Mexico City, Mexico
Present and Past –
vibrant Capitol city and
mesmerizing regional history
Program Overview
Program Dates: October 2 – 9, 2021
Explore the contemporary and the historical exemplified in this capital city with the highest population in North America and second only to Tokyo. In unexpected ways you’ll explore on foot, by bike, boat, balloon or horseback into the various passages that will exemplify the culture of Mexico. From urban murals and the interior of numerous museums, to the liveliness of a morning market and a cooking class, and the colorful towns and waterways in the region, this is a one-of-a-kind experience. Join us for 7 nights or choose to extend your stay with options of additional day trip adventures. You will leave this place full of memories and inspiration.
Maximum 9 participants
Trip Highlights
Trip highlights include:
Discover contemporary art in public spaces and meet current working artists in this metropolitan city
Immerse in art and architecture from interior museums to the exterior landscape
Explore like a local into the markets and private cooking class
Enjoy a scavenger hunt at the famous archaeological site Teotihuacan
Delight in the contrasts of urban life with the bohemian flair of Xochimilco & Coyoacan with Frida Kahlo Museum
Change your perspective with a balloon ride or horseback ride.
Our Mexico City Community
We will cross paths with art in various forms from street murals to museums and the craft of the country. Explore the city through the eyes of artists and even archaelogist.
Suggested Reading:
FICTION
The Mangy Parrot,
by José Joaquín Fernández de Lizardi
NON FICTION
The Mexico Reader,
editors, Timothy J. Henderson, Gilbert M Joseph
The Labyrinth of Solitude,
by Octavio Paz
“To be an artist, one must . . . never shirk from the truth as he understands it, never withdraw from life.”
Your experience
We offer various immersive activities in Mexico city. Our group will travel to museums and cultural sites to understand the broad historical context of art and design in the city. Mexico City is known for painting, pottery fibers, cuisine, and leatherwork. This travel experience will emphasize the history, architecture, and art - contemporary and historical of the capitol city and ancient culture in the region. Meals are shared at the hotel and at local restaurants.
Some highlights include:
- cooking class
- National Palace with Rivera Murals
- street art
- archaeology talk
Museums of interest include:
- Museo de Popular Art (Craft museum)
- Palacio des Belles Arte
- Anahuacali Museum (Rivera’s pre-columbian collection)
What you will do and learn.
You will learn to engage in your senses of sight, smell, touch, taste, and sound of the city and ancient history. Discover your photographic eye as you examine the colors, textures, and characteristics of this dynamic place and region.
Where we stay:
We will stay in the heart of Mexico City. Indulge in the contemporary metropolitan with your own private room.
AIP Mexico is located 25 minutes from the International Airport.
Program Itinerary
DAY 1 - Travelers arrive in CDMX, meet at hotel.
Meet in the evening for a welcome drink and group dinner.
DAY 2 - We'll start our adventure of Mexico City with a bicycle tour of dynamic street art hidden all over Mexico City where we'll discover some of the city's most colorful neighborhoods. You'll get insights into the thriving street art scene, from stencils to spray paint, stickers, and murals. Afterwards, we’ll stick to the streets and find scrumptious street food before continuing onto our art immersion. Afternoon will venture into local artist studios followed by a group dinner.
DAY 3
Indulge in the sights, sounds, and taste of the place with this Cooking Class that starts with a market tour and shopping excursion. You'll see the city from a different perspective on foot where we will pass incredible architecture such as the Bellas Artes Palace and the Palacio Nacional. Lunch will be made by all of the group and include 7 of the most typical and famous Mexican and Prehispanic dishes such as: Tlacoyos and Nopales.
In the afternoon we will have an Archaeologist’s perspective of the city in a walking tour that will give more in depth as well as opportunity to photograph, sketch, or other creative inspiration in your practice.
DAY 4
Prepare for a fantastic day trip into the region to see Teotihuacan as we discover this magical place through an amusing scavenger hunt game. Feel energy and power at the Quetzalcoatl Pyramid; you will be dazzled by the Mural paintings in the palaces. We will have a traditional and delicious homemade lunch in a unique place.
You will have an afternoon break to rest, create, or explore before our group dinner.
DAY 5
Today we will indulge in our visual senses as we enter the interiors of various Museums guided by a professional certificated guide with a history degree. This includes the National Museum of Anthropology, Frida Kahlo Museum, Leon Trotsky Museum.
DAY 6
Let's venture into the region with a full day tour where we will visit Xochimilco, Coyoacan, and the Frida Kahlo Museum. Prepare to float on a tranquil canal, examine architecture and cobblestone streets, enter the magical world of Frida Kahlo and see stunning murals by Juan O'Gorman. We will have a group dinner once we return to our hotel.
DAY 7
Choose your adventure option with an add-on experiences or opt out to explore on your own with your camera or sketchbook, or choose to create art or visit local artisans.
We'll help book you on a Balloon Ride over Teotihuacan to see a new perspective - floating through the skies, or
a Horseback Adventure to observe landscapes in a different way and have lunch with a local perspective.
Final Group Dinner
DAY 8
DEPARTURE
If you want to use our concierge service we can assist you in extending your stay with any of the following day trip options (based on availability at time of booking)
-
Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Tour
-
Chautla's Castle, Lavender Farm, and Valquirico Private Tour
-
Wine Taste Vineyard & Pena de Bernal Day Trip
-
Magical Towns in Hidalgo: Real del Monte, Huasca & Prismas
-
Private Cacahuamilpa Caves and Taxco Tour
-
Full-Day Volcano Hiking Tour
-
Visit the Third Largest Monolith in the World-Peña de Bernal
*Note this schedule including dates is subject to change due to local weather, force majeure or new opportunities that better suit the needs of the group. This will help you get an accurate picture of what your experience will be like. AIP programs are non-refundable, due to the advanced planning required to make trips possible. We plan every detail to make sure our stay is excellent in every way.
Other trip details:
Other cool things to do:
Chapultepec Park is double the size of New York's Central Park and provides a respite from the urban world. As a matter of fact, it's one of the largest parks in the western hemisphere.
Don't miss out on the vast variety of street food in this foodie paradise.
More about Mexico City:
The population of Greater Mexico City is more than 22 million people, making it the largest metropolitan area in the Western Hemisphere and the largest city in the Spanish speaking world.
Travel Arrangements:
AIP will email you when it is time to get your ticket. We will allow much planning in advance, and will this email ninety or more days before your trip. We will send more specific details once you sign up for the trip. You will be met at the airport, and we will all go to the hotel together.
Weather:
October weather is typically in the low 70s F and will be past the rainy season. Evenings do cool off. Prepare yourself for the high elevation – Mexico City sits about 7,382 feet above sea level – by drinking plenty of water, slathering on sunscreen and taking it easy (and limiting alcohol intake) your first few days.