At some stage today you will see between 60 million to more than a billion butterflies congregating in the forest after eight months and four generations of migration. The Monarch barely weighs one gram, and yet, its role as a pollinator has a profound effect on the eco-system. The sun warms and lights their wings rewarding you with a unique and remarkable display of light and colour.
You will visit the city’s main square, known as the Zócalo, one of the biggest city squares in the world. You’ll tour the grand Metropolitan Cathedral on the north side of the Zócalo, the largest cathedral in the Americas. You’ll learn how the Spanish constructed this stunning cathedral directly over an Aztec temple, the Templo Mayor, to demonstrate that they were now in control.
Met for your full day tour of Teotihuacan, home to some of the most remarkable relics of ancient civilisation in the world. The ruins are thought to date from around 300 BC, and who built the city and where they came from remains a mystery. For some unknown reason it was completely abandoned until the Aztecs arrived.
Spreading out from its historical centre are the charming neighbourhoods of San Ángel and Coyoacán. San Ángel has a tranquil, artistic vibe, while Coyoacán offers colonial charm and fascinating museums, like La Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s home.
The second of its UNESCO World Heritage sites is Xochimilco, a maze of beautiful canals known as the “Venice of Mexico”. The banks of these Aztec-made waterways once produced much of the food for the city of Tenochtitlán (Mexico City) and today colourful boats take you floating down the leafy canals.
The La Merced Market is a traditional public market located in the eastern edge of the historic centre of Mexico City and is the largest retail traditional food market in the entire city. Centro de Abasta is now one of the biggest markets in the world: 2,000 businesses spread across 810 acres. It serves as the main distribution market for other smaller markets and vendors throughout the city.
Manor Cottage, Papermill Lane, South Moreton, Oxfordshire, OX11 9AH
