The Vuelve a la Vida tour is a therapuetic journey to visit quaint desert oasis towns through a delicious, relaxed living experience for a week. Mexicans call this “puebleando” (stopping to visit small towns while traveling from one place to the next). We will go back in time, visiting historic old 1600's towns declared “Pueblos Mágicos” (magic towns) by the Mexican government. A Pueblo Mágico has its own symbolic attributes, legends, history, everyday life, and significant facts that create its unique culture.
Your first stay is at Quinta Santa Cecilia in a Magic Pueblo called Cuatro Cienegas, a town of 10,000 inhabitants. There you will explore desert oases of thermal waters and learn about endemic and endangered flora, fauna, and animals. Once an ocean, some scientists argue that the earth’s first life forms may have begun here. It was also the birthplace of Venustiano Carranza, Mexico’s 65th (1914-1920) president. This place is simply old. Women aren’t even allowed into the local cantinas, instead opting for private gatherings. Here, you’ll receive great cooking lessons and recepie book by food connoisseurs who teach buen sazon (zesty flavor) to create simple Mexican dishes. You’ll stroll down the small downtown area while sampling some of the freshest, most savory ice cream you’ll ever taste. And we’ll take you to a quaint historic museum, see some churches, and if needed, teach you enough Spanish to strike up a conversation.
After one and a half leisurely days, you’ll trek through the desert (by air conditioned bus, that is) and head to Parras de la Fuente, named the Oasis of Coahuila by the state government. Like Cuatro Cienegas, Parras de la Fuente is also a Pueblo Mágico, mainly due to its fame for wine and denim, and its home to the famous president Francisco Madero, a revolutionary against the dictator president Porfirio Diaz. Parras was also a favorite hang out of Pancho Villa and houses a gorgeous hacienda (plantation home) including a hotel, restaurant, winery, and vineyards "Casa Madero". Apart from a rich history and local industry, Parras is famous for beautiful springs, Spanish-Indigenous fusion cuisines, places of interest, and quaint alleys. As part of your stay, we will take you to a special cactus garden and also treat you to an evening Yoga class for deep sleep. When you leave Parras, you’ll be relaxed and unplugged.
Our last destination is the Termas de San Joaquin, a hotel in the middle of the desert that harnesses sulfuric hot water springs into Romanesque pools. This thermal water is considered an alternative medicine by the World Health Organization. The pools are located in a silent reserve where electricity is purposely left out and you can meditate quietly in healing waters under the protection of majestic Roman-arches. Afterward, we’ll enjoy fresh fruits, wine, and dinner back at La Flor de la Pitaya, the hotel’s savory restaurant. Our tour is scheduled during the Lyrids Meteor Shower (April 21-22) and the Orionids Meteor Shower/Comet (October 16-23), where you will see hundreds of falling stars through the hotel's powerful telescope and hear explanations from astrologers. This hotel offers recreational facilities, but more importantly, it offers a first class spa including chocolate massages, aromatherapy, facials, manicures, and pedicures. Imagine basking in thermal waters, eating delightful foods, walking through gardens, enjoying a warm chocolate massage, and then star-gazing on a black night that sprinkles falling stars everywhere and expands beyond the imagination.
Now board the bus that night, fall into a deep sleep, and ride until the next morning. When you wake, you’ll be back home but you’ll feel transformed, re-energized and ready to bring zeal and a great Mexican meal to your loved ones. iVuelve a la vida!
In 2010 we offer two different Magic Pueblos experiences.
