A rare culinary Journey inside the heart of Yucatán. You will cook over fire, learn from local experts, explore ancient sites, and sit at tables tourists cannot access. Led by Michelin trained chef Shannon Bard. Limited to Twelve guests.
fire leads the way
This Journey invites you to reclaim curiosity, immerse deeply, and rediscover what it means to savor life.
In this six-day culinary adventure through the Yucatán, you’ll cook over open flame, wander vibrant markets, swim in hidden cenotes, and stand beside the ancient majesty of Uxmal. Between rooftop dinners, hands-on Mayan cooking, and golden afternoons in colonial towns, every moment connects you to the land’s warmth, flavor, and soul. From the first mezcal cocktail to the final chef’s-table farewell, this is more than travel. It’s a journey through fire, flavor, and the spirit of Yucatán.
Why Travelers Trust Shannon
Travelers trust Chef Shannon Bard because she does not just cook. She connects. Her Michelin level training gives her skill, but it is her passion for culture, people, and real flavor that sets her apart. She approaches every Journey with the same intention she brings to the kitchen: respect for the ingredients, reverence for the craft, and a deep curiosity for the stories behind it all.
Guests feel her energy the moment she begins to teach. She brings Yucatán’s cuisine to life with fire, history, and heart, translating regional traditions in a way that feels both elevated and accessible. Her experience spans Mexico, Spain, Greece, and beyond, and she carries that global perspective into every lesson and every moment of the Journey.
They trust her because she leads with intention and care. Every experience is chosen with purpose. Every partner is selected for their craft, their integrity, and their connection to Yucatán. Every detail is crafted so guests feel safe, inspired, and deeply immersed.
Most of all, travelers trust Chef Shannon Bard because she gives them more than a beautifully designed itinerary. She gives them a way to understand a place through its people, its food, and its fire. They leave changed, carrying new skills, deeper connection, and a richer sense of what it means to savor life.
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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Uxmal & the Sacred Earth
Cooking Over Flame & Tradition
Walk among the ruins of Uxmal and feel the pulse of the ancient world beneath your feet. From stone temples to hidden cenotes, experience the soul of the Yucatán through its earth, its stories, and its sacred fire.
Shop the markets of Mérida, learn from local cooks, and transform your finds into dishes that tell the story of this land. Under Shannon’s guidance, cook over open flame, grind spices by hand, and taste the legacy of Mayan kitchens.
Cenotes, Craft & the Soul of Yucatán
From golden colonial towns to handwoven hammocks and sunlit cenotes, step inside the living heart of Yucatán. Meet artisans, share meals, and feel the pulse of its heritage through sound, texture, and time.
Where ancient fire meets modern soul.
Cook, taste, and travel through the Yucatán. A place where every flavor tells a story.
Where ancient fire meets modern soul.
Cook, taste, and travel through the Yucatán. A place where every flavor tells a story.
This Journey is for travelers who want more than a vacation. It is for people who want to taste a place through its fire, its markets, its stories, and the people who carry its traditions every day.
It is for you if you want to learn real regional cooking from local experts and a Michelin trained chef. It is for you if you want to be guided through Yucatán by the people who live it. It is for you if you want connection, curiosity, and experiences you cannot find on a standard tour.
It is for the cook and the non cook. For the person who wants to deepen their skills and for the partner who wants to savor, explore, and feel alive in a new place. It is for anyone ready to slow down, immerse fully, and rediscover what flavor can mean.
If you want a Journey that feels personal, cultural, hands on, and unforgettable, this one was designed for you.
Is This Journey For You?
where you'll stay
The Diplomat Boutique Hotel
MERIDA, MEXICO
A beautifully restored colonial mansion in Mérida’s Santiago district, The Diplomat blends modern luxury with Yucatán soul. With just a few elegant suites, lush courtyards, and a serene pool, it’s intimate, stylish, and deeply personal — your private retreat in the heart of the city.
Reserve Your Spot
If this Journey is calling to you, trust that pull. These six days and five nights in Yucatán are designed to change the way you cook, travel, and connect with the world. Every moment has intention. Every experience is crafted to bring you deeper into the fire, the flavor, and the spirit of this place.
Spaces are limited to twelve guests to keep the experience intimate, personal, and immersive. A deposit secures your reservation and begins your path toward a Journey that will stay with you long after you return home.
DAY BY DAY
Six days of flavor, fire, and discovery in the heart of Yucatán.
dAY 1: Arrival & Yucatan Welcome Feast
Where the journey begins — with beauty,
flavor, and a table under the stars.
Arrive in Mérida and step into your private villa — a place designed to be felt immediately. Courtyards, palms, warm stone, and quiet luxury set the tone. This is not a hotel stay; it’s a temporary home built for gathering.
As the sun sets, the week begins around the table. Cocktails are infused with local botanicals. The meal is celebratory, generous, and deeply rooted in place — an introduction to Yucatán flavor through color, freshness, and balance rather than heat or fire.
This first evening isn’t about instruction yet. It’s about arrival.
About letting the senses open.
About understanding that beauty, care, and intention matter here.
Your first taste of the Yucatán — elegant, expressive, and unforgettable.
QUESTIONS?
WHAT DOES THE JOURNEY PRICE INCLUDE
Your journey has been designed as a fully immersive culinary experience — where every detail, flavor, and moment has been thoughtfully curated to reflect the soul of Yucatán.
• Five nights at a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Mérida
• Private airport transfers to and from Mérida International Airport (MID)
• Private transportation for all scheduled day trips and excursions
• Hands-on cooking classes with Shannon and local chefs who open their kitchens and share regional traditions
• Private tours with local guides, artisans, and cultural experts
• Exclusive tastings and curated dining experiences that highlight the region’s ingredients, from market to table
• All entrance fees for included cultural and culinary experiences
• Daily breakfasts, along with most lunches and dinners, featuring multi-course menus, wine pairings, and authentic local beverages
Every day is built around the table — cooking, tasting, and connecting through the flavors that define Yucatán.
price breakdown
Journey Price
5500 per guest based on double occupancy
Single Occupancy
1000 additional
Optional Additional Night
Price varies based on selected experiences
Deposit Required
2250 to reserve your space
Final Payment
Remaining balance due 31 days before arrival.
Pricing reflects luxury accommodations, chef led culinary experiences, private excursions, and full service support throughout your time in Yucatán.
WHERE DOES THE JOURNEY START AND END
The journey begins and ends in Mérida, Mexico. Guests can arrive via Mérida International Airport or travel from Cancún with our concierge support. All experiences start at the private villa and conclude after a farewell breakfast on the final morning.
Do I Need to Pay a Solo Traveler Supplement?
Yes — for solo travelers who prefer a private room, a $1,000 single supplement applies at the time of booking. This ensures your own beautifully appointed space throughout the journey. Single accommodations are limited on each departure, so we recommend reserving early to secure availability. Every guest experience — solo or shared — is designed to feel personal, seamless, and deeply connected to the destination.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE
While it’s not required, we strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance. It offers peace of mind — protecting your investment if unexpected circumstances arise, and covering essentials like medical care, emergency transport, or the loss, theft, or damage of personal items while abroad.
For the best protection, insure the full cost of your journey within two weeks of your initial deposit, and note that most Cancel For Any Reason policies must be purchased on the same day your deposit is made.
Travel insurance ensures that even if plans shift, your adventure — and your peace of mind — remain protected.
what does the price not include
The journey price covers nearly everything once you arrive, but a few personal expenses are not included. These are:
•International round-trip airfare to and from Mexico
•Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
•Optional activities or experiences not listed in the itinerary
•Transportation or costs incurred during personal free time away from the hotel
•Hotel incidentals, such as room service, laundry, or bar tabs
•Meals and beverages not specified in the itinerary
•Gratuities for local guides.
Everything else — from curated dining experiences to local transportation and immersive excursions — is included to ensure your focus stays on savoring the adventure.
WHO LEADS THE JOURNEY
Each Flavors & Frontiers journey is personally designed and led by Chef Shannon Bard, a Michelin-trained chef, Food Network Champion, and founder of Flavors & Frontiers.
Shannon guides each experience from a chef’s perspective — exploring markets, kitchens, and historic sites alongside local chefs, artisans, and guides who share their craft and culture firsthand. Together, they lead guests through immersive, behind-the-scenes moments that reveal the true flavors and spirit of each destination.
Every journey is rooted in authenticity — curated, hands-on, and led by those who know the place best.
What Travel Documents Are Needed?
For U.S. citizens, no visa is required to enter Mexico for stays of up to 180 days — only a valid passport is needed. We recommend ensuring your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date from Mexico.
Upon arrival, you’ll receive a visitor’s permit (Forma Migratoria Múltiple, or FMM) at the airport.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, please check with the Mexican Embassy or Consulate for specific entry requirements based on your country of residence.
WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY
Life happens — and while we hope you’ll be joining us, we understand that plans can change.
Cancellations made 31 days or more before departure are eligible for a full refund, minus a $750 per person service fee.
Cancellations made within 30 days of departure are non-refundable, as all accommodations, experiences, and local partnerships will have been confirmed and paid in full.
We appreciate your understanding and support in helping us honor our partners and the integrity of every journey.
Savor. Indulge. Explore.
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