Although Santa Fe isn't particularly large, the city has more than 200 restaurants, 250-plus art galleries, 60 or so Native American jewellery shops, and more than a dozen museums, along with a world-class opera programme and a good schedule of festivals.

Planning ahead will help you figure out which museums to see in the morning, which areas to choose for lunch, places to roam on foot through the afternoon, and galleries to pop into before having tea or a margarita in the late afternoon.

To orient yourself at the outset, explore the Plaza, Palace of the Governors and St Francis Cathedral first. Save the museums for another day (the Museum Hill bus is helpful) and a day of wandering along Canyon Road for still another experience - or you'll risk overload.

Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau
201 West Marcy Street
Tel: 1 800 777 2489.
Website: www.santafe.org

International visitors can also contact the Santa Fe Council on International Relations, Room 281 at La Fonda Hotel, 100 East San Francisco Street (tel: (505) 982 4931). Check the website for special savings offered at various lodgings, restaurants, and shops.