New Mexico

Explore the Turquoise Trail in New Mexico, a scenic highway linking Albuquerque and Santa Fe through rolling hills, historic mining towns, art galleries and craft shops. An expert guide will fill you in on history and Native American culture.  Retrace the steps of the first humans who walked through the Bandelier canyons more than 11 000 years ago, past the big ceremonial kiva once used for group rituals, and the cliff dwellings that were abandoned by the year 1550. At Cerrillos, known for its Cerrillos Turquoise and setting for “Young Guns” filmed in 1988, find a quintessential dusty Western town worth visiting for the few shops, art studios, creative adobe homes and Western scenery, as well as a fun mining museum offering Cerillos Turquoises and pets to pat. In New Mexico’s Madrid the streets are lined with small miner’s homes, which have been converted into shops and galleries. Disney’s “Wild Hogs” was filmed here. Have lunch at the Mine Shaft Tavern, built in 1944 with paintings over the bar by Ross J. Ward (of Tinkertown fame) which colourfully portray Madrid’s history. The Latin phrase on the angel’s banner translated reads, “It is better to drink than work”. Next to the tavern is a museum with remarkable hand-built miniature scenes with small moving details.

STAY
In Santa Fe, Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi is imbued with a mystical quality just steps from galleries and museums. Housed in a traditional pueblo–style building near Santa Fe’s historic plaza, the boutique hotel is filled with a curated collection of paintings, carvings and baskets by local artisans. Beamed ceilings, handcrafted textiles and gas-lit kiva fireplaces give the 58 guest rooms a residential feel

LENGTH: 5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS