To conclude the week of all things Santa Fe, I thought I’d share one of my favorite personal trip photos. As I mentioned in the previous blog, 8 Must-See Santa Fe Attractions, visiting Santa Fe is almost like traveling back in time. While of course the city is modern in most aspects, it’s adamant in preserving its historical integrity.

San Miguel Church. Photo: Jessica Skelton

This photo is of the San Miguel Church, the oldest church structure in the United States. Built approximately between 1610 and 1628, the church’s original adobe walls and alter were built by Tiaxcalan Indians from Mexico.

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I just got back from my first-ever excursion to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and I am still in awe. Few U.S. cities have the character, history and uniqueness that the City Different does. So in honor of my trip (and to prolong my vacation high), I present you with eight amazing attractions you must check out while visiting Santa Fe.

The view from the top of Tent Rocks. Photo: Jessica Skelton

Jackalope
This open-air international marketplace is a blast to stroll around in. You can pick out unique Santa Fe souvenirs (pottery, turquoise jewelry, art), grab a bite at the café or visit the animal barn. My favorite part of Jackalope? The prairie dog village—amazing.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
Hiking at Tent Rocks was easily one of my favorite parts of going Santa Fe. It is an extremely easy hike and the scenery is unlike anything I have ever seen in my life. It’s called Tent Rocks because the rock formations are shaped like cones—a product of volcanic eruptions and severe wind and rain.

The Lensic
I was lucky enough to catch a three-minute film festival at the Lensic while I was in Santa Fe. Originally opened in 1931 as a vaudeville stage, the Lensic is a non-profit performing arts center that features both national and local acts. If you can’t manage to sneak in a play or a film, it’s still worth poking around this historic and gorgeous venue.

The Santa Fe Plaza

At the center of the historic Plaza there is an incredible tree-lined park. It’s a great place to people watch and first-rate shops and restaurants are just steps away. I really enjoyed strolling through the Plaza at night, when the tress are adorned with lights.

St. Francis Cathedral. Photo: Jessica Skelton

Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
The Georgia O’Keeffe museum opened in 1997 and has quickly become one of the dearest treasures to the City Different. The museum’s permanent collection of O’Keeffe’s work is larger than any other in the world. It also features art work from many other established artists.

Canyon Road
Once a residential area for early Spanish settlers, Canyon Road features some of Santa Fe’s most upscale shops, galleries and restaurants. Being a frugal traveler,  I didn’t buy anything while I was there, but I enjoyed the walk and looking at all of the art galleries.

Palace of the Governors
The Palace of the Governors is registered national historic landmark that features an extensive collection of Santa Fe and Southwest history. Outside, Native Americans line the walkway selling arts and crafts-a tradition 400 years in the making. This is a great place to pick up unique gifts for everyone back at home.

Saint Francis Cathedral
I’ve always been captivated by a city’s churches. They possess a timeless quality that really allows you to a deeper look into culture and tradition. Erected in the late 19th century, the St. Francis Cathedral was built in a Romanesque revival style. Past the beautifully sculpted doors, there are vast stained glass windows, beautiful arts and an alter like I’ve never seen.

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Check out my trip plan to Santa Fe.

Congratulations,  Carrie, Montara, Calif.!  Our first winner of Trip of the Week and recipient of a Frommer’s day by day guide to Hawaii.

Carrie and her daughter are about to embark on a trip from Chicago to California and recently built out this fantastic Road Trip together on TravelMuse!

I asked Carrie a few questions about her upcoming trip:

Why are you taking this trip?

My 19-year-old daughter has been less than enthusiastic about the prospect of getting her driver’s license. This is in no small part because my car is difficult to learn on since it has a standard transmission. When my aunt decided that she wasn’t going to use her car anymore, we jumped on the opportunity to buy it. Not only does her car have an automatic transmission, but it’s only $1,000. The catch? She lives in Chicago and we are in California. With a cry of, “Road trip!” we decided to fly one way to Chicago and then see as many sights as we could, both big and small, as we drove the newly acquired car back to our home in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

What are you most excited about seeing/doing on your trip?

Although we’ll be going to some big attractions — Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons — I’m most excited about visiting the campy roadside attractions like the SPAM museum (the canned meat, not the electronic junk mail) in Austin, Minn.; the Potato Expo, Blackfoot in Idaho (motto: We give taters to Out-of-Staters); and the almost indescribable Thunder Mountain Park in Imlay, Nev. My daughter has a great sense of humor so I know that these offbeat attractions will be the foundation inside jokes and for stories that we tell and retell.

Any other interesting facts you care to share?

Normally, I’d plan a road trip that allowed for more spontaneity — stopping when we were tired and finding cheap motels along the way. But we are working with some firm deadlines. The day before we leave my daughter is taking her last final exam and has to move out of her college dorm. The day after we arrive home, my daughter is flying to Armenia where she will spend six weeks doing a summer program at an archeological dig site.  The upside about having this trip very planned is that we will be able to do things that require reservations, such as going white water rafting in the Grand Tetons and taking a Segway Tour in Chicago. The downside is that not only are we spending only one day in places that most people spend a week visiting, but we will be feeling the pressure of racing against the clock since we must make it home in time for her to make her flight the next day!

Wishing you safe and happy travels, Carrie!

*****

Tell us about your Trips and you could be featured in Trip of the Week–win one of the new Frommer’s Day by Day Guide Books and be entered to win a FREE, luxury Trip for 2 to Waikiki!

We’re giving away a weekly prize to the best Trip created on TravelMuse in “Trip of the Week” for the next 10 weeks, in conjunction with our amazing Create a Trip on TravelMuse, Win Your Perfect Moment in Hawaii contest!

Create Trips for destinations you plan to visit or share your experiences and recommendations on places you’ve already been.

What you Win:

Winners will receive a copy of their choice, of one of the latest Frommer’s Day by Day Guide books to Hawaii, Ireland or Italy each week (value ~$30)!

Win Frommer's new Day by Day Guide books to Hawaii, Italy or Ireland

See our recent review of Frommer’s Day by Day Guides.

How to Enter:

• Create a Trip with at least five (5) saved items to qualify. If you’ve entered our Hawaii contest you’re already eligible for Trip of the Week.

• Tell us more about your Trip–we’d love to hear from you. Send any interesting details you care to share  (why you’re taking this trip, who you’re going with, what you’re most excited about seeing/doing) to marketing@travelmuse.com and include your public Trip url (e.g. http://www.travelmuse.com/plan/trip.htm?tripId=19680) .

Tip: To create a quality Trip remember to include a description and add more items (don’t forget to try the TravelMuse Bookmarker).

Results:

We’ll publish our Trip of the Week pick every Tuesday, and will announce our first winner next week on Tuesday, May 25.

Good luck and happy Trip planning!

Rules:

The contest runs from May 6, 2010 until July 20, 2010. Qualifying Trips must contain at least five (5) items. The winner will be selected by a judging panel comprised of TravelMuse staff and other employees. Winners must claim their prize within three (3) business days after the date of notification of such prize. A winner’s failure to respond to the prize notification within the specified three (3) business days will be considered such winner’s forfeiture of the prize and an alternate winner may be selected from the pool of eligible entries. If an entrant is found to be ineligible, an alternate winner may also be selected from the pool of eligible entries. To enter, you must be a U.S. resident, age 18 or older. Employees, partners and vendors of TravelMuse and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter. When applicable, the winner may be required to execute and return within five business days an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Liability and Publicity Release to be eligible for the prize or an alternate winner will be selected. All prizes will be awarded. No substitutions including for cash are permitted, except that TravelMuse reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater monetary value for any prize. Winners shall be responsible and liable for all federal, state and local taxes on the value of their prize.

Also, don’t miss your chance to WIN a FREE, Once-in-a-Lifetime Luxury Trip for 2 to WAIKIKI!

Thirty-two teams, 31 days, 10 stadiums and nine host cities—when you look at the 2010 FIFA World Cup by the numbers, it seems so overwhelming. Well don’t freak out quite yet. We’ve put together a cheat sheet to help you understand the chaos of the world’s best international soccer tournament.

Located at the southern tip of Africa, South Africa is known for its wine, production of gold, bleak history of apartheid and its illustrious leader Nelson Mandela. This year the country can add host to the 2010 FIFA World Cup to its resume.

The matches start on June 11 and continue through July 11. Maps of venues and schedules of matches are easily accessible on the FIFA World Cup website, as is a complete list of every country that is being represented in the Cup.

With out further ado, here is a list of cities that are hosting matches and their corresponding venues. Included are FIFA Fan Fest locations—official public viewing events for those who don’t have tickets to matches.

Photo: vramak

Johannesburg
Venues: Soccer City Stadium & Ellis Park Stadium

FIFA Fan Fest Locations: Elkah Stadium in Soweto & InnesFree Park in Sandton

Cape Town
Venue: Green Point Stadium

FIFA Fan Fest Location: Grand Parade

Tshwane/Pretoria
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium

FIFA Fan Fest Location: Centurion Cricket Ground

Durban
Venue: Durban Stadium

FIFA Fan Fest Location: New Beach

Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

FIFA Fan Fest Location: St. Georges Park

Mangaung/Bloemfontein
Venue: Free State Stadium

FIFA Fan Fest Location: Mangaung Outdoor Sports Centre

Nelspruit
Venue: Mbombela Stadium

FIFA Fan Fest Location: Bergvlam High School

Polokwane
Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium

FIFA Fan Fest Location: Polokwane Cricket Club

Rustenburg
Venue: Royal Bafokeng Stadium

FIFA Fan Fest Location: Fields College

Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg. Photo: shine2010

Quick Tips:
Weather: May through July is the winter season in South Africa. Some cities will enjoy warm days with cool nights while others will experience clouds and rain. Be sure to check weather details before traveling to particular cities.

Money: ATMs are ubiquitous in the various cities of South Africa, but be sure to either withdraw cash prior to entering match venues or have a Visa card. Visas are the only cards accepted within the venues.

Arrival to Matches: Arrive two hours early (at least) to avoid complete chaos or even missing some of the match.

Can’t make it out for the World Cup? Plan your trip to South Africa on TravelMuse.

For up to the date information on all things World Cup, please visit the FIFA website at www.fifa.com/worldcup/index.html.