March 5 – 12, 2014
Join Wine Diva Deb on a trip to Mexico as we learn to cook some authentic Mexican cuisine with a twist and shop for some lovely glass, pottery, and jewelry from the factory. We will have a bi-lingual escort while we travel to Tonala and Tlaquepaque. There will also be relaxing beach days.
Tonala is where the factories are located that make the products for sale in all the shops throughout Mexico. We will visit them directly for the lowest prices. Tonala is a big but somewhat dusty and chaotic village of factories, workshops, and shops offering a wide range of varying quality products, from the acceptable to the truly tacky. This is where you will find the best prices and find EVERYTHING imaginable. You will be able to visit their weekly Marketplace…incredible bargains.
We will also spend an afternoon in Tlaquepaque (“Tla-Keh-Pa-Keh”) which is situated in the colonial neighborhood in the southeast of Guadalajara . The town is a trendy area for shopping that offers fine arts and crafts. You can purchase bronze and wooden works as well as hand blown glass and cloth. Many of the items you can buy in Tlaquepaque were manufactured in Tonala and will be at a fraction of the cost. We may have an opportunity to stop and purchase a barrel of tequila on the way home!
Trip Itinerary
Wednesday March 05
Fly to Puerta Vallarta
Thursday March 06
Beach Day – free time
Friday March 07
The Essence of Cuisine of Cooking Classes. The class features “hands-on” style of instruction and includes a welcome beverage, appetizer, preparation instruction, a 4-course meal with dazzling place settings, and wine service throughout. A complete professional recipe/instructions packet is included. Learn Mexican cooking with a twist from Dolores who lives in Puerta Vallarta. Class takes place in her lovely home.
http://www.essenceofcuisine.com
Saturday March 08
7:00am Depart to Tonala (leaves promptly at 7am) Pick up at Mega Commercial Side Street. LT. We will have our private luxury coach equipped with air, restroom and TV for your comfort.
9:30am Stop in Compostela for coffee, juice and rolls.
1:00pm Arrive Tonala, Check In hotel followed by lunch (included).
5:00pm Rest of the evening on your own to explore, rest, shop or walk the plaza.
Sunday March 09
8:00am Enjoy a great breakfast (included) followed by fabulous shopping.
10:00am Enjoy a free day exploring the marketplace or do some sight seeing or shop in downtown Guadalajara.
7:00pm Evening and dinner on your own (Optional group Dinner in Guadalajara TBA.)
Monday March 10
8:00am Enjoy breakfast (included). Please have all luggage in lobby by 9am.
10:30am Depart for Glass Factory
11:30am Depart for Tlaquepaque, Walk the plaza and shop.
2:30pm Meet for lunch at El Patio Restaurant (optional, not included),
4:00pm Depart back to Puerto Vallarta arriving at approximately 10:30-11:00pm.
Tuesday March 11
Free Beach Day
Wednesday March 12
Fly home (Flights not included)
Pricing Details* (per person US$)
* Airfare not included in price listed
$745 / person
A deposit of $350 is required with booking, with final payment due November 20, 2013.
Trip Inclusions
- Private luxury coach transportation with Air/Bathroom/TV/Movies
- Snacks/Coffee
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Tonala
- 5 nights hotel accommodation in Puerto Vallarta
- Cooking class
- 1 Lunch, 2 Breakfast
- Art Exhibit at Hotel
- Optional- Dinner in Guadalajara
- 1 day in Tlaquepaque
- Plenty of free time to explore
- Glass factory
- Seed Jewelry exhibition
- Personal Bi-lingual escort throughout the shopping tours.
Sample Flights from Seattle (Alaska Airlines)
Depart Seattle (SEA) 9:00 am Wed, Mar 5
Arrive Puerto Vallarta/Riviera Nayarit (PVR) 3:40 pm Wed, Mar 5
Duration: 4hours 40minutes
Return Trip
Depart Puerto Vallarta/Riviera Nayarit (PVR) 3:35 pm Wed, Mar 12
Arrive Seattle (SEA) 7:32 pm Wed, Mar 12
Duration: 4hours 57minutes
Price estimate US$578.19 including taxes & fees
To Reserve your space
Email Wine Diva Deb at winedivadeb@yahoo.com or call 206-617-6160.
