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A Taste of Puebla in Central Mexico

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Priced From
$2,798 USD *
(For One Person, Double Occupancy)
* Plus taxes. Tours sold on an availability basis.
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7 days | 6 nights

Pueblan Cuisine in Charming Tlaxcala
Cooking with Señora Estela Salas Silva

This is your opportunity to discover dishes far beyond what is normally thought of as Mexican Food. Here you’ll find a mixture of indigenous, French and Spanish kitchens with a strong “Middle Eastern” influence due to the Moorish rule of Spain for 500 years. The wonderful part is that you don’t have to be an advanced cook to learn this type of cooking. Classes are based on the ability of each person and make the techniques quite simple to learn. Your Puebla culinary vacation is located in Tlaxcala, a well hidden gem that is off the usual tourist routes and takes you back to Mexico as it was years ago; magnificent colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, wrought-iron bandstand sidewalk cafés for a cappuccino, people watching and of course shopping.

A Taste of Puebla in Central Mexico

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Itinerary Accommodations Map FAQ Testimonials
VACATION HIGHLIGHTS
Please note: Tour inclusions can change depending upon seasonality and weather conditions.
•6 Nights B&B Accommodations
•Mexico City Round-Trip Transfers
•All Meals & Beverages During Stay
•4 Traditional Pueblan Cooking Classes
•Cultural History Tour of Old Tlaxcala
•Guided Produce & Spice Market Tour
While our tours are designed as soft adventure experiences, walking, climbing stairs, and in rare cases mild hiking may be required. If you have mobility issues, you should speak with one of our culinary travel specialists to determine if this tour is appropriate for your situation.
AVAILABLE DATES
This tour runs Sunday to Saturday throughout the season except for Day of the Dead Week which starts on Monday. Select the Orange "Check Pricing & Dates" button above to see availability dropdown.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Please note: Actual itineraries are subject to change due to seasonality.
Click arrows (▶) to show details
Day 1
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Complimentary Airport Transfers from Mexico City From your arrival at the airport, you are in our hands and well cared for. Once our private driver has met you, your vacation begins, and you are here to relax, unwind, and enjoy yourself while you learn Mexican home cooking. From Mexico City Airport your 1.5-hour drive will be via a modern 4-lane expressway over pine-covered mountains. Be sure to look out to the right as you go over the mountains for a view of the two local volcanoes. Watch for a close-up view of snow-covered Popocatepetl Volcano, and occasional visible smoke. Your package also includes a return to Mexico City airport via the Luxury Airport Shuttle, which departs every half-hour from Puebla non-stop to your airline at the airport.
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Welcome Dinner with Magical Margaritas! Upon arrival at Hacienda, you will be enjoying a fun and festive welcome, with a cocktail and the chance to meet and greet with both fellow vacationers and your hosts. You will have your choice of soft drinks, beer, wine or the classic Mexican drink: Margaritas. Time to enjoy a classic "Pueblan" dinner prepared by Doña Estela which will set the tone for the type of cuisine you will learn to create in your hands-on cooking classes during your week in Mexico. You will discover secrets passed down through generations that create the unique flavors of this delightful region.
Day 2
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Mexican Breakfast Each morning you will enjoy a typical breakfast of Puebla Cuisine. Weather permitting, breakfast is served on the Hacienda’s outside patio, amid the lush greenery for which this part of the country is known. The menu today will be fresh juice, llevos mexicanos (eggs Mexican style), tortillas, and coffee or tea.
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Hands-On Cooking Class with Lunch Your lunch today will include Crema de Flor de Calabacitas (Cream of Squash Blossom Soup), traditional Poblano soup that is a very delicate milk-based squash blossom soup with roasted poblano chile and requeson cheese (goat cheese, ricotta, or feta), finished with epazote or dill; Pipian Verde con bistec en Relleno (this dish is sometimes called a Mole Verde, stuffed beef rolls in Pipian sauce). It is a traditional Pueblan interpretation of French stuffed meat rolls with a nod to Emperor Maximilian who brought the French Court to Mexico City, and a nod to the Near East with sauce featuring sesame seeds, cumin, and cloves, and includes the indigenous pumpkin seeds. This dish is served with traditional Mexican red rice.
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Free Time to Explore You may wish to visit Puebla, and see archeological and historical sites such as Cacaxtla, Xochitecatl or Cholula. Other suggestions are a visit to the hot springs of Chignahuapan, or even hiking the volcanoes (there are three volcanoes in the surrounding area). The Hacienda works closely with a taxi company to arrange trips to town or optional excursions. These are all unguided options, and the only additional cost is associated with the taxi.
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Traditional Dinner Featuring Pueblan Cuisine Each day, weather permitting, dinner is served on the outside patio of the Hacienda. You will have your choice of beer, wine, or a margarita with your meal. The menu tonight will include Amendrado (Almond Pork, duck, or chicken) usually with duck depending on availability, a luxurious sauce with Serrano chiles, tomatoes, almonds, cloves, cinnamon, and sesame seeds, adding a touch of the Middle East. This dish will be served with white rice and dill. For dessert, you will be served Buñuelos, a traditional thin fritter-like dessert dredged in vanilla sugar.
Day 3
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Mexican Breakfast Each morning you will enjoy a typical breakfast of Puebla Cuisine. Weather permitting, breakfast is served on the Hacienda’s outside patio, amid the lush greenery for which this part of the country is known. The menu today will be fresh juice, llevos mexicanos (eggs Mexican style), tortillas, and coffee or tea.
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Second Hands-On Cooking Class The real gourmet cooking secrets and traditions of Puebla cuisine remained in households for special occasions; it is almost never found in restaurants. During your culinary vacation, Estela will be teaching you traditional classic recipes from the city of Puebla, as well as dishes that are unique to her family. For each class, guests will work alongside Estela, preparing dishes for lunch and dinner. Classes are small, so that the close interaction with Chef Estela offers the full learning experience so vital an ingredient in any cooking class.
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Traditional Pueblan Lunch Your lunch today will include Crema de Flor de Calabacitas (Cream of Squash Blossom Soup), traditional Poblano soup that is a very delicate milk-based squash blossom soup with roasted poblano chile and requeson cheese (goat cheese, ricotta, or feta), finished with epazote or dill; Pipian Verde con bistec en Relleno (this dish is sometimes called a Mole Verde, stuffed beef rolls in Pipian sauce). It is a traditional Pueblan interpretation of French stuffed meat rolls with a nod to Emperor Maximilian who brought the French Court to Mexico City, and a nod to the Near East with sauce featuring sesame seeds, cumin, and cloves, and includes the indigenous pumpkin seeds. This dish is served with traditional Mexican red rice.
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Dinner Featuring Regional Mexican Cuisine The menu tonight will include Bistec de Puerco o Pollo en Chile Pasilla (Beef, Pork or Chicken in Chile Pasilla Sauce). This dish features the meat in a hearty sauce based on toasted chile pasilla, tomatoes, and tomatillos with potatoes. It has the feel of a good stew, with a surprising spark and special flavor added by the pasilla. Gasnates (cream filled pastry tubes) is a traditional Poblano desert, consisting of very delicate pastry tubes filled with cream and topped with a dusting of powdered sugar. You get to try your “piping” skills to fill them. This can also be used with a savory filling for canapés!
Day 4
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Mexican Breakfast Each morning you will enjoy a typical breakfast of Puebla Cuisine. Weather permitting, breakfast is served on the Hacienda’s outside patio, amid the lush greenery for which this part of the country is known. The menu today will be fresh juice, llevos mexicanos (eggs Mexican style), tortillas, and coffee or tea.
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Third Hands-On Cooking Class Estela will be teaching you traditional classic recipes from the city of Puebla, as well as dishes that are unique to her family. For each class, guests will work alongside Estela, preparing dishes for lunch and dinner. Classes are small, so that the close interaction with Chef Estela offers the full learning experience so vital an ingredient in any cooking class.
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Traditional Pueblan Lunch Your lunch today will include Crema de Flor de Calabacitas (Cream of Squash Blossom Soup), traditional Poblano soup that is a very delicate milk-based squash blossom soup with roasted poblano chile and requeson cheese (goat cheese, ricotta, or feta), finished with epazote or dill; Pipian Verde con bistec en Relleno (this dish is sometimes called a Mole Verde, stuffed beef rolls in Pipian sauce). It is a traditional Pueblan interpretation of French stuffed meat rolls with a nod to Emperor Maximilian who brought the French Court to Mexico City, and a nod to the Near East with sauce featuring sesame seeds, cumin, and cloves, and includes the indigenous pumpkin seeds. This dish is served with traditional Mexican red rice.
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Multi-Course Pueblan Dinner A multi-course, traditional Pueblan dinner will be enjoyed this evening. This is your opportunity to discover dishes far beyond what is normally thought of as Mexican Food. The main course will be Pipian Rojo (red Pipian with meat) in a tasty red sauce with a toasted chile guajillo, ancho sauce, and a nod to the Near East with cinnamon, tomatoes, and onions, and topped with sesame seeds. This is traditionally served with fresh rolls rather than tortillas.
Day 5
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Mexican Breakfast Each morning you will enjoy a typical breakfast of Puebla Cuisine. Weather permitting, breakfast is served on the Hacienda’s outside patio, amid the lush greenery for which this part of the country is known. The menu today will be fresh juice, llevos mexicanos (eggs Mexican style), tortillas, and coffee or tea.
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Guided Market Tour | Fourth Hands-On Cooking Class Class begins today following breakfast with a visit to Tlaxcala market where you will have an opportunity to buy things that you might like to take home (those things allowed through customs), and to select seasonal ingredients used for today’s instruction. You will then return to the hacienda and begin your culinary lessons of the day.
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Classic Regional Lunch Today you will enjoy Sopa de Lenteja, a lentil soup with ham, bacon and a Pueblan addition - an optional egg to be poached in the soup. You will also have Mole Poblano, which is the classic of Puebla. It is made with many ingredients, 15 or so, but it is not hard to do. Chocolate is in the recipe, but it is not a sweet chocolate sauce. It also has a touch of chiles, but it is not a hot sauce. It is simply a wonderful mixture of all those things, served with chicken, turkey, or pork, and like good spaghetti sauce, is even better the second or third day. This is served with rice.
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Tamale Mexican Dinner Tonight’s menu includes five types of Pueblan style Tamales: green tomatillo, pork/mole, chicken/ mole, tinga and red tomato with cotija cheese, serano chiles, epasote and Oaxaca cheese. Dessert will be “Suspiros de Novia” a traditional Puebla treat.
Day 6
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Mexican Breakfast Each morning you will enjoy a typical breakfast of Puebla Cuisine. Weather permitting, breakfast is served on the Hacienda’s outside patio, amid the lush greenery for which this part of the country is known. The menu today will be fresh juice, llevos mexicanos (eggs Mexican style), tortillas, and coffee or tea.
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Free Day to Explore Below are some of our suggestions for optional excursions so you can make the most of your time in this enchanting land. Let us arrange transportation for you to visit Cacaxtla, an important archeological site where well-preserved murals dating back to the Mayans await you. You can also visit La Corona Talavera factory to learn the process of making beautiful ceramic jars, pots, vases and platters, as well as other pieces. For a more active excursion, you can hike Tlaxcala's highest peak, the dormant volcano La Malintzin. The three hour, moderate hike to the summit results in breathtaking views, so bring your camera! If you're looking for a guided excursion, try the Haciendas of Tlaxcala tour, where you'll gain access to two haciendas typically closed to the public and a gorgeous church in the city of Tlaxcala. If relaxation is what you need, feel free to stay in the comfort of the Hacienda, and order in one of many spa services available. We're happy to work with you to provide these and other optional activities, based on availability.
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Farewell Dinner with Cocktails and Regional Music Enjoy an evening with regional music and great food. Tonight's menu will be Chef's choice, and will celebrate your weeklong exploration of Mexican home cooking!
Day 7
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Mexican Breakfast Each morning you will enjoy a typical breakfast of Puebla Cuisine. Weather permitting, breakfast is served on the Hacienda’s outside patio, amid the lush greenery for which this part of the country is known. The menu today will be fresh juice, llevos mexicanos (eggs Mexican style), tortillas, and coffee or tea.
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Check-Out and Departure It is now time to say 'goodbye' to this beautiful part of Central Mexico. The memories are free, so take as many as you want! Your package includes a return to Mexico City Airport.
Tlaxcala Bed & Breakfast Accommodations
This intimate Bed & Breakfast is located about 5 miles outside of the city of Tlaxcala on a beautiful Mexican high plateau. A double room with private bath and fireplace; a two-room Suite (the Stone Suite); and a private cottage called "La Casita" are available as part of the first class, comfortable accommodations at this traditional Mexican home, with a very large kitchen perfectly configured for culinary instruction. Unlike an impersonal resort or hotel, the Casa hosts are always available to respond to individual needs and take every precaution to ensure your comfort.
Tlaxcala, Mexico
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What Currency is being quoted?
The Currency Code is listed directly after the published amount. If it states USD, then the quoted price is in United States Dollars. If it states CAD, then the quoted price is in Canadian Dollars. If it states EUR, then the quoted price is in European Union Dollars…etc. However, please note that all charges are processed in USD, and Epitourean’s Merchant Bank automatically calculates the currency conversion on the day of the charge.
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What does Double Occupancy mean?
Two persons traveling together, and staying in the same room. Tour prices are normally quoted as “per person, double occupancy” in case two people are traveling together and staying in the same room, but paying separately. The cost of the lodging is also shared by two people, thereby reducing costs. This could be a married couple, two friends or relatives.
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What is a Single Supplement?
Whenever a person travels alone, the cost of their lodging cannot be shared by another person. When tour products are priced, they are normally stated as “per person, double occupancy.” Whenever a guest occupies a room as a solo, the whole cost of the lodging must be incurred by that one individual. Tour companies accommodate this by charging a Single Supplement. Epitourean does its best to keep the single supplement as low as possible, but it is a real cost that tour companies must absorb, and must pass along to the single traveler.
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If I am a Solo Traveler, will I be paired with another person?
Epitourean never pairs a solo traveler with another person without a special request. If you book Single Occupancy, you will have a room entirely to yourself. However, should you wish to be paired with another solo traveler to save on the single supplement, you may make this request. We cannot guarantee that we can accommodate such requests, since it would take another solo traveling on the same tour for the same dates. But if requested, we will certainly try.
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Are flights included in the tour price?
No. Flights are never included in the price of our land-only tours. Epitourean does not provide air, rail or sea travel, unless expressly noted in the itinerary.
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May I give a culinary tour as a gift?
Yes. Epitourean has a special program designed specifically for this purpose. Our Gift Packages come with features such as special messages to the recipient, gift box option, gift link (without pricing), and floating dates (should you not know when the gift recipient wants to travel). Contact a Culinary Travel Specialist at 800-390-3292 or customerservice@epitourean.com to receive additional information about this unique offering.
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May we request separate beds if sharing a room?
Yes. In most cases, Epitourean can accommodate a request for two beds to be placed in one room. Just make sure to make this request in the comments section of the reservation process.
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Does each guestroom have a private bathroom?
Yes. Epitourean partners with the best lodging options in each destination, and private (en suite) bathrooms are a requirement. However, you should inquire as to the configuration of bathrooms should you have a special need. For example, some tours include accommodations in medieval villages, where either a shower or bath(but maybe not both) are present.
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Can your tours accommodate my dietary restrictions?
In almost all cases, Epitourean can accommodate dietary choices and restrictions. But we do request that you ask a Culinary Travel Specialist prior to making your reservation so that we can assess your individual situation.
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If I am unable to use a portion of the tour, can I get a partial refund?
Unfortunately, due to vendor and supplier contracts, we are unable to provide partial refunds for unused portions of any tour or tour component.
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Are Transfers included in the Itinerary?
Round-trip transfers from the airport or train station are normally included in our international tours. Transfers to the destination (for both international and domestic tours) are not included in the tour price. Please see the Sample Itinerary. If it mentions that transfers are included, then yes, transfers are included at no additional cost.
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What meals and excursions are included in the tour?
The Sample Itinerary should be your reference. If the meal or excursion is described in the Sample Itinerary, then it is included at no additional charge. For those days where it expressly notes Free time, then any optional activities you elect to participate in might have an additional cost. In addition, if the itinerary states "evening on your own," it would imply that you have the opportunity to visit a restaurant of your own choosing, and at your own expense. If you have any question about inclusions, please submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button under the price section.
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Is it possible to book pre or post tours or stays through Edible Destinations?
Yes, we often do have optional 2 and 3 night excursions that are priced separately from the tour. We can also assist with pre and post night stays in a hotel if you choose to come in early before the tour starts, or stay on after a tour ends. The price of those hotel stays are not included in the price of the tour, but we would be happy to provide a quote. Simply ask your Culinary Travel Specialist, or submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button.
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Are Guide or Host Gratuities included in the price of the tour?
Since tipping guidelines and customs vary widely between countries, we do not include gratuities in the price of the tour. Your Culinary Travel Specialist can provide you with recommendations. But the general rule is to tip modestly when you are pleased with a guide’s services, either at the end of the tour, or at the conclusion of a specialty day excursion where you will only be with that guide (or chef) on that day.
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Should we plan on any personal expenses during the tour?
All lodging, meals, transfers, classes and excursions mentioned in the Sample Itinerary and Vacation Highlights are included in the price of the tour. However, we highly recommend taking local currency for purchasing personal items, souvenirs, tipping, etc. You can either get the local currency at an airport exchange service, ATM or from your local bank prior to travel. However, you should note that many hosted destinations do not accept credit cards for personal purchases.
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Do you recommend Travel Protection?
We recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. Travel protection plans can include coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, Trip Delay, Baggage Delay and more. For more information on the available plans or to enroll, click on the link below or contact Travelex Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 06-0248. The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex CA Agency License #0D10209. All products listed are underwritten by, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (formerly known as Stonewall Insurance Company), 1314 Douglas Street, Suite 1400, Omaha, NE 68102. 11.17 E7N
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The trip was great! Clean, comfortable rooms. Jon and Estelle are fantastic, and the classes taught us much about the cuisine. It is a great place to relax and chill. The ruins in the area were very interesting and the church and museum in Tlaxcala were outstanding. I would highly recommend this trip. Safety was not an issue and everyone we met was pleasant. Please pass these comments on to all your customers.
Jim and April - April 2022
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This was a great experience. John and Estella are wonderful hosts, very considerate of their guests. Food prepared was delicious and fun to make. Casa Carmelita is lovely and accommodations were super. Would highly recommend this vacation.
Marjorie - October 2018
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Casa Carmelita is a lovely place built with care by Jon, the owner, who is married to Estela, our cooking instructor. The rooms are spacious, beds comfortable, plumbing excellent, and the classes fun and informative. The price is great for this inclusive vacation and Jon and Estela went out of their way to provide us with everything to make it a great experience. We had a delicious breakfast prepared for us every morning on a covered veranda dripping with flowers, then we cooked our own lunch and dinner. Afternoons were spent visiting local sites - ancient volcanos, pyramids, the charming town of Tlaxcala with its amazing market and restful zocalo - and we gathered in the evening for wine or margaritas and the delicious dinner Estela had taught us to prepare. Jon arranged taxis for our excursions and we felt safe and never worried that we'd be taken advantage of in any way. The people in Tlaxcala were friendly; there were few gringos there and those who spoke English wanted to practice with us. Visitors should keep in mind that Puebla is 7,500 ft. in altitude and takes a bit of getting used to. Also, we brought home some wonderful cooking souvenirs. We had two rather large clay cazuelas (cooking pots) that could not be brought on the plane as carry-on luggage, so our suitcases had to be re-packed. We highly recommend Casa Carmelita.
Doug & Marika - September 2015
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My wife and I returned last week from Tlaxcala. We really enjoyed Jon and Estela's cooking school. The rooms are really beautiful, comfortable and spacious. We learned to make some wonderful dishes at the classes, and enjoyed Jon and Estela tremendously. They were very hospitable, and Jon is really good at what he does, running the classes and coordinating the excursions. He is so on top of everything - and so calm and smooth. We were without a want, and had some awesome excursions. We also felt very safe everywhere we went. We wanted to thank you once again for your help in making the trip a reality. It was great to see this side of Mexico and experience some of the markets with Jon and Estela.
Steve and Alice - May 2015
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