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2010: Mexico's Ancient & Colonial Cities
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| Call (516) 487-9400 for more information or to book today! Mention code 8669740 | | Caravan Tours | | Offer valid through 12/24/2010 | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Mexico City | Mexico City : Welcome to the glory of Old Mexico. See the ancient cultures of the Nahua, Aztec, Olmec, Toltec, and Mayan civilizations. Visit the grand colonial cities of Veracruz, Campeche and Merida. Arrive in Mexico City, the capital of this fascinating country with exotic indigenous and international cultures, close yet breathtakingly foreign. Caravan provides a taxi transfer from the Mexico City airport for a two night stay at your centrally located hotel. Rooms are available for check in after 3:00 p.m. Dinner is at your hotel, then join Caravan for an 6:00 p.m. welcome briefing. D | | Day 2 | Mexico City | Mexico City, Teotihuacan Ruins : This morning visit Mexico's grandest archaeological site, Teotihuacan, built by the Nahua. The sixth largest city in the world in 400 A.D., Teotihuacan was mysteriously abandoned 300 years later, centuries before the Aztec occupation. Visit the Jaguar Palace and the Temple of the Plumed Conch Shells. See the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon. Walk the Avenue of the Dead, flanked by temples and palaces. Enjoy lunch. Then, a brief visit to the National Palace. See the murals of Mexico's greatest artist, Diego Rivera. These colorful murals cover Mexico's pre-Columbian Indian history, the colonial period and the Revolution. Next, drive by Mexico City's main square and Cathedral. Visit Mexico City's National Museum of Anthropology in Chapultepec Park. See archaeological treasures of pre-Hispanic civilizations, including the Toltec, Mexica, Aztec, Zapotec, Mixtec, Olmec and Mayan. See the immense Aztec Calendar Stone. Enjoy dinner. BLD | | Day 3 | Veracruz | Mexico City, Veracruz : Morning drive to the port city of Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico. En route see the towering snow-capped Popocatepetl Volcano, weather permitting. Lunch in Veracruz. For centuries Veracruz has been the crossroads to the Americas, with Caribbean, European, African and Mexican cultures. Explore the romantic plaza, the oldest in Mexico, with strolling mariachis, serenading guitarists and marimba bands. Enjoy dinner. BLD | | Day 4 | Palenque | Villa Hermosa, Olmec, Palenque : Mango orchards and pineapple fields give way to lush vegetation and tropical flowers on your drive east today (a box lunch en route). Photostop at Villa Hermosa's La Venta Park. See giant Olmec heads up to twelve feet tall. The Olmecs were the first civilization in Mexico, and believed to be descendants of Africans. Continue to Palenque for a relaxing two night stay. Dinner tonight. BLD | | Day 5 | Palenque | Palenque : Palenque is magical. Here, mysterious Mayan ruins are set against a natural backdrop of jungle foliage. See the Main Plaza, the Temple of the Inscriptions and the Group of the Cross. See the four story observation tower rising from the huge rectangular palace. Unique in the Mayan world, this observation tower is believed to have been constructed to view the winter solstice. After lunch, your day is at leisure to enjoy the tropical gardens of your resort. Enjoy dinner. BLD | | Day 6 | Campeche | Yucatan, Campeche : Head north this morning into the Yucatan Peninsula. Enjoy lunch overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Next to the fortified Spanish colonial city of Campeche. Free time to explore the historic center. Your hotel is conveniently located near the main plaza. Enjoy dinner. BLD | | Day 7 | Merida | Uxmal, Merida : Morning drive through the Puuc Hills to visit ancient Uxmal, dating back to 600 A.D. At Uxmal, see the Pyramid of the Magicians, the Nunnery Quadrangle, the Governor's Palace with its 20,000 intricately carved lace-like stones and the Turtle House. Enjoy lunch overlooking the ruins. Next, drive to Merida, Yucatan's capital and cultural center, for a two night stay. Your hotel is ideally located near the Plaza Principal, lined with shops, cafes, strolling mariachis, and serenading guitarists. Enjoy dinner. BLD | | Day 8 | Merida | Merida, Chichen Itza : Morning drive to visit the Mayan-Toltec ruins of Chichen Itza. See the Castle Pyramid. Visit the Ballcourt, the Sacred Cenote and the Group of a Thousand Columns. Learn about achievements made by the Maya more than 1500 years ago, including the 365 day, 19 month Mayan Haab calendar. Enjoy lunch. Return to Merida. Drive by Merida's colonial mansions. Merida offers great shopping for paintings, handicrafts, hammocks and huipiles. Enjoy dinner. BLD | | Day 9 | Cancun | Merida, Cancun : After breakfast, Caravan transfers you from Merida to Cancun. Arrive at Cancun airport at 11:30 a.m. Schedule flights after 1:30 p.m. Thanks for vacationing with Caravan. Muchas Gracias B |
| | | Mexico City : Sheraton Centro Historico | | Veracruz : Gran Hotel Diligencias | | Palenque : Mision Palenque | | Campeche : Hotel Del Mar | | Merida : Casa del Balam | |
| * Prices are per-person, double occupancy
Airfare is not included or sold by Caravan.
Plus Taxes and Fees:
Double $189; Triple $184; Single $229 How to Reserve Space
You can reserve space free for up to 3 days, then a $300 deposit per person is due. Full payment due 60 days prior to departure. In Latin America, Caravan transfers you between the airport and hotel on the starting and ending dates of your tour. All Meals Included
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner *indicates Super Value date
**indicates Great Value date |
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