Morning: Eat light at breakfast, and wear some good walking shoes because we've got a treat, actually, several of them! From the hotel, we'll be following our noses (and the guide) to the best of the best markets and street food stands in town. Traditional Oaxacan rolled tacos, filled with stuffed chilis and cheese, grilled directly on the wooden charcoal, get things started right. An interlude of black mole tamales will satisfy your taste buds with a mix of savory and smoky. Then come the sweet and spicy notes of chocolate that will quickly make you understand why people come from around the world for flavors that can't be found anywhere else.

We'll sample the varieties of mole while our eyes scan the market, textured with thousands upon thousands of varieties of colorful, dried chilis. We'll drink tejate, made from corn and fermented cacao nibs, offering a semi-sweet and nutritious means of washing it all down. That's just a wee sampling of the tour—it wouldn't be right to give it all away, so get ready for more surprises as they unfold before you. Our advice: show up HUNGRY and open-minded.

[Please note we cannot accommodate vegans or any food allergies for this activity]

Afternoon and Evening: The afternoon and evening are free. If shopping’s on your list, today’s the day. Ask your local host, or reference your Eat, Play, Shop Guide to find a list of our favorite shops to source unique home goods and standout fashion pieces crafted by the region's most exciting young emerging artists. 

Meals Included: Breakfast and brunch/lunch/snacking throughout the market experience 

Morning: After breakfast, we’re exploring the colorful world of Teotitlan, a Zapotec community renowned for hand-made candles and textiles to visit true masters in action. Our first woman-owned taller (workshop, pronounced; ta’ier) creates one-of-a-kind tapetas (rugs) that cannot be replicated. Her workshop also boasts a rooftop with views of cypress trees and the green valley below alongside traditional Zapotec ovens. Find the textile that speaks to you, and enjoy a multi-course Zapotec meal, including fresh juices, a variety of tamales, stuffed peppers, and mole.

Afternoon: After lunch and textiles, we’ll be visiting another master artisan who specializes in candles with a long and romantic history. These candles, often used in public special events, are hand-crafted, taking upwards of four months to make. Their colors stem from nature, from the beeswax to the natural color pigments. Thanks to these enduring masters, the candles are still here to make occasions that much more special.

After our final visit, the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the town square or visit more shops. One building that will surely stand out is the stunning Museo Comunitario designed by Productora. It is an architectural marvel in its own right and houses some of the best examples of Oaxacan textiles and their history.

*Day of the Dead trip: The Zapotec community in Teotitlan has a rich history of practicing mysticism. We'll have a special opportunity to discover how mystic Dia de Los Muertos celebrations differ from more traditional practices as we're welcomed into the home of a local family. Ornate altars made of flowers, candles, and the departed's favorite food and drink can be found inside the home during this time of the year. After making our contributions to the alter, we'll visit a church in town to see how the holiday is observed through yet another lens.

Evening: Tonight, we dine at one of the city’s most exciting venues, a female-owned restaurant with a menu that’s inspired by the culinary traditions of a remote mountain village in the state of Oaxaca. Feast on smoky vegetables, edible flowers, native greens, and sweet tortillas, and try ancestral beverages such as ticunchi and papalometl agave. Enjoy your last taste of Oaxacan cuisine as you toast to the end of a brilliant week with your new friends.

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner