Marcella Kriebel has always been an artist and foodie, with barefoot gardening and bright paints reflected in her earliest memories. 

A love of art and culture-through-cuisine led her to receive degrees in Studio Art and Cultural Anthropology, a combination that springboarded her into traveling, journaling and cooking in numerous Latin American countries.

She is known for her vibrant watercolours that celebrate our world through food, culture and nature, partnering with numerous institutions including the Smithsonian and the nonprofit, World Central Kitchen.  

Kriebel has spent over a decade as a self-employed artist, creating a growing series of watercolour art prints, home goods, and public artworks that range from 20-foot-tall Food themes. 

She loves travel journaling, and has taught art workshops for over a decade, and is the author of the illustrated cookbooks, Mi Comida Latina and Comida Cubana. Both cookbooks feature over a hundred of Marcella’s favourite Latin American dishes captured in vibrant watercolour ready to be explored. 

Arrive to Oaxaca Airport (OAX)  / Xoxocotlán Airport

NOTE we will collect you from the airport whatever time you arrive - day or night. 

There is no programme on Arrivals Day - our guests come from all over the world.

Hotel check-in time is in line with hotel policy, typically 2.00 pm

Our first day on tour takes us to the wonderful Sunday Market at Tlacolula de Matamoros.

Market day is the weekly highlight, with vendors arriving from surrounding villages laden with fresh produce, handmade goods and local specialities. We'll wander the colourful stalls, sample local flavours, browse the crafts and soak up the atmosphere.

For centuries, Tlacolula's Sunday Market has been one of the most important markets in the Oaxaca Valley. Zapotec and Mixtec communities still gather here to buy, sell and catch up with friends and family, making it as much a social occasion as a marketplace.

We'll grab some lunch at the market before heading back to our hotel to meet Marcella and your fellow travellers. During a relaxed introductory session, Marcella will share her approach to travel sketching and visual storytelling, offering plenty of inspiration before we set off exploring Oaxaca together.

Includes B,D

Walking Tour - Markets & Food Culture

This morning we'll meet our local guide in the heart of Oaxaca for a leisurely exploration of the city's vibrant markets and food culture.

Starting at 10.00 am, we'll spend around 3½ hours wandering at an easy pace while learning about Oaxaca's rich culinary traditions and the history that has shaped this remarkable city.

We'll visit four very different markets, each within comfortable walking distance and each with its own character. Along the way there will be plenty of opportunities to taste local specialities, meet stallholders and soak up the colourful atmosphere.

After lunch, we'll follow Marcella's lead and find a shady corner, café or plaza to settle in for our first relaxed sketching session, capturing the colours, characters and everyday life that make Oaxaca such a joy to explore.

Includes B,L

Today we head to the nearby village of Teotitlán del Valle.

Renowned for its beautiful woven rugs and vibrant natural dyes, the village has a long weaving tradition that continues today. We'll visit a small local museum, explore a few favourite eateries, then roll up our sleeves for a hands-on cooking class - with lunch as the well-earned reward.

I've also heard there's a local woman making her own ice cream. Naturally, that will require a little investigation.

Working with Marcella, we'll capture the cooking as it unfolds. One person stirring the pot, another jotting down the recipe, someone else sketching the ingredients - very much a tag-team effort, with plenty of laughs along the way.

Includes B,L

Today we're heading to the markets with another local cook. Everyone has their favourite stalls and trusted ingredients, and there is always something new to discover.

Today we begin our deep dive into mole. Oaxaca is the home of this rich, complex sauce, and there are almost as many recipes as there are cooks. Every family has its own version, and every cook has their own little secrets.

After gathering our ingredients, we'll head back to our host's kitchen to cook up a feast together. Cooking class!  Expect plenty of chopping, stirring, tasting and recipe swapping, with time to capture recipes, make a few sketches and record the little details that make the day memorable. It is another wonderful day of cooking, eating and sharing around the kitchen table.

Includes B,L

Pottery & Food Culture Day

Oaxaca is renowned for its pottery. In one direction you'll find villages producing beautiful red clay cookware, in another the distinctive black ceramics the region is famous for.

Today we'll head to one of these pottery villages - perhaps  San Marcos Tlapazola, known for its red clay cooking pots, or San Bartolo Coyotepec, home of the iconic black pottery. Exactly where we visit will depend on who is home to welcome us.

We're particularly interested in the potters creating everyday cookware. After all, every memorable meal starts with the vessel it is cooked and served in.

Along the way we'll call into local bakeries and small women-run food businesses. We'll hear how they built their businesses, chat about the food they make, and enjoy plenty of tastings. We'll also visit one of the small tortilla makers who supplies fresh, handmade tortillas to local families every day.

Includes B,L

Today we're visiting a local woman who raises and produces cochineal. 

It may not be a food, but this remarkable little insect has been used for centuries as both a natural dye and a food colouring. Seeing the process firsthand is fascinating, especially when you discover just how many shades can be created from something so tiny.

Cochineal can be used to dye textiles, colour food, or even add rich crimson tones to your sketchbook. It is a wonderful opportunity to record its story and perhaps paint a page using the very pigment you've just seen produced.

The afternoon is yours to relax or spend some time developing your sketchbook while the experiences of the past few days are still fresh.

By now we're bound to have discovered a few favourite places to eat, so let's head out together this evening and enjoy another delicious meal in Oaxaca.

Includes B,D

Our first stop is the home of the wonderfully imaginative alebrijes - brightly painted spirit animals carved from copal wood. We'll spend time with the artisans, learning how these extraordinary pieces are carved, painted and brought to life, with plenty of inspiration in the intricate colours and patterns.

Later we'll shift gears and discover the world of mezcal. Oaxaca is the heart of mezcal production, and we're delighted to visit a small producer where we'll learn about the process from agave to glass. Even better, we're seeing more and more women establishing their own boutique mezcal businesses, adding a fresh chapter to this long-standing tradition.

Colour, creativity and something rather good in a glass - a fine way to round out the day.

Includes B, L

By now you'll have noticed the bright floral aprons worn by so many women in Oaxaca. They are far more than practical kitchen wear - they are an important part of everyday dress, with many women owning a collection to suit different outfits, occasions and celebrations.

Today we'll visit a local apron maker, along with several women-led bakeries, tortilla businesses and other small food enterprises. These family-run businesses are woven into the fabric of daily life, and each offers another glimpse into Oaxaca's rich food culture.

After such a fabulous few days together, let's gather for a final dinner somewhere special to celebrate Oaxaca, everything we've discovered, and the creative journey we've shared with Marcella.

Includes B,L,D

Departures from Oaxaca Airport (OAX) /Xoxocotlán Airport

We'll drop you to your flight any time night or day.

Hotel check-out time is in line with hotel policy.

B

Materials list for guests to pack: 

a small clamshell watercolour set, 

pencils, 

sketchbook with thick paper. 

Watercolour paper

Getting Around – Physical Considerations

This retreat is designed for travellers who are comfortable getting around on foot and have a good general level of health and mobility.

Because we’re centred in Oaxaca, the pace is a little easier than a moving tour, but you’ll still need to be able to walk unaided at an average pace. On some days this may be for a few hours at a time, including uneven surfaces, gentle hills, steps, and stairs.

You’ll also need to be comfortable getting in and out of local transport and dealing with the occasional over-the-bath shower.

If you enjoy being out and about, exploring markets and streets on foot, and don’t mind a bit of daily movement, you’ll be well suited to this retreat.

This won’t be the right fit for anyone who needs a very slow pace or frequent rest stops, but for most active travellers it’s a comfortable and rewarding way to experience Oaxaca.

Etiquette

• Rely on your host – in some places photography is an absolute NO!

• In other areas, be mindful of people’s privacy – scenery is generally fine

• Taking photos of people – perhaps start with a selfie; say hello, ask, show them, then take a portrait – works a charm

• Learn a few local courtesies – always appreciated

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Workshops

Stitch

• Needles and basics supplied, though your own needles can be easier on your hands

• Our hosts love seeing sewing kits and anything you’ve made – embroideries especially

Art / Journal / Sketch

• Your tutor will provide a suggested travelling kit before departure

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Food

• Food is central to culture – we are here to try it

• Group meals are shared, with a range of dishes and local specialties

• Cooking is from scratch using fresh ingredients, so it’s easier to track what you’re eating

• Vegetarian – possible in more touristed areas; more challenging during home visits

• Vegan – similar considerations

• Onion/garlic-free – difficult to manage

• Wheat-free – manageable in Mexico where corn tortillas are available

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Health

• Drink only filtered or bottled water – never tap, even for brushing teeth

• Aim for at least 2 litres of water daily

• Visit your doctor or travel specialist before departure

• Bring required medications and prescriptions

• Menstrual products – pads available, tampons harder to find

• Bring insect repellent

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Money

• Notify your bank before travel (including transit stops)

• Travel cards can be useful – check they work before departure

• Carry a backup card, stored separately

• ATMs are widely available

• Cash – useful backup, exchange rates vary (ask hotel front desk)

• Credit cards – not always accepted

• Additional fees may apply where cards are used

• KNOW YOUR CARD PIN

Currency

• Mexican Peso

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Shopping

• There are treasures to find – and it supports the local economy

• Bargaining is common in markets – prices are negotiable

• NGOs and social enterprises usually have fixed prices

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Suitcase

• Start with a medium suitcase and bring a soft bag for extra purchases

• Large suitcases are harder to manage and store on the bus

• Buying luggage on the road is not easy

Recommended size

• Medium: 60–70 cm (H) x 40–50 cm (W) x 25–30 cm (D)

• Approx. 24–28" x 16–20" x 10–12"

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Weather

• Varies by region

• Yucatán – humid and warm

• Oaxaca – warm days, cooler mornings and evenings; a cardigan and socks appreciated

• Chiapas – can be cool; bring a jacket, and a light rain layer

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Power

• 110V

• US-style adaptor plugs

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Clothing

• Lightweight, loose layers work best

• 3–4 outfits are usually sufficient – there’s always the opportunity to pick up something along the way

• Pack socks and a cardigan for cooler mornings

• Leave expensive jewellery at home

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Shoes

• Comfortable walking shoes (sneakers or strapped sandals)

• Surfaces can be uneven – stability matters

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Laundry

• Any 2-night stop is a good opportunity

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Fitness

• Frequent stops, getting on/off the minibus

• Walking required – often 1–2 hours at a time

• Expect steps and uneven ground

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Begging

• Best not to encourage

• Avoid giving sweets or gifts to children

• If you wish to give, we can pass items to a school

• A few coins for elderly or disabled people is a kind gesture

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Tipping

• If you enjoy a guide’s commentary, a performance, or take someone’s photo, a tip is appreciated

• Set something aside for your translator and driver

• Rough guide: the equivalent of a coffee per day, per person

• A group collection at the end works well

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Environment

• Step lightly – conserve water and power

• Take rubbish with you where possible

• Say no to plastic

• Bring a cloth carry bag