Itinerary

Day 1: HOME - OAXACA

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Upon individual arrivals, transfer to the Hostal de la Noria, a colonial-style hotel located on Ave. Hidalgo, just two blocks from the zócalo (town square). Gather this evening for an orientation and festive welcome reception. (R)

Accommodation: HOSTAL DE LA NORIA (view website)

Day 2: OAXACA SUNDAY MARKET

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Explore the authentic village market in Oaxaca. Stroll among stalls piled high with agricultural products and crafts as Indians from the surrounding villages come to town to sell and shop. Intricate baskets, mounds of dried chilies and herbs, and carefully stacked vegetables make a walk through the market a multi-sensory experience. The scene is timeless and colorful. We make a special visit to “Chocolate Street” to see how chocolate is made and to taste some samples. Return to Oaxaca’s zócalo to hear the State Band perform followed by lunch and a walking tour. Oaxaca’s zócalo is considered one of the prettiest main plazas in all of Mexico. This evening, gather for dinner. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: HOSTAL DE LA NORIA (view website)

Day 3: SANTA MARIA DEL TULE - TEOTITLAN DEL VALLE – YAGUL

Monday, January 26, 2009

Visit Santa Maria del Tule to see the legendary Tule Tree, one of the oldest and largest trees in existence. Our next stop is Teotitlán del Valle, where many families continue the practice of weaving rugs using wooden pedal looms introduced by the Spanish in the 16th century. Some weavers follow ancient geometric patterns and use wool in earth tones and others have adopted more contemporary designs and colors. Following lunch, we tour Yagul, which was settled by the Zapotecs around 500 B.C. and taken over by the Mixtecs in the late 10th century. Dinner is on your own tonight. (B,L)

Accommodation: HOSTAL DE LA NORIA (view website)

Day 4: SANTO DOMINGO AND REGIONAL MUSEUM

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Visit Santo Domingo, one of the most lavish baroque churches in Mexico, known for its gilded rosary chapel.Take a guided tour of the neighboring ethnobotanical garden, exhibiting Oaxaca’s rich biodiversity. Following lunch, visit the Regional Museum, which houses the incredible gold treasures found in 1932 in Tomb 7 at Monte Albán.The remainder of the day is free to explore the city and visit the many art galleries and handicraft shops that line the walking esplanade that links the zocalo and Santo Domingo. (B,L)

Accommodation: HOSTAL DE LA NORIA (view website)

Day 5: MONTE ALBÁN – ARRAZOLA – CUILAPAN

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

This morning visit Monte Albán, the religious, political and commercial center of the Zapotec culture for over1,200 years beginning around 500 B.C. The city was built on a flattened hilltop overlooking the lush Oaxaca Valley. Our tour includes the grassy Great Plaza, the ball court, the Building of the Dancers and the maze of temples and palaces of the Northern Platform. Following lunch on your own, continue to Arrazola, a woodcarving village where families create fantastical representations of animals. Visit several homes of artisans to see them at work. Before returning to Oaxaca, stop at Cuilapan de Guererro, one of the oldest settlements in the valley. Here, we visit the Dominican ex-convent of Santiago Apóstol, left unfinished in the mid-16th century. Its open-air chapel is characteristic of religious construction around the time of the Conquest. (B)

Accommodation: HOSTAL DE LA NORIA (view website)

Day 6: OCOTLÁN - SANTO TOMAS JALIEZA - SAN BARTOLO COYOTEPEC

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Today we visit several more of Oaxaca’s surrounding villages. In Ocotlán we meet the Aguilar sisters, the town’s most famous potters, in their home studios. Their colorful work includes humorous figures of daily life. Continue to Santo Tomas Jalieza to watch the women and young girls weave belts on back strap looms in the town’s zócalo. Today’s last stop is San Bartolo Coyotepec, a town well known for its black pottery. A local woman, Doña Rosa, developed the technique of smoking the pottery during firing to make it black and rubbing the pieces with quartz to make them shine. Watch a demonstration by her son who carries on the tradition. (B,L)

Accommodation: HOSTAL DE LA NORIA (view website)

Day 7: OAXACA CITY - COOKING CLASS

Friday, January 30, 2009

Today we participate in a hands-on cooking class incorporating local products and techniques. We will shop the local markets for our ingredients, and enjoy our dishes for lunch. Enjoy free time in the city this afternoon before gathering for a farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: HOSTAL DE LA NORIA (view website)

Day 8: OAXACA – HOME

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Transfer to the airport this morning for flights home. Arrangements can be made for those who want to spend a few extra days in Mexico City exploring its museums or relaxing at a resort on the coast. (B)