"Best of Oaxaca" Tours

Crafts such as woodcarving, weaving, pottery, metal working, baskets and masks are just a few of the crafts that appear everywhere, and are an important part of every day life in Oaxaca. When we travel to the villages you will see the primitiveness of this area and their craft work reflects their wonderful culture. You will experience the markets which come alive with sights, smells and sounds that one will never forget. Oaxaca (Wah-Hah-Kah) is the ancient home of the Zapotec and Mixtec civilizations, builders of the Monte Alban and Mitla. It is a charming colonial city, with grand churches, museums and public buildings. The zocalo (town square) is a place where people relax, listen to the mariachi bands and a great place to watch the local life.

We will stay at Casa Colonial - a bed and breakfast that is owned by an American. She has many successful years as both a tour guide and in the hospitality industry in this region. The bed and breakfast is only a few minutes walk to the town square and the rooms are set around a verandah and flower filled gardens. Their friendly staff gives personal service and prepares delicious home style meals.

January 16 – 24, 2010

Tour Highlights

• Sunday Tlacolula Market, the Dominican Chapel, and San Marie del Tule, home of El Tule a large (15 stories high) Mexican cypress tree which is over 2000 years old.
• Textile Museum of Oaxaca – tour by the Education Director and a hands-on workshop in “Plangi” (tie-dye). NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.
• Archelogical site of Monte Alban.
• Pottery Workshop with Irma Blanco – make a small figurine.
• Visit the pottery co-op in Atzompa.
• Tour and Glassblowing demonstration. Hands-on Glass Fusing Workshop – NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.
• Weaving village of Teotitlan del Valle – weaving and dyeing demonstration.
• Village of Mitla to see the ruins and time for shopping.
• Hieve de Agua – a petrified waterfall way up in the mountains with a spectacular view.
• Ocotlan market, town church and museum.
• Residence of the late Rudolfo Morales – internationally known painter.
• Visit to a woodcarving workshop in San Martin Tilcajete for a wood carving demo.
• Oaxaca Folk Art Museum in San Bartolo.
• Our final dinner in Oaxaca will be a very special occasion.

Costs

“The Best Of Oaxaca” Tour includes lodging, all meals as indicated on the itinerary, daily tours, ground transportation, local guides, site admissions and all hands on workshops. Lodging at the Casa Colonial in Oaxaca City where they serve wonderful Oaxacan cuisine. Single rooms are very limited – you may be paired with another single traveler. $1850 pp/double. $1850 pp/single in a small room, $2100 pp/single in a double. This tour needs at least 6 participants to run, otherwise the tour may be cancelled.

MARCH 20 – 28, 2010

Tour Highlights

• Tlacolula market and town church.
• Santa Marie del Tule – home of a 15 story, 2000 year old tree.
• Monte Alban - Oaxaca’s major archeological site.
• Atzompa – visit a local potter for a pottery making demonstration.
• Weaving village of Teotitlan del Valle – visit the town church, and the home of a weaver for a spinning, dyeing and weaving demo.
• Candle making demonstration.
• Cooking Class with Nora Guttierez from Mi Casa del Recuerdos.
• Visit the Cultural Museum of Oaxaca and Santo Domingo Church.
• Mitla – village and archeological site.
• Mescal making demonstration and sampling.
• Ocotlan’s weekly market, visit the beautiful town church and museum.
• Visit the residence of the late internationally known painter, Rudolfo Morales OR Home of a local embroidery craftsperson’s studio.
• Woodcarving demonstration in San Martin Tilcajete.
• Oaxaca Folk Art Museum.
• Our final dinner in Oaxaca will be a very special occasion.

Costs

“The Best Of Oaxaca – March 2010” Tour includes lodging, all meals as indicated on the itinerary, daily tours, ground transportation, local guides, site admissions and cooking class. Lodging at a B&B in Oaxaca City where they serve wonderful Oaxacan cuisine. This tour is limited to 10 people. Single rooms are very limited – you may be paired with another single traveler. $1650 pp/double $1650 pp/single small room. $1900 pp/single in a double This tour needs at least 6 participants to run, otherwise the tour may be cancelled.

More Information

Deposits, Cancellations and Refunds

To secure your place on the tour a non-refundable deposit of $250.00 is required. The balance is due 45 days prior to departure date. When cancellation occurs between the 44th day and the first day of the tour, no refund will be given unless another participant fills the space. If the space is filled, a refund less the non-refundable deposit will be given. A written notification must be received prior to the refund. If the tour is cancelled by Fiber Designs By Sharon (Sharon Giles) all fees will be refunded. Mastercard, Visa, Discover available for payment/deposit. Make checks payable to Sharon Giles and mail to 564 Old State Road, Oley, PA 19547.

Air Line Reservations

Each person would be responsible for making their own air reservations. Some people may want to use frequent flyer miles, or have their own preferred airline. While others may be flying in from various places around the country. I am available to help people if they have any specific questions about air flight arrangements.

Responsibility

Fiber Designs By Sharon (Sharon Giles) assumes no liability or responsibility for any delay, loss, damage, injury or accident with regards to persons or property caused by fault or negligence of any hotel, transportation, or local operator rendering a part of our services. We shall not be responsible for any expense caused by loss or damage of personal items. It is the participant's responsibility to be adequately insured. The acceptance of our verbal or written confirmation, and a deposit or final payment for services, constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions listed above and within any other literature you have received from Fiber Designs by Sharon regarding the 2010 Oaxaca, Mexico Tour. Fiber Designs by Sharon reserves the right to make any changes, with or without notice, which might become necessary.