ACCESS TRIPS LAUNCHES NEW CULINARY RETREAT IN TROPICAL PARADISE OF SAYULITA, MEXICO

OAKLAND, Calif.—June 27, 2011—Access Trips, the adventure travel company specializing in exotic learning vacations, today announces the launch of its newest getaway: the Mexico Culinary Retreat near Sayulita, Mexico.  Specifically focused on traditional Mexican cooking, the new, seven-day tour will offer guests a variety of cooking lessons led by one of Mexico’s leading chefs, trips to local produce and fish markets, a tour of a local coffee roastery and ice cream producer, yoga classes and ample time to enjoy the lush tropical surroundings of the area. 
 
The Mexico Culinary Retreat is the newest addition to Access Trips’ growing portfolio of cooking-focused trips and follows the success of the company’s Morocco Culinary & Culture Tour, which launched in 2010.  Access Trips is a leader in the travel industry and has won critical acclaim for its network of world-class instructors, unique itineraries and knowledgeable, local guides who provide insights about their country and access to “secret” spots, giving guests an inside look at some of the non-touristy treasures in each location.  With 10 successful years in business, Access Trips customizes the itinerary for each tour by selecting the finest local instructors and creating the right balance of cultural exploration, skill development and fun.
 
On the Mexico Culinary Retreat Chef Hugo Gutiérrez will lead guests through a series of cooking lessons throughout the week, focusing on traditional Mexican cuisine with a seafood and vegetarian twist, using the freshest, locally-available, organic ingredients, from exotic fruits and vegetables to plentiful locally-caught seafood.  A native of Mexico and a recent inductee to L’Académie Culinaire de France, Chef Hugo will teach guests how to make such dishes as Ceviche “Zihuatanejo Style,” Shrimp Al Ajillo, Red Snapper “A La Talla” and Mexican Sorbet.  Classes will also lead students through the preparation of many traditional Mexican sauces such as mole, tropical pico de gallo, green and red salsas and Mayan sauce.
 
The first trip will be offered on November 6-12, 2011, and will be available for booking for up to a maximum of 16 guests per tour in November through April.  Located just 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita is a quaint and laid-back fishing village on the Nayarit Riviera on Mexico’s West Coast.  An experienced multilingual local Access Trips tour leader will be on-hand for the duration of the trip to ensure guests get the most out of their experience.  Additional activities may also be booked including kayaking, snorkeling, surfing, spa appointments and more.
 
Accommodations for the Mexico Culinary Retreat are located at the hilltop wellness resort of Haramara, just south of Sayulita.  The resort offers serenity to ensure relaxing and renewing vacations with on-site amenities including daily yoga classes, a restaurant and a spa.  Guests will enjoy the quiet beauty of the jungle that surrounds them in their private bungalow-style cabanas, lit only by the sun, oil lamps and candles.  The resort overlooks the jungle and ocean and offers rustic yet luxurious cabanas, some with outdoor showers, making the trip a memorable and unique experience.
 
The new Mexico Culinary Retreat costs $2,790 per person, based on double occupancy, and includes all meals, overnight accommodations, cooking lessons, yoga, a 60-minute massage, market visits and airport transfers.  Alcoholic beverages and additional leisure/spa activities are an additional cost.  The full daily itinerary can be accessed here: http://www.accesstrips.com/sports/mexican-cooking/.
 
ABOUT ACCESS TRIPS
Access Trips, the adventure travel company specializing in exotic learning vacations, offers a wide range of outdoor sports and culinary-focused trips for small groups that allow each guest to experience a new culture, learn new skills or fine-tune existing ones, and revel in the beauty of their destination.  Based in Oakland, Calif., and launched in 2001, Access Trips hosts tours in 15 countries in the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Pacific that include surfing, mountain biking, snowboarding, skiing, multisport and cooking itineraries.  No matter what the focus of the activity, Access Trips has tours available in a variety of skill levels, catering to the novice as well as the expert.  For more information about Access Trips and the tours available, please visit www.accesstrips.com.