By Talk of the Town Travel.

With Father Luke Kopaniak, S.A.C.

& Deacon Randy Matters

Day 1 – Tuesday March 26th.

Today we depart from Pearson International Airport for Mexico City.  Direct flight.

Meet and greet by our English speaking guide.  If flight arrival is by midday, we will head for the Shrine of Guadalupe, where we have lunch specially prepared by the nuns of a nearby convent, followed by welcome Mass in a private chapel at the Shrine, before checking into our hotel. Relaxing afternoon and welcome briefing and dinner at hotel.  (D)

Day 2 – Wednesday March 27th.

After breakfast, we depart the hotel for a brief stop at the Plaza of the The Three Cultures, where San Diego presented the Tilma with he image of Our Lady to the Bishop as proof of her apparitions.  On the way to the Shrine we will be able to view the many different works of art throughout the city that blends the pre Hispanic and Hispanic culture together.  We arrive at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe for Mass at the new basilica and to venerate the ‘Tilma’, the sackcloth  bearing the sacred of the Holy Virgin.  After Mass we will have a waling tour of the Old Basilica, Capuchin Nun’s Temple, Pocito Chapel, Tepeyac Hill, and its garden of Roses.  There will be time at the Shrine for pray and to meditate on the beauty of this miracle.  In the afternoon we will drive to Teotihuacan one of the best preserved ancient cities in Mexico and a World Heritage site to see the Pyramid to the Sun and the Moon, the Temple of Quetzal – Butterfly.

A buffet lunch at a Mexican Restaurant with live music and native dancers will follow our visit.  There will be time to visit the local craft markets before we return to our hotel for dinner at leisure.  (B, L)

– This evening, a surprise in store, as you will have the opportunity to optionally attend the popular Folklore Ballet at the Palace of the fine Arts, Mexico’s exquisite opera house with its Tiffany Glass Curtain (at a surcharge )

Day 3 – Thursday March 28th

After breakfast, we visit Our Lady of Remedies Church, an interesting sanctuary known for miraculous happenings where will witness countless Retablos and “Milagros” elaborated by local parishioners and donated to the church in commemoration of miracles performed.

Mass will be celebrated here.  We then continue to Cuautitilan, birthplace of San Juan Diego to see where he grew up.  Afterwards, we head for the nearby town of Tepotzotlan to visit the Xvlll century Churrigueresque Church and ex – convent of San Francisco Javier to see it exuberant alter done in gold leaf.

Lunch is included at the local restaurant prior to heading back to Mexico City.  (B,L)

Day 4 – Friday March 29th

This morning after breakfast, head for Mass at the Church of the Holy Family were are found the remains of the blessed martyr, Father Miguel Pro.  From here, visit the main square of Mexico City (commonly know as the Zocalo) to visit the National Palace with its famous murals by Diego Rivera depicting the history of Mexico.  Our walk will takes us past the ruins of Templo Mayor to the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Lunch at a nearby restaurant flooded by a visit to the world-renowned Museum of Anthropology, a must see for all who visit Mexico City for its pre- Columbian heritage. The museum building itself is an awesome work of art, housing archaeological artifact, one of the which is the famous Aztec Calendar Stone.

Dinner at leisure.                                                                                                       (B,L)

Day 5 – Saturday March 30th

This morning we hear to the south of the city to the beautifully colonial residential section of Coyoacan to the Church of San Jancinto (or similar) where Mass will be celebrated.  Next is the Church of St John the Baptist, built on land donated by the conqueror Cortez.  His home is nearby.

We continue to Xochimilco, Mexico’s Floating Gardens and another World Heritage site where you enjoy a leisurely gondola ride along the flower canals, while enjoying a box lunch on board.  (B,L)

Day 6 – Sunday March 31st

After an early breakfast we depart for the city of Puebla known as one of Mexico’s most beautiful cities.  Along the way we will be stopping at two noteworthy sites – Tlaxcala, to visit the Shrine of San Miguel del Milagro, where St Michael the Archangel appeared to Diego Lazaro in 1631, directing him to the Grotto and the miraculous spring of healing waters.   Our next stop  is Ocotlan to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Ocotlan where in 1541, Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego Berniardino, burning her image on an Oak Tree.  There will be time to pray and meditate at these Holy sites.   Mass will be celebrated at one of these churches.  We will stop for lunch at a local restaurant before to the city of Puebla, commonly known as the ‘City of the Angels’.  Before we check into our hotel we will make a stop at the beautiful church of San Francis of Assisi to view the incorrupt body of St Sebastian of Aparicido.  Balance of the day at leisure, dinner local and overnight.  (B,L)

Day 7 – Monday April 1st

After breakfast, we celebrate Mass at the beautiful XVll century Rosary Chapel in the Church of Santo Domingo.  Later we visit Puebla’s Cathedral dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and other points of interest in town, time to stroll the quaint cobblestone streets, and shop for art, crafts, silver and tile.  Lunch prior to departure back to Mexico City, stopping enroute for a visit to the Indian church of Sta. Maria Tonazintla in the suburb of Cholula.

Arrival back to Mexico City in time for farewell dinner at the hotel.                    (B,L,D)

Day 8th – Tuesday April 2nd

In due time and in accordance with group departure flight, transfer to airport for your flight back home.  Time permitting, a last stop for farewell Mass at the Shrine of Guadalupe enroute.  (B)

Price and Information on the Tour

Tour includes:

– Direct flights from Toronto to Mexico City and return – with Air Canada

– 4 Stars Hotel accommodation based on twin occupancy

– Breakfast and Lunches daily plus 2 dinners

– All entrance fees to attractions specified in the itinerary

– English / Spanish speaking guide

– Transportation by air condition motor coach

Tour Price in CAD:  $2,425.00 per person. 

Single Supplement: $199

Tour Does Not Include:

–   Personal Insurance

  • Tips to Guide and restaurants ( TBD USD person)
  • 3.5% surcharge if paying by Credit Card.

Other items:

Reservations and Deposit:  Deposit of $350.00 per person is required at the time of registration.  Please note that $150 is non refundable, a requirement of the airline.  Final payment is required by December 26th, 2018 .  Final payment is Non- Refundable

Accommodations:Twin bedded rooms with private facilities at first class hotels.  Talk of the Town travel cannot be held responsible for the service of the facilities described in this itinerary.

Travel Documents:  All passengers require a valid passport. Non Canadians may require visa in addition to a passport.  All passports must be valid at lest 6 months beyond departure date.

Cancellation Fee:  Up to 90 days prior to departure fully refundable.  Within 90 – 45 days of departure a penalty of $150.00 will apply.  After final payment of 45 days and less before departure 100% non – refundable.

Responsibility:  Talk of the Town Travel acts only as an agent for the various companies supplying the services of this tour and shall not be liable in any way for injury, damage, loss, death, accident, delay or irregularity to any person or property.