Art of the Charro: & Feria Maestros del Arte!

November 3-11, 2018

Cultural Journeys

Mexico | Colombia | Guatemala www.tiastephanietours.com | (734) 769 7839 The Art of the Charro & Tequila! JALISCO |

On this journey to Jalisco, we’ll immerse ourselves in all things “charro”. From the art of the charro in the beautiful “piteado” work on their saddles and belts, to their masterful work on the horse, we will experience this expression, so associated with Jalisco. In addition, we’ll explore the murals of Jose Clemente Orozco in Guadalajara, visit master potters in Tonala, learn about the unique prehispanic cultures of this region, and explore the town of Tequila, home to the distilled beverage that shares its name. In Tequila we’ll see how Tequila is produced, from plant to bottle. Finally, we end our journey on the shores of Lake Chapala to attend the annual Feria Maestros del Arte, an art fair that brings the best of Mexican art and craft to Chapala during one bright and festive weekend! Join us on this unique journey to explore the BEST of Jalisco and the Art of the Charro!

LOCATION

Program Highlights

• Explore of “charreria” • Full experience of the Charreada. • Visit the Historic Center • Special visit to location in the mountains of Tequila! • Visit to the local Museum • Visit Feria Maestro del Arte Itinerary

Day 1: Day 3: of Guadalajara, to learn of the craft November 3, Arrive in Guadalajara, November 5, Tequila! traditions of this region, namely pottery. Transfer to Hotel. Hotel Morales. Today we will travel to the town of Tequila is a charming village, where Activities will depend on time of arrival, to learn everything about this distilled we will enjoy lunch and a brief visit to but we will plan for a cocktail reception spirit that is synonymous with Mexico. the local Museum, followed by a visit to (remember we are in tequila country!) and We will see how the “jimadores” extract Tonala, where we will visit select great a presentation, introduction, overview the “pina” pineapple core and how the Masters of Mexican Art, potters. (B, L). of “charreria”! We will enjoy a welcome juice is extracted, fermented and later dinner based on regional cuisine. Overnight distilled. We will visit two tequila firms, Day 5: Guadalajara (D) one a large one: Cuervo, and another, a Wednesday, November 7, Ancient Site of boutique producer, Cofradias. Lunch will Guachimontones and Hacienda. Day 2: be at this later charming location in the Today we will visit the fascinating site November 4, Attend the Charreada and mountains of Tequila! (B, L). known as Guachimontones, a circular Visit the Charros of Jalisco! structure that is unlike any other in Mexico Today we get a full experience of the Day 4: (most similar to sites like Tzintzuntzan on Charreada by attending one! In addition, November 6, Guadalajara City Tour, the shores of Lake Patzcuaro). Here, we we will visit the people, families, followed by Tlaquepaque and Tonala. will learn about the ancient civilizations personalities who have maintained the Today, we will explore the great capital of Western Mexico. These civilizations charreria tradition from generation to city of Jalisco, Guadalajara, which dates to had cultural traits and characteristics generation. Because of our contacts in the the 16th century. While we will explore the that had more in common with Andean region, we will be meeting some of the colonial architecture of yellow “cantera” cultures that those commonly known most renowned charros of Mexico! We will or quarried stone, our focus will be on as “Mesoamerican”. One of these return to Guadalajara for lunch at a lovely the magnificent murals of Jose Clemente characteristics was in fact the circular restaurant, with the rest of the afternoon Orozco. In the Hospicio las Cabanas, structures (we call pyramids), and shaft free for strolling and photography in the we will see one of his masterpieces, tombs for burying their dead. We will enjoy Historic Center. (B, L). considered the Sistene Chapel of our Lunch at a charming Hacienda that will Mexico. We will travel to the suburbs take us back to the Colonia Era. (B, L). Itinerary

Day 6: Day 9: Thursday, November 8, Charro Dress Maestros del Arte. We have free time to Sunday, November 11, Return Flights Workshops & Colotlan to learn about explore and shop for some of the finest arts Home or extend a day to enjoy Sunday in “pita” Fiber and crafts from all of Mexico! The Feria is in Chapala (B) Today we visit the silver, leather, hat its 17th year, and has been growing, given its workshops and all elements that go into huge success and hard work of the expat and Note: the dress of the Charro. From here, we national community who live in Lake Chapala Costs associated with trip interruption or travel to a hotter region, where the special and Ajijic. (B) modification due to weather, conditions, bromeliad plant grows that provides political/civil disputes, medical emergencies the fiber for the “pita”, which is the fine Day 8: or other causes beyond our control. Travel white thread used to embellish the finest Saturday, November 10, Feria Maestros Insurance is recommended for this purpose. saddles, belts, stirrups of the Charro and del Arte, Chapala. his/her horse. (B, L) Today we return to the Feria Maestros del Arte to get those treasures we do not want to Day 7: leave behind! A special farewell sunset dinner Friday, November 9, Lake Chapala, Feria cruise will bring a perfect close to our week Maestros del Arte exploring the BEST of Jalisco! (B, D) Today we travel to Lake Chapala and we will be amongst the first to arrive at the Feria