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The famous British writer DH Lawrence once described New Mexico as “the greatest experience from the outside world that I ever had”. He wasn’t the only one. Many artists over the last century have been inspired by the Land of Enchantment including painter Georgia O’Keeffe who lived there and depicted the enchanting landscape in many of her famous works of art. Fans of her work booking flights to New Mexico shouldn’t miss a trip to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe which houses the largest collection her paintings and sculptures in the world.
New Mexico’s capital Santa Fe is a showcase for the state’s Spanish, Mexican and Native American heritage. Here you’ll find adobe homes in Pueblo villages, the best enchiladas outside of Mexico and flamenco shows so authentic you’d think you were in Seville. Northeast of Santa Fe is Taos, where art buffs should definitely plan to visit. The town is renowned for its arts scene and has some of the best collections of Native American and contemporary art in the Southwest. And the state’s biggest city – Albuquerque – is often seen as a portal for travellers coming off flights to New Mexico or while driving on Route 66 on their way to Santa Fe or Taos.
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The rainy season is July through early September. Santa Fe and Taos, at 2,133 metres (7,000 feet), have midsummer highs in the low 30s (Celsius). Albuquerque, at 1,615 metres (5,300 feet), is about ten degrees warmer. Summers in the plains and deserts usually exceed 37 degrees. Winter days in Santa Fe and Taos can be in the 10s, and some snow falls but melts quickly. The lower Rio Grande Valley gets under five cm (two inches) of snow; the ski resorts receive up to seven metres (300 inches). Spring and autumn are mild.
Peak Season:
Summer is the high season for flights to New Mexico. The Santa Fe cultural season and Indian and Spanish markets are in full swing July and August. The Taos Pueblo Powwow is also in July and the Taos Arts Festival in September. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is in October. Most Native American ceremonial dances that are open to the public are held in summer, early autumn, Christmas, and Easter. Thanksgiving through March, skiers flock to the mountains.
Off Season:
Spring is a mild, but windy, time to visit. October has the best weather and changing colours of mountain foliage. Late autumn and winter are mild and cool in the desert regions. Winter, away from the mountains, is a good time for bird watching.
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Regional airlines have scheduled domestic flights to New Mexico. There is limited bus service, and trains traverse the state in the north and southwest. The best way to get around New Mexico is with a car.
Before setting out, make sure the vehicle is in good condition. If it breaks down in a remote area, you can be stranded for quite a while. July through early September is the rainy season, and warnings about flash floods in arroyos are serious —vehicles can be washed away.
Indian reservations and pueblos have their own customs and laws, including driving laws. Check with the visitor centres for full details.
Driving around Albuquerque is not difficult except for the local drivers. Pay attention as they tend to spontaneously turn and rush through yellow lights. Parking is very difficult around the University of New Mexico. Buses service the metropolitan area and taxis are available.
The Santa Fe and Taos Plazas are easily explored on foot, and both have bus routes to the outer reaches. Santa Fe cabs are not metered (they charge a flat fee based on distance), and Taos has limited taxi service. During peak seasons, parking in both cities is hard to come by.
(prices quoted are from London)
