal of chicken or pork and meeting a Maya Family en route. BREAKFAST
DAY 06 - CELESTUN RESERVE
You will be picked up at 8:30 AM and privately transferred to Celestun Reserve (1:15 hr), one of the most extensive and important protected areas in the Yucatan Peninsula and home to a permanent colony of pink flamingos. You will board a speedy launch with your guide and local boatman and explore the mangrove estuaries and wetlands. Celestun is home to a wide array of flora and fauna including crocodiles, egrets, herons, ibis, and hundreds of other birds. Disembarking you will be treated to a lovely lunch of local seafood and other delights under the shade of a large palapa restaurant before heading to Merida's historic city center where you will be treated to a privately guided tour of this bustling city. First you will head to the Avenida de Montejo named after conquering Spaniard Francisco de Montejo and fashioned after the Champs de Ellyses. Many of the most ornate colonial mansions from the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries are on display on this long and wide avenue. You continue to the city center and Plaza where you will visit the Cathedral of San Ildelfonso, and the Casa Montejo as well as the Palacio Municipal and Palacio del Gobierno. Then it's time to visit the bustling Merida markets for a look into the everyday workings of this commercial hub where the modern day Maya culture still maintains age old traditions time and interest permitting. Founded in 1542 by the Spaniard Francisco de Montejo over the ruins of the Mayan city T'ho and was named by the conquering Spaniards to evoke the city of Merida in Spain. The Cathedral of San Ildefonso was founded with the huge stones dismantled from the pyramidal Maya temples. Merida is known as the White City, today one of the most tranquil and safest cities in Mexico. Merida's broad avenues, bustling markets, and incredible assimilation of ancient, colonial and modern day Maya life will enchant you. You return to the Hacienda in the mid-afternoon to relax and enjoy the Hacienda (:45) and its many optional services / activities: BREAKFAST
DAY 07 - MERIDA
Enjoy the day at leisure! Transport yourself through time and live the grand hacienda lifestyle. Today is yours to relax and enjoy the hacienda and its many optional services and activities. BREAKFAST
DAY 08 - CHICHEN ITZA
Enjoy Hacienda Temozon, Private tour to Izamal, Sound and Light Show at Chichén Itza. Enjoy a lazy morning today and make the most of the Hacienda. You are transported through time to the age of Henequen and the colonial era. Enjoy the Hacienda and its many optional services / activities this morning.You will be picked up after lunch on your own in the Hacienda for a privately guided visit to the magical city of Izamal (1:00 hr). The yellow painted Monastery and unexcavated mounds in the distance all speak to the importance of this once great ceremonial and social center 2nd only to Chichén Itza in this region. You continue on to Pisté (1:00 hr.), the town surrounding the most famous of all Maya archeological sites Chichén Itza, where you will check into your charming bungalow. Yours is the only hotel with its own entrance into the archeological site of Chichén Itza. Enjoy the grounds in your lovely thatched roof bungalow or relax in the pool. You may choose to attend the optional Sound and Light show easily accessed on the grounds of the archeological site. BREAKFAST
DAY 09 - CHICHEN ITZA- CANCUN
Private Tour Chichén Itza with drop off in Cancun Airport. Today after breakfast you will be one of the first to enter the famed archeological site of Chichén Itza the most restored and famous of the Maya ceremonial centers. Once again your visit is enhanced under the expert tutelage of your guide. Chichén Itzá, despite the crush of visitation over the last two decades still maintains its grandeur and deserved reputation as one of the most spectacular and impressive of all the sites of the Mayan Civilization. You will spend approximately 2:00 hrs at the site before continuing east to the magical Mexican Caribbean and Cancun. BREAKFAST
DAY 10 - DEPART CANCUN
Today you will be privately transferred to Cancun Airport for your flight home. BREAKFAST
