Jean Grimm's Mexican Art and Culture Tours

Guadalahara Tour

& a full day excursion to Ajijic, another lakeside fishing village

9 Days, March 4 to March 12, 2010

Guadalajara, the “City of Roses”, is the birthplace of mariachi music, tequila, the charro (Mexican cowboy), the great muralist Jose Clemente Orozco,, and the homeland of some of Mexico’s finest decorative art and crafts.

Tour the Centro Historico’s four plazas, Plaza Guadalajara, Plaza Liberación, la Plaza Tapatía and la Plaza de Armas.

Visit the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Government Palace, see regal colonial buildings, unique fountains including the Callejón del Diablo Fountain and the Frog Fountain.

Visit Teatro Degollado and see the under-ground Shaft Tombs dating from 300 B.C. in the Regional Museum.

View Orozco’s important murals in Hospicio Cabañas and in the Instituto Cultural Cabañas.

See the fabulous sculpted figures, benches, and paintings of Alexandro Colunga, a Guadalajara native, and one of Mexico’s most acclaimed contemporary artists.

Visit a print workshop to view top quality prints by many of Mexico’s most acclaimed artists, learn first hand how the top quality prints are made.

Visit Mercado Libertad, one of the largest markets in Latin America.

In Tlaquepaque and Tonalá witness the making of beautiful hand-blown glass, see greatl paper maché art, Jalisco style ceramics, impressive woodcarvings, embroidery, jewelry, and other crafts.

Listen to Mariachi music in Plaza de los Mariachis where groups gather to play.

Visit the outstanding Huichol Bead Museum, the Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan, a Contemporary Art Museum, and the Palacio Municipal de Zapopan which houses excellent murals, including those of Guillermo Chávez.

Visit a beautiful private home in the village of Ajijíc and visit another lake-side fishing village on the banks of El Lago de Chapala.

Visit the original 1870 Herradura tequila distillery and agave plantation and, if you like, sample some of Mexico’s best tequila.

Attend a performance of the famous Ballet Folklorico de Guadalajara.

Explore the archaeological site of Guachimontones.

On the tour have some leisure time to relax or explore, and dine in some of Guadalajara’s best restaurants.

Cost: Double occupancy: $2,195. Single occupancy: $2,495. Airfare not included.