Albuquerque

Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the largest city in the Land of Enchantment — a high-desert city at 1,619 metres above sea level, in the valley of the Rio Grande, against the dramatic backdrop of the Sandia Mountains. It has a rich multicultural heritage (Spanish Colonial, Mexican, Native American and Anglo) expressed in its architecture, art, cuisine and living cultures. Old Town Albuquerque, the original 1706 settlement around the Plaza, is the historic heart — the San Felipe de Neri Church, the cluster of museums (Natural History, Art, Geology, Volcanology) and the excellent craft shops selling Navajo, Zuni and Santo Domingo pueblo work. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, operated by the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, is outstanding for understanding the living Native cultures of the Rio Grande valley. The Petroglyph National Monument on the city's western outskirts has 20,000 rock carvings. The Sandia Peak Tramway, the world's longest aerial tramway, rises in 15 minutes from the city's edge to 3,255 metres — the view of Albuquerque and the Rio Grande valley from above is extraordinary. The International Balloon Fiesta (October) fills the sky with 500+ hot-air balloons at dawn — one of the world's great visual spectacles. New Mexico cuisine (green and red chile stews, posole, tamales, sopaipillas, Hatch green chile on everything) is one of America's most distinctive regional food cultures. Taos and Santa Fe are excellent day trips.