7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS - ALL INCLUSIVE MEXICO VACATION CALL FOR DATES
From a religious perspective, Juan Diego is the most prominent name in all of Mexico. When he was 50 years old a Franciscan priest, Fr. Peter da Gand, one of the first Franciscan missionaries, baptized him. According to legend, on the 9th December 1531, when Juan Diego was on his way to morning Mass, the Blessed Mother appeared to him on Tepeyac Hill, the outskirts of what is now Mexico City. She asked him to go to the Bishop and to request in her name that a shrine be built at Tepeyac, where she promised to pour out her grace upon those who invoked her. The Bishop, who did not believe Juan Diego, asked for a sign to prove that the apparition was true. On the 12th of December, Juan Diego returned to Tepeyac. Here, the Blessed Mother told him to climb the hill and to pick the flowers that he would find in bloom. He obeyed, and although it was winter, he found roses flowering. He gathered the flowers and took them to Our Lady who carefully placed them in his mantle and told him to take them to the Bishop as "proof". When he opened his mantle, the flowers fell on the ground and there remained impressed, in place of the flowers, an image of the Blessed Mother, the apparition at Tepeyac.
The true miracle of Guadalupe rests in the multiracial, multicultural treasures inherited by the people of the Americas. We invite you to discover them on this journey… “Following the steps of Juan Diego.”
Another aspect of our trip will be to discover the magic of Mexico City itself. Mexico City is a federal district (Distrito Federal), much like our own Washington, D.C. It is almost 700 years old and is the highest city on the North American continent at 7,349 feet. It has been a flourishing cosmopolitan center for nine centuries since its founding as the ancient capital of the Aztec Empire. It is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere and is over 700 square miles in area. Today it is a vibrant cultural and business center well immersed in the high-tech 21st century, yet still retains its brilliant historic and architectural heritage.
Our side trip will be to Cuernavaca and Taxco. Cuernavaca is in the state of Morelos, approximately 40 miles south of Mexico City. During the course of those 40 miles, there is a drop in elevation ultimately placing Cuernavaca about 2,000 feet closer to sea level than the more-than-mile-high Mexico City. The result- perennial great weather and hence the nickname “city of eternal spring.”
Steeped in tradition and Old World style, Taxco is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful towns in all of Mexico. As recently as 70 years ago, most traveling to this stunning hillside town was done on horseback. Modern roads now wind their way through picturesque mountains, fields of roses, and breathtaking scenery bringing you to face to face with a hillside dotted with red-tile roofs and the remarkable filigree spires of the Santa Prisca Church… indeed a living postcard.
DAY 1 - MONDAY
Arrive in Mexico City International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)
DAY 2 - TUESDAY
Breakfast at the hotel. We then visit the city of Cuautitlan, the birthplace of Juan Diego and the parish church of St. Juan Bernardino. Next is the village of Tepozotlan, where a magnificent ex-Franciscan convent has the largest collection of memorabilia from the days of the Spanish viceroyship. Return to Mexico City for lunch and visit the “Basilica of Guadalupe” and “Tepeyac hill, site of the apparition. Dinner at the hotel. (B-L-D)
DAY 3 - WEDNESDAY
After breakfast, we visit the church of Santiago Tlaltelolco, located on the Plaza of the Three Cultures. This afternoon, we go on a walking tour of the historic district. We visit the National Cathedral, the largest cathedral on the continent, the National Palace, the official residence of the President, and to the Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan, an Aztec archeological site. Dinner at the hotel. (B-L-D)
DAY 4 - THURSDAY
After breakfast we depart for Tlaxcala, stopping at the church of St Miguel del Milagro, believed to be the place where Juan Diego was baptized. Next we visit the Basilica of our Lady of Ocotlan, where another apparition of the virgin is said to have occurred, last will be the ex-Franciscan convent of the Assumption to admire the collection of fine art from the 16th and 17th century. Evening at leisure in Mexico City with dinner at the hotel. (B-L-D)
DAY 5 - FRIDAY
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to the floating garden islands of Xochimilco. Xochimilco is a living museum of the pre-Cortesian Mexico and was spared by the Spaniards after the conquest. We visit the 16th century Parroquia of St Bernardino and after lunch we will have the opportunity to enjoy Xochimilco’s famous ice-cream. Dinner tonight at the hotel (B-L-D)
DAY 6 - SATURDAY
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will visit San Angel, a quaint neighborhood that has retained its small colonial town charm. Here you can find one of the finest arts and crafts markets. Nearby is Coyoacan, featuring fine museums, galleries and out-door cafes. We will return to the Basilica to see our Lady of Guadalupe once more, then to downtown Mexico City for our farewell dinner at popular local eatery. (B-L-D)
DAY 7 - SUNDAY
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight home. (B)
INCLUDES: 6 nights hotel, 17 meals, transfers, tours as per itinerary, bags, taxes, meal gratuities, experienced Tour Director
Call us at 602-276-9008
Synergy Tours & Cruises
2320 E. Baseline Rd. Ste 148 - 468 Phoenix, Arizona 85042-6951
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