Behind Adobe Walls
This trip is a behind-the-scenes peek at the art world and secret gardens of Santa Fe. Visit artist studios, as well as private homes and collections. Enjoy the famous cuisine of this most distinctive of American cities. See what you would never see on your own with expert guides who introduce the hidden treasures of Santa Fe.
Day 1
Arrival at the Inn on the Alameda on your own. The Inn is nestled in the heart of Santa Fe between the historic Plaza and the galleries of Canyon Road. This is the ideal location for exploring museums, shopping, and restaurants.
Welcome reception at a gallery on Canyon Road, located next to the Compound where dinner will be served. There will be a welcome from your Royal Road Tours study leader followed by dinner at the Compound Restaurant next door.
The Compound is one of most charming spots in Santa Fe. This former artist compound is located on Canyon Road, home of many of Santa Fe's art galleries. The décor is by the designer Alexander Girard in a folk theme.
Day 2
Continental breakfast at the Inn.
Gather in the lobby of the Inn for a before hours visit to the Georgia OKeeffe Museum.
On the way to Abiquiu, visit a private collection.
After the tour, depart for lunch at Rancho de San Juan, New Mexico's only Relais & Chateaux restaurant and inn. Rancho de San Juan is a small, warm and intimate hotel filled with an eclectic collection of art and antiques.
After lunch travel to Abiquiu for a visit to the Georgia O'Keeffe home. The home is located in the small Spanish village of Abiquiu, where she was inspired to do much of her best-known work.
Back in Santa Fe, evening and dinner on your own. Suggestions will be provided.
Day 3
Continental breakfast at the Inn.
Meet the group in the lobby of the Inn for a morning walking tour of the historic Santa Fe Plaza, guided by your study leader followed to visit the home of collectors of folk art.
Following the visit to the home of collector, there will be a private tour at SITE Santa Fe. SITE Santa Fe is a private not-for-profit contemporary arts organization, which provides an ongoing venue for regional, national, and international exhibitions and interdisciplinary programs.
After lunch the group will visit Native American artists and studio.
En route back to Santa Fe, the group will stop at the Santa Fe Art Institute and have a private tour of the complex, which was designed by Ricardo Legorreta. Legorreta, the internationally acclaimed Mexican architect, is known for his award-winning cultural facilities throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Return to the Inn around 4:30pm.
Dinner on your own. Suggestions will be provided.
Day 4
Continental breakfast at the Inn.
Gather in the lobby to depart by bus for the Assissi Compound. At the Compound, meet with designer/builder Ellen Bradbury and learn about her experiences of working with the city of Santa Fe when buying old adobe homes and restoring them following the citys historic codes. We will also have a person on the board of Historical Preservation of the City of Santa Fe educating us about the requirements one must adhere to when re-building or re-habbing homes in the city proper.
After the tour, visit Dwight Hackett Projects in Santa Fe. This warehouse space is a private gallery of contemporary art with internationally known artists as well as cutting edge artists who are experimenting in new mediums and whose reputations are just being forged. The gallery shows artists such as Richard Tuttle, Lynda Benglis, Kiki Smith, Chuck Arnoldi, Susan Rothenberg, Daisy Youngblood, Lesley Dill and many more. The collection includes works on paper, sculpture, paintings, and furniture.
In 1980, Dwight started a sculpture casting facility called Art Foundry. He has converted the foundry into his living space. Adjacent to the gallery, it features furniture by Richard Tuttle and art by Daisy Youngblood, Chuck Arnoldi, Susan Rothenberg as well as several up and coming innovative artists.
Depart by bus Galisteo where the group will lunch at the Galisteo Inn and visit artist studios.
Relax over lunch at the Galisteo Inn's La Mancha restaurant where Chef Eddie Lyons uses only the freshest ingredients to create sophisticated Southwestern cuisine. Housed in a rambling old adobe hacienda, the Inns ambience is every bit as delightful as its menu.
After lunch visit the studio of an artist in Galisteo.
Depart by bus for a visit to a Santa Fe artist's studio.
Transfer by bus back to Santa Fe for farewell dinner at Coyote Café.
Day 5
Lavish continental breakfast at the Inn.
Transfer back to the airport on your own.
Itineraries are samples and may change according to availability of the speaker and locations. All itineraries may be customized and modified to suit circumstances.