On April 5, 2014, Vail Mountain will become a sea of pink in order to help raise awareness and funds to support cancer fighters.
Pink Vail, the world’s largest ski day to conquer cancer, will feature a celebration of spirited costumes including pink gorillas, huskies, caped crusaders, pink flamingos, hundreds of tutus and enough sequins to make Liberace jealous.
In its third year, Pink Vail is the fastest growing cancer-related event in the U.S. and welcomes guests from around the country. In 2013, participants came from 36 states with donations pouring in from 49 states and more than a dozen counties.
Participants ranged from 3 to 86 years old and teams included a “kids only” group, ladies weekend getaway teams and families and friends supporting survivors, who are honored and recognized during the event.
Pink Vail is a participation-based fundraising event similar to a run or walk to support cancer.
Participants receive pledges, or sponsorships, to ski Vail Mountain during the one-day event. Skiers and riders will enjoy great spring condition and may participate as individuals or as members of a team, and there are no age limits or ability requirements to register.
The minimum pledge amount needed to register for the event is $25 and a Vail Mountain ski pass or lift ticket is required for mountain access. Lodging specials starting at $126 per night will be available for those traveling from out of town or just looking for a fun and worthwhile escape in Vail.
Many of the national parks located in the southwestern USA, such as Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Mesa Verde National Park or Aztec Ruins National Monument, are distinctive for their stone dwellings built high into the rocky cliff walls.
Although these residences are known to have built by the Ancient Pueblo (Anasazi) people, who first inhabited the “Four Corners” area of the United States some 1,500 years ago, there is still much to learn about the history of this ancient people.
To that end, Crow Canyon Archaeological Center is dedicated to unraveling the history of the Pueblo people.
Assisted by thousands of students and adults, Crow Canyon conducts excavations at more than 30 ancient sites, making discoveries that have contributed to important new ways of understanding Southwestern archaeology.
Pueblo Ruins of Chaco and Mesa Verde Country
Among the landscapes of southwestern Colorado and northwestern New Mexico, ancient ruins reveal new evidence about the ancestral Pueblo people, commonly known as the Anasazi.
Trip highlights include Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde, and Aztec Ruins, as well as sites in Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. Guests will also tour Crow Canyon’s current multiyear excavation, featured on the PBS series Time Team America.
The program begins and ends in Durango, Colorado, and takes takes place at elevations between 5000 and 8000 feet above sea level.
All travel is by van on rural roads, with long sections of gravel and dirt road in Chaco Canyon. The pace is somewhat leisurely, but participants must be comfortable hiking and standing for several hours at a time.
The program runs September 14–19, 2014; rates start from $1,895 per person.
You’ve seen historical sights, museums, art, beaches and much more during your travels, but have you ever seen goats? Goats are rapidly becoming a visitor attraction, and goat farms around the U.S. are opening their barnyard doors and welcoming visitors to see the animals, take tours and learn about life on a farm.
At a goat farm, chances are you will meet Billy, Nanny and Buck (the most common goat names). Or maybe you might get a visit with Vincent Van Goatie. Visitors can usually milk a goat, make cheese or explore life on a goat farm.
Here are some places around the U.S. for those who want to add visiting a goat farm to their list of experiences:
Surfing Goat Dairy
The goats on Surfing Goat Dairy in Hawaii don’t make it to the waves, they reside on the slopes of Haleakala Crater on the island of Maui. The only goat dairy on the island, casual tours are available: just drop by and meet some Saanen and Alpine goats. Before you depart, visit the shop that features more than 30 different cheeses.
For a more serious experience on the 42-acre farm, the Grand Daily Tour takes two hours, and visitors feed and milk a goat and lead the herd from the pasture to the dairy. Final stop: sampling cheeses produced at the dairy. You get a ribbon that says “I Milked a Goat Today.’’ Farmers Thomas and Eva Kafsack are originally from Germany and traveled around Europe to learn all about cheese making. www.surfinggoatdairy.com
Mystery Bay Farm
Mystery Bay Farm in Washington offers a tour that includes a visit to the milking parlor and cheese making facility along with the basic history of goats and sustainable farming.
This tour is $10 per person. But if you want to splurge, at both 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. three people can spend $100 and milk the goats along with the basic tour. And if you want more, there is a custom production tour that is for those who want a detailed dairy experience. The price varies.
Alpine goats are in residence along with Rachael Van Laanen, the owner, at this five-acre farm on Marrowstone Island. Cheese making classes, farm dinners and souvenirs are available. www.mysterybayfarm.com
Blue Heron Farm
In Texas, which has the largest population of goats in the U.S., Blue Heron Farm offers tours on their 10.5-acre organic farm. Christian and Lisa are the farmers.
Want to get to know the goats before you visit the farm? Go to their website and read detailed profiles of the goats. Kind of like a dating website, only for goats. Tour schedule varies, no tours on Saturdays. www.BlueHeronTexas.com
Beltane Farm
Beltane Farm hosts concerts, wine tastings, cheese tastings and other food and farm gatherings in Lebanon, Conn. The Oberhasli goats (of Swiss origins) are known for producing great cheese. Mark and Paul are the farmers and cheese makers and hosts.
Check the calendar on their website for events and where to purchase their products. Many items from Beltane Farm, including yogurt and raw and pasteurized milk, are for sale at area farmer’s markets. www.beltanefarm.com
Goat Facts
A few goat facts. A doe or a nanny (the correct name for a female goat) can produce three to 5 quarts of milk each day. There are 210 breeds of goats, according to Goatworld.com. Essential info for visitors: wear closed toes shoes.
Fly anywhere in the Western United States, and on a clear day you might be lucky enough to see barren deserts, snow-capped mountains, mega cities, waving ribbons of farmland, massive rivers, sandy beaches and jagged coast line.
Heck, the region is home to some of the biggest, tastiest and most unique destinations in the world, not to mention that it houses nearly 75 percent of the country’s national parks.
Now Sunset Magazine, the trusted publication known for its celebration of all things Western U.S., has the Sunset Travel Awards, the magazine’s first-ever awards program to celebrate the west’s premiere travel destinations.
“Each month, Sunset strives to point our readers in the direction of the West’s ultimate travel attractions, escapes and getaways,” said Peggy Northrop, Sunset Editor-in-Chief.
“Our goal with the Sunset Travel Awards is to provide an invaluable travel resource to our readers as well as well-deserved acknowledgment to the tourism and hospitality professionals and proprietors who make our region one of the top destinations in the world.”
In search of the West’s standout travel destinations, organizations and businesses, Sunset will issue awards in 33 different categories, including: • Best Beach Town • Best Food Town • Best Ski Town • Best New Cultural Attraction • Best Wine Country Hotel/Resort • Best Luxury Camping • Best Amusement Park Ride • Best Western Cruise • Best Hotel/Resort for Pets • Best Tasting Room/Vineyard Experience • Best Hotel Dining • Best Hotel/Resort for Families
Additional awards will honor outstanding new public attractions, including best National Park restorations, newly saved historic neighborhoods and expanded open spaces.
Award submissions are due by October 31, 2014. Finalists for each category will be selected by Sunset editors and featured on Sunset.com on January 15, 2015.
The winners from each category will be voted on by the Sunset Travel Awards Advisory Board, which includes a dozen distinguished travel professionals from across the West.
While most of the awards require a written application and entry fee, Sunset editors also want to hear what readers think. So be sure to voice your opinions on Facebook, Twitter or other favorite social media channels using the hashtag #sunsettravelawards.
Destinations from around the world actively promote their visitor attractions. Explore the sights, shop, visit the beaches and enjoy – and spend lots of money and contribute to our economy. Tourism is a leading economic engine.
These days some countries have also decided that having someone spend two weeks in their country isn’t quite enough. They want Americans to make their destination a permanent home.
Many places – particularly in South and Central America – actively recruit American and Canadian residents. And many people are seeking out a life in someplace other than North America.
Why? Some want an adventure, to explore a different culture or learn a new language. Money is often a factor, it is possible to live better for less.
The discounts and deals are numerous. Panama offers expatriates discounts from 15 to 50 percent on restaurants, movies, doctor bills and prescriptions. For others it is a statement: “I didn’t leave America, America left me.’’
Living in another country is not just about packing your bags and getting on an airplane. A basic tourist visa is usually good for 30 to 90 days. A residency permit takes diligence to obtain. Colombia has 17 different options for residency.
In Panama there are 10 different options. Sometimes you need to apply for the residency visa outside the country. In other cases the application must be made while you are in the country.
“The rules are constantly changing,’’ said Lief Simon, global real estate investor and part of Live and Invest Overseas, a company that has made a business out of helping people to establish a home in a new county.
He went on to say that in some countries, it is possible to apply for citizenship five years after receiving a residency visa.
While U.S. citizens can hold multiple citizenships, that does not apply in Singapore, where citizens must renounce their U.S. citizenship, according to Simon.
Some Western European countries (Ireland, Italy, Spain and Germany) offer citizenship through ancestry. If your grandfather or grandmother or was a citizen you might be able to apply. How far into the family history can you go? It varies.
Lots of paperwork is always part of the process and chances are you will have to provide a copy of an FBI background check. Uruguay requires an Interpol check. All of the essential documents must be translated by a certified translator (usually in country).
That means the documents that you have for a move to Mexico won’t work if your destination is Argentina. Yes, Spanish is the official language in both countries but there are differences.
The 400 people who heard Simon and others speak at the recent Retire Overseas Conference got an overview of the wheres, whys and hows in living overseas.
Although exact numbers aren’t available, more and more Americans are opting to live in another country especially after they retire.
For many at the three-day event retiring abroad is about selecting a place that is most welcoming.
And once you find your new home there are some rules about when you can leave. In Ecuador you cannot leave the country for more than 90 days in the first two years.
If your new home is Columbia you must visit the country once every six months. Malaysia has no time restrictions on new citizens. So it is possible to come and go whenever. But as with many rules, that could change.
If you mention the word “park” in a city like LA, many folks are off on a tizzy about parking their beloved vehicles before they realize you’re talking about the other kind of park – the leafy kind designed for rest, relaxation and renewal.
Yep, urban parks in Los Angeles do exist.
Everyone knows about the granddaddy of them all, beautiful Griffith Park. It’s the city’s largest and it has made appearances in countless Hollywood movies. And yes, sports fans might even remember to mention Elysian Park, since it’s home to their beloved Dodgers.
…point to a renewed interest in beautiful outdoor spaces
But today we celebrate some of the newest additions to LA’s urban park scene – the ones most residents don’t even know about. They’re creative, even surprising in their design, [think water-wise plantings] — and they point to a renewed interest in beautiful outdoor spaces.
They’re for today’s LA resident and visitor, and a joy to “discover” for the first time.
So grab your sunglasses, pack a lunch, or simply bring a book. There’s a new breed of park out there, and there may just be a bench or patch of grass with your name on it.
Grand Park
It used to be a wasteland of concrete, but no more. Dubbed “the park for everyone,” the first thing you notice are the pink tables and chairs throughout. Yes, pink. Admire the majestic views from the four distinct terraced areas connecting City Hall to the Music Center. Wow, city planning at its best. You’ll quickly forget you’re atop a giant parking lot as you stretch out on the grand event lawn.
The stunning restored fountain – one of the largest in LA – is a glorious site to behold during the day, and at night it boasts a vibrant light show. Join the kids and dip your toes in the inviting wade pool, or grab a coffee in the well-placed Starbucks.
Find your own quiet corner or join the crowd for ever-changing art exhibits, community dance events or live musical concerts. Reminiscent of Washington D.C., Grand Park will make you proudly announce, “Downtown LA is back.”
Between 200 N Grand Avenue and 227 N Spring Street, Downtown Los Angeles
Vista Hermosa Natural Park
This oasis can be your little secret. Just blocks from the 110 freeway, you’ll be mesmerized by the skyline views that are so close that you feel you can reach out and touch them. Did we mention the stunning views?
Just blocks from the 110 freeway, you’ll be mesmerized by the skyline views at Vista Hermosa Natural Park in Downtown Los Angeles // (c) 2013 Corona / Flickr.com
Deceptive in size, the grounds feature terraced trails and flowing streams. Green grass welcomes from every direction, and there are even two small parking lots and clean bathrooms. Hike or picnic by the waterfall, or watch a soccer game on the giant field below.
Enjoy this quiet sanctuary and thank the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the LA Unified School District for collaborating – for they gave us a truly unique space that makes you say, “Wow, LA is beautiful.”
100 N. Toluca Street, Downtown Los Angeles
Grand Hope Park
This little gem has been cleaned up and caters to that new breed of LA resident, the one who resides downtown, as it’s within blocks of LA Live and the Staples Center.
Walk through the gates of the mosaic clock tower and join the new loft-dwellers as their kids frolic in one of downtown’s only gated playgrounds.
Grand Hope Park caters to that new breed of LA resident, the one who resides downtown. // (c) 2010 Ricardo Diaz / Flickr.com
No dogs are allowed, so it’s safe to lounge on the huge grassy space and make friends with the Fashion Institute students who spill out of the campus buildings nearby.
People-watching can be your new sport of choice here. Get your yoga on with one of the gathering classes, or simply watch from your own shaded corner under the arbor and the bougainvillea trees. This is city living at its best.
W. 9th Street & Hope, Downtown Los Angeles
Disney Hall Blue Ribbon Garden
Though technically not a park, this garden on the rooftop of the gleaming Walt Disney Concert Hall has to be mentioned, as it’s one of LA’s unique spaces open to the public.
The Disney Hall Blue Ribbon Garden, on the rooftop of the gleaming Walt Disney Concert Hall is one of LA’s unique public spaces. // (c) 2013 Daniel Djang / Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
Channel your Manhattan vibe as you take in the city views and bask in the creative aura of the concert hall and nearby children’s amphitheater.
Staircases from 1st Street or Grand Avenue take you to this shaded sanctuary featuring lush vegetation, organic herbs and plenty of seating. Check out the mosaic fountain and make your wish.
135 N. Grand Avenue, Downtown Los Angeles
Silver Lake Meadow
For years, residents could jog around the Silverlake Reservoir and visit the nearby dog park, but no green space existed to simply hang out. Enter the newish Silverlake Meadow. Cue rejoicing locals.
Enjoy views of the Los Angeles Reservoir at the Silver Lake Meadow // (c) 2013 Silver Lake Reservoirs Conservancy
Though technically more a lawn than a meadow, this small dog-free space is perfect for frisbee tossing or a light picnic. There’s not much shade, so bring an umbrella, or simply come and enjoy the changing colors on the hillside and reservoir at sunset.
Mingle with the hipster families and see for yourself why Silverlake feels a world away from stereotypical La La Land.
Nothing gets the heart beating like the anticipation of a road trip. When it’s time to get out of LA, many charming beach towns beckon and are seemingly a short drive away.
But hop in the car and the bumper-to-bumper gridlock is enough to dampen the spirits of the most optimistic day-tripper or beach enthusiast.
Fear not, Southern Californians are blessed with a second, often forgotten option – the train. Yes indeed, in Los Angeles, you can choose to make the journey just as important as the destination and hop aboard Amtrak at Union Station.
…make the journey just as important as the destination and hop aboard Amtrak at Union Station
Suddenly you’re creating memories by hanging in the observation car, chatting up a stranger, taking pictures of the emerging coastline and preparing for the day’s beauty – for there’s a beach town lifestyle calling your name.
And wow, so many options. Both the Coast Starlight and the Pacific Surfliner trains have station stops dotting the coastline. You could ride all the way south to San Diego, or instead, north of Santa Barbara, before the track veers inland toward San Luis Obispo.
But today we’re featuring three smaller, lesser-known beach communities, where you can simply step off the train and smell the surf.
Carpinteria, Calif.
Just north of Ventura and about 12 miles southeast of Santa Barbara is the coastal community of Carpinteria, home of the “World’s Safest Beach.” Emerge from the train and breathe in that small-town charm.
Just steps from the station is Linden Avenue, which takes you two short blocks to the city’s peaceful, often crowd-free beach.
But first, consider a stop at the family-run, Island Brewing Company, an award-winning microbrewery literally across the street. Sample the brews and bask in an authentically local experience and watch more trains zip by – the tasting room patio is next to the tracks.
Carpinteria,Calif., home of the “World’s Safest Beach,” is easily accessible by Amtrak // (c) 2015 Carpinteria Chamber of Commerce
Watch the kids practicing football or baseball as you amble down to the gorgeous, clean beach, where locals are playing pick-up volleyball matches.
Right next to the city beach is Carpinteria State Beach and campsite, where the smells from grills and campfires only adds to the experience.
While dipping your toes in the Pacific, be sure to turn your back to the waves, because an equally-impressive view awaits – the breathtaking backdrop of mountains.
When ready to explore, walk into town to step into the cute boutiques, galleries and antique shops that dot Linden and Carpinteria Avenues.
…the coastal community of Carpinteria is home of the “World’s Safest Beach.
You won’t find cookie-cutter restaurants in this corner of town, but instead taco stands, ice cream parlors, and mom and pop places with names like The Worker Bee Café, Cabo’s Baja Grill & Cantina or Rusty’s Pizza Parlor.
You can hang with the bikers on a sunny patio, witness the thriving cyclist community at the bike shop or find literary treasures at the local library book sale.
If you happen to be visiting on a First Friday, you’re in for more of a treat – from 5-8 p.m. the city hosts music and entertainment while participating merchants and vendors offer refreshments in a hometown atmosphere.
As you hear that train whistle in the distance, you’ll realize that “unpretentious” may be the word to best describe this gem of a beach town.
When you say, “I want to take the train to the beach,” San Clemente is the ideal destination, for the station is just inches from the sand.
San Clemente is located midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, at the southern tip of Orange County, and as you disembark with others in the know, you’ll appreciate public transit planning at its best. As the train pulls away, the sound of the waves replaces the sound of the engine.
The San Clemente Pier is one of the longest wooden piers remaining in Southern California // (c) Trey Ratcliff / Flickr.com
A mere 30-second walk from the station and you’re facing the impressive San Clemente Pier, framed by palm trees, with available beach on either side.
After visiting the sea, get your exercise and stroll along this landmark, one of the longest wooden piers remaining in Southern California. Observe the local fishermen reeling in their catch, or choose to cheer on the surfers from above as they “catch a wave.”
…see why San Clemente is called the “Spanish Village by the Sea”
When you reach the end, see why San Clemente is called the “Spanish Village by the Sea,” for the views of the coast and the town’s cliff-hugging architectural homes are stunning.
As a reward, consider a bowl of clam chowder at The Fisherman’s Restaurant right on the pier, with deck seating above the pounding surf.
The actual town center of San Clemente offers loads of fun thrift shops, bars and homey eateries as well, but it’s a steep hike up the hill without a car. If you need two days at the beach, spend a night at the Beachcomber Motel, an indie property right in the heart of the action, with killer views.
But remember, proximity to the pier and beach means you’ll be hearing those lovely trains pass by several times during the day and into the night – a small price to pay for beachside perfection.
In northern San Diego County, just below Carlsbad, is the scenic town of Encinitas, where you can’t help but notice the healthy lifestyle. (Consider bringing your bike along for the ride, as Amtrak offers limited reserved bicycle spaces on most trips, often with no fee.)
The glistening sands of Moonlight State Beach, in Encinitas, Calif., reflect the sky and give the illusion you’re walking on water. // (c) 2014 Ed Forsyth
On Coast Highway 101, just blocks from the station, you’ll discover you’re among friends, as long-distance cyclists zip through town on training rides, and locals on beach cruisers coast into this bike-friendly, historic shopping district.
You can ride south alongside spectacular coastal views or simply meander north, waving to passing trains.
Meet the local, friendly waitresses at The Encinitas Café and the 101 Diner, and practice your meditation with a visit to the Self-Realization Fellowship Temple and Gardens, perched above the Pacific.
The pace is simply slower here, where people live and breathe surfing, especially in the northern Leucadia district, where the motto is, “Happy the Funk Up.”
…in the northern Leucadia district the motto is, “Happy the Funk Up.”
Pottery and plant places intermingle with arty bookstores and yoga studios. There are enough coffeehouses to try a new one each day of the week, but the Pannikin Coffee & Tea takes the cake, as it’s embedded in an historic Santa Fe RailwayStation, built in 1888.
The “taco shops” are also omnipresent, but you’ll swear-off canned soup forever after trying the tasty, flavorful soups at La Especial Norte, a thriving Mexican eatery.
And then there are the beaches. Take in the views perched atop the steps down to Grandview beach, or follow the parade of surfers to Leucadia State Beach, known locally as Beacon’s. At low tide, wander down B Street to Moonlight State Beach, where the glistening sands reflect the skies, giving the illusion you’re walking on water.
Featuring a large playground, fire pits, volleyball nets and well-maintained restrooms, you’ll see why the local residents can’t resist a day at the beach.
Even if you skip the train and choose a longer visit via car, the towns of Carpinteria, San Clemente and Encinitas offer a beach town culture, with a chance to park within steps of the beach, often with no fees or hassles.
Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner makes station stops dotting Southern California’s coastline. // (c) 2012 Don Barrett / Flickr.com
Finding wildlife in the wild is never easy. An excursion hunting for bears, moose, deer or other mammals, while serving up amazing views of wild and remote areas, can still end up being disappointing if the wildlife doesn’t appear.
But if you can’t be sure you’re going to see wildlife, trekking with your own llama has to be a pretty good second-best option.
Lunch with a Llama, a new package at the Antlers at Vail hotel, allows guests to do just that. Participants search for Colorado wildlife in its native Rocky Mountain habitat, on half-day hikes accompanied by a pack llama.
Lunch with a Llama was inspired by a recent (and unexpected) visit from a baby moose, who took a brief respite in lobby of Antlers at Vail. The moose-on-the-loose made international news, but hotel staff assure guests this is not an everyday experience.
“We’ve had close encounters with wildlife before,” says Antlers General Manager Rob LeVine, referring to bear tracks outside, a trapped weasel once, and even a fox by the swimming pool, but “this is a first for a moose, or any animal, in the lobby.”
The moose’s unexpected visit inspired Antlers staff to create the opportunity for guests to experience the area’s bountiful wildlife – and be guaranteed a photo-op, if not with a moose, then a llama. “But, outside the hotel,” said LeVine.
The Lunch with a Llama package includes a half-day “Lunch with a Llama” trek to view wildlife for two, organized through Vail’s Paragon Guides. The package, which runs throughout the month of August 2014, includes two nights’ lodging in an Antlers one-bedroom suite.
The package starts at $690 for two, but can be upgraded for families traveling with llama-loving kids to $757. For the more adventurous, a full-day wildlife-viewing llama trek can also be arranged, for an additional charge.
The Antlers at Vail is located in a fabulous mountain setting on the banks of Gore Creek, just steps from restaurants, galleries, shops, free Vail town shuttle and the Lionshead Gondola.
The property was recently awarded a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and GreenLeader status, and features condominiums ranging from studio suites up to four-bedroom penthouses. Every unit includes a fully-equipped kitchen, fireplace, private balcony, daily maid service, and complimentary wi-fi and parking.
I confess, when it comes to golf, I’m a non-believer. It’s not that I hate golf, I just don’t get it.
It’s possible that a childhood trauma–a 1973 run in with a windmill on my local mini golf course that left me nearly decapitated and publicly humiliated–has left some long-term emotional scars.
I do appreciate the magic that goes into creating a gorgeous course. The lush carpets of green, the gently sloping hills, the water features, the scenic views.
I even appreciate the golf pros, the sport’s uber-cheerleaders, even though a conversation with a pro always starts out with an animated “I’ll teach you how to play [little lady],” and always ends with a sigh and some form of “well, keep at it, I’m sure one day you’ll get it.”
But playing golf? Meh, just not for me. So every time my golf-adverse self gets near a gorgeous course, I’m pretty much always on the outside looking in.
Which means when it comes to an especially amazing course like the Princeville Makai Golf Club in Kauai, named one of the “Top 5 Great Golf Settings in the U.S.” by National Geographic Traveler, there’s no way anyone’s going to let me past the clubhouse.
Even if I were to suck it up and attempt to play, there are few foursomes that would have me. Because of the windmill incident. And, you know, my nickname–the Divot Diva.
So imagine my delight to be lured with propaganda that allows me to enjoy the beauty of that course, “without having to swing a club.”
Princeville Golf Course tours for non-golfers? Genius.
The course, which is located along Kauai’s north shore, is now offering a “Sunset Golf Cart Tour” at 5:00 p.m. daily. Two people can check out a 2014 Club Car Prestige electric cart and explore the course at their leisure.
Guests can follow the cart paths past all 18 holes, stop wherever they want to take photos, enjoy a snack or drinks (including champagne) at the Makai Grill, and watch the sun set over Hanalei Bay. Information on wildlife and scenic points is even provided.
The Sunset Golf Cart Tour starts at $40 per golf cart for 2 guests and should last about 90 minutes. Meaning that the time you saved by not playing golf leaves you almost 3 hours for important things like shopping, eating, soaking up the sun, relaxing with a deluxe spa package, or enjoying Kauai’s other activities.
Hyatt Hotels of Denver Downtown–Grand Hyatt Denver and Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center–are making it easy for guests to attend Denver’s latest must-see art installation, “Chihuly” at the Denver Botanic Gardens.
Through Nov. 30, 2014, the Denver Botanic Gardens is presenting the works of noted artist Dale Chihuly, in an dramatic outdoor setting–the first major outdoor exhibition of its kind in the Rocky Mountain region.
Chihuly’s elegant sculptures–ranging in size and style from small water floats to a 30-foot tower–add bold colors and dramatic beauty to the gardens’ 24-acre landscape. Informed by nature, each installation responds to neighboring plants, flowers and architecture.
“We are thrilled to welcome Chihuly to Denver Botanic Gardens,” says Brian Vogt, CEO of the Gardens. “The iconic artwork will enhance the Gardens’ living collection in a powerful, yet graceful way that is at once familiar and other-worldly.”
Chihuly is credited with revolutionizing the Studio Glass movement and elevating the perception of the glass medium from the realm of craft to fine art. He is renowned for ambitious architectural installations around the world, in historic cities, museums and gardens.
A series of special events frames the Chihuly exhibit, including Chichuly Nights, held throughout October and November, when the artworks are illuminated at night for a unique perspective.
Hyatt Hotels of Denver Packages
Located in the heart of the Mile High City, less than three miles from Denver Botanic Gardens, Hyatts’ overnight packages are:
Chihuly Glass in the Gardens Package
Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center The package includes two VIP admissions to the exhibition and two cocktails in the hotel’s Peaks Lounge or in the Altitude Restaurant.
Towering over Denver at 37 stories, Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center is one of the region’s largest hotels–home to 1,100 newly refreshed guest rooms adjacent to the Colorado Convention Center, in the heart of Denver’s theatre district.
The hotel’s Peaks Lounge, located on the 27th floor, is known for its views of the Mile High City and surrounding Colorado mountains.
Grand Chihuly Package
Grand Hyatt Denver The package includes two VIP admissions to the exhibition and complimentary hotel valet parking for one car. The recently renovated, 516 –room Grand Hyatt Denver overlooks the Rocky Mountain front range.
Its Pub 17 on Welton Street capitalizes on the state’s microbrew culture, offering a selection of more than 50 craft beers, regionally sourced fare and western slope wines.
Both overnight packages are valid through Nov. 30, 2014, and start from $147 per room.
