April 3, 2008 & October 23, 2008
8 Days/ 7 Nights All Inclusive Land Only $1,400 per person double, $1,750 per single
Mexico is, and always will be, defined by its beach cities. But there is much, much more to Mexico than sand and sea. There is a rich history melded together by the Spanish conquerors and the indigenous peoples… and you won’t find it at the beach. You need to step inside Mexico to really begin to discover and appreciate the soul of the country. It’s here in Mexico’s gorgeous colonial cities that you’ll find the very heart of this magnificent culture.
After the conquest of the Aztec Empire in 1521, Mexico was the richest and most prized possession for the Spanish Empire. For 300 years Spain not only ruled Mexico, but also worked diligently to model it after the mother country. The result: a Latin country dominated by European ideas, architecture, monuments and art. The modern day Mexico has more standing legacies to this Spanish colonial era than any other country in the world. (In fact, Spanish Catholics built 12,000 churches in Mexico during that time!) This incredible heritage can be experienced in literally hundreds of cities, towns and villages throughout the country, and Guadalajara, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Morelia and Patzcuaro are certainly at the top of the list.
Guadalajara is another of Mexico’s overlooked treasures. It is the country’s second largest city and is known as the “city of roses.” Extremely sophisticated and well preserved, Guadalajara is a wonderful mixture of parks, fountains, plazas, rustic churches and tree-lined boulevards. In addition to the museums, galleries and other cultural offerings, the shopping here is unsurpassed. The suburbs of Tlaquepaque and Tonala are world famous for native crafts, folk art and traditional fine arts of all kinds.
Guanajuato is purely Mexican. You won’t find many Americans here, but you’ll be glad you came. This town is so magical that it’s difficult to describe in words… quite simply one of the most amazing cities in all of Mexico. It has mysticism and charm only rivaled by the small Italian villages in Tuscany or the Andalusian cities in southern Spain. Founded in 1557 as a silver mining town, Guanajuato is built over a maze of unusual subterranean street systems. Once used as control channels for floodwaters, the roads twist and turn through stone arched tunnels that bring you to the surface in various locations throughout the city. Above ground splashes of bright greens, blues and yellows give the perfectly preserved buildings a storybook quality. A labyrinth of tiny streets, alleyways and steep stairwells cover the hillsides. This feels much more like a medieval village than a colonial city. If you’re into photography, you’ll be in heaven!
As for the increasingly popular San Miguel de Allende, this wonderfully eclectic and mesmerizing city has one of the largest populations of Americans living in Mexico. It has the unique ability to maintain all of its historic grandeur while thriving as a cosmopolitan art community. In 1951, the founding of the Instituto Allende, dedicated to the study of all forms of art (and considered the largest school of fine arts in Latin America for English-speaking students), established San Miguel as a city devoted to creativity.
Rolling green hills, mountain lakes, pine trees and wildflowers hardly fit a description of Mexico. But that is exactly how to describe the immense natural beauty of the city of Morelia. Lush and gorgeous, this city defines 17th and 18th century Spanish architecture. The downtown area is home to masterfully restored buildings, most with soft pink-colored stone and delicate facades. The central square is graceful, refined and surrounded by museums and shopping. Morelia feels something like a storybook and the towns and villages on its outskirts are equally impressive.
Morelia has earned a reputation throughout Mexico as a leading intellectual and artistic center, but it is outside this cosmopolitan core that layers upon layers of fascinating history begin to unfold. Famous for its Lake Pátzcuaro (one of the highest lakes in the world at an elevation of 7,250 feet), this quaint historical jewel is a magnificent tribute to preservation. Unlike the regal architecture of nearby Morelia, the buildings here stand untouched in the colonial glory of their past. Indian roots run deep and aside from the paved streets, little has changed. Patzcuaro is home to some of the finest hand-loomed fabrics in all of Mexico and shop after shop is filled with elegant table linens, bedding and clothing in vibrant colors and of unprecedented quality.
Exploring the this magnificent heritage that lies within Mexico’s interior will forever change your perception of the beauty, grandeur and splendor that is at the colonial heart of Latin America. It will be well worth it to experience the real soul of Mexico through these remarkable cities and many others like them.
COLONIAL MEXICO TOUR DAY 1 – To Guadalajara
Welcome to the city of Guadalajara, known for its beauty as the “City of Roses”, second largest city in Mexico. Graced with a cultural legacy of several centuries, and enriched by secular and religious architecture; also a modern city with international flavor Early afternoon arrival to the city of Guadalajara and transfer to the Hotel de Mendoza located in the heart of the historical district. This evening we feature a walking tour of the main plazas that surround the historical district, including a visit to the Palacio de Gobierno with its interesting murals of Jose Clemente Orozco, and the metropolitan cathedral. To complete our tour you will be transported by a horse drowns carriage through the elegant residential sector with beautiful mansions from 19th century. Your tour will finish at the doorsteps of the restaurant “La Antigua” to enjoy our welcome dinner. (D)
COLONIAL MEXICO TOUR DAY 2 – Guadalajara and Tequila
This morning is to enjoy a visit to the town of Tequila, where the internationaly renowned Mexican drink is produced by dozen of distilleries set amidst the blue agave fields. We will visit the Sauza Family museum and distillery and enjoy lunch with a Mexican Fiesta.
This afternoon we will visit Tlaquepaque. This village now part of the city of Guadalajara has evolved into a trendy little town famed for its local artist with excellent craftsmanship. You will be wandering through countless shops offering a huge selections of arts and crafts. Dinner this evening at a local restaurant before our return to our hotel. (B-L-D)
COLONIAL MEXICO TOUR DAY 3 – Guanajuato
Breakfast at the hotel and departure to the city of Guanajuato. After checking into our hotel, we will descend to downtown by a gondola to the Garden of the Union, the city’s lively local point and enjoy our lunch at the Valadez restaurant. Later, relax on your own snd stroll from plaza to plaza through narrow streets admiring the great architecture that has contributed to the city being designated a “World Heritage Zone” You will return via underground streets to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (B-L-D)
COLONIAL MEXICO TOUR DAY 4 – San Miguel de Allende
After breakfast at the hotel, our first stop will be at the Valenciana mine. And a visit the city of Dolores Hidalgo, the birth place of the Mexican Independence from Spain then into San Miguel de Allende, a city that has been designated a National Historic Monument to preserve its atmosphere. Our tour downtown lets you admire the colonial homes with extravagant patios, hand wrought-iron trims and tall carved wooden doors. Enjoy visiting the square, with its many artists with easels and paints trying to capture the essence of the city. After lunch, you will have ample time to stroll through the city’s famous art galleries, a shopper’s paradise. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B-L-D)
COLONIAL MEXICO TOUR DAY 5 – Queretaro
Today we will visit the city of Queretaro, a city with well ordered plazas and flower-filled gardens. We will tour the peaceful heart of the city, where cars are prohibited. A pleasant place to admire the lovely Colonial architecture. After lunch at a local eatery, we will visit the aqueduct; a giant man made river built in 1726 and touted as the 7th largest aqueduct of this style in the world. We will also visit the ex-convent of The Santa Cruz where most of the missionaries that contributed to settlement of Texas and California departed from. Dinner and overnight at the hotel (B-L-D)
COLONIAL MEXICO TOUR DAY 6 – Morelia and Patzcuaro
Our route to Morelia will take us through the fertile farmlands of “El Bajio” arriving in the city of Morelia for lunch on a beautiful colonial patio, now part of a hotel. Enjoy a visit to the city of Morelia, where the civil and religious buildings were erected in the 17th century re-capturing the spirit of old Spain. We will continue our journey to Patzcuaro. Dinner and overnight at hotel Posada de Don Vasco. (B L D)
COLONIAL MEXICO TOUR DAY 7 – Patzcuaro and Guadalajara
This morning we will visit Lake Patzcuaro, with its placid waters dotted with islands. The city of Patzcuaro is built on a hill with sloping terrain and 16th century atmosphere. You will visit the Vasco de Quiroga square and the house of eleven patios, which was once a convent now holds a labyrinth of small shops where you can watch artisans creating their wares Then traveling around the lake, a visit to the ancient capital of the Purepecha in Tzintzuntzan, where ancient circular pyramids called “Yacatas” are built in a man made hill overlooking Lake Patzcuaro. Visit the Santa Ana monastery that dates back to the 1500’s. We also plan to visit the charming town of Quiroga, a colorful place where the artisans from the state display their goods. We will return to Guadalajara this afternoon arriving at the Hotel de Mendoza for dinner and overnight. (B L D)
COLONIAL MEXICO TOUR DAY 8 – Return Home
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to airport for flight home. (B)
Tour includes Precious Lake Patzcuaro, Baronial
Morelia, Intriguing Guanajuato, Alluring San Miguel de Allende
Intoxicating Tequila, Enchanting Vallarta,
Deluxe Motorcoach, Luxury
accommodations, All meals included,
Exotic Entertainment, Fully escorted
and narrated tours, All transfers in
itinerary, Best available
accommodations, ALL MEALS, Portage
(1 suitcase per person) and Taxes.
(Driver and Escort Gratuities not included).
Call us at 602-276-9008
Synergy Tours & Cruises
2320 E. Baseline Rd. Ste 148 - 468 Phoenix, Arizona 85042-6951