New Mexico
Finding Your Bliss in the Land of Enchantment for Women
Program No. 21742RJ
Experience the restorative traditions of Santa Fe as you learn about traditional healing techniques, hike the red rock country around Abiquiu and enjoy local cuisine with expert chefs.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
12 meals (
5B, 3L, 4D
)
4 expert-led lectures
6 expert-led field trips
2 hands-on experiences
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Program Registration, Orientation, Dinner
Location:
Santa Fe, N.M.
Meals:
D
Stay:
Drury Plaza Hotel Santa Fe
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Transportation for program-related activities will be via motorcoach unless specified otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Take the rest of the evening to continue getting to know your fellow participants, relax, and get a good night’s sleep for the full day ahead.
Day
2
Lecture, Walking Exploration, Traditional Healing Practices
Location:
Santa Fe, N.M.
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Drury Plaza Hotel Santa Fe
Activity Note
Walking exploration is up to 4 miles over varied terrain with inclines, uneven sidewalks, and some stairs. Walk to dinner is 1 mile roundtrip and may include stairs.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we'll enjoy a presentation on the history of Santa Fe, as well as the history of healing practices in the area. Beginning with early Native American medicine men and Mexican curanderos, the Southwest has had a vibrant history of healing traditions and healers. With the influx of other cultures, these groups brought their own healing methods and techniques. Today, the area boasts contemporary practices brought by different religious and cultural groups, They all seem to exist together in relative peace and harmony. After the presentation, we'll enjoy a walking exploration of the historical downtown area and lunch at a local restaurant, before we return to the hotel for a presentation.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we'll return to the hotel for a presentation by Patricia Padilla, an eighth-generation “Curandera”. She will begin with a blessing ceremony and then introduce us to the history and importance of traditional women healers who continue to play key roles in their communities. After some time to relax, we'll depart on foot for our dinner destination.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Enjoy the rest of the evening to explore some of Santa Fe's nightlife, get to know fellow participants, or relax at the hotel.
Day
3
"Women of the Wild West" Lecture, Canyon Road, Free Time
Location:
Santa Fe, N.M.
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Drury Plaza Hotel Santa Fe
Activity Note
Walking up to 5 miles on paved but uneven surfaces with some elevation gain; extent of mileage walked during free time activities is according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will have a lecture on the "Women of the Wild West" by a local expert who will discuss the many famous (and infamous) women who contributed to the arts and culture of northern New Mexico. Then, we'll depart on foot for Canyon Road.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we'll continue up Canyon Road for an exploration of Santa Fe's historic arts district. Home to the largest concentration of galleries in the country, Canyon Road was once a residential area and contains many historic residences. There will be some free time to explore on your own before returning to the hotel at your leisure.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like or sample the local cuisine. Santa Fe is known for the breadth and depth of its culinary offerings. Not to be confused with "Tex-Mex," northern New Mexico cuisine combines elements of Native American and Spanish influences. There are a number of fine restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Ghost Ranch, Landscape Exploration, The Feasting Place
Location:
Santa Fe, N.M.
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Drury Plaza Hotel Santa Fe
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motor coach multiple times; traveling 150 miles over the course of the day, approx. 3 hours. Elective: hiking up to 3 miles roundtrip with some elevation gain at Ghost Ranch.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we'll board the motorcoach and ride about 60 miles north of Santa Fe to the Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center. We'll have an on-board lecture about the area and learn more about its geology. Ghost Ranch was Georgia O’Keeffe’s first home in New Mexico was located on the ranch property. The ranch is now a retreat operated by the Presbyterian Church, which operates three small museums on site and also maintains several hiking trails into the red-rock country that O’Keeffe’s paintings made famous. We will enjoy a private tour with a local expert of the colorful landscape surrounding her home, which is now in private hands and not open to visitors. We will have the opportunity to experience the landscape that enchanted O’Keeffe so much that she moved permanently to the area.
Lunch:
Picnic lunch at Ghost Ranch.
Afternoon:
Continued explorations of Ghost Ranch followed by afternoon departure for Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. At Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, we will enjoy a presentation by Norma Naranjo, who owns and runs The Feasting Place. We will learn about traditional Pueblo Feast Day foods and how to cook using the hornos, traditional outdoor ovens. We will return to the hotel after dinner.
Dinner:
At The Feasting Place.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Yoga, Meditation, Cacao Experience, Cooking Demonstration
Location:
Santa Fe, N.M.
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Drury Plaza Hotel Santa Fe
Activity Note
Gentle yoga and Meditation (sitting, walking), getting on/off a motor coach multiple times; driving up to 30 miles over the course of the day, approximately 45 minutes. Walking up to 2 miles, uneven paths and gravel, standing for up to one hour (distance walked dependent on free time activities).
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
After breakfast, we'll begin with a gentle yoga class in our meeting room followed by some guided meditation. After class, we'll walk to Kakawa Chocolate House where we will enjoy a presentation about the history and health benefits of cacao followed by a tasting. Lunch and the rest of the afternoon will be on your own.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. In late afternoon, we'll gather at the hotel, board our motorcoach and travel a few miles south of Santa Fe to Red Mesa Cuisine in Eldorado. Before dinner, we will hear from local chef Lois Ellen Frank, PhD, a Native American foods historian, culinary anthropologist, photographer, and James Beard Award-winning author.
Dinner:
At Red Mesa Cuisine, we'll enjoy a meal featuring regional cuisine prepared by Dr. Frank and Chef Walter Whitewater.
Evening:
We will gather for a closing to the program. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
6
Program Concludes
Location:
Santa Fe, N.M.
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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