Immerse yourself in the romance of Old Mexico with a culinary adventure to San Miguel de Allende! We invite you to join us for an eight day cooking vacation exploring the tastes, flavors, and history of this charming 16th century town. Nestled in the mountains just four hours from Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende beckons the discriminating traveler to explore its cobblestone streets, shaded plazas, and colorful markets all the while learning to cook and prepare both authentic and Nuevo Mexico cuisine.

Your accommodations for the trip will be at the charming Casa Luna bed and breakfast. This historic building is situated just blocks from the main square. Rooms feature fireplaces, antique décor, private bathrooms, and even wireless internet service!

Day One

Today you will be met at the Leon airport by your English speaking driver. The drive to San Miguel de Allende takes about one and a half hours and is lovely, taking you through Mexico’s central highlands

Settle in to your room and relax before enjoying dinner at one of the town’s best restaurants.

Day Two

After a sumptuous Mexican breakfast meet your guide for a walking tour of historic San Miguel de Allende.

In the afternoon, join local chef, café owner, and cookbook author Kris Ruldolph for a guided tour of the market to learn all about local ingredients.

Kris will then lead a cooking class featuring salsas! Lunch will consist of your culinary efforts including pork loin with mango salsa, green enchiladas, beef tips in Pasilla salsa and raspberry chipotle brownies.

Dinner on your own

Day Three

Today your journey takes you to Dolores Hildalgo, the Mexican town where in 1810 the parish priest delivered his now famous Grito or Cry for Freedom. This began Mexico's struggle for freedom from Spanish rule which was to drag on until 1824 and take some 600,000 lives. Today the town is known for its ceramics industry, producing lovely Talavera pottery. We’ll visit one of the pottery makers to see how it is created. The town is also famous for its ice cream. On all four corners of the central plaza ice cream makers try to outdo each other with the most outlandish flavors. Corn or shrimp ice cream anyone?

In the late afternoon join Kris Rudolph again for a cooking lesson on either Modern Mexican Fusion or Healthy Mexican cuisine. Dinner follows the lesson.

Day Four

Today’s adventure takes you to Los Pozos, a ghost town once known throughout colonial Mexico for its opulence and mining industry. Today it is a wonderful place to explore the ruins and enjoy the tranquility. It is a photographer’s paradise.

Enjoy lunch at a 150 year old hacienda which has been converted to a lovely hotel and restaurant. Casa Mexicana strives to combine art, culture, and cuisine and offers culinary creations that speak both to the eye and palate.

Dinner on your own in San Miguel.

Day Five

Morning free to explore San Miguel's many artisan workshops or to schedule a massage.

In the afternoon join Reyna Polanco Abrahams in her home for a hands-on cooking session featuring traditional Mexican cuisine. Reyna delights in sharing recipes from both Guanajuato and Veracruz, where she grew up. After the lesson the group will enjoy comida together. Some of the recipes you may prepare include: tortilla soup, tamales, chayote squash, nopales, chicken with pumpkin seed sauce, mole poblano, pork in mole verde, pastel tres leches (cake with three ice creams), cajeta (goat milk caramel).

Day Six

After breakfast head out to Ranco Casa Luna, a 20 acre country estate and organic farm where you will enjoy a hands-on cooking class with Kirsten West. Kirsten has a long and varied culinary career highlighted by her years studying with Diane Kennedy, one of the world's top scholars of Mexican cuisine along with time assisting Rick Bayless with his TV show mexico, One Plate at a Time.  The farm overlooks 50 miles of lush valley and mountains and features a traditional garden of "the three sisters" --corn, beans, and squash. There is also an infinity hot tub and pool with plenty of space to enjoy the countryside. Your lesson will take place in one of the rancho's three state-of-the-art kitchens is followed by lunch. The day ends in the late afternoon with your transfer back to the city.

Day Seven

Full day tour to Guanajuato. Once Mexico’s most prominent silver mining city, today this colonial gem is a UNESCO site, known for its picturesque alleyways, plazas and colorful houses. Lunch on your own in the city.

Farewell dinner in one of San Miguel's wonderful restaurants.

Day Eight

Morning checkout and transfer to Leon airport for departure.