CANDELARIA IN TLACOTALPAN, VERACRUZ January 28 – February 4, 2019 Welcome to the most exciting festival in Mexico with 24 hour a day music and dance and a unique river procession to honor the patrona of Tlacotalpan, the Virgin of Candelaria. Tlacotalpan is a United Nations World Heritage city on the Papaloapan River.

Monday, January 28 – Fly into the city of Veracruz and take an authorized taxi from the airport to the Gran Hotel Diligencias, located on the main square. Welcome reception at the hotel. Tuesday, January 29- Breakfast at the historic Gran Café del Portal next to the hotel. Tour the city, including the port area. Dinner at Che Tango, Gran Café de la Parroquia, or other fine restaurant in the centro. Wednesday, January 30 - Breakfast at Sanborn’s; check out of the hotel; visit the Agustin Lara home and museum in Boca del Rio; dinner at Villa Rica Mocambo; continue on to Tlacotalpan where we will check in to the Casa del Rio. Thurday, January 31 – Breakfast at the Casa del Rio. Walking tour of Talcotalpan. Dinner at Dona Lala, followed by attending the Cabalgata, an incredible horse parade marking the formal opening of the Fiesta de Candelaria. Evening go to nearby Luz de Noche for the jarocho music. It is the Encuentro de Jaraneros and jarana musicians and fandango dancers are all over town literally 24 hours a day. Friday, February 1 – Breakfast at the Casa del Rio. Today is the day of the bulls, when brahma bulls are brought across the wide Papaloapan River and run through parts of the town (may be curtailed by recent law changes in Veracruz). Voladores de Papantla are performing and there is music everywhere. Dinner at Dona Lala. A Mociganga, or colorful parade, will take place in the evening. Saturday, February 2 – 4:30 a.m. we go to the nearby Luz de Noche where the musicians and dancers have been performing all night. From there we join a procession led by hundreds of musicians to go to the Church to perform Las Mananitas for the Virgin of Candelaria. Breakfast at the Casa del Rio. During the day join the crowds celebrating the Virgin as the image is brought out of the church from time to time. Dinner at the Casa del Rio overlooking the Papaloapan River. In the evening the image of the Virgin is brought from the Church, placed on a barge, and with scores of boats joining in, goes on a river procession. We will have “ringside” seats for this at the Casa del Rio. Sunday, February 3 – Breakfast at the Casa del Rio. Return to Veracruz and check in to the Gran Hotel Diligencias. Dinner at Mariscos Villarica. Monday, February 4 – Breakfast at hotel. Depart for airport for return to the United States.

Total price is $1975 per person—includes three nights double occupancy in the Gran Hotel Diligencias and four nights in the Casa del Rio; breakfast and one major meal daily; all tours, excursions, and transportation from Veracruz to Tlcotalpan and return. Price does not include airfare from the United States to Veracruz and return, and transportation from and return to the Veracruz airport. A nonrefundable deposit of $300 per person will hold a place in the program. Full payment must be received by December 7, 2018. Program limited to six participants.