October & November 2018
Day of the Dead in Michoacán is one of Mexico’s most revered and unique holidays, that combines pre-Hispanic rituals with Catholic traditions. During this time, families gather to remember their departed loved ones. It is believed that through this reflection and memory, they are kept alive!
February-2019
Veracruz, Chinantla, Oaxaca & Tehuacan, Puebla Visit the Port of Veracruz and the Museum of Anthropology in Xalapa! We’ll view private textile collections, and travel on an extraordinary journey to a region rarely visited in Oaxaca’s Papaloapan Basin. The natural landscape is varied…
Maíz, Mole & Mezcal:
Oaxaca has become a “hot spot” for culinary travel, yet its foods are ancestral. From native corn, to the land of mole and mezcal, Oaxaca is a place to savor with all the senses. This culinary journey will take you on a veritable historic journey, beginning with the ancestral foods, the sustenance of Mexico today, and will also showcase contemporary expressions of these heritage foods.
Based in Oaxaca City, we’ll explore Oaxaca, and the surrounding communities of the Central Valleys. Communities such as: San Bartolo Coyotepec, known for its black pottery; San Martin Tilcajete, for its whimsical carved wood “alebrijes” and to Teotitlan del Valle, where we will meet extraordinary weavers and dyers in this legendary “tapestry” weaving town….
Art, Culture & Cuisine!
On this journey of learning and discovery, we explore the history and expressions of Art in Mexico. In order to understand the vision and temperament of Diego and Frida, we will learn of History and Politics of Mexico, that is the only way to contextualize their art and lives. Get ready for your impressions of Mexico City’s Historic Center! Arriving at the grand and vast Zocalo, we’ll see the great clash of cultures in the 16th Century, that forever changed the course of Mexico’s history. We’ll also visit the Pre Hispanic site of Teotihuacan…
We explore the multiple ethnic communities of Oaxaca (and Guerrero) to learn of their cultural and ethnic expressions in dress and textiles. From the Amuzgo in Guerrero to the Mixtec, Huave, Zapotec in Oaxaca we will see how textile traditions and dress are a cultural passport and unique expression of the women (and some men) who live in this region.
Welcome to tequila country! Enjoy the art of “charreria” and regional cuisine of Guadalajara, Jalisco. Learn everything about the distilled spirit that is synonymous with Mexico. Explore the colonial architecture of yellow “cantera” or quarried stone, and admire the magnificent murals of Jose Clemente Orozco… Tour coming November 2018
Join us on a journey to learn about and witness one of nature’s wonders–the monarch butterfly migration. Here, in the fir trees of Michoacan at between 8,000-12,000 feet, the monarch butterflies take rest for the winter months after flying over 3,000 miles. Here, they cluster in groups on the fir trees to stay warm. During the day, they enjoy the sunshine and can be seen flying in massive groups…
Join us on this Special Event Journey to see special exhibits of Frida’s artwork and collection of indigenous clothing. Frida was born on July 6, 1907. Yet, at Casa Azul where Frida grew up, painted on the wall it reads, “Here Frida Kahlo was born on July 7, 1910”, the year of the outbreak of Mexico’s Revolution. Which is correct?…
Medellin & Cartagena! June 2018
This special travel program is designed around the singular Expoartesanias Colombia, the largest and most important gathering and showcase of Colombia’s artisans and their art. The Expoartesanias handcraft fair, is entering its 27th year and features the finest in Colombia’s diverse traditional and contemporary craft from the entire country.
Maya Textiles and Traditions:
The Guatemala countryside is beautiful and its people are warm. Surrounded by volcanoes, Lake Atitlan is one of the most beautiful places on earth. On this journey, we’ll travel to regions and communities in the Guatemala Highlands, home to the Maya people. Beginning in Guatemala City, we’ll visit the Ixchel Museum of Maya Textiles and Popol Vuh Museum of History, in order to get our grounding in the country we are about to visit.
This trip explores the cultures of Colombia, traveling along the Caribbean Coast. We begin in Cartagena and have an overview of the people, crafts and cultures of Colombia with the fine folks at Artesanias de Colombia. Then we’ll begin exploring! Cartagena, Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Riohacha, Cabo de la Vela in the Guajira Peninsula await.
Salsa dancing is to Cali, Colombia as Tango dancing is to Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is a way of life, a lifestyle, a social mingling place and given the competitions in recent years, such as the International Salsa Competition, a path to stardom. Also, the salsa dancing in Cali is unique; it is very fast and athletic. People travel from all over the world to see and learn from the best: the salsa dancers in Cali, Colombia.
Join us on an extraordinary journey to Colombia to learn about the heritage & traditions of African Descendants of this South American country. We will explore the History and Present Day expressions from the Caribbean Coast to the Pacific. Traveling to Cartagena & vicinity, we visit a community called San Basilio Palenque, established in honor of Cimarron, liberator and martyr, Benkos Bioho…
Whether it’s Culture & Cuisine, Textile Traditions, Ancient Civilizations, Art History or Festivals, let us take you beyond the beach resorts. Our unique approach combines education with off the path itineraries, designed to build greater understanding of and appreciation for the richness and complexity of Mexico, Colombia and beyond. Read about our travels here:
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