13 days tour from/to Mexico City via Oaxaca & Puebla.
This tour is a full immersion into the amazing history and culture of Mexico, which you will experience through the life of charming Frida Kahlo, guided by Marlene Ehrenberg.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Mexico City
You will be picked up at the airport, and transferred to the Chalet del Carmen a lovely guest-house located in charming district of Coyoacan (other accommodation options are available).

Day 2: Historic Downtown and The Gardens of Xochimilco
Visit of the Templo Mayor Aztec ruins; the San Ildefonso Museum, formerly the National Preparatory School where Frida was studying at the time she met Diego; and the Public Education Ministry. Time permitting, you will visit other Rivera murals, which also include images of Frida and other people who shared Diego's ideology. You will continue to the Santo Domingo Plaza, where traditional scribes still ply their trade. Return to the Zocalo where you will visit the King's Altar inside the Cathedral as well as the main Rivera mural inside the National Palace which features paintings of Frida and her sister Cristina
Bus or Van transfer to Xochimilco, one of Frida and Diego's favorite spots in the southern end of the city. Here you will board a traditional water craft called trajinera, complete with flowers, mariachi musicians and a meal of mixiote, quesadillas, guacamole, nopal salad, beer, tequila and handmade tortillas. Stop at Dolores Olmedo's house, which hosted her world-famous collection of Frida and Diego art.

Day 3: Teotihuacan, The City of the Gods¯
Morning departure to Teotihuacan, the City of the Gods. On the way to the site you will visit an obsidian workshop and learn about the maguey (agave) plant. You will have a chance to taste pulque and tequila. Visit of the majestic archeological area with its Citadel and Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. Lunch will be served at the Restaurante de la Gruta, inside a grotto that Frida and Diego used to visit. Visit of the Chapingo Chapel in the Agriculture School where Diego painted one of his major works, 'The Rite of the Earth'¯. Return to the hotel.

Day 4: Coyoacan and San Angel
Trip to the south of the city along Insurgentes Avenue, the longest avenue in Mexico City. At the Insurgentes Theater, you will visit Diego's mosaic mural, which tells the story of Mexican theater.
In Coyoacan, an old colonial town which is now a suburb of Mexico City, you will visit the famous Blue House, built by Frida Kahlo's father. Frida lived there for most of her life. Close by is Leon Trotsky's house, now a museum.
You will also visit Anahuacalli, a museum built by Diego Rivera for his collection of pre-Hispanic ceramic pieces, which Frida strongly supported. The building has an Aztec-inspired design. Lunch will be at the Fonda San Angel, a neighborhood famous for its Saturday craft market (the Bazar del Sabado) where artists and high quality craftsmen sell their wares. In San Angel you will also visit the Frida/Diego studio designed by Juan O'Gorman.

Day 5: Alameda Central and Chapultepec Park
Visit of Chapultepec Park, including Diego's Tlaloc Fountain and the Modern Art Museum where among other famous paintings you may find the well-known "Two Fridas", which is usually on exhibit.
You will have a buffet lunch during a tour of the Anthropology Museum and then proceed to the Central Alameda Park to see Diego's controversial mural called 'Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda'. The National Ballet Folklorico usually offers a magnificent show at the Palace of Fine Arts, which is right next to the Alameda, every Sunday evening at 8:30 p.m. (Not included, cost is USD 40 per person and reservations can be made on request.)

Day 6: Lola Olmedo Museum and (optional) culinary treat
Visit of the Lola Olmedo Museum with the fabulous collection of Diego Rivera's paintings.
OPTIONAL Culinary treat 'Las Fiestas de Frida y Diego', with visit to the San Juan Market to buy some of the ingredients for a culinary experience in a Mexican house. Meals will be prepared according to recipes from Frida Kahlo and Lupe Marin book. Wine and tequila are included. (Extra cost is USD 70 per person, minimum 6 persons) After lunch, you will head south to the University City and the Olympic Stadium and then on to Cuernavaca where you will stay at the Posada Tlaltenango (other accommodation options available).

Day 7: Taxco and Cuernavaca
Tour to Taxco where Frida and Diego used to take guests for weekend excursions. You will have lunch in Taxco and then return to Cuernavaca and spend the night at the Posada Tlaltenango.

Day 8: Cuernavaca and Cholula
Visit the Cortes' Palace where we will see Diego murals featuring Mexican heroes like Zapata and Morelos. Visit of the Robert Brady Museum, a private home of a wealthy North American featuring one of Frida's self portraits. Continue on to Tepoztlan, for a brief visit. After lunch, you will skirt the mountains to Cholula and Puebla, where you will have dinner and spend the night at the Hotel Colonial.

Day 9: Cholula-Oaxaca
Climbing the Cholula pyramid for a breath-taking view of the region. You will see the Nuestra Senora de los Remedios sanctuary, made with stones taken from Quetzalcoatl 's Temple. Drive over the mountains (Sierra Madre del Sur) to Oaxaca through the beautiful cacti-dotted landscapes. The city of Oaxaca boasts many wonderful places such as the Regional Museum and the Santo Domingo Church. The entire region was one of the Frida and Diego's favorites and they visited it frequently. In Oaxaca Frida acquired many of her beautiful clothes that camouflaged her terrible body cast. Your accommodation in Oaxaca will be Las Mariposas B&B (other options available).

Day 10: Ocotlan and Oaxaca City
Visit of the Ocotlan market and of the Aguilar Family workshop. These potters create delightful clay figures, including little statues of Frida and Diego. You will also visit the old Santo Domingo Monastery in the town of Ocotlan. It was restored by the famous painter Rodolfo Morales and houses some of his work. Return to the city of Oaxaca and visit of the Botanical Garden located inside the Santo Domingo Monastery. The garden features all the local flora from Oaxaca state. Francisco Toledo, a painter dedicated to defending Oaxaca's cultural heritage, was the moving force behind the creation of this wonderful garden. Dinner at a downtown restaurant.

Day 11: Oaxaca, Monte Alban, Mitla and the Tule Tree
American breakfast. Visit Monte Alban, a pivotal archeological site with monumental architecture and wonderful panoramic views. Transfer to the town of Santa Maria del Tule, where you can visit the oldest Ahuehuete tree. It is estimated to be 2,000 years old.
You will continue to Teotitlan del Valle, a town known for wool weavings, and Mitla, an archeological site whose geometrical stone designs have served as the inspiration for many the serape designs sold in Teotitlan. On the way back to Oaxaca, you will visit a rustic mezcal distillery. You will have dinner in a restaurant with live entertainment (the dances of the Guelaguetza, a celebration that shows the variety of traditional dance in this state).

Day 12: Oaxaca-Puebla-Mexico
Departure for Puebla. Visit of the magnificent colonial city of Puebla with its cathedral, Rosario Chapel and Parian Market. After lunch return to Mexico City where you will again stay at the Chalet del Carmen or other hotel.

Day 13: Departure
Transfer to the Mexico City Airport.