Special activities

Walk through more than 400 years of history, art, and culture. Our guide presents an extra­ordinary introduction to Santa Fe and provides an enter­taining, humorous, and accurate portrayal of the “City Different.” Visit the historic Plaza, learn about the Palace of the Governors (whose occupants have included government and military leaders from Spain, Mexico, the Confeder­acy, the U.S.A, and Indian nations) and many other sites.

Join us on Monday for a morning tour to the Cerrillos Hils State Park for a hike with local geologists and park docents to learn about its tri-cultural history. The Cerrillos Hills turquoise and lead deposits played a central role in the commerce and economy of the prehistoric Indians of the greater Rio Grande Valley, and it is probable that these mineral deposits influenced the early Spanish explorations and settlement of New Mexico. The layers of life ways in these hills, from pre-Columbian shrines, excavations, and stone tools, to Spanish-American and Anglo-American recreation, ranching, and commerce, are some of the many topics covered on this tour. A short stop at the park’s visitor’s center will follow after the hike to see many of the artifacts found in the park. This is considered an easy hike of 2-3 miles, but includes walking over rolling hills with uneven ground. Good hiking shoes with a tread and a sunhat and sunscreen are suggested. Plenty of bottled water will be provided.

Travel to Bandelier National Monument where you will descend into a canyon filled with the ruins of the Ancestral Pueblo People. Located on the Pajarito Plateau of the Jemez Mountains, Bandelier was the home of the “Anasazi” from the eleventh to fourteenth centuries. Excavated over 100 years ago, these ruins were once home to over 200 people, ancestors of today’s Pueblo Indians. Walk along easy paths past the remains of ancient Pueblo dwellings to the cliff dwellings where you can climb ladders to peek inside and soak up the amazing scenery. Good walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen are recommended.

Do you love chile? Are you curious but unfamiliar? Our Chile Amor class will delight those already familiar with New Mexico’s official state vegetable and light the fires of passion for those yet uninitiated. Here in the Land of Enchantment, chile is more than an ingredient; it is the embodiment of a diverse and rich cultural heritage and a distinct Southwestern lifestyle. Participants will explore chile’s unique culinary and medicinal qualities, learn to identify different varieties, and discover how to handle them safely and efficiently in the kitchen. After the introduction we shall don aprons and prepare red and green chiles’ sauces and homemade tortillas to taste!