Perfect Pairings: Mexico City & Oaxaca

Let this ultimate adventure begin. Starting at the stylish and utterly charming Las Alcobas hotel located in the heart of Mexico City’s fashionable Polanco district, close to excellent restaurants, boutiques and fascinating museums. 
Start as you mean to go on with your first exclusive experience, an out of hours private tour of the National Museum of Anthropology. You will have exclusive access to the fascinating artifacts from various cultures that once thrived in Mesoamerica. While you observe the intricate craftsmanship, your guide will explain the legend of the five suns that is depicted in the stone. You will also explore replica temples and the tomb of King Pakal found at Palenque in Chiapas as well as learning about the ancient ball game that was played across Mesoamerica. After this utterly thrilling tour, return to the hotel to relax for the evening. You will be spoilt with the delicious food here, with two restaurants to choose from. Anatol, a fine-dining destination presided over by renowned chef Justin Ermini, and a cantina-style restaurant Dulce Patria, whose menu and cocktails are designed by the famous Martha Ortiz.

Feeling well rested the following morning head to the Medellin Market, in the heart of La Roma, for a bespoke and hands-on market experience along with a private cooking class with two locally renowned chefs. With a shopping bag in tow, you will interact with local merchants, taste spices, cheeses, ice cream, single origin coffee from Chiapas, and much more. After tasting and selecting the finest fresh ingredients your hands-on cooking lesson begins. Culinary secrets and techniques are shared during this interactive gathering while you chop, grill, marinate to create a 3-course menu. Once completed, dine on your creations paired with Mexican wine and a tasting of craft Mezcal from Oaxaca.

After your exquisite few days the following morning you will be transferred to the airport for your short flight to your next destination, Oaxaca. 

Casa Oaxaca is a traditional 18th-century colonial house that has been completely remodelled to create an oasis of tasteful calm bursting with colonial architecture, home to an open-aired patio where you can enjoy local art and lush vegetation. The hotel also has one of the city's finest restaurants, a stunning pool and in room massage options. After some time to relax, you will be greeted for an exceptional foodie night experience. Taking you off  the tourist trail you will submerge in the best areas that locals frequent giving you a really authentic taste of Oaxaca. You will be treated to outstanding Mezcales and then one of Oaxaca’s most famous night delicacies’: a grilled Tlayuda! Feeling content and full of delicious delights you will return to your hotel.

After devouring a sumptuous breakfast, you will be ready for your next adventure, a full day excursion to Teotitlan Del Valle, possibly the prettiest village in the east side of the valley. Here, there is a remarkable church with authentic art subjects from XVI Century. Visit the Teotitlan Del Valle market followed by a visit to a Zapotec family home to see the process of how traditional woven rugs are made. Relish in a regional cooking class and lunch as a special guest while sharing secrets of authentic Oaxacan cuisine. Back at the hotel take a relaxing dip in the pool, sip a cocktail and enjoy a delicious meal.

On your last day spend time soaking up the cultural spirit of Oaxaca, taking you on an exploration of the art of mezcal production and a journey into Mesoamerica at the ceremonial site of Mitla, exploring its tombs and intricate mosaic work. Your journey then leads far away from the regular tourist mezcal hotspots, where you will meet real, quality producers of the traditional liquor who will teach you about the different distillation techniques used to make, what locals refer to as the elixir of the gods. Head back to the hotel for your final night on this delicious trip.