After breakfast, you will start the day with a historical tour of San Juan de Ulúa; a massive fortification built in the harbor of the port city to protect it from foreign invaders and savage pirates. Later, it was converted into a prison. Next, your group will return to the central district for a walking tour to see the important historical landmarks including the main Cathedral. Just a short walk from the downtown area, you will encounter El Baluarte de Santiago (a military fort). At one time, the port of Veracruz had a wall surrounding it for protection. This fort was once part of the wall which faced the sea and with its cannons, helped protect the city from invading pirate ships. After lunch, your guide will lead you on a tour of the very modern Veracruz Naval Museum where you will view many interesting multi-visual exhibits explaining the history of the Mexican Navy. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to explore on your own. Overnight in the city of Veracruz. (B,L)

Today you will travel to the small town of La Antigua where you will see the remains of what is thought to be an administration building built by Cortez and his soldiers. Your guide will explain the known history of this area as well as give you a tour of how this riverside town was laid out back in the early 1500s. It is also in Antigua that you will see one of the first churches built in the Americas. Then you will keep traveling north to the ancient burial ruins called, Quiahuiztlan (Key-ah-wheezt-lan). This peaceful remote site is located on a bluff with a stunning view of the Gulf of México coastline. One of the more interesting aspects of this site is the 70 small miniature temples or tombs used by the more affluent people as their final resting place. Just below this site is the small village of Villa Rica. This is the frist place Hernán Cortéz landed with his men in 1519. Later you will overnight at one of the beach side hotels found in the Costa Esmeralda region of Veracruz. (B,L)

After breakfast, you will continue your journey to visit the ancient ruins site of El Tajín which is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Totonacan people built over 150 structures including 17 ball courts and flourished there between 800 and 1150 A.D. The most famous structure at El Tajin is called, the Pyramid of the Niches. Either your tour guide or an on-site guide will escort your group on a tour of the major structures and answer your questions. The starting point of the tour will be at a small museum located near the entrance of the site. Later, you will have the opportunity to witness the ceremonial flight of the Voladores. Five men (Voladores or fliers) will reenact high above the ground an ancient ritual which was performed by the Totonacs to appease their god of fertility to bless the area with an abundance of food and water. After lunch, you will get the opportunity to take a tour of the interesting town of Papantla. This northern area of Veracruz is also the place where the Spanish invaders first smelled and tasted a delightful new spice which was growing there. You know it today as vanilla. You will overnight again in the Costa Esmeralda area. (B,L)

After breakfast, you will travel toward the bustling city of Xalapa (Ha-la-pah) which is the capital of Veracruz. Just outside of this vibrant town is the beautiful estate called, Hacienda El Lencero. You will visit the main mansion, the gardens, and the chapel which the Mexican General, Santa Anna (Remember the Alamo) constructed specifically for his wedding. After touring the hacienda, your group will continue to the very modern Anthropology Museum. Here you will find the largest collection of artifacts from the people who once lived in the Mexican gulf coast region. One of the main attractions on display are the huge Olmec stone heads. After lunch, your bilingual guide will lead you on a tour of the main sites in Xalapa. This city is rich in culture with art galleries, interesting small shops, and is also the home to the University of Veracruz. You will overnight in the nearby town of Coatepec. (B,L)

You will be in the higher and more temperate altitudes of Veracruz where small organic coffee plantations can be found. You will have the opportunity to meet with the owner of one of these small coffee plantations and learn about the coffee-making process. Nearby there are two very quaint towns; Coatepec and Xico, both designated as "México Magic Towns." Coatepec is recognized for its beautiful main park, fun shopping, and many coffee shops. Xico is a pre-Hispanic cobbled street town with a beautiful church, handicraft shops, and nearby, you will find the waterfall which was used in the movie, Romancing the Stone. Later, your trip continues to Coscomatepec, a town which is located below the towering snowcapped volcano called, Pico de Orizaba. You will overnight in a hotel there. (B,L)

After breakfast, your guide will take you to the small village of Alpatláhuac where the local Catholic church is perched high above the town. It is there that you can get a sweeping panorama of this higher altitude hilly area of western Veracruz. Then it is back to Coscomatepec where it will be time to get ready for a true Mexican cultural experience. Every Monday the whole town transforms into an outdoor market place. Everything from shoes to live animals are bought and bartered here. You can have lunch right in the market where you can sample some local dishes which are prepared fresh. Most likely your group will be the only foreigners there so the locals will probably be watching you as much as you are observing them. Overnight again in Coscomatepec. (B)

This morning your group will leave the mountainous area of western Veracruz and embark on a road trip to the southern rain forested areas of the state. First stop is to visit a local fish market in the town of Alvarado. Then you will continue to a small village adjacent to the Gulf of México where you will have a relaxing lunch. Next, it’s to motor off into the ocean on a local small boat to explore the shoreline, see a huge cave used by pirates, and witness hundreds of birds on an island just off shore. Overnight in a rustic cabin in one of the small seaside villages. (B,L)

After breakfast, your party will travel on a small road which winds through the natural thick tropical rain forest. On the way, you will enter a tropical ecological reserve and be pampered with a mineral mud bath. A special mud is applied over your entire body and after it dries, you immerse yourself in a natural mineral spring pool using minty fresh patchouli leaves to wash off the dried mud. It is very refreshing! Next, from the dock of this reserve, your group will embark on a lake boat ride to take in the wonderful green tropical vistas found in this designated World Biosphere area where you will encounter many tropical birds and maybe spot howler and spider monkeys on islands in the lake. Lunch will be served at a restaurant overlooking this tranquil lake paradise. In the evening, your guide will lead you on a leisurely walk to explore the downtown area of Catemaco. (B,L)

This morning, your guide will take you and your traveling companions on a day of tropical exploration starting with a scenic driving trip around a part of the lake. The lake has about 32 miles of shoreline. However, there is still not a road that goes all the way around the entire lake. Your final destination will be to the small village of Benito Juarez. A local village guide will meet you and then lead everyone on a hike into the tropical rain forest jungle. Along the way, your guide will explain about some of the plants and trees you will be passing. You will also encounter some beautiful waterfalls where (if you choose to) you can swim in the cool pools found below these cascading jungle falls. After the hike, your group will enjoy a specially prepared lunch by a local family at their home. Later you will return to Catemaco and overnight there. On this evening, you will also have the option at an additional cost to experience a Temascal Ceremony. Picture yourself in an igloo-shaped hot sauna chanting and sweating. It is an experience you won't soon forget. (B,L)

This area of southern Veracruz is prime for growing tobacco. After checking out of your hotel, you will tour a local cigar manufacturing company. There you can learn about how they grow, cultivate, process, and package their products before they are ready to be shipped worldwide. All aspects of this process are done by hand so you will get to see up-close their employees as they rapidly and skillfully work at the different stations. Next, your group will travel a short distance to view the awesome waterfall called, Salto de Eyipantla (Eee-gee-pant-la). This waterfall was featured in the movie, Apocalypto directed by Mel Gibson. Lunch will be at a small restaurant located next to the waterfall. Then you will travel back to the city of Veracruz to check in at a local hotel. Later, everyone will meet for a fun farewell dinner in the downtown area. (B,L,D)