Last weekend was Pow Wow Weekend.
This weekend Fiestas are being celebrated. In Taos, as in much of Northern New Mexico, Heritage and Culture, Tradition and Ritual are part of our landscape. Just like the light. And the sagebrush, more of which disappears daily, swallowed up by new builds and pavement.
But cultural observances remain and more often than not, those of us who have moved here from elsewhere, soon enough absorb a lot of them as our own. I wouldn’t call it Cultural Appropriation really, rather a thing more akin to osmosis where you find yourself saying “eeeee, a la vey” in the most unlikely situation, or having a craving for Horno bread in the middle of the day and driving out to the Pueblo to buy some.
Now you can even learn to bake it yourself. Angelisa Espinoza Murray, the co-owner of Heritage Inspirations (with Heritage Resorts Founder, Jim Long), has come up with yet another great idea. Following on the heels of the successful Tamale tours with artist, Anita Rodriguez, Angelisa has crafted a new culinary tour with deep roots in the Red Willow Tradition: Horno Baking. Learn to make your own bread in an adobe oven at Taos Pueblo, and don’t forget to eat it, still warm, with lots of butter and local honey!
Angelisa’s energy and enthusiasm is contagious and she’s totally committed to sharing her incredible wealth of knowledge with her guests.
An introduction (on Heritage Inspiration’s blog), to one of her tours Mountain Heritage briefly describes Northern New Mexico’s Early Cultural & Artistic History: The earliest New Mexico inhabitants, the ancestral Puebloans, left artifacts and petroglyphs throughout the region and these primitive artists created images and designs that represented their spiritual practices and relationship to their natural surroundings. Their earthen architecture used basic sustainable materials, proving long-lasting and resilient to the elements since you can still find some of their stacked adobe structures intact today.
Angelisa has deep Paternal roots in Northern New Mexico. Her love for the culture and landscape are in her blood. Her bespoke tours for Heritage Inspirations, offer the discerning traveler a way to steep themselves in the history of Northern New Mexico, while experiencing a true adventure of discovery (both self and otherwise), and knowledge of the land, culture and people who make the Land of Enchantment so unique. Her introductory overnight backpacking experience Overnight Backpacking for Beginners is a great way to dip your toe in the waters before diving headlong into her new Glamping Concept: Glampour, or any one of the outdoor adventures she’s dreamed up, from Albuquerque to Taos!
If learning more about the history of Art in Taos is your passion Tapestry of Taos Artists will have you leaving Taos armed with more information than you ever thought possible – and my fave category, Women’s Travel, will soon have you feeling like a local. When I began tagging posts Woman Solo, after having lunch with Karina Armijo one day, early on in her position as Taos Marketing Director. Karina had suggested doing a series of posts on women traveling to New Mexico alone. I then approached Angelisa and Asia Golden (at the time the Manager of the Palacio de Marquesa, the first Heritage Property in Taos,) Now here we have it! Women no longer need fear traveling to the Wild West alone.
This summer Heritage Hotels & Resorts are going all out from Taos to Las Cruces, with Arts and Culture Driven offerings, events and packages. Whether Outdoor Adventure is your jam or you prefer a little more luxe accommodations than a tent, albeit a very glam one, Heritage have you covered!
Founded by Albuquerque native, Jim Long, Heritage Hotels & Resorts is a collection of culturally distinct hotels in New Mexico and is the largest independent hotel brand in New Mexico. Through architecture, interior design, landscaping, cuisine, art, entertainment, and music, Heritage Hotels & Resorts provide guests with an authentic, cultural experience. Each Heritage Hotel donates a percentage of its revenue to cultural causes. The company and its affiliate companies provide over 2,000 jobs in NM.
This year Heritage celebrates summer with live local music, artist workshops, tours, fabulous savings packages and more! All eleven properties that span Taos, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Las Cruces are offering a selection of offerings that honor the season and New Mexican culture, including a brand-wide summer package featuring up to 30% savings on room stays and local experiences.
“During the summer, the Land of Enchantment is a truly magical place filled with rich culture unique to New Mexico and the American Southwest,” says Molly Ryckman, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Heritage Hotels & Resorts. “We’re proud to provide one-of-a-kind experiences that allow visitors to explore the natural wonders of our landscape and discover all that our properties have to offer, from our flavorful cuisine to our renowned art exhibits and everything in between.”
From Flamenco performances to artist workshops and exclusive tours, below please find an overview of summer offerings that travelers can experience at Heritage Hotels & Resorts properties this season:
As home to a regionally historic art colony and a World Heritage Site, travelers head to Taos for a true getaway and to immerse themselves in the raw beauty, outdoor adventure, and local artist community. (Travel & Leisure just voted us one of the 15 best (12th), cities in the U.S.) On July 27-28, the award-winning El Monte Sagrado Resort and Spa, located at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, will offer a two-day Artistic Passion Workshop with esteemed Taos artist Rich Nichols. During the two-day workshop, Nichols will guide participants in a highly interactive and hands-on in-studio workshop, located in the gorgeous Gallery, overlooking the Sacred Circle. Additionally, this summer, Palacio de Marquesa, located near the historic Taos Plaza, is offering guests the Hardwood Museum Package, which includes overnight accommodations and two tickets to the Hardwood Museum of Art. Harwood Museum Package rates start at $159.
Ranked as one of “The Top 15 Cities in the World for 2019” by Travel + Leisure, our State Capitol, Santa Fe is home to a variety of world-class art museums, including the world-renowned Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, and the Museum of International Folk Art. This season, Hotel St. Francis, one of Santa Fe’s finest historic boutique hotels, and the elegant Eldorado Hotel & Spa are offering art aficionados of all levels the New Mexico Museum Package, which includes overnight accommodations and access to 14 museums and historic sites in Santa Fe. With this package, visitors can discover the culture of the oldest capital city in the United States in an authentic and personalized way. In addition, several Heritage Hotels & Resorts properties will offer guests the Georgia O’Keeffe Package, which includes two museum tickets, a bottle of wine, and a complimentary shuttle ride to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, where guests can observe and revel in the artistic legacy of the local artist. Participating properties include Eldorado Hotel & Spa, Hotel Chimayó, Hotel St. Francis, and the Lodge at Santa Fe. New Mexico Museum Package rates start at $149 and Georgia O’Keeffe Package rates start at $149.
Additionally, to honor the history of flamenco in the state, the Lodge at Santa Fe is hosting the La Emi Summer Performance Series at its Benitez Cabaret venue, featuring live flamenco performances by La Emi and special guests every Wednesday through Sunday night. Attendees can also expect special appearances by Manuel Tañe, Vicente Griego, Kambiz Pakan, and Nevarez y José Encinias. The event series is taking place now through September 1, and tickets start at $20.
In Albuquerque, New Mexico’ largest city, Heritage Hotels & Resorts honors artists old and new. This summer, guests can book Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town’s See Sawmill in Albuquerque Package, where visitors can explore the city’s emerging Sawmill District, shop from local makers and artisans at curated boutiques like Spur Line Supply Co, and enjoy local fare and a signature margarita at Garduños Mexican Restaurant & Cantina.
Also located in the heart of historic Old Town and new urban Sawmill district, Hotel Chaco, is Heritage Hotels & Resort’s newest property and is thoughtfully designed by Gensler Architecture and Design firm, who spent an extended period of time exploring the historic ruins of nearby Chaco Canyon to help establish the hotel as a place of cultural significance. The property features a large collection of modern art by acclaimed local and regional artists that reflects the history of Chaco Canyon. To fully appreciate the property’s art and design elements, the hotel offers guests complimentary art and history tours daily, beginning with a tea ritual at the lobby bar. To book a tour, please contact the property host desk.
At Nativo Lodge guests can kick up their summer stays with the Artist Room Experience, including overnight accommodations in one of Nativo Lodge’s 47 artist rooms, which were individually painted by local and Native American artists, signature drinks in-room, and a dreamcatcher departure gift. Guests can also experience the culture, art, history, and story of New Mexico’s 19 Native American Pueblos at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center with admission for two when booking the Native American Culture Package.
Rates for the Artist Room experience start at $99 and rates for the Native American Culture Package start at $99.
Located on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, Las Cruces offers travelers memorable and vast landscapes with outdoor programming. At the beautiful and Spanish and Mexican Colonial-inspired Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces, guests and families can relax in a Southwestern oasis or book day trips to the nearby wonders of the Mesilla Valley and White Sands National Monument and Alamogordo. Every Saturday during the summer, the hotel also offers guests complimentary Movie Nights on the lawn, which include a blanket, popcorn, candy, and a beverage coupon to keep guests hydrated during the desert evenings.
This summer, all Heritage Hotels & Resorts properties are offering a “Summer in New Mexico” savings package, featuring up to 30% off the best available rates, as well as local restaurant and bar promotions at select properties for guests to fully experience the culinary scene and flavors at each destination. Guests can book these packages through the respective property websites or by calling the property reservation line and mentioning code SUMMER19. *Complete package details per property and booking information are noted at the end of the release.
For more about Heritage Hotels and Resorts’ Summer in New Mexico Savings, please visit their site linked below.
For more on Angelisa and Heritage Inspirations, that link is included also. You can also find their blog on my sidebar under Taos Links.
All images of Angelisa’s tours and the El Monte Sagrado Resort & Spa, thanks to Heritage Hotels & Resorts and Heritage Inspirations
