Mexican Journeys collection

Mexican Journeys (previously associated with Southwestern Travel Club) was established in 1925 by Henry W. Taylor, a veteran traveler who offered Mexican and South American low-cost group tours to college and university students during summer vacation season. Apart from exploring new destinations, tours emphasized group companionship, shopping experiences, beach and swimming parties, theater, dancing, and other planned and spontaneous activities. Tours aimed to make convenience a priority, so rather than take traditional bus tours, Mexican Journeys included small groups that traveled in the “luxury of smart, ‘spanking’ new Ford V-8 sedans.” The cost of trips included one price that covered all features: pickup and return courtesy service, transportation, three meal per day, lodging, college credit for those registering with The National University of Mexico over the summer in an attempt to earn college credit from their home institution, excursions and social events, accident insurance, baggage insurance, and a bonded program.

Up to six college credits could be earned at the Universidad Nacional de Mexico, which was founded in 1553 by Charles V of Spain. Students could earn as part of graduate or undergraduate study. Fields of study included Spanish language courses, Spanish or Mexican literature, French language, French literature, Latin literature, Latin studies, Philology, introductory language courses in German, Italian, Nahua and Mayan, history courses in Archaeology, general Mexican history, Sociology and Economics, or Arts and Crafts. Travelers that were not interested in attending courses were expected to bring their best golf clubs as to enjoy extra free time.

Mexican Journeys offered several trips including: the 10-week summer school tour through Austin, Monterrey, Valles, Mexico City, they Pyramids and Acolman, San Angel and Desert of the Lions, Pueblo, Cholula, Amecameca, Cuatla, Pachuca, El Chio, Texcoco, Acapulco, Taxco, Cuernavaca, Toluca, and Nevada de Toluca; a four week tour through Austin, Monterrey, Valles, Mexico City, Xochimilco, Pyramids and Acolman, Puebla and Cholula, Pachuca and El Chico, San Angel, Desert of the Lions, Acapulco, Taxco, Cuernavaca, Toluca, Amecameca, and Cuatla; and a 66-day tour through nine countries including stops in New Orleans, Havana, Panama, Cristobal, Colon, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Lima, Santiago, Chile, the Andes, Santos, and more.