EAT YOUR HEART OUT TOURS
Sixteen days' unforgettable journey meeting popular artists
and sharing intimate ceremonies for the Days of the Dead.
​
Frida Kahlo wore indigenous clothing. She collected ceramics, toys and other expressions of popular culture. 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.
Led by the incomparable Chloë Sayer, this tour explores Frida Kahlo's art and her profound love for her country. During this unforgettable journey, we will meet popular artists and share intimate ceremonies for the Day of the Dead.
​​​Highlights
-
Work by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in museums and galleries
-
Backstrap weaving, gauze textiles, and embroidery demos
-
Tenancingo's famous ikat-dyed rebozos (women's rectangular shawls)
-
Ceramics and paper artistry with celebrated national artisans
-
Markets selling crafts and ceremonial items
-
Baroque churches and colonial architecture
-
Offerings and vigils for the Day of the Dead in non-touristed towns
-
Four 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 6875* pp double occ./ Add $1340 single supplement
*based on max 16 persons/ see costs in overview
​
Includes
Chloe Sayer’s conceptualization and leadership
Multiple artisan studio and workshop visits with demos
4 lectures by Chloë Sayer
Accompanied by EYHO Tour Manager
Accommodation in ambient 3-4* hotels
Daily breakfast and several lunches and dinners
All Private transportation
All monument and museum entrance fees
Excludes International flights, Incidental expenses, alcoholic beverages, travel Insurance, gratuities
Highlights
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.
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 gauze weaving, ikat-patterned rebozos, natural dyeing, ceramics and paper artistry, embroidery, and more. Visit award-winning quechquemitl (closed shoulder cape) artisans. Frida was often photographed in the traditional clothing of Cuetzalan.
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.
Days of the Dead
Participate in meaningful and moving Days of the Dead ceremonies. Eschew tourist overrun towns for small towns where Days of the Dead is a week long welcome for the returning souls. Monumental and spectacular ofrenda are built by specialist makers paid and honoured for their time, inventiveness, and skill. Visit the cemetery along with families on November 2nd to honour the souls as they depart for another year.
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!"
Local Markets
The beating pulse of any traditional community, also the best place to imbibe local flavour. Shop the great markets in Cuetzalan, the small, colourful market in Cuernavaca which Frida used to frequent, and craft stalls selling locally-made Day of the Dead ceramic figurines in the shadow of the dazzling splendour of the Rosary Chapel. This is only for starters . . . there's much more!
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.
Baroque churches and colonial architecture
The historic churches of Puebla, Mexico, are world-famous for their integration of hand-painted Talavera tiles (azulejos) and gilded New Spanish Baroque architecture. Devotion is signified by Pueblan glazed and unglazed tiles blossomed in patterns of red, yellow, green and earth tones—hues that create the dazzling, colour filled facades and domes of churches, A sight to behold!
Artisanal towns
Venture beyond Mexico City and Puebla to Taxco for silversmithing, Tenancingo De Degollado for rebozos that Frida cherished, Cuetzalan for gauze weaving on backstrap loom and embroidery, Metepec for elaborate ceramics, and banners of cut-paper, made specially for Days of the Dead. 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
