The GUADALUPE SHRINE is considered to be the holiest place in Western Hemisphere. Indeed, it is venerated to such an extent that the US President, John F. Kennedy and the French President, Charles de Gaulle both took time out during their state visit in Mexico to worship the shrine.

ITINERARY:

Day 1 Thursday/10 December (USA/Mexico City)

Early departure for Mexico City.

Welcome to the glory of Old Mexico. Meeting, assistance and transfer to our hotel. Rest of the day at leisure and/or a good time to discover the many moods of Mexico City, perhaps by taking a stroll along the Zona Rosa (Pink Zone) a 24 block stretch of the finest shops, restaurants and cafes. Or simply relax and enjoy the amenities of our hotel before our informal orientation and Holy Mass followed by our welcom dinner. (Dinner)

Day 2 Friday/11 December (Mexico City)

After breakfast, we will proceed to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the 'Patroness of Americas' - located on a rocky hill (Cerro del Tepeyac) in the suburb of Villa de Guadalupe to celebrate Holy Mass.

Then, we'll board our motorcoach to visit Mexico City's highlights: Zocalo's main square (Plaza Mayor), see the site of Montezuma's Palace - now the national palace that holds Diego rivera's famous murals; the Metropolitan Cathedral, started in 1753 and took 250 years to complete and the largest in North America; Alameda Park, the hill dominated by the Palace of the Emperor Maximillian.

We'll continue our tour of the historic Mexico to Plaza Santo Domingo (once used as a School of Medicine) was founded in 1576 and have 2 shrines - Our Lady of the Rosary, one of the first rosary shrines in Mexico and Our Lady of Cavadonga, brought to Mexico by the Spaniards. And on to the Chapultepec Park and the wonderful residential districts on the soul of the city. (Buffet Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 3 Saturday/12 December (Mexico City)

HIGHLIGHT
"Feast Day of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe"
We'll proceed to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe to join our beloved brothers and sisters of every ethnic background of Mexico and America in celebrating the "Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe".

With deep joy we have come on pilgrimage to this Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Marian heart of Mexico and of America to praise and thank God for the gift of the first indigenous saint of the American continent. Help us perceive with favor upon the pain of those who are suffering in body or spirit, on those afflicted by poverty, loneliness and ignorance.

Join other pilgrims in their prayers as they view the astounding Tilma, the sackcloth bearing the image of the Holy Virgin. Learn more about the old and the new Basilica, the Tepeyac Hill, Chapel of the Well and the surrounding gardens.

In the afternoon, we'll visit the Pyramids of Teotihuacan which gave Mexico the name "Egypt of the New World". We will recall here the human sacrifices which preceded the 'Miracles of Guadalupe' after which eight million Indians were converted. We will also explore the intriguing Aztec ruins Cuicuilico, the Sun and the Moon and the two-mile long Avenue of the Dead and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. (Buffet Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 4 Sunday/13 December (Tlaxcala/Puebla)

After breakfast, we will refresh ourselves with cool Mexican mountain air as we pass Mt. Extlaxehaud on our way to the beautiful city of Tlaxcala, built on top of ruins of ancient indigenous towns to see some notable religious and architectural treasures with astonishing facade and arty interiors.

Visit Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion. an impressive religious construction with a renaissance-style facade and a medejar-style wood ceiling. The Cathedral has a beautiful baroque-style main altar that dates back to the 17th century. The altar has nine quilted sculptures and nine oil paintings.

Then to Ocotlan (from the Nahuatl ocotl pine tree), meaning 'place of pines'. The Basilica of Ocotlan, dedicated to the Virgin of Ocotlan, a 1541 Marian apparition, is a renowned site of Roman Catholic pilgrimage.

In the afternoon, we'll continue on to the historic district of Puebla. We'll visit Capilla del Rosario (Rosary Chapel) built in 1690, an astounding example of Mexican baroque architecture, with dazzling use of onyx stonework and gilded plaster; Saint Francis Church- Tumba de San San Sebastian (Tomb of Saint Sebastian) completed in 1555. Pilgrims come to venerate Blessed Sebastian de Aparicio, whose mummified corpse is displayed in a glass coffin. This Franciscan monk and colonial road-builder is the patron saint of all who drive for a living.

Drive back to Mexico City through the spectacular mountains with a view of the most famous peaks covered with eternal snow considered one of the most beautiful drives in Mexico.(Buffet Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 5 Monday/14 December (Taxco/Cuernavaca)

Early departure to Taxco whose history of silver is a fascinating combination of legend and fact. Taxco is one of the oldest mining sites located in the Americas. It has retained its natural charm with its colonial ambiance, red-tiled roofs, cobble-stoned, narrow winding street and the towering, impressive 240 year old beautiful and now famous Santa Prisca Cathedral. An ornate Cathedral with lots of gold trim in the Spanish Baroque style, which dates from the 18th century and is the religious symbol that identifies this city, emphasizing the devotion and the deeply rooted tradition of the local people. Then on to Cuernavaca. (Buffet Breakfast/Dinner)

Day 6 Tuesday/15 December (Cuernavaca/USA)

The ancient name of Cuernavaca is (Cuauhnahuac) in Nahuatl which means 'Place near or by the side of the groove'. It is actually known world-wide as "The City of Eternal Spring". Founded seven centuries ago almost a mile high in the Sierra Madre Mountains. For many years, Cuernavaca has been known as a resort where both Mexicans and foreigners come to enjoy the clean air, relax and enjoy the incomparable climate.

HIGHLIGHT: The Cathedral or Assumption's Franciscan Ex-Convent. Amazing architectonic complex formed by an atrium surrounded by tall 'battlemented' walls. The Cathedral has been remodeled in the last 20 years and murals depicting the martyrdom of St. Felipe de Jesus were found all along both sides of the walls. In the same complex are found the Chapel of San Jose, the Chapel of Nuestra Senora de los Dolores, the Chapel of Carmen as well as the Temple of Terce Orden. It is also famous for its Sunday "Mariachi Mass".

Then on to the airport for our flight back home with memories to cherish and assurance that life is a gift! (Buffet Breakfast)

"Home Sweet Home"