After arriving in Albuquerque, we’ll drive the scenic Turquoise Trail, connecting ancient mines and ghost towns reborn as artist communities.  With stunning blue skies, hundred-mile views, and high desert hills, it’s easy to see why the landscape along this trail has a history of inspiring both artists and mystics.  After settling into our hotel, we’ll gather for a get-acquainted dinner. Meals: D

We begin the day touring Santa Fe, “The City of Holy Faith.”  We’ll see New Mexico’s unique state capitol building, known as the Roundhouse, combining Pueblo adobe architecture and Greek Revival adaptations.  We’ll end our guided tour at Old Town Plaza, where you can grab lunch on your own and spend the rest of the day exploring the countless art galleries, shops, and museums in the area. Meals: B

Today we head north through New Mexico’s “land of enchantment” with stunning desert landscapes, breathtaking snowcapped mountains, and remarkable national monuments.  Stopping at Bandelier National Monument, we’ll view the largest cliff dwellings in North America and learn about native culture.  Rich geological diversity, fascinating cultural history, and striking scenery make this desert wonderland a prime attraction for hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, and nature lovers.  We’ll continue to Los Alamos, known as the birthplace of the atomic bomb, but also a place of spectacular scenery and diverse wildlife.  We’ll have lunch at an award-winning New Mexico restaurant before visiting Santuario de Chimayo, an important yet little known pilgrimage site.  We’ll drive through scenic Carson National Forest on our way to Taos. Meals: B, L

This morning we’ll take a walking tour of Taos, a city known for its clean air, rich spiritual traditions, fine art, and raw, natural beauty.  Experience the history, triumph, and traditions of the Taos Pueblo, a living native community of the Red Willow People, located at the base of the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountain range.  With a stop at the famous Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, peer over its railing at the plunging cliffs and the roiling river below.  Travel to Albuquerque where we’ll enjoy an authentic New Mexican dinner in lively Old Town. Meals: B, L, D

Witness waves of colorful balloons lift into the morning sky for the most photographed event in the world, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Later this morning, we’ll take a drive down Main Street, part of historic Route 66, adorned with buzzing neon signs and vintage artifacts.  Discover the history, science, and art of ballooning at the world-famous Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. We will enjoy a farewell dinner at the museum, with views of the Balloon Glow where dozens of tethered balloons are lit from within like giant holiday ornaments. Meals: B, D

Today, our adventures draw to a close. We’ll take the short drive to the airport for our flight home. Meals: B