We're very excited to be returning to Mexico City in Sept., one of the world's greatest concentrations of art, history, culture and fine cuisine. From the murals of Diego Rivera, David Siqueiros,and Jose Clemente Orozco to the home of Frida Kahlo and a multitude of renowned museums and galleries including the famous Museum of Anthropology. It's all right there. The Palacio de Bellas Artes and many of the finest restaurants are within easy walking distance of our historic hotel overlooking the Zocalo. From your balcony you can watch the Flag raising ceremony, see the famous cathedral, and the remains of Montezuma's palace. If you want to understand Mexico, yes, Mexico City is a must.

 Oaxaca for the festivities surrounding the Day of the Dead is always a great experience. Our B&B is only a short walk from the Plaza and most of the finer shops and restaurants. Many of the activities take place all around us. Enjoy some of the finest cuisine in Mexico. Learn about the famous craft traditions as we visit many of the outlying villages to see the artists at work. Learn to cook many of the traditional dishes if you wish. Taste some of the many varieties of mescal for which Oaxaca is famous. Visit some of the local cemeteries to learn about the colorful tradition. Help to decorate a gravesite and even participate in the vigil. You’ll be surprised at how much the locals appreciate your interest.

The Gray whale experience is often described as life changing. It can be surprisingly emotional when this intelligent giant of another species lifts her baby up close and encourages you to touch. But it’s much more than that. Enjoy a unique visit to a remote village in the Sierra de San Francisco where the mysterious giant figures are painted on the walls and ceilings of shallow caves. As we wind up the peninsula we’ll learn about the colorful history of the Jesuit and Franciscan missionaries and about the strange plants that grow nowhere else. Visit the Guadalupe Valley famous for its vineyards that produce some of the finest wines and experience the old Russian community where some few of the elders still speak Russian.

We love the Galapagos Islands and the friendly people of the country of Ecuador. Throughout the years we have sailed the islands in a cruise ship, a small sailboat, a luxury yacht, and last June in the three masted brigantine MaryAnne.  Our next trip will be land-based in the islands. We will explore some of the most exciting islands by day while spending the night in comfortable hotels on solid ground. On the mainland, we will descend the Andes into the Amazon jungle to find the sources of chocolate and visit some prehistoric petroglyph sites. This trip is in the works! Let us know if you are interested, and we’ll keep you posted.

Proposed for May of 2025. Call us for further updates.Please join us for an experience you’ll never regret.

Saludos,

Marshall and Cathy Giesy