On this journey designed for families, we will learn about the ancient Maya and explore their former ceremonial centers, we’ll visit and interact with local Maya communities to learn of their living traditions, we will refresh in the cool blue green water of the cenotes and enjoy a combination of natural wonders, ancient Maya history, local cuisine and music and dancing.
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.
This extraordinary journey takes us to singular and diverse regions of Mexico in Oaxaca, Puebla, Tlaxcala and Mexico City. Not only will we be able to appreciate the vast diversity of Mexico, we’ll learn about the varied textile traditions in natural dyes, weaving and embroidery. We’ll savor new flavors, meet artisans and visit ancient archeological sites! Join us on this journey to a different Mexico!.
Experience the natural wonders of the Baja California peninsula, from the gray whales and endangered sea turtles in the majestic setting of in a sea turtle research camp in Magdalena Bay to the aquatic wonderland of Espíritu Santo Island. You’ll get your feet wet on this participatory experience that lets you work alongside fishermen and conservationists!.
Baja California is a singular physical landscape, that has equally singular expressions in food and a burgeoning micro-wine industry. Join us to experience the best of Baja’s cuisine, wine and craft beers in Tijuana, Tecate, Valley of Guadalupe, Ensendada and more! Meet chefs, vintners and others involved in the region and learn why the food style, as coined by one chef, is known as “Baja Med“. Join us!
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…
The Flavors & Landscapes
Wine Country, Baja Cuisine, Craft Beers and More! Baja California is a singular physical landscape, that has equally singular expressions in food and a burgeoning micro-wine industry. Given its climate and soil, the cuisine is akin to a Mediterranean one, and has been coined, “Baja Med” by Chef Miguel Angel Guerrero, one of its early and foremost protagonists…
From the Colonial Era to present, we learn how the people and communities of African descent helped shaped Mexico’s past and continue to express traditions in art, dance, music and food that reflect their heritage. Few people know about them, as their history has been little studied and told. This, however is changing as UNESCO, community activists and academics…
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 musical heritage & traditions of African Descendants of this South American country. Attending the Petronio Alvarez Music Festival, we’ll learn of the multiple rhythms and influences of Pacific Colombia. From Cali, the epicenter of the marimba sounds, salsa music and dancing, we’ll move to Medellin, this fascinating city in Antioquia to learn about social renewal in this city. We’ll continue dancing and listening to the regional sounds!
This extraordinary journey provides an excellent overview of where South America begins! With its vast mountain chains and its fertile green valleys, you will see how this combination of latitude and altitude make it one of the world’s coffee growing centers. We will explore the fascinating world of Cali, where salsa dancing reins supreme. We also will visit the pearl of the Caribbean, the walled city of Cartagena…
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.
