Itinerary

Dive into Mexico City’s celebrated food world on a taco crawl. Eat at some of the best taco stands in the city, discover the delectable tacos al pastor (slow-roasted marinated pork tacos) and taste mezcal in one of Mexico City’s sensation mezcal bars. Perhaps finish the night chomping down some sweet and scrumptious churros (cinnamon-sugar doughnuts) at a celebrated 24-hour churros stand.

Take a flight to Oaxaca, a beautiful colonial city nicknamed the ‘land of the seven moles’. Get a taste of this unique region at the Abastos Market, which can only be described as a marvel. Vendors sing out among crowded alleys, hawking everything from crafts to flowers to the freshest of produce. Taste exquisite queso Oaxaca (Oaxacan cheese), sample sweet cactus fruit and even try the local specialty, chapulines (grasshoppers). Check out the Benito Juaraz Market for some local crafts, visit the Mercado 20 Noviembre for lunch, hunt down Oaxaca region’s best chocolateria or visit the fascinating Zapotec archaeological site at Monte Alban. This evening, choose to dine at one of Oaxaca city’s fabulous restaurants for an authentic taste of the area's specialties, or search out your own culinary adventure. For those after an authentic Oaxacan late night snack, why not try tlayudas? The next morning, witness the colours of ancient Zapoteca at Tlacolula’s lively Sunday Market – the oldest market in Mesoamerica. Spend the afternoon wandering around the impressive ruins of Mitla then visit a mezcaleria to taste this distinctive local spirit whose history traces back to ancient times. Tonight is a real treat, experiencing barbarcoa (slow, pit-cooked barbecue).

Breakfast on the Oaxaca’s best tortillas and quesadillas then ride a colourful local bus to Puebla, Mexico’s culinary capital. This historically rich colonial city is a joy to explore and has a cuisine to make mouths water. Lunch at the gastronomic heaven of Mercado de Sabores Poblanos, trying local specialties like tacos arabes (Arab-style taco) and cemitas (a special egg-rich roll stuffed to overflowing). Then, explore the city centre on foot, making a beeline for Calle de los Dulces (Sweets Street) to sample tortitas de Santa Clara (shortbread biscuits) and camotes (yam-based lollies). Finish up in a pulqueria to taste pulque, an ancient alcoholic drink made from the fermented sap of the maguey plant, once only accessible to Aztec priests. Later, perhaps check out the flamboyant wrestling action at a lucha libre match or spend the evening relaxing with a drink under billowing jacaranda trees at the Barrio del Artista, which has live music and an electric atmosphere.

Learn the secrets behind Puebla’s sumptuous mole poblano (spicy, chocolate-tinged sauce), tinga (spicy, shredded chicken tostados) and chiles en nogada (stuffed chillies covered in a walnut sauce) in a memorable cooking class. Feast on your creations for lunch. Head back to Mexico City and spend the evening in a choice of incredible restaurants, cafes or bars. Starting the next morning at the Bellas Artes Palace, follow a food trail to some of the city’s most iconic sites. Breakfast on café de olla (sweet, spiced coffee) and pan dulce (sweet rolls) and then explore the vibrant Mercado San Juan, and the hidden foodie treasures in surrounding streets. Eat salty tortillas fresh off the comal before lunching at a charming food stall that specialises in seafood – the ceviche and seafood coctels (cocktails) are to die for. End up in the Zocalo, Mexico City’s incredible main square that has been a meeting place since the times of the Aztecs and is the largest city squares in the world. Then, spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Perhaps check out one of the incredible museums or chill in Chapultepec Park with a spice-kissed sorbet. Start the next morning in the leafy environs of Coyoacan, wandering through the weekly food market and snacking on cajeta-filled churros (doughnuts filled with caramelised condensed milk) while ogling the incredible array of vegetables, fruits and chillies on display. Perhaps visit the colourful former home of the enigmatic Frida Kahlo and Diego Riviera, which is located nearby. Tonight we dine in a charismatic Mexican cantina, enjoying authentic and delicious dishes that sing of old-world Mexico. Relish the refreshing and spicy flavours and enjoy a final night of feasting with newfound friends before saying ‘adios’ to this intoxicating Mexican food odyssey.