8 night/7 day Gastronomy/Wine Tour of San Miguel de Allende and Queretaro (plus Pueblos Magicos).
Best Dates:
March 31- April 7, 2024 – Purple jacaranda trees in bloom
June 30- July 7. 2024- USA 4th of July Week. Everything is green!
August 30- September 6, 2024 USA Labor Day Weekend, wine harvest time.
This week-long tour can be booked anytime during the year
*Except during the week of Day of the Dead Oct 29- Nov 4, 2024
This weeklong itinerary showcases the best of Central Mexico! We journey on the route of the revolution from Queretaro to Dolores Hidalgo and back, with time to admire the art scene of San Miguel de Allende, taste the best wines, and dine on fantastic Mexican cuisine and regional specialties.
This itinerary covers 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 3 pueblos magicos and the best wineries and cheese producers in the region! Plus you get plenty of free time to explore on your own and dine at your choice of restaurants for dinner.
Itinerary:
Day 1- Arrive
Arrive at the Queretaro International Airport (QRO) before 3pm. Transportation will be provided to San Miguel de Allende. Check in to your hotel in Centro and have some time to freshen up or walk around before your restaurant reservation. (Dinner is not included, but we will arrange the reservation for you).
Day 2- Dolores Hidalgo, Talavera, Atotonilco and Wineries
We will leave at 9am and drive to Dolores Hidalgo, the location of the start of the Mexican War of Independence. Walk the streets where Father Hidalgo cried the famous “El Grito” that started the war. On the way we will share with you the history of the Heart of Mexico and what makes this region unique for wine-growing.
Next, we will taste the excellent wines at two remarkable wineries. Food at one winery, and wine at both wineries are included.
On our way back to San Miguel, we will stop in Atotonilco, the Sistine Chapel of Mexico to give you some time to marvel at the impressive frescos of this ancient temple.
We will arrive back in San Miguel between 5-6pm, giving you time to rest or freshen up before dinner (not included, but we can help with reservations).
Day 3- Morning Art Tour of San Miguel/ Free Day
We will give you a city tour in the morning to show you around the key sights of San Miguel de Allende starting with the galleries of Fabrica de Aurora, meander through the neighborhood of San Antonio for street art, and continue through the artisanal market which gives you a great opportunity to purchase hand blow Mexican glassware, Talavera, locally woven tablecloths/runners and silver jewelry. We will end our tour in front of La Parroquia and you will have the rest of the day free to explore. Lunch and dinner are on your own, and we can help you with reservations.
Day 4- Olive Oil Farm, Winery and Queretaro
After a late checkout, we will visit an olive oil farm started by Florida expats more than 20 years ago. Next, sip and savor a 4-wine tasting at a family-owned organic winery and our favorite wine producers in the state of Guanajuato.
Afterwards, we will continue on to the historic center of Queretaro where you will check into your hotel. We will have a walking tour of the best streets of Queretaro before your dinner reservation (not included).
Day 5- The Pueblo Magico of Tequisquiapan and Local Artisanal Dairies
We head out of town in the morning to sample local cheese at two different producers. One is a goat cheese place made by a local Mexican who studied cheese making in France. The other specializes in cow cheese, where we will sample the cheese with either a glass of wine or beer.
Next, we will visit the magic village of Tequisquiapan where we will have lunch and you can have a bit of free time to explore, appreciate the beautiful pink church, shop in the town square or visit one of the two mercados selling locally made wares.
You have the option to visit our local craft brewery Cerveceria Hercules when we get back into Queretaro. A flight of beer will be provided. You can choose to stay for food (not included) and take an Uber back (10 minutes). We can help you with restaurant suggestions or reservations and bar hopping locations.
Day 6- Free Day to Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Queretaro
This is your day to explore the 204 blocks of the historic center of Queretaro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We, of course, will be on hand to make recommendations and arrange for transportation if you want to see something special. If you would like to go hiking in El Cemetario, see some neighborhoods, or visit the pyramid of El Cerrito, these can be arranged for an additional cost.
Day 7- The Pueblo Magico of Bernal and Our Two Favorite Wineries in Queretaro
We pick you up at 9am on the last day and go to the Pueblo Magico village of Bernal. Bernal is a very interesting town of 2,500 people. There are supposedly more 90+ year old people per capita in Bernal than any place else on earth and the worlds third largest monolith rises 1410 feet above the town. Bernal is supposedly an energy vortex site like Sedona, Arizona and know for its semi-precious stones mined nearby (fire opals), goats milk caramel candies, cheese filled pastries and their world famous blue corn gorditas with chicharron crumbled in the dough. There are many artisanal products made and sold in Bernal and just about everything costs $5 USD. When you finish shopping, we will go feast on delicious gorditas, perhaps with a café de olla, hibiscus water or beer.
Then we are off to two terrific wineries with lunch at the final location. Relax and reflect on all that you have learned and experienced over the last week. Enjoy the last evening in Centro on your own.
Day 8- Departure or Add- On Extra Days
You can arrange extra days and activities with us, or if this is your last day, depart for the airport or bus station.
What’s included:
- Hotels for eight nights
- Ground transportation from airport to San Miguel, tour days 2, 4, 5, and 7.
- City Tours of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Tours of 3 Pueblos Magicos
- Regional food in Dolores Hidalgo and Bernal
- Tour of an olive farm
- Lunch at two wineries
- Wine tastings at 3 Guanajuato wineries
- Wine tastings at 3 Queretaro wineries
- Cheese tastings at 2 creameries
- Beer flight at Cerveceria Hercules brewery
- Reservations at restaurants (pay for food on your own).
What’s Not Included?
Airfare is not included.
Dinners and any meals when you are enjoying free time are not included.
Ground transportation on last day to airport or bus station.
What to Know:
AIRPORT INFORMATION:
There are direct flights from Dallas (DFW) on American Airlines and Houston (IAH) on United Airlines into the International Queretaro Airport (QRO). There are also direct flights from Chicago (ORD) on Volaris on Tuesdays and Fridays.
When you arrive, you will need to go through immigration and pick up your luggage. At most, this takes 20 minutes. We will meet you outside the baggage claim lobby door where the cars pick up passengers.
FROM MEXICO CITY:
The Queretaro Bus Terminal is 10 minutes from Queretaro Centro. Mexico City airport has direct buses (Primera Plus and ETN) to Queretaro that leave every hour from Terminal 1 and 2. It’s a 3-hour comfortable bus ride. The cost is about 450 pesos ($26 USD) for a one-way ticket.
What to Bring:
- Comfortable walking shoes (heels are a danger in either of these cities)
- Layers of clothing (cool in the morning and evening, warm in the afternoons)
- Light jacket
- A N-95 or KN-95 face mask as they are required by law in all moving vehicles and while walking the streets. They can be removed while eating and drinking.
- An adventurous spirit!
Price of Tour:
$2799.00 per person based on double occupancy. Minimum of 2 persons.
For additional single travelers, a single supplement of $400 USD will be applied.
*A $550.00 non-refundable deposit is due at booking.
** The balance is due 30 days before the start of the tour.
CONTACT FORM
Please let us know your dates. This tour is designed for couples and small groups of up to 8 people.
Heart of Mexico Wine Tours 