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Meet up with your fellow travelers and Tour Manager in Mexico’s sprawling capital, before we hit the road and travel to Spanish flavored Morelia.

This gorgeous town is all about colonial heritage. Packed with 16th and 17th century buildings, archways and cute little plazas, Morelia’s picturesque center comes with plenty of character and charm. Learn about its background as one of Mexico’s first Spanish cities on a walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage listed centre.

You’ll also see the birthplace of the Mexican revolutionary, Morelos, after whom the town is named. We check out Morelia’s sweets and handicraft market, where there’s a chance to pick up some of its famous candy as a tasty souvenir. Tonight, we’ll see the stunning cathedral lit up under night lights and watch the pretty fireworks display. Your Tour Manager will give you the background on the building’s mix of styles and intricate decorations.

Later, get to know the group and your Tour Manager over dinner in a local restaurant that overlooks the central plaza. Try out the tasty specialties of this region, like the famous fruit gazpacho (a cold soup made up of fruits like pineapple, mango and watermelon, topped off with lime juice).

Hotel Dinner

Head out West to the Mexican Riviera, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean. We stop for lunch on one of Mexico’s most stunning beaches, Playa la Ropa. It’s dotted with palm trees and is a perfect spot for water sports like parasailing and jet-skiing.

Walk off your lunch in low-key Zihuatanejo and explore this cute little fishing village where local restaurants, artisan studios and interesting boutiques line the cobblestone streets.

This evening, there’s a fun ATV (all-terrain vehicle) optional, where you can cruise along the beach, through palm groves and watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. Tonight, we stay in the modern resort town of Ixtapa.

Hotel Breakfast

A free day in Ixtapa means time to relax. Kick back at the hotel and make the most of its fantastic pool and pool bar. Otherwise, head to the beach and soak up some sun or snorkel in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Your Tour Manager can even help you sort out a boat for hire if you want to get out on the water and do a bit of fishing.

Turn the energy levels up with an optional horse rde along the beach or explore the coastline in our optional kayaking excursion. Go for a late night stroll through the luxurious hotel district and get a taste of the high life. Dance the night away at one of the nightclubs or grab a quiet drink at a local bar.

Hotel Breakfast, Dinner

Today, we head to the popular resort and Mexico’s original party town, Acapulco. With its gorgeous bay and stunning villas, you’ll soon understand why this is a traditional stomping ground for the rich and famous and why people like Sinatra, Elvis and JFK used to come here.

After the sun goes down, watch the famous daredevil cliff divers. They’ll jump a heart-stopping 25 or 35 meters from the sheer cliffs surrounding the bay into a tiny cove.

Tonight, honor Acapulco’s reputation and dive into the nightlife action. With salsa clubs, meringue bars, discos and nightclubs, there’s something for everybody here.

Hotel Breakfast

With a free day, soak up more of Acapulco’s vibes, its 50s glamor and its beach life. Hit the calm waters of Hornos or Papagayo beaches or else watch surfers take to the waves at Playa Revolcadero For a slice of the local lifestyle, head to the open-air market and shaded zocalo (central square). With little, traditional eateries this is a great place to people-watch and to taste different dishes. Try out some pork tacos, chicken mole (chocolate and chilli sauce), garlic shrimp or even some Pacific lobster.

For a bit of local history, check out the 17th century fort, Fuerte de San Diego, that was once used to watch over Spanish galleons and protect trades routes. It offers sweeping views over Acapulco. Otherwise, head into the old town and check out the blue-domed church, Nuestra Senora de la Soledad.

Later this evening, choose our optional sunset boat cruise, hang out with the group and get another angle on Acapulco from the water.

Hotel Breakfast, Dinner

Travel through the Sierra Madre Mountains this morning to the pretty, hill-side town of Taxco. With its dramatic backdrop of cliffs and mountains, and its pretty stucco buildings with terracotta roofs, this is the perfect place to wander about in.

Get lost in the winding cobblestone streets and uncover cute little plazas and flower-filled courtyards. Keep an eye open for VW Beetle taxis and check out the stunning Santa Prisca Cathedral on the central square. Pull up a table at an outside café, where you can sit back with a beer and take in the colonial architecture. Maybe try some pozole (pork and vegetable stew).

With a tradition in silver going back to before the Spanish Conquest, Taxco is the perfect place to pick up some jewellery. Your Tour Manager will organize a silver demonstration and give you tips on the best places to buy. Then rummage through the many platerias (silver shops) and find some great presents for back home.

Hotel Breakfast

This morning we return to the chaotic capital, Mexico City. This megapolis fuses the festive, the ancient and the quirky. First up: a visit to Xochimilco canals and markets. Board our own brightly colored long boat and cruise along the canals, past gardens and floating mariachi bands. Vendors jump from boat to boat with souvenirs, so you can kick back and shop while you ride along the canals.

Then we head to the historic heart of the city, where ancient civilization, political power and religion combine around the enormous Zocalo (central square). Get inspired as our expert Local Guide uncovers the nation’s core spots and shows off this living time line. Step inside the largest cathedral in Latin America and learn why the tilting Catedral Metropolitana is a spiritual hub for Mexicans. Get up close to Mexico’s Aztec past as you explore the bare ruins around Templo Mayor. Our Local Guide will peel back the layers and explain how a new temple was built here every 52 years, one on top of the other.

If you’re keen, you can go into the Temple Mayor for a closer look. See the sinking Palacio Nacional (National Palace), home to the Mexican government. Enjoy a crash course in this country’s history by checking-out Diego Rivera’s famous murals that decorate the palace walls. These colorful paintings tell the story of Mexico in a nutshell, from the nation’s mythical beginnings to the early 20th century.

Tonight, choose our optional dinner and feast on Mexican specialties with the group, while listening to Mariachi (traditional group of Mexican musicians) music. Later, you could wash it all down with some tequila, Mexico’s national drink.

Hotel Breakfast

We turn back the clock this morning with a trip to Teotihuacan, the largest archaeological city ever to exist on the American continents. Climb the impressive pyramids and imagine how this was once central America’s greatest city.

Our Local Guide will fill you in on the Teotihuacanos beliefs and rites as you walk around the site and see the Sun and Moon Temples. This afternoon, discover another side of vibrant Mexico City with a visit to the easy-going, old barrio (neighborhood) of Coyoacan. Take in the old colonial mansions, fountains and quiet squares of this cultural quarter. See the paired studios of artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera and maybe visit Frida Kahlo’s famous Blue House, which is filled with colorful art, pre-Hispanic artifacts and a beautiful garden.

In your free time, live a slice of the local lifestyle and head to the Coyoacan Markets – the buzzing food stalls are perfect for trying authentic Mexican food, like a torta (Mexican sandwich), enchiladas and tacos. Shopping-wise, this town has it all, from big brands to bargains. Get some tips from your Tour Manager before you splurge. Rummage through the colorful La Merced, the largest market in the city. See piles of dried chillies, tropical fruits and other vibrant food displays as well as local crafts.

Otherwise, walk the streets and get a feel for the city’s bustling street life, where cafes spill out onto the pavements, pushcart kitchens cook up fantastic food and sidewalk vendors sell anything from t-shirts to jewelery. Take a break and taste Mexican coffee in a traditional coffeehouse or sip on some tropical juice at a jugeria (juice bar). If you’re hungry, try a rosticeria for some crispy roast chicken Mexican style or a hole-in-the-wall taqueria for a burrito. For something different, find out if there is lucha libre (Mexican masked wrestling) on while you’re in town and go check out a match.

For a dose of culture, walk through Mexican history with a visit to the famous Museo Nacional de Antropologia (Museum of Anthropology). It has an incredible collection of artifacts, starting from pre-historic times. The museum grounds are also great for taking a break from the buzzing down town area, so hang out in the gardens, read beside the lake or check out the zoo.

Hotel Breakfast, Dinner

Today, it’s a total change of scene when we leave behind Mexico City and fly to the beautiful white-stone city of Merida. Laid-back and pretty, it’s perfect for a wind down after the hectic hum of the capital. Get a real feel for this small, stylish town on our walking tour through the center as your Tour Manager gives you the story behind the haciendas, palaces and gorgeous buildings.

There’s also a chance to ride through town old-style on our optional horse & carriage ride. The local driver will show off Merida’s core spots as you sit back and soak up the atmosphere. Use your free time to explore the buzzing market district, where you can pick up handicrafts, hammocks and traditional travel treasures like ponchos and sombreros.

Hotel Breakfast, Dinner

We kick start the day with a trip to UNESCO World Heritage-listed Chichen Itza – the best preserved and most famous ruins in Mexico. Hear from our expert Local Guide about the time temples and how the Mayan calendar worked as you explore the spectacular ancient ceremonial center and the fascinating snail-shaped observatory.

Back on the coach, we continue on to glitzy Cancun, Mexico’s super resort. This party paradise is a high energy destination, loaded with outdoor activities and a buzzing nightlife. Use your free time to relax with an evening siesta. Then head into town to the Mercado 28, a lively market serving up homemade foods. Sit yourself down in a fondita (little café) and order various specialties from throughout Mexico or try the regional Yucatan dish, chicken pibil (chicken in a special marinade).

For some live, local music, make a move to Parquet de las Palapas with some friends. Grab a cold cerveza (beer) from one of the food stands and take it all in. Then explore what’s on offer party-wise in Cancun.

Hotel Breakfast

Take a trip with the group to the hip, hot beach of Playa del Carmen. A popular spot for snorkeling and diving, Playa del Carmen has underwater caves and mind-blowing offshore coral reefs. Take a swim in the azure waters, chill out on the beach or even jump on a ferry to the Island of Cozumel.

Back in Cancun, wrap up the day on the beach watching the sun set over the Caribbean Sea. Some ideas for dinner include hitting an open-air restaurant for some fresh seafood or heading to the central plaza for some authentic island specialties.

Hotel Breakfast

Today, your Tour Manager will take you to hidden spots and show off tropical jungle and watering holes. Then with a full free day, make the most of Cancun’s action and crystal clear waters.

We get away from it all and head to the pint-sized Isla Mujeres. With no cars and little development, this is the place to wind down on pristine beaches and soak up the sun. Experience its fabulous coral reefs on our optional Garrafon Natural Reef Park excursion. If you’re keen, you can even swim with dolphins here. You could head to Punta Nizuc for some more snorkeling. For something different have a look through La Casa des Artes Mexicanas (House of Mexican Art), where you’ll see musical instruments, handmade kids’ toys and traditional costumes.

Opt for a trip to Xcaret Ecopark, where Mayan ruins, a stunning inlet and jungle combine to make this place so special. Have a swim in the underground river and see colorful birdlife and a butterfly farm. Make your last night on tour one to remember with the group. Get into the fun, festive vibes of Cancun and settle in on an open terrace beachside or at a small, local bar. Keep it moving until the sun comes up if you want – Cancun nightlife is the stuff of legends.

Hotel Breakfast, Dinner

The tour ends after breakfast and it’s time to say farewell to your new friends.

Breakfast