There’s a magical quality to Santa Fe, but it doesn’t take any alchemy to appreciate, to dream about, the dynamic heart of this place. Experience it during a sophisticated gallery stroll down Canyon Road followed by a trip along the Chocolate Trail, a refined glass of wine or a salt-rimmed margarita.

Hear bells of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi singing at set times throughout the day, the sound filling the historic Santa Fe Plaza and spreading to the streets on the wind. See hand-embroidered cowboy boots and turquoise-studded silver, hanging red chile and spicy salsa verde.

Feel the current of vitality rushing through the this area, from salt caves and yoga classes to healing elixirs and oxygen bars. Energize your creativity with a visit to the immersive art experience of Meow Wolf.

This unique destination has a melting pot of heritage simmering above its historical roots, along with committed communities for wellness and the arts.

Santa Fe Flavor

Restaurants are woven into the fabric of Santa Fe, with flavors beyond what has been long-inspired by red and green chile. No trip to this town is complete without a taste of authenticity, and that’s the experience guests will find at Sazón.

Originally from Mexico City, Chef Fernando Olea has been enthralling diners in Santa Fe since 1991 with his unique interpretation of contemporary and traditional Mexican dishes. Chef Olea creates sophisticated flavors using Old Mexico’s indigenous and culinary traditions alongside ingredients from around the world.

His speciality is in mole recipes, and it’s a treat to see the ways he integrates all the complex flavors of the sauces — usually with toasted and ground spices, seeds, nuts, chocolate and chile — into the dishes at Sazón. It’s fine dining and worth the price, especially for the special occasion that is a visit to Santa Fe. 

World of Wellness

Start your days off with yoga at BODY of Santa Fe. BODY is a Santa Fe-based health and wellness center that offers eco-conscious clothing, a health café, leading-edge massage and facial treatments, studio and fitness classes, as well as community-inspiring events.

After morning movement, Apothecary Restaurant is the perfect place to go for some superfoods and a cacao elixir, and then head across the street and upstairs to the sister establishment, Santa Fe Oxygen & Healing Bar.

One more dose of heading for the day can be found at Santa Fe Salt Cave, created from nine tons of exquisite pink salt crystals that were mined in the Himalayan mountains. Owner Kim Rash says spending time in a salt cave that is saturated with tiny salt particles and negative ions is beneficial to your mind, body and spirit.

Comfort + Serenity

Stay a little away from town for a peaceful retreat at the high-desert refuge of Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe. Just a 15-minute drive from downtown Sante Fe, this property is tucked gently into the Sangre de Cristo foothills. The resort offers casita guest rooms and suites, each with its own fireplace and private terrace.

The remote setting of this property invites an escape from the busy day-to-day and into a slower cadence. Trails can be accessed just steps from the casitas, so it’s easy to take off for an hour or more for a hike before settling back into the pace of relaxation. Summer can be hot, so a fall or spring visit is recommended, and if you hit the timing right, it will feel like you have the whole place to yourself.

Stay on property to dine at Terra if you don’t want to venture into Sante Fe, with many flavors of New Mexico on full display. Also be sure to spend some time at the lovely outdoor pool, and hit the gym to add a spark of movement to all the chill time. It’s likely your casita where you’ll want to spend the most time, so settle and and stay for as long as you can.

Photos by Kim Fuller and Four Seasons Resort Santa Fe.

Originally published in the Summer + Fall 2019 issue. 

Based in Vail, Colorado, Kim Fuller is co-owner + editor-in-chief of CO YOGA + Life Magazine. She is also a freelance writer, editor and photojournalist, as well as a yoga teacher, legacy ambassador for Lululemon Athletica Vail, and co-founder of In Your Element, a yoga and outdoor adventure company. When Kim is not diligently writing and editing in her mountain nook, teaching yoga around town or finding a new adventure, find Kim at a local cafe or craft brewery, where she enjoys the more indulgent side of inspiration. Read more at kimfullerink.com.