Guadalajara Fiesta

A favorite of travelers and retirees who fall in love with Guadalajara, the pearl of Jalisco. Even though it is Mexico’s second largest city, it still maintains a provincial atmosphere.  Guadalajara is known for the Mexican cowboy costume, the joyful mariachi music, handicrafts, tequila and delicious cuisine. When you visit Lake Chapala and picturesque Ajijic, you’ll see why the area is so popular.  We added the Tequila Express Train with a full day excursion to Tequila where you learn about this important industry, enjoy good food and drink, and lots of authentic Mexican music. Fall in love with Zacatecas, a true colonial jewel.  At your request, we added an extra day for your enjoyment.

DAY 1 Cross the border into Mexico traveling through Monterrey and Saltillo on our way to Matehuala for our first night in Mexico.    Overnight at the Las Palmas Midway Inn in Matehuala.

DAY 2 - Leave for Guadalajara, with a year round spring like climate.  We should arrive around 5:00pm.  After check in, join your guide for a brief get acquainted tour of the downtown area.  See the ornate main plaza, the massive Cathedral and the Plaza Tapatio. Overnight at downtown Holiday Inn in  Guadalajara. AB

DAY 3 - Drive through the countryside pausing at Lake Chapala and on to picturesque Ajijic- beautifully situated on the shores of the lake. Many Americans and  Canadians retire here midst  flowers that bloom year round.  Enjoy  a leisurely lunch at a restaurant on the edge of the lake. Return to the city  via Tlaquepaque Tonight, your guide will take you to Mariachi Plaza where mariachis vie for your attention hoping to be hired for your special event.   Overnight at downtown Holiday Inn in Guadalajara. CB

DAY 4  - The high lite for today is the train ride and the included all day tour on the Tequila Express to the Hacienda San Jose del Refugio. Mariachis, folkloric dancing and lunch are all included at this beautiful old ex-hacienda still producing  tequila of the finest quality. Overnight at downtown Holiday Inn in Guadalajara.  CB, L

DAY 5 - Leave romantic Guadalajara behind as we depart for Zacatecas traveling through Aguascalientes where you have time to shop the many stores in thedowntown area for hand embroidered articles.  Continue to Zacatecas arriving in time to visit La Bufa with a grand overlook of the city.  Explore the cobblestone streets of the downtown area.  Our hotel is right in the center of it all – just across the way from the ornate cathedral.  Overnight at the Hotel Emporio in Zacatecas. CB

DAY 6 - A full day to explore Zacatecas.  Visit Cerro de La Bufa, a beautiful mountain overlooking Zacatecas and the Mask Museum with a collection of 3,000 masks.  Enjoy a narrated Trolley Ride over the main city streets before you enjoy free time on your own to explore to your heart’s content.  Overnight at the Hotel Emporio in Zacatecas.  BB

DAY 7 - Homeward bound through Concepcion de Oro and Saltillo where you can buy Pan de Pulque. Continue through Monterrey crossing the border at Reynosa around 6:30pm with so many fun filled memories of colonial Guadalajara that you too may want to retire in the Guadalajara/Lake Chapala area. BB