About the location
Located 5280ft above sea level, and aptly named one of Mexico’s ‘Pueblos Magicos’ (Magic Villages), Tepoztlan is a hidden gem far away from Mexico’s tourist trail. One of the safest and most attractive villages in the whole country, Tepoztlan will be your base for this culinary and cultural week.
An hour and 15 minute drive from Southern Mexico City, nestled at the base of the Tepozteco mountain range, the cookery school boasts spectacular scenic views of the Tepozteco valleys, and yet is just a simple 15 minute walk to the central downtown circuit where all of the restaurants are. It’s slightly out-of-town position means that very little traffic passes by, so guests can enjoy the tranquility the hotel has managed to retain, knowing that the city centre is easily accessible at a moment’s notice.
Tepoztlan itself is one of the most unique, authentic, and safest places you can visit and you’ll come to appreciate this within minutes of entering the village. It’s a place where time appears to have stood still, where culinary traditions passed down over generations are still dutifully observed, and with a relaxed pace of life that centres around family values and friends. You can walk anywhere day or night and locals will be cordial, but not overbearing, making it an ideal destination for the “foodie” and the traveller who enjoys discovering a rich alternative culture.
Your host during your 7 night/8 day stay will be chef Ana Garcia, arguably one of Mexico’s most successful and celebrated chefs. Ana set up the culinary hotel with her husband Robb in 2001, and since then has gone on to receive a string of accolades for her unwavering passion and devotion to imparting the secrets of traditional Mexican cooking.
A natural people person, Ana’s outgoing and warm personality makes her the perfect host, and her patient and friendly teaching style, coupled with her expertise in the kitchen, has led to a multitude of television appearances. She now fronts her own Mexican cooking program, as well as being a regular guest on Los Angeles’ popular breakfast show, KTLA’s Morning News at 9, where she speaks as an authority on major Mexican holidays and culinary traditions.
Relaxed cooking classes will take place on four days onsite with chef Ana throughout the week. Accommodation consists of six spacious guest rooms, complete with French doors and ensuite bathrooms, and a choice of either a king or twin beds. Up to 12 guests can stay at the culinary villa at any one time, making it the perfect, intimate, environment to learn in, as well as to get acquainted with fellow cooking course guests.
Also onsite at the villa and school is a heated swimming pool carved out of volcanic rock, an organic citrus orchard, and a bespoke open-air kitchen with a stunning view of the Tepoztlan valley below, where you’ll take your cooking classes with Ana. Each morning will begin with a hearty breakfast consisting of home-baked biscuits, jams and jellies, locally made pastries, fresh seasonal fruit, and a surprise dish that will differ daily, the perfect fuel to set you in good stead for the days activities ahead.
If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten track get-away, steeped in untouched tradition, that very few others have experienced, you can’t go wrong with this weeklong Mexican cooking holiday in Tepoztlan.
With its accommodating and friendly locals, rustic village charm and year-round average temperatures of 83 F (28 C), you’ll find yourself easily enchanted by all this magical Mexican village has to offer.
Features:
- Lovely cookery school founded in 2001
- A 15 minutes walk from the rural Mexican village of Tepoztlan
- 1 hour 15 minutes from Mexico City International airport
- Return transfers from Mexico City International Airport (set times only)
- 7 nights stay at the award-winning La Villa Bonita Hotel
- Accommodation in one of six guest rooms with either a king size bed or twin beds and private ensuite bathroom
- All bedrooms open to a central courtyard through French doors with a view of the Tepozteco mountains
- Use of the onsite heated volcanic swimming pool
- The villa is surrounded by beautiful gardens, an organic citrus orchard and lily pools for you to explore at your leisure
- An on-site stunning open-air kitchen with lovely views of the Tepoztlan valley below
- Four days of guided Mexican cookery classes with native chef and TV personality Ana Garcia
- A PDF handbook of all of the week’s recipes to take away with you
- Daily breakfast consisting of a range of pastries, fruits, yoghurts, granola, coffee, juices, and a changing daily dish, prepared by Chef Ana
- Supervised visits to local wholesale and farmers markets to source fresh produce and introductions to some of Chef Ana’s personal suppliers
- A hike up the Tepoztlan pyramid
- Tequila, Mezcal and Pulque tasting
- A day tour to the Mexican to ruins of Xochicalco, and silver city of Taxco (available at an extra charge)
- A Chef’s table style 4 course candlelight dinner prepared by Chef Ana on a non-cooking day (available at an extra charge and paid for locally)
- Unlimited free use of high-speed internet at the villa