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Things to do in Santa Fe

Book a Native American cookery course

Enrol in one of the overwhelmingly popular half-day or day-long classes at the Santa Fe School of Cooking (tel: +1 505 983 4511; www.santafeschoolofcooking.com) to learn how to reproduce the intriguing Hispanic and Native American cuisine particular to this region. Plump for the hands on course, which includes field trips to local markets, farms and wineries. 

Discover the sweet taste of mead

Visitors are often surprised to discover that New Mexico produces excellent wines. Fans of popular varietals should visit Estrella del Norte Vineyard (tel: +1 505 455 2826; www.estrelladelnortevineyard.com), north of the city whilst the more adventurous should stay in the city. Falcon Meadery and Winery (tel: +1 505 819 8323; www.falconmead.com) produce mead (wine made from honey) and offer daily tasting tours.

Hike the Santa Fe Canyon Preserve

Get out of the city and into the surrounding mountains to soak up Santa Fe's gorgeous scenery on foot. Just a few minutes' drive from the Plaza, Santa Fe Canyon Preserve (tel: +1 505 988 3867; www.nature.org) boasts 35km (22 miles) of marked trails whilst bird-lovers should visit Randall Davey Audubon Center (tel: +1 505 983 4609; http://nm.audubon.org) for a walking tour.

Ski the Santa Fe slopes

In winter, take the quick but twisting drive uphill from the Plaza to the area's 3,710m-high (12,175ft) ski mountain. Skiing and snowboarding keep snow bunnies happy from mid-November through until at least early April. With equipment hire and 79 different trails, Ski Santa Fe (tel: +1 505 982 4429; www.skisantafe.com) offer a great day trip.

Try a Native American spa massage

With its clear light, pure high-altitude air, laidback character and pervading sense of spirituality, Santa Fe is the perfect city for a relaxing spa experience. Spas around the city offer an enticing range of treatments, with many, like the Downtown Day Spa (tel: +1 505 986 0113; www.downtowndayspa.com), inspired by Native American massage techniques and rituals. 

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Featured Hotels

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El Rey Inn

This renovated motor court motel offers exceptional comfort and southwestern style in rooms and suites. It has a swimming pool, patios and gardens within its grounds.

Inn and Spa at Loretto

Sharing grounds with the fabled Loretto Chapel, this 134-room hotel in Santa Fe exudes luxury. It features a fabulous spa, and hosts an Artists-in-Residence programme.

La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa

Spreading over six landscaped acres near the Plaza, this elegant boutique resort hotel in Santa Fe offers 157 rooms in casitas (small houses), a spa and a sophisticated bar and restaurant in the Staab House . Try for rooms with fireplaces and patios, located above the spa.

Las Palomas

A collection of 53 studios and casitas in a historic adobe compound three blocks from the Plaza provide guests with one or two bedrooms, living rooms, fireplaces and mini-kitchens.

Santa Fe Sage Inn

The former Santa Fe Budget Inn has been updated to an attractive facility, but still represents very good value for money. The motel has 154 rooms, swimming pool, computer dataports, in-room coffee and a good downtown location.

Ten Thousand Waves

This Asian-themed spa and bathhouse offers serene lodging in Zen-inspiring casitas or an Airstream trailer restyled as a sleeping car. Amenities vary from basic to more elaborate, with living room, fireplace, TV and balcony.