Morning flight from London to Mexico City. On arrival you will be met by local representatives who will escort you to your hotel, in the historical downtown area of one of the world’s largest cities. The remainder of the day is free. Dinner is in our hotel.

Morning drive to the city’s suburbs and to the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Mexico’s foremost and most revered shrine. The cathedral is built on the Tepeyac, a hill north of the city, which was the site of the temple of Tonantzin, the Aztec goddess of fertility. Religious tradition has it that in the winter of 1531 a vision of the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, an indigenous farmer and recent convert to Christianity, who was canonised by Pope John Paul II in 2002. This appearance took place 10 years after the Spanish had defeated the Aztecs. The grand city of Tenochlan – today’s Mexico City – was in ruins. Juan Diego, born in 1474, witnessed the collapse of his civilisation. What is important in the story is that Mary appears not to the Spanish conquistadors, but to the Mexicans. And it is to Juan Diego, a poor farmer, that she requests a church be built on this hillside, sacred to the Aztecs. Mass will be celebrated here, after which there will be an introductory tour of the Basilica and the surrounding grounds, and an opportunity to ascend Tepeyac Hill. The New Basilica of Guadalupe replaced the Ancient Basilica (Basilica Antigua) that had housed the Image of the Virgin of Guadalupe for 267 years. Built on the lake, the Ancient Basilica sank increasingly and began leaning as a result of its massive weight and Mexico City’s frequent tremors. The older Basilica is characterised by its Doric interior architecture and marble statues of Juan Diego and Father Juan de Zumarraga, the first bishop of Mexico City. Lunch is included in a local restaurant. After lunch there will be free time for exploration of the area on your own before the transfer back to the hotel in the early afternoon, with the rest of the day at leisure.

Dinner is at choice.

After breakfast we make our way to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Los Remedios, with the tomb of the martyr Blessed Miguel Pro, and on to the Shrine of Christ the King. We attend Mass here for the Feast of All Saints before the visit to Blessed Juan Diego’s Baptismal Church and the Church of Our Lady’s apparition to his uncle, Juan Bernardino. We also admire the nearby, impressive 18th century aqueduct, a magnificent hydraulic construction, with its peculiar towers reminiscent of the legendary Tower of Babel. Return to Mexico City to visit the National Museum of anthropology, in Chapultepec Park, dominated by its castle, once the residence of ill-fated emperor Maximilian of Habsburg. Admire the museum’s large collections of pre-Hispanic art, including the Aztec Calendar and the sculpture of the gruesome goddess Coatlicue, the snake-skirted one. The striking construction is the work of architect Ramírez Vázquez, also the creator of the new Basilica of Guadalupe. Its entrance is guarded by the impressive, over 200- ton sculpture of the Aztec rain god Tlaloc. Afterwards return to the hotel for a free evening. Dinner is in our hotel tonight.

After breakfast this morning, we drive across the mountains, in sight of the towering, snow-covered Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes, rising well over 17,000 feet above sea level, and soon reaching the neighbouring state of Tlaxcala and its similarly named capital city, where we visit the Blessed First Martyrs’ Shrine and the Church of San Francisco, continuing to San Miguel del Milagro for Mass for the Feast of All Souls. This is the site of miraculous apparitions of St Michael to Diego Lázaro in 1631, and of a well of curative waters. Just outside of this charming provincial town we visit the Shrine and Sanctuary of Our Lady of Ocotlán, where an apparition is said to have occurred to Juan Diego Bernardino in 1541. Tradition has it that the Virgin left her statue in a burnt tree, as a proof of her apparition. But apart centuries, one cannot fail to be impressed by the stunning scenery of the mountainous and volcanic terrain. Without doubt for western European Christians, Mexico is a true eye-opener and a wonderful illustration of how Christianity has been absorbed into the culture and distinctive character in a continent far removed from theirs but still sharing in common the same

fundamental beliefs. Apart from its religious significance, the Sanctuary of Ocotlán also represents one of the high points of Mexican baroque art, its gleaming white stucco façade being a classical example of the Churrigueresque style. This is without doubt one of the country’s most spectacular churches, which makes this day one of the highlights of the tour. In the late afternoon we reach nearby Puebla, for a two-night stay. Dinner is in our hotel tonight.

Puebla is a historic city, emblematic of Mexican resistance to foreign intervention. It was here that General Zaragoza’s sparingly armed troops defeated Napoleon III’s Imperial French Army: the battle took place at the hilltop forts of Loreto and Guadalupe, from where today we enjoy an unforgettable view of the snow-capped volcanoes. Descend into the historical centre of Puebla, which is now a World Heritage site. Visit the 17th century Cathedral, boasting the country’s highest bell towers, and onto the Chapel of the Rosary in Santo Domingo Church, a real gem of gilded plaster and carved stone with angels and cherubim popping out from behind every leaf. Many people think of this as the eighth wonder of the New World. Lunch is included today in the restaurant of the Hotel Colonial in the centre of Puebla. Afterwards there will be time at leisure before returning to our hotel. Dinner is at choice.

In the early afternoon, we proceed to Cholula, the town of 365 churches – one for every day of the year, so the saga goes – that is also the site of Mexico’s largest pyramid, still fully covered by weed and topped by a Catholic church. This was the Spaniards’ usual practice to symbolise the triumph of Christian faith over the pagan religions of the conquered native cultures. Afterwards, we have lunch at the Villas Arqueologicas Cholula. Then we continue to Tonantzintla, a tiny nearby village, famous beyond Mexico’s borders for its unique church, a real gem of Mexican baroque. It contains dark angels, plumed feathers, exotic fruit and ears of corn. Late afternoon return to Mexico City, with a free evening in prospect. Dinner is at choice tonight.

Start this morning on a comprehensive tour of the ancient Aztec capital, including Zócalo Square, with the National Palace and Diego Rivera’s famous murals, depicting the artist’s particular view of Mexican history. On to the impressive Cathedral and the vestiges of the pre-Hispanic Templo Mayor, the main shrine of the old Aztec city of Tenochlan, conquered by the Spaniards. The Zócalo is today the political, economical and cultural heart of the country. Continue to Alameda Park, past the white marble Palace of Fine Arts, the fancy Postal Palace, reminiscent of a classical Venetian palazzo on the Canale Grande, and the unique House of Tiles, a significant city landmark. Our next stop is the Square of the Three Cultures, in Tlatelolco, which was a separate dynasty from Tenochlan, and the scene of the largest market in the Valley of Mexico. The Plaza owes its name to the fact that it is a melting-pot of pre-Hispanic, Spanish colonial and contemporary architecture. Return to the hotel, and enjoy a free afternoon. Dinner in our hotel.

Transfer to Mexico City International Airport in time to board our return flight to London, arriving the next day.