| from $1,800* per person | 7 Days | February, July, November |
|
Boutique accommodations
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Exertion level: 1
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| Operator: MexicaChica Getaways |
12 people max
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Join us for an exhilirating and mind stilling seven day Spanish and Cultural workshop in our beautiful city of Merida, Yucatan in Mexico. Our city is the perfect getaway for Spanish students in search of a truly multicultural experience. Guests will spend their days honing their Spanish speaking skills, enjoying a swim in the crystal clear blue waters of cenotes, learning about the booming sisal trading days seen in Merida in the late 1800´s, participating in a Mexican cooking class and much more!
Our Spanish immersion workshops further deepen understanding and respect for its culture, language and people. We will be using the newest and most effective techniques for teaching second languages. You may be a beginner or a Spanish teacher in search of a refresher course. Our instructors will recognize each guest´s learning ability, thus will meet their needs with precision. MexicaChica Getaways believes that acquiring language through immersion, will guarantee that all guests will return home with a lot more confidence in their language skills. The small group size and low anxiety atmosphere improve the language learning experience.
All our exciting tours planned throughout the week will be led in Spanish for an even richer experience. Your lessons will take place in a stunningly beautiful renovated colonial home right in the historical center of Merida. Enjoy the morning breezes while learning Spanish in a shaded courtyard framed with fruit trees.
This is the perfect getaway for history buffs or Spanish language and culture lovers.
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Locations visited/nearby
yucatan
, mayan
, merida
, mexico
, colonial
, women
, all inclusive
, luxury
, learning
, hacienda
, spanish, Mexico, North America
1 testimonial about this trip
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Reviewer: Michele W.
located in
San Francisco,
California
US
Thank you so much for an amazing experience, Claudette! I left Mérida
feeling as if I'd just returned from a vacation with a bunch of
girlfriends as opposed to on a generic tour. I loved the cultural
immersion. Other visits to Mexico have been like going to the 51st
United State, but on this tour, I knew I was in Mexico and not on a
generic tour bus. You put so much thought into every single move we made
during the trip--not only in the activities themselves, but down to the
minutest details, like serving us horchata during Spanish class the day
after we mentioned it in passing. I can't wait to take another trip.
The question is, which one?
-
Reviewer: Yury P.
located in
Honolulu,
Hawaii
US
Chef Brent was brilliant! I learned so much and had the most
fantastic time preparing and eating amazing food during my culinary
tour with MexicaChica. I am a foodie at heart and pride myself on my
cooking but the recipes I learned to prepare in beautiful Merida were
something else. I cant wait to share with my friends back home!
-
Reviewer: Brandy
located in
Calgary ,AB
I learned a lot about different dishes from around Mexico, how the food selection varies with each state. I was given MANY little hints that only an experienced chef could know and easily share. Brent's passion and enthusiasm was passed on to all who were present, showing us all that fabulous food is attainable in every kitchen. Thank you MexicaChica for making this possible through your Cooking Class with Chef Brent.
-
Reviewer: Anna,G
located in
Vancouver, BC
The culinary tour with MexicaChica was fantastic. Fun and casual but well structured. I love to cook and I can't wait to try some of the dishes on my own at home.
Special information
- Offers some women-only departures.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Welcome!
MexicaChica Getaways takes you to Merida, Yucatan, also known as The White City. From ancient Maya temples to charming haciendas full of history, we celebrate the diversity that this region has to offer. This is a state rich in natural wonders and exciting adventures.
Join MexicaChica Getaways for a 7 day, 6 night trip that embraces the exuberant tapestry of Mexico. You will be met at the airport by a private transfer and will be taken directly to a five star boutique hotel known for its impeccable service, beautiful courtyard and famous gift shop and bakery. This will serve as our home base for the week as we delve into our creative activities and explorations of the area.
Once at the hotel, we will be greeted with welcome cocktails and appetizers followed by a brief orientation with Claudette. You will have time to explore before and after our delicious dinner in a beautiful Merida restaurant. Our timely arrival could not be better orchestrated since that night we will play witness to one big authentic Mexican fiesta featuring live music, folkloric dances from various regions of Mexico, food and local crafts. Take the time to explore the city by night on one of the charming horse drawn carriages found only steps away from our hotel.
Meals- Welcome Drinks and appetizers, Dinner
Day 2 - Haciendas, Cenotes and Mayans...Oh my!
Today we will explore the sites of one of the only working haciendas left today. During the booming henequen or sisal era of the late 1800's many haciendas were built to process what came to be known as green gold. After synthetic fibers were introduced in the early 1900's, the entire industry collapsed and many haciendas were eventually abandoned. Today many of these serve as museums, tourist stops or luxury hotels.
We will learn about this fascinating time in history as we walk through the awe inspiring grounds of the main plantation home, machine house and gardens. Our visit includes a look into an authentic Maya home where you will meet Don Antonio, the resident of the Mayan house and the senior member of the local Mayan community.
No visit to an hacienda is complete without a dip in the crystal clear waters of a cenote (Seh-no-tehs). These are sinkhole formations unique to this part of the world. Our trip here is concluded with a tasty lunch of typical Yucatecan dishes under a palm thatched roof restaurant.
Back in the city we will have our first Spanish class with Laura Holland as well as a chef prepared healthy dinner in the home´s beautiful courtyard.
Meals- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 3 - Refreshing Cenotes
An antique cart pulled by a horse is the mode of transportation used on this trip to see three spectacular cenotes (Seh-no-tehs). The carts were used during the sisal booming days of the late 1800´s to transport the harvested plant back to the hacienda machine houses where they were processed into a finshed product such as rope. We will be traveling through the lush sisal plantations of the Yucatan with three wonderful refreshing cenotes as the goal of the trip, this day trip is something truly unique and unforgettable.
Cenotes are sinkhole formation unique to this part of the world.
In the Yucatán there are over 3000 cenotes, with only 1400 actually studied and registered.
They are magical places that were once the only resource for fresh, sweet water in the local Yucatecan jungle. They were the sacred places of the Mayas for that reason, but also because they represented the entrance to the underworld.
We will be enjoying a chef prepared gourmet picnic lunch on site. Upon our return to Merida you will have a welcomed break to rest at the hotel before our evening class session. Mexican favorites will be especially prepared by our chef and served in the open air courtyard of our colonial classroom.
Meals- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4 - Class Time and The City of Three Cultures
After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we will continue learning during our morning class session with Laura. You will be free to explore and have a leisurly lunch in anyone of our thoughtful suggestions.
Our late afternoon activities will be very special as we head out of the city to a magical little town about 45 mintutes away. Izamal, the city of three cultures, brings together elements of the prehispanic, colonial and contemporary eras. The town is known for its distinct yellow color that decorates a large portion of the town, creating a very charming and unique effect. Numerous prehispanic constructions, some currently under restoration, are located within the city, providing a contrast next to the remains of the colonial era.
This evening's activities include a wonderful dinner under a palm thatched room restaurant boasting some of the best authentic Yucatecan food in the region. Among the many attractions is the Franciscan monastery whose construction was completed in 1562. It is still recognized as a destination for many belivers who come in pilgramage to pray at the feet of our Lady of Izamal. We will enjoy a wonderful light and sound show on the convent grounds after our dinner.
Meals- Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5-Cooking Class!
A fun morning is planned after our breakfast at the hotel. Our star chef, Brent Marsh will be leading you on a culinary journey through Mexico. This is more than a Mexican cooking demonstration. It is a full fledged, hands-on, interactive and totally participatory Mexican cooking class. You will be preparing your very own meal for lunch today!
A free afternoon will be yours to explore or relax. An evening session is planned with Laura accompanied by a tasty dinner in our favorite courtyard.
Meals- Breakfast and Lunch
Day 6-Morning class, City Bus Tour and Farewell Dinner Party
Our morning class session will follow our hotel breakfast. Take the afternoon off for a long lunch in any one of the city´s famous cafes and explore some more or opt for a relaxing and refreshing dip in the hotel pool.
Our group reunites to embark on a city wide tour on a charming colorful open bus known as the gua gua. The gua gua will take us on a delightful tour of the city´s most important avenues where we will be able to appreciate the finest examples of French, Spanish and Moorish architecture this colonial city is famous for.
Our evening festivities will commence as we arrive at a beautiful art gallery where a memorable and delicious dinner party has been planned for us. This will be a time to share our learned experiences and toast to our most recent accomplishements. Live acoustic music of traditional Yucatecan trova will add a magical touch on this evening of celebration.
Meals- Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7-Adios!
The time has come to say goodbye. You will be provided private transporation to the Merida airport. Buen viaje y Adios!
Meals- Breakfast
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