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We feel so lucky to have you in our lives and could not think of a better way to celebrate our next chapter than with our favorite people in one of our favorite places, Oaxaca. We welcome you to join us for an adventure into art, folklore, foodie paradise, natural wonder, sacred heart connection, and festive celebration as our closest friends & family. 
We understand lives are busy and such, so if you’re not going to make it, we’ll find another time to celebrate with you! XO, M&T
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WHITELIST OUR EMAIL: HOW TO

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In the beginning

Thalia was working on a Saturday at a patio wine tasting, talking about Barolo and thinking about what was for dinner. Matt noticed her, and strategically waited until people stopped swarming her table and sauntered over. They chatted, he drifted off to sip on some other wines, and she found herself annoyed that he didn't get her number. What does a girl have to do around here? Her friend noticed her frustration and scurried off after him, much to Thalia's dismay and protest, but alas she was stuck behind the tasting table.
Matt didn't want to be that guy flirting with the bartender, she was pouring drinks after all. Then a woman dressed in leopard-print and cat eye glasses popped up in front of him and invited him to join her and a group of friends to have dinner at Il Piatto after the tasting. Matt was new to town so said "What the heck, why not?" and went along. A while later the empty chair to his left was filled by the woman from earlier. Well, they got to talking and long story short he asked for her number this time. 
They had their first date a couple weeks later on September 5th, 2018 at a Persian restaurant on Canyon Road called Milad (RIP). Thalia had clearly shown up for battle and was intent on disqualifying Matt as quickly as possible so she could get back to her life. She asked all the tough questions, and Matt rose to the challenge with a smirk. They spent three hours feasting on falafel and tzatziki until their server politely told them the restaurant was closing.
Soon after, Thalia brought Matt along to some wine industry parties, and even though he broke more than a couple very expensive wine glasses, decided to keep him around. Matt told Thalia he loved her on Thanksgiving that year while slow dancing (yes a glass was broken that night), she said it back, and the rest is history.
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Popping the Question

Matt had planned a romantic proposal in a meaningful "heart" meadow in the Sangre de Cristo mountains on the way up to Baldy. Seeing as his soon-to-be fiancé had perhaps imbibed a bit too much the night prior, he invited her on a much more reasonable hike up to Pichacho Peak in the lower Sangre Cristo Dale Ball trail system, yet she still didn't want to leave the comfort of home.
April 17th, 2021 was a cool and spritzy day, and Matt started off on a solid foundation, exiting his morning shower having used a new perfumed French soap. Thalia was decidedly not a fan, but sullenly agreed to join very eager Matt and Buzz on the scheduled hike. The stinky soap was too much to bare for her sensitive system lamentably and she spent the drive to the trailhead with her head half out the window. Matt kept up his resolve, and luckily, partway through the hike the scent started lifting and so did Thalia's spirits. 
When they arrived at the rocky summit, Matt perched Buzz on his lap and proceeded to pop the question. "Is this happening?" Thalia exclaimed looking from Matt's eyes to Buzzy's and said "Of course!" Who could say no to those two? 
Then she noticed the ring. She recognized it immediately as being from one of her dad's last collections before he retired from jewelry design. It was from the "Prince Charming" collection, Matt had no idea. Later they also learned from looking at old promo photography that it was named the Sangre de Cristo ring, due to the teardrop shaped rubies on the corners. It was meant to be!
Matt & Thalia then (attempted) to design a more everyday-wear ring in America's oldest jewelry district, at an independent shop called Bario Neal, Philadelphia. Among the reclaimed diamonds and recycled gold, a chocolate champagne diamond was included to remind each-other to stay grounded and playful. 
The ring arrived a little under a year after their engagement, just after Thalia's double jaw surgery. The wedding planning then began in earnest! And here's where you come in..
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480 days

since we tied the knot!
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Buzz was never a fan of paparazzi

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Thalia can relate

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festivities

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welcome Drinks

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023
And so it begins! Come meet us and toast to our week of adventure together. We'll have some bites & an informal mezcal tasting with our friend Max from Neta.
getup: festive casual/casual chic
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Garcia Complex Courtyard Air bnb
**Enter thru Yuviaga Cafe courtyard (says Plaza Don Pedro over entrance)

C. de Manuel García Vigil 204-LOCAL 3, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, CENTRO HISTÓRICO, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico

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Group Adventure Day

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023
Depart for Monte Alban in the morning for a guided tour and some free time in the ruins before going to Santa Maria del Tulé for lunch and to see one of the world's widest and oldest known trees. Afterwards we'll drive out to Teotitlán del Valle for a tour of the studio of Maestro Porfirio Gutierrez and family, renowned Zapotec textile artists, who will show us the process of naturally dying wool and the making and meaning behind ancestral rugs. 

Monte Alban: "Inhabited over a period of 1,500 years by a succession of peoples – Olmecs, Zapotecs and Mixtecs – the terraces, dams, canals, pyramids and artificial mounds of Monte Albán were literally carved out of the mountain and are the symbols of a sacred topography. The grand Zapotec capital [having at its peak around 25,000 inhabitants] flourished for thirteen centuries, from the year 500 B.C to 850 A.D. when, for reasons that have not been established, its eventual abandonment began..." -UNESCO
Santa Maria del Tulé: With a circumference of 138 feet, El Tule has the thickest trunk of any tree in the world. It is over 1,000 years old, but some estimates date it to over 5,000. Montezuma Cypress is Mexico’s National Tree and we will visit this resplendent beauty.
getup: casual, bring sun protection, wear comfortable shoes, and dress in layers
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Pick up from Grana B&B

Labastida 118, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico

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Garden Ceremony

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2023
3:00 pm
Our ceremony will take place in a rustic garden 20 minutes outside the centro. The garden is cared for organically and has a butterfly sanctuary, from which the mariposas are released into the wild once their wings are strong enough. Fransisco Toledo was involved in setting up this natural space, in a similar style to the famous Ethnobotanical Garden, as a living collection of the many plant species that make the state of Oaxaca so special. You can also find evidence of his artistic endeavors in the sculptures scattered around the property.
A cocktail hour with passed apps will follow the ceremony, before we make our way to the reception venue.
Meet at Quinta Real at 2:45 pm

*see weather & dress code sections under FAQ page in menu bar
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Reception

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2023
6:00 pm
Patio dinner & latin, soul, disco dance party to follow by our good friend and groomsman, John Sherdon AKA DJ Tantra.
Bring your dancing shoes and big *big* energy! 
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Brunch en Blanco

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2023
Now it's your turn ;) come wearing WHITE if you can! (kakis and light neutrals great too) and bid our new Oaxaca familia adios.
This will be a relaxed, street-food brunch, pop by anytime! And for those of you jumping on flights you can store your luggage safely and easily grab a cab from here. We are happy to help arrange. 
getup: festive casual/casual chic
11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Garcia Complex Courtyard Air bnb
**Enter thru Yuviaga Cafe courtyard (says Plaza Don Pedro over entrance)

C. de Manuel García Vigil 204-LOCAL 3, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, CENTRO HISTÓRICO, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico

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travel

Fly into (OAX)

Oaxaca (AKA Oaxaca City or Oaxaca de Juarez) is the capital city of the state of the same name in Mexico. It has its own little airport that is easy to fly into, Xoxocotlán International Airport (airport code: OAX).
Once you arrive you will see a large sign in the lobby that says "TAXI". Pay there for your cab, and then step outside where authorized drivers will be waiting with id badges. They will ask for your receipt and address to where you are going. It is about a 30 minute car ride into the centro, where the festivities will mostly be taking place.
TIPS:
1.
Do not layover in Mexico; the flights tend to get delayed more often and the airports are more hectic. Most flights will connect you thru Dallas, Houston, Denver, or Los Angeles although any US layovers are a good bet.

2.
Go to Google Flights and "track" flights that you are interested in, google will email you when the prices drop and rise. They will also show you if the flight price is average, high or low compared to historical data and you can see how these prices would change based on shifting dates. Show me how.
3. If you have a Capital One card there is a similar flight tracker on the travel section of your online account that has 'price drop protection' and advises you on when to book. Check out the Venture Card if you want a nice chuck of sign-up miles to help cover flights. If it's a match sign up on this referral page.
4. Going and FareDrop are a cool trackers of airline mistakes and price slashes, there's free and premium tiers, the free tiers are much less specific. Paid tiers give more settings to narrow down flight deals all over the world. 
*see more about travel to Mexico on FAQ page
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Accommodations

Our chosen room-block hotels are catty-corner from each-other and offer different amenities for different needs. Each were chosen for their excellent location, reasonable price, and we hope are a relatively quiet reprieve from the loud, bustling city streets. Matt & Thalia will be at a private spot a few minutes walking north of Quinta & Grana and 8 from the air bnb, so we may have more space for getting ready on our big day
TIPs:
1.
get cancellation policy and room details in writing to be clear on policies and amenities so you are comfortable and covered

2.
ask about the filtered water situation so you know how to prep. Water is not potable out of tap. See What Do I Need to Know About Travel to Mexico under FAQ page
3. inquire about a quiet room if you are not a heavy sleeper so you may be well-rested for the adventures ahead; Oaxaca can be quite loud. Bring earplugs just in case, or you can buy at a nearby pharmacy

4.
if at all sensitive to fragrance (like Thalia!), request your sheets be washed with non-scented detergent as it is common for Oaxacans to use super fragrant laundry soap
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Quinta Real

visit site

Hotel in the expertly restored 16th century Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena; declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in honor of the four centuries of history preserved in the building’s colonial architecture. Basic room décor with windows overlooking the gardens, courtyards, or the city streets. Large hotel with beautiful grounds, restaurants and bars.

Amenities:

A/C & WiFi
24-hour room service
restaurant
two bars
garden pool
gym
laundry
dry cleaning
concierge
travel agency
thick walls with minimal noise
We have a 15 room, group-rate block that expires March 15th
~
Standard King or two beds: MXN 4,999 (~$250)
(Rate is for nights of Oct 18- Oct 22 depending upon availability. Must mention the group code below or public rate is about 2x higher)

Cancellation policy: Must cancel 25 days before arrival to avoid fees. Please confirm this at time of booking.
To reserve: contact Luis Ramirez
lramirez@quintareal.com ; +52 (951) 501 6100 ext 322 or General Reservations +52 (951) 501 6103
*Mention group code: Thalia Varshay & Matthew Hanson
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Grana B&B

visit site

Set in an 18th century mansion renovated in a laid-back and modern design. The hotel is named after the famous grana cochinilla, a pre-hispanic red dye that was once the gold of Oaxaca. Join the communal breakfast table where blue corn tortillas are being heated on a comal and enjoy a plate of juicy, tropical fruits coming directly from the lush Oaxacan coast.
Amenities:
A/C & WiFi
24/7 front desk assistance & tour info
mexican & continental breakfast Included
shared courtyard complete with hammocks
rooftop terrace with views
Many rooms open up to the hotel's central courtyard with french doors and overlapping wooden privacy doors which are the natural light source. Perimeter walls are thick and city noise is minimal.
Almost the entire (small) hotel is reserved for us, 12 rooms total for nights of Oct 18- Oct 22. Group rate expires July 18th. 

1 Loft (Queen & Kitchen) MXN 4,110 (~$204)
2 King Suites (King Bed) MXN 4,180 (~$208)
3 Jr Suites (King Bed) MXN 4,036(~$200)
2 Doubles (2 Queen Beds) MXN 3,710 (~$184)
4 Standards (Queen Bed) MXN 2,598 (~$129)
Cancellation Policy: 90 days prior to check-in: a 50% charge will be placed on the credit card used to make reservation. This deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE. 90-31 days prior: changes in dates are allowed, and subject to availability. 30 days prior: no changes or cancellations allowed. 
OR you may request their slightly higher "Flexible Rate"  at booking that allows cancellation without fees up until 14 days prior.
To reserve:
email and mention our wedding, they will let you know what rooms are still available. 
info@granabnb.com 
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'Garcia' Courtyard Air bnb

see more on air bnb

Newly-built and well-designed, this property is managed by a friend of our wedding planner. Property consists of a complex of 4 apartments that share a central patio with long tables and lots of chairs to gather and hang out. If all 4 apartments get reserved by our wedding guests, it will be private for our group. The complex shares the main entrance with a plaza and a coffee shop, which offers breakfast service at your apartment. This is a 5 minute walk to the other two hotel blocks and an 8 minute walk from reception venue. 
Amenities:
A/C & WiFi
responsive off-property host (can arrange drivers & tours)
self check-in with lockbox
coffee shop breakfast service
shared courtyard
balconies
washer & dryer on property
Apartment 1 BOOKED: Bride Tribe (Jena, Crystal, Steph) & +1s
Apartment 2 BOOKED: Bride Tribe Jessica & husband Brian
Apartment 3 OPEN: ($460 a night FOR ENTIRE APARTMENT)
4 bedrooms (3 with a queen bed and 1 with 2 twins) & 3.5 baths
kitchenette & living room
Reserve
Apartment 4 BOOKED: Marja, Marijke and Erika
2 bedrooms (each with a queen bed) & 2 baths
kitchenette & living room
Reserve

Cancellation Policy:
Upon booking pay 50% up front and then can cancel without penalty until 30 days prior. Cancel up to 1 week before and lose deposit of 50%. Double check before booking as policies get updated periodically.
TIP:
ahead of time request a "garrafón de agua filtrado" which is a large water cooler jug of filtered water, so you can stay hydrated. Water is not potable out of tap. See What Do I Need to Know About Travel to Mexico under FAQ page
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Striking off on your own

see ideas

There are also many other fab air bnbs and other small hotels, just make sure you choose one in the northern half of the centro (north of Zocalo, and preferably towards north or eastside). Be mindful to look at reviews for noisiness, check-in ease, and other concerns. 
We considered the two hotels listed below for our room block as they are also relatively quiet and in good walking zones. Check them out if the room blocks don't suit your needs, they range from $250-350 for standard rooms:
Casa Antonieta
Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca
Other good options close to our room blocks are:
NaNa Hotel which is artsy and price sensitive.
Hotel los Amantes (ask for a quiet room, kitchen is loud).
Casa Oaxaca is quiet, has a pool, and right in the centro but on pricier side. 
For a luxurious (but far away) option check out Hotel Flavia. It has views with beautiful design and a fabulous art collection. It is however a 15-20 taxi ride to the cento, and we personally love stepping out our front door into the magic. In the same vein is Hotel Casa Santo Origen.
~~~~~~~~~~~
The button above 'see ideas' is a collection of Air bnbs we thought looked nice upon quick inspection, at different price points, and seemed to be in the right part of town. Please do you own vetting first and feel free to reach out if you narrow it down to one you like and we can run it by our planner.
TIP:
ahead of time request a "garrafón de agua filtrado" which is a large water cooler jug of filtered water, so you can stay hydrated. Water is not potable out of tap. See What Do I Need to Know About Travel to Mexico under FAQ page
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why oaxaca

Oaxaca is one of our favorite cities for being vibrant, full of art, culture, and food! It was our first big trip together as a couple and we just can't get enough. (We also feel like it's one of Santa Fe's magical soul sisters.)
"Oaxaca is Mexico’s mezcal heartland and mole mecca, its capital of textiles and an epicenter of ceramics production. But the proud city—the largest in the southern state of the same name—is revealing itself as a fountain of inspiration for creatives, especially designers (the fashion set too, though not without scandal). Some starchitects agree, having left their mark with stylish boutique hotels, and colonial buildings converted into art centers and museums. Indeed, the sensory stimulation one experiences in Oaxaca is unlike any other destination in Mexico." 
- Architectural Digest
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nature

read more

"Oaxaca—pronounced wah-HA-kah—is the 5th-largest of Mexico’s 31 states, but it ranks numero uno for having the greatest number of animal species...This high level of biodiversity is due to Oaxaca’s rugged topography, its diverse ecosystems, and its position close to a narrow “pinch-point” on the North American continent: the Isthmus of Tehuantepec...Dispersing birds and other animals from the north and south, as well as plants, have been funneled through this region for millions of years...Valley scrub may be the most familiar ecosystem to many residents of Oaxaca City...[e.g.] cacti, yucca, agave, and grasses...Oaxaca is home to the largest Agave species in the world: Maguey Verde Grande (Agave atrovirens). A single leaf of this plant can be 14 feet long! Sometimes called century plants, many agaves grow for decades before ever producing flowers [the stalks produced are called quiotes]...they reproduce only once, then they die"

*see El Jardín Etnobotanico and 'El Tule' on interactive map & Other Fun Stuff below
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Architecture & history

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"Anyone visiting Oaxaca City’s UNESCO World Heritage centre cannot fail to notice the distinctly green color of the stone in many of the buildings...This is Cantera, a volcanic rock that can be found across Mexico and Central America...Oaxaca’s Cantera Verde is unusually green and contributes greatly to the beauty of the capital city...Verde Antequera, or The Green Antique, is an old nickname derived from the early Hispanic name for the city, Nueva Antequera" -electrico mezcal
"[Oaxaca tells] a story of a color—one that began as an evolutionary tale, and evolved to shape the course of human history. [Grana Cochinilla,] Cochineal, a tiny, cactus-dwelling insect that produces a vibrant red pigment, was harvested for thousands of years by Indigenous peoples to produce a dye for their own textiles...Following the Spanish invasion of the Americas, cochineal ultimately became a globally traded commodity [the third most valuable export from the Americas at the time, after gold and silver.]" -Harvard
"In 1521, Hernán Cortés sent Captain José Francisco Orozco y Jiménez to the region beginning the era of Spanish colonization...In 1575, Spanish Dominicans began the construction the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán [pictured above]...This stunning example of architectural syncretism...boasts both Baroque and indigenous influences. Its opulent interior, much of it covered in 24 karat gold leaf, leads to a large pedestrian plaza which hosts a variety of traditional, indigenous festivals...Oaxaca City [later] launched the political careers of two hugely influential Mexican politicians. The first, Benito Juárez, initiated a period of liberal reform...In 1872, after his death, Oaxaca City was renamed Oaxaca de Juárez in honor of its [Zapotec] son. The second, Porforio Díaz, came to dominate national politics in 1876 by means of a coup..." -click button above for more
*see Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán on the interactive map
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Food

read more on Eater

"What is it about Oaxaca? How is it that in this sprawling southwestern Mexican state, something as simple as a memela — a thick, oval tortilla made from ground masa and crisped up on a comal — can taste so otherworldly? The same holds true for a basic bowl of black beans. Or a blistered empanada — which in Oaxaca is a broad, quesadilla-like turnover made of masa and filled with squeaky quesillo. Or a cup of thick drinking chocolate mixed with just water and whisked till foamy, and so on. Somewhere in the post-meal euphoria fueled by teosinte, Theobroma, and capsaicin lies the secret to understanding Oaxaca’s food culture and what sets it apart from the rest of Mexico and other cuisines around the world." 
*see food on the interactive map & look into cooking classes
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Mezcal

read more

"You might know mezcal as tequila’s smoky cousin, but it is in fact an ancestor of the world’s most popular agave drink—and “smoky” only scratches the surface of a spirit which is as diverse as the country of Mexico itself. Like wine, each bottle reflects the unique terroir of the region where it was distilled, not to mention generations of family methods and recipes. “Mezcal is about Mexican culture,”...In Oaxaca, the spirit is present for all occasions, celebratory or somber: Shots are poured at weddings, and mourners drink a specially made batch from prayer candles to honor deceased family members..."
*see mezcal tasting rooms on the interactive map
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textiles

read more

"Oaxaca is renowned for its wealth of textiles...patterns derive from many sources, including Oaxaca’s famous archaeological sites of Mitla and Monte Albán. Others reflect the more specific heritage of an individual family’s creative work...There may be as many as 150 weaving families in Teotitlán del Valle and Santa Ana del Valle...The finest work is carried out by a far smaller number of families who create dyes from natural substances [ cochinilla or cochineal seen above] and use pure hand-spun wool [to make their alfombrillas, or tapestries/rugs]. Nearly all of them work on shuttle looms operated with foot pedals and treadles, dating back to the 16th century when they were introduced by the Spaniards."
*see Museo de Textil on interactive map & Teotitlán del Valle in Other Fun Stuff below
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ceramics

read more on Saveur

"Oaxaca is known by tourists for its a barro negro [black clay] pottery, but among the area's 70+ different villages there are 35 different ways of working with clays, glazes, and firing processes— some of which have existed over 3,000 years."
"Apart from Santa María de Atzompa, which uses a green glaze, and San Bartolo, where the clay is fired to black, the pottery in [Oaxaca] is simple...In San Marcos Tlapazola...the 300 or so potters are all women. For 20 generations, the [Zapotec] village has specialized in cookware: comales, platters used for making tortillas, and ollas, pots for cooking... those [pieces] are made of just earth, water and sand. Yet each is slightly different in shape and texture, owing to the hand that formed it, and distinct ...with traces of smoke and soot from the firing."- NYT
*see shops on the interactive map
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Print Making & Lithography

read more from Minneapolis Institute of Art

"Mexican prints and graphic arts...can be traced back thousands of years to several cultures, including the Olmec, Toltec, Teotihuacan, Mayan, and Aztec, who used tools to stamp a design on paper or fabric ...Printmaking has become an important medium for [contemporary] Mexican artists...and through themes about ancient cultures, colonial times, or specific historical periods, illustrate what it has meant to be Mexican over the centuries... the Oaxacan population and culture continues to draw from rich traditions... [Two of Oaxaca's most important contemporary artists, Toledo and Tamayo,] have used myths and legends from their [Zapotec] heritage in their [graphic] works"
*see Galería Taller La Máquina (rare 18th-century French Lithographic Machine pictured & in use), Taller Burro Press, and Oaxaca Graphic Arts Institute on the interactive map
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Francisco Toledo

read more on Smithsonian

"Mexico’s most important living [passed away in 2019] artist mixes magical realism with passionate rebellion...An artist, an activist, an organizer, the embodiment of Oaxaca’s vortex of energy, and a motivator, Toledo is known as El Maestro. That is an appropriate description: the master, also teacher and authority figure. His work, and the results of his campaigns and his philanthropy, can be seen everywhere [in his native Oaxaca]"
*see Graphic Arts Institute, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca (MACO), Jardín Etnobotanico on the interactive map
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map

Check out our favorite spots in el centro (the historic center of Oaxaca) where we will be spending most of our time. 
Explore the interactive map below by clicking the black icons and zooming in and out. Click the icon in the upper left menu bar to take it full screen where you can look at our room blocks, food, museums, and other sightseeing all split up into special sections. We will keep adding as we go along.
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More Fun stuff

tours and activities that may require advance planning

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OAXAKING STREETFOOD MARKET TOUR

book here

One of Oaxaca's foodie legends, Omar Alonso, has guided many everyday and celebrity food lovers, including Netflix's 'Somebody Feed Phil', thru the magic of Oaxaca city's largest market, Mercado de Abastos. A guide is a must, and this guy brings the heat. See Season 5, Episode 1. 
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EL JARDÍN ETNOBOTÁNICO

insta

This botanical garden tour highlights an extensive collection of Oaxacan desert and tropical plants, and their cultural & historical significance. The tour lasts about an hour and is lovely. The photo at the top of our website is from here! MUST BE PART OF A TOUR TO VISIT. Drop by in person and ask about their english tours. Arrive 30 minutes early as they fill up and there's no way to reserve. At time of writing, English: Tues & Sat at 11 (MXN 100 in cash)(~5 USD)
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trips outside the city of Oaxaca requiring transportation

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BIKE TOUR TO 'El tule' TREE

book here

*will be stopping here on group adventure day
(bike tour departs from Oaxaca centro)
"A short distance east of Oaxaca City is the town of Santa Maria del Tulé. There you’ll find a massive Montezuma Cypress...With a circumference of 138 feet, it has the thickest trunk of any tree in the world! Not only is this tree huge, it’s also very old. It is over 1,000 years old, but some estimates date it to over 5,000... Montezuma Cypress is Mexico’s National Tree."
-Wild Latitudes
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Mitla

read more

"Twenty-four miles outside the city of Oaxaca, in the town of San Pablo Villa de Mitla, [sit the] ruins...in the Nahuatl language... [meaning] “place of the dead”...The legend told to the Spanish was that the royal Zapotecs were buried in cruciform tombs directly under the floors in Mitla; archeologists have proven this legend true. Local folklore stated that Mitla was the entrance to the underworld."
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Hierve El Agua

read more on atlas obscura

"[11 miles past Mitla]...this enormous rock structure looks exactly like a frozen waterfall...On the mountain’s ledges sit two fresh water pools noted for their medicinal properties, and springs that are saturated with calcium carbonate and magnesium. Subsequently, the water from the pools drips down through the cliffs, depositing the minerals onto the side of the mountain." This is a popular destination and you can swim in the cool water. If you'd like a little more quiet, try going toward closing time.
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Teotitlán De Valle

read more

*will be stopping here for an hour on group adventure day
"...45 minutes from Oaxaca...the town is best known for its textiles and candles, but [you can also go for an] hour hike in the Picacho, which has the best views of the town...Teotitlán has incredible wool textile [work]shops... [Also visit a] historic candle shop...known for its velas and other ornamental candles that are made with naturally dyed beeswax cast in complex molds."
*see Textiles section under Why Oaxaca
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Tlacolula Market

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"Tlacolula Market is one of the oldest continuous markets in Oaxaca and across Mesoamerica. Taking place every Sunday in Tlacolula de Matamoros, a city 45 minutes away from Oaxaca’s city center, thousands of vendors, shoppers, and tourists flood in from neighboring cities...[it] is largely organized by offering and sells everything you’d expect from a traditional Mexican market. There are sections for fruits and vegetables, baked goods, meats, chicharron, textiles, and crafts. And, because you’re in Oaxaca, edible crickets and critters... The overall experience is chaotic in the best way and a real treat for the senses." 
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El Día de los Muertos

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If you want to extend your trip, Oaxaca is one of the most festive places to witness the Day of the Dead. (You can do most of this in the centro, transportation required for the vigils) If you haven't seen the Disney animated film, Coco it's a fun introduction to this national celebration. "Pre-hispanic Mexico was perfectly [in sync with] the concept of life and death as a permanent cycle, and so, within their rituals, both represented happiness and so, both should be constantly honored and celebrated...Here's how Day of the Dead is done in Oaxaca:

"30th of October: ...Pan de Muerto fair usually located by the municipal palace. Lots of open-air events start happening like local plays, music, and performances.
31st of October: a plethora of events
[like cemetery] vigils at Xoxo and Atzompa...Do not drink or wear costumes to the vigils."
"November 1st: This is the day for [children's souls] to arrive...get your face painted, your costume, and when you head to Etla to join a muerteada [parade]. Make sure you have your own mezcal bottle [to share] and a bamboo shot (no plastic please).

November 2nd: called the fieles difuntos day and this is when all the adult [souls] are expected...all the events in the city continue. You can continue looking at the altars, attending the exhibitions, catching up with the downtown muerteadas, and definitely head to La Plaza de la Danza to check out the sand tapestries for which there is a contest...there is a big concert (at cost) in the convention center of the city."
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Check back for more additions as we get closer and let us know if you have specific requests for activities!
You can easily spend a week just in the centro, and adding in the surrounding villages and ruins you can make quite a trip of Oaxaca.
There are also cloud forests a few hours to the south on the way to the coast that have lots of hiking, and indigenous education highlighting traditional herbs and plants. If you want beach time, Puerto Escondido is a good 7-10 hour drive from Oaxaca City, or there is a 10-person puddle jumper plane daily that takes half an hour. Here is more info on travel to coast
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