Gratitude

Scientists report that grateful people are typically happier people. A grateful attitude reduces negativity and typically makes us more optimistic – that’s a significant reason to make acts of gratitude a daily habit.

Wild Turkey in the Fields at CordeValle

I’m extremely grateful to have such a charming collection of dear adventuresome clients, travelers who trust me to make their travel decisions and suggestions. Snippets of recent notes we’ve received from grateful clients.

One of my most intrepid, generous and dearest clients recently texted this as she was wrapping up a three-week, three city Journey with eight close friends: EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FANTASTIC and EVERYONE IS HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME….and your VIP WINGS people are amazing….BRAVO TO YOU AND EVERYTHING YOU’VE DONE FOR US !!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Caps and explanation points are hers! This client travels well, there are no taxis, always a driver for every meal and outing for the group, private luggage car on Eurostar to avoid dragging heavy bags up and down the train station ramps, VIP greeters at arrival and departures, private visits to museums and castles, a high level of luxe comfort; herding cats with eight travelers, but it was perfectly executed, partly due to our extraordinary ground ambassadors.

From a group of six friends on their first East African safari:
Gwen, I just wanted to reach out and thank you again for such a fantastic Safari. Having your African firm owner along was amazing, in every sense of the word. His insight, organization, conversation, and laughter were pieces of this experience that I wasn’t expecting, and it brought our trip to a whole new level. Gwen, what you and your team put together for us relative to schedule and accommodations was just perfect! All of the logistics went so smoothly – from the airport arrival and departure (great service) to our drivers, the flights, the pilots and the beautiful rooms. In a nutshell, I would do it all again tomorrow – just the way we did it.  We have never had a more perfect trip! Gwen, we look forward to planning our next adventure with you – such a great job!

Family safari: We are an adventurous family of five who love to travel to places off the beaten path. This last summer, Gwen and her team set us up with the trip of a lifetime. We asked for memorable and came home with 10,000 photos and a lifetime of memories…

Gwen, our recent trip to Berlin and Poland was unique, educational and unparalleled.  Like our other trips, the hotels were uber comfortable. Equally important, you pulled it off again with regard to our guides…they appealed to both my son and I on a very deep intellectual an emotional level. Bravo Gwen.

I’m eternally thankful to our spirited, adventurous and grateful clients!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Megeve France. Dawn Balloon Sailing.

Mexico City The Ultimate Journey

Mexico City possesses one of the utmost concentrations of galleries and museums in the world, plus an outstanding innovative cuisine scene rivaling London, Tokyo and Copenhagen. Add an abundance of design shops and classic hotels with our private exclusive experiences to understand why we think Mexico City is a Hot Destination!

Arrive Mexico City whisk through customs with our VIP arrival specialists, meet driver and head to the Four Seasons or if you arrive privately, heli to downtown!

A sample itinerary:
Day One: Early rise for sunrise in private hot air balloon over the Valley of Teotihuacan ruins, the center of the Aztec civilization. Drift over the pyramids of the Sun and the Moon and taking in the sheer size of the religious and ceremonial center of the Aztecs and looking out over vistas of the surrounding valley.

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Dawn hot air balloon over the Valley of Teotihuacan ruins, the center of the Aztec civilization. Drift over the pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. Mexico

Once the gentle flight is over you will toast with sparkling wine, as has been done since the first days of hot-air ballooning, before heading to a breakfast in a private garden. Afterward, explore Teotihuacán by foot and climb the pyramids. Deluxe Private Tour to Teotihuacan Pyramids with Special Access to Atetelco workshop and Tetitla murals in Teotihuacan. After your morning experience you will continue with the visit to Atetelco, once an active archaeological workshop which served as a strategic center of operation in 1950s and today is closed to the general public. Accompanied by an expert archaeologist, you’ll be captivated during a one-hour, private expedition of this exclusive area. Rediscover an infinite number of ceramic artifacts, fossil remains, sequentially numbered fragments for the reconstruction of the outer wall and many other incredible treasures. You’ll also get a glimpse into the workings of the excavation by viewing the original blueprints and newspapers from the 1950s.

Atetelco workshop and Tetitla murals in Teotihuacan. Mexico

Next, head towards the Palace of Tetitla, where you will access a restricted area, closed to the general public, to admire ancient mural paintings that your private archaeologist will bring to life through interpretation and knowledge. Afterwards, take a short drive to the Teotihuacan archaeological zone to continue with a guided tour of the world-class site. With your expert bilingual guide, will explore the archaeological zone while learning about the rituals, cosmology, beliefs and everyday lives of the Aztecs and the inhabitants of Teotihuacán before them.

Atetelco workshop and Tetitla murals in Teotihuacan. Mexico

Evening dinner with pairing of Mexican wine / artisanal beer with two locally renowned cooks and food experts, in their home in the heart of one of Mexico’s most fashionable neighborhoods.

Day Two: Private tour to Mexico City historic centre with a visit to San Juan Market and Churro Experience. Discover Mexico’s Mesoamerican, colonial and revolutionary history while exploring the historic center of the capital with your personal, expert guide. What is now the heart of this modern city was also once the center of the Aztec world, Tenochtitlan. Visit the Cathedral built upon the main Aztec temple by the Spanish conquistadors, as well as the painted representation of Mexico’s past by muralist Diego Rivera in the National Palace. Walk through some of the center’s iconic streets to the Palace of Fine Arts where to explore its varied architecture and visit the Museo de Arte Popular.

Tree of Life, Mexico City

Your next stop will be at Mercado San Juan also known as Gourmet Market, it is located in the San Juan neighborhood of the Historic Centre and it is one of the oldest markets in the city. Here you will have the opportunity to try some Mexican delicacies and purchase some Mexican handicraft. The market has its origins in the pre-Hispanic open-air market, or tianguis, in the San Juan Moyotlan quarter of colonial Mexico City. Before 1548, the neighborhood was simply Moyotlan – “place of the mosquito” in Nahuatl – a nod to a common (and persisting) nuisance in the formerly marshy area bordering Lake Texcoco that surrounded ancient Tenochtitlan.

After your meal, enjoy a sample of churros at the world-famous Churreria el Moro, located in the wonderful Condesa Neighborhood, next to Parque Mexico.  After dessert you will be driven back to your hotel to enjoy some free time to relax and refresh before continuing with an exclusive visit to the Anthropology Museum.

Churreria el Moro

National Museum of Anthropology private visit. This once in a lifetime experience will take you to explore The National Anthropology Museum on a private and off-hours tour. This museum showcases fascinating artifacts from various cultures that once thrived in Mesoamerica and is the most visited museum in Mexico. Designed and built by architect Pedro Ramirez Vasquez in 1964, it is considered to be very important for its architectural design as well as the vast array of artifacts that it houses.

National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City

Our expert guide will lead you on an exploration of the museum, taking you on a journey through the many histories and cultures of Mesoamerica. One of the most important pieces housed at the museum is the 24-ton Aztec Sunstone that was found buried beneath the city´s main square in 1790. While you observe its intricate craftsmanship, our guide will explain the legend of the five suns that is depicted in the stone. You will also explore replica temples and the tomb of King Pakal found at Palenque in Chiapas as well as learning about the ancient ball game that was played across Mesoamerica.

Day Three: Private Full Day Cooking Class. Accompanied by two locally renowned cooks, enjoy a cultural and culinary experience in the heart of one of Mexico City´s most artistic and dynamic neighborhoods – La Roma. The day begins in the morning next to the Medellin market where you will taste authentic Mexican tortillas made with traditional Nixtamal dough and learn how this vitamin rich food has spanned the test of time throughout Mesoamerica.

Afterwards, walk the market to discover the colors, aromas and deep-rooted tradition of an authentic Mexican market. With a shopping bag in tow, you can interact with local merchants, taste spices, cheeses, ice cream, single origin coffee from Chiapas, and much more.

After tasting and selecting the best fresh ingredients for your menu you will enjoy a short walk to Casa Jacaranda, a beautifully restored mansion where your hands-on cooking lesson begins. Generations-old culinary secrets and techniques are shared during this interactive gathering while you chop, grill, marinate and steam to create a 3-course menu with sauces and garnishes. Once completed, dine on your creations paired with Mexican wine and a tasting of craft Mezcal from Oaxaca.

Diego Rivera Murals, Mexico City

Day Four: Private full day tour to Southern Suburbs & Xochimilco with catered lunch and mariachi. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you will be driven to San Angel, located in the South of Mexico City. With its narrow, cobbled streets and large colorful houses, it can be hard to believe that San Angel is part of Mexico City. That might be due to the fact that it didn’t officially become part of the city until the 20th Century. Take your time to wander around the central Plaza, learning about the history of the area, known in pre-Hispanic times as Tenanitla.

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Xochimilco, Mexico City

You will have time for lunch before continuing on to Coyoacán, another area of the city that also feels like a small pueblo. Meander down the tree-lined street, Francisco Sosa and observe the colorful, heavy brick architecture. Sixty-four of the buildings on this street are catalogued by INAH for their historic value.

Then visit the Church of St John the Baptist, and learn about its outside plaza, used to preach to the native people who were accustomed to listening to their priests under the open sky. Inside, your guide will lead you in exploring the mixture of architectural styles found within the church and the Arab influence in much of the design.Traversing the narrow streets of Coyoacán, arrive at Plaza la Conchita, where the Spanish conquistador, Hernán Cortes’ house can be found. Next you will head to Diego Rivera Studio and take an in-depth look into Diego Rivera´s passionate lifestyle, art and legacy.

Pottery aficionados, we may arrange a meeting and visit to the workshop of Alberto Diaz de Cossio. Explore the Studio, and then drive to Xochimilco. Meaning ‘Place of the Flowers’ in Nahuatl, Xochimilco is famous for its canals. These canals made up part of vast man-made waterways surrounding the ancient city of Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs built fertile riverbeds called chinampas, using wattle, mud and river sediment, on which they were able to grow many of their staple crops.

Alberto Diaz de Cossio Pottery

Explore the canals on a colorful boat called a trajinera and discover that the chinampas are still in use today but for growing flowers rather than food crops. Your guide will be on hand to point out the local wildlife, including monkeys and tropical birds, abundant in Xochimilco despite it being part of one of the most populated cities in the world. A private mariachi performance is the finale of this visit!

Frida Kahlo Blue House, Mexico City

Private off hours visit to Frida Kahlo´s Blue House. Frida Kahlo’s Blue House, the house where Mexican painter Frida Kahlo was born and later died, is now a museum dedicated to her life. Through observing her house, her art and reading her words you will learn more about this painter who has become an iconic figure in Mexico and beyond. We can also organize a private catered dinner in the garden.

Frida Kahlo Blue House, Mexico City

Day Five: Begin the day at the Museum of Modern Art, a small but influential collection of works by Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco and Frida Kahlo. Meet your guide for a walking tour of the houses designed by the Pritzker Prize–winning modernist architect Luis Barragán. Lunch at the historic San Ángel Inn. After your visit you will be driven to one of the best restaurants of Mexico City to enjoy dinner

Popular Mexico City restaurants: Pujol, Quintonil, Sud777, Lorea.

Pujol Mexico City

Additionally, we can can extend your exclusive Journey to Oaxaca or to the coast for a few days beachside!

“¡Olé!