A day one note from Mariangeli and Dionicio: we can't wait to introduce you to our friends. Remy and Ignacio are like family to us. You are going to love them and they will immediately make you feel like home!

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Saturday | October 31

Preparing for the Arrival of Our Beloved Departed

10:00 AM
Breakfast.
11:30 AM
Begin preparing the traditional altar.
2:00 PM
Lunch in the countryside.
4:30 PM
Flower harvesting in the fields.
7:30 PM
Family dinner and gathering.
9:00 PM
Return to the hotel.

Recommendations for the Day:
-Wear comfortable walking shoes.
-Bring a hat, sunscreen, and a light jacket for the afternoon.
-Respect family spaces and the traditions shared with us.

A day two note from Mariangeli and Dionicio: One of the most meaningful moments of day two is our visit to a local cempasúchil (marigold) field. Together, we'll harvest the flowers that will be used to decorate the Día de los Muertos altar before sitting down to enjoy a traditional lunch surrounded by the beauty of the countryside. If you've celebrated Día de los Muertos with us at Cantina la Martina, you've seen the vibrant cempasúchil flowers that fill our altar. Their bright orange petals are believed to create a path that guides loved ones' spirits home, calling them to the altar during the celebration.

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Sunday | November 1

Tradition, Remembrance, and Community

10:00 AM
Welcome at our host family’s home for brunch.
1:00 PM
Walk to the church courtyard and participate in the ringing of the bells, an important local tradition.
2:00 PM
Guided visit to family altars and community offerings.
3:30 PM
Lunch during the visits.
5:30 PM
Traditional village procession accompanied by a live brass band, celebrating alongside the community.
8:30 PM
Traditional dinner with the host family.
10:00 PM
Return to the hotel.

Recommendations for the Day:
-Wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes.
-Bring cash for local crafts and traditional snacks.
-Always ask permission before photographing people or family altars.

A day three note from Mariangeli and Dionicio: Day three is all about community. This is one of the most meaningful days of the trip because our hosts are welcoming us into their homes and inviting us to experience their personal Día de los Muertos altars. We'll visit several families throughout the community, bringing ofrendas (bread, flowers, and other gifts) as a gesture of respect. In return, they'll welcome us with the foods they've prepared for the celebration, whether it's mole or another cherished family dish. We'll also take part in one of the community's most important traditions: the ceremonial ringing of the church bell which marks the beginning of the Día de los Muertos celebration. As we make our way through the village, a traditional brass band will accompany us filling the streets with music and helping us celebrate alongside our new friends.

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Monday | November 2

Celebrating Life

8:30 AM
Traditional tamale breakfast. Guests are welcome to participate in the preparation.
12:00 PM
Farewell ceremony honoring our beloved departed, following local community traditions, including the ceremonial ringing of the church bells.
1:00 PM
Visit to a traditional pulquería.
3:30 PM
Welcome reception at the mezcal palenque with a special lunch prepared by Chef Dionicio.
6:00 PM
Guided tour of the distillery and mezcal tasting.
8:00 PM
Live Norteño music performance.
9:30 PM
Private celebration with live music, dancing, and fellowship.
12:00 AM
Return to the hotel.

Recommendations for the Day:
-Smart casual attire.
-Bring a warm layer for the evening.
-Enjoy the mezcal tasting responsibly.

A day four note from Mariangeli and Dionicio: We're excited to share one of our favorite places in Oaxaca with you, Ignacio's palenque where his family has been producing mezcal for generations. You'll hear from Ignacio's father about the traditions of growing agave and making mezcal, then witness a truly special moment as Ignacio gathers the ofrendas (fruit and other offerings) from the Día de los Muertos altar to begin crafting his 2027 Día de los Muertos mezcal. Back at the palenque, Dionicio will prepare a traditional roasted cabrito barbecue served with tamales. If you'd like to be part of the experience from the beginning, you're invited to join Ignacio's wife that morning for a hands-on tamale-making workshop before the feast.

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Tuesday | November 3

Discovering Oaxaca

9:00 AM
Breakfast.
10:30 AM
Transfer to Oaxaca City with a visit to a traditional wool textile workshop in Teotitlán del Valle.
1:00 PM
Arrival in Oaxaca City.
2:00 PM
Free time for lunch.
4:00 PM
Afternoon at leisure to explore the city at your own pace.
8:00 PM
Optional farewell dinner.

Recommendations for the Day
-Wear comfortable walking shoes.
-Allow time for shopping and artisan markets.

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Wednesday | November 4

Until We Meet Again, Oaxaca

8:00 AM
Breakfast and hotel check-out.
Departure
Private transfer to the airport with departure assistance.

This experience costs $2,000 per person

Includes transportation, lodging, activities, and meals. Does not include flight.

The Backstory:

This trip grew out of years of friendships.

It all started when we traveled to Oaxaca with Craig LaBan in 2023, where we met our friend Mario of Mario Come Oaxaca. A former chef, Mario now leads intimate tours centered around the people, traditions, and small businesses that make Oaxaca so special. Through Mario, we discovered places and people that have become part of our lives, including the Tlacolula Market, the pueblo we'll be visiting, and the palenque where we met Ignacio, the owner. What started as an introduction quickly became a lifelong friendship. Every time we're in Oaxaca, we make time to visit him, his family, and his home. He's no longer just someone we know, he's family.

Our friend Remy came into our lives through Raúl Marín from Diageo (if you've been to one of our parties, you know Raúl!). We first met Remy while celebrating Chef Dionicio's birthday over a mezcal tasting in Oaxaca, and he's since become our go-to mezcal expert whenever we're in Mexico. Through Remy, we've also been welcomed into the community where we'll experience traditional textile making. During our last Oaxaca trip with Justin, Remy even joined us in the kitchen and cooked dinner alongside us.

These relationships have continued to grow with every visit. One introduction leads to another, one friendship becomes many, and our connection to Oaxaca grows deeper every year.

Bringing our Philly friends along feels like the natural next step.

Our community grows every time we visit Oaxaca, and we can't wait to introduce you to the incredible people who have welcomed us into theirs.

Photo by Jessica Griffin from Inquirer article

Rembrandt Reyes (Remy)

Rembrandt Reyes (Remy) is a hospitality professional, cultural link, and co-founder of Bakuza, an experience company dedicated to showcasing the authentic traditions of Oaxaca through meaningful encounters with its people, gastronomy, mezcal, and artisan communities.

With more than two decades of experience in the food and beverage industry, sales, public relations, and guest experience, Rembrandt has built his career around one guiding principle: genuine hospitality. His work combines operational excellence with a deep commitment to creating thoughtful, memorable, and culturally respectful experiences.

As a host at Mezcaloteca, he leads educational tastings that introduce guests to the complexity, diversity, and cultural heritage of traditional mezcal. Having worked with producers, hospitality professionals, and international travelers for many years, he has

developed a unique ability to bridge cultures while sharing the stories, traditions, and values that define Oaxaca.

Whether welcoming industry leaders, culinary professionals, or curious travelers, Rembrandt believes that exceptional hospitality begins with authenticity, attention to detail, and meaningful human connection. He believes the most meaningful journeys are those that create genuine connections between people and place. His role is to help guests experience

Oaxaca through the eyes of its communities, traditions, and living culture—always with authenticity, respect, and exceptional hospitality