Three Perfect Days in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe, known as The City Different; is 7,200
feet above sea level. It therefore possesses the
exa 1ed geography of having the highest altitude
of a11y U.S. state capital. Santa Fe is also the
oldest capita c·ty in the coun1ry - founded in
161 0 by Don Pedro de Peralta.
W1i11l i1s storied history, signature pueblo-style
architecture, abundant art galleries a11d
museums, and innova1ive. wor1ld-dass
restaurants, spending a few days in this
charming city is an excel le11t choice. That Santa Fe has over 300 sunny days a year and very
friendly residents - perhaps those last two things are related - makes Sa11ta Fe even better.
While Santa Fe has a municipal airport, from the coasts i1's often simpler to fly to Albuquerque,
New Mex·co's 1largest c.ity, arid arri
ive to its sparkling, modem a11d etflcien1 airport From
Albuquerque, it's an easy, one-hour highway jaunt to downtown Santa Fe. And the 75-mph
speed limit is a11 automobilist joy for those used to crawling on crowded urban freeways.
The bed
In perhaps Santa Fe's premier location, The Terrace at La Fonda has 15 luxe rooms and suites
on its concierge wing attached to the main hotel. La Fonda on the Plaza. Each unique room at
Tlle Terrace has original art, ha11dcrafted furnishings and enormous balconies. My room faced
the legendary and Moorish influenced Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, and other
rooms face either the Loretto Chapel - housing the la11dmark. N iraculous" circular staircase -
or 1he Sangre de Christo Mountains. wh·ch is the beg1inning of the Rocky Mou11ta·n range.