Las Pozas is a surrealist garden in the rain forest of the Sierra Madres, Mexico. It is the creation of Edward James (1907-1984), a British aristocrat, poet, and visionary. In the late 1940s, he moved to the village of Xilitla, Mexico, in the state of San Luis Potosí, where, in collaboration with local craftsmen and friends he fabricated elaborate symbolic shapes and organic designs that relate to a private cosmology predicated on surrealistic influences, and echo nature. Most of the structures are “follies” for amusement and surprise, never to be used for practical purposes.

Experienced guides Ben Gritzewsky, Liz Ward, and Robert Ziebell (good friends of Tiny World Tours) will lead this group of like-minded people, curators, and artists, to the 80 acre site, creating many wonderful memories and new friends in the process. Mark Holzbach (of Tiny World Tours) will be among the participants.

The journey to Las Pozas will begin and end in the historic colonial city of Queretaro. From Queretaro the group will enjoy a fantastic drive from the high desert plain all the way to the Sierra Madre rainforest where Las Pozas is located. En route, participants will adventure through amazing granite mountains, missions, markets, and even a marine fossil site before arriving in small village of Xilitla the following day.

In Xilitla, the group will stay at the surrealist bed and breakfast, El Castillo, a short drive, or an easy walk to Las Pozas. Las Pozas has recently been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and there are recent positive changes to the garden's unique towers, sculptures and other oddities. Swimming, hiking, relaxing, good times, and conversation will all be part of this experience.

The group's return from Las Pozas to Queretaro will allow exploration of this treasure of a city filled with beautiful cathedrals, architecture and rich Mexican history.

ITINERARY

Thursday 4 MAY
United Airlines #6163Houston IAH 9:00 AM – Querertaro QRO 11:09 AM
Welcome to Mexico, board late model Sprinter loaded with refreshments for 2 hour drive to Ranas and Toluquila archaeological sites. Ruins visit followed by country picnic style lunch. Continue 2½ hrs to Mision Concá hacienda hotel check in. Welcome cocktails, group dinner, overnight.

Friday 5 MAY
Concá – Mission Route – Xilitla
Optional early morning temazcal purification ritual. Breakfast at leisure. Check out 9 AM. Tour of 18th-century Franciscan missions of the Sierra Gorda and El Madroño marine fossils. Lunch of regional specialties, continue to Xilitla, arrival approx 4PM. Check in at El Castillo for three nights. Group dinner.

Saturday 6 MAY
Xiltla & Las Pozas
Breakfast at hotel, shuttle between El Castillo and Las Pozas throughout the day. Independent lunch. Return to El Castillo. Dinner on own.

Sunday 7 MAY
Xilitla & Las Pozas
Breakfast at hotel, shuttle between El Castillo and Las Pozas throughout the day. Independent lunch. Return to El Castillo. Dinner on own.

Monday 8 MAY
Xilitla to Queretaro
Breakfast at hotel. Check out 9 AM. Drive approx 2½ hrs to Pinal de Amoles. Home style lunch. Continue approx 2½ hrs to Queretaro. Arrival approx. 3:30 PM. Hotel check in (Villa del Villar). Free time. 6 PM cocktails, guided walking & trolley tour of historic center of Queretaro followed by farewell dinner

Tuesday 9 MAY
Queretaro to Houston
Breakfast and morning at leisure. 12 PM transfer to QRO for United Airlines #6317 departing 2:16 PM, arrival IAH 4:24 PM

The cost including airfare from Houston to/from Queretaro is $2,415 per person, double occupancy

Discounts for people NOT using airfare may be available - please inquire.

The single supplement is $300

This tour is contingent on a minimum of 10 participants

INCLUDED:

United flights economy class round trip with taxes and fees
5 nights accommodations
Breakfast daily, other meals and beverages per itinerary (3 lunches, 3 dinners)
Licensed, bonded professionally driven transportation throughout with onboard refreshments
Certified bilingual local guides as required
Entrance fees and camera permits, except commercial equipment
Travel insurance (cancellation/interruption, delay, baggage, accident & medical)

NOT INCLUDED: