WEST ROUTE 66 - From Abuquerque to Santa Monica

At the heart of New Mexico beats the pulse of a vibrant city. In Albuquerque, diverse cultures, authentic art and dynamic traditions have helped shape our centuries-old story. No matter your interests, the city has countless opportunities for you to explore. Sample traditional New Mexican cuisine that takes minutes to make and hundreds of years to prepare, experience world-class museums, stroll along Central Avenue under the vintage neon glow of Route 66, or soar high above the city in the hot air ballooning capital of the world — a sight sure to change your perspective. Immerse yourself in our painted skies, abundant space and more than 310 days of sunshine, which make it possible to ski the slopes of the Sandia Mountains and play a round at one of our award-winning golf courses, all in the same day. Albuquerque is an oasis in the high desert, full of rich history and inspiring ideas.

From Albuquerque to Santa Fe, you can travel along the Turquoise Trail, a scenic road that goes from Albuquerque to Santa Fe and crosses the hills of New Mexico, offering beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and old ghost towns. It is recommended to make a stop in Madrid, once a ghost town, now a gathering place for artists.

Canyon de Chelly is a magnificent park, one of the most spectacular in the Southwest, but it is not often visited due to its location outside of the usual tourist circuits. Steep red sandstone walls, up to 300 meters high, delimit this narrow and labyrinthine canyon divided into two long branches, where the Pueblo sought refuge; it is still inhabited by the Navajo today. The pinnacle known as Spider Rock, which rises 230 meters from the bottom of the canyon, is spectacular and can only be accessed by off-road vehicle with an authorized Navajo guide. The two scenic roads, North Rim Drive and South Rim Drive, are open to all without tolls and offer a splendid view from above.

The largest city in Northern Arizona is located on Route 66 and about an hour's drive from the Grand Canyon. Surrounded by cool ponderosa pine forests that grow on the slopes of the San Francisco Peaks, it has a much more pleasant climate than the scorching Phoenix.

A pleasant village amid the pines of the Kaibab Forest, standing at the end of the line of the Grand Canyon Railroad. The iconic Route 66 crosses this nostalgic old town.

Las Vegas is beyond words. It shines like a diamond the middle of the desert, dazzling with its extravagant luxury hotels, bustling with all sorts of shows and revelry. A place – but can such a place even exist? – without equal in the whole world.

Cross the Mojave desert, dotted with Joshua trees. With its canyons, hills, mesas, dunes, cinder cones, and – when the fleeting spring arrives – boundless wildflower fields, the Mojave deserts is a peaceful, lonely oasis away from the turmoil of the metropolis. Santa Monica overlooks the ocean, on top of a sheer cliff rimmed with palms. From here, several paths lead down to a vast beach – the kingdom of surfers, joggers, skaters, bikers, yoga lovers, and mere sunbathers. The pedestrian area of Third Street Promenade brims with shops, restaurants and bars. This is also were the legendary Route 66 ends.