New Mexico’s largest city has been described as having one foot in the past, one in the present, and its eyes firmly set on the future. This certainly sums up this multi-cultural city, spread across the desert plains beside the Rio Grande, known for its high-tech research facilities, sentimentally proud of its historic Old Town, and offering a mix of museums, galleries, spicy restaurants and great shopping centres to satisfy the appetite of every kind of visitor. This vibrant city on the Rio Grande also offers a glimpse of historic New Mexican life. Summer holidays in Albuquerque are for those who like it hot, while in mid-winter the thermometer plunges to below freezing. A popular time to visit is in October for the annual hot-air balloon festival. A holiday in Albuquerque suits those who enjoy good (spicy) food and indulge in a variety of active pursuits, from cycling to dancing. Families who holiday in Albuquerque will find plenty of natural and recreational attractions, as well as excursions, to fill their time.