Flavours Of Mexico

1  The Gulf Coast

We begin our journey in the footsteps of Cortez as Charlie explores the shores of Veracruz a little known and stunning stretch of coastline. En route we demonstrate how not to roll a cigar and uncover a great recipe for red snapper in one of Mexico’s coolest hotels. Forging inland we explore the ruined citadel of El Tajin and the exotic delights of the cloud forest, where we show you one of the world’s best places to get a cup of coffee. Charlie also hooks up with an extreme eco-adventure outfit and risks life and limb to show us a spectacular river for messing about in boats.
Duration: 30'

 

2  Mayan Mexico

Charlie bites off more than he can chew in this sizzling hot romp across the Yucatan Peninsula. After tackling the world’s hottest chile, our intrepid gastronomer takes a tour of some of Mexico’s most like Chichen Itza and Ek Balam, before dropping in on a Mayan family to unearth an ancient recipe for buried pig. In the second half we show you the secret, subterranean world of cenotes as Charlie dives through a breathtaking maze of underground rivers and cave systems. Finally we head for the Caribbean and give you an exclusive look at some of the highlights of the Mayan Riviera.
Duration: 30'

 

3  The Colonial Heartland

Presenter Charlie Ottley explores Mexico's dusty heartland and the beguilingly beautiful state of Michoacan where he learns some culinary tips from the Purepechan Indians, visits a town buried by lava and gets tangled up in the famous Day of the Dead Festival. We also take you San Miguel de Allende, the quintessential colonial city where Charlie saddles up to try his hand as a Mexican Ranchero and ends up wearing a crown of thorns in what is described as the Sistine chapel of the Americas.
Duration: 30'

 

4  The North

Charlie's journies to the borderlands of Baja California where he visits the oldest winery in Mexico, swims with sea lions in the Gulf of Cortez and discovers a great recipe for lobster burritos. Then heading inland we take you via the closed, religious communities of the Mennonites to the lands of the Tarahumara where Charlie explores one of the deepest canyons in the world and shares an unusual cigarette with a shamen.
Duration: 30'

 

5  Adventures In and Around Mexico City

Charlie embarks on an urban safari in one of the world's largest capitals, meeting top celebrity chef Enrique Olvera and visiting the largest food market in North America. We also take a short road trip to discover a Cornish mining town where they do a mean pasty, and give you a grand tour of the stunning city of Puebla, where Charlie learns the perfect recipe for mole.
Duration: 30'

 

6  The Mexican Pacific

From hippie havens like Zipolite to the uber luxurious retreats of Careyes and El Tamarindo, we show you the Mexican Pacific like you’ve never seen it before. En route Charlie checks out one of Mick Jagger’s favourite holiday havens, shows us how to make and more importantly, how to drink tequila, feeds a pack of wild crocodiles and helps liberate hundreds of baby turtles.
Duration: 30'

 

7  Southern Mexico

Charlie Ottley checks out Oaxaca, the culinary capital of Mexico where he learns to make stuffed chilli and is introduced to the delights of crispy grasshoppers. Heading further south we take a ride down the magical Sumidero Canyon before visiting a scarlet macaw conservation centre in the rainforest. Finally Charlie hires a native guide and treks deep into the jungle in search of the lost ruins of Lacanja.
Duration: 30'