INCLUDED FEATURES

Transportation: By Air Conditioned Motorcoach with Lavatory Facilities and Public Address System Accommodations: Hotel Holiday Inn Plaza de Armes in Tampico, Hotel Deligencia in Veracruz, Hotel Aristos in Puebla, Hotel Calesa Real in Oaxaca, Hotel Aristos in Cuernavaca, Hotel Panorama in San Luis Potosi.  Includes 17% hotel taxes, maid and bellman tips. Welcome Cocktails, One lunch, and Eight breakfasts. Sightseeing: Tampico, Oaxaca, Mitla, El Tule, San Gartolo Colytepec, Puebla, Cuernavaca, San Juan del Rio, San Luis Potosi. Includes all admissions. Full-Time: English Speaking Tour Conductor and hosts Important: Tour MEET Country Inn & Suites, Harlingen, at 6:30 AM; Best Western Palm Air, Weslaco 7:00 AM; Best Western Rose Garden, McAllen 7:30 AM; and Tropic Star RV Resort, Pharr 7:45 AM; Hawthorn Suites, Mission 8:00 AM.

El Tule (stands 135 ft. tall and about as wide) Casa del Alfenique "gingerbread House" The beautiful church of Tonantzintla near Puebla Santo Domingo Church

First Day: Depart from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, clearing Mexican customs in Reynosa. Then sit back and relax while your motorcoach transports you to fun and adventure. Bird songs on Tampico's downtown plaza welcome you to the Hotel Holiday Inn Plaza de Armas.

Second Day: After a tour of this tropical port city. you'll drive along the coast with exotic vegetation all the way to romantic Veracruz, first port of call for the Conquistador Hernán Cortez and Emperor Maximilian. The famous downtown Hotel Emporio is your "home away from home" for tonight.
Breakfast Included.

Third Day: Beautiful scenery surrounds you today as you drive from sea level through the 7,500 feet high Cloud Forest on the way to Oaxaca. The city is situated in a spectacular valley where several mountain ranges converge. Removed from the populous center of the country, it has retained its provincial charm and delicate beauty. You will be welcomed to your host hotel for the next three nights, the intimate Calesa Real Hotel, in the center of town. This evening, stroll the famous zócalo with sidewalk cafes underneath colonial arches or sit and listen as a band plays in the gazebo.
Breakfast Included.

Fourth/Fifth Day: Your days in Oaxaca will be filled with magical sights and flavors. Visit unforgettable Monte Alban. ancient city of the Zapotecs and Mixtecs. Huge platforms and buildings speak of a powerful elite skilled in the production of fine pottery, jewelry and codices. The oldest building is perhaps the Temple of the Dancers. built 2.500 years ago. Then see lovely Mitla. a city of the Mixtecs. Its facade is decorated with carefully fashioned geometric patterns. Near it, the great cypress tree. El Tule, stands 135 feet tall (and about as wide). It is said to be the oldest living thing in Mexico. and already growing over 2,000 years ago. Visit Santo Domingo. one of the great treasures in Mexico. The intricacy of its baroque carved gold leafed ceiling is stunning. Next door, the 16th century Dominican monastery houses the exquisite golden treasure discovered in a Monte Alban tomb. Ornate buildings constructed of softmint green stone shelter patio shops and cafes. See the pre-Colombian ceramics, masks and carvings at the Rufino Tamayo Museum. Sample some of the sophisticated cuisine, with special sauces and moles. Visit the immense Central Market, its market stalls heaped with mountains of baskets, pottery, chilis, rugs and everything imaginable and unimaginable for sale. Included day trips to surrounding villages offer the opportunity to see artisans creating their traditional objects like the black clay pots at San Bartolo Coyotepec or humorous clay figures at Atzompa. In Santo Tomas Jalletza, see looms and homespun woolen yarns colored with natural dyes.
Breakfast, Box Lunch Included.

Sixth Day:  You’ll leave behind a bit of your heart when departing Oaxaca, although the spectacular mountain scenery surrounding you on the beautiful drive to Puebla will enchant you. Your host for the next two nights is the Hotel Aristos, downtown. Puebla is known for its fine Talavera potttery, similar to majolica, hand-crafted with Spanish methods and Mexican skill. See the fine Puebla Ceramics Museum in the former Convent of Santa Rosa. Here it is said the famous mole sauce originated. Puebla is well-known for its delicious dishes, including Chiles en Nogada. Stuffed Chiles in Walnut sauce. Try some at the famous Fonda de Santa Clara or the Parian Restaurant.
Breakfast Included.

Seventh Day: Today soak up the history of Puebla. Spanish conquistadores and French soldiers left their impression on this city in many forms, but especially the architecture. From the breathtaking Rosary Chapel with its splendorous gold-leafed ceiling, a foretaste of Paradise, to the Casa del Alfeñique, or "gingerbread house" an ornate French sugar cake of whipped cream, Puebla will captivate you. This afternoon marvel at the church built on top of 7 pyramids in nearby Cholu1a. The base of the pyramid covers 45 acres, and was built one pyramid over another, onion-style, then tunneled through to enable the visitor to view some of its many pre-Conquest murals. Your most memorable visit, however, will be to the exquisite Indian/Spanish chapels of Santa Maria Tonanzintla and San Franisco Ecatepec, the interiors and ceilings literally brimming with brilliantly colored dark-skinned figures, a passionately joyful expression of architecture, originated by Jose Churriguero and marked by an aversion to empty spaces.
Breakfast Included.

Eighth Day:   Today, you will see huge organ cacti along the highway to Cuernavaca. The mild climate of this distinguished city has made it a favorite of international retirees since the days of Aztec nobles. You'll arrive there in time for lunch at the splendid colonial Hacienda de Cortéz, a great dining experience. A visit to the outstanding arts and crafts collection of the Brady Museum will make your visit "perfecto." Overnight at the Aristo Hotel.
Breakfast Included.

Ninth Day:    Leaving Cuernavaca behind, you'll agree with Mexico City residents since the time of Moctezuma that Cuernavaca's combination of gardens, graceful architecture and small town atmosphere are unbeatable. Continue your journey north through hauntingly beautiful desert landscape to San Luis Potosi and the Hotel Panorama. Enjoy an afternoon city tour of San Luis. Twice the capital of Mexico, its sumptuous colonial architecture and classic red brick. Strolling Student Ministrel Program tonight - Virreina Restaurant, one of Dan Sanborn's favorite restaurants, next door.
Breakfast Included.

Tenth Day: "Hasta Luego" to San Luis Potosi as you board your motorcoach to head back to Texas.  Arrive in the Rio Grande Valley in the early evening.
Breakfast Included.