As a new member of the Summer Mountain Travel team, I wanted to make sure that I spent the recent Memorial Day weekend at a destination I had never before visited. A five-hour car ride from Vail through the pristine Rockies, dry desert and multiple small towns and I was in Taos, New Mexico.

Culture, history, art, southwestern culinary fare, vibrant and friendly locals and a multitude of outdoor activities including whitewater rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking and even llama rides, make Taos the perfect destination for those in pursuit of a place that has it all.

Staying at the El Monte Sagrado Resort & Spa was perhaps the first great choice I made for this trip. Within walking distance to downtown, I was never confined to my car and was able to come and go between the assortment of galleries, shops, bars and restaurants scattered throughout the pedestrian friendly downtown and the serene and relaxing property at El Monte. Delicious nachos and fish tacos, live music and friendly faces at the Adobe Bar in the Taos Inn were a highlight as was whitewater rafting on the scenic Rio Grande and a tour through the Taos Pueblo. Continuously inhabited for more than 1,000 years, the Taos Pueblo is a surreal and humbling site of ancient Adobe buildings accented with brightly painted doors and windows to set the homes apart. I watched in fascination as tribal members painted pottery and created magnificent pieces of jewelry adorned with turquoise and other gems common to New Mexico.

One of the nicest things about vacationing in a mountain town during the hot summer months is the dry air and cool nights. I was happily surprised that, although we were in the high desert with constant sun, the temperatures stayed comfortable.

As I concluded my brief stay by visiting the Memorial Day Weekend Art Fair downtown, I couldn’t help but think of just how unique Taos is. The modern and native worlds converge in this northern New Mexico town, where cultures are respected and celebrated, as is the beautiful landscape, mountains and rivers.

If you can, check out Taos and be sure to take your camera, as the town’s canvas, mixed with the constant blue skies and mountainous landscape, is a piece of art in itself.

-B.W.

Ready to head to the mountains this summer? Check out the below specials and take a look at many more on the special deals page of our Web site. If you have a question or if you’re ready to book, speak with one of our Mountain Vacation Specialists by calling 800-548-3226. And remember, if you’re looking for an all-inclusive summer mountain holiday, consider our Epic Summer packages.