Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort, announces Dia de los Muertos expedition to explore Mexico’s most spiritually commemorative villages

Las Ventanas al Paraíso A Rosewood Resort is offering guests the experience of a lifetime with a three-night, four-day spiritual exploration of the soulful Mexican inland, from Pátzcuaro and Tzintzuntzan to Morelia and the island of Janitzio, to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Hosted by Frederic Vidal, Las Ventanas’ Managing Director, the trip is designed to immerse an exclusive group of guests in Mexico’s most historical and culturally significant towns best known for their Dia de los Muertos celebrations.

The Mexican holiday is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd and is a time for joyful celebration rather than mourning. Family and friends come together to pay their respects and to reflect upon those who have passed and do so by building home altars called ‘Ofrendas’, serving culinary favorites of the deceased, and by exchanging gifts with one another, such as candy sugar skulls. In 2008 the tradition was inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Now for the first time, Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort, is pleased to welcome select guests to tour unforgettable Mexican villages and to experience firsthand the intimate, celebratory holiday of Dia de los Muertos.

“As a resort that reflects on and supports its Mexican Heritage, there is no greater honor than being able to share the importance of Dia de los Muertos with our guests through what will be one of the most insightful and thought-provoking journeys that one can experience,” “We are thrilled to have created an experience involving Mexico’s hidden villages and we look forward to shepherding our guests through one-of-a-kind culinary, artistic and celebratory moments alongside the welcoming natives they will encounter.”

Frederic Vidal, Managing Director of Las Ventanas

The once-in-a-lifetime trip will begin in Morelia with a private drive to Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, a magical town situated along the beautiful landscapes of Lake Pátzcuaro and dating back more than 500 years. After checking into a mystical Hacienda, guests will be able to savor authentic Mexican cuisines and learn about Purepecha’s, or indigenous peoples’, traditions while visiting hidden gems of the city, many of which are rarely accessed by tourists.

On the second day, guests will venture to Tzintzuntzan which translates to “Place of Hummingbirds” and is a destination known for its holiday displays and twilight cemeteries. Located in the north of Michoacán, guests will enjoy exclusive access to the village’s renowned Dia de los Muertos celebrations, featuring local cuisines and the most authentic arts and crafts by artisans from the region. As the sun sets, the group will partake on a spectacular midnight sail into Janitzio, one of the five islands on Lake Pátzcuaro, for an up-close encounter with local families as they pay respects to their deceased loved ones.

The third day includes an expert-guided historical tour through one of Mexico’s best-kept secrets, Morelia, where guests will learn about the architecture, museums, and local treasures, such as paintings, ceramics, mosaics, textiles and more. Anchored by a glowing cathedral, this historic city is one of Mexico’s 34 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. An intimate group dinner will mark the end of Day of the Dead celebrations.

The spiritual journey will take place from October 31st to November 3rd. All accommodations, food and beverage, tours and transportation are included for USD13,900 per couple. No more than eight couples can participate which provides a unique level of intimacy and flexibility.

Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort, also offers premier Dia de los Muertos celebrations at the resort with extensive holiday-specific programming, including outfitting the exteriors with hundreds of memorial votive candles, constructing stunning shrines and by welcoming costumed performing artists on property to guide and enhance celebrations for those staying on property during the holiday.