Mexico City: From Lost Civilizations to Modern Marvels

EVENTS > SOJOURNS

Mexico City is rapidly emerging as a favored destination for art enthusiasts, with architecture from Gothic to Baroque and diverse and compelling collections to admire. During our first international Sojourn, wander through centuries-old streets adorned with vibrant murals, explore grand palaces showcasing exquisite craftsmanship, and immerse yourself in the stories behind the city’s most iconic landmarks. Curators and experts share the layered history of this vast urban landscape and delve into a material culture that spans from the Maya and Teotihuacanos through Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera to living artisans. A scenic drive to the colonial city of Puebla, a World Heritage site, broadens our reach across the landscape and cultural legacy of central Mexico as we explore the city’s traditional art, Baroque architecture, local cuisine, and unique craft of Talavera pottery. From Mesoamerican figurines and Art Deco architecture to imagery embodying revolutionary ideals, Modern art, and contemporary design, our journey promises to offer an insightful exploration of both Mexico City and Puebla’s artistic evolution.

There is availability on our December Sojourn, but the November Sojourn is full. Please email ccarlisle@decorativeartstrust.org to join the November Sojourn waitlist. 

Wednesday, November 12 and December 10

We gather in the afternoon at the luxury boutique Andaz Hotel, nestled in the heart of Mexico City’s vibrant Condesa neighborhood. A lively afternoon awaits with a stop at Casa Guillermo Tovar de Teresa, a 1910 Porfirian house-turned-museum showcasing historian Guillermo Tovar’s collection of Mexican art and material culture, particularly from the Viceroyal Period of the 19th century. The house’s library, photography, and archives make up one of the most important collections in Latin America. We then enjoy privileged after-hours access to one of the most important museums centering Mexican history: the Museo Nacional de Antropología. This remarkable collection highlights Mexico’s pre-Hispanic cultural heritage, featuring famous artifacts from the Aztec, Olmec, and Mayan civilizations. The evening concludes with a welcome dinner at a restaurant as renowned for its modern cuisine as its stunning Art Deco ambiance.

Included: D

Thursday, November 13 and December 11

Our morning begins with a stop at the Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico where we revel in sunlight shining through the historic hotel’s iconic Tiffany glass ceiling. We are next whisked away to Mexico City’s main square for a guided tour of the Catedral Metropolitana, an exquisite blend of Spanish Baroque and indigenous architectural influences. Special guided tours of Museo Franz Mayer and Museo de Arte Popular fill the rest of our morning with several centuries of European and Mexican decorative arts, as well as traditional Mexican folk art and craftsmanship. Lunch highlights authentic dishes from Mexico’s diverse regions. After which, an exploration of Palacio de Bellas Artes orients us to one of the country’s most important cultural institutions. With a striking blend of Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture, the museum features murals by Diego Rivera, David Siqueiros, and José Clemente Orozco. The Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Alameda Central mural, painted by Diego Rivera in 1947, depicts a historical panorama of Mexican society as seen from Alameda Central, the oldest public park in the Americas and the hub of our activity for the afternoon.

Included: B, L

Friday, November 14 and December 12

A scenic drive brings us to Puebla, a city located in central Mexico and known for its Colonial architecture. Puebla is recognized for its well-preserved historic center (a UNESCO World Heritage site), vibrant cuisine, and scenic views of the Popocatépetl volcano. Templo de Santa María Tonantzintla, built during the 16th century and renowned for its unique blend of traditional Mexican and Baroque architectural styles, is a cultural landmark that reflects the syncretism between indigenous beliefs and Catholicism. The Templo de San Francisco Acatepec is an iconic 18th-century Baroque structure featuring an intricate façade fully decorated with Talavera pottery, one of Puebla’s most important crafts. Designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito, the Museo Internacional del Barroco contains a magnificent permanent collection that highlights the Baroque epoch’s influence on regional art and architecture. We enjoy lunch at a cherished restaurant dedicated to preserving Puebla’s culinary traditions before exploring the Biblioteca Palafoxiana, the first public library in the Americas. Founded in 1646 and completed over a century later, the sumptuous vaulted hall houses more than 40,000 books and manuscripts. Steps away is the Museo Amparo, where a combination of historic buildings retain a collection dedicated to tracing Mexico’s development from the pre-Classical period through the Spanish conquest and Colonial era up to its Modern and Contemporary periods. We next venture to the Templo de Santo Domingo and the Catedral de Puebla, where Baroque ecclesiastical art and architecture bring our day in Puebla to an impressive close before returning to Mexico City.

Included: B, L

Saturday, November 15 and December 13

Our morning begins with a visit to the monumental Anahuacalli Museum, conceived by Diego Rivera to house his vast collection of pre-Columbian antiquities. Opened in 1964, the building is inspired by Mesoamerican structures and is constructed of carved volcanic stone extracted from the same place where it stands. A special visit to the archives takes us behind the scenes. We round out our morning with a private visit to Casa Pedregal. Built in the Jardines del Pedregal neighborhood, the house was designed by Luis Barragán for the young attorney Eduardo Prieto López and his wife Esther Sánchez Mejorada de Prieto. Finished in 1952, it immediately set the standard for a new, modern, and spacious way of living that fueled movement to the south of Mexico City. Lunch nearby precedes a visit to the Museo Casa Estudio Diega Rivera y Frida Kahlo. This house, built in the 1930s and designed by Juan O’Gorman, is where the couple lived and worked for much of their marriage. The residence serves as a museum dedicated to both artists, offering a glimpse into their daily lives and artistic evolution, preserving many of their personal belongings, paintings, and the distinct atmosphere of the period. We conclude our afternoon at the Museo Casa del Risco, an 18th-century dwelling showcasing the fine decorative arts collection of the Isidro Fabela family. Our Sojourn concludes with a celebratory dinner where we feast on seasonal ingredients while toast to our time together in Mexico City.

Included: B, L, D

Sunday, November 16 and December 14

Guests depart for Mexico City International Airport or continue for the Optional Extension to Teotihuacan.

Included: B

Sunday, November 16 and December 14

Northeast of Mexico City lies the awe-inspiring archaeological wonder of Teotihuacan, a vast Mesoamerican city that was once the largest of the ancient Americas. This one-day extension will explore the remarkable remains of this c. 100 BCE–800 CE site and the development of many complex arts like mural painting, mold-pressed ceramics, and stone sculpture. An early departure permits a full day dedicated to this complex site. Upon arrival, we explore the city’s grand layout, centered on the wide Avenue of the Dead and flanked by temples, plazas, and residential compounds. Two towering pyramids anchor the city spiritually and ceremonially, and serve as focal points for its urban plan. The Pyramid of the Sun, one of the largest structures built in the ancient Americas, stands at over 200 feet, and the Pyramid of the Moon, slightly smaller but equally significant, was used for ceremonial purposes and is framed by the surrounding mountains. Both structures reflect the architectural skill and cosmological knowledge of Teotihuacan’s builders. Throughout the archaeological site and at the Museo de Murales Beatriz de la Fuente, remnants of murals, obsidian workshops, and multi-family apartment compounds hint at the daily life of the inhabitants. With insights from expert guides, this tour offers a well-rounded look at a city whose influence stretched far beyond its time. We return to Mexico City for a late lunch celebrating Mexican flavors and our time together.

Included: B, L

Monday, November 17 and December 15

Guests depart for Mexico City International Airport.

Included: B

Registration fee: $4,750 per person, based on double occupancy for 4 nights. For the Optional Extension, $700 per person, based on double occupancy for 1 night.

Included in the Trip Cost: Hotel accommodations in a 5-star hotel. Private airport transfers. All breakfasts (B), lunches (L), receptions (R), and dinners (D) referenced above. Private coach transportation; local guides; admission in museums, historic houses, and archaeological sites; gratuities for professional guides and coach drivers.

Not included in the trip cost: Airfare, alcoholic beverages other than when provided, personal expenses, and trip insurance. Please do not make your airline reservations until you have received written confirmation of your registration from the Trust.

Single supplement: The single supplement is $650 for the Main Tour and $200 for the Optional Extension.

Membership: All participants must be members of the Decorative Arts Trust. Click here to see membership levels and benefits.

Itinerary: The schedule outlined in this itinerary is contracted at this time but subject to change as necessary.

Participation: The program is limited to a maximum of 25 participants and requires a minimum of 20. The trip will be cancelled if undersubscribed and refunds will be issued. We will organize and maintain a waiting list on the basis of the time requests are received.

Activity Level: The Trust’s itineraries are planned with care and attention to detail to ensure a memorable and rewarding experience for all participants. This itinerary includes standing for long periods of time, walking on uneven surfaces, and ascending and descending stairs without handrails. Please consider if this program is suited for your health, physical condition, and individual circumstances, understanding that this is a group event and the inclusion of participants who are not mobile enough to cope with these conditions can greatly diminish the experience for other guests.

Cancellations and refunds: All cancellations received by August 8, 2025, are subject to a full refund less a $250 administrative fee per person. Participants canceling between August 8 and September 30, 2025, will receive a 50% refund. Refunds will not be made after September 30, 2025. 

Statement on Safety: Destinations where the Decorative Arts Trust travels are safe, however, you should be wary of pickpockets in major urban centers. The Decorative Arts Trust and its tour operator will take all reasonable measures to ensure your safety and enjoyment while travelling with us. All of the included activities are properly vetted by the tour operator, and care is taken in choosing the right transportation, accommodations, and guides to lead the tour. Be aware that there are always inherent uncertainties when travelling and we ask that you assess your personal tolerance for risk.