DAY FOUR - Uxmal Light & Sound Panoramic city sightseeing tour of major landmarks and monuments en route to Uxmal, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Uxmal represents the height of Maya art and architecture. Dinner and swimming near the site before your admission to the spectacular light and sound show. DAY FIVE - Caminata & Compras Guided walking tour of Merida's Centro Historico from Santa Lucia Park to the Plaza Grande. In lieu of the traditional guided tour, teachers can elect Interact's original Caminata del Centro & Sabores interACTion: exclusive student maps - with bilingual historical explanations of each landmark - permit each group to explore at their own pace and to purchase and sample popular regional snacks and refreshments during their exploration. DAY SIX - Volunteer Project/Cooking interACTion Today’s activities include a special visit to the private home of Familia Cardenas. This family has directed our Merida homestay for decades and now they have opened their home to all Interact students. Participate in our cooking interACTion, while sampling Yucatecan DAY ONE - Mexico City specialties. Then, complete your day with a humanitarian You come to see the sights of this modern world capital interACTion in a local orphanage, where you’ll help the and discover the heart and soul of the ancient Aztec children with their homework or play games. Please empire. Practicalities walk: Zocalo, Diego Rivera murals, bring basic school supplies. Interact makes a donation to Cathedral, Aztec ruins. Conclude with a visit to La Ideal, the local institution. the "Disney" of cake decorating. DAY SEVEN - Chichen & Cenotes/Isla Mujeres DAY TWO - Museums & Markets Your first stop is Chichen Itza, recently named as one of Panoramic sightseeing includes Bellas Artes, Alameda the New Seven Wonders of the World. Following your Park, Reforma Boulevard, Angel of Independence, and a exploration in the coolness of the jungle morning, swim drive through Las Lomas, an exclusive upper class in a cenote, a pristine subterranean lake. Continue to neighborhood. Tour Chapultepec Castle. Then, stroll Puerto Juarez for your rapid boat transfer to Isla through the park and past the lakes on your way to the Mujeres: idyllic beaches, quaint shops, affordable Museum of Anthropology. Later, bargain with the restaurants, and friendly natives. vendors in the popular Ciudadela Craft Market or the legendary San Juan. DAY EIGHT - ¡Viva Isla! Relax in your hotel pool, browse the souvenir markets or DAY THREE - Teotihuacan/Merida arrange an optional activity such as a snorkeling tour, or Today’s touring includes the Plaza of Three Cultures, Dolphin Discovery. Shrine of Guadalupe, and Teotihuacan. Explore this mammoth site before having lunch where you’ll witness DAY NINE – Return to United States a maguey and onyx demonstration. Later, fly to Merida. Transfer to your hotel or greeting by your homestay MIDWEEK DEPARTURES 9 days/8 nights director and your host families in the airport lobby. NIGHTS MERIDA HOST FAMILIES live in middle class neighborhoods along the Mexico City 2 Paseo Montejo. Host families are relatives, neighbors, or long-time friends of Merida Hotel or Homestay 4 our directors. Regardless, all are monitored and continually evaluated. Isla Mujeres 2 Everyone speaks Spanish in the home. Most student bedrooms are air- MEALS conditioned and all have ceiling fans. Host families provide private car Daily breakfast & lunch or dinner. transfers for all scheduled activities. Our directors host a memorable final Host families provide all meals. evening farewell fiesta for all students and families. .