A Gastronomical & Cultural Delight!
By Sandy Thompson, Co-Owner of Zanca Travelers
Food is just as much a part of cultural heritage as music, language, and local sights. That’s why we developed a new “Foodie Tour” to offer our guests a “taste” of Mexico and to share its rich history and cultural traditions.
The “Foodie Tour”
My husband Vidal Reyes and I own and operate Zanca Travelers, a family-run travel agency in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Guerrero. We specialize in arranging tours for small groups. Vidal and I have spent over 30 years working in the travel industry. We met when working for a tour operator in Mexico and have been together ever since.
We are “FOODIES”. We’ve traveled around the world, and wherever we went, we always sought out the local food specialties. So, we want to provide this type of experience for our tour guests.
I am originally from Chicago. Mexico is in my blood. Plus, Vidal is a native of Zihuatanejo and a member of one of its oldest families. He says, “I grew up eating these traditional dishes of our region that have been preserved and passed down through generations. I want to share the ‘flavors’ of our culture and heritage, and provide some history about our local traditions.”
Guest Participation
The “Foodie Tour” includes a visit to various restaurants in the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo area. The selected restaurants may change weekly, and the menus served may change depending on the availability and seasonality of fresh products.
On the “Foodie Tour,” you will meet the local families who operate the restaurants and you can participate in the food preparation activities – like making handmade tortillas or grinding spices for salsas. The places we choose are all significant. The people are committed to their families. They give back to the community. They honor the traditional recipes. And, each family has a unique story that is part of Zihuatanejo’s culture and heritage.
Our Showcase of Flavors
Our tour provides a taste of the traditional dishes of our area, the Costa Grande region of Guerrero. Vidal explains the fusion of the old and the new that make up the unique cuisine of this area.
Regional Dishes of Costa Grande, México
Our guests enjoy tasting the traditional dishes of the Costa Grande region that include pork, fish, corn, chiles, fresh cheese dishes, and occasionally chicken or beef. Fried foods and corn tortillas are always a staple. None of the dishes are overly spicy-hot.
Visit a Taqueria (Taco House)
We took our tour guest to a local “taqueria” where the meat is grilled and served on small tortillas. Some of our guests said, “We would have never thought to stop by a place like this. It’s just a little corner restaurant. But, WOW! What great tacos!”
Zihuatanejo’s Typical Seafood Delights
Zihuatanejo was once a small fishing village. “Tiritas de Pescado” is an original fish dish from this area. Fresh seafood is marinated in lime juice and served in the traditional way. Our guests enjoyed talking to the owners and learning about their traditions.
A Taste of Old Mexico!
Our focus is on FOOD – and there’s plenty of it! Our guests enjoyed a visit to one of our gourmet restaurants to taste some of their specialty dishes prepared by the chef.
Reservations
This is not a tour that only gives you tiny bites. Be prepared to learn, eat, and eat WELL! This tour runs 4.5-5 hours and includes transportation to/from Ixtapa and between restaurants. Bottled water is available throughout. We will work with food allergies when possible. We have had guests with seafood and nut allergies and were able to accommodate them. All restaurants comply with health and hygiene standards.
For more information, please contact us at: zanca@zancatravelers.com
Zanca Travelers website: zancatravelers.com
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