You land in the morning, giving you time to explore Morelia's 17th and 18th century colonial mansions as well as its graceful churches, all with an expert private guide. Make a pit-stop at a local taqueria for lunch before a private transfer to Patzcuaro, an hour away and your base for the next few nights. Check into your hotel and enjoy your first evening at leisure.

One such highlight is the ancient city of Tzintzuntzan, where the indigenous Purepecha tribe resided from the 12th to the 14th century. It boasts five semi-circular Yacata temples used for ceremonial purposes, overlooking the sparkling waters of Lake Patzcuaro. Continue to Santa Clara del Cobre where the locals have been crafting copper since the pre-Hispanic era. Your guide will take you behind the scenes in a studio to watch four generations of one family craft copper works of art. Wander around the cobbled streets before returning to Patzcuaro.

As the trail heads deep into the forest, you'll soon reach our secret spot from where to see this natural phenomenon up close. Nothing can quite prepare you for the sight of butterflies by the tens of million, their orange and black wings shimmering in the forest. As you watch this extraordinary spectacle, your guide will enlighten you on the ecology and history as well as the conservation issues that the monarchs face today.

After checking into your hotel, drop your bags and explore this storybook setting of gold-hued facades, gorgeous churches and charming artisan studios. Later this evening, your guide will meet you for a wine tasting just outside the city where you can sip on superlative tipples and dine on local cuisine.

Accompanied by a culinary connoisseur, foodies can chow down on steaming tamales infused with chilli, fragrant chickpea dishes and cheese from the best local cheese factories in the area. Sweet tooth? Make sure to stop for churros dipped in melted chocolate - all artisanal of course. Enjoy organic salad and vegetables picked from the highlands and light, fluffy crepes made from scratch. You'll gain insight into the local culture, one bite at a time.