Colonial Mexico & The Day Of The Dead

From Guadalajara, the Jose Cuervo Express train delivers us to the town of Tequila. Disembarking, we head to La Rojeña, where the processes of the oldest distillery in Latin America are revealed. Back in Guadalajara, we see the twin spires of the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady punctuating the sky, before enjoying a Welcome Dinner at Alcade Cocina Franca restaurant, named as one of Latin America’s 50 best restaurants.

The hillside dwellings of the Bajio region present a mulithued and vivid display of colour. After admiring them, we make our way to the grand auditorium of the Juarez Theatre, which hosts theatre performances, dance troupes and international film screenings. Afterwards, we withdraw to Diego Rivera House, to view works of one of Mexico's most prominent painters.

Savour tastings at Cuna de Tierra vineyard, then rise early and soar over San Miguel de Allende in a hot-air balloon. Back on land, we absorb the city’s vibrancy, nowhere more evident than within its tree-lined main square. The opportunity to participate in a private, traditional callejoneada is then offered to us. Unique to this part of Mexico, costumed performers and a traditional band lead us through the streets singing popular songs.

At the ancient site of Teotihuacán, we stand before the imposing twin structures of the Pyramid of the Sun and The Pyramid of the Moon. Enjoy private access to the Atetelco workshop. The daily life of the site's former inhabitants is also illuminated by an archaeologist. An exclusive, after-hours visit to the National Museum of Anthropology then yields comprehensive accounts of the peoples who have collectively known this land as home.

Oaxaca is home to the Zapotec and Mixtec indigenous communities. Here, we join locals as they parade through the streets in colourful costumes as part of the Day of the Dead festivities. San Miguel Cemetery plays host to families commemorating the departed, and we join them amid the many flowers, candles and tributes. From the village of Xoxocotlán, we accompany a family to their local cemetery, where they decorate the tombs of their ancestors.

Our journey draws to an end.