Las Ventanas al Paraíso Creates an Immersive Experience for Día de Los Muertos

By Quentin Smith

To celebrate one of Mexico’s most famous holidays, Día de Los Muertos, Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort, will welcome select guests to tour unforgettable Mexican villages and to experience the intimate and celebratory holiday firsthand. The three-night, four-day spiritual exploration of cultural traditions will take guests from the Sea of Cortez into the soulful Mexican inland. From Pátzcuaro and Tzintzuntzan to Morelia and the island of Janitzio. Hosted by Frederic Vidal, Las Ventanas’ Managing Director, the special Día de Los Muertos experience is designed to introduce guests to some of Mexico’s most historical and culturally significant towns best known for their Día de Los Muertos celebrations.

“As a resort that reflects on and supports its Mexican Heritage, there is no greater honor than being able to share the importance of Día de Los Muertos with our guests through what will be one of the most insightful and thought-provoking journeys that one can experience,” said Frederic Vidal, Managing Director of Las Ventanas. “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.”

Though commonly associated with Halloween festivities, Día de Los Muertos is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd and is a time for joyful and spiritual celebration. Family and friends come together to reflect upon life and pay their respects to those who have passed. As part of this tradition, home altars called ‘Ofrendas’ are built to serve favorite foods of the deceased and exchange gifts - such as candy sugar skulls. In 2008 the tradition was inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

The 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 hacienda, guests will be able to savor authentic Mexican cuisines and learn about indigenous 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 Día 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, to join local families as they pay respects to their deceased loved ones.

Finally, the third day begins with 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.

For guests staying at the property during the holiday, Las Ventanas al Paraiso will also offer Día de Los Muertos celebrations at the resort - including hundreds of memorial votive candles, shrines, and costumed performing artists - creating a memorable Día de Los Muertos experience for all.

For more information about Las Ventanas al Paraíso and pricing details for the Día de Los Muertos experience, please visit rosewoodhotels.com