When You Go Ballooning |
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Getting There: There are several ways to reach Taos. Albuquerque International Airport is 135 miles south of Taos. Denver, Colorado, is 300 miles north, and Colorado Springs is 230 miles north. The drive from any direction is especially scenic. From Albuquerque, take Interstate 25 to Santa Fe, then Highway 285 to Highway 68 to Taos. From Denver, take Interstate 25 to Colorado Springs to Walsenburg, then Highway 160 to Fort Garland, then Highways 159 and 522 to Taos.
Airlines serving Albuquerque, Denver, and Colorado Springs include American West, American, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Great Lakes, Mesa Air, Northwest, Reno Air, Southwest, TWA, United, US Air and Western Pacific. The 1-800 phone numbers and Web links are listed in this magazine’s Airlines page. Taos can also be reached by charter air service from these cities.
Car rental companies include Dollar, Alamo, Advantage, All American, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless and Thrifty. The 1-800 phone numbers and Web links are listed in this magazine’s Autos page. Local transportation includes Edelweiss Air, 800-458-8754 or 505-776-2301; Pride of Taos Tours/Shuttles, 800-273-8340 or 505-758-8340.
Staying There: Lodging reservations can be made through Taos Central Reservations, 800-821-2437; Taos Bed & Breakfast Association, 800-876-7857; Taos Valley Resort Association, 800-776-1111; or Affordable Accommodations & Tours, 800-290-5384. For more information on a variety of tourist topics contact the Taos Chamber of Commerce, PO Drawer 1, Taos, New Mexico 87571. E-mail: taos@taoxwebb.com . Telephone 800-732-8267 or 505-758-3872, fax 505-758-3872; or New Mexico Department of Tourism, Lamy Building, 491 Old Santa Fe Trail, PO box 20002, Santa Fe, New Mexico. E-mail: enchantment@newmexico.org . Telephone 505-827-7400, fax 505-827-7402.
Fodor's 98 Santa Fe, Taos, Albuquerque and Frommer's Santa Fe, Taos & Albuquerque '98 are two guide books we recommend for your travel library.
Taos Ballooning Fast Facts:
Paradise and Pueblo are Taos’ only balloon companies. They offer rides throughout the tourist season, spring to late autumn. Flights are generally early morning, but Paradise also offers full moon excursions.
Pueblo Balloon Company: 505-751-9877. 1998 rates: $215 per person plus tax.
Paradise Balloons 505-751-6098. 1998 rates: $195 per person plus tax ($175 if paid in cash).
October 23-25, 1998, Taos is hosting the Kinder, Gentler Balloon Rally. Seventy balloons will fly. For more information, call the Taos Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-732-8267.
Useful WWW links:
Pueblo Balloon
Company: Web site
Taos Chamber of Commerce: Lodging, recreation, tours, art -- http://taoswebb.com
New Mexico Department of Tourism: Travel tips, outdoor fun, event calendar -- www.newmexico.org