Romantic Getaways in New Mexico

Romantic Getaways in New Mexico

Don & Marge Young

Hunter Publishing

New Mexico

Albuquerque

Romantic Retreats

Romantic Rendez-Vous

Leisure For Lovers

Tours

Performances

Activities

Santa Fe

Romantic Retreats

Romantic Rendez-Vous

Leisure For Lovers

Tours

Performances

Activities

Information

Taos

Romantic Retreats

Romantic Rendez-Vous

Leisure For Lovers

Tours

Performances

Activities

Information

Las Vegas

Romantic Retreats

Romantic Rendez-Vous

Leisure For Lovers

Tours

Performances

Activities

Information

The Southeastern Corner

Romantic Retreats

Romantic Rendez-Vous

Leisure For Lovers

Tours

Performances

Activities

Information

Farmington/Four Corners

Romantic Retreats

Romantic Rendez-Vous

Leisure For Lovers

Tours

Performances

Activities

Information

Accommodation price levels throughout this guide are indicated by the following $ codes:

Prices for Accommodations

$ = $50-$100

$$ = $101-$200

$$$ = $201-$300

$$$$ = $301 and up

New Mexico

New Mexico probably reflects the Spanish heritage of the American southwest better than any other state. There are a number of reasons for that.

It was in 1540, nearly 100 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, that Francisco Vasques de Coronado and his Spanish conquistadors traveled north from Mexico looking for the fabled Seven Cities of Cibola, rumored to have been built entirely of gold. Coronado found Indian villages along the Rio Grande River, which he called pueblos (towns), but disappointed by their inability to find gold, they made no further attempt to settle the region until 1598.

In 1610, Pedro de Peralta founded Villa Real de San Francisco de Santa Fe (The Royal Village of St. Francis of Santa Fe). Today, Santa Fe justifiably claims to be the oldest seat of government in the United States (the United States' fight for independence did not conclude until 1776, and Washington DC was not selected as the capital until 1790).

Increasingly, El Camino Real (The Royal Road) became a pipeline for commerce between Chihuahua, Mexico and Santa Fe. Encouraged by extensive missionary efforts by the Catholic Church, lucrative land grants from the King of Spain, and profitable trade with the Indians in the north, Spain's influence on New Mexico increased rapidly.

But, typically, excesses began to occur. The Pueblo Indians were often treated badly, virtually enslaved in some cases. When the situation became intolerable, the Indians staged the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, driving the Spaniards out of northern New Mexico. It was 10 years before the Spanish returned under the command of Don Diego de Vargas.

The state has developed slowly. Some activity was generated by the creation of the Santa Fe Trail in 1821 and the eventual arrival of the railroad, but the state's population remains small (1,304,000 according to a recent census) and most of that is confined to the north-central part of the state, notably in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

Albuquerque

By car: The city sits at the intersection of two Interstate highways, I-40 and I-25. I-40 runs east- and west, thus forming a direct link between North Carolina on the east and California on the west. I-25 closely parallels the route of the old El Camino Real and the Rio Grande River, running from El Paso, Texas to Santa Fe and then on to Colorado by way of Santa Fe, Las Vegas (NM), and Raton.

By air: Albuquerque International Airport, located just south of town on the east side of I-25, is serviced by most of the major airlines, and is the hub from which a number of smaller carriers shuttle passengers to other communities throughout the state.

Downtown Albuquerque

With less than half a million population, one-third of the state's total, Albuquerque is New Mexico's largest city, and its major industrial center.

Nicely located - just 432 miles from Tucson, 437 miles from Denver, 458 miles from Phoenix, 586 miles from Las Vegas, and 811 miles from Los Angeles - the city's economy is further stabilized by the presence of the state university and a sizeable Air Force base.

Romantic Retreats

Looking for romance? Why not reserve a penthouse suite?

Sheraton Uptown Albuquerque Hotel

2600 Louisiana Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87110,505/881-0000 or 800/252-7772, fax 505/881-6933; E-mail sheraup@flash.net.

296 rooms. $$-$$$