Santa Fe, New Mexico
Land of Enchantment
May 13-20, 2010
Come to the Southwest and explore the Santa Fe region, a place of beauty and a center for the arts. The Pueblo Indians are the region's oldest culture. The Navajo and Apache migrated here, and the Spanish influence is apparent in the historic sites. The landscape, architecture, food, art treasures, and old world flavor, all make this trip a feast for the senses. Fly into Albuquerque. A shuttle van will drop you at the door of the B & B.
Day 1: Settle in to the Ghost Ranch/Santa Fe. Later take an easy walk to the Plaza, the local gathering place, the heart of Santa Fe. Shop at the Indian Market set up under the Portal of the Palace of the Governors. It is considered a living historical exhibit since Native Americans have been trading here for centuries. All vendors are New Mexican Indians and their work, mostly jewelry, is authentic. A welcome dinner ends our day.
Day 2: Guided tour that includes the Loretto Chapel's mysterious spiral stairway, the oldest church in the US, San Miguel Chapel, and the oldest shrine in the US dedicated to the Queen of the Americas, Santuario de Guadalupe. And you can't miss St. Francis Cathedral with its courtyard labyrinth. See a collection of the sepia photographs that made Edward Curtis known as a chronicler of Native American tribal life. After lunch visit the Georgia O'Keefe museum and research center and any of the many galleries and shops that border the plaza.
Day 3: Visit O'Keefe's home in Abiquiu, lunch at the Abiquiu Inn, Check out the general store, catch the Georgia O'Keefe landscape tour at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu. Spend a little time in the Paleontology and Archeology museums at Ghost Ranch, or take a hike on some of the trails there, then on the way back to Ghost Ranch, Santa Fe, time and interest permitting, stop for a soak at Oje Calente mineral springs (optional).
Day 4: Free Day. Take the bus to Museum Hill for the fabulous Folk Art Museum or exhibits at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian or stay in town and visit the IAIA, the Institute of American Indian Arts and or the Museum of Fine Arts. Shop till you drop or stop to have lunch. Meet at the Plaza for supper plans.
Day 5: A road trip to the San Ildefonso Pueblo, world famous for their black on black pottery. In the afternoon we'll visit the famous healing site of Chimayo Santuario, see the antique reredos, panels of sacred paintings, and leave with some of the healing earth. An early supper at the famous Chimayo Inn, and maybe a stop at the Mercantile to see the Chimayo weavings.
Day 6: Take a five hour tour of Bandelier National Monument and the cliff dwellings of the Anasazi. Spectacular scenery in this area. Once back in Santa Fe, if time and interest permit, we can head for the Shidoni Foundry to witness a pouring of molten metal into one of the artist's molds. Supper in Tesuque.
Day 7: Relaxing day, maybe a soak in the women's hot tub at Ten thousand Waves or a swim in the community pool or body massage (optional). Free afternoon; Farewell evening/ ride on the Santa Fe Railroad.
Day 8: Leave after breakfast for airport.
Cost of $1350. Includes double occupancy lodging at the Ghost Ranch B&B in Santa Fe, breakfast and most dinners, all scheduled field trips, admissions, guides, and ground transportation. Does not include airfare, drinks or optional activities. Registration requires a $300. Deposit.
Call for information or to register: 508 904-5843 or email .