Mexico: Colonial Cities

Touchdown into Leon, Guanajuato Airport where you will be met and privately transferred to San Miguel de Allende, one of Mexico’s oldest town. Settle into your beautiful luxury boutique hotel to rest and refresh. Wander through the public areas of the hotel admiring the extensive collection of contemporary Mexican art or step out to explore this charming town of steep cobbled streets and colonial buildings.

Rosewood San Miguel de Allende

Begin with a privately guided walking tour of the colourful historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Navigate the bustling little town which, during the colonial era, then called San Miguel El Grande, was the wealthiest town in silver-rich "new Spain". Stop awhile at the shady central plaza, perfect for people-watching, and step inside the multi-spired pink Parroquia church, which stands guard over the town’s heart, the Jardín. Then, discover firsthand why San Miguel de Allende is a magnet for artists. Step inside art galleries and art studios at La Aurora. See Mexican artisans and students working on their crafts. Onwards to a family home, where the secrets of traditional rug making will be revealed.

Rosewood San Miguel de Allende | Meals: B

Explore the city, your way. Choose to venture to the Mesoamerican archaeological site, Cañada de la Virgen, the northernmost site to be discovered in Mexico. Journey to Dolores Hidalgo, which is well-known for its artisanal pottery; explore thermal bath sites such as La Gruta; and visit Atotonilco, where the church famously known as “the Mexican Sistine Chapel”, for its frescoes, is located. Later, spark culinary creativity with a private cooking experience. Begin with a walk-through San Miguel’s main food market, seek out the freshest ingredients before heading to a kitchen in the grounds of a fascinating setting surrounded by a courtyard. Learn how to make tortillas, several guisos (stews) and a not-so traditional guacamole.

Rosewood San Miguel de Allende | Meals: BD

Spend a leisurely morning before your onward journey to Guanajuato situated in a narrow gorge surrounded by spectacular scenery. On the way, stop at the award-winning Cuna de Tierra vineyards for a taste of Mexico’s finest drops. Take a tractor drawn carriage through the vineyards, then step inside the winemaking room. Enjoy a long leisurely lunch paired with wine and drink in the captivating landscape. Then, continue to Guanajuato, a colonial city nestled in the picturesque mountains and valleys of central Mexico. For centuries Guanajuato was the wealthiest city in Mexico due to the activity of the gold and silver mines.

Villa Maria Cristina | Meals: BL

Immerse yourself in the rich colonial heritage of the vibrant university city and well preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site, Guanajuato. Discover a city of contrasts and surprises on your full-day private excursion. Marvel at houses that tumble down the hills in every imaginable colour. Gaze skywards at the monumental colonial architecture. Stroll along an intricate maze of narrow laneways to the Callejon del Beso, ‘the alley of the kiss’. Step inside the workshop of famous Majolica ceramicist Gorky Gonzalez and discover how his masterpieces are created. See the home where muralist Diego Rivera was born, now a homage to his life and art. And explore the Jardín de la Unión, a botanical garden that serves as the city’s main meeting place.

Villa Maria Cristina | Meals: B

Accompanied by your guide journey to Guadalajara stopping en route in Tlaquepaque. Wander around this important pottery town which makes and sells beautiful, hand-painted, distinctive artesanías. Continue to Guadalajara and your accommodation. Guadalajara is known for its modern culinary spirit that offers exciting dining and bar scene. This evening, soak up the history and culture of Guadalajara’s historical centre on foot. Admire iconic architecture, enjoy local gastronomy, and experience two Mexican cantinas; one with a modern twist and the other steeped in history.  Your private guide will bring the history and stories of the city to life as you wander past the illuminated buildings and indulge in local delicacies.

Casa Habita | Meals: B

Begin your day with a journey to the Tequila countryside and the famous agave fields designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fly over the blue agave landscapes in a hot air balloon (additional cost) and gain a unique perspective on the dramatic landscapes that surround the town itself. Then accompanied by your tequila expert enjoy a privately guided experience to discover tequila as a way of life, on a trip full of tradition, visual delights and pleasure for your palate. Meet the skilled teams who bring this iconic drink to life - the agave harvesters, the men who work in the distillery ovens and the master tequileros. Visit blue agave fields and see the jimadores at work, take a tour of a boutique distillery, and taste a selection of tequilas some straight from the barrel. Later enjoy a leisurely guided walking tour of Tequila’s historic centre, including the world famous Cantina La Capilla, the oldest bar in the town that gave its name to the famously fiery spirit.

Casa Habita | Meals: BL

Following breakfast, enjoy a private transfer to Guadalajara airport for your onward journey.

Meals: B