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Roundtrips "Pride Tours" by HolidayPride
Have you always dreamt about traveling to far away places, to discover other other cultures, to visit breathtaking sites? Do you also feel that offers of traditional tour operators do not entirely meet your expectations? Travelling with a ‘straight' group was never an issue, but somehow you wished there was a more suitable and comfortable travel experience ?
Don’t look any further : HolidayPride has the perfect group travel offers for you!
The "Pride Tours by Holiday Pride” are cultural group tours designed for an optimal and exclusive travel experience to some of the most extraordinary spots on this green planet, far away from mass tourism.
Safe, non-judgemental holidays allowing you to be yourselves and fun and affordable cultural tours that not only enrich the lives of our travelers but also the ones of the local communities, create a meaningful and sustainable travel experience.
And if you’re travelling by yourself, why not consider saving the cost of a single supplement by booking on a shared basis? You pay no single supplement and we will find you a matching roommate to share the room during the tour!
Discover the world with HolidayPride and do not compromise yourself!
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| Detailed program |
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Day 1 - Arrival at Cancun International Airport (d)
Flight Brussels or Paris – Atlanta - Cancun
Arrival in Cancun, group welcome by our guide and transfer to the hotel. Diner and night hotel The Palm at Playa****.www.thepalmatplaya.com
Day 2 - Playa del Carmen (b,l)
Today we take it easy so you can recover from the long trip yesterday and you can soak up the atmosphere of the legendary resort of Playa del Carmen. At the end of the afternoon we visit the archaeological site of Tulum. Later you will have some time for shopping, relax at the pool or the beach and enjoy the vibrant nightlife. Overnight at hotel The Palm at Playa **** www.thepalmatplaya.com
Day 3 - Playa del Carmen - Chichen Itza – Merida (b,l)
8:00 : Early departure to be amongst the first to be on the archaeological site of "Chichen Itza", UNESCO listed site as "world wonder”. You will access some typical craft inside the site.
We will then drive a few miles from the ruins to go to the natural site of "Yokdzonote" where lies a "Cenote" (picture underneath). You may take a refreshing bath before lunch. Lunch break in a restaurant near the Cenote. We will then head towards the white city, Merida, capital city of the State of Yucatan (1,5 million inhabitants, famous for its cathedral, its “Paseo Montejo” surrounded with sumptuous villas of former henequen masters. Visit of the Zolaco, the Governor’s palace, in the town centre. Night at the Casa del Balam Hotel. www.casadelbalam.com
Day 4 - Merida - Uxmal – Campeche (b,l)
9:00 : Our bus will take you to the ruins of Uxmal, an antic Maya town of the classical period, located in the State of Yucatan. A good pair of shoes will be necessary to climb up and go down one the great pyramids and enjoy the unique sight of the Yucatek jungle. As we leave the site, we will make a stop in a Panama hat manufacturing workshop. Typical Yucatek lunch in the “Ochil” hacienda.
After lunch, you will go the city of Campeche, an old town fortified to fight against pirates. At the end of the afternoon, you will visit the historical centre and admire the architectural beauty of the Spanish colonial period. Diner on the Zocalo. Night at the Socaire Hotel. www.hotelsocaire.com.mx
Day 5 - Campeche - Palenque (b,l)
8:00 : Early departure to the ruins of Palenque, an oasis in the Chiapanek jungle. After a long drive (4h30), you will take delight in a refreshing stop a the hotel before having lunch in the heart of the jungle, next to the site. After lunch, let’s visit and enjoy one of the most impressive sites of the Maya culture, surrounded by a luxurious jungle. You will get to learn, among other things, the adventures and disappointments of King Pakal who remains famous for the engraving discovered on the walls of his tomb, representing him lying and receiving divine lights (or something related to it) or sat on a spatial motorbike speeding to the stars. Night
at hotel Piedra de Aqua. http://www.piedradeagua.com/
Day 6 - Palenque - San Cristobal De Las Casas - Agua Azul (b,l)
In the morning, you will be driven to the waterfalls of the Agua Azul Reserve where you will walk along the river between the headlands, and enjoy bathing in unique turquoise waters…
We will then make a short break in the city of Ocosingo where you will appreciate a wonderful coffee, a tradition of this part of the Chiapas. Lunch near the waterfalls
After this moment of relaxing wild nature, we will drive to the wonderful town of San Cristobal de las Casa, with an altitude of more than 2.000 metres. Its name comes from Bartolome de las Casas, a bishop well known for defending native Americans during the famous “Valladolid Controversy” which was supposed to determine whether “Indians” had a soul or not. De las Casas proved that they had one, which allowed them to escape slavery. Night at the Bo Hotel. www.hotelbo.mx
Day 7 - San Cristobal De Las Casas (b,l)
8:30. We will head towards the Zocalo to visit the main food market, where you will enjoy discovering the numerous exotic fruits displayed on the stands. You will then discover San Juan de Chamula, well known for its tough opposition against the Spanish, the catholic clergy and the external authorities. This town is even more famous for its church where a very peculiar syncretism can be practised. (cameras are forbidden inside the church). Lunch break in very typical Chiapas restaurant in Zinacantan, small village of the Tzotzil Indians. Free afternoon – we suggest that you go and discover the very typical arts and craft of the Tzotzile ethnic group. Back to the Bo hotel for the overnight. www.hotelbo.mx
Day 8 - San Cristobal de las Casas - Juchitan (b,l)
8:30 : Departure for Juchitan, stopover city of your stay. You will make a stop in Chiapa de Corzo in order to visit the canyon by boat and enjoy observing wild animals and wild nature in between waterfalls, steep cliffs, crocodiles and all sorts of birds… Lunch break near the Canyon. We will then drive you to Juchitan, matriarchal city where you will spend the night.
We will seize the opportunity to visit its very colourful market where you will discover the beautiful traditional costumes and craft objects. Your senses will be awakened thanks to the numerous fragrances and typical savours such as hot peppers white currants… Your challenge? Not makes faces while tasting them… (5 hour-drive).Nnight at the Central Hotel. www.hotelcentral.com.mx
Day 9 - Juchitan - Oaxaca (b,l)
8:00. Early departure for a first stop at Santa Maria del Tule’s church (arrival at 13h00) in order to see the Tree of Life, so called because of all the animals representation that can be seen on its knotted trunk. It is also known for being the tallest and oldest tree in the whole country. Lunch break in the village of Teotitlan with a visit to a traditional local weaver. This afternon, we will visit the historical centre of Oaxaca, its typical market but also the Santo Domingo convent which shelters the most beautiful church of Mexico. We may make a detour to see Benito Juarez’s house, first mixed-raced President of the country, a symbolic president, nicknamed “the Worthy of America’s Honours“. We will finish with the market and its heady fragrances of unknown spices or the shimmering colours of their silky fabric. Diner and night at the Azul Hotel. www.hotelazuloaxaca.com
Day 10 - Oaxaca - Puebla (b,l)
This morning we will drive you to the archaeological site of Monte Alban (the White Mountain), the most fascinating mountain of the State of Oaxaca. This great centre of Zapotek ceremony is located on a wide esplanade at an altitude of 2.000 metres (fleece recommended). You will be amazed by those spectacular ruins overlooking the valley. We will then drive to Puebla, the city of angels and hundreds of churches (1.5 hour-drive), whose historical centre is characterised by a Spanish colonial architecture, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will stop to admire the countless cactus fields from a panoramic view point that we particularly like. Lunch break on the way between Oaxaca and Puebla in a typical restaurant of the area. At the end of the day, we will have a nice walk in the heroic city of Puebla de Zaragoza. Well known for its resistance against the French invasion, it still reflects the remains of the conflict, which you will admire during our excursion in the centre. Religion is another aspect of Puebla since the city counts many religious buildings which caused it to be named Puebla de Los Angeles. The legend says that its founding followed on from a dream made by the angels. Free time before diner in “la Plazuela de los Sapos” (antique dealers place). Enjoy a feeling of relaxation thanks to the numerous bars, cafés and restaurants.
Night at the El Sueno hotel. www.elsueno-hotel.com
Day 11 - Puebla – Mexico (b,l)
This morning, you will visit a village nearby: Cholula. At the feet of the Popocatepetl (a volcano) and the Iztaccihuatl: the cursed lovers who left their names to the volcanos around the town. Cholula means “the place for those who flee” in nahuatl language. Climb up the steps of its temple, the sight is worth it! In the morning, we will drive you to the archaeological site of “Teotihuacan” (“where the gods were born”), a city that used to be the biggest city in the world. We will make a stop in an obsidian cut workshop in order to appreciate this meticulous work of art. We will then reach the site to admire the sun and moon pyramids but also visit the Quezalcoat temple. Meal near the ruins. Visit of the ruins early in the afternoon. End of the day, we will head towards the biggest capital city in the world, MEXICO CITY ! Night at hôtel Zocalo Central**** www.centralhoteles.com
Day 12 - Gay Pride de Mexico (b,l)
9:00. Departure for the National Museum of Anthropology. Observation of the various rooms of the museum will help us understand the many components of the society and the History of Mexico during our trip. It is, for example, in one of these galleries that lies the very famous “Sun Stone” whose image was used to illustrate reports on Maya calendars and their end of the word (the Sun Stone is not even a calendar).
Back to the hotel because today it’s the Gay Pride in Mexico City. Have fun and enjoy the party’s. You will receive a flyer with the different activities that take place today. Night at hôtel Zocalo Central**** www.centralhoteles.com
Day 13 - Mexico - Paris or Brussels
After breakfast free time and at the end of the afternoon transfer to Mexico International Airport to take your return flight home.
(b: breakfast - l= lunch - d= diner)
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