Santa Fe, New Mexico

Day 1: April 16 — ¡Bienvenidos a Santa Fe!

Arrival & Orientation

Accommodation: Hotel El Farolito, 514 Galisteo Street

• Arrival: Check-in at Hotel El Farolito
• 5:30 p.m.: Welcome drink, introductions, program expectations, and the Spanish Language Pledge
• Evening: Meet your instructors and local staff, followed by an icebreaker activity in Spanish

Day 2: April 17 — The Historic Railyard

Theme: Where Art, Culture, and Community Meet

• 7:30 a.m.: Breakfast
• 9:00 a.m.: Spanish class — conversational skills and practical vocabulary
• 10:30 a.m.: Explore the Railyard District, a vibrant cultural center featuring art galleries, local artisan shops, and the Santa Fe Farmers' Market. Enjoy a private presentation on the history of the railroad and its transformative impact on the region.
• 12:30 p.m.: Lunch at Tomasita's, a beloved Santa Fe institution known for traditional cuisine (included)
• 3:00 p.m.: Return to the hotel; rest and free time
• 5:30 p.m.: Guided journal reflection in Spanish

Day 3: April 18 — Cultural Walking Tour

Theme: First Encounters

• 7:30 a.m.: Breakfast
• 9:00 a.m.: Spanish class — conversational skills and practical vocabulary
• 10:30 a.m.: Guided walking tour of Santa Fe Plaza and the Palace of the Governors. Discover the remarkable story of Dorothy McKibbin, the "Gatekeeper of Los Alamos," who during World War II quietly welcomed thousands of scientists and their families working on the secret Manhattan Project. Continue to Casa Sena.
• 1:00 p.m.: Lunch at the historic Plaza Café — savor its renowned pozole served with warm, freshly made sopapillas (included)
• 3:00 p.m.: Visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Loretto Chapel and its legendary spiral staircase, and San Miguel Chapel with our special guide
• Late afternoon: Return to the hotel and journal reflection

Day 4: April 19 — Weaving, Spirituality & Heritage

Theme: A Journey of Faith, Healing, and Tradition

• 7:30 a.m.: Breakfast
• 9:00 a.m.: Spanish class — conversational skills and practical vocabulary
• 10:30 a.m.: Journey to the legendary Santuario de Chimayó, one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in North America. Explore its peaceful chapels, learn about the tradition of the sacred healing soil, and visit the shrine of the Niño de Atocha.
• 12:30 p.m.: Lunch at the award-winning Rancho de Chimayó — famous for its red chile and warm hospitality (on your own)
• 3:00 p.m.: Visit the historic Trujillo Weaving Shop, where the centuries-old tradition of Chimayó weaving continues to thrive. Watch skilled artisans transform hand-spun wool into beautifully crafted textiles.
• 5:30 p.m.: Return to the hotel and complete a Spanish journal activity at your own level

Day 5: April 20 — Art & Creative Expression

Theme: Discovering Art Through Spanish

• 7:30 a.m.: Breakfast
• 9:00 a.m.: Spanish class — conversational skills and practical vocabulary
• 10:30 a.m.: Georgia O'Keeffe Museum — explore bold forms, vivid color, and imagery inspired by flowers, landscapes, and the desert, with a Spanish scavenger hunt
• 12:30 p.m.: Lunch at one of Santa Fe's outstanding local restaurants — our guide will help choose the restaurant that best suits everyone's preferences
• Afternoon: Visit the New Mexico History Museum, where engaging exhibits bring to life the story of New Mexico—from its Indigenous cultures and Spanish colonial heritage to its role in shaping the American Southwest
• Optional: End the afternoon with freshly made churros and rich Mexican hot chocolate, then reflect on the day's experiences in Spanish

Day 6: April 21 — Science, Nature & Reflection

Theme: Exploración y Naturaleza

• 7:30 a.m.: Breakfast
• Morning: Travel to Los Alamos, where history, science, and ethics intersect. Visit the Bradbury Science Museum and the Manhattan Project National Historical Park to explore one of the most significant scientific achievements—and moral turning points—of the twentieth century.
• 12:30 p.m.: Lunch in Los Alamos (included)
• Afternoon: Explore the breathtaking Bandelier National Monument, home to spectacular canyon landscapes and ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings. Watch an introductory film, then explore the park with your guide and enjoy a storytelling session featuring Native American legends and local folklore.
• Evening: Journal reflection in Spanish

Day 7: April 22 — Museum Hill

Theme: Nature, Art, and Tradition

• 7:30 a.m.: Breakfast
• 9:00 a.m.: Spanish class — conversational skills and practical vocabulary
• 10:30 a.m.: On-site introduction to Museum Hill, including the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, the Museum of International Folk Art, and the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. Explore at your own pace.
• 12:30 p.m.: Lunch at Museum Hill (on your own) — we highly recommend the famous Chihuahua-style burritos, a beloved regional specialty
• Afternoon: Return to the hotel and complete a journal reflection

Day 8: April 23 — Departure & Continued Learning

Theme: Your Spanish Journey Continues

• 7:00 a.m.: Breakfast
• 8:00 a.m.: Program concludes; individual departures

¡Hasta luego, Santa Fe! The experience does not end when the itinerary concludes. Every conversation, cultural encounter, and shared discovery becomes part of your continuing Spanish-language journey.