CONNECTION + EXCHANGE
This trip is an opportunity for you to connect directly with locals in a respectful and reciprocal way and to share life-changing experiences with an intimate group of like-minded individuals. All cross-cultural exchanges will be translated from Spanish to English, so while you will have lots of opportunity to practice your Spanish, no knowledge of the language is required.
On our trips, we strive to create a safe and inclusive container for people from all backgrounds. As a principal value, we honor diversity in all its forms including but not limited to sexual orientation, race, size, culture, age and beyond. No matter who you are or where you’re from, we love you and would love for you to join us!
FOOD + DRINK
San Miguel has a rich food scene and from street tacos and rustic ranch-style lunches, to fine dining that pushes the boundaries of Mexican cuisine, we’ll sample and savor it all. To go deeper than just a taste, we’ll participate in a pan de muertos workshop, where we’ll learn how to make special buns for the Day of the Dead.
No meal is complete without an accompanying beverage and San Miguel is renowned for its burgeoning wine scene. You’ll have opportunities to enjoy wine tasting from the region, including up-and-coming natural wine makers. We’ll also get a change to sample mezcal, tequila and pulque (an effervescent, slightly fermented drink made from agave).
ART + CULTURE
San Miguel de Allende is an artistic hub. The winding cobblestone streets, impeccably maintained colonial architecture and rich natural beauty of the area has long drawn artists, musicians and other romantics. We’ll explore the history of the town, and the current art scene, with visits to museums and private studios, where we’ll learn about painting, weaving, pottery, hatmaking and design.
Our trip is scheduled for the week leading up to the famed Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations, so anyone who is able can extend their trip to enjoy the festivities. We’ll see the city prepare for the holiday over the course of the week, with markets filled with offerings for altars, and decorations going up all around town. We’ll learn about the significance of the holiday from a local and be able to participate in creating an altar together.
NATURE + ADVENTURE
San Miguel de Allende is situated in the stunning state of Guanajuato. We’ll hike through the famous Charco del Ingenio nature preserve and botanical garden, learning about the endemic flora while we move our bodies. We’ll get out of the city to visit a working ranch and explore the fields and canyons on horseback, finishing with a rustic lunch in the countryside. You’ll also have the option of sealing in the trip by taking part in a once-in-lifetime experience of a sunrise hot air balloon ride.
WELLNESS + REFLECTION
We want you to leave feeling refreshed, in body, mind, and spirit. We leave blocks of free time in the schedule so you can rest or explore, depending on what you need. We’ll spend an afternoon indulging in a mineral spring soak, with the option for additional spa treatments. You’ll get to experience a heart-opening cacao ceremony, in the Mayan tradition, which is an opportunity for personal reflection as well as connection.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
8:00 – 9:00am Breakfast at Casa Hoyos
9:30 – 11:30am Guided hike through Charco del Ingenio botanical garden & nature preserve
12:00 – 2:00pm Pan de muertos bread making workshop at Panina
2:00 – 4:00pm Free time
4:00 – 7:00pm Day of the Dead talk + altar making workshop
8:00 – 10:00pm Dinner
Other activities may include: visit to artist studios, canyon horseback riding, heritage site visits and guided tour, natural wine tasting, spa and mineral springs, cacao ceremony and more!
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Included:
- 5 nights/6 days accommodation at Casa Hoyos in the center of San Miguel
- All breakfasts and dinners, plus some lunches. (We’ll offer some afternoon free time when you can choose your own adventure for lunch). We will do our best to accommodate any dietary restrictions and preferences.
- All group-led tours and activities, such as guided tours, workshops, mineral springs soak, horseback riding, cacao ceremony, private studio visits etc.
- All transportation to tours and activities
Not included:
- Airfare – Fly into the airport at Querétaro (1.5 hours from San Miguel) or Mexico City (3.5 hours to San Miguel)
- Transportation to and from the airport to the hotel (We’ll provide you with the best options from your point of arrival).
- Optional activities: While most activities are included in the trip cost, there will be a few optional experiences we will be organizing for those interested, such as a sunrise hot air balloon ride and extra spa services during our mineral springs experience.
- Personal Shopping Expenses + Alcohol: You’ll have free time with opportunities to shop and sample food on your own. Alcoholic drinks at mealtimes will be your own expense.
ACCOMODATIONS
Our home in San Miguel will be Casa Hoyos, a masterfully-renovated boutique hotel inside a 17th century mansion in the center of the city. Casa Hoyos is a perfect example of colonial architecture met with contemporary Mexican design, a theme which we’ll be exploring throughout the week.
The rooms are set around a central courtyard, the ground floor is home to a restaurant where we’ll enjoy our breakfast together, the rooftop hosts Bekab – voted one of the top 50 bars in Latin America – and a pool where you can cool off on hot afternoons.
There are two types of rooms available; the Single Design Room with one queen bed, and the Double Design Room, with two double beds. You can share a double room with a friend, or we’ll pair you with another participant.
All rooms are thoughtfully-designed by Andrés Gutiérrez of Mexico City-based design firm AG Studio, and feature furniture and art by Mexican designers, luxury bedding, and artisanal amenities. Your room will have a rain-effect shower, air conditioning and heating, high-speed wifi, a Smart TV, and a safe.
* ALL PRICES ARE PER PERSON + INCLUDE THE ENTIRE TRIP COST + ACCOMMODATIONS. Please see the above section “What’s Included” to see what’s included vs. not included in this cost.
ROOMS + INVESTMENT:
- DOUBLE DESIGN ROOM: For guests who don’t mind sharing a room, this accommodation option features 2 double size beds. This option is for 2 people traveling together, or a solo traveler who doesn’t mind sharing with another guest. —- $3,900
- SINGLE DESIGN ROOM: For guests who want their own room, this accommodation option features a spacious room with a Queen size bed. —- $4,300
CANCELATION POLICY + TRIP INSURANCE
We have a strict (no-refunds) cancellation policy, so we strongly recommend that everyone gets personal travel insurance. Insurance will cover things like illness/injury, flight cancellations, theft, etc. Insuremytrip.com offers a variety of policies that will protect your investment. By purchasing your spot on one of our trips, you agree to our no-refunds, strict cancellation policy. If you elect not to buy travel insurance, you are responsible for selling/gifting your space to a friend or someone in your network.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
TESTIMONIALS FROM PAST GUESTS
“My favorite part was the curation. I loved meeting locals, exploring hidden private studious and gardens, and learning about Oaxaca from natives was my favorite. I especially enjoyed our sunset comida in agave fields. I’ll never forget how beautiful and delicious it was.”
“I want to thank you again for this fabulous introduction to Oaxaca. The experience is so well put together and balanced that I admit it is borderline spiritual. To experience Mexico through the lens of deep admiration and respect is genuinely unforgettable. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for an absolutely incredible trip. The care and consideration you and Hannah put into every aspect of the trip was so deliberate and intentional (not to mention absolutely stunning). I’m walking away with a renewed sense of energy, clarity, and creativity (three things I haven’t felt in awhile), and with the love from so many incredible women. Nothing can compare.”
“One of the things that I wasn’t really expecting was how much I would genuinely like our whole group. It was an incredible group of women that I now consider friends and I have you to thank. The caliber of the group speaks volumes on the type of people you attract and what you inspire in them.”
“The curation of every moment made it clear how much time you and Hannah took. Please charge the next group a ton more cause it’s worth so much more. Can I even say it was actually “priceless” without it feeling like a MasterCard Dumb and Dumber moment? Either way, it was a priceless trip. Thank you.”
“Thank you for cultivating such an incredible group of women and curating a trip of a lifetime! I can’t put into words how special this experience was. After a very difficult year+, this trip was a sanctuary of happiness, light and connection.”
