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Culinary Tours - Mexico
 7-day Tour to San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato, MEXICO

Detailed Itinerary

Day One A personal driver will meet your flight at the small, comfortable Leon Airport. The trip to San Miguel de Allende lasts approximately 1 1/2 hours through lovely, rugged countryside that is typical of Mexico's central highlands. After arrival, take time to settle into your luxury accommodations, relax, or begin to explore the marvels of San Miguel de Allende, a city so beautiful and historically important that it is protected by the Mexican government as a National Historic Landmark. At sunset we'll gather for a cocktail reception to get acquainted and discuss our plans for the week. Our first dinner will be at one of San Miguel's oldest and most famous restaurants.
Day Two

After breakfast, we'll enjoy a guided walking tour of the city. San Miguel de Allende is known as "The Cradle of Independence" for the important role it played in gaining Mexico's independence from Spain. We'll visit exquisite colonial churches and a museum of local archaeological finds, see 400-year-old restored homes and get a feel for how San Miguel manages to be both a vibrant contemporary Mexican city and a true colonial gem.

After the tour, we'll break for Churros and Chocolate before heading to the local market where we will peruse stalls piled high with tropical fruits, fresh vegetables, chiles, herbs and flowers. We'll select ingredients and use them for preparing our comida. We will look at some of the essential ingredients, equipment and basic techniques used in the Mexican kitchen. Free evening.


Day Three We'll spend the morning shopping at the ceramic factories of Dolores Hidalgo, see a demonstration of how Mexico's famed talavera pottery is made and hand-painted, before returning to San Miguel for a class on the art of making Chiles Rellenos by preparing traditional cheese-stuffed Poblano peppers, as well as Chiles en Nogada and Ancho chiles stuffed with refried beans. Free evening.
Day Four Day trip to Balenario Escondido hot springs to enjoy thermal baths in the healing waters and a picnic lunch in the beautiful gardens. After returning to San Miguel enjoy a massage in the privacy of your accommodations. In the evening we depart for Casa de la Cuesta B&B, which is known for its collection of Mexican folkart, crafts and antiques. We enjoy a tour of the B&B and gallery, and view a spectacular sunset overlooking the city while enjoying ‘bebidas y botanas’ (cocktails and appetizers).
Day Five Artesan tour in San Miguel followed by an afternoon cooking class on Moles. We will learn how to make the traditional black mole, as well as green mole, and then incorporate them into a fabulous meal.
Day Six After breakfast, we are off to Guanajuato, a jewel of a city one hour from San Miguel. Modeled after its sister of Toledo, Spain, this colonial town features underground streets, colorful shops, and houses climbing up the steep hillsides. You will check-in at La Casa d’Espritus Alegres. After settling into your accommodations we will begin our tour and finish with comida at the famous Count of Valenciana Restaurant, situated in an 18th-century ex-hacienda. After returning to La Casa d’Espritus Alegres, we will meet in the evening for a ‘cena’ (light meal) at a local establishment.
Day Seven You have a free morning to explore the many treasures of Guanajuato. In the afternoon we convene for a cooking class to prepare our farewell dinner. Our evening concludes with margaritas in the garden and our dinner at La Casa d’Espritus Alegres.
Day Eight After breakfast, your morning is free. A driver will be at your disposal for the return trip to the Leon airport.

*Itineraries are tentative and may be changed to take advantage of many seasonal events and festivals that may occur.





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