BESPOKE LUXURY JOURNEY

Mexico: Mayan Moments

Ancient mysteries, modern luxuries

Picture a realm where pre-Hispanic pyramids pierce azure skies, where colonial facades burst with contemporary creative energy, and where time-honoured traditions merge seamlessly with progressive values. Mexico beckons with its kaleidoscope of experiences: from Mexico City’s pulsating art scene, where rainbow flags flutter above historic cantinas, to Oaxaca’s cobbled lanes, where mezcal-makers craft liquid poetry from ancient agave. This is a land where every moment sparkles with possibility, where luxury finds expression in both gilt-edged colonial mansions and intimate mezcalerias, and where acceptance flows as naturally as the evening breeze through palm fronds.

Mexico at a Glance

In Mexico’s sophisticated urban centres, inclusivity isn’t merely celebrated—it’s woven into the cultural tapestry as naturally as chile in mole sauce. Mexico City’s Zona Rosa district thrums with LGBTQ+ energy, where design-forward galleries and rooftop bars offer sanctuary for creative souls. Oaxaca’s artistic heritage embraces diversity in every form, from gender-fluid Zapotec traditions to contemporary queer artists who draw inspiration from ancient motifs.

The rhythm of Mexican life pulses with an infectious energy that transforms each moment into celebration. Spring brings jacaranda trees painting the capital in imperial purple, while autumn sees Day of the Dead festivities illuminate colonial plazas with candlelight and marigold petals. Summer evenings in Puebla reveal colonial facades bathed in golden light, as chefs in contemporary kitchens reimagine centuries-old recipes. Throughout the year, Mexico’s progressive urban spaces provide havens where love in all its forms is celebrated—from Mexico City’s Pride festivities drawing hundreds of thousands, to intimate gatherings in Oaxaca’s mezcal bars where tradition and inclusivity coexist in perfect harmony.

9-day Travel Itinerary

Embark on a journey that weaves together Mexico's most compelling narratives, from pre-Hispanic grandeur to contemporary artistic expression. Begin in Mexico City, where modernist museums stand proudly alongside Aztec temples, before venturing to Puebla's UNESCO-listed streets where Spanish colonial heritage embraces 21st-century sophistication. The journey crescendos in Oaxaca, where indigenous traditions and progressive values dance together beneath star-strewn skies. Each day unfolds as its own chapter in this Mexican opus, where luxury finds expression not just in thread counts and tasting menus, but in moments of profound connection with one of the world's most fascinating cultures.

DAY 1

Mexico City | First Whispers of Metropolitan Elegance

Touch down in Mexico's captivating capital, where ancient pyramids and modernist masterpieces create an intoxicating dialogue across millennia. Settle into the sophisticated embrace of Sofitel Reforma, where French art de vivre meets Mexican warmth, and where floor-to-ceiling windows frame spectacular views of Chapultepec Castle and the Paseo de la Reforma. As evening approaches, let the city's energy wash over you from the hotel's rooftop terrace, perhaps with a craft mezcal in hand as the sunset gilds the jacaranda trees below.

DAY 2

Mexico City & Teotihuacán | Where Gods Once Walked

Dawn breaks over the Valley of Teotihuacán as your hot air balloon ascends into the golden morning light. Watch as the sun's first rays illuminate the ancient pyramids below, casting long shadows across ceremonial boulevards where pre-Aztec priests once processed. After touchdown, a private guide reveals the secrets of this UNESCO-listed marvel, before whisking you back to the capital for an afternoon exploring the city's artistic soul—from Diego Rivera's magnificent murals to cutting-edge galleries in Roma Norte.

DAY 3

Mexico City & Xochimilco | Floating Gardens and Frida's World

Glide through Xochimilco's ancient waterways aboard a private trajinera, where floating gardens tell tales of Aztec ingenuity. Your vessel, adorned with fresh flowers and laden with artisanal Mexican wines and local delicacies, carries you past chinampas still cultivated using millennia-old techniques. Later, step into the intimate world of Frida Kahlo at Casa Azul, where personal artefacts and powerful artworks reveal the soul of Mexico's most beloved artist.

DAY 4

Puebla | Colonial Grandeur Reimagined

Journey through mountain passes to Cholula, where the world's largest pyramid slumbers beneath a Spanish colonial church—a powerful metaphor for Mexico's layered heritage. In Puebla, check into the sumptuous Cartesiano Hotel, where contemporary luxury embraces colonial architecture. As twilight approaches, join a celebrated chef in their private kitchen, where traditional poblano recipes are reimagined through a contemporary lens.

DAY 5

Puebla | Artisanal Soul

Delve into Puebla's artistic heritage at a traditional Talavera workshop, where master craftsmen transform clay into vibrant masterpieces. Later, explore the UNESCO-listed historic centre, where baroque churches and contemporary art galleries create an intoxicating dialogue across centuries. Cap the day with private access to the Museo Amparo's collection, where pre-Hispanic artefacts and contemporary installations tell the story of Mexican artistic evolution.

DAY 6

Oaxaca | Mezcal Dreams

Arrive in Oaxaca as the evening light softens the colonial facades to shades of honey and rose. Check into Hotel Escondido, where minimalist Mexican design celebrates the region's artistic heritage through thoughtfully curated local textiles and artworks. As night falls, follow your private guide into the world of artisanal mezcal, where small-batch producers craft this ancestral spirit in intimate palenques. Conclude with dinner at a hidden courtyard restaurant, where traditional tlayudas meet contemporary culinary artistry.

DAY 7

Monte Albán & Oaxaca | Zapotec Legacy

Ascend to Monte Albán as morning mist clings to the valleys below, revealing an ancient city where Zapotec civilization reached its zenith. Your expert guide weaves together threads of archaeology and living tradition, before leading you to the quieter ruins of Yagul. Return to Oaxaca for an afternoon exploring the city's vibrant art scene, where contemporary galleries and traditional craft workshops exist in harmony.

DAY 8

San Martín Tilcajete | Spirit Animals

Venture into the Valley of Oaxaca to San Martín Tilcajete, where master carvers transform copal wood into fantastical alebrijes. Join an artisan family in their workshop to learn the secrets of this unique art form, which blends indigenous spirituality with contemporary expression. Lunch unfolds in their private garden, where local ingredients tell stories of Oaxaca's rich culinary heritage.

DAY 9

Oaxaca | Final Notes

Your final morning in Oaxaca unfolds at your pace. Perhaps rise early for one last wander through the city's peaceful courtyards, or savour a leisurely breakfast of chocolate oaxaqueño before bidding farewell to this enchanting land.

Additional Recommended Experiences

Extend your Mexican sojourn with one of three distinctly different coastal experiences, each offering its own interpretation of barefoot luxury. For those seeking vibrant energy and sophisticated nightlife, Los Cabos pulses with contemporary glamour. At Chileno Bay Resort, clean architectural lines frame endless ocean vistas, while private coves provide peaceful sanctuaries between social encounters. By day, lounge at the adult-only pool where attentive staff anticipate your every need; by night, dive into the area's legendary social scene, from innovative restaurant concepts to stylish beach clubs. Here, the desert meets the sea in dramatic fashion, creating an intoxicating backdrop for those who love to see and be seen. Nature lovers and privacy seekers will find their paradise in Riviera Nayarit at One&Only Mandarina. Perched where emerald jungle meets the Pacific, this architectural marvel offers treehouse-style accommodations that seem to float above the forest canopy. Days unfold in perfect seclusion: practice yoga on your private deck as tropical birds flit past, enjoy treatments in spa pavilions suspended among ancient trees, or descend private trails to pristine beaches where the only footprints in the sand are your own. For those drawn to both cultural richness and world-class beaches, the Riviera Maya offers an unmatched blend of Mayan heritage and coastal beauty. Hotel Esencia, an elegant hideaway set on one of Mexico's finest white sand beaches, provides an ideal base for exploration. From here, arrange private sunrise visits to ancient ruins, swim in secret cenotes known only to locals, or explore the coastline by private yacht. The property's refined simplicity and intimate scale—just 45 rooms spread across 50 acres—create an atmosphere of exclusivity that never feels austere.

Transform Your Mexico Dreams into Reality

Allow us to craft your bespoke Mexico journey. Whether inspired by our curated itinerary or envisioning something entirely your own, we'll shape every moment to reflect your distinctive style and preferences.