Southwest Weekend Getaway

Moab → Monument Valley → Santa Fe

Trip Length: 4 days, 3 nights

Best Season: Spring or fall

Focus: Luxury, culinary discovery, and unforgettable desert landscapes

Day 1: Arrive in Moab, Utah

Why here: A red rock wonderland—remote, cinematic, and surprisingly soulful.

Stay: Check into a stylish retreat tucked along the river or perched near Arches National Park. Think desert-modern design, plush beds, and sunrise views worth waking up early for. Private patios, outdoor soaking tubs, and firepits are not uncommon.

Activities: Ease into the landscape with a late-afternoon hike in Arches National Park. Choose something short and scenic like the Windows Trail, or time a sunset trek to Delicate Arch—a natural cathedral in stone.

Dinner: Dine at an intimate chef-driven spot in town featuring wild game, foraged herbs, and local produce. The wine list leans bold, but ask about Southwest pairings—sage, smoke, chile, and all.

Day 2: Moab → Monument Valley

Drive Time: Approx. 2.5 hours through red desert and open sky

Why here: Monument Valley is both sacred and starkly beautiful. A place that silences even the most seasoned traveler.

Stay:Choose a lodge or luxury tented camp with unbroken views of the sandstone buttes. Sunset and sunrise are the show here—no screen required. Rustic-luxe styling, minimal light pollution, and complete stillness.

Activities:Book a private Jeep tour with a local Navajo guide. You’ll explore areas closed to general visitors and hear stories that ground the landscape in history and meaning.

Dinner:Savor traditional Navajo dishes like grilled lamb, blue corn mush, and fry bread—elevated with modern technique. End the evening with a stargazing session and maybe a smoky mezcal by the fire.

Day 3: Monument Valley → Santa Fe, New Mexico

Drive Time: ~6 hours (break up the drive with a gourmet lunch stop en route—details provided in custom itineraries)

Why here: Santa Fe is a high desert gem. Art, architecture, and one of the most compelling regional cuisines in North America.

Stay:Check into a boutique property in the historic heart of the city. Adobe walls, wood-burning kiva fireplaces, artisan tilework, and rooms filled with light and texture. Walkable to galleries, shops, and legendary restaurants.

Dinner:Experience refined Southwestern cuisine in a landmark adobe mansion—white tablecloths, house-aged tequila, and dishes like elk tenderloin or chile-rubbed scallops. The flavors are bold but balanced. Don’t skip dessert (or the digestif).

Day 4: Explore Santa Fe + Depart

Morning:Start with a slow breakfast in a sunlit café known for its huevos rancheros and organic ingredients. Then explore Canyon Road’s galleries or the Railyard District’s market stalls and design shops.

Optional Experiences:

• A private cooking class focused on red and green chile

• A reservation-only tasting at a high desert winery

• A curated art walk followed by a mezcal and chocolate pairing

Departure: Santa Fe Regional Airport or Albuquerque International, depending on your schedule.

Craving something even more tailored? I design fully custom luxury itineraries with private drivers, culinary experiences, and unforgettable stays—no planning required on your end. Just tell me how you want it to feel, and I’ll handle the rest.