Oaxaca 2022
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Ring in the New Year in Oaxaca! This enchanting colonial city, dubbed "the land of the seven moles," is famous for its indigenous cultures, its archaeological sites, its European architecture, and of course its incredible cuisine.

Food is central to life in Oaxaca, and this tour is no exception! We'll spend a day with a local chef, learning to cook traditional specialties. This day begins with a shopping trip to the marketplace to find ingredients, and ends when we eat our handmade meal. We'll enjoy fine restaurants and some of the best street food anywhere. Oaxaca's was the first cuisine to receive UNESCO culinary heritage status, and you'll have plenty of opportunities throughout the tour to sample local delights.

Not a foodie? Not a problem! Your guide is University of Utah Associate Professor of Anthropology, and Mesoamerican archaeologist, Rick Paine. Rick will guide you through the history of the area, starting with the Zapotec ruins of Monte Albán and of Mitla, the Zapotec religious center. You'll also explore art in nearby craft villages, learn the secrets of making Mezcal, and have plenty of free time to relax and recharge.

Tour Highlights Include:

• A guided tour of the ruins of Monte Albán, where Rick will explain the history and mythology of the Zapotec people
• A day-long cooking class where you'll learn to make traditional Mexican specialties, then feast upon your creations
• Visits to craft villages nearby, where you can find beautiful weavings and ceramic arts
• Visits to rural palenques, where small batches of Mezcal, Mexico's most traditional liquor, are handcrafted by experts
• Seven nights' accommodation in the Xtilu Hotel in old Oaxaca
• Eight hand-picked culinary delights for lunch or dinner, as well as daily breakfast
• Private bus for day trips, with local driver and English-speaking guide
• Ample free time so you can find your own unique Oaxaca

Photo courtesy Rick Paine