
New Mexico Insider
Discover New Mexico’s stunning geography and rich culture on this Backroads Insider adventure in the Southwest. You’ll find a land of extremes, with green mountain forests and arid red mesas, tiny rural villages and sophisticated cities. As you journey from Taos across the high desert to Santa Fe, our local experts reveal the complex roots of the region’s broad-minded multicultural personality. Savor exceptional cuisine (accented with red or green chiles, of course) and relax at stylish inns reflecting Native American, Hispanic and Anglo influences. Take your time experiencing the vibrant sights, sounds and energy that have brought so many famous (and not so famous) artists to New Mexico – and may well inspire you, too.
Enchanted Land
Multi-hued deserts, lush river valleys and mountain vistas. Colorful old pueblos, pulsing cities and historic town plazas ringed with colonial Spanish architecture. Prickly pear cactus blossoms and blue trumpet flowers. Rugged mahogany trees and barbed cane cholla shrubs. You’ll see why New Mexico is known as "The Land of Enchantment."
Southwestern Style
Art, music and handicraft aficionados will be in seventh heaven. Expand your knowledge of regional artists with visits to Georgia O’Keeffe’s home and the renowned Museum of International Folk Art. Meet internationally renowned flutist Robert Mirabal and soak up the sounds of his private performace. Watch the Centinela weavers make rugs and clothing using natural dyes and handspun yarn. Explore lively markets and stylish galleries offering everything from jewelry and textiles to glassworks and bronzes.
Pique the Palette
New Mexico also inspires art of the culinary variety, and we’re happy to introduce you to some of the best. Savor the creative and exquisite dishes (like lobster tamales) prepared by award-winning chef Joseph Wrede. You'll get to roll up your sleeves and join in, discovering the nuances of jalapeños, corn, limes and cilantro in a private Southwestern cooking class.
The Cultural Weave
New Mexico’s unique culture is created from interwoven layers of Native, Spanish, Mexican and Anglo traditions. We introduce you to the native tribes of the north, whose beliefs helped shaped the state’s harmonious multiculturalism. We also explore Anasazi culture, including prehistoric Tsankawi ruins and ancient desert routes. And we visit an authentic pueblo, meeting residents who are pleased to tell you about their way of life.
Spiritual Mecca
You’re not alone if you sense something different about this place, an indefinable energy that makes you slow down and feel more connected to the earth. Followers of countless faiths – new age and old – practice openly here. Our local experts reveal the importance of spirituality in New Mexico, especially apparent during your visit to Santuario de Chimayó, where pilgrims still flock to be healed.
What's Your Pleasure?
Santa Fe’s creative energy is so contagious, you'll want to spend your free time following your own inspiration. How about taking a photography class, relaxing at Ten Thousand Waves spa or exploring local churches? Or browsing the Canyon Road’s art galleries, then hanging in its artsy street cafés?
ENCHANTING ADOBE : Premiere Inns
Casa Benavides (2 nights): Located less than a block from the Taos Plaza, this 1930s adobe artist’s residence is lauded as one of the town’s best inns, with such lavish touches as down comforters, antiques, hot tubs and wood-burning stoves.
Inn of the Five Graces (2 nights): The Orient and the Old West meet at this magical hotel, where luxuriously decorated guest suites feature cavernous rounded tubs crowned by vivid tile mosaics.
2008 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 5/25-29Price: $2298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1050 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/24-28Price: $2398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1050 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/12-16Price: $2298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1050 for sgl. occ.)
Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Trip praise
Backroads is really excited to add our latest way to explore the world - Insider Trips - to our award-winning biking, hiking and multisport vacations. These are experiences you cannot have behind the wheel of a car, or on a train or a tour bus, or in a few excursions from a cruise ship or a secluded resort.- Backroads President and Founder