AQC Discovers MEXICO 13th - 22nd February 2018 $3755

Transcription

1 AQC Discovers MEXICO 13th - 22nd February 2018 $3755 per person Twin Share Cover - Tochtli by Genevieve Guadalupe

2 Join Us... on this unique tour to Mexico City, the old capital of the Aztec empire. ITINERARY Day 1 13th February as via Dallas with Qant Travel to Mexico City ing. en e day, in the early ev arriving on the sam Day 2 14th February Day of leisure to explore! Why not visit... La Ciudadela market for a truly unique experience. Each aisle is lined with colourful stalls. You ll find carved wooden masks, elaborate beadwork, heart-shaped metalwork, hand blown glass pitchers, ceramic suns and moons and many other items hailing from various Mexican states. Or visit the Fonda Nacional Para el Fomento de las Artesanias (Fonart), which has five craft stores. This government-run outfit supports artisans through fair trade practices. Visit the store on Avenida Reforma, where they have some of the most beautiful and detailed crafts from the country s best artisans, including trees of life from the state of Mexico. Day 3 15th February Visit the Patchwork & Quilt Expo. A 3 day pass is included. A full programme of events is available online. 16th February DAY 4-16th February Day 4 the Expo or spend theat day at leisure exploring Visit Visit the Expo or spend the day leisure Mexico City. City. exploring Mexico Day 5 17th February Visit the Expo or day at leisure exploring the local arts and craft markets. Optional tours will be offered. Some museums in Mexico City have their own craft stores - the best is at the Museo de Arte Popular (Museum of Popular Art, aka MAP). Here you can enjoy checking out items made of cardboard, metal, textiles and even jewellery.

3 Day 6 18th February FULL DAY TOUR TRAJINERA QUILT CRUISE Commencing from the World Trade Centre, crossing the main avenue of Mexico City: Insurgentes Av. We will see emblematic buildings and areas of interest. We will reach the channels of Xochimilco (in the land planted with flowers), Cultural and Natural Patrimony of Humanity, unique remnant of the old channels that counted the City of Mexico. Place where the ajolote is preserved - endemic animal of Mexico and where tradition, colour and natural environment will be conjugated with a beautiful patchwork class, aboard a trajinera. As part of our 4 hour boat ride, we will listen to traditional mexican music, visit one of the flower nurseries and many other experiences. Lunch will be served on board. After the Trajinera we will visit the Dolores Olmedo Museum. Both located in the old Hacienda de la Noria, built at the end of the 16th century. (Dolores, friend of Diego Rivera, Frida Khalo and many other artists). Collector of works of art presents us diverse works of his friends, of Pablo O Higgins, Angelina Beloff, etc. It has more than 900 archaeological pieces and works of Mexican folk art. The decoration of the house, when it was inhabited by Dolores Olmedo, remains exposed. The gardens are of an exquisite beauty and inhabited by peacocks and xoloitzcuintles (dogs endemic to Mexico). Our tour concludes at 7pm at the WTC.

4 Day 7 TEOTIHUACAN PYRAMIDS AND GUADALUPE SHRINE 19th February FULL DAY TOUR Prehistoric City of Teotihuacan (the place where men become gods), was one of the largest urban centres of the ancient world that came to concentrate a population greater than one hundred thousand inhabitants in its time of maxium splendour. Located in a valley rich in natural resources, Teotihuacan was the seat of power of one of the most influential Mesoamerican societies in the political, economic, commerical, religious and cultural spheres, whose features permanently marked the peoples of the Mexican highlands, passing through time and coming to us with the same force and greatness with which its builders planned it. The archaeological complex of Teotihuacan was recognised in 1987 by UNESCO as World Heritage of Humanity. The Basilica of Guadalupe, is the most important temple of the Guadalupano Precinct since It is the place where the Tilma of San Juan Diego is guarded and shows in which the sacred image of the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe is formed, after its appearance in Tour departs at the World Trade Centre at 9am, we will go straight to Teotihuacan. We will visit the archaeological zone, composed by the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, as well as the different sets next to the road of the dead. Our guide will explain and clarify many of the riddles that surround this fascinating place. Lunch at La Gruta, underground with a typically Mexican menu. Later we will go to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe, heart of the Marian expression in Mexico and Latin America, where we will be able to observe the original image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, which was shaped after the appearance of the Indian Juan Diego in 1531 in his tilma. We will return to the WTC at 7pm.

5 Day 8 20th February Morning flight to Dallas arriving early afternoon. Evening at leisure. Day 9 21st February Day at leisure, optional tours to handicraft markets or half day city tour.

6 $1850 PP AUD Twin Share Would you like to extend your Mexican Experience? Join the Zapotec Natural Dye and Weaving Workshop Tour 20th - 24th February Textiles are, in essence, the true testament - a living representation of the history and identity of a culture - and in many cases, their only surviving legacy.on this wonderful journey, we travel to one of the most culturally rich regions of Mexico, where we ll learn about thousand year-old traditions in the homes and studios of those who keep them alive. Here we ll gain a unique insight into a range of ancestral techniques, tools and theories which are steeped in distinct perceptions of the earth and cosmos, all constantly brought to life exclusively through the hues extracted from the earth s plants and fibres. Immerse yourself in thousand-year old art and natural dye pots! In this extraordinary, hands-on workshop, we learn at the loom of our master weaver and collaborate with a co-op committed to using only organic, natural dyes in the Zapotec community of Teotitlán del Valle, where each member ensures environmental, cultural and community sustainability is the basis for their art. Our dyes for the sheep s wool will come harvested from the organic orchard used solely for the cultivation of fruit, medicinal plants, insects and vegetables for dyes. From these, we ll develop our three primary colours: Rich Reds using cochinilla, a bug that hosts on the prickly pear cactus, Brilliant Yellows from wild marigolds and finally Deep Blues from indigo, brought from the Pacific coast, as well as many overdyes that result in more than 20 colours/hues all from our three primaries! Families here have co-created their art for generations, from preparing the wool to weaving it. In creating our own unique small piece, we will experience this communal process and see how social fabric is at the heart of textiles. As textile artists, we will compare and contrast the industry and its ethics today and learn how to discern nuances in fibre and dye quality, its impact on finished pieces and the art form itself.

7 During this five-day journey of discovery to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Oaxaco and the surrounding valleys, we ll... Where The city of Oaxaca (wah-hah-kah) is home to Mexico s most vibrant national arts and craft scene. A capital of indigenous culture, Oaxaca intrigues with an exceptional, worldrenowned cuisine, all of which places it rightfully at the top of the mustexperience list for any traveler interested in Mexican design, art and culture. (As our dates coincide with Lent, be sure to have your cameras at the ready for when we turn a corner and stumble upon a traditional street festival!) Discover Explore The remarkable and diverse relationships between native flora and the development of Oaxacan civilisations and their art for millennia. The archaeological site which has inspired the region s artisans for centuries. 5 DAY TOUR INCLUDES: Return flights from Mexico City to Oaxaca. Accommodation: 3 nights shared occupancy in family run charming central hotel. 1 night single occupancy in secluded, community run boutique hotel. Comfortable and private transportation from World Trade Centre in Mexico City to airport and within Oaxaca. Visits to a selection of the country s most lauded artisans studios Meet & Learn With indigenous wool-weavers in a hands-on, two-day Natural Dye and Zapotec Weaving workshop Understand The culture, history and identity of textiles and their designs Savour The unique flavours of the region (the first cuisine in the world to achieve UNESCO Culinary Heritage status). Visit Two-day Natural Dyes and Wool Weaving Workshop Curated selection of exciting dinners and lunches to fuel our exploring All breakfasts Water on transportation All entry fees Tailored guided tours in English NOT INCLUDED Alcohol Tips & Gratuities Travel insurance (highly recommended) Personal expenses Lunch on our last day of the trip Additional Airfare may be applicable as non-group airfare will be utilised The studios of master craftswomen across various disciplines from textiles to ceramics. Yum The city s culinary scene is one of the most exciting in Mexico, if not Latin America. To fuel our exploring, we ll savour new twists on ancient flavours which have been an inspiring staple to the region for over 2,000 years. We ll follow our noses through the aisles of the city s famed food halls, sampling local delicacies from chapulines to chocolate with purveyors who have generations of experience in creating worldrenowned flavours. At the end of each day, we ll sit down to a meal that deliciously reflects the extraordinary inventiveness of the Mexican people and their abundance in nurturing ingredients.

8 Terms & Conditions TOUR PRICE Tour price is based on tariff and exchange rate in effect as at 17 August Prices are subject to change if such rates vary prior to departure. Important : All prices are subject to change without notice. Approximate quotation, subject to reconfirmation closer to the travel dates. AIR BOOKINGS / ACCOMMODATION: Unless otherwise specified, Nationwide Travel reserves the right to nominate and utilise the services of the hotels/carriers it considers most suitable for fulfilling the stated destination and timetable requirements of the delegation. Every effort will be made to satisfy the seating classification specified at the time of booking. All fares are subject to change and group seat availability at time of booking. RESERVATION AND PAYMENT A deposit of $500 per person is required to start a booking. No reservation will be processed without this deposit. A further part-payment of 30% will be required 90 days prior to departure. Full balance payment is due 30 days prior to departure. Payments can be made by direct deposit to: Nationwide Travel Trust, BSB: , Account No: Please include your name and tour in the reference. We also accept credit card payments, Visa, Mastercard and American Express. A 1.5% fee is applicable to all credit card payments. CANCELLATIONS If it is necessary to cancel your arrangements, then cancellation fees will be incurred. Notice of cancellation must be in writing. Cancellation fees are as follows; Up to 90 days prior to departure Loss of Deposit Between 90 days and 60days.30% of tour cost Between 59 days and 30days.50% of tour cost Less than 30 days.100% of tour cost There will be no refunds for services not utilised in the tour. DOCUMENTS AND VISAS Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after the return date to Australia. Australian passport holders are required to have completed an ESTA. Visas and re-entry permits into Australia are the responsibility of each traveller. Nationwide Travel accepts no responsibility for any arrangements in relation to obtaining re-entry permits for Non Australian passport holders or Visas should individuals be travelling to destinations where a Visa is required. Australian passport holders travelling to the United States for less than 90 days are eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). You are required to obtain a ESTA prior to departing Australia. This is an automated online system and an administrative fee is payable. If you are not eligible for this programme you should contact the US consulate for your individual visa requirements. Online applications can be completed on A Visa is not required for Australian passport holders to visit Mexico. You will receive a landing card from your airline which will be valid for 180 days. You may be asked to show a return ticket and proof of financial means. You must keep your landing card throughout your stay as you will have to present it when you leave. A photocopy of the front page of each passenger s passport is required at time of booking. VACCINES It is always recommended that you check with your local doctor regarding any vaccination requirements. NOT INCLUDED Passport and visa fees, meals and beverages not included in the itinerary, tips and taxes not already specified, personal laundry, telephone and minibar costs at hotels en route. TRAVEL INSURANCE At the time of booking and paying your deposit, it is strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. Ensure it is appropriate for all your travel arrangements as well as providing for cancellation charges detailed on this page. We can provide you with a quote and offer the group a 25% discount with Suresave Travel Insurance. For any enquiries please contact us at info@nationwidetravel.com.au Ph: (02) N ATIONWIDE T RAVEL

9 AQC Discovers MEXICO 13th - 22nd February 2018 Surname (as in passport) Given Name(s) (as in passport) Preferred Name (for name badge) Date of Birth Yourself Travelling with Passport Nationality No. Expiry No. Expiry (Sample 01 Jan 78) (Sample 01 Jan 78) PLEASE FORWARD A SCANNED COPY OF THE FRONT PAGE OF YOUR PASSPORT WHICH INCLUDES THE PHOTO TO info@nationwidetravel.com.au Mailing address Phone (Bus) Phone (Home) Phone (Mobile) Travelling with Please indicate names of any other parties booked you wish to travel with Travel Requirements Special Dietary requirements Do you have a medical illness or allergy to any medication? Accommodation Preferences Single Double - 1 Bed Twin - 2 Beds City of departure Domestic Connection from In case of emergency Name: Mr. Mrs Ms Miss (someone not travelling with you) Relationship Contact telephone numbers Home Business I would like to extend my Mexico experience and join the Zapotec Natural Dye & Weaving Workshop Tour. Please charge my visa/mastercard Account number: Name on card: Signature: Expiry Date: / Valid from: / Security No: Amount: Direct Deposit to Nationwide Travel Trust Account No BSB No Please include your name and tour in the reference. I have read and accept the Terms and Conditions on the brochure. N ATIONWIDE T RAVEL September 2017 Date: Signed: Print Name: