For foodies who love to cook and eat! We will explore local markets, take hands-on cooking classes from Oaxaca's top chefs, eat quesadillas with squash blossoms and learn how mezcal is made. We end with a gala evening at one of Oaxaca's finest restaurants.

Travel to the villages where the master artisans live and work. Here, in their workshops we learn about the materials and techniques used to create their works of art. Oaxaca is famous for whimsical wood carved, hand painted "alebrije", animals and caricatures, and the austere, shiny black pottery which is made by burnishing and then firing the pots in oxygen reduced kilns. Textiles, such as the treadle loom weavings of Teotitlan del Valle and the hand embroidered blouses of San Antonino are famous worldwide!

The little known, but fascinating history of cochineal will be explored. In addition to the famous red dye extracted from a bug, we will learn where the other primary colors; yellows, blues and their multiple hues come from in nature. This is a hands-on workshop that takes place in the village of Teotitlan del Valle, with a special coop. We will USE the dyestuffs and mordants to create a full rainbow of colors!

The Guelaguetza is a very colorful and festive event that takes place every July, in Oaxaca. Surrounding villages put on a display of their unique dance and music traditions for all to enjoy. It is said that this was originally celebrated as an offering to the goddess of corn, Centeotl, as the corn, or "milpa" harvest is essential in Mexico, providing the annual subsistence supply for tortillas. The term, "guelaguetza", however, has a meaning that few people know about. Come find out what it is!