Mexican Flavours

Today is our first full day of this gastronomic adventure and Mexico City has it all! We will first visit the downtown area, including the Zocalo and the Cathedral, built on top of Tenochtitlan - the old Aztec capital. Throughout this tour, we will experience one of Mexico's most famous exports - the taco! We will sample some of the best and most authentic basket tacos, known as 'tacos de canasta', visiting some of the best local taquerias. These soft-shelled tacos are normally filled with marinated pork, beef or chicken as well as more unusual ingredients such as cactus leaves and flower petals. There are vegetarian options abound as well as the more carnivorous dishes!

In the afternoon, we will head to Coyoacan in the south of Mexico City, famous for its coffee and churros culture.  This town retains its colonial charm with cobbled streets, colonial churches and colourful and aromatic markets. 

As we head out of the capital, we will drive north to the magnificent pyramids of Teotihuacan. Although this site was abandoned over thirteen centuries ago, they are still in an incredible state of repair and a spectacular sight on the horizon.  Many centuries after it was abandoned, the Aztecs rediscovered and revered Teotihuacan as 'the Place of the Gods'.  

We will then continue on a short journey to the city of Puebla, passing three of Mexico's most notable volcanos, of Ixtaccihuatl, Popocatepetl and La Malinche. 

Today, we will visit Puebla's Sweet Street! Puebla is a paradise for those with a sweet tooth, with an entire road dedicated to producing and selling sweets, desserts and biscuits. We will head to the former convent of Santa Rosa, where it is said that the famous Mexican dish of 'Mole Poblano' was invented. We will sample the several local varieties of Mole over lunch before driving through cactus country to the city of Oaxaca, one of the best-preserved colonial cities in Mexico. Arriving in the early evening, we stop to sample 'tlayudas', a large crunchy tortilla topped with refried beans, lettuce, avocado and meats of your choice such as grilled steak, chilli pork and cheese, the perfect greeting to this city.

We will head out early to visit the markets of Benito Juarez and 20 de Noviembre, some of the best markets to sample the traditional food of Oaxaca. As well as tasting the different  food in the markets, it is an amazing place to purchase the many ingredients central to Mexican cooking, like avocados, tomatoes, moles and chillies. 

We will then visit the Casa del Mezcal to try a little “aperitif” of the local delicacy, Mezcal. Mezcal means 'oven-baked agave cactus' and you will have the opportunity to learn about the whole process of mexcal production. We will have lunch at the 'Caldo de Piedra' restaurant, so-named after an ancient cooking technique, where raw fish, shrimp and vegetables are cooked on a red hot stone and is added to a delicious soup. You also have the opportunity to visit the Mixtec-Zapotec site of Mitla, just a short bus ride away. 

After breakfast, we will head back to the market with our chef, who will explain the local products and fresh ingredients used in traditional Oaxacan cuisine.  Our chef will also help us buy the necessary ingredients to prepare a traditional dish for lunch. The daily menu may vary, but you will be learning how to prepare a traditional Mexican meal to inspire your friends when you arrive back home!

You will have a free afternoon to explore Oaxaca at your leisure

Today we will visit the temples, pyramids and rock carvings of Monte Alban, set on the hillsides that overlook the green lush valley. The Zapotec Indians built this impressive site thousands of years ago and remains in an excellent state of preservation. 

Today is the final day of this tasty culinary tour and we will take you to the Oaxaca Airport, for your onward flight back home or on to your next exciting destination.