Grand Tour of Mexico: Colonial Cities, Oaxaca & the Maya

Today you explore the vibrant heart of Mexico City. You stand in the immense Zocalo, framed by the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace with its Diego Rivera murals, and explore the Aztec Templo Mayor beside the cathedral. In the afternoon you visit the incomparable National Museum of Anthropology, home to the Aztec Sun Stone, colossal Olmec heads and the treasures of ancient Mexico, and stroll the elegant Paseo de la Reforma and Chapultepec park. The history, art and energy are captivating. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, having explored the heart of the capital. This evening, savour the city's superb food scene, from street tacos to fine dining. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey to the towering pyramids of Teotihuacan and the bohemian charm of Coyoacan.

Today you explore the pyramids of Teotihuacan and Frida's Coyoacan. You journey to Teotihuacan, the ancient City of the Gods, walking the grand Avenue of the Dead and standing before the mighty Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon, gazing across a vast ceremonial landscape that predates the Aztecs. Returning to the city, you explore beautiful, bohemian Coyoacan, where Frida Kahlo lived, visiting the Blue House museum and wandering its colourful plazas, markets and cafes. The scale, history and colour are captivating. As the day ends, you return to your hotel. This evening, savour the capital's vibrant atmosphere. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey into the central highlands to the exquisite silver colonial city of Guanajuato.

Today you journey into the central highlands to the exquisite colonial city of Guanajuato. You travel north-west (with a short flight or scenic drive) to Guanajuato, a UNESCO World Heritage jewel and one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico, built on the wealth of its silver mines. You settle in and begin to explore its enchanting maze of pastel houses tumbling down a ravine, its winding lanes and famous underground streets, its plazas, churches and the magnificent Juarez Theatre. The beauty and history are captivating. As the day ends, you climb to a viewpoint to watch the sun set over the sea of coloured houses. This evening, savour the lively atmosphere of this romantic university city, perhaps serenaded by student musicians. Rest well in beautiful Guanajuato, ready to explore more of the silver city tomorrow.

Today you explore beautiful Guanajuato at a leisurely pace. You wander deeper into its enchanting labyrinth of lanes, plazas and staircases, visiting the colourful Callejon del Beso (Alley of the Kiss), the grand churches and the university, and perhaps the moving Diego Rivera birthplace museum or a historic silver mine and hacienda in the hills above. You ride the funicular for sweeping views over the sea of coloured houses, and soak up the romantic, artistic atmosphere of this UNESCO gem. The beauty and atmosphere are captivating. As the day ends, you find a plaza cafe to watch the world go by. This evening, savour the lively music and atmosphere of Guanajuato's squares. Rest well in the silver city, ready to journey to romantic San Miguel de Allende tomorrow, another jewel of the highlands.

Today you journey to the exquisite colonial town of San Miguel de Allende. You travel a short way across the highlands to San Miguel de Allende, one of the most beautiful and romantic towns in Mexico, a UNESCO gem of cobbled streets, pastel mansions and flower-filled courtyards, crowned by the fairy-tale pink spires of its parish church. You settle into your hotel and spend the afternoon wandering its lovely lanes, exploring galleries, boutiques and craft markets, and admiring the church and plazas. The beauty and charm are captivating. As the day ends, you climb to a rooftop bar to watch the sun set over the domes and spires with a margarita in hand. This evening, dine in a beautiful courtyard restaurant. Rest well in romantic San Miguel de Allende, one of Mexico's loveliest towns, ready to explore more tomorrow.

Today you savour romantic San Miguel de Allende at a leisurely pace. You explore more of the town's beautiful lanes, its churches and plazas, the vibrant arts and crafts scene (San Miguel has long drawn artists), the markets and galleries, and perhaps the botanical gardens or the nearby hot springs. You linger over long lunches, browse boutiques for silver, textiles and folk art, and soak up the golden light and romantic atmosphere. The beauty and ease are captivating. As the day ends, you return to a rooftop to watch the sun set over the pink spires. This evening, enjoy a fine dinner in a candlelit courtyard, reflecting on the colonial splendour of the highlands. Rest well in beautiful San Miguel, ready to fly south to the crafts and cuisine of Oaxaca tomorrow, the next great chapter of your grand tour.

Today you fly south to beautiful Oaxaca, a jewel of southern Mexico. You transfer and fly to Oaxaca, a UNESCO World Heritage city of golden stone, jacaranda trees and thriving indigenous traditions, where you are met on arrival. You explore its beautiful centre, the tree-shaded Zocalo, the dazzling gilded church and monastery of Santo Domingo, and the atmospheric streets lined with galleries and craft shops, and you wander the bustling markets, piled with chillies, chocolate and crafts, sampling the flavours of one of Mexico's greatest food cities. The colour, culture and cuisine are captivating. As the day ends, you settle into your Oaxaca hotel. This evening, savour Oaxaca's legendary cuisine and mezcal. Rest well in beautiful Oaxaca, ready to explore Monte Alban and the craft villages tomorrow.

Today you explore the ancient ruins, crafts and mezcal of the Oaxaca valleys. You climb to the spectacular hilltop ruins of Monte Alban, the ancient Zapotec capital, magnificently set on a levelled mountaintop with sweeping views over three valleys, its great plaza flanked by pyramids, temples and carved stelae. Returning through the valleys, you visit the craft villages that make Oaxaca famous, watching weavers, potters and alebrije carvers at work, and visit a palenque to see how mezcal is distilled from the agave and to taste it. The history, crafts and flavours are captivating. As the day ends, you return to Oaxaca. This evening, savour a special Oaxacan tasting of its famous moles and mezcal. Rest well in Oaxaca, ready to fly to the Maya world of the Yucatan tomorrow, the final great chapter of your grand tour.

Today you fly to the Yucatan, the heartland of the ancient Maya. You transfer and fly north-east to Merida, the gracious white colonial capital of Yucatan state, where you are met on arrival. You explore its beautiful historic centre, the shady Plaza Grande framed by its ancient cathedral, the colonial Casa de Montejo, and the grand mansions of the Paseo de Montejo, soaking up the relaxed, colourful atmosphere and the blend of Spanish and Maya culture. The colonial elegance and Maya heritage are captivating. As the day ends, you settle into your Merida hotel. This evening, savour the flavours of Yucatecan cuisine, from cochinita pibil to fresh tropical fruit, perhaps amid the marimba music of the squares. Rest well in beautiful Merida, ready to explore the exquisite ruins of Uxmal tomorrow.

Today you explore the exquisite Maya ruins of Uxmal. You visit Uxmal, one of the finest and most beautiful of all Maya sites, a masterpiece of the elegant Puuc style set amid low jungle hills, marvelling at the extraordinary rounded Pyramid of the Magician, the vast and intricately carved Nunnery Quadrangle, and the elegant Governor's Palace, adorned with delicate stone latticework and masks of the rain god Chaac. You may continue along the Puuc route to smaller sites such as Kabah before returning to Merida. The beauty and craftsmanship are captivating. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, having explored the loveliest of Maya cities. This evening, savour more of Merida's fine cuisine and relaxed atmosphere. Rest well in beautiful Merida, ready to explore the wonder of Chichen Itza on your way to the coast tomorrow.

Today you explore the wonder of Chichen Itza and swim in a magical cenote on your way to the Caribbean coast. You visit Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and the most famous of all Maya cities, standing before the mighty stepped pyramid of El Castillo and exploring the great ball court, temples and sacred cenote. Nearby you swim in a beautiful cenote, its clear turquoise water pooling in a jungle cavern hung with roots and light, wonderfully refreshing. The history and beauty are magical. As the day ends, you continue to the Riviera Maya and settle into your beachfront hotel. This evening, savour a relaxed dinner by the Caribbean, reflecting on the Maya wonders you have explored. Rest well on the beautiful coast, ready for a restful finale to your grand tour tomorrow.

Today you enjoy the beautiful Riviera Maya, the restful finale to your grand tour. You might visit the dramatic cliff-top Maya ruins of Tulum, perched above the turquoise Caribbean in one of the most beautiful settings of any ancient site, swimming from the idyllic beach below, or simply relax on the powder-white sand, swim in the warm turquoise sea, and snorkel above the coral reef. This flexible day is yours to savour the beach and reflect on the epic journey you have made across Mexico. The history, sea and sand are idyllic. As the day ends, you return to your beachfront hotel. This evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner by the Caribbean, reflecting on the pyramids, colonial cities, crafts, cuisine and Maya wonders of your grand tour. Rest well on the beautiful coast, ready for your departure tomorrow, full of vivid memories.

After a final morning on the beautiful Riviera Maya, perhaps a last swim in the turquoise sea or a stroll along the sand, you are transferred to Cancun International Airport for your onward departure. You leave having experienced the very best of Mexico on this grand tour, vibrant Mexico City and the pyramids of Teotihuacan, the silver colonial cities of Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende, beautiful Oaxaca with its crafts, mezcal and Monte Alban, the Maya wonders of Chichen Itza and Uxmal, the magical cenotes, and the beaches and cliff-top ruins of the Riviera Maya, all warmed by genuine Mexican hospitality. The images stay vivid long after you land, the great Zocalo, the Pyramid of the Sun, Guanajuato tumbling down its ravine, the pink church of San Miguel, the golden church of Santo Domingo, El Castillo at Chichen Itza, and the turquoise Caribbean. Mexico offers history, culture, cuisine and beauty in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return to this captivating and colourful land.