Bus departs for Santa Fe at 3:00 PM. Upon arrival, you'll visit the New Mexico State Capitol building and see some of its famous art collection.
Bus takes you to hotel at 5:00 pm for check-in at approximately 5:30 PM.Dinner: Dinner at the hotel from 6:00 - 7:00 pm.Evening: Lecture and performance from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm, where you'll hear music of the southwest, taught by Native American professional musician and scholar, Ronald Roybal. Ron is an award-winning musician dedicated to the preservation of traditional Native American music as well as being a composer of some of his own. He's a fine singer, guitarist and Native American flute player, and your evening with him will be unlike any other evening of your life! He's a delightful presenter in every way.Lodging: DoubleTree by Hilton Santa FeMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Bus returns to the hotel at 5:00 pm, or you may stay downtown for dinner on your own. You can get back to the hotel via taxi or city bus (schedules at front desk at hotel).Dinner: Dinner on your own tonight. You may return to the hotel and dine at a restaurant close by if you wish, or remain in the downtown area where there are many fine restaurants.
Your group leader will have some suggestions for you, if you'd like restaurant recommendations. Return to the hotel after dinner on your own, via cab or city bus.Evening: Free evening for more time in Santa Fe or rest and relaxation.Lodging: DoubleTree by Hilton Santa FeMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
First, visit Santa Clara Pueblo, where you'll visit the pottery studio of Paul and Rosalda Speckled Rock at 10:00 AM. Bus departs for Santa Clara Pueblo at 12:00 pm for a visit with Paul Speckled Rock at his pottery shop at 1:30 pm. Santa Clara is one of the most popular pueblos for visitors. Its tribal members are among the most artistically active of all the pueblos, and fine works by Santa Clara artists can be found in a large number of shops and studios in the village. Santa Clara ancestors most likely migrated south from the Four Corners region, eventually reaching the Pajarito Plateau on the eastern slope of the Jemez Mountains between A.D. 1100 and 1300. Today, Santa Clara is home to about 2600 people. The tribe's 47,000 acres still supports some farming. A small casino and bowling center in Espanola should help fund additional tribal endeavors.Bus departs for Taos at 11:00 AM.Lunch: Lunch at the Trading Post Cafe in Taos from 12:30 - 1:30 PM.Afternoon: After lunch, visit Ranchos de Taos and St. Francis de Asis Church, one of the most photographed churches in New Mexico. Then you'll visit the Martinez Hacienda (2:30 PM visit), an example of a Spanish/Mexican Hacienda with many outbuildings, all representing the Spanish Colonial era. Bus travels to hotel for check-in about 4:30 PM.Dinner: Dinner in the hotel dining area from 6:00 - 7:00 PM.Evening: After dinner, you'll meet a Taos resident who will charm you with stories about many fascinating personalities that made Taos the remarkable place it is today. You may be tired from the long day, but we guarantee that this presentation will keep you awake!Lodging: Comfort SuitesMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
At 2:45, you'll depart for the historic Taos Plaza, where you'll have from 3:00 - 5:00 PM to explore the Plaza and Bent Street areas.
At 5:00 PM, walk to a restaurant near the Plaza for dinner.Dinner: Dinner at Antonio's "A Taste of Mexico" from 5:30 - 7:00 PM.Evening: Bus departs for the hotel, arriving by 7:30 PM. Free evening for rest and relaxation.Lodging: Comfort SuitesMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The bus will travel on to Chimayó. This Hispanic village is much as it has been over the last two hundred years. Stop to visit the Santuario de Chimayó, famous for the healing earth found inside. The Santuario also offers some remarkable folk art, from its beautiful retablos, stations of the cross, and bultos (statues of the saints). This little church is a very special one with a fascinating history; it's a great example of the simple faith of northern New Mexicans.
You'll visit one of the shops in Chimayó to see some examples of the beautiful weavings, produced by families in Chimayó that have created these works of art for centuries.
Bus departs for lunch destination at 11:00 AM.Lunch: Lunch at Sopaipilla Factory in Pojoaque from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM.Afternoon: Bus continues on to Albuquerque.
You'll gain an overview of the geological aspects surrounding the city as well as learning some interesting facts about its history.
Upon arrival, about 2:00 PM, you'll visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, dedicated to preserving and perpetuating Pueblo culture and advancing understanding by presenting with dignity and respect, the accomplishments and evolving history of the Pueblo people of New Mexico.
After the visit, bus will depart for Old Town Albuquerque.at 3:00 PM. This charming area offers many examples of authentic adobe architecture; the beautiful old church there is open for you to visit, and you can explore Old Town with your group leader's guidance.
At 4:30 PM depart for dinner destination.Dinner: Dinner at Sweet Tomatoes restaurant from 5:30-6:30 pm.. Sweet Tomatoes offers an enormous salad bar, with many selections of breads, meats, desserts and more.
Bus departs at 6:30 PM for hotel and check-in.Evening: Check in at the hotel. From 7:30 - 8:30 PM, we'll show an optional video in a hotel meeting room.Lodging: Sheraton Albuquerque Airport HotelMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We'll depart at 11:30 AM for Acoma Pueblo.Lunch: Lunch at the Yaak'a Café from 12:45 - 1:45 PM at the Sky City Cultural Center at Acoma Pueblo.Afternoon: After lunch, you'll have a chance to see the pueblo's visitors' center prior to exploring, with a Native American guide, the mesa-top where the ancient part of Acoma Pueblo (2:00 pm) is located,
Acoma Pueblo, known as "Sky City," was settled possibly as early as A.D. 900. It is situated on top of a 376 foot high sandstone bluff. You'll learn about the Spanish conquistadors who occupied it in 1599, the filmmakers who helped build the road that goes to the top of the mesa and the 6,000 residents who today either live in two nearby villages or in the Pueblo itself. You'll walk through the ancient village, see the large mission church and meet some of the pueblo residents during your field trip.
Bus departs for Albuquerque at 4:00 PM, arriving at the hotel about 5:30 PM.Dinner: Dinner from 6:00 - 7:30 PM at the hotel, with closing remarks to follow.Lodging: Sheraton Albuquerque Airport HotelMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Checkout time is by 12:00 noon.
The hotel has a free shuttle to take you to the airport or train station; arrange with the front desk the evening before, if possible.Breakfast: Breakfast is served buffet style between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM in the hotel dining room. Check out time is no later than 12:00 noon.Meals Included: Breakfast