This course provides an interdisciplinary presentation of vital artistic, literary, architectural, musical, political, religious and historical movements within Mexico. It will give you a better understanding of major Mexican cultural and historical developments. It is aligned to the California Content Standard in visual arts, social studies, history, Spanish and multicultural programming K-12.
A minimum of 6 participants required for each tour.
Day 1: A shuttle to Roca Azul will leave Guadalajara Airport at 1:00 p.m. Please plan your arrival accordingly.
Azul Country Club is located around the west end of Lake Chapala near Jocotepec, Jalisco. The Club has a large pool and a kiddie’s splash pool, both with thermal water. It overlooks Lake Chapala with great views.
Day 2: Chapala Lakeshore 
Lake Chapala is embedded in the central part of Jalisco. It is a place of flower vases of fragrant clay and small earthenware pots. The city of Chapala, was named after Mexico’s most important lake.
Jocotepec, Jalisco is located approximately 40 kilometers south of Guadalajara and at the western end of Lake Chapala. Jocotepec is well known for its sarapes, jorongos and gabanes.
Ajijic, Jalisco is a treasure trove of art and a space of light and color. The village is forever green and people are cordial and cheerfully welcome locals and foreigners alike. It has become a popular destination for retirement by North Americans and Canadians.
Day 3: Hacienda Del Carmen was formerly known as Santa Maria de Miraflores. The hacienda preserves the original architecture and the antique treasures throughout its history.
The Opal Mine: There are about 300 opal mines in the state of Jalisco. Participants will have the opportunity to explore one of the opal mines.
Day 4: Visit to Rural Middle Schools. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with students, teachers and school administrators. Participants will observe instructional strategies.
Day 5: Guachimontones Pyramids and Teuchitlan Jalisco: The “Guachimontones” are located in Teuchitlan, Jalisco. They are considered as one of the most important archaeological zones of Mexico.
Tequila, Jalisco: The town of Tequila, Mexico processes most of the tequila that is on the market today. Once in the city, visitors are allowed to tour the various distilleries; as well as taste the various tequilas being processed.
Day 6: Guadalajara,Jalisco
Catedral, Hospicio Cabañas, Plaza de Armas, Plaza Central, Government Palace, Degollado Theater, Paseo en Calandrias .
Catedral: Built in 1561 in the center of the city, the Cathedral was not consecrated until 1616. Since then it has undergone several changes so that it now reflects Gothic, baroque, Moorish and neoclassical architectural styles
Hospicio Cabañas: Hospicio Cabañas, the largest and one of the most remarkable colonial buildings in the Americas. The “Guadalajara House of Charity and Mercy,” was a home for the sick, helpless, and homeless.
Day 7: San Pedro Tlaquepaque and the Blown Glass Factory The name Tlaquepaque derives from Nahuatl and means, “place above clay land”. The area is famous for its pottery and blown glass. Tlaquepaque features El Parián, a place where mariachi groups can be heard all day long.
Day 8: Departure after breakfast. A shuttle will transport you to Guadalajara Airport at 10:00 am. Please schedule your flight after 1:00 pm.
