ICAZ International Conference 2006

1.- HISTORICAL CENTER – Half-day tour
The tour of down-town MEXICO CITY starts with a drive along the aristocratic REFORMA AVENUE, Mexico´s most beautiful, to the HISTORICAL CENTER. Sightseeing of the Main Square, vibrant core of the country full of history, legend and commerce. It is surrounded by magnificent colonial buildings such as the Cathedral which was built where the principal Aztec temple once stood, the National Palace where you will admire the murals by famous Mexican painter, Diego Rivera, depicting historical episodes of the country, and the ruins of the Major Temple.
Duration: From 09 to 13 hrs - Minimum 8 persons
Price per person, including taxes: 37 USD

2.- ANTHROPOLOGY MUSEUM – Half-day tour
Drive to the world famous ANTHROPOLOGY MUSEUM, designed by a famed Mexican architect. It opened in 1964 and is considered among the world´ s finest. Constructed around a large patio, it contains sections dedicated to all regions of the country, from the earliest human arrivals in the continent. Thousands of interesting pieces from Mexico ´s indigenous past, as well as relics from different periods of the history of the country, are displayed.
The museum not only assembles the major archaeological and ethnographic collection gathered in Mexico, but is an architectural masterpiece itself.
Duration: From 14 to 18 hrs - Minimum 8 persons
Price per person, including taxes: 46.5 USD

3.- COYOACAN – Half-day tour
Drive to sightsee COYOACAN (“Place of Coyotes”), residential area with cobblestone streets flanked by stately mansions. Its quaint plazas, art galleries, temples, museums, cafés, restaurants, bookstores, etc. make it a place worth visiting. Artists gather around the main plaza selling beautiful Mexican handcrafts, jewelry, paintings, clothing, etc. The most prominent building in this plaza is 16th century Saint Baptist Parish with its well-preserved frescoes on the ceiling.
The tour includes the Frida Kahlo Museum (known as the “Blue House”) where the famous Mexican painter was born and where she lived with her husband, the also world-known painter Diego Rivera. Paintings by both artists, as well as objects of their every-day life are exhibited.
Duration: From 14 – 18 hrs - Minimum 8 persons
Price per person, including taxes: 37 USD

4.- SAN ANGEL & SATURDAY BAZAAR – Half-day tour
Drive to visit the residential area of San Angel, which with its cobblestone streets, and colonial-style mansions, romantic plazas, still has the atmosphere of a picturesque village. Its main attraction is the Saturday Bazaar”, a Saturday market where artisans sell clothing, jewelry, glassware, ceramics, paintings, and other items. There is also a number of interesting shops selling colonial-style furniture and handicrafts.
Duration: From 12 to 16hrs - Minimum 8 persons
Price per person, including taxes: 37 USD

5.- MEXICO CITY TOUR, ANTHROPOLOGY MUSEUM & XOCHIMILCO – Full-day tour
Our tour begins with the sightseeing of MEXICO CITY, the largest and most populated metropolis in the world. Drive along the aristocratic REFORMA AVENUE, Mexico ´s most beautiful, to the HISTORICAL CENTER. Sightseeing of the Main Square, vibrant core of the country full of history, legend and commerce. It is surrounded by magnificent colonial buildings such as the Cathedral which was built where the principal Aztec temple once stood, the National Palace where you will admire the murals by famous Mexican painter, Diego Rivera, depicting historical episodes of the country, and the ruins of the Major Temple.

Continuation to the world famous ANTHROPOLOGY MUSEUM, designed by a famed Mexican architect. It opened in 1964 and is considered among the world´ s finest. Constructed around a large patio, it contains sections dedicated to all regions of the country, from the earliest human arrivals in the continent. Thousands of interesting pieces from Mexico ´s indigenous past, as well as relics from different periods of the history of the country, are displayed.
The museum not only assembles the major archaeological and ethnographic collection gathered in Mexico, but is an architectural masterpiece itself.

The tour ends in the “Floating Gardens” of XOCHIMILCO, a pre-Hispanic engineering marvel situated in the southern part of the city. It was declared “Heritage of Mankind” by UNESCO in 1987. Boat-ride along the channels on a colorfully decorated barge “trajinera”, while listening to festive Mexican live music.
Duration: From 09 to 18 hrs - Minimum 8 persons
Price per person, including taxes: 100 USD

6.- TEOTIHUACAN & GUADALUPE SHRINE – Full-day tour
Excursion to TEOTIHUACAN, (“Where Men become Gods”), mystical archaeological zone where the Aztecs believed the Sun, the Moon and the whole Universe had been created. It is located 31 miles northeast of Mexico City. Teotihuacan was a political, commercial and religious center which, when at its peak, was inhabited by more then 200,000 people. Among its most interesting constructions are the awesome Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl (“Feathered Snake”). This culture that produced this magnificent city originated in the first century A.D., reached its peak between the 3rd and 4th centuries and then, unexplainably declined and the site was abandoned.
Lunch.
On the way back to Mexico City, a halt will be made to visit the SHRINE OF GUADALUPE, Mexico ´s most revered temple, and one of the most important religious centers in Latin America. It is located in the spot where the Virgin of Guadalupe is said to have appeared before an Indian named Juan Diego in 1574.
Duration: From 09 to 18 hrs - Minimum 8 persons
Price per person, including taxes: 100 USD

7.- MEXICO – CUERNAVACA – TAXCO – Full-day tour
Drive southwards to CUERNAVACA, also known as “The City of the Eternal Spring” due to its all-year-round ideal climate. Sightseeing of its historical center, the beautiful cathedral and the Palace of Cortés where Spanish conqueror, Hernán Cortes, lived for brief periods after conquering the country. In this Palace, now museum, we will admire beautiful murals by Mexican painter Diego Rivera.
Continuation to TAXCO, the “Silver City” of Mexico that attracts many visitors, not only because of its picturesque charm, but also because of its shops where visitors can buy beautiful pieces of silver jewelry. It is under the protection of UNESCO as “Heritage of Mankind”. The sightseeing, on foot, of this quaint little village of unique colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, red-tile roofed houses and flowering gardens includes the opulent baroque church of Santa Prisca. Lunch in Taxco.
Return to MEXICO CITY.
Duration: From 09 to 18 hrs - Minimum 8 persons
Price per person, including taxes: 100 USD

8.-MEXICO CITY - CUERNAVACA - XOCHICALCO TOUR
Departure for CUERNAVACA, known as "The City of Eternal Spring" due to its all-year-round mild climate. Tour of the HISTORICAL CENTER, including the beautiful Cathedral and the Palace of Cortes where the Spanish conqueror, Hernan Cortes, lived during short periods of time. Presently it is a museum displaying interesting murals by famous Mexican painter, Diego Rivera. Lunch.
Continuation to XOCHICALCO ("Place of the House of Flowers"), an impressive mountainside archaeological zone, with ceremonial buildings, houses and terraced pyramids atop a series of hills. In Xochicalco one admires two of the finest examples of the late Classic architecture of pre*Hispanic Mexico. Its main structure, the remarkably well-preserved Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent, is a decoration full of life.
After the tour of Xochicalco, return to MEXICO CITY.

Duration: From 09:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs (minimum 8 participants)
Price per person, including taxes: 98 USD

Above tours include: transportation in modern air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking professional guide, entrance fees to archaeological sites and museums mentioned in the program.
A boat-ride is included in the tour to Xochimilco.
Lunch is included in the excursions to Teotihuacan and Cuernavaca - Taxco.