Marvelous Mexico: Flowers, Art & Architecture

We’ll begin our adventure by arriving at the Mexico City Airport. Make sure you arrive by 1:00 pm.Grab a cab and head to the hotel.  

We'll check into the hip and charming Alest Hotel in the Polanco neighborhood, the Beverly Hills of Mexico City. 

After unpacking, we’ll head over to the Soumaya Museum. It's known for its vast collection of Rodin sculptures, paintings, and other works dating from Mesoamerica to the modern day. The architecture is as fascinating and thrilling as the museum itself. You'll have time to rest and relax this afternoon. 

Tonight, we’ll take in the lights of the Zocalo (central square) and the 500-year-old cathedral as we dine in style at the Balcon de Zocalo. We’ll toast to the adventures we'll live this upcoming week and repeat this Mexican, saying Barriga llena, Corazón contente, meaning full stomach, happy heart.

We'll devote today to art and architecture.

Our first point of call is Casa Luis Barragan, one of the most iconic pieces of mid-century Mexican architecture – a building ahead of its time. Built in 1948, it is a masterpiece of contemporary architecture from an international point of view. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For lunch, we'll enjoy a walking and tasting tour at Mercado La Merced with a local foodie guide. 

We'll close our day at the Frida Kahlo Casa Azul House and Museum, a pilgrimage every woman must make while in CDMX.

Dinner is at a mansion in the Roma neighborhood, a restaurant that is on everyone’s "best" list, the female chef here recently won best female chef in the world! 

After an early breakfast, we will drive to the Garden of Eden.

Arriving at Valle de Bravo, we’ll drop our bags at the hotel and head to La Musa de las Flores, a flower lover's paradise. 

Gabriella, the owner and founder, is from Mexico but lived in England for five years. Hers is one of the most followed Instagram accounts focused on flowers. She teaches gardening and floristry with a difference, as she believes in mindful flower arranging. She teaches home enthusiasts and florists alike, but when they take her classes, they finish with lessons that are much more fulfilling than creating a beautiful arrangement.

We’ll meet Gabriella for an amazing catered lunch. Then, she’ll take us through her cut flower garden. After the tour, we’ll relax in this serene environment with a glass of wine.

September is dahlia season and a prolific blooming season for many other flowers, so prepare for an explosion of color and unique blooms. Nothing Gabriella plants is ordinary.

She’ll explain to us our fabulous workshop set for tomorrow before we leave for the hotel. We’ll then check into La Casa Rodavento.

After rest, a rooftop mezcal tasting will enlighten your taste buds before a fabulous dinner at the Nuestro Restaurante at the hotel. 

You’ll wake up in a gorgeous hotel room that feels as if it is suspended in a forest. 

Then we’ll meet Gabriella again and walk in the forest and the surrounding countryside to forage for items for our bouquets. We'll have a bouquet class in the late morning, where Gabriella will show us how to mindfully mix her unique, organic flowers with our foraged items. 

We’ll enjoy a healthy lunch in the garden. Then, Gabriella will lead a bouquet workshop.  

You can take your flower arrangements to the hotel and admire your creations for the next few days. 

Tonight, we’ll celebrate our new-found artistry and respect for nature with a jubilant meal at a sister resort. Enjoy the amazing five-course floating dinner on a private lake. 

We’ll check out after breakfast and drive about three hours to Tepozetlan, a Pueblo Magico (magic village), a resort town. This small but alluring village outside Cuernavaca is known for the small pyramid at the top of a nearby hill dedicated to Ometochtli–Tepoztēcatl, the guru of pulque, a beer-like drink made from the maguey plant. The pyramid, called El Tepozteco, dates from 1452. The region is known for its handicrafts, including artisanal weaving, pottery, and baskets. 

We'll explore the market in Tepozetlan. We'll feast on street food from the market.  We’ll taste our way through the market, trying red turkey mole, pumpkin flower quesadillas, thin tamales, and itacates. These local favorites consist of buttered corn cakes with salsa, sour cream, and cheese. We’ll wash it all down with a sample of pulque, naturally! 

Our home for the next two nights is the Hotel Amomoxtli. After unpacking, you’ll have free time to unwind. Why not book an optional spa treatment and pamper yourself at the hotel's amazing spa?   

Tonight’s meal is at Mesa de Origen. The food is scrumptious, and you’ll enjoy the cocktail menu and the excellent selection of local Mexican wines (don’t knock them until you’ve tried them. There are some delicious wines produced in Mexico now). 

After breakfast, we'll head over to Cuernavaca, the city of Eternal Spring, an hour-long drive to the west.  

Our first stop is the Robert Brady House Museum. It's dedicated to the owner, poet, writer, and collector. He was born in Iowa, lived in Venice, and then traveled the world collecting art and artifacts before settling in the 16th-century monastery in the 1960s. 

Then, we’ll pop into the pink Chapel of the Third Order of San Francisco. Life may not always be a walk in the park, but after going to church, we’ll walk in the Jardín Juárez park, complete with a gazebo designed by Gustav Eiffel.  

We will have lunch at La Casa. Then, you have time to shop at the nearby craft markets or discover, on your own, the Palacio de Cortes from 1521 with its Diego Rivera murals.  

Later in the afternoon,, why not relax and enjoy the resort? Consider booking into the spa for a well-deserved wellness treatment. 

For dinner tonight, we're in for a delightful treat at Parcela. We'll learn how the facility grows organic food and its regenerative agriculture practices. We'll explore the five methods of fruit tree, vegetable, flower, and aromatic herb production and appreciate the biodiversity of insects, birds, and other animals that now cohabit our space. After the tour, we'll enjoy the garden delights with seasonal dishes and celebrate our last night together. 

After breakfast, we will head back to Mexico City Airport. Make sure your departure flight is in the late afternoon or early evening. We'll cherish the memories and friendships created this week as we say goodbye.