Day 1. Depart JFK/Newark for Mexico City, arriving in Mexico late after- noon or early evening
Day 2. We begin our journey at the 16th century Metropolitan Cathedral in Zocalo Square. Afterwards, we stop at the ruins of the 13th-century Aztec temple that preceded the cathedral. We then tour the Royal Palace, viewing its famous Juan Diego murals, and see the new world's first churches run by religious orders -- the Jesuit church of La Compania (dating back 350 years), the Capuchin Franciscan church of San Francisco (nearly 500 years old) and Benedictine church of Santa Domingo (also nearly 500 years old). We will have an early dinner at the "House of Tiles," a former palace whose exterior walls are covered with distinctive blue and white tiles, before attending an early evening Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral
Day 3. Taking an excursion outside of Mexico City, we first make a short visit to Guadalupe to have a chance to see the Tilma (the cloak worn by St. Juan Diego that contains the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe) and basilica before the large crowds arrive. We then continue to the ancient pyramids and remains of the town of Teotihuacan. This pre-Christian city was founded and built between 100 BC - 200 AD. We will tour remains of stone homes, the well-preserved Sun and Moon Pyramids, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl and the ancient square before enjoying a late-afternoon, traditional Mexican buffet
Day 4. We will take a panoramic tour of Mexico City, stopping to see its world-renowned Anthropological Museum. We will examine the pre-Christian heritage of Mexico, discovering how Mayan, Aztec, Teotihuacan and other cultures influenced Mexican Christianity that we will experience at the exuberant native-themed celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Day 5. Today is a day of Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. We will attend the International Mass, see both the new and old Basilicas, the sight of the apparition and several churches built to commemorate Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego and partake in the festive celebration among local, native dance troupes from all parts of Mexico
Day 6. Last-minute shopping and an optional Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral before departing for JFK/Newark
From $1,995 including base airfare from New York