Walking up to 2 miles; paved, uneven sidewalks; some stairs. Extent and duration of walking during independent explorations according to personal choice.
On the Mezzanine, we’ll have a breakfast buffet with a rotating selection of dishes such as scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, fresh fruit, bagels, hot and cold cereals, toast, pastries and beverage choices of juice, milk, coffee, tea and more.
In the hotel meeting room, the Group Leader—who is also a local expert— will teach us about the history, native peoples, and colonization of New Mexico. We'll also learn about how Santa Fe earned its special nickname (The City Different). Next, a local expert will introduce the fascinating history of conversos and crypto-Jews, dating back to the time of the Spanish Inquisition that began its “investigations” in 1480. In 1492, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain signed what is known as the Alhambra Decree ordering Jewish residents in Spanish domains to convert or leave on pain of death. Many fled and some reached the New World.
In a popular local dining spot near the Plaza, we’ll order a plated meal off of a menu featuring traditional New Mexican dishes, as well as other fare. There will be beverage choices of coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.
We’ll head out on foot with our Group Leader to explore the Santa Fe Plaza. This is the historic heart of the city. We'll visit the impressive Romanesque-style Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, the lovely Loretto Chapel, and other sites as time permits and learn more about the history of Santa Fe. This will be followed by time for independent explorations. Sites of interest within walking distance of the Plaza include the New Mexico Museum of Art, the New Mexico History Museum, the Palace of the Governors, the Museum of Contemporary Native Art, and the State Capitol Building. The State Capitol building houses the "State Capitol Art Collection," featuring the work of local New Mexican artists, sculptors and photographers. Those willing to travel a few miles down Cerrillos Road (city bus transportation available on Sheridan Street near the Plaza) might enjoy visiting The House of Eternal Return at the Meow Wolf Art Complex. A uniquely Santa Fe experience, The House of Eternal Return is a multimedia, interactive art experience that seeks to immerse their visitors in a fantastical story. Developed with the generous support of Santa Fe resident and author George R.R. Martin—most famous for his Game of Thrones fantasy series— it was an immediate sensation after its opening in March 2016; it has attracted over 1,000,000 adventurers from around the world to date. It's a far cry from traditional Santa Fe style, but is a lot of fun for the open-minded and young-at-heart.
In the hotel meeting room, we’ll have buffet dinner with a variety of foods and beverage choices of coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.
We will ride to a special performance of Robert Benjamin’s contemporary play "Parted Waters," presented especially for our group by Teatro Paraguas. An international group of actors and artists created Teatro Paraguas in 2004. Although this group’s main mission is to produce bilingual Hispanic/Latino Theater and poetry performances, they will also produce works outside of that mission if they are deemed to be of social and political importance.
