Spring
break is rapidly coming to mean Chiapas for us. For
the third year in a row we are planning to spend our spring
break in the incredibly beautiful southernmost state of Mexico. The
physical beauty of the state, the incredible arts and crafts
(particularly in the textiles), the churches and the museums,
the marvelous Maya culture, and the distinctive cuisine all
keep us coming back.
Saturday, March 13 – arrive in Tuxtla
Gutiérrez, the capital of Chiapas. Take an airport
taxi to the Holiday Inn, where your room will be reserved. We
will have dinner and a brief orientation at an elegant Spanish
restaurant, Asador Castellano.
Sunday,
March 14 – After breakfast at the hotel travel to the Sumidero
Canyon on the Grijalva River for an incredible boat ride in the
canyon. Afterwards, travel to San Cristóbal de las
Casas and check into the Hotel Posada Paraiso, near the main
square. Dinner at the hotel’s L’Eden restaurant,
perhaps San Cristóbal’s finest. Evening free.
Monday,
March 15 – Breakfast at the hotel every day. Walking
tour of San Cristóbal, including the Cathedral and the
Santo Domingo church with its adjoining crafts market Lunch
at La Paloma. Evening free.
Tuesday,
March 16 – Travel to the pottery center of Amatenango. Continue
on to the amazing waterfall of El Chiflón. Return
by way of Comitán, where we will eat in the lovely Matisse
Restaurant.
Wednesday,
March 17 – Visit museum-research center of Na Bolom, the
former home of Swiss anthropologist and photographer Gertrude
(Trudy) Blom and her husband, Danish archeologist Frans Blom. Lunch
at the Casa del Pan. In the evening, visit the private
museum of Sergio Castro, featuring the very best collection of
typical clothing in Chiapas.
Thursday,
March 18 – Visit the traditional Maya villages of San Juan
Chamula, with its extraordinary church, and Zinacantán
and its exceptional small museum . Dinner at Pierre Restaurant
Francé in San Cristóbal.
Friday,
March 19 – Free day for visiting additional museum, markets,
etc. guided, if desired by Tot and Ward. Farewell dinner
(despedida) at L’Eden.
Saturday,
March 20 - Transportation to airport in Tuxtla Gutiérrez
for return to the United States.
Total
cost of the program is $1,345.00 per person, which includes
seven nights double occupancy accommodations (single supplement
is $350); breakfast every day; one major meal every day; all
entires fees and excursions; return transportation to the airport
in Tuxtla Gutiérrez Not included is air fare
from and return to the United States and transportation from
the airport in Tuxtla Gutiérrez to the hotel.
A
non-refundable deposit of $200 will hold your place in the program. Full
payment is due one month before departure and after that date
no payments are refundable.
Participation
in this program will be limited to ten people.
