First Day: Depart from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas clearing customs at Reynosa, Mexico. Travel the highway that winds it's way across fields of Joshua trees, past country settlements with neat cactus fences. Arrive in San Luis Potosi and find a "Welcome Sanborns" banner greeting you at your host from the evening, Hotel Panorama. A joyful serenade by student singers in medieval costumes gets you in the Mexico mood.

Second Day: After a tasty included buffet breakfast, board your coach for the ride through the state of Michoacan. Little craft villages illustrate the abundant talent of the local people. Try to pornounce their musical sounding Tarascan names like Erongaricuaro or Tzintzuntzan. Everyone falls in love with Patzcuaro, captivated by the gently undulating red tile roofs and winding lanes that lead to fantastic surprises, like the Casa de Once Patios! A delightful nook of 11 captivating craft shops in what was once a Carmelite monastery, one of the typical ancient buildings. Arrive at your home for the next three nights, the famous Spanish style Hotel Don Vasco. Note the 2 foot thick walls, the massive wooden beams, and the buffed tile floors. Unpack your suitcase and move in for a comfortable stay. Stroll the garden by the pool after dinner. Breakfast Included.

Third Day: Breakfast at the Don Vasco is always special. Not only is the food delicious but the atmosphere is lovely, with the dishes and the furniture fitting for the period of the hotel. No suitcase to load this morning, just hop on the coach for a short drive to Santa Clara del Cobre. You've noticed huge gleaming hand hammered copper pots sold among the highway and in decorator magazines back home, this is where they are made. It is not unusual to see neat boxes addressed to European countries waiting to be shipped. Mexico fold art has caught the attention and admiration of the world. If you are in the market for a purchase, you can pay the home price, unlike our far away cousins. Then return to Patzcuaro. You will learn the town, sit in one of the large squares with lofty century old trees, walk through the outside market with fresh produce, examine woolen shawls, pick up some wooden spoons, have a spicy cafe de olla at an outside cafe and stir it with a cinnamon stick. You will see ladies selling embroidered pictures of their villages and celebrations. Take one home to frame or sew on to a pillow. You'll be charmed by the ponderous style buildings with interior patios and solid pillars. This evening, the boisterous Dance of the Little Old Men will liven up your dinner! Breakfast Included.

Fourth Day: Your day begins with a pretty breakfast and a leisurely departure to some most unusual places. You will be heading for the town of Paracho where everyone is engaged in making guitars. The carefully carved instruments range from inexpensive to famous top of the line models. You'll see Tarascan Indian ladies dressed in local costume, the long sleeved, high necked blouse and heavy dark skirt with bright embroidered lined and waist band. Then go to the strange and beautiful dark-side-of-the-moon land of Paricutin. In 1945, lava began spewing up from the ground in a cornfield. A thick layer of porous lava covered an entire village except for the church steeple. You'll want to take pictures of this silent spot. The return to Patzcuaro and visit the Museo Regional de Artes Popularas, housed inside a wonderful old house with one floor actually constructed f cow vertebrae. Follow the rooms around the flower filled patio to admire absolutely marvelous collections of all examples of Michoacan art. One unique item is an ancient image of Jesus, made of bread dough. End the day back at your home at Posada Don Vasco to share impressions of another fascinating day. Breakfast, Box Lunch Included.

Fifth Day: You are off to the nearby city of Uruapan. Your drive on the fine highway takes you through red soil rolling hills from pines to tropical vegetation. Locals enjoy the town center with the town square, cafes, monuments, and the Museo de Arte Popular. The absolutely fine pottery made here is so detailed in design and some of it is paper thin. Stroll through the displays and pick up a few things to take home. A lovely nature park that seems like a piece of the jungle is one of the towns favorite spots. The Parque Barranca de Cupatitzio is a lush botanical jewel. You'll have delicious lunch at the famous Hotel Mansion del Cupatitzio. Afterwards, return to Patzcuaro for a visit to one of the town squares and the site of a cavernous church built in 1535 by the Spanish priest. Don Vasco de Quiroga, the patron saint of the Tarascan Indians around Patzcuaro. This kind man won the hearts of the people by introducing new crops, establishing community centers, schools and creating hospitals for the sick and aged and encouraging the local crafts. Take time to make one more round through the picturesque squares before returning to the Don Vasco for your last night at your home away from home. Breakfast Included.

Sixth Day: Today is the day to load up baggage and purchases for the drive to Morelia, capital of the state. But on the way, stop at the village of Quiroga and their lively little market area downtown. Then on to Tzintzuntzan with quiet streets lined with open front stores brimming over with carved stone items, carved wood things large and small, countless straw holiday ornaments, odd white pottery with drawings of Lake Janitzio and huge pottery pineapples. You can stuff the cargo area of the bus with your purchases, however, stone pillars adorned with leafy vines might not fit! Arrive at Morelia, founded in 1541 and see why it is described as aristocratic in design. The ornate city plaza is bordered by sidewalk cafes and arched covered porticos. At the center is the cathedral with probably the largest and oldest organ in Latin America. Your host hotel this evening is just around the corner from the plaza and housed in a marvelous historic building, once a 16th century monastery. Your hotel, the Posada De La Soleded has solid, stately architecture with a charming garden patio. You will sightsee the area and feel welcomed there. Breakfast Included.

Seventh Day: This morning, take a look at the high stone arches of the amazing aqueduct. Then the Mercado de Dulces, the candy market that offers the most unusual treats. Today's drive northward to Matehuala passes through little towns, each one humming with it's own activities, Then return to the cactus and Joshua trees of the central plateau that lead to the town of Atehuala and your hotel for the evening Las Palmas Midway Inn. The stars are big and bright here and the Joshua trees that surround the pool are 2 stories tall. Breakfast ncluded.

Eighth Day: Board your coach for the ride home today. You'll enjoy a delicious lunch served at a local restaurant in Montemorelos. After a spin around the Plaza you'll be homeward bound and crossing the border back into Texas at Reynosa at about 5:30 pm. Breakfast, Lunch Included.