This trip was more than a holiday. It really helped you get under the skin of Sri Lanka and it’s people. From visiting temples and monuments, catching a sight of the varied wildlife or experiencing lunch with a local family, this trip really had it all. Whilst it was a full-on, busy tour, I still felt relaxed and refreshed upon my return home, mainly due to the fact that everything in the tour had been so well organised and planned. A plan B was ready for when the trek deemed not possible due to the rain and Roshan our tour leader took everything in his stride and made the guiding of the trip seem effortless.
Culture Holidays in Mexico
Mexico Culture Holidays
Top Things to Do on Cultural Holidays in Mexico
Visit Chichen Itza: One of the most significant archaeological sites in the country, Chichen Itza is located in Yucatan and is a must-see for anyone on Mexico cultural holidays. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is also one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, dating back to 600 AD. The site is home to 26 extraordinary Mayan ruins that are split into two parts: Chichen Itza and Old Chichen, each as impressive as the other. If you’re not sure which Mayan ruin to visit first, the Chichen Itza Pyramid or El Castillo are good places to start. But there are plenty more sights to see, including the Observatory, The Temple of the Warriors, El Caracol and the Mayan Ball Game. The site is utterly enthralling and gives you a deeper insight into the history of the Mayans.
Explore San Cristobel: This colonial highland city wrapped inside ancient pine forest and traditional villages is a jumble of cobbled streets, colourful plazas and centuries-old buildings with red tiled roofs and whitewashed exteriors. As well as boasting a majestic mountain backdrop, San Cristobel is firmly rooted in the country’s indigenous culture and is a great place to scratch beneath the surface of Mexico. Its fusion of ancient customs and modern luxuries adds to its charms. The vibrant cafes are great for mixing with the local Tzotzil people and trying some authentic dishes, or perhaps wander through the streets and admire the old colonial houses.
Attend the Day of the Dead Festival: This is one of Mexico’s most famous festivals, which takes place every year to celebrate the passing of friends and family. The streets, homes and cemeteries in Oaxaca are filled with people remembering their lost loved ones. The Mexicans believe that death should be celebrated rather than mourned and they certainly know how to celebrate in style. You’ll see people of all different cultures gathering in nearby villages and market squares to perform spiritual rituals and traditions. In the evening, the streets are filled with carnivals and parties, with people dressed in spooky costumes.
As well as being immersed in the party atmosphere, you can learn about the local cuisine and sample foods such as enchiladas, almond stew or stuffed chillies. Enjoying lunch at the home of one of the local families is a great privilege and you’ll see their ‘shrine for the dead’ and learn about their heritage first hand.
Take a Tour of Mexico City: The beating heart of Mexico, Mexico City is a potent cocktail of historical sites, floating gardens and modern-day culture. The famous Plaza de la Constitución, Templo Mayor and the Baroque Cathedral Metropolitana hark back to when it was the Aztec capital, yet today it’s a cosmopolitan hub where travellers from around the globe come to get their fix of Mexican culture. A tour of the city guides you through the Zócalo and ancient streets to some of the most significant landmarks such as the Palacio de Bellas Artes, before visiting the Palacio Nacional and the Museum of Anthropology and History.
Michelle Claxton Discover Sri Lanka
Lawrence Mastin Discover Mongolia – Naadam FestivalA good mix of temples and monasteries, natural wonders, traditional lifestyles, and everyday modern life.
The gers were fine, even the more basic ones, as were the hotels. It was good to have the option of en-suite bathrooms in some, which made things easier for my wife. Several other group members would have take up tthis option if they had known about it, although Duuree did well to arrange them on the fly.
The drivers were all good, some better than others obviously, and presented an interesting variety of characters and styles. Special shout-out to Oggi. The cars were comfortable recent-model Lamd Cruisers, not just “jeeps”, which is just as well because there is a LOT of driving.
Christine Beeton Discover Namibia – LodgesI absolutely loved every minute of that trip. I went in April and we got to see many different dramatic landscapes and amazing wildlife. Every evening we had clear details on what would happen the next day, departure and driving times, number of stops, and what to wear. Some drives looked long on paper but the landscapes were always interesting to watch and we never knew when wildlife would be visible.
The itinerary is well designed as we discovered landscapes and alternated days with short drives and multiple hikes and days with longer drives but plenty of stops on the way. Some mornings started relatively early but that is necessary to see wildlife and walk in the desert before it gets too hot.
The lodging ranged from absolutely fabulous (Damara Mopane Lodge and Otjiwa Safari Lodge for example) to painting peeling off the wall in Etosha National Park. Regardless, all were clean and quiet and being so close to the waterhole in Etosha was well worth the slightly less luxurious room.
The bus we used is especially well designed to travel on dirt roads and to see immense landscapes and wildlife. The provided extra cushions were welcome on bumpy roads and all seats had seatbelts. Once we got into Etosha, we opened the roof and (shoes off) would stand on seats to have a 360 degrees view. The front and side windows also open. That means everyone could see the wildlife from different angles with obstructing the view of others in the group.
I had high expectations when I booked that trip and I came home with all those expectations exceeded.
Become an Exodus insider
Get insider tips, travel inspiration, and exclusive offers you won’t find anywhere else – sign up now!