Mexico City is home to approximately 9.2 million people (just over 22 million if you include the metropolitan area) and is the most populated city in North America. Some refer to it as the city of contrasts. A place where the past and the present collide. A massive concrete jungle dotted with  lush green parks with a pleasant subtropical highland climate. A place that hosts beautiful old colonial houses nestled in between towering, modern high-rises.  A city whose soundtrack is lively music, chatter and laughter. 

On this tour you will eat your way through this vibrant city, sampling some of Mexico's best gastronomic offerings, ranging from savoury street food to dining in some of the city's most exquisite hidden gems. You will also explore some of the not-to-be missed touristic highlights,   whether it's flying high in the sky, sailing along serene waters, or simply enjoying your surroundings at a street-side café. 

What is certain, is that Mexico City is bound to blow your senses away! 

Welcome to the soul of Mexico! 

After checking into the hotel, you will meet your lovely tour manager, Christine, and  then head out to a local restaurant where you will sip on a tasty Margarita, Mexico’s signature cocktail, and enjoy a lovely welcome dinner. 

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Today, you will begin the day with a delightful breakfast at the hotel. After you will head to the birthplace of Mexico City, the mesmerizing “Centro Histórico” (historic center), where the past unfolds into the present and where your senses will be stirred by new sounds and smells derived from the bustling energy surrounding this area. Here, you will meet your city tour guide, who will lead you through the busy streets and narrow sidewalks, sprinkled with lively street food stands and local shops. During this city tour you’ll learn how this city was formerly known as Tenochtitlán, the capital of the Aztec Empire, and how it has become the thriving, modern place that it is today. You will visit the stately Plaza de la Constitución, better known as the “ Zocálo”or “Plaza Principal”, and you will make a stop to take a peek into the famous Metropolitan Cathedral. You will also visit other important landmarks in the area such as the stunning Palacio de Bellas Artes and the ornate Palacio Postal. 

After the tour, you will catch a ride to meet a local Chef who will take you on a tour through their neighbourhood market to learn about the market’s history, organization and to sample some delicacies from selected market stands. You will then head back to their quaint cooking studio, a bright, warm and welcoming place where you will learn to prepare some of Mexico’s most popular dishes. At the end, you will enjoy the 4-course lunch that you’ve made, paired with an artisanal mezcal, Mexican craft beer or Mexican wine.

In the evening, you will have free time to roam the trendy neighbourhoods of Roma and Condesa, with their wide, tree-lined streets, hip cafés, fashionable shops, and lush parks, a perfect place to sit back, relax and people-watch. Condesa and Roma are also renown for hosting some of the city’s best restaurants.

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Today, you will rise early to travel about 40 km northeast of the city, to ride a hot air balloon over the ancient Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacan. Here you will enjoy the stunning views of the Valley of Mexico, just as the sun begins to rise. From above, you will admire the impressive Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon, the two largest pyramids in Mesoamerica. Upon landing, you will toast to a fresh glass of bubbly and then head to a nearby restaurant for a wonderful breakfast buffet. After breakfast, you will continue on to further explore this settlement by foot, accompanied by a local guide, who will tell you more about the history and culture of this incredible place. After having some free time to explore on your own, you will hop back onto your private bus to return to Mexico City. 

In the afternoon enjoy some free time to shop, relax or explore the city further. 

In the evening, you will head to a lively taquería to sample an assortment of tacos.  

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Enjoy another flavorful breakfast at the hotel, before heading south of the city to visit the famous Frida Khalo museum, also commonly known as the “Blue House”. This historic landmark, located in the picturesque neighbourhood of Coyoacán, is dedicated to the life and work of this influential Mexican artist. 

Next, you will head further south for a fun-filled afternoon in Xochimilco, a proud UNESCO World Heritage Site, known to many as the “Venice” of Mexico City, where you will leisurely cruise along its serene canals on your way to visit a chinampa (man-made island) where you will learn first-hand from a local family about the area’s ancient farming system and how this has ignited a growing farm-to-table industry. You will enjoy a fresh-cooked meal made with local ingredients and go beyond Tequila and Mezcal to sample some of Mexico's incredible variety of ancestral spirits. 

To end your last day in Mexico City, you will head out to a beautiful rooftop terrace to take in the evening ambiance from above, try some of the chef’s local inspirations, mixing modern day techniques with traditional flavors and sample some of Mexico’s famed Valle de Guadalupe wines. 

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Today, you can use this day to do any last minute-shopping, visit one of the city's many museums or head out for one last delicious bite to eat. When ready to leave the city, you will be taken to the airport via private transfer.