Mexico & Cuba will be an Unforgettable Trip – travel from April 18 to May 16 (approx.) next year 2012 – unbelievable price of $5990
BOOK SOON – you will have an amazing time travelling with a friendly group and a guide that will keep you entertained all the way!
Discover the Secrets of travel for enjoyment and laughter. Love the Attractions. See the world and especially CUBA the way it is before the death of Castro because once that happens AMERICA will come in and turn the country into a new modern society and you will never see it the OLD WAY.
This is possibly your last chance at the fantastic new price of $5990 (was quoted at $8990 by another travel agent) including air fares and 4 to 4.5 STAR accommodation and top Quality travel
There will be some interesting ideas that no other travel or tour operator has ever planned before and this happens because the person planning the trip has come up with the best way to remember the trip after you get back home, we will reveal this later.
All trips will have travellers from a number of social groups and single groups from all over Australia (age range friendly)
FILL out the enquiry form below and discuss in more detail with George or call me on 0435 801 602
Tour Details:
Mexico Leg (18 days) — April 22 to May 10, 2012 using only 4-5* hotels all up $3495 + flight (SGL Supplement $ 950)
Cuba Leg (5 days) —- May 10 to May 15 using only 4-5* hotels all up $875 (SGL Supplement $350)
These prices are based on 8 or more participants; Prices are based on USD so currency fluctuations may change the price until paid in full.
MEXICO LEG: This price includes all transport costs in a mini bus, with English-speaking driver/guide, entrance fees, tips and service charges at the airports and hotels, 18 nights on DBL/TWN basis, 18 American Breakfasts, “all inclusive” at the hotels in Cancun.
CUBA LEG: This price includes all transport costs to and from Airport, with English-speaking driver/guide, entrance fees, tips and service charges at the airports and hotels, 5 nights on DBL/TWN basis
HOTELS in Mexico
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Mexico City 04 nights Galeria Plaza
Oaxaca 03 nights Hostal de la Noria
Tehuantepec 01 night Calli
San Cristobal 02 nights Diego de Mazariegos
Palenque 01 night Ciudad Real
Campeche 01 night Del Mar
Merida 02 nights Fiesta Americana
Cancun 04 nights Gran Caribe Real
MEXICO CITY
Mexico City Zocalo Night
In 1519 when the Spanish Conqueror, Hernán Cortes came over the mountain pass, same which bears his name now, he was completely unprepared for what he was to see. There in front of him, in the mountains lay the magnificent capital of the Aztec empire, Tenochtitlán, built on a system of waterways and canals, with its white buildings and temples glittering in the sun. It was a truly breathtaking sight, and today the modern capital of Mexico. Built on the same site as old Tenochtitlán, Mexico City has the same effect on most people visiting it for the first time.
Mexico City is a city of absolute contrasts. It is the oldest established city on the North American Continent; the Aztecs had been there almost 200 years before Cortes arrived. It is also the highest metropolis at over seven thousand feet above sea level and is now the most populous city in the Americas with approximately 25 million habitants living in the metropolitan area. Yet the modern capital has retained much of the old Aztec heritage, as well as adopting a very strong Spanish influence following their conquest. And this is what gives the city its unique atmosphere, which even today still captivates the visitor.
It is precisely this atmosphere which one perhaps does not expect to feel in such a big city that gives Mexico City its charm. Amongst all the hustle and bustle of a huge city there are always moments where one is pleasantly surprised by the timeless wonder of a beautiful church, a colourful market, a vestige of the waterway system of the old Aztec capital, or even an Aztec ruin lying in the middle of an urban complex. But this is the true essence of Mexico City, a modern city where time stands still in so many ways.
Fortunately today’s traveller to Mexico City does not have to deal with the entire sprawling metropolis when visiting for the first time. The Historic Centre of the city, where the majority of the most interesting and beautiful buildings lie, in fact can be walked around with relative ease. Close to the centre is the area known as the “Zona Rosa” or Pink Zone, where many of the top hotels, as well as some of the best shops and restaurants in the city are located. And just a little further north is the magnificent Museum of Anthropology and the equally magnificent Chapultepec Castle.
A ride into the southern part of the city will take one to the area of the Floating Gardens of Xochimilcio, the best example of how the waterway system of Tenochtitlán was like. And close by is the National University, the oldest university in the Americas with its famous and extremely striking library building.
Out to the north-eastern side of the city are the magnificent Pyramids of Teotihuacán, certainly the most impressive of all the Aztec ruins in the area and an absolute must for anyone visiting Mexico City.
In recent years Mexico City has become a centre for business conferences and conventions. Many of the hotels have facilities to host meetings and small conferences, and there are much larger venues at places like the National Auditorium and the World Trade Centre. Coupled with the fact there are so many top restaurants and other exciting venues to hold special events at, this makes Mexico City a very attractive venue for this kind of program.
Climate
Mexico City lies at an approximate altitude of 7,200 feet or 2,200 meters which makes for a temperate climate year round, though it can get a little nippy at night from November to February. Mexico City is generally dry but the summer brings short spells of rain in the afternoons. See average temperature and rain fall below:
SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2012 ARRIVAL DAY IN MEXICO CITY
Meet and greet at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight.
MONDAY, APRIL 23, 2012 CITY TOUR WITH MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY
Breakfast in the hotel. City Tour with the visit of Anthropology. Overnight.
CITY ORIENTATION TOUR WITH VISIT OF THE MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY
Transfer to the central square of the city known as the “Zocalo”. Here the people will have the chance to visit the 17th century Cathedral, the National Palace with its murals depicting the history of Mexico painted by Diego Rivera. Continuing on from here the people will be taken through the streets and past lovely colonial buildings out on to Reforma Avenue, once the carriageway to the homes of the rich and famous. The tour will finish at the world-famous Anthropology Museum, where there will be a chance to visit the Aztec Hall. This world-famous Museum is located in Chapultepec Park is dedicated to the history and culture of the ancient people of Mexico and is beautifully laid out in different rooms, each depicting the development of a particular culture in the history of Mexico. As the Museum is very extensive and perhaps too much to see in just one visit we definitely recommend seeing the rooms dedicated to the Aztec and Maya cultures, perhaps the best-known of all the ancient Mexican civilizations.
TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012 EXCURSION CUERNAVACA AND TAXCO
Breakfast in the hotel, excursion to Cuernavaca and Taxco. Overnight.
FULL DAY EXCURSION TO TAXCO
The tour will leave early from Mexico City and stop first in Cuernavaca – the city of Eternal Spring – in the next valley about 1 hour from Mexico City. Here the people will have a chance to visit the oldest Cathedral in the Americas and Museum Brady. Continuation to Taxco, located in the State of Guerrero, two and a half to three hours from Mexico City, Taxco is a charming city famous for its beautiful colonial architecture, narrow cobblestone streets and its history of some of the earliest mining in Mexico. Lavish buildings such as Santa Prisca Cathedral, were built during Taxco’s great “silver years”. Beginning in the 1930’s William Spratley, a U.S. citizen, pioneered a thriving industry: the production of silver jewellery.
Today it continues to be a great place to shop for fine jewellery with over 300 shops in town and at the Mercado de “Artesanias de Plata” (Artesian Silver Market).
For those who want to look but not buy, there is also the Silver Museum that chronicles the rise of Taxco artisans to the forefront of Mexican silverwork. Among Taxco’s main attractions are:
The Santa Prisca Parish, built in 1751 and elaborately decorated
The San Bernadino Convent, founded in 1592
The Chapel of Señor de Chavarrieta with its old crucifix
The house of Figueroa, also known as Casa de las Lagrimas (House of Tears) because it was built by workers who were forced to do so because they did not pay tribute
Upon arrival to Taxco, guests will be taken to the “Posada La Mision Hotel” and from there will walk into the town centre, along narrow cobblestone streets. It is very attractive, leisurely uphill walk with a nice view of the old homes and colourful bougainvillea flowers.
Once in the centre the major attraction is the magnificent Santa Prisca Church located right on the small town square. Our guide will lead guests through the cathedral then give them time at leisure to see the rest of the town and visit the numerous silver shops. We’ll meet back at the Posada La Mision for a late lunch, where they can enjoy a buffet outside by the swimming pool, with a lovely view over the town of Taxco.
Following lunch we will return to Mexico City, arriving back around 07:00 pm.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012 EXCURSION TO THE PYRAMIDS OF TEOTIHUACAN
Breakfast in the hotel, excursion to the pyramids of Teotihuacan and the Basilica of Guadalupe. Overnight.
PYRAMIDS OF TEOTIHUACAN
Guests will be taken out of the city to the magnificent Pyramids of Teotihuacan. The first stop will be at the interesting Plaza of the Three Cultures, so-called because of the ruins of an Aztec Temple, a church from the Spanish Conquest and a modern housing estate all to be seen in the area.
We will continue on to one of the most important archaeological sites in all of Mexico, the Pyramids of Teotihuacan. A two hour guided tour and time at leisure to climb the amazing pyramids.
Upon finishing the tour, the group will be led to a small area outside of the Pyramids to see a fascinating demonstration of how the Indians used one of the many types of cactus plants which grow in Mexico.
On the way back to the hotel visit of
BASILICA DE GUADALUPE AND NEW BASILICA DE GUADALUPE
This Basilica is dedicated to Guadalupe, Mexico’s patron saint, and is among the most important churches in the country. The present basilica was constructed 
when this Old Basilica (from 1709) became dangerous due to the sinking of its foundations; a modern structure called the New Basilica was built nearby between 1974 and 1976, designed by architect Pedro Ramírez Vásquez. It has a circular floor plan and the original image of the Virgin is located high up on one wall, so it can be seen from any point within the building.
THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2012 MEXICO CITY – CHOLULA – PUEBLA – OAXACA
Breakfast in the hotel. Drive to Oaxaca with a visit of Cholua and Puebla. Overnight.
CHOLULA , a the city of churches, where they will visit the Pyramid with the biggest base in the world. Overnight.
Continuation to:
Known as the City of Angels.
This city has some 5,000 colonial buildings, which are mostly baroque edifices built during the 16th century. The Cathedral is one of the most notable examples of this city’s beautiful architecture. At times, it seems as though the architectural designs of some of the convents, churches and squares came from heaven above.
Continuation to:
OAXACA
The states capital and only large city has a colonial heart of narrow, straight streets, liberally sprinkled with lovely stone buildings. Oaxaca is relaxed but stimulating, remote but cosmopolitan. Its dry mountain heat, manageable scale, old buildings, broad shady plazas and leisurely cafes, help slow the pace of life, at the same time, diverse Oaxacan, Mexican and international influences create a spark of excitement, the city has some first-class museums and galleries, arguably the best handicrafts shopping in Mexico, and a vivacious cultural, restaurant, bar and music scene. It’s a capital of the modern Mexican art world and an increasingly popular location for Spanish language courses or simply hanging out,
The Aztec settlement here was called Huazyacac (meaning ‘In the Nose of the Squash’), from which ‘Oaxaca’ is derived. The Spanish laid out a new town around the existing zocalo in 1529. It quickly became the most important place in southern Mexico.
Eighteen-century Oaxaca grew rich from exports of cochineal, a red dye made from tiny insects living on the prickly pear cactus and from the weaving of textiles. By 1796 it was probably the third biggest city in Nueva España, with about 20 000 people and 800 cotton looms.
In 1854 an earthquake destroyed much of Oaxaca City. It was decades later, under the presidency of Porfirio Diaz, before Oaxaca began to grow again; in the 1890s its population exceeded 30 000. Then in 1931 another earthquake left 70% of the city uninhabitable.
Oaxaca’s major expansion has come in the past two decades, with tourism, new industries and rural poverty all encouraging migration from the countryside. The population of the city proper has almost doubled in 25 years and together with formerly separate villages and towns it now forms a conurbation of perhaps 450 000 people.
DISTANCE – Approx 450 kms . TIME – Approx 8 hours with various stops on the way!
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012 CITY TOUR AND MONTE ALBAN
Breakfast in the hotel, city Tour and excursion to Monte Alban. Overnight.
CITY ORIENTATION TOUR
Discover the city of Oaxaca, its different monuments, markets and museums. This tour will introduced you to all the city’s major attractions including the Zocalo (main square), the Regional Museum, home to the exquisite pre-Colombian jewelry discovered in Monte Alban’a tomb number 7, the 16th century baroque church of Santo Domingo and the Governor’s Palace that contains a beautiful series of murals.
Description: Description: monte-alban2
MONTE ALBAN
Located on top of a hill near the city of Oaxaca, Monte Alban served as a holy center for the ancient Zapotec culture until just a few years before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. Considered by many to be one of the most majestic and architecturally harmonious ruins in Mesoamerica – a visit to Oaxaca is not complete without Monte Alban!
SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2012 OACAXA
Breakfast in the hotel, day at leisure. Overnight.
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012 OAXACA – EL TULE – MITLA – TEHUANTEPEC
Breakfast in the hotel. Drive to Tehuantepec with a visit to El Tule and Mitla. Overnight.
As the ruins at Mitla are on the road to Chiapas we plan the visit on leaving Oaxaca. Mitla was a Zapotec settlement from as early as 100 AD.After the decline of Monte Alban, it became one of the most important Zapotec centers. The trip to Mitla takes about 45 minutes and after the visit the journey continues over the mountains and on to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec to the city of the same name. .
DISTANCE – Approx 255 kms. TIME – Approx 7-8 hours, including the visit to Mitla.
MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012 TEHUANTEPEC – SUMIDERO CANYON –
SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS
Description: Description: sumideroBreakfast in the hotel. Drive to San Cristobal de las Casas with a boat ride into the Sumidero Canyon. Overnight.
The continuation to Chiapas and Tuxtla Gutierrez is over the hot dusty Isthmus , we will pass the capital of Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutierrez, a clean, surprisingly lively and prosperous city. Just at the other side of the town is the magnificent Sumidero Canyon, where the River Grijalva cuts its way through the high rock formations. This is the place where the local Indians hurled themselves into the Canyon rather than submit to the Spanish Conquerors. The group will be taken on a spectacular boat ride into the Canyon itself that will give you the chance to see it at it’s best. Following this to San Cristobal is about another hour. Overnight.
DISTANCE – Approx 350 kms. TIME – Approx 8 hours, including the visit to the Canyon.
TUESDAY, May 01, 2012 SAN JUAN CHAMULA AND ZINACANTAN
Breakfast in the hotel. Visit of the Indian villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. Overnight.
Description: Description: http://www.creaturviajes.com/maya/imagenes/mercado.jpgThe Indian villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinancantan lie just outside San Cristobal. San Juan Chamula is where the Chamula Indians live and there will be a visit to the special church where they carry out their religious practices (no cameras allowed !). Zinacantan is where the Indians wear brightly-coloured clothes, the road to this village offers a fabulous scenery! (Again no photos allowed!) In the afternoon there will be time to walk around San Cristobal and see some of the beautiful colonial architecture of the city.
WEDNESDAY, May 2, 2012 SAN CRISTOBAL – OXCHUC – TONINA – PALENQUE
Breakfast in the hotel. Drive to Palenque with a visit of a Agua Azul. Overnight.
Description: Description: 036The road to Palenque comes out of the Chiapan Highlands and down to the more jungle-like scenery in the area of the famous ruins. About 1 hour out of Palenque nearby the road are the beautiful Waterfalls of Agua Azul, considered one of the wonders of Mexico, the water comes straight out of the mountains and cascades down several falls into turquoise pools surrounded by jungle. The people can swim there if they so wish. Continuation to Palenque afterwards. Overnight.
DISTANCE – Approx 250 kms. TIME – Approx 5-6 hours
THURSDAY, May 3, 2012 PALENQUE – CAMPECHE
Breakfast in the hotel. Visit of the ruins of Palenque and drive to Campeche. Overnight.
Description: Description: http://www.revistabuenviaje.com/conocemexico/chiapas/palenque/panoramica_palenque.jpgThe whole morning is taken up with visiting the extensive ruins at Palenque, surrounded by emerald jungle, Palenque’s setting is superb and its Mayan architecture and decoration are exquisite, at the peak of Palenque’s power, the entire city was painted vermilion, you should not miss the crypt in the Temple of inscriptions and the museum, everything you will see here was achieved without metal tools, pack animals or the wheel! From there it is on to Campeche, a city filled with historic buildings. Overnight.
DISTANCE – Approx 300 kms. TIME – Approx 6 hours
FRIDAY, May 4, 2012 CAMPECHE – KABAH/UXMAL – MERIDA
Breakfast in the hotel. Drive Merida with a visit of Kabah and Uxmal. Overnight.
The distance from Campeche to Merida is relatively short and between there are the ruins at Uxmal and Kabah. The first ruins visited are at Kabah, undoubtedly the most impressive building here is the Palace of the Masks, offering an amazing sight, with its façade covered in nearly 300 masks of Chac, the rain god or sky serpent. Then one of the highlights of Yucatan, the ruins at Uxmal. There will be plenty of time to visit all the major points of the ruins such as the Pyramid of the magician, the Nunnery quadrangle, the House of turtles and the Governor’s Palace before continuing on to Merida to arrive in the late afternoon. Overnight.
DISTANCE – Approx 200 kms. TIME – Approx 9 hours, including the visits.
Description: Description: uxmal
MERIDA
The beautiful city of Merida is the capital of the State of Yucatan. It is situated in the northeast of the Yucatan Peninsula, 196 km from Campeche and 319 km from Cancun.
It was founded in 1542 by the Spaniard Francisco de Montejo over the ruins of the Mayan city. The Cathedral of San Idelfonso was built with the huge stones dismantled from the pyramids. Merida is known as the White City, nowadays one of the most tranquil and safest cities in Mexico. Its remote Mayan roots, superb colonial monuments and the splendor of its turn to the XIX century architecture, has made Merida a captivating mixture of cultural influences.
SATURDAY, May 5, 2012 EXCURSION TO CELESTUN
Breakfast in the hotel, excursion to Celestun. Overnight.
Description: Description: CELESTUN 2CELESTUN
The morning after arriving in Merida, we will take a trip to Celestun, a sleepy little fishing town at the end of a piece of land separating the river Esperanza from the gulf. One of the world’s largest nestling grounds for the Pink Flamingo. It is in the middle of a wildlife sanctuary abounding in resident and migratory waterfowl. Enjoy a good day bird-watching, and forget your troubles for a while. Fishing boats dot the white-sand beach that stretches to the north for kilometers. Celestun is sheltered by the peninsula’s southward curve, resulting in an abundance of marine life.
At arrival to the costal village of Celestun the guests will be taken by launches into the mangroves to see the wonderful pink flamingoes, which nest in the area and also to the nesting colonies of such birds as eagles, cormorants, pelicans and storks. Return to the pier and from there the group will continue to lunch at the typical rustic restaurant of La Palapa for a seafood lunch.
Description: Description: ojo de agua celestunYou will have the rare opportunity to watch Pink Flamingos by boat while they flock at a reasonable close distance. You can visit the Petrified Peten Forest, swim and refresh yourself in a water hole combining fresh and salt water. You will have time to enjoy a sandy beach and walk through the village of Celestun. Few places the world offer the spectacular view of hundreds of flamingos in their own habitat.
On the North side of Celestun lays a sweet water spring called “Ojo de Agua” (eye of water) a place where you can enjoy fresh water that flows from the subterranean currents creating a transparent reservoir of cold and blue water. Visitors can rest in a shady spot while they enjoy the magnificent view of the most representative types of fauna from the region. There are 554 types of fauna in the area.
Further down Celestun is found the “Isla de Los Pajaros” (the Island of Birds). It goes by this name since this island is home to many different types of birds, especially in their mating season; therefore, bird watching is a must at this point of the region. Celestun is home for 333 different bird species.
DISTANCE – Approx 200 kms. TIME – Approx 07 hours, including the boatrid2