MEXICO Photographs and information: web veloso.com/mexico CHIHUAHUA COPPER CANYON RAILWAY LOS MOCHIS BAJA CALIFORNIA GUADALAJARA SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE CHICHEN ITZA MORELIA CANCUN MEXICO CITY PUERTO VALLARTA CUERNAVACA VERA CRUZ PLAYA DEL ZIHUATENEJO MERIDA CARMEN TAXCO UXMAL AKUMAL OAXACA BELIZE SAN CRISTOBAL ACAPULCO PALENQUE TIKAL HUATULCO GUATEMALA Pristine Caribbean Culture the dense vegetation creating a Remote villages remain in isolated timeless, magical atmosphere. coastline, arid desert, pockets of land, where traditional rugged mountains, rural life continues at a pace far Modern Mexico removed from the sprawling The popularity of the stunning canyons, dense jungle metropolis that is Mexico City. sandy beaches has engendered and crisp, freshwater Colourful markets retain their superb infrastructure, excellent Indian traditions. Mariachi bands hotels and services on both the cenotes combine to create proudly perform their blend of Pacific and Caribbean coastlines. ancient and colonial music. Towns one of the world’s greatest and cities are rich in splendid CONTENTS landscape dramas. colonial architecture, painted in MEXICO CITY 141 glorious burnt oranges and ochres, VICEROY TOUR 142 taking one back in time. PACIFIC BEACH 143 COPPER CANYON 144 Ancient Civilisations BAJA CALIFORNIA 145 Ancient cultures flourished in AZTEC TOUR 146 this land centuries ago, leaving OAXACA 147 their majestic temples and MIRADOR TOUR 148 pyramids that surpassed all YUCATAN PENINSULA 150-161 other civilisations of that time. PALAPA TOUR 152 Settlements were mysteriously CENOTE TOUR 153 abandoned to the encroaching YUCATAN BEACH 154-159 jungle before the Conquistadores, BALAM TOUR 160 and many remain entangled in SISAL TOUR 161 Folkloric Dance 140 Mexico City web veloso.com/mexicocity Mexico City is the oldest capital city in the Americas, founded by the Spanish in 1521 on the site of the conquored Aztec capital city. History runs visibly throughout the city, and is visible in the impressive cathedral, the main square, Zocalo, to the ruined Aztec temple next door, the Templo Mayorm, ornate colonial churches, houses and government buildings. This heritage exists alongside the bustle of modern life as Mexico City is also an important business centre and has modernised, creating new trendy areas in Polanco, Roma, San Angel and Condesa with excellent bars, restaurants, shops and hotels. There are parks, wide avenues and countless museums and galleries or classical and modern art. On the outskirts, the massive archaeological site of Teotihuacan bears witness to the ancient Aztec civilisation. Visit the archaeology museum to learn about thousands of years of Mexican civilisation. Teotihuacan archaeological site with impressive pyramids outside Mexico City Rich unique Mexican folklore Excursions available to enhance your visit : Tours of Mexico City including visiting the Anthropology museum Visit Cuernavaca and Taxco outside the city The Pyramids of Teotihuacan Xochimilco canals with a boat trip and local music Colonial towns of Puebla and Cholula ouside the city Sunday morning cycling including avenues closed to traffic Street markets for Arts and crafts Mexican Folklore ballet Coyoacán with Trotsky, Frieda Kahlo and Diego Rivera museums Street market and art exhibition Murals by Diego Rivera Mexico City Hotels Four SeasonsDeluxe Condesa DF First Downtown Boutique Four Seasons is ideally situated on the A 1928 building with a modern minimlist This hotel combines the grandeur of the Paseo de la Reforma, near Chapultepec decor and a central lightwell. Located in a 17th Century Palace with a modern Park and museums from where you can tree lined street in the trendy Condesa interior design, and is located in the explore one of the world's largest and district. The rooftop bar, terrace with historic city centre. There is a glass most dynamic capitals. There are 240 sofas and treetops all around and the covered roof top bar and open air guest rooms with modern amenities and interior patio restaurant serves breakfast swimming pool. The rooms have a warm, some overlook the courtyard and and Japanese/Mexican modern cuisine. minimalist feel with brick, wood and Condesa DF fountains. Reforma’s 500 restaurants offer The rooms are comfortable with a calm, natural colours; all with modern private an unmatched dining experience. There is white and natural mid tones decoration facilities and at least 26sq metres, Wifi, PRICES FROM 4 days • 3 nights also a pool and spa treatments available. and modern bathroom. Wonderful style. safe box, minibar and queen size beds. MEXICO CITY Four Seasons Four Seasons £703 Las Alcobas £684 Zócalo Central Las Alcobas Boutique Condesa DF £652 Tourist Downtown £523 Zócalo Central £295 This hotel is good value and in a good Luxury in the Polanco area to the extent Prices are per person in a Standard Room for double occupancy including accommodation,breakfast, transfers location, on a side street by the main plaza, of offering a Pillow menu, Butler, Bath to/from Mexico Airport. Prices for Triple room, Single Room, and Children available on request. Zócalo, Cathedral and Presidential Palace. menu that the Spa staff will run for you The centre of Mexican life in the city, there in your room and a lighting menu in your Additional Hotels to consider: are numerous shops, bars, restaurants, and room for you to select the most suitable Casa Vieja, Brick,Camino Real, people. The rooms are modern, well lighting combination to match your Emporio Reforma, NH Mexico City, decorated, relatively small but with warm mood. Of course all the other hotel Hyatt, Galerias Plaza, De Cortez, colours. There is a restaurant, and a roof services, facilities and service are on a par W Mexico City, Villa Condesa, Majestic, St Regis,Sheraton Maria Isabel terrace with great views. with this modern stylish luxuty standard. 141 COLONIAL CITIES The Viceroy Tour 7 night itinerary: Mexico City - 3 nights • San Miguel de Allende - 4 night Guanajuato • Dolores Hidalgo • Querétaro - Day trips included Optional on page 143 to 145 : Stay on at a Pacific Beach Resort in Zihuatanejo or Puerto Vallarta or explore Baja California. web veloso.com/viceroy Bellas Artes in Mexico City The historic towns north of Mexico City are hidden gems called Pueblos Days 1-3 Arriving in Mexico City on galleries and then explore on your own: Magicos (Magical Towns) with cobbled streets, colonial houses painted in Friday allows you to visit the city at the the Allende museum is very interesting, bright colours and beautiful churches. The colonial heritage is visible in the weekend, when it is quieter and there are the main square where the cathedral is all more cultural activities and markets. Stay lit up at night and the numerous little architecture, with courtyards and warm earth colours, monuments and the until Monday, visiting the huge Aztec cafes where hot chocolate is a major character of the people. Visit the house of Ignacio Allende, leader of the pyramids at Teotihuacan and the delicacy. Take a full day tour out of town Independence movement, which is now a fascinating museum. Saturday market. You may wish to join to visit the colonial city of Guanajuato local people and families for a walk in and Dolores Hidalgo. Optional excursion Chapultepec park or cycling on Avenida to Atotonilco Sanctuary. (B) Reforma which is closed to traffic on Sundays, take a long lunch in one of the Day 8 Transfer to Mexico City (B) stylish restaurants in San Angel or afternoon tea and cakes watching the Or, visit more of Mexico, enjoy a few world go by in Coyoacán. In Mexico days on the beach at a Beach Resorts: City, there are excellent restaurants with Puerto Vallarta and Zihuatanejo are superb fusion cuisine and there are also shown on the facing page 143. excellent hotels with spa for you to enjoy. Tamarindo, Manzanillo and the Yucatan Stay longer to travel out of town and visit are also possible. Puebla and/or Taxco and Cuernavaca. (B) Please contact us for a complete itinerary including flights. Days 4-7 Drive to Querétaro, stopping to explore and onto San Miguel de PRICES FROM 8 days • 7 nights Allende staying for four nights, which THE VICEROY TOUR £1164 allows three full days to visit major colonial and historic cities of Mexico’s Prices are per person sharing a room for Independence Revolutions. Morning tour double occupancy, and including accommotation and breakfast, all transport of San Miguel de Allende’s history and art and transfers,English speaking guided Street in San Miguel de Allende Cathedral in San Miguel de Allendee excursions, taxes and service charge. San Miguel de Allende Belmond Casa de Sierra Nevada Deluxe This colonial city is located 3 hours and lived here. Sit in the main square to from Mexico City and is much loved by enjoy a coffee and watch the world go The hotel is set in converted 17th and 18th century buildings with innner courtyards Mexicans and visitors alike. The walled by. There are many restaurants, cafes terraces and gardens, one both sides is a street. There is a large pool surrounded by old city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and art galleries to enjoy and explore. wallks, lush foliage and grass, and sunbathing chairs for you to enjoy. There are 37 spacious with a well preserved central square There is also a large and very good art rooms and suites with exquisite decor and all the modern facilities you would expect. The with gardens, Baroque, Neo-Classical market offering paintings by local restaurant across the road serves contemporary Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine in the colonial buildings, the Cathedral and artits, textiles, sculptures, garden perfect setting for this historic town. Your can also try the cookery school, the artists corner the historic home of the Independence furniture and jewellery, among others, and a wonderful range of products and services at the Spa.