Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (tel.You'll find an amazing array of imaginative works, ranging from Hispanic folk art santos (carved saints) to Indonesian textiles and African sculptures. 505/476-1200 Santa Fe's perpetually expanding collection of folk art is the largest in the world, with thousands of objects from more than 100 countries. Museum of International Folk Art (706 Camino Lejo tel.Highlights for 2009 include the world premiere of The Letter, composed by Paul Moravec, the first performance at the Santa Fe Opera of Gluck's Alceste, and new productions of Verdi's La Traviata and Donizetti's The Elixir of Love.

Performances are held during the summer months in a hilltop, open-air amphitheater. 800/280-4654 or 505/986-5900 One of the finest opera companies in the United States has called Santa Fe home for a half-century. At the fabled Santuario de Chimayo, you can rub healing dust between your fingers. You can stop in Cordova, known for its woodcarvers, or Chimayo, known for its weavers. High Road to Taos: This spectacular 80-mile route into the mountains between Santa Fe and Taos takes you through red painted deserts, villages bordered by apple and peach orchards, and the foothills of 13,000-foot peaks.Enchiladas often are served with frijoles (beans), posole (hominy), and sopaipillas (fried bread). New Mexican cuisine isn't smothered in cheese and sour cream, so the flavors of the chiles, corn, and meats can really be savored. Sauces are rich, seasoned with ajo (garlic) and oregano. You can order red or green chile, or 'Christmas' - half and half. Northern New Mexican Enchiladas: There are few things more New Mexican than the enchilada.

Alceste santa fe opera