Chichen Itza is a spectacular Mayan site and was recently voted as one of the new 7 wonders of the world. The giant stepped pyramid of Kukulkan dominates the ancient city and from its heights you can contemplate structures such as the Warrior’s Temple,the moon observatory Caracol or the Giant Ball Court, complete with grandstand and stone hoops, where prisoners played for their lives.
Located to the northwest of Cancun, Holbox Island is separated from the mainland coast of Mexico by a shallow lagoon, which gives sanctuary to thousands of flamingos, pelicans and other exotic birds and creatures.
Merida is the capital of the Yucatan and depicts much of the splendour of Colonial Mexico containing many buildings in varying states of repair. This vibrant city was founded by the conquistadores in 1542 and built directly on top of an existing Mayan city. Its impressive cathedral is the oldest in Latin America, completed in 1559.
The Riviera Maya boasts some of the best beaches in Central America with hundreds of miles of wide beaches and inviting shallow turquoise waters. The soft, powder sand is a brilliant white and the clarity of vision in the warm and clear Caribbean is superb.
The setting of Tulum is simply stunning with a compact group of Maya-Toltec temples perched on coastal cliffs above the turquoise Caribbean Sea. Tulum was built in the 12thcentury and these were troubled times in the Mayan world as reflected by its defensive wall and watchtower, rare in other sites. Despite the beautiful sunrises from here, each doorway faces west and the site is dedicated to the worship of the Falling God or Setting Sun.
Expansive in its design with majestic palaces and temple pyramids, Uxmal is renowned for its superb sculptures and design. Long geometrical friezes rank among the most splendid examples of ancient American art. The incredible Pyramid of the Magician and the beautiful Governor’s Palace are two of the finest examples of Mayan art anywhere.Considered by many archaeologists as one of the finest examples of an ancient Mayan city.
Founded by the Aztecs in the 14th century, Mexico City is a melting pot of history and culture, where its ancient past and fashionable present blend to create a unique synergy with a foot in both worlds. The 20 million plus people that live in the Valley of Anahuac – once an enormous lake - are blessed with constant views of the snow-capped volcanoes of Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl.
Known as the City of Angels, Puebla, a World Heritage Site, lies 136 km from Mexico City. The city has some 5,000 colonial buildings, which are mostly baroque edifices built during the 16th century. At times, it seems as though the architectural designs of some of the convents, churches and squares came from heaven above. Not only is this city known for its splendid architecture, but it also offers excellent cuisine.
With its extensive and varied indigenous populations, Oaxaca offers a rich cultural experience and an opportunity to hunt down unique handicrafts and woven carvings. Founded by the Spanish in 1521 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, this city is not to be missed.
On the Pacific coast lies the beautiful bay of Banderas and the destinations of Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit & Punta Mita. Each offer beautiful sunsets, luxury resorts and a fantastic culinary scene, which makes this beach destination a firm favourite of ours.
San Cristobal de las Casas is a highland town in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. Located at 2,200 metres, the city a crisp and cool climate. The pedestrian friendly cobblestoned streets and pastel dwellings laid out onto this mountain setting further add to San Cristobal’s charm and is an ideal base for further explorations throughout the state of Chiapas.
The stunning archaeological site of Palenque, including the Templo de las Inscripciones, is one of the most renowned burial monuments in the Americas. Palenque was an important power centre during the height of the Mayan civilization that dates back to 100 BC. It is still unclear what led to the important city state’s fall around 800 BC.
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