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MY MEXICO TOURS
This tour begins in the spectacular colonial city of Puebla, a stunning tiled-covered metropolis east of Mexico City nestled at the foot of two snow-capped volcanoes, Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. Puebla is Mexico’s fifth largest city and one of the oldest, renowned for its complex and sophisticated cuisine (both Mole Poblano and Chiles en Nogada were created in Puebla) as well as the gorgeous traditional talavera pottery produced here under the same exacting standards since the 1500s. The downtown centro historico, where our hotel is located, is a visitor’s dream, laid out on an easy-to-manage grid system and filled to overflowing with world-class art and history museums, an entire neighborhood devoted to antiques, exceptional gustatory delights, and architectural gems on every block. The tour will also include visits to venerable talavera studios, nearby Cholula, home of the largest pyramid in Mesoamerica, and three small but mighty churches that finally answer the question “Who put the “Ro” in rococo?” From Puebla we’ll drive north to neighboring Tlaxcala, stopping en route at the stunning 16th-century monastery of Huejotzingo, one of the oldest monasteries on the continent. The monastery is filled with Italian- and Spanish-style Renaissance pieces, including a gilt retablo considered to be one of the greatest works of New World art. Tlaxcala is the smallest state in Mexico yet one that offers a fantastic cultural kaleidoscope full of color, joy, and tradition. We’ll stay on the main square of the eponymous capital city, a charming place with a leafy main plaza and a small-town feel. In town there are exquisite murals relating Tlaxcala's history in a colorful dynamic manner, a wonderful folk art museum, and plenty of sidewalk cafes perfect for sipping a cold cervesa and watching the world go by. Our visit to Tlaxcala coincides with Carnival, celebrated in here in a unique and charming manner. Replace the image of thousands of half-naked dancers shimmying to pounding drums with one of sweet, small groups of revelers of all ages imitating (in truth, mocking) the expensive outfits and dances of wealthy European landowners of the 17th century. It’s quite remarkable, to say the least. With all this to do and see we are certainly bound for a grand adventure, but… there is a magical element on this tour: my wonderful friends (soon to be your two wonderful friends) in Puebla. More than any research I’ve done, time I’ve spent here, or books I’ve reaD, these friends have opened the doors of Puebla and Tlaxcala for me as they will for you. Their knowledge of art, history, and culinary arts and the open-hearted welcome and care they provide pop this tour from perfectly wonderful to over-the-top fabulous.
February 6 - 17, 2010 Please
contact me for more information
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