Santa Fe is an underrated major cultural hub of history, arts, entertainment, politics and fine dining. It’s also the capital of New Mexico. It’s got everything from great gluten-free and plant-based meals, to hot springs, MEOW WOLF, the oldest house and church in the US, to great sustainable /slow-fashion. I fell in love with it, and can’t wait to return back!

Albuquerque has always intrigued me, and thus, it’s been on my endless list of places to visit. My brother used to live there and spoke highly of it, and of course, I watched every episode of Breaking Bad (my poor nervous system). I didn’t realize how relatively close it was via flight from CA, or how much it had to offer. It’s the cultural center of the Southwest, and is at the crossroads of Indian Pueblo country (the oldest farming civilization in North America), Spanish and Mexican culture. It was founded in 1706 as a Spanish colony, and at 5,326 ft, it's the USA's highest metropolitan city. In addition, it’s extremely up-and-coming, and has some amazing neighborhoods to explore, places to shop, and most importantly, food to eat.

Taos is one of the most enchanting towns in the state of enchantment. At nearly 7,000 feet in elevation, this northern city sits on the edge of the Rio Grande in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the start of the Rocky Mountain range. It has a rich indigenous culture and is home to a World Heritage Site (Taos Pueblo). It’s a renowned art colony, with a world-class ski resort, majestic landscape, distinctive cuisine, and so much more. It’s a place where national jurisdictions have changed hands three times (Spanish, Mexican, American), and encompasses the past, present, and future. Here is our guide to a perfect weekend in this perfect city…

Hotel Sagrado is Bohemian luxury at its finest, and guests are guaranteed to fall in love at first sight. Whether it is the giant 90-pound Brazilian citrine quartz that hangs above the lobby and shines on you from the moment you walk in, the beautiful black-billed magpies that fill the air, or their amazing restaurants, spa, salt-water pool, and indoor rainforest.

Taos is full of fresh air, mountains, history, and great organic and local cooking that allows you to taste the mix of Native American, Mexican, and Spanish influence and inspiration. Thankfully, that also includes some fantastic gluten-free cooking.

Our travels to Izanami at Ten Thousand Waves were dreamy, and a bucket list item fulfilled. Ten Thousand Waves Spa and Resort has been a Santa Fe travel destination since 1981. Inspired by Japanese mountain hot spring resorts, and located 1,000 feet above the city (closest hotel to the Santa Fe ski area), it really feels like a world away. From the moment we stepped foot on the property, we were enamored by the serene energy, the architecture, the stillness, the junipers and piñon filled mountains that surrounded us.