Alumni and Parent Trip to Mexico
June 27–July 6, 2015
Come discover the richness and beauty of Mexico!
This summer, join us for an exclusive journey through MEXICO’S BAJÍO REGION—
QUERÉTARO, SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, GUANAJUATO—AND MEXICO CITY . Rich in history, the
Bajío is known as the cradle of Mexican Independence and is celebrated for its great
beauty, colonial architecture, geographical diversity, and its rich and dynamic culture. As
a more affluent area, it is also recognized as the safest region in Mexico.
We will TRAVEL to the cities of Querétaro, San Miguel de Allende, and Guanajuato—all
colonial gems recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Together we’ll LEARN more
about their history and culture, as we EXPLORE colorful cobble-stoned streets, elegant
cathedrals and baroque mansions. We’ll SAVOR exquisite cuisine in old monasteries and
even learn some new Latin dance steps! For those wanting an escape from city life, we’ll
HIKE up one of the world’s tallest monoliths, the famous Bernal Rock.
In Mexico City we’ll CLIMB pyramids, FLOAT down the same canals the Aztecs used for
travel, ENJOY an intimate Mariachi performance, SHOP at the world famous San Angel
Bazaar, and take in an elegant night of folklore and ballet at the Palace of Fine Arts.
Enjoy all of this and more on this unique travel experience that combines guided
sightseeing tours with ample free time to immerse yourself in the local culture. Come
discover the richness and beauty of Mexico!
WESTMONT ALUMNI TRIP TO MEXICO JUNE 2015
INCLUDED FEATURES
Accommodations:
Nine nights in luxury and boutique hotels
selected for their unique history, beauty
and elegance.
Activities and Events
Querétaro: Mesón de Santa Rosa
WWW.MESONDESANTAROSA.COM
• INFORMATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL
programs presented by local experts and
our own Dr. Mary Docter, Westmont
Spanish professor
• All EXCURSIONS as outlined in your
itinerary
• ADMISSION TO ALL SITES, including
Mexico’s Folkloric Ballet at the
Palace of Fine Arts
• AN EXTENSIVE MEAL PROGRAM including all
breakfasts and 10 unforgettable meals
Guanajuato: Mesón de los Poetas
WWW.MESONDELOSPOETAS.COM
Many included extras
• Services of an EXPERIENCED CAMPUS
DIRECTOR throughout your stay
• TIPPING of excursion guides and drivers
• Detailed TRAVEL AND DESTINATION
INFORMATION to assist in planning
Mexico City: Gran Hotel
WWW.GRANHOTELDELACIUDADDEMEXICO.COM.MX
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Goals for Alumni Travel:
• Offer educational, spiritual and intellectual
enrichment to Westmont alumni and friends
• Encourage camaraderie and meaningful
connections among Westmont parents,
alumni and the extended Warrior family
• Provide insight into off-campus cultural
experiences offered to current students
• Develop a greater sense of cultural
awareness as we learn more about our own
culture and that of Mexico
• The group is limited to 25 to maximize
your travel experience.
famous Tiffany curtain change color as the
show begins.
• DISCOVER the beauty of several UNESCO
World Heritage Sites, including Querétaro,
where our Westmont in Mexico students
live and study.
• LEARN from informational, educational
programs and tours led by Westmont Spanish
professor Mary Docter and local experts.
• ADMIRE the impressive architecture of
the San Miguel’s Gothic Cathedral of and
Querétaro’s famous “Casa de la Marquesa,”
recently featured in Architectural Digest.
• EXPLORE Guanajuato’s winding tunnels and
curving streets, rich in legends and charm.
The entire city is one big picture postcard!
• DRESS UP for an elegant evening of ballet at
Mexico’s City’s architectural masterpiece,
the Palace of Fine Arts, and watch the
• FLOAT down indigenous canals while
enjoying carnitas and our own, private
Mariachi concert!
• ENJOY Mexico’s artists and artisans, and
perhaps even pick up a souvenir or two at
one of the local markets.
• LEARN some Latin dance steps from a local
Mexican professor.
• SAMPLE authentic regional specialties during
select meals at exquisite Mexican restaurants,
including one located entirely in a cave!
• GET TO KNOW Westmont alumni and
parents from different generations as
we learn more about our culture, our
neighbors, ourselves, and our God in a
unique time of exploration and fellowship.
WESTMONT ALUMNI TRIP TO MEXICO JUNE 2015
DAILY ITINERARY
DAY 1: IN TRANSIT (JUNE 27)
Travel to Querétaro, Mexico, and check into the
Mesón de Santa Rosa. Enjoy a welcome reception
and dinner at the hotel, an evening stroll of the
main plaza, and a time to get to know your fellow
sojourners. First group meeting and meal will be at
7 p.m. at the hotel.
DAY 2: QUERETARO (JUNE 28)
Educational focus: History and architecture of
colonial Mexico. Founded in 1531, the capital city
of Santiago de Querétaro is famous for its crucial
role in Mexican history. Enjoy a walking tour of
the historic downtown, with its quaint plazas,
cathedrals and museums. A highlight of the day
will be our meal at the CASA DE LA MARQUESA ,
an opulent colonial masterpiece with Moorish
influences throughout. In the evening, we’ll gaze
upon the city’s landmark, THE FAMOUS ARCOS , or
arches of the aqueduct which grace the landscape.
DAY 3: QUERETARO AND BERNAL (JUNE 29)
Educational focus: Cultural awareness. Today we’ll
get a taste of how Westmont students experience
the study-abroad program, with a talk by Mary
Docter on the “cycle of learning.” For those who
are up to it, we’ll take a half-day trip to the city
of Bernal, to hike one of the WORLD’S TALLEST
MONOLITHS and enjoy gorditas in the charming
town below. Our Mexican dance instructor will
also show us how to move and sway to the Latin
rhythms of cumbia and salsa.
DAY 4: SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE (JUNE 30)
After breakfast we’ll head out for a day trip to the
lovely town of San Miguel de Allende. There we’ll
tour the famous GOTHIC CATHEDRAL, and you’ll
have time to explore the city’s many plazas and
artisan markets. In the afternoon, we’ll head to our
next destination: Guanajuato. That evening we’ll
follow a local estudiantil, or TRAVELING MINSTRELS,
on an evening tour of the curving streets.
DAY 5: GUANAJUATO (JULY 1)
Educational focus: Mexican Independence. Lose
yourself in the winding streets and tunnels of
downtown Guanajuato, a colonial silver mining
town with a surprise around every corner. Learn
some of the legends of this charming place,
including that of the “ALLEY OF THE KISS,” where
you’ll see a street so narrow that two lovers living
across the street could kiss each other from their
own balconies! Visit DIEGO RIVERA’S HOME , the
market designed by Gustave Eiffel, the ghoulish
mummy museum, the Teatro Juárez, and more.
In the evening, we’ll take the funicular up the
mountain to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views
of the city at sunset.
WESTMONT ALUMNI TRIP TO MEXICO JUNE 2015
DAY 6: GUANAJUATO/TRAVEL (JULY 2)
Enjoy time to explore the city, allowing yourself to
follow the labyrinthine streets and alleys and find
hidden treasures on your own! Following comida
we’ll head out to one of the largest cities in the
world, MEXICO CITY .
DAY 7: MEXICO CITY (JULY 3)
Educational focus: Pre-Colombian Mexico. Begin
your morning by climbing the famous PYRAMID
OF THE SUN and exploring Teotihuacán. To cool
down, enjoy a magical meal inside a cave! Then
learn how mescal is made with a tour and tasting.
Time permitting, we’ll tour the famous SHRINE
OF GUADALUPE and learn about the importance
of the Virgin in Mexican Catholicism. At sunset,
ascend the LATIN AMERICAN TOWER for stunning
views of the city from one of the highest points in
all of Latin America, and conclude your day with a
lovely meal at the famous House of Tiles.
DAY 8: MEXICO CITY (JULY 4)
Educational focus: Art. Enjoy the famous
SATURDAY BAZAAR in San Angel, followed by a
tour of the quaint neighborhood of Coyoacán and
FRIDA KAHLO’S HOME and museum. Float down
one of the canals the indigenous people used for
travel while savoring a typical Mexican meal of
carnitas and guacamole and enjoying our own
private Mariachi concert on board.
DAY 9: MEXICO CITY (JULY 5)
Educational focus: Art and architecture in Mexico
City. Spend time strolling through Mexico’s famous
MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY , viewing the
famous Sun Stone (Aztec calendar), Olmec heads,
and bejeweled Mayan masks. Spend your afternoon
admiring the magnificent cathedral as well as DIEGO
RIVERA’S MURALS at the National Palace and in
the Palace of Fine Arts. At sunset, head to your
hotel balcony to watch the intricate lowering of the
national flag. And finally, put on your finest clothes
and head out to enjoy MEXICO’S FOLKLORIC
BALLET at the Palace of Fine Arts.
DAY 10: TRAVEL HOME (JULY 6)
WESTMONT ALUMNI TRIP TO MEXICO JUNE 2015
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Westmont Alumni and Parent Trip to Mexico
June 27–July 6, 2015
$2,550 PER PERSON + AIRFARE
This tour is based on rates in effect in November
2014 and is subject to change in the event of
currency fluctuations. The tour is based on a
minimum of 20 paying participants. Included in
the tour at time of booking are: Shared double
room accommodations in historic, luxury and
boutique hotels (triple room will receive a slight
discount where available), to be applied at the final
booking; daily meals as indicated on the itinerary;
transportation and entrance fees to sights, museums
and most activities listed in the itinerary.
All program participants must be in good physical
and mental health, ambulatory, and fully able to
participate in all tour activities. Anyone requiring
assistance must be accompanied by an individual
able and willing to provide the necessary support
at all times. Wheelchairs are NOT readily available.
Westmont reserves the right to decline, accept
or retain a person who in the opinion of the tour
leaders is unfit for travel or whose physical or mental
condition may constitute a danger to themselves
or to others on the trip. In the event of removal, no
refund will be given.
Minimum age of participant: 18 as of date of travel.
Price: $2550 per person; price includes all breakfasts
and 10 meals; price does not include airfare.
Not included in price: Airfare and transportation to
and from airport and hotel; single room supplement
($500); additions/ changes to standard program, travel
insurance, alcoholic beverages; excess baggage.
RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY
Reservation and deposit: A non-refundable deposit
of $500 is due at time of reservation; a first payment
of $1,000 is due by February 13, 2015. Full payment
of $2550 or a second payment of $1,050 is due by
March 16, 2015. For reservations received after this
date, a late booking fee of $100 per person is due.
Cancellations fees: Westmont College must receive
all cancellation and refund requests in writing.
Refund policy is as follows: Cancellation from 90
days (March 31, 2015) to 76 days (April 12, 2015)
prior to trip will result in forfeiture of 25 percent of
entire cost of trip per person; 75 days (April 13, 2015)
to 30 days (May 27, 2015) will result in forfeiture of
50 percent of entire cost of trip per person; 29 days
(May 28, 2015) or less will result in forfeiture of 100
percent of cost of trip per person.
Luggage: Limit of one suitcase and one carry on per
person. There is no porterage service included in the
cost of the trip.
Airline transportation: You are responsible for your
own transportation to and from arrival and departure
cities. Arrival city: Queretaro, Mexico on June 27. See
itinerary for first group meeting and necessary time
of arrival. Departure city: Mexico City on July 6, 2015.
For various transportation options, click here.
Insurance: Tour participants are highly
recommended to purchase insurance for trip
cancellation, trip interruption, sickness, accidental
loss of baggage, and personal effects.
WESTMONT ALUMNI TRIP TO MEXICO JUNE 2015
Revisions of printed itinerary: While no revisions
of the printed itinerary are anticipated, Westmont
reserves the right to make any changes, with or
without notice, that might become necessary.
Permission to use images, video and/or audio:
On occasion, Westmont obtains from its staff or
passengers photos or video images of passengers
and trip activities. By participating in this travel
program, you authorize Westmont, without
providing compensation to you, or obtaining
additional approvals from you, to include photos or
video recordings of you, as well as voice recording
included with any videos, in Westmont advertising
and publicity.
Documentation: U.S. citizens will require a valid
U.S. passport. The traveler assumes complete and
full responsibility for, and hereby releases Westmont
College, from any duty of checking and verifying
any and all passports, visa, vaccination or other
entry requirements for destination, and all safety and
security conditions during the proposed travel.
Statement of Responsibility: Westmont College
shall not be held responsible for any wrongful or
negligent acts or omissions by a supplier or other
party not directly controlled by Westmont College
or by the failure of any equipment operated by any
such supplier or other party. Westmont College
shall not be liable for any loss, injury, or damage
to person property or otherwise, in connections
with any accommodations, transportation, or other
services, resulting directly or indirectly form any
acts of God, dangers, incidents, fire, breakdown
of equipment, acts of government or other
authorities, wars whether or not declared, hostilities,
terror attacks, kidnappings, civil disturbances,
diseases, strikes, riots, thefts, pilferages, epidemics,
quarantines, medical or customs regulations.
For information concerning possible dangers at
international destinations, contact the U.S. State
Department, (202) 647-5225 or the online travel
advisory service at http://travel.state.gov/travel. For
medical information, call the U.S Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) (404) 332-4559 or log on to http://
wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx.
The receipt of your deposit/ and or final payment
will indicate that you have read these Terms and
Conditions, and that you have agreed to them.
Prices are subject to change due to currency
fluctuations.
For more information, please contact:
Teri Bradford Rouse ’77
Senior Director of Alumni and Parent Relations
[email protected]
(805) 565-7255
WESTMONT ALUMNI TRIP TO MEXICO JUNE 2015