Mexican Fiesta

Accomodations
* 7 nights in twin-share hotel accommodation * Breakfasts (B) and Dinners (D) - as per itinerary

The Contiki Difference
* Experienced Tour Manager and Driver * Modern air-conditioned coach

Mexico City to Morelia (Breakfast, Dinner Days)
Meet up with your fellow travelers and Tour Manager in Mexico’s sprawling capital, before we hit the road and travel to Spanish flavored Morelia. This gorgeous town is all about colonial heritage. Packed with 16th and 17th century buildings, archways and cute little plazas, Morelia’s picturesque center comes with plenty of character and charm. Learn about its background as one of Mexico’s first Spanish cities on a walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage listed center. You’ll also see the birthplace of the Mexican revolutionary, Morelos, after whom the town is named. We check out Morelia’s sweets and handicraft market, where there’s a chance to pick up some of its famous candy as a tasty souvenir. Tonight, we’ll see the stunning cathedral lit up under night lights and watch the pretty fireworks display. Your Tour Manager will give you the background on the building’s mix of styles and intricate decorations. Later, get to know the group and your Tour Manager over dinner in a local restaurant that overlooks the central plaza. Try out the tasty specialties of this region, like the famous fruit gazpacho (a cold soup made up of fruits like pineapple, mango and watermelon, topped off with lime juice).

Morelia to Ixtapa via Zihuatanejo (Breakfast Days)
Head out West to the Mexican Riviera, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean. We stop for lunch on one of Mexico’s most stunning beaches, Playa la Ropa. It’s dotted with palm trees and is a perfect spot for water sports like parasailing and jet-skiing. Walk off your lunch in low-key Zihuatanejo and explore this cute little fishing village where local restaurants, artisan studios and interesting boutiques line the cobblestone streets. This evening, there’s a fun ATV (all-terrain vehicle) optional, where you can cruise along the beach, through palm groves and watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. Tonight, we stay in the modern resort town of Ixtapa.

Ixtapa (Breakfast, Dinner Days)
A free day in Ixtapa means time to relax. Kick back at the hotel and make the most of its fantastic pool and pool bar. Otherwise, head to the beach and soak up some sun or snorkel in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Your Tour Manager can even help you sort out a boat for hire if you want to get out on the water and do a bit of fishing. Turn the energy levels up with an optional horse rde along the beach or explore the coastline in our optional kayaking excursion. Go for a late night stroll through the luxurious hotel district and get a taste of the high life. Dance the night away at one of the nightclubs or grab a quiet drink at a local bar.

Ixtapa to Acapulco (Breakfast Days)
Today, we head to the popular resort and Mexico’s original party town, Acapulco. With its gorgeous bay and stunning villas, you’ll soon understand why this is a traditional stomping ground for the rich and famous and why people like Sinatra, Elvis and JFK used to come here. After the sun goes down, watch the famous daredevil cliff divers. They’ll jump a heart-stopping 25 or 35 meters from the sheer cliffs surrounding the bay into a tiny cove. Tonight, honor Acapulco’s reputation and dive into the nightlife action. With salsa clubs, meringue bars, discos and nightclubs, there’s something for everybody here.

Acapulco (Breakfast Days)
With a free day, soak up more of Acapulco’s vibes, its 50s glamor and its beach life. Hit the calm waters of Hornos or Papagayo beaches or else watch surfers take to the waves at Playa Revolcadero For a slice of the local lifestyle, head to the open-air market and shaded zocalo (central square). With little, traditional eateries this is a great place to people-watch and to taste different dishes. Try out some pork tacos, chicken mole (chocolate and chilli sauce), garlic shrimp or even some Pacific lobster. For a bit of local history, check out the 17th century fort, Fuerte de San Diego, that was once used to watch over Spanish galleons and protect trades routes. It offers sweeping views over Acapulco. Otherwise, head into the old town and check out the blue-domed church, Nuestra Senora de la Soledad. Later this evening, choose our optional sunset boat cruise, hang out with the group and get another angle on Acapulco from the water.

Acapulco to Taxco (Breakfast Days)
Travel through the Sierra Madre Mountains this morning to the pretty, hill-side town of Taxco. With its dramatic backdrop of cliffs and mountains, and its pretty stucco buildings with terracotta roofs, this is the perfect place to wander about in. Get lost in the winding cobblestone streets and uncover cute little plazas and flower-filled courtyards. Keep an eye open for VW beetle taxis and check out the stunning Santa Prisca Cathedral on the central square. Pull up a table at an outside café, where you can sit back with a beer and take in the colonial architecture. Maybe try some pozole (pork and vegetable stew). With a tradition in silver going back to before the Spanish Conquest, Taxco is the perfect place to pick up some jewellery. Your Tour Manager will organize a silver demonstration and give you tips on the best places to buy. Then rummage through the many platerias (silver shops) and find some great presents for back home.

Taxco to Mexico City (Breakfast Days)
This morning we return to the chaotic capital, Mexico City. This megapolis fuses the festive, the ancient and the quirky. First up: a visit to Xochimilco canals and markets. Board our own brightly colored long boat and cruise along the canals, past gardens and floating mariachi bands. Vendors jump from boat to boat with souvenirs, so you can kick back and shop while you ride along the canals. Then we head to the historic heart of the city, where ancient civilization, political power and religion combine around the enormous Zocalo (central square). Get inspired as our expert Local Guide uncovers the nation’s core spots and shows off this living time line. Step inside the largest cathedral in Latin America and learn why the tilting Catedral Metropolitana is a spiritual hub for Mexicans. Get up close to Mexico’s Aztec past as you explore the bare ruins around Templo Mayor. Our Local Guide will peel back the layers and explain how a new temple was built here every 52 years, one on top of the other. If you’re keen, you can go into the Temple Mayor for a closer look. See the sinking Palacio Nacional (National Palace), home to the Mexican government. Enjoy a crash course in this country’s history by checking-out Diego Rivera’s famous murals that decorate the palace walls. These colorful paintings tell the story of Mexico in a nutshell, from the nation’s mythical beginnings to the early 20th century. Tonight, choose our optional dinner and feast on Mexican specialties with the group, while listening to Mariachi (traditional group of Mexican musicians) music. Later, you could wash it all down with some tequila, Mexico’s national drink.

Mexico City (Breakfast, Dinner Days)
Turn back the clock this morning with a trip to Teotihuacan, the Aztec’s ancient capital. Climb the impressive pyramids and imagine how this was once central America’s greatest city. Our Local Guide will fill you in on the Aztec people’s beliefs and rites as you walk around the site and see the Sun and Moon Temples. This afternoon, discover another side of vibrant Mexico City with a visit to the easy-going, old barrio (neighborhood) of Coyoacan. Take in the old colonial mansions, fountains and quiet squares of this cultural quarter. See the paired studios of artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera and maybe visit Frida Kahlo’s famous Blue House, which is filled with colorful art, pre-Hispanic artifacts and a beautiful garden. In your free time, live a slice of the local lifestyle and head to the Coyoacan Markets – the buzzing food stalls are perfect for trying authentic Mexican food, like a torta (Mexican sandwich), enchiladas and tacos. Shopping-wise, this town has it all, from big brands to bargains. Get some tips from your Tour Manager before you splurge. Rummage through the colorful La Merced, the largest market in the city. See piles of dried chillies, tropical fruits and other vibrant food displays as well as local crafts. Otherwise, walk the streets and get a feel for the city’s bustling street life, where cafes spill out onto the pavements, pushcart kitchens cook up fantastic food and sidewalk vendors sell anything from t-shirts to jewelery. Take a break and taste Mexican coffee in a traditional coffeehouse or sip on some tropical juice at a jugeria (juice bar). If you’re hungry, try a rosticeria for some crispy roast chicken Mexican style or a hole-in-the-wall taqueria for a burrito. For something different, find out if there is lucha libre (Mexican masked wrestling) on while you’re in town and go check out a match. For a dose of culture, walk through Mexican history with a visit to the famous Museo Nacional de Antropologia (Museum of Anthropology). It has an incredible collection of artifacts, starting from pre-historic times. The museum grounds are also great for taking a break from the buzzing down town area, so hang out in the gardens, read beside the lake or check out the zoo.

Depart Mexico City (Breakfast Days)
Your tour ends after breakfast and it’s time to say farewell to your new friends.

Don't miss our current specials: CONTIKI MILITARY DISCOUNT 5% Off for Military Members and Spouses... Valid for any Contiki trip 8 days or longer. Active or non-active members are eligible, as long as a valid military ID is provided for each person applying the discount. Mention promo code MILITARY0910 to redeem. Applies to new bookings only. Verification is required. Good for travel through 12/31/2010 Spouses must be traveling at the same time as the military member to apply the discount. Other restrictions may apply. 5% off for Contiki Alumni So you've experienced your Contiki and are ready to go again?  You lived it up with travelers from around the world and want more Contiki.  Now book another trip 8 days or longer and get 5% off! Offer valid through August 31, 2010. Valid for trips 8 days or longer. Please call uoo-942-3301 for more details. Verification of previous trip required. Travel With Friends and Save Big! 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You must provide valid names and e-mail addresses (e.g. you may not enter your own e-mail address or repeat the same address more than once). We will issue up to 10 $100 gift cards per Referrer per calendar year. Referees must be new passengers. Not combinable with Past Passenger discount. 3.Referee must between 18-35 years old at the time of travel. 4.Referee must have been referred online and must mention "Refer a Friend" and Referrer's name when booking their trip. 5.Upon booking their trip, the Referee will receive in their travel documentation $100 in Optional Excursion vouchers. The original Optional Excursion vouchers can be redeemed while on their trip and cannot be exchanged for cash reimbursement. 6.The Referred passenger(s) are responsible for reviewing their travel documentation and making sure they received the Optional Excursion Vouchers prior to their departure from the United States. 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Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
11/6/2010 - 11/14/2010	$975
12/4/2010 - 12/12/2010	$975
1/15/2011 - 1/23/2011	$1,069
3/5/2011 - 3/13/2011	$1,069
3/19/2011 - 3/27/2011	$1,069
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Acapulco
See the death defying cliff divers

Acapulco
Dance the night away

Ixtapa
Soak up the sun on Playa de Ropa

Ixtapa
Laze in the sand and surf

Mexico City
City Sightseeing including the National Palace, the Zocalo & Chapultepec Park

Mexico City
Visit the ancient Aztec city Teotihuacan

Mexico City
Shop the colorful markets of Xochimilco

Morelia
Walking tour of the Colonial City

Morelia
See the lighting of the cathedral

Morelia
Visit the Sweets and Handicrafts Market

CONTIKI MILITARY DISCOUNT

5% off for Contiki Alumni

Travel With Friends and Save Big!

Early Payment and Other Amazing Contiki Discounts

Refer a Friend and You Both Save $100

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