Mexico City with Ana Castro

Day 1: Mexico City

Bienvenidos a México! Our exploration of the captivating capital—CDMX—kicks off at our stylish basecamp nestled in the heart of the Reforma district, a neighborhood distinguished by Bosque de Chapultepec, the city’s largest park.

After settling in, we’ll join Ana for our inaugural escapade: an exclusive after-hours tour of the world-renowned National Museum of Anthropology (NMA). Beyond its remarkable architecture, the interior transports us to another realm—quiet corridors adorned with exquisite displays of ancient Aztec stone sculptures and murals.

Such a remarkable dive into history deserves an equally exceptional dining experience. Our destination is Campomar where we’ll indulge in an authentic welcome feast. Expect a medley of vibrant, locally sourced ingredients, remixed and reimagined beside salmon and octopus.

As the sun dips below the horizon in the lively Polanco district, we’ll raise our glasses in a hearty salud! to Ana and the thrilling adventures ahead.

Day 2: Mexico City

Today is all about celebrating Mexico City’s most cherished culinary traditions. We’ll begin our morning at the neighborhood market, weaving our way through stalls bursting with gem-toned produce and fresh, leafy herbs. Ana will guide us through the market’s unique ebb and flow, introducing us to her favorite vendors and sharing their tips for choosing the choicest ingredients.

We’ll take the afternoon to ourselves and reconvene in the evening to finish what we started this morning. We’ll bag up our market finds and visit Chef Alfredo Chavez in his home for an incredible collab dinner. As we’re treated to some artisanal mezcal and views of the Polanco neighborhood, Ana and Alfredo will concoct an of-the-moment recipe based on our ingredients. With these two at the helm, it’s sure to be extraordinary.

Day 3: Mexico City

This morning we start on the water. In Xochimilco, we’ll hop aboard a boat to glide through canals built by the Aztecs. As michelada vendors float past and mariachi music sails through the air, we’ll make our way to some of Mexico City’s last chinampas.

These small patches of land are meticulously constructed from canal beds, serving as fertile ground for crop cultivation—a sustainable technique with roots tracing back to Mesoamerican times. Our exploration will also provide a window into the world of agroecology, where millions of species intricately shape ecosystems. Among a diverse array of vegetables, flowers, and herbs, we’ll settle in for a delectable lunch experience, savoring dishes such as quesadillas bursting with fresh huitlacoche (corn mushroom) and pumpkin flowers, alongside pork shawl gorditas, tlacoyos, and a crisp chinampa salad.

In the afternoon, we head south through the city to Coyoacan, the dreamy tree-lined neighborhood that Frida Kahlo once called home. We’ll pay homage to the iconic artist with a tour of Casa Azul, the cobalt blue residence Frida shared with her husband, Diego Rivera. It’s a heartfelt, deeply personal ode to the artist’s legacy, and we’ll wander through intimate exhibitions of folk art and memorabilia to gain a profound understanding of Frida’s life and inspiration.

Afterwards, we’ll continue in Frida’s footsteps with a stop at her favorite shopping spot. Inside Coyoacan’s two-story marketplace, stalls overflow with artisanal crafts and all matters of mouthwatering bites, from tostadas piled high with ceviche to mangos carved into intricate roses. Dinner, if you’re even hungry, is on your own this evening.

Day 4: Mexico City

Today we explore Mexico City’s vibrant design scene. Thanks to Ana’s connections, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of Mexican design, visiting exclusive studios, workshops, and showrooms where we’ll have the opportunity to meet both established and up-and-coming designers.

Thanks to Ana once again, we’ve been invited for lunch at Marigold Restaurant, renowned for its fusion of flavors and artistic presentation of heritage ingredients.

Fully sated, we’ll continue your artistic journey with visits to renowned studios like Mooni Art Gallery and Casa Gilardi, both stunning architectural spaces that showcase a diverse range of art, clothing, and artifacts.

After some free time to explore this beautiful city on our own, we’ll meet back up for a truly special farewell dinner. Expect a medley of vibrant, locally sourced ingredients, remixed and reimagined into dishes like stone crab and mole verde and oxtail ricotta ravioli. We’ll take a moment to cheers together and celebrate the final meal of our journey.

Day 5: Departures

Alas, all beautiful things must come to an end. We’ll say our farewells and cherish all the new connections we’ve made, filling up on one last exquisite breakfast before our private transfer to the airport. Hasta la proxima!