Day One: Arrive Guadalajara, Welcome Dinner, Mariachis, Tequila and Regional Cuisine!, Overnight Guadalajara

Arriving in Guadalajara (GDL), you’ll be met at the airport and transfer to our centrally located hotel, Hotel Morales. We’ll gather in the hotel lobby to kick off our trip with a Welcome Dinner. Mariachis and Tequila included!

Day Two: Highlights of Guadalajara: Jose Clemente Orozco and More, Overnight Guadalajara

Today is dedicated to a walking tour in the Historic Center of Guadalajara. We’ll visit the City Highlights, and will also focus on the magnificent Murals by Jose Clemente Orozco, known as one of the “Big Three” Muralists, along side Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros. Orozco’s Murals in the Hospicio Cabañas is considered the Sistine Chapel of Mexico. We’ll enjoy lunch along the way! Dinner is at leisure, and we’ll provide a list of recommendations.

Day Three: Tlaquepaque and Tonala: The Artisans and Potters of Jalisco, Overnight Guadalajara

On the outskirts of Guadalajara is the famed pottery town of Tonala. Today is dedicated to artisan, workshop visits to learn about their craft in “barro brunido”, burnished pottery, “petatillo”, “canela”, “bandera”, “betus” and other styles / techniques, so renowned in this region. We’ll visit some of the great masters of this art form, including several artisans who have attended Fiesta Latina!

Day Four: The Cuervo Experience, Overnight Tequila

Today we’ll visit the fields,  distillery,  and enjoy a special tequila tasting event with our friends at Tequila Cuervo. We’ll break for lunch, before visiting the new Cuervo Cultural Center / Museum and have a special guided tour of  “The Art of the Charro Exhibition” (on loan from the National Museum of History in Mexico City), and an exhibition of Grandes Maestros de Banamex. (B) Overnight Tequila at the new Cuervo Hotel!

Day Five: Charro for a Day! Private Lienzo Charro Experience

Today we’ll enjoy a private demo called a “Lienzo Charro” to learn about the history and techniques used in charro competitions. These masterful techniques were historically related to the work of the ranch hands and the harnessing of their animals in the employment of the work of the rancher. Charreria is the precursor and influence for the rodeo in the U.S.  We’ll also enjoy a demo of the famed Escaramuzas, lovely women dressed beautifully in their charra garb who demonstrate extraordinary control and skill in maneuvering theirr horses in rapid-fire criss cross patterns, insuring that the crossing horses are perfectly timed and synchronized.

Day Six: Hacienda de Franca,  Farewell Comida

Today we’ll drive to the outskirts of Guadalajara, to visit a stunning Hacienda with the most breathtaking view of the dramatic “barrancas” of this region of Jalisco. We’ll enjoy a lovely farewell “comida” here.

Day Seven: Return Flights or Extend!