• Witness the Night of the Radishes carving contest
• Participate in Nochebuena Posada and Calenda Parades
• Tour Oaxaca City and surrounding craft villages
• Snorkle and swim in the aquamarine bays of Huatulco
• Hike in the mountainous coffee growing regions of Sierra Madre del Sur

• Day 1, Saturday, December 20: Arrive Oaxaca City: Upon arrival, we gather for our introduction to this UNESCO Cultural Heritage City, dating back to the 1530’s. Today, we take a guided walking tour to orient ourselves to the city and to visit several highlights including, the bustling Benito Juarez Market and the lively central Zocalo. As we amble up the lovely pedestrian street, Garcia Virgil, we visit the Santo Domingo Church and Botanical Gardens. On our way we make a stop at the Paleteria La Michoacana, for refreshing fresh fruit popsicles made of lime, tamarind, soursop, flower petals. This is just a snack, as we will have our late day “comida” at the famed Marco Polo restaurant, known for its fresh wood fired fish which is brought in daily. After lunch, we are free to continue ambling, shopping and people watching from the Zocalo. Free evening (L)
• Day 2, Sunday, December 21: After breakfast, we journey into the Oaxaca Valley, traveling east. Our first stop is in Mitla, to see the amazing motifs carved into the walls of this ancient Zapotec site. Next, we visit the open air Sunday market or “tianguis” of Tlacolula, one of the region’s best. Here, we see how local people shop for food, home products, fresh produce, and hand crafted goods such as baskets, rugs, pottery and more. The Tlacolula Dominican church and adjacent chapel are of among the finest examples of Baroque and Rococo architecture in the region. After the market, we visit the dynamic and enterprising Zapotec village of Teotitlan del Valle. Here, we will see how an entire community is dedicated to the commercialization and preservation of tapestry weaving. We will spend time at a local cooperative, to see how these rugs are made on a treadle loom, and to try our hand at it, as well. As we bid farewell to our friends from Teotitlan, we make a stop at Tule, to see an immense cypress tree. You have to see it to believe it! (B, L)
• Day 3, Monday, December 22: Today is dedicated to exploration of the first urban center (city) of Mesoamerica, Monte Alban. Mesoamerica is a cultural and geographic region that spans from NW Mexico to Central America. Great civilizations emerged and thrived in this region, among them, the Zapotec, who after the Olmec, were among the first cultural groups to develop into a civilization in this region. By civilization, this means they went beyond being nomadic hunter/gatherers and began to develop complex systems of religion, politics and commercial activity. Monte Alban was one of the first cities to develop in Mesoamerica. After we immerse ourselves in this early world, we come back to present day life and refresh ourselves in the on-site cafeteria and museum bookstore. From here, we visit Arrazola to see the whimsical wood carved "alebrijes". Lunch is family style at La Capilla. (B, L)
• Day 4, Tuesday, December 23: A special treat is in store today, as we will be led in a wonderful cooking class to learn about Oaxaca's regional specialties, such as mole. We will begin with a visit to a local market, where we will buy our ingredients to make our special dishes, sauces and dessert. At night, we venture down to the Zocalo, to witness the most amazing (only) radish carving contest in the world! Since 1897, local Oaxaca merchants and artisans have carved radishes, as an early form of advertising for their produce stands. A sizeable sum of money is awarded to the best carving! (B, L)
• Day 5: Wednesday, December 24: Today, we venture into the Oaxaca Valley again, this time, traveling South on the craft route of Ocotlan. In Ocotlan, we visit some special churches, and in neighboring San Antonino, we hop on motocaros, that will take us into the rose fields. On this route, we stop in Jalieza to buy fun belts and purses made by local artisans on a back strap loom. A special visit has been arranged for us to meet with the local artisans from Tilcajete, to see how they carve and paint their whimsical wood animals, known as "alebrijes". We have a chance to paint our own alebrijes, as we wish! These won’t go up for sale, though, as we will bring them home as special mementos from our trip. Tonight, we join in the marvelous local Christmas celebrations of Noche Buena, the Night Before Christmas. We will join in the parades and festivities around the Zocalo. Free evening. (B, L)
• Day 6: Thursday, December 25: In the morning, we fly from Oaxaca City to Huatulco, a short journey that provides spectacular views of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains, before they taper off and descend into the Pacific Coast. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel, change into our bathing suits, slather on sunscreen and head for the beach! No lying around on the beach though…as we climb aboard our “panga” boat, for a day of exploring the seven bays of Huatulco. From our boat, we venture into the bays and coves that dot the Pacific Coast. Swimming, snorkeling and fishing are part of our day, including stopping for lunch at a local beach. Evening can be spent on the beach, star gazing, or in town with the locals. (B,L)
• Day 7: Friday, December 26: Today, we venture into the mountains to the North, in the Sierra Madre’s del Sur, to see where coffee is grown and roasted. From Rancho La Gloria, a guide will take us on a nature hike and for a swim into the refreshing cascading waterfalls of the Rio Copalita, and to learn about local plants, that are used for medicinal purposes. We have a family style lunch at the ranch, with our hosts. Returning to Huatulco, we can relax by the pool, sit under the palapas at the beach, or go into town. (B, L)
• Day 8: Saturday, December 27: Today, our group will head for the Rio Copalita for a one of a kind experience, as we travel down the river enjoying bird watching and gentle rapids. The exciting part is when we exit the River into the Pacific Ocean. (B, L)
• Day 9: Sunday, December 28: Today is purposefully left as a free day, for those who wish to fish, scuba dive, zipline, horseback ride or simply relax on the beaches of Huatulco. Tonight, we go into town, La Crucecita, and have a farewell over wood fired pizzas. (B, D)
• Day 10: Depart for home (B)

Magical Christmas in Oaxaca, Mary J. Andrade