DAY 1 - Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - Spend New Years south of the border in friendly Monterrey, the Sultan of the North, nestled at the foothills of the Sierra Madre Oriental.  At night the city sparkles like a jewel as the houses stretching up the hillsides come alive with lights.  During the day the city bustles with activity yet is dotted with museums of outstanding displays, specialty shops and malls equal to those back home.  Your historic hotel was commandeered by Pancho Villa during the Revolutionary War of 1910.  Some say that he tied his horse to the marble banisters of the majestic, sweeping staircase.  This arrival day will be highlighted by a welcome mariachi cocktail hour followed by a welcome dinner where your meet your fellow travelers.  Overnight at the Hotel Gran Ancira in Monterrey.   D

 DAY 2 - Thursday, December 30, 2004 - After an included breakfast, it is time to get acquainted with this capital city.  Glass factories producing the smallest of perfume bottles to the largest of windshields abound as the nearby hills are loaded with silicate sand.  We visit a family owned glass factory where you watch the artisans shape the molten sand by hand.  Birds, fishes, vases and hot peppers miraculously emerge from the hot shapeless globs.  Your city tour will also include the State Capitol building, a beautiful rose hued stone building with intricate carvings over windows and doors.  You will learn much about the history of Mexico as you visit this building. High on our priority list will be a visit to the Museo de la Fama, a sports museum featuring famous baseball players from the Americas.  This museum is a part of the Cuatemoc brewery.  Admire a collection of vintage trucks that were used to deliver the beer.  Crowning the city is the historic Bishop’s Palace, built as a home for the Bishop, but used as a hospital and as a barracks during the U.S-Mexican war.    Overnight at the Hotel Gran Ancira in Monterrey.     B

 DAY 3 - Friday, December 31, 2004 - Enjoy your breakfast before visiting two outstanding museums covering the history of Mexico and Monterrey. You will become even more knowledgeable of the history of Mexico as well as the wealth of art and folk art that abounds when you visit a special boutique located in a private home. Afternoon at leisure to shop, rest and relax before our New Year’s Eve Dinner Dance. Your bi-lingual guides will accompany you on all tours and will be in the hotel to answer any questions.  Overnight at the Hotel Gran Ancira in Monterrey.      B, Dinner Dance 

DAY 4 - Saturday, January 1, 2005 - It’s a New Year - 2005!  Begin a little later today if you wish.  If you choose to take an early morning walk, you will find the entire town asleep after celebrating the night before.  Our first visit this morning will be to one of the outstanding churches in Monterrey - the El Roble.  We will visit one of the most popular places in Nuevo Leon -Horse Tail Falls - where the water cascades over a cliff falling 100 feet into a pool hollowed out in the limestone.  It is a 10 minute walk up to the falls but you can go by cart or pony if you wish. On the opposite side of Monterrey we find Huasteca Canyon with steep cliffs towering into the sky, quite a contrast to the lush vegetation around Horse Tail Falls.  In the Canyon, sheer rock walls rise up from the Canyon floor affording great rappelling opportunities for the younger ones. Plenty of time will be allowed for you to enjoy an extensive buffet lunch at the Hacienda San Angel.  Overnight at the Hotel Gran Ancira in Monterrey.  B, Lunch

 DAY 5 - Sunday, January 2, 2005 - Unfortunately, it’s  time to leave our nearby neighbor and head for home. You may even be singing your own song - “South of the Border, I’ll come back some day.”   B