I’ve wanted to visit Japan for many years, and this more than lived up to expectations. There were times that I felt overwhelmed (Tokyo), and times that I was walking in the woods. A nice mix of free time and structured tours.
Culture Holidays in Mexico
Mexico Culture Holidays
Top Things to Do on Cultural Holidays in Mexico
Visit Chichen Itza: One of the most significant archaeological sites in the country, Chichen Itza is located in Yucatan and is a must-see for anyone on Mexico cultural holidays. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is also one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, dating back to 600 AD. The site is home to 26 extraordinary Mayan ruins that are split into two parts: Chichen Itza and Old Chichen, each as impressive as the other. If you’re not sure which Mayan ruin to visit first, the Chichen Itza Pyramid or El Castillo are good places to start. But there are plenty more sights to see, including the Observatory, The Temple of the Warriors, El Caracol and the Mayan Ball Game. The site is utterly enthralling and gives you a deeper insight into the history of the Mayans.
Explore San Cristobel: This colonial highland city wrapped inside ancient pine forest and traditional villages is a jumble of cobbled streets, colourful plazas and centuries-old buildings with red tiled roofs and whitewashed exteriors. As well as boasting a majestic mountain backdrop, San Cristobel is firmly rooted in the country’s indigenous culture and is a great place to scratch beneath the surface of Mexico. Its fusion of ancient customs and modern luxuries adds to its charms. The vibrant cafes are great for mixing with the local Tzotzil people and trying some authentic dishes, or perhaps wander through the streets and admire the old colonial houses.
Attend the Day of the Dead Festival: This is one of Mexico’s most famous festivals, which takes place every year to celebrate the passing of friends and family. The streets, homes and cemeteries in Oaxaca are filled with people remembering their lost loved ones. The Mexicans believe that death should be celebrated rather than mourned and they certainly know how to celebrate in style. You’ll see people of all different cultures gathering in nearby villages and market squares to perform spiritual rituals and traditions. In the evening, the streets are filled with carnivals and parties, with people dressed in spooky costumes.
As well as being immersed in the party atmosphere, you can learn about the local cuisine and sample foods such as enchiladas, almond stew or stuffed chillies. Enjoying lunch at the home of one of the local families is a great privilege and you’ll see their ‘shrine for the dead’ and learn about their heritage first hand.
Take a Tour of Mexico City: The beating heart of Mexico, Mexico City is a potent cocktail of historical sites, floating gardens and modern-day culture. The famous Plaza de la Constitución, Templo Mayor and the Baroque Cathedral Metropolitana hark back to when it was the Aztec capital, yet today it’s a cosmopolitan hub where travellers from around the globe come to get their fix of Mexican culture. A tour of the city guides you through the Zócalo and ancient streets to some of the most significant landmarks such as the Palacio de Bellas Artes, before visiting the Palacio Nacional and the Museum of Anthropology and History.
Mary MacGregor Ancient & Modern Japan
Kristen Whitla Discover Sri LankaThis action-packed cultural trip ticked every box imaginable for me. We saw incredible wildlife including leopards, water buffaloes and caimans on game drives in Yala National Park. We got the chance to taste the famous tea in lush tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya and find out more about the process from leaf to cup. The group also got to see fire-dancing performances in Kandy one evening, which gave us a real insight into the country’s fascinating customs and traditions. The hotels on this trip are also incredible – we were lucky enough to have unobstructed views of Sigiriya Rock from Hotel Sigiriya and breathtaking sunset views overlooking the lush islands in Giritale. The last hotel, Hotel Cinnamon Red, also had a brilliant affinity pool – taking in the skyscrappers of Colombo! For the adventurous, this itinerary doesn’t disappoint either as you can go on whitewater rafting excursions, rural cycling trips and whale watching (in season). Visits to colourful temples, fresh fruit markets and the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home were other cultural pitstops that gave you a real flavour of what the country was like. Once I arrived home, I wanted to do it all over again. It was an incredible trip with a great group of people that I’ll treasure forever.
Catherine D Highlights of AlbaniaA tour that covers a lot of the south of Tirana. Lovely, mountain scenery, some delightful towns, (some not so pretty). The days were full and varied, we learnt about Albania’s history, met welcoming locals and swam in the warm Ionian sea. And we ate Very well! Great food for veggies.
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