CULINARY MEXICO

Day 1 Arrive Mexico City

Arrive in Mexico City and head to Las Alcobas, a charming boutique hotel in the city's desirable Polanco neighbourhood. Refuel at the excellent Anatol restaurant, serving up fresh, farm-to-table Italian cuisine, or shake of the day's travel with a treatment at the indulgent Aurora Spa.

Overnight: Las Alcobas

Day 2 Mexico City

Today will begin with a walking tour of historical Mexico City including visits to the most important sites such as the magnificent main square (Zocalo), the national palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral and an overview of the Templo Mayor from above. Your day includes chocolate tasting at Que Bo, one of the most recognized "chocolaterias" in town by Jose Ramon Castillo, an acclaimed pastry chef. Here, you will learn about Mexico´s cacao and chocolate legacy over delectable artisan chocolate, a true delight for all of the senses!

This evening you will enjoy a lovely four-course menu Mex-fusion with a seasonal edge, it can have variations to showcase either what's freshest at the market or a festive. Accompanied with a special selection of wine and tequila top-quality, from boutique wineries /distilleries or a special selection of artisanal Mexican beer.

Overnight: Las Alcobas

Day 3 Southern Neighbourhoods with Xochimilco

Head south to the colonia of San Angel. With several art galleries, beautiful churches cobble-stone streets and artisan markets, it's a stark and charming contrast to Mexico City. In the afternoon, continue to Xochimilco, where you will explore the canals that surround the ancient city of Tenochtitlan.

Overnight: Las Alcobas

Day 4 Mexico City Markets

Explore the leafy colonia of Roma, visiting a local market where you will learn more about Mexico's vast and rich cuisine. Head down to Mercado Medellín, also known as Pequeño Havana (Little Havana), to discover a smorgasbord of local produce and street food, not only Mexican but Colombian and Cuban influences too.

Overnight: Las Alcobas

Day 5 Mexico City to Puebla

Head south to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Puebla, famous for its traditional Mexican cuisine. Puebla is a gastronomic hub and the origin of some of Mexico's most famous recipes including mole (a delicious sauce made from chipotle, raisins, nuts, chillies and spices). Arrive at the Banyan Tree, which blends the rich cultural heritage of the city with generous doses of modern luxury.

Overnight: Banyan Tree Puebla

Day 6 Puebla and Cholula

This beautiful city is home to more than 70 churches and has become well known for its colonial buildings, many covered with azulejos (ceramic tiles). Visit la Calle de los Dulces (the candy street) and Puebla's oldest cantina serving artisanal liquors. After lunch, head to Cholula and the Great Pyramid, the largest in the world and the reason this sleepy town is on the cultural map.

Overnight: Banyan Tree Puebla

Day 7 Private Cooking Class, Puebla

An exciting day starting with a Mexican cooking lesson, learning all about local food before getting hands-on and creating delicious recipes. Once completed you will have the chance to sit down and enjoy your creations, such as salsas, chalupas and mole poblano. Spend the afternoon as you please.

Overnight: Banyan Tree Puebla

Day 8 Puebla to Oaxaca via Tehuacan

Drive south east to Oaxaca via Tehuacán, well known for its mineral springs and the traditional dish, mole de caderas. Enjoy an afternoon’s excursion on foot through the historical city centre of Oaxaca. Whilst pottering through the cobbled streets, you will have the chance to try some of the region's delicacies such as hot chocolate (some say it is the most delicious in the world) and grasshoppers (if you dare).

Overnight: Hotel Casa Oaxaca

Day 9 Cook with Contemporary Top Chef Alejandro Olmedo

Today you will have the rare opportunity to cook with renowned Mexican chef, Alejandro Ruiz Olmedo and observe his take on traditional Mexican food.  The day starts with a jaunt around the nearby market to gather regional ingredients, before returning to Alejandro’s kitchen in Casa Oaxaca for a step by step guide to a range of traditional dishes, salsas and tortillas.  Restaurant Casa Oaxaca, is listed among the Pellegrino Top 50 Restaurants of Latin America.

Overnight: Hotel Casa Oaxaca

Day 10 Teotitlan Del Valle Market Visit and Cooking Class with Zapotec Family

Head off to the beautiful Teotitlán Del Valle, arguably the prettiest village in the valley. Enjoy a private tour of the Teotitlán De Valle market and a visit to a local home to witness traditional woven rugs being made. Original techniques of spinning wool and weaving with wooden looms are still very much the norm and in Teotitlán Del Valle there is plentiful indigenous talent.  In the afternoon, enjoy a traditional cooking lesson and lunch as special guests in a Zapotec family home, gathering secrets of Oaxacan cuisine. 

Overnight: Hotel Casa Oaxaca

Day 11 Mitla Archeological Site and Mezcal tasting

Journey to the archaeological site of Mitla. These soulful ruins are the most prominent for the Zapotec culture and famous for their intricate mosaic work, made from finely cut and polished stone. During the afternoon, continue through the valley of Oaxaca to the Mezcalerias (Mezcal distilleries) in the towns of San Dionisio Ocotopec and San Baltazar to discover and taste this unique smoky spirit.

Overnight: Hotel Casa Oaxaca

Day 12 Depart

After breakfast, fly from Oaxaca International Airport to Mexico City to connect with your international flight home.