Scheduled programs for 2009 & 2010 See list below. Click buttons above.

What to expect on Mary & Piet's learning vacations... Expect the unexpected... Let us tell you about Baja's Frontier Tours... You're in Good Company—Our guests are very special people of all ages bonded by common curiosity about the chosen travel environment and their passion to learn about the world around them. The result is VERY pleasant people sharing our enjoyment of these unique travel and learning vacation experiences. Great fun combined with learning—During BFT's four decades, an approach has evolved through which we share our favorite places with pleasant, thoughtful, independent  and curious guests who choose our enthusiastic guidance and the enjoyable companionship and sociability of like-minded traveling companions. You'll enjoy our guests (and our scholars) as we do! The very best scholars for our travel environment—Our instructors are always highly skilled and affable folks, whose company and knowledge you'll enjoy. In Baja California, for example, we are your hosts, tour operators and instructors. On other trips, if the subject is not our specialty, we produce and operate the program personally (as always), and work with the best and most knowledgeable of interpreters. Additionally, we work with a number of local specialists to provide our guests a well-rounded understanding of the focus subject of the trip, be it natural or cultural history, archaeology, geology, the arts or whatever. Learning vacations that will change who you are—not sightseeing tours. We do see the sights. And yet we do so much more. We rarely sit around in lectures. Our guests are much more experiential people. Hands-on folks, who enjoy getting out and actually enjoying the experience of being there...of learning in the field. Details vary considerably from one trip to another. That's why we suggest that you call us and learn more about the program that really seems to be speaking to you. Savor the anticipation...plan way ahead. We must plan over a year ahead to secure reservations at the hotels we choose. And to schedule our scholars. Your early decisions will assure you a space on your chosen learning vacation. Some programs fill many months in advance. Others fill at the last minute; and sometimes trips are cancelled several months in advance for lack of participation, only to have folks call later to sign up. So, please plan ahead and savor the anticipation. We do look forward to speaking with you and to enjoying your company again...or for the first time! Never stop learning!  Great food & lodging—always part of the BFT experience to the extent the travel environment permits! Generally some meals are included; and for the others, we guide our guests to places where they are free to choose from healthy mouthwatering specialties, from Baja to Oaxaca, Chihuahua, Arizona and New Mexico. In Baja California, every restaurant and hotel we'll take you to is one we've shared with our guests for well over 30 years...most of them since they first opened their doors. The variety of truly fresh seafood is mouthwatering! We select accommodations that allow us to accomplish the goals of a particular trip, generally the best that an area has to offer. As some itineraries take us off the beaten track at times, our choices vary from fairly simple to rather extravagant, and always clean, comfortable, pleasant and safe. "Wish Lists" planning for the future—Each tour program is different; many are unique: offered one time only. So, we encourage you to call us to discuss your interests so that we may help you choose the memorable and fun experience that will be just right for you! For some programs that tend to fill quickly, we offer the opportunity to put your name on a "Wish List" for that trip well in advance, before a date is chosen and details are available. This means you'll be among the first to receive details and the opportunity to sign up when itinerary specifics are available and the program is officially scheduled. Call for information. We're accountable—These days, when business is so often impersonal and lacking in accountability, we hope you’ll appreciate that we create and operate each program personally. As BFT's owner/operators, we’re right there with you on your vacation to keep things humming. Your safety, comfort and enjoyment are very important to us! Our quality control is excellent. Our commitment is deep and personal; we’re accountable. Each of BFT’s four decades has taught us a lot about producing learning vacations. We hope you enjoy our style!  Weather & Timing—We thoroughly consider optimal weather and special events—both natural and cultural—in planning scheduling for each learning vacation. We plan carefully to avoid bad weather and crowds whenever possible. You will notice that our offerings come in fall, winter and spring. That's because most of our favorite places are hot (or crowded!) in the summer. Meals included? Not necessarily. And that can be a good thing for you. Some of our programs include most meals; the cuisine of Oaxaca is an example. Others include few or no restaurant meals; Baja is an example of the latter. Many trips include a number of enjoyable picnic lunches afield, when we find ourselves far from restaurants. Generally, we include meals when there is some specific reason to do so. By not including all meals, we save  you money. Let me explain: When we include meals, they must be ample to satisfy the grandest appetites; and they must be what we think you want to eat. However, if you eat lightly (perhaps you and your traveling companion prefer to share entrees), then you're paying for a big meal that you're not enjoying. Additionally, when you do the ordering, you may choose from the full range of an often-extensive menu, thus enjoying - and paying for - exactly, and only, what you choose. Smoking—In the interest of health and comfort, there is no smoking where our guests gather—in vehicles, at meals, group discussions, field interpretations, whether inside or outdoors. No one breathes smoke unless they choose to. Some of our hotels are non-smoking properties. Smokers who are happy to observe these courtesies are very welcome on every program. BFT has offered natural and cultural history learning vacations in Baja California, Mexico since 1966. Today, our offerings also include the Greater American Southwest, featuring Arizona and New Mexico (including our Indian Country programs), Sonora, Chihuahua, the historic Valley of Oaxaca, Copper Canyon and more in both Mexico and the United States. Mary & Piet produce and operate every single one of their programs personally.  Our philosophy regarding Baja's Frontier Tours' goals is simple: We go to places that are special to us and that we've found our guests enjoy immensely, as well; sometimes these are not the most popular tourist destinations, rather they are special places where our guests can learn, enjoy and refresh themselves in peace, safety and comfort. We assure the success of each program by producing and operating it personally...we enjoy each experience right along with you, making each program the best learning vacation possible!  We don't just have customers, we build relationships. We invite your participation to make this a reality. We enjoy your calls and emails to discuss your interests, answer your questions and to help you consider a particular trip and determine if it's right for you. We're here to help you choose, plan and enjoy the most memorable and personally satisfying vacation possible. And, if we haven't spoken for a while, to get acquainted...or to catch up with you,  Piet & Mary Van de Mark Piet & Mary  Dennis Winsten photo Scheduled BFT programs for 2009 & 2010... Our Learning Vacations Listed Below are now reserving/filling. Call us for Brochures & Reservations. Please Note: Most programs are offered only every few years, while some are one-time special events...so, if you see something that really interests you, don't just put it off 'till next year without learning if it will ever be offered again! Make your decision now and enjoy the anticipation! Don't miss out! Scheduled BFT programs 2009 - The Best of Baja California, Mexico. Whale Watching & Natural History -  March 2-10, 2009. Experience Baja California, Mexico's personalized natural history...including boating with Scammon's Lagoon's friendly gray whales. Scammon's is the largest and best-protected migratory destination. Thousands of whales have always been there for our guests for forty years. We look at the whales, not for them! And half of our guests get to pet friendly whales and their calves! The opportunity to enjoy the most wonderful fresh seafood and delightful Mexican (American and continental, as well) cuisine is unsurpassed! Co-sponsored with Tucson's wonderful Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Sonora’s Seaside Deserts & Tropical Thornscrub - April 16-23, 2009, This learning vacation is created and produced as the official Post-Convention Field Trip following the Cactus & Succulent Society of America's 2009 Convention in Tucson, Arizona. This one is for people who especially love cacti and succulents! And who want to experience some of the most beautiful scenery in the lovely state of Sonora, Mexico, touching the Arizona border immediately to the south. These days present a comprehensive view of many of the fascinating cacti and succulents of Sonora. The specific focus of our daily activities will center around meeting a good many of these wonderful plants up close and personal in their wild natural habitats, all in the enjoyable company of fellow enthusiasts and expert botanists. Comfortable hotels and memorable Mexican cuisine and seafood from the Sea of Cortez throughout! Produced for members of CSSA. From Acoma to Zuni…New Mexico Arts, Culture & History with Author, Scholar, Indian Trader. May 5-9, 2009 Join Mark with Mary & Piet for an enjoyable look at the arts, artists, culture and food of this very beautiful region of New Mexico. Meet some very special folks and visit the best of old-time Indian Traders for the best in shopping, serious collecting and just enjoying the experience! Luxurious motor coach (those Big vista-view windows, recliners, full audio-visual and always a bathroom aboard!). Enjoy the convenience of four comfortable nights in historic Gallup, New Mexico, and very scenic traveling every day! Chaco Canyon, New Mexico Archaeology - October 19 - 23, 2009. Gwinn Vivian, Ph.D. literally grew up at Chaco. He will introduce you to the science and theories surrounding the strategies and techniques that Chacoan farmers used to adapt to their harsh environment.  We will begin with an overview of Chacoan culture in Chaco Canyon and then trace the expanding Chacoan system as it moved throughout the San Juan Basin.  Our exploration takes us not only to well known sites such as Pueblo Bonito but to significant and seldom visited Chacoan outliers including Pierre’s, Kin Bineola and Kin Ya’a. In these days you will see natural beauty and human history that may well change your life! Day of the Dead in Southern Arizona: Nov 1 & 2, 2009. On the heels of Halloween, the colorful and elaborate celebration of The Day of the Dead (El Dia de Los Muertos) is very much alive today in culturally rich Southern Arizona! We’ll get way out of Tucson - as far south as Nogales, Arizona - to visit a selection of colorful, historic cemeteries in Southern Arizona. This memorable day includes transportation from Tucson, a yummy picnic lunch and absolutely dazzling photographic opportunities!  Mesa Verde Archaeology - If you enjoy archaeology and Breathtakingly Beautiful Southwest Vistas, plan to join us for the Archaeology of the Mesa Verde region in May of 2010. Details coming soon! Rio Grande Pueblos & Georgia O'Keeffe Country with Mark Bahti - November 2010. Not offered since 2002, (and with some exciting new features!) this is our most comprehensive and wonderful program from the Indian Country Series. This one is produced for Tucson's Tohono Chul Park & the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Join Mark Bahti and Piet & Mary, along with dozens of New Mexico Pueblo Indians, to savor the arts and culture of one of the most amazingly beautiful places in America! Now, with the added excitement of Georgia O'Keeffe Country, her Santa Fe museum and lot, lots more. Motorcoach comfort also provides you our rolling classroom approach to learning vacations to deepen your understanding and prepare you for every stop on our fascinating journey. We've chosen excellent accommodations near some of New Mexico's finest restaurants in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos to assure you restful and memorable evenings...and some mighty fine New Mexico dining! Free! 15th Annual Christmas Folk Art Sale  with Unknown Mexico - Dec. 5 & 6, 2009 (Barney T. Burns & Mahina Drees) Scheduled BFT programs 2010 - COPPER CANYON: Land of the Tarahumara, with Barney T. Burns  GOOD NEWS: We're now able to offer this program again April 17 - 25, 2010. Call to put in your reservation now! We don't do this very often. The 2007 trip filled in 2006. The first one in 2004 filled up quickly, too, so please don't delay your decision to join this spectacular learning experience in the future; a $300 deposit holds your spot for this trip. A simple call or email will assure your participation. Join us round trip from Tucson with amazing Barney Burns, Ph.D. in our very comfortable rolling classroom motor coach. Please call and let us help you with any questions so you don't miss this next one. (to benefit NativeSeeds/SEARCH). Death Valley: Where Wonder Reigns! December 7-13, 2010. Geologist Amazing Bob Scarborough loves Death Valley! Most visitors are surprised by the awesome beauty and scope of this amazing out-of-the-way place. We invite you to join us to explore your amazement: share this affable geologist’s long experience in this very special place, home to wonderful geologic mysteries! From mile-high Dante’s View, we'll peer way, way down at Badwater: (at -282’ it's the western hemisphere’s lowest elevation!), while across the valley spectacular Telescope Peak rises to 11,049'. Fabled Scotty’s Castle provides a memorable tour. Long-abandoned 20 mule team borax works, lovely sand dunes and narrow canyons are among many other wonders we’ll experience. Photograph and walk about the desert in fine fall weather. The historic Furnace Creek Ranch Resort offers us very comfortable nightly accommodations plus a full range of resort amenities. Get your brochure and plan now to find out just how much fun you can have on this unique and comfortable learning adventure! Reserving now. As you consider your learning vacation plans, please keep in mind that many of our programs are offered one-time-only, or are available to you just once every few years. If you're thinking about "going next time" please call us to check on availability. The Chiricahua Cottages - for your personal quiet getaways in southeast Arizona anytime... please click on the Chiricahua Cottage button at the top of the page... We thank you all who are making BFT’s 43rd year so memorable! As we move into 2009 and begin to plan for 2010 and 2011, as well, we are keenly aware of how especially blessed we are by all of you who have returned over the years to repeat a favorite program, and those who’ve come back to try something new.  We are truly grateful to those among you who honor us with recommendations to your friends, and to those of you who come back in the company of your friends to share the experience together.  We are humbled by this appreciation and by your thanks for what we do. You teach us joy with your smiles and your enjoyment of the adventures we share together! We deeply appreciate that you’ve chosen to invest your time and resources with us in a period of fun and refreshment, learning and renewal.  We are thankful for you all! Another joy we have in producing learning vacations is that we, too, continue to learn. We learn from you, our guests, as well as from our scholars. As you already know, we learn from your questions, and often from your interests and observations, as well.  In October of last year, we enjoyed the real excitement of our primary scouting our Mesa Verde Archaeology program in Colorado’s colorful Four Corners Country. This will become another fascinating archaeology program in 2010 (that’s just next year already, isn’t it?). Our Mesa Verde scholar will be Jonathan Till, an esteemed local archaeologist who is especially recommended to us by our friend Gwinn Vivian. As with each program we produce, you’ll find far more to this itinerary than simply visiting those famed cliff dwellings in the Park! The depth of this area will amaze you! Those of you who’ve enjoyed Chaco Canyon Archaeology have come to know and appreciate Dr. Vivian; and by the way, Chaco with Gwinn is on our schedule again for this fall. And everywhere we found such an abundance of wildlife! We saw birds and deer and wild turkeys; and we got a close look at a wild mountain lion! As always, we’re having lots of fun and good times planning trips for you.  Some programs are fully published, while others are just barely announced with "This Page Under Construction."  For the very best in natural history adventures, we feature The Best of Baja, reserving now for its March 2nd departure. Co-sponsored with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, this learning vacation features those friendly California gray whales plus the peninsula's astounding Sonoran Desert; this experience combines to create magic memories for us and our guests, as it has for 43 years! For you serious cactophiles reading this, we still have very limited space on Sonora's Seaside Desert & Tropical Thornscrub, produced following the Cactus & Succulent Society of America's Tucson convention in April. Call now for this one! More Southwest Indian Country programs are coming in Arizona and New Mexico, beginning with Acoma-Zuni this May, again for Tohono Chul Park with our friend Mark Bahti sharing his expertise. This is an excellent program for collectors and lookers alike. Day of the Dead in Southern Arizona, presented as two day trips November 1 or 2, 2009, will offer an itinerary change from previous years that will draw a lot of folks back to find out more of what happens  here in our own State during this colorful Mexican celebration. Look for details soon. We've added new expanded features to Rio Grande Pueblos, our grand-daddy of all Indian Country learning vacations. It will be offered now in November 2010. It has become Rio Grande Pueblos & Georgia O'Keeffe Country. Details to come shortly. Death Valley: Where Wonder Reigns Will revisit this amazing place in the best of weather and, as always, with Amazing Bob Scarborough, the archaeologist who's passion for the place flows throughout our adventures there. Coming in December 2010, which normally offers an excellent time of weather in the valley featuring cool nights and pleasant sunny days. Of course, awesome Copper Canyon - Land of the Tarahumara as only Dr. Barney Burns & Mahina Drees of Native Seeds/SEARCH can do it for you from our comfortable rolling classroom. Hop on our motor coach roundtrip from Tucson in April of 2010; this adventure is reserving now! And for those of you in and near our Tucson, Arizona home, we look forward to seeing you at our Fifteenth Annual Christmas Folk Art Sale, coming, as always, on the first weekend in December. A peek at the future? Look forward to Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley in Navajo Country; another trip to the Hopi Mesas, and more of Baja California, of course, just to mention a few. More to come! Call us to talk about your interests catch up on what we're doing...anytime.   A Healthy & Prosperous 2009 to you all!      Piet & Mary Van de Mark Please click on their image to be directed to Travel Insured's website to learn more and to purchase travel insurance for your learning vacation with us. We recommend the purchase of travel and trip cancellation insurance.  Travel Insured has provided our guests with excellent service for many years.  Our favorite places in Baja California, Mexico are those that have remained relatively unchanged since BFT first ventured into "The Forgotten Peninsula" in the 1960's. Perhaps that explains our focus on the midsection of Baja, rather than well-developed and more familiar areas like Cabo San Lucas, lovely as they are. We hope you'll join us to experience some of the peninsula's lovely hidden, uncrowded and unchanged places that most of the peninsula's visitors fail to experience in their mad rush to Baja's resort country. Go With Experience! We do! Tucson's 15th Annual Mexican Folk Art Christmas Shopping Spree! Saturday & Sunday December 5 & 6, 2009, 10 am - 3 pm NOTICE!Cash or Checks Only Please  NOTICE! It's become a Christmas shopping tradition for many in southern Arizona who leave the crowded malls behind and gift their family and friends with truly unique Folk Arts of museum shop quality at true wholesale prices! Add to your own dazzling collectable decor! Accept our invitation to join those wonderful folks at Unknown Mexico—Barney Burns & Mahina Drees—who will again open their warehouse to Friends of Baja’s Frontier Tours for a two-day Wholesale Holiday Shopping Spree...our way of saying "Thanks and Happy Holidays!" The treasures of the Mayo, Yaqui and Tarahumara people are knowledgeably selected during Barney and Mahina’s exhaustive forays into remote corners of Mexico: Wooden Bowls and Utensils! Baskets! Ceremonial Masks! Instruments! Weavings! Wood Carvings! Furniture! Toys! Decorations! Lots of Specials & Surprises! All at genuine once-a-year wholesale prices from an anthropologist who’s working to preserve the crafts and culture of the native peoples of northwestern Mexico. Support the arts! Refreshments, too! Your friends are welcome. Come and say "Hello" to us, too... we’ll be there to help! Piet & Mary Van de Mark.   Barney & Mahina have graciously agreed to take us to Copper Canyon - Land of the Tarahumara once again. We're planning our next learning vacation with Barney in April 2010. This program benefits Tucson's Native Seeds/SEARCH, which Barney & Mahina helped found 25 years ago! This trip fills up! The 2007 trip filled in 2006.  Remember: no one knows Copper Canyon and it's people like Barney & Mahina; this is the best of the best...and it may not happen again, so we hope you'll plan now to plan ahead and enjoy the anticipation of this very special event! PLEASE NOTE: COME ONLY ON THESE TWO DAYS AND ONLY BETWEEN 10AM and 3PM. Unknown Mexico is wholesale ONLY and NOT OTHERWISE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. THANK YOU! This special event is free of charge. BFT does not profit from this event, other than the joy we take in your support of Barney & Mahina and their artist/farmer friends in Northwest Mexico...and the pleasure we enjoy in seeing all of you who come to shop and say "Hello!"  This is our way of thanking you for traveling and learning and sharing the adventure with us on our learning vacations...many of you for many, many memorable years.  We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year throughout 2009!  Piet & Mary Van de Mark   Any questions or comments about our website?  Thanks very much for bearing with any confusions that may beset your browser. Please feel free to e-mail us about anything. We've learned that some linked emails you've sent from our website have not been getting through to us...We always answer all emails received. If you've emailed us and not received a reply, perhaps we didn't receive your email. Please try again or, better yet, give us a call! QUESTIONS & RESERVATIONS? Considering a trip? Or wondering which trip? Each program is personally produced and operated by Piet & Mary Van de Mark and their knowledgeable interpreters of natural and cultural history. Each trip is unique, and the details that concern you may not be obvious. We're here to discuss your interests and answer your questions so you may make a good decision. Having done so, you'll join a select group of folks to share a very pleasant and memorable learning experience. Contact Mary & Piet by phone: 520-887-2340 (Tucson, Arizona)  Outside Arizona call Toll Free: 1-800-726-7231 EMAIL: piet@bajasfrontiertours.com If you enjoy fun and learning, we hope you'll join us for your next getaway or vacation. Planning a tour with us? The Chiricahua Cottages on your own? Thoughts about your next vacation? Please tell us how we can help you make it happen! ©Baja's Frontier Tours LLC, Tucson, Arizona 2003 & 2007, 2008 all rights reserved Please request written permission for copy or publication of any portion of these pages. Thanks! Proofed by Marcia Quiroz at Tucson, Arizona January 11, 2006. Thank you, Marcia! The management would also like to thank Mike Liebert for help with proofing! Updated by Piet Van de Mark November 2008. Typos? Not Marcia's fault! Home Page