EAT YOUR HEART OUT TOURS
FRIDA KAHLO'S MEXICO
with LA VELA SANDUGA FESTIVAL
Frida Kahlo's Mexico
Textiles Arts & Crafts
May 22 - June 6, 2026
SOLD OUT - Waitlist
Lecture by Chloë Sayer and Tour Launch 31 July, 2025
Sixteen days to explore Frida Kahlo's art, textiles, and her profound love for her country
Frida wore indigenous clothing. She collected ceramics, toys and other expressions of popular culture. In 1929 she married the muralist Diego Rivera, whose frescoes paid homage to the ancient cultures of Mexico and evoked the regional traditions of their own day. Together with other members of their circle, they embraced Mexican culture, which had long been undervalued by Europeans.
We will trace Frida's journey in her quest to promote Mexicanidad. Through visits to artisans and textile collections, discover what inspired Frida, whose legacy in turn continues to inspire, inform, and empower Mexico's artisans.
Frida Kahlo loved dressing in Tehuana style, shown in her many self-portraits and photographs. As guests during La Vela Sandunga festival on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, we will appreciate the very finest embroidered Tehuana clothing and enjoy music, dancing, food and drink to mark an unforgettable journey with Frida.
Highlights
-
Textile collections and artist families whose creativity inspired Frida
-
Award-winning makers and designers in backstrap and treadle loom weaving, tapestry-woven rugs, ceramics, tinsmithing, ikat-patterned rebozos, paper-cut banners, silversmithing, natural dyeing, embroidery and more
-
Museums pertaining to Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera
-
Archaeological site of Monte Albán
-
Craft markets and culinary beats
-
Tehuana festival of La Vela Sandunga
-
Lectures by Chloë Sayer
Past Mexico travellers speak
The EYHO Arts and Crafts tour was outstanding. We were lucky to have two fabulous tour leaders. One was Shila herself , organising our daily outings and marvellous accommodation and meals, and in her inimitable fashion encouraging us to share our thoughts and reactions and properly communicate with each other from day one. Additionally we had the huge benefit of Chloe Sayer, curator and expert in Mexican art and culture, who introduced us to artisan families and their skills. We watched their creative processes in small workshops that we could never have stumbled upon without Chloe’s guidance or her personal friendships with the artists themselves. A huge privilege to join this tour and if repeated, must NOT be missed. – Ruth Bundey, U.K. – Mexico/Oaxaca
I’m still re-living and remembering our marvellous tour in Mexico. I needed to get home and let it perk awhile in my brain to begin to absorb and relish all the wonderful people we met and the arts and crafts we saw. When I look at any of the treasures I brought home, or the photos, I get a smile on my face and a good feeling – what a trip!!– Carol Koenig, Fergus, ON - Mexico/Oaxaca
It was a total pleasure and privilege to travel with you and be able to share your enthusiasm and knowledge for a totally wonderful and fascinating country – Suzie Hyman, London, U.K. - Chiapas
COST 16 days
USD 5990* pp double occ./ Add $1270 single supplement
*based on max 16 persons
Early Registration USD 150 off till August 10th, 2025
Includes
Chloe Sayer’s conceptualization and leadership
Accompanied by EYHO Tour Manager
Accommodation in ambient 3-4* hotels
Daily breakfast and several lunches and dinners
All Private transportation
4 lectures by Chloë Sayer
All monument and museum entrance fees
Multiple artisan studio and workshop visits with demos
Flight Oaxaca City to Mexico City
Excludes International flights, Incidental expenses, Alcoholic beverages, Travel Insurance, Gratuities
Led by Chloë Sayer
Chloë Sayer is an author and curator, specialising in the art and culture of Latin America. She has made ethnographic collections for the British Museum and has published numerous books. She has worked on television documentaries for the BBC and Channel 4 and is a Research Associate with the Department for World Cultures at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. In 2016, the Mexican Government awarded Chloë the Ohtli medal for her long-standing commitment to Mexican culture.
Highlights
A warm welcome from artisan families
Thanks to Chloë's decades-long friendships with artisanal families, be welcomed to renowned workshops of textile, arts, and crafts excellence, rarely on tourist radars. Look forward to warm smiles, unhurried interactions, explanations, and demos. Often followed by an invitation to the family table for a breaking of fresh tortillas. As good as travel gets!
Textiles
Curated visits with award-winning makers and designers in backstrap and treadle loom weaving, tapestry-woven rugs, ikat-patterned rebozos, natural dyeing, embroidery and more. In short, we explore every textile art that Frida Kahlo featured in her repository of beloved Mexican cultural heritage.
Ceramic Skills
To visit the kitchen at Casa Azul is to pay homage to ceramic art created by the indigenous peoples of Mexico, whose hard work and talent Frida greatly admired. Visit renowned ceramists for the source of Frida's inspiration, and who in turn are empowered by Frida's embrace of indigenous artistic skills.
Tin Smithing and Silversmithing
In more than 55 self-portraits, Frida Kahlo allows the observer to see what mattered to her: spotlight is firmly on silver jewellery when gold was considered more stylish. Tin was a favourite collectible. In Taxco, visit award winning silver artisans who use stamping and engraving to create the design and decoration reminiscent of Frida Kahlo's jewellery and collectibles.
Archeological site
Frida Kahlo's paintings often incorporated pre-Columbian imagery and motifs, including those related to 5th BCE Monte Albán. Some earrings and necklaces worn by Frida Kahlo, were reproductions of ancient Zapotec silverwork found in Monte Albán's 7th tomb. We will visit this culturally and historically significant site for a glimpse at what inspired Frida.
Lectures
Evening lectures by trip leader, Chloë Sayer. Chloë is a sought-after internationally acclaimed speaker on Mexican history, textiles, arts, crafts, festivals, and culture. Recipient of numerous awards including the Mexican govt.'s Ohtli Medal. Past travellers: "Chloë's lectures added immeasurably to my appreciation of what I was seeing. Timely, in-depth without being too academic. A tour highlight!"
Festival - La Vela Sanduga
Frida Kahlo loved dressing in Tehuana style, as shown in her many self-portraits and photographs. As honoured guests during La Vela Sandunga festival on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, we will appreciate the very finest embroidered Tehuana clothing and enjoy music, dancing, food and drink to mark an unforgettable journey. You will be invited to dress in Tehuana style for greater immersion in this vibrant event.
Frida and Diego Museums
We are excited about a new Frida Kahlo museum, Museo Casa Kahlo, featuring photographs, dolls, jewelry, clothing, and letters from Kahlo's childhood. We will viist Casa Azul, of course, and several Diego Rivera museums for murals, newly opened ethnographic galleries at the Anthropology Museum, and the outstanding Museo de Arte Popular (MAP) to meet with renowned papier-máché artisan.
Local Markets
The beating pulse of any traditional community, also the best place to imbibe local flavour. Start with a foray to buy your Tehuana ensemble for the La Vela Sanduga Festival. Shop the great market in Juchitán de Zaragoza, enjoy a lunch served by a local Frida look-alike celebrity in Ocotlán de Morelos, and drop in at a Sunday market where makers sell a vast range of rebozos. This is only for starters . . . there's much more!
Artisanal towns
Venture beyond Oaxaca and Mexico City to Taxco for silversmithing, Tehuantepec for vibrant embroidery, the fishing village of San Mateo del Mar for a unique textile tradition, Teotitlán for fine woollen tapestry-woven rugs, Ocotlán de Morelos for cohineal farms, and Tenancingo de Degollado for rebozos. Each town is a fount of creativity and talent.
Culinary Beats
A given on every E.Y.H.O. tour . . . we are huge foodies! We will introduce you to how locals eat, in a safe and hygienic way. Meals with local artisan families and roadside eateries for a culinary immersion. Explore exciting trends in indigenous Oaxacan cuisine, award-winning chefs, as well as stylish Mexico City dining spots. The food on this tour is one of many highlights!
Tour Gallery
