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New Mexico

Desert Bounty: Celebrating Santa Fe’s Agriculture & Cuisine

Program No. 2383860MEADV-1116-60
Discover sustainable farming in Santa Fe, experience delicious regional dishes and attend hands-on cooking classes with local chefs.

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We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Apr 23 - Apr 29, 2025
Starting at
2,749
Apr 30 - May 6, 2025
Starting at
2,849
Jun 25 - Jul 1, 2025
Starting at
3,199
Jul 9 - Jul 15, 2025
Starting at
2,849
Sep 24 - Sep 30, 2025
Starting at
3,499
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Filling Fast!
Apr 23 - Apr 29, 2025
Starting at
3,299
Apr 30 - May 6, 2025
Starting at
3,499
Jun 25 - Jul 1, 2025
Starting at
4,119
Filling Fast!
Jul 9 - Jul 15, 2025
Starting at
3,499
Sep 24 - Sep 30, 2025
Starting at
4,639
This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!

At a Glance

Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking over varied terrain in town, at markets and farms.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Visit organic, sustainable agricultural organizations like Santa Cruz Farms, the winner of a James Beard Award for leadership in biodynamic farming.
  • Discover sustainable gardening methods that preserve local Indigenous knowledge, and learn how to apply these philosophies and food preparation techniques anywhere.
  • Experience the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market, one of the oldest, largest and most successful growers’ markets in the country.

General Notes

This program is part of “Our Changing Planet” series, exploring the solutions to the challenges of global climate change in communities around the United States. Learn more at www.roadscholar.org/planet.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
7 days
Program Begins
Santa Fe
Program Concludes
Santa Fe
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
13 | 6B | 3L | 4D |
Activity Level
)
Best of all, you'll...
  • Visit organic, sustainable agricultural organizations like Santa Cruz Farms, the winner of a James Beard Award for leadership in biodynamic farming.
  • Discover sustainable gardening methods that preserve local Indigenous knowledge, and learn how to apply these philosophies and food preparation techniques anywhere.
  • Experience the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market, one of the oldest, largest and most successful growers’ markets in the country.
General Notes
This program is part of “Our Changing Planet” series, exploring the solutions to the challenges of global climate change in communities around the United States. Learn more at www.roadscholar.org/planet.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking over varied terrain in town, at markets and farms.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List (22 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
7 days
6 nights
What's Included
13 meals | 6B | 3L | 4D |
6 expert-led lectures
11 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 3:00-5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to meet with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please contact your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. During the program, we will learn from local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips as well as our Group Leader who is also a local expert. Transportation for program-related activities will be via motorcoach unless specified otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
In our private meeting room.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, relax, and get a good night’s sleep for the full day ahead.
Activity Note
Walking up to 5 miles over the course of the day on uneven, paved and unpaved surfaces with inclines and some steps.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
In the hotel meeting room, our Group Leader will present about the unique history and cuisine of New Mexico. We’ll learn about its earliest Ancestral Puebloan inhabitants and the European settlers who followed. We'll also hear about Santa Fe and the history of agriculture in the region. We’ll then head out on foot to explore Santa Fe’s Plaza area. This has been the vibrant heart of the city for almost four centuries. We’ll enjoy the historic downtown area and continue to learn about the history and cultures of northern New Mexico. We’ll visit the impressive Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, the Palace of the Governors, Sena Plaza, and other sites as time permits. Then, we’ll board the motorcoach and head out for lunch.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, we’ll board the motorcoach and travel to Reunity Farm. Reunity Resources was founded in 2011 as a small biodiesel program. They upcycled used cooking oil, and then expanded in 2014 to add the Commercial Food Waste Collection program to collect food scraps from local restaurants. In 2015, they leased a non-arable acre of land from the Santa Fe Community Farm, utilizing an aerated static pile system to compost in what became their Soil Yard. In 2018, with the passing of its founder, the Santa Fe Community Farm closed its doors, and Reunity Resources officially stepped in to steward the land in 2019. Reunity Farm was established on land that holds thousands of years of agricultural history, growing food regeneratively and making it available to those in need through donations with partner organization, farm-to-family meal donations and a 24/7 access Community Fridge. The motorcoach will return us to the hotel in the late afternoon for some time to relax before we meet in the lobby for a short walk to dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles, approximately 4 hours riding time over the course of the day. Walking up to 3 miles; varied, possibly muddy and uneven terrain. Standing up to 1 hour during expert-led field trips.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board the motorcoach and ride 75 miles north to the village of Don Fernando de Taos where we will visit the Huerta Sol Feliz Farm. Huerta Sol Feliz is “a manifestation of agricultural reconnection and home-scale sustainable living.” Our host, Miguel Santistevan, spent most of his summers and holidays on this land, where his grandparents lived. He grew up playing on the land, in and around the acequia irrigation ditch that runs behind the house. His grandfather built the house and was a master of adobe, mud, and plaster. Miguel will introduce us to local permaculture techniques, sustainable agriculture, how to nurture biological diversity, and the history of the Acequia Sur del Rio Don Fernando de Taos which has been in existence since the 1700s.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Back on the motorcoach, we will ride to Taos Pueblo. (Note that this is subject to change; the Pueblo sometimes closes with little to no advance notice for private events.) This picturesque Pueblo at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America. The multiple-story adobe dwellings reflect an ancient culture; approximately 100 Pueblo residents still live much as their ancestors did 1,000 years ago, without electricity or running water. Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. At the Pueblo, we’ll enjoy an expert-led walk through the community. We will then board the motorcoach and ride to a local winery where we will enjoy a wine tasting and learn about the some of the oldest grape production in North America, with vines brought into the area by Spanish monks in 1540. We will return to Santa Fe and adjourn for the evening.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in Santa Fe. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Santa Fe is known for the breadth and depth of its culinary offerings. Not to be confused with “Tex-Mex,” or traditional Mexican food, New Mexican cuisine is a fusion of Native American, Mexican, and European techniques and ingredients. There are a number of fine restaurants within walking distance.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 10 miles, approximately 1/2 hour over the course of the day. Walking up to 3 miles; varied paved and unpaved, uneven terrain. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll ride to the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market with time for some independent exploration. The Santa Fe Farmer's Market was voted one of the “Top Ten Farmers’ Markets” by Sunset Magazine, and is one of the oldest, largest, and most successful growers’ markets in the country. We will browse through the over 100 vendors selling locally grown produce, baked goods, agricultural products, and handcrafts. All items are locally grown, made or sourced through fair trade. The motorcoach will then transport us to Canyon Road. Once a trade path that connected Pueblo people in the Rio Grande Pueblos to the trade center at Pecos Pueblo, Canyon Road is now home to the highest density of galleries in the country. Over 100 galleries line the mile or so historic road. Canyon Road was once all private homes, where Spanish families lived alongside budding artists. Now, the narrow charming road is home to galleries featuring art ranging from contemporary to traditional, Western to Native American to abstract, created by artists from all over the world.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. There are a number of museums, shops, and galleries within walking distance of the hotel. Nearby museums include the New Mexico Museum of Art, the New Mexico History Museum, the Palace of the Governors, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Native Art. Another nearby site of interest is the State Capitol building; it houses the State Capitol Art Collection, which features the work of local New Mexico artists, sculptors and photographers. Those willing to travel a few miles down Cerrillos Road (city bus transportation available on Sheridan Street near the Plaza) might enjoy visiting The House of Eternal Return at the Meow Wolf Art Complex. A uniquely Santa Fe experience, The House of Eternal Return is a multimedia, interactive art experience that seeks to immerse their visitors in a fantastical story. Developed with the generous support of Santa Fe resident and author George R.R. Martin—most famous for his Game of Thrones fantasy series— it was an immediate sensation after its opening in March 2016; it has attracted over 1,000,000 adventurers from around the world to date. It’s a far cry from traditional Santa Fe style, but can be a lot of fun for the open-minded and young-at-heart. We will meet in the lobby in the late afternoon for a walk to the Santa Fe School of Cooking. Operating for over 30 years, the Santa Fe School of Cooking is an “internationally acclaimed, recreational Culinary School and Market” located a short walk from our hotel. We will enjoy a cooking demonstration using traditional foods of the American Southwest.
Dinner:
At the Santa Fe School of Cooking.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; traveling about 10 miles, approximately 1/2 hour over the course of the day. Walking up to 4 miles; varied, possibly muddy rough terrain. Standing up to 2 hours at museums. Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board the motorcoach for a short ride to the end of Upper Canyon Road where we will start the morning with an expert-led hike around the upper part of Santa Fe Watershed. The Santa Fe River Watershed covers over 180,000 acres (285 square miles) and is made up of the main course of the Santa Fe River, along with all the streams, arroyos, and water courses that flow into it. This river is Santa Fe's original water supply, and for thousands of years, people have visited and lived along the river. It has long provided a valuable water source for wildlife habitat, drinking water, irrigation, recreation, and cultural needs. We will learn about the importance of water in the desert southwest from a local expert as we hike around the reservoirs that store and supply the water. The coach will depart for Museum Hill following the hike.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Next, we’ll have time to explore Museum Hill for a self-directed field trip to the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and the Museum of International Folk Art. As we view the exhibits, we’ll learn more about the history, art and culture of indigenous peoples. The Group Leader will be present to answer questions as needed. The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture features pottery, jewelry, sculptures, baskets, and other objects made by Native Americans from the earliest times to modern day, scrupulously documented and beautifully displayed. Most of the work is from the Southwest. The Museum of International Folk Art houses indigenous art from around the world-ranging from ceremonial dress and masks to furniture. The museum hosts the largest collection of international folk art in the world, including wings featuring some of the 106,000 pieces donated by collectors Alexander and Susan Girard and Lloyd Cotsen’s Neutrogena collection. We’ll regroup at a designated time and ride back to the hotel.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure. Explore Santa Fe’s nightlife, enjoy the company of new Road Scholar friends with informal activities, or rest and relax.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 60 miles over the course of the day, approximately 2 hours total riding time. Walking up to 3 miles over varied terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll start the morning with a presentation on herbal medicines by a local expert. Our expert will explain what curanderismo is and how it applies to holistic healing; centuries-old systems of health that treat body, mind, and spirit through applications of herbal medicine, counseling, reflexology, massage, and visualization techniques. Then we'll board the coach for a short ride into the foothills where we will enjoy a short hike and learn about foraging from a local expert. Also known as “wildcrafting,” foraging for edible plants and herbs is the evolution of “gathering” that Native people did for millennia before the coming of Europeans. In simple terms, foraging is the practice of finding wild edible foods and is rooted in respect and gratitude for the land. After the hike, we will board the motorcoach and head back to the hotel for lunch on your own and some independent time.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
In the late afternoon, we will gather to board the motorcoach for our dinner destination. We’ll travel to the community of Eldorado where we’ll visit with chefs Lois Ellen Frank, Ph.D and Walter Whitewater of Red Mesa Cuisine. They will demonstrate and provide instruction on the preparation of a meal featuring regional cuisine. Dr. Frank is a Native American food historian, culinary anthropologist, photographer, and James Beard Award-winning author.
Dinner:
At Red Mesa Cuisine, we’ll enjoy the 4-course meal that was prepared during the cooking demonstration. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
In the hotel meeting room, we’ll have a wrap-up session to share what we learned and exchange our farewells.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
13 Meals
6 Breakfasts
3 Lunches
4 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Gluten Free
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
Sep 24, 2025 - Sep 30, 2025
  • Sep 24, 2025 - Sep 30, 2025
  • Apr 23, 2025 - Apr 29, 2025
  • Apr 30, 2025 - May 06, 2025
  • Jun 25, 2025 - Jul 01, 2025
  • Jul 09, 2025 - Jul 15, 2025
  • Sep 03, 2025 - Sep 09, 2025
  • Sep 24, 2025 - Sep 30, 2025
6 nights
Location: Santa Fe
The 182-room Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe is located in the heart of downtown Santa Fe, adjacent to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis de Assisi and just steps away from Santa Fe's historic Plaza. In the 1910's, a portion of the property was a dormitory for the Sisters of Charity. The primary façade is from the 1950's St. Vincent's Hospital, designed by John Gaw Meem, and is an excellent example of late Territorial Revival style. After 1977, the structure housed offices, as well as being used for movie sets. The rooftop pool area provides breathtaking views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and downtown Santa Fe. The fully renovated buildings are steeped in history, and surrounded by a pedestrian oasis - all in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. Every day between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m., the hotel offers its complimentary "Kickback" reception, featuring a selection of beverages, including wine, and a rotating menu of hot snacks, such as chicken wings, baked potatoes, hot dogs and more. Popcorn is also available in the hotel lobby between 3:00 and 10:00 p.m.
6 nights
Location: Santa Fe
The 182-room Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe is located in the heart of downtown Santa Fe, adjacent to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis de Assisi and just steps away from Santa Fe's historic Plaza. In the 1910's, a portion of the property was a dormitory for the Sisters of Charity. The primary façade is from the 1950's St. Vincent's Hospital, designed by John Gaw Meem, and is an excellent example of late Territorial Revival style. After 1977, the structure housed offices, as well as being used for movie sets. The rooftop pool area provides breathtaking views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and downtown Santa Fe. The fully renovated buildings are steeped in history, and surrounded by a pedestrian oasis - all in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. Every day between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m., the hotel offers its complimentary "Kickback" reception, featuring a selection of beverages, including wine, and a rotating menu of hot snacks, such as chicken wings, baked potatoes, hot dogs and more. Popcorn is also available in the hotel lobby between 3:00 and 10:00 p.m.
6 nights
Location: Santa Fe
The 182-room Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe is located in the heart of downtown Santa Fe, adjacent to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis de Assisi and just steps away from Santa Fe's historic Plaza. In the 1910's, a portion of the property was a dormitory for the Sisters of Charity. The primary façade is from the 1950's St. Vincent's Hospital, designed by John Gaw Meem, and is an excellent example of late Territorial Revival style. After 1977, the structure housed offices, as well as being used for movie sets. The rooftop pool area provides breathtaking views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and downtown Santa Fe. The fully renovated buildings are steeped in history, and surrounded by a pedestrian oasis - all in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. Every day between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m., the hotel offers its complimentary "Kickback" reception, featuring a selection of beverages, including wine, and a rotating menu of hot snacks, such as chicken wings, baked potatoes, hot dogs and more. Popcorn is also available in the hotel lobby between 3:00 and 10:00 p.m.
6 nights
Location: Santa Fe
The 182-room Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe is located in the heart of downtown Santa Fe, adjacent to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis de Assisi and just steps away from Santa Fe's historic Plaza. In the 1910's, a portion of the property was a dormitory for the Sisters of Charity. The primary façade is from the 1950's St. Vincent's Hospital, designed by John Gaw Meem, and is an excellent example of late Territorial Revival style. After 1977, the structure housed offices, as well as being used for movie sets. The rooftop pool area provides breathtaking views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and downtown Santa Fe. The fully renovated buildings are steeped in history, and surrounded by a pedestrian oasis - all in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. Every day between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m., the hotel offers its complimentary "Kickback" reception, featuring a selection of beverages, including wine, and a rotating menu of hot snacks, such as chicken wings, baked potatoes, hot dogs and more. Popcorn is also available in the hotel lobby between 3:00 and 10:00 p.m.
6 nights
Location: Santa Fe
The 182-room Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe is located in the heart of downtown Santa Fe, adjacent to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis de Assisi and just steps away from Santa Fe's historic Plaza. In the 1910's, a portion of the property was a dormitory for the Sisters of Charity. The primary façade is from the 1950's St. Vincent's Hospital, designed by John Gaw Meem, and is an excellent example of late Territorial Revival style. After 1977, the structure housed offices, as well as being used for movie sets. The rooftop pool area provides breathtaking views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and downtown Santa Fe. The fully renovated buildings are steeped in history, and surrounded by a pedestrian oasis - all in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. Every day between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m., the hotel offers its complimentary "Kickback" reception, featuring a selection of beverages, including wine, and a rotating menu of hot snacks, such as chicken wings, baked potatoes, hot dogs and more. Popcorn is also available in the hotel lobby between 3:00 and 10:00 p.m.
6 nights
Location: Santa Fe
The 182-room Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe is located in the heart of downtown Santa Fe, adjacent to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis de Assisi and just steps away from Santa Fe's historic Plaza. In the 1910's, a portion of the property was a dormitory for the Sisters of Charity. The primary façade is from the 1950's St. Vincent's Hospital, designed by John Gaw Meem, and is an excellent example of late Territorial Revival style. After 1977, the structure housed offices, as well as being used for movie sets. The rooftop pool area provides breathtaking views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and downtown Santa Fe. The fully renovated buildings are steeped in history, and surrounded by a pedestrian oasis - all in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. Every day between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m., the hotel offers its complimentary "Kickback" reception, featuring a selection of beverages, including wine, and a rotating menu of hot snacks, such as chicken wings, baked potatoes, hot dogs and more. Popcorn is also available in the hotel lobby between 3:00 and 10:00 p.m.
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