Twilight in the Rocky Mountains is a sacred time of day when the splendor of "purple mountains majesty" is in full swing; shadowy peaks highlighted with veins of dense snowpack cradle glimmering clusters of orange-yellow twinkling homes. However, my favorite thing about arriving in a ski town after dark is the anticipation of not knowing exactly what scenery you'll wake up to in the morning. And oh  what a fantastic surprise Saturday was! I opened my curtains to the clear blue sky and stepped out onto my river-front patio at the Keystone Lodge and Spa. I expected the sunshine, as it is thankfully the norm in Colorado, but I was not expecting the temperature! It was so warm that I didn't even need to pull on my coat as I ate breakfast while soaking up some rays and taking in the gorgeous scenery. Initially, I felt slightly guilty about not being more productive with every single second of my time in Keystone, but I decided to go easy on myself... listening to the rushing river, eating a buttery pastry, letting the heavenly sunshine radiate through my chest. Maybe I owe this to myself, right?  After all, I am still compensating for that year I lived in Seattle.

After bundling up maybe a little more than what was necessary, I was off to the slopes. I meandered through River Run Village, bouyed along by it's charming chalets, little shops, delicious smells, and echoing laughter all the way to the gondola. Keystone's long, wide runs definitely have something for skiers of all skill levels, but I decided that today was as good a day as any to not  break any bones and so mostly stuck to the gentle amateur slopes. I was accompanied down the mountain by tiny apple-cheeked children following their instructor like little ducks in a row. (Whether their arms were way out to their sides for balance or due to their puffy coats, I cannot say.) The mountain was so fun and lively - even the mood of the lift operators dancing around to the catchy tunes was infectious!

On this note, I decided to hit the tubing hill. The only tubing I'd ever done before was on the unmanicured hillsides Appalachia. This - this! - was a whole other experience! Keystone has four tracks that have been perfectly engineered and manicured for your  maximum tubing enjoyment. My ticket got me all the rides I could squeeze into an hour and - believe you me - I did my best to whiz down those chutes as many times as possible! Sometimes flying straight down, sometimes with a spin, I knew I had made the most of my time when I felt appropriately dizzy and jelly-legged by the end of my allotted hour.

I relaxed my muscles with a quick dip in the hot tub before heading off to my horse-drawn sleigh ride. Feeling perfectly blissful as it was, I had no idea just how fantastic my evening was about to become. Two horse-drawn sleighs carried a group of us over a river and through the snow to a cozy mountain cabin. Completely secluded, the amber light emanating from the diminutive windows was the only glow in the valley. Convivial cowboys greeted us with warm, flaky buttermilk biscuits and steamy crocks of savory venison stew. The charming split-log tables and benches facilitated intimate conversation and a talented guitarist added to the ambiance by strolling around and serenading us with her renditions of the classics - everything from "Sweet Baby James" to Christmas carols - with a whole bench-full of children merrily joining in on Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer! My choice of steak with homemade bourbon barbeque sauce was followed by dessert of apple pie fresh from the oven and hot cocoa with shots of peppermint schnapps. We all became impossibly warm - radiating a glow all of our own.The whole experience was a comforting combination of elegant and rustic.  The ride back to Keystone began with lots of friendly chatter and pleasant laughter, which eventually died down as everyone hushed to take in the scene. The moon was so bright that the wagons and horses were casting a shadow. The constellations were practically popping out of the clear night sky. My mouth hung open as I noticed that the sagebrush was quite literally glittering and the snow all around us can only be described as luminescent. I have never seen anything quite so enchanting and magical in all my life. Now, it is my true nature to photodocument every single thing that I deem worthy of remembering, filling up my computer's storage with snapshots of everything from cupcakes to road signs; however, unfortunately, it was too dark and there was too much movement on the sleigh to take a good picture of this night for you. Maybe there are some things that are meant to exist only in fond memories. Without the enticing pictures, you'll have to trust my emphatic recommendation...Please, please go and experience this for yourself!  

There are so many things to love about a mountain town and Keystone is a great example. From the skaters on the frozen lake to the lit-up slopes for night skiing, it doesn't get much more picturesque than this! 

For expert advice on planning your well-rounded Keystone experience, please contact Pamela at Ocean Summit Travel! (303) 664-1650

Being the enthusiast that I am about all things mountainous, snowy, and Coloradan, I am slightly ashamed to admit how long it’s been since I’ve had a proper ski weekend. How long, you ask? I think the last conversation I had on a chair lift may have been about the looming concern of Y2K. Sad but true. Therefore, I am even more appreciative for the quintessential Rocky Mountain winter weekend I just spent in Breckenridge, Colorado!

As it is the first week in December, things in Breckenridge are in full swing for the holidays. The lobby of The Village Hotel had appropriately decked their halls, and the front desk staff was as warm and friendly as the glowing lights on the Christmas tree. While staying in to admire twilight shimmering on the slopes from the toasty sanctuary of my room was an enticing idea, I put my mittens back on and set out to see what this charming mountain town has to offer in terms of nightlife.

Breckenridge strikes a perfect balance after the sun goes down – easygoing but with plenty to do. With a variety of restaurants, bars, pubs, and clubs, there is something for everyone! The friendly nature of so many people in one happy little cove, here to enjoy a bevy of winter activities, creates a welcoming vibe and it was effortless to strike up a conversation and make some new friends. However, personally, I decided that the decision to ski for the first time since the Clinton administration must be taken seriously and I tucked in at a reasonable hour.

Breck Sports, conveniently located in The Village Hotel, was my first stop bright and early in the morning. Other than what I think was an inappropriate number of times for having to confess my weight, their highly organized system for dolling out equipment had me bumping and clacking down the hall with my equipment in no time. There has got to be a more graceful way for a weakling like me to carry this gear, right? Whew!

With the chair lift at the base of Peak 9 basically out the back door of the hotel, I was already half way up the mountain before it occurred to me that maybe it wasn’t my best decision to go all the way up before finding out if I could still get back down. Slightly trembling as I prepared to hop off the chair and glide down the platform - more due to the nerves than chilly weather, as it was absolutely gorgeous! – I tried to cross my fingers in my big padded glove. Something new in the intervening years sans ski is the Epic Mix. Photographers wait to snap your picture on the slopes and you can check them out later on the Internet by using a code on your pass. For a moment, I thought about giving this photographer my “in case of emergency” contact should this be the last photo ever taken of me, but thought better of it, slapped on a big smile and took a pause before pointing my skis down the mountain.

Pushed down by gravity, pulled down by my overwhelming desire to feel the wind in my face and ground flying under my feet, I was skiing again! Weeee!!! I had not lost the mediocre skill level I once had and was soon whooshing and weaving in natural rhythm with the terrain. Yes, my eyes were watering! Yes, my nose was running! Yes, I was suddenly aware of muscle groups I completely forgot I had! BUT the exhilaration was as pure as the soft, powdery, crystalline, freshly-fallen, perfectly manicured snow!

Another welcome addition to the slopes, along with the Epic Mix, is the Gold Runner Coaster. What a nice little bonus at Breckenridge! I skied right over to the ticket window, loaded myself into a toboggan, and had a couple minutes to enjoy the breathtaking scenery while the track gently carried me up to the top. Having no fear (as the ride is securely on rails), I let go of the brake and careened downhill – the closest experience to an Olympic luge I’ll ever get! With “epic” seeming to be the word of the day, I’d say this was “epic fun!”

Breckenridge shone the full glow of its charm on me Saturday evening. Residents and visitors alike gathered at the town square to watch a giant herd of Santas stampede down Main Street. Costumed to varying degrees of authenticity, they raced towards the finish line, trailing belly-laughs and candy canes in their wake. Afterwards, one and all followed them down the street to the fire station for cocoa and cookies, picking up jingle bells before falling in line behind a group of Victorian carolers and the real Santa in his sleigh. The crowd chimed in as we made our way back to the town square to officially light the town’s Christmas tree. Standing in the glow, I thought “If there is anything more festive than this, I cannot imagine it.”

The dreamlike state that Breckenridge had me entranced in started to lift as I came down in elevation on Sunday. Knowing that there is a place where high expectations are exceeded and wild winter fantasies come true… well, that’s enough to sustain me until my next mountain weekend – which I guarantee you will be sooner than later!

When you're ready to join me in Rocky Mountains of Colorado, please call Pamela at Ocean Summit Travel to help make your accommodations.  (303) 664-1650

Have you ever wondered if there is such a thing as a quintessential family vacation?  Is there one destination that can satisfy everyone in the family?  From the youngest travelers who are happy with a long stretch of beach, a plastic pail, shovel and a double scoop ice cream cone to the more experienced travelers with specific expectations like a pillow-top mattress to make their vacation ideal, is it possible to make the whole crew happy?

The answer is of course, absolutely!  Recently my family went to Nantucket, an island that delivered just that.  There was something for everyone and everybody left happy, tan and filled with wonderful memories.

Our 6 day adventure began on my absolute favorite mode of travel, the ferry.  There is something magical about travel by ship.  I don’t know if it is the rhythmic pulse of the waves or that you are simply forced to slow down and take it all in.  Somehow crossing the sea allows your mind time to clear its thoughts of the rat race and transition from reality to the adventure that waits at the end of the gangplank.  To me, there is just no better start to a vacation.

We set off via slow ferry from Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.  Destination… Nantucket.  This tiny little island just off the coast of Massachusetts has long been popular with families on the East Coast.   There is a little something for even the pickiest of travelers.  Me being one of them!  Believe me when I say I generally, ok… I ALWAYS, have a giant list of things I want to do, see or experience whenever I am travelling.  Sadly, my list is not always in line with the rest of my family.  But on this trip I was determined to get everyone on the same page.

Once we arrived and got settled, we wasted no time and headed straight to the beach.  The beaches on Nantucket are incredible.  There are beaches for every type of activity.  We spent most of our time between the two sides of the island.  On the surfside, my family most enjoyed body surfing and boogie boarding.  The crashing waves made for hours of fun in the surf for the kids and provided an equal amount of time for me to catch up on a novel titled “The Island” by local bestselling author, Elin Hilderbrand.  The beaches on the North Shore are just as beautiful.  You can collect seashells and driftwood, go kayaking in the calm waters and any myriad of sea, sun and sand activities your imagination can conjure up.

I cannot tell you how much I adore the quaint town of Nantucket.  (Interestingly, the name of the main town and the island are the same.)   Cobblestone streets are lined with an array of shingle-sided shops.  From high end luxury clothing boutiques stocked with the most trendsetting beachwear to stylish home interior shops bursting with unique and unusual nautical décor.  Waterfront cafes, bakeries crammed full of freshly baked pastries, quaint book stores and even an original old-fashioned soda fountain with counter service inside a pharmacy, are all within walking distance throughout the bustling hub of the village. 

One big requirement for me while on vacation is learning about the history and local flavor.  If I can get in a little exercise then that’s even better.  So when I found Nantucket Bike Tours, I knew I was on to a good thing.  They offered a variety of tours, but when I saw one of the tours ended at a local brewery, well, this was going to be a slam dunk with my husband!  Our guide was the owner, Jason.  We spent a glorious afternoon pedaling around the island, seeing the local sites, learning about the island’s whaling history and checking out some of the country’s most expensive beachfront homes.  Jason was a very friendly guide who clearly has a love for Nantucket and all the history surrounding the island, and it shows.  No matter the question, Jason seemed to be a historian on wheels of life on this 48-square mile Atlantic island.  Our ride ended at the perfect location after a bike ride on a hot sunny day, the Cisco Brewery.   Sipping a frosty artisan brew while listening to live music during happy hour at a lively local brewery on a Nantucket afternoon… well, it just does not get any better than that if you ask me.  It was a postcard perfect day.

Nantucket, being an island after all, has unlimited opportunities for boating, sailing and even whale watching excursions.  On one gorgeous afternoon, we gathered up our crew and headed off for a sailing adventure.  What a treat.   The weather conditions were ideal for sailing.  Once my 8-year old son laid eyes on the enormous sails on our sailboat, well, let’s just day he was just as happy as a pirate who stumbled upon a lost treasure!  The two hour sail familiarized us with Nantucket’s maritime history and gave us an up close view of the beautiful waterfront and beaches.  Our captain did not forget about the younger sailors aboard either.  The kids kept busy helping the first mate tend to lowering and raising the sails.  Between the breathtaking views and the scurrying of kids anxiously awaiting their next task, I am not sure who enjoyed the day more, the kids or the adults. 

As we boarded the slow ferry back to Cape Cod with a picnic lunch of gourmet sandwiches to enjoy along the way, I knew I had hit a home run with this vacation.  My husband was able to play several rounds of golf at Miacomet Golf Club, an 18-hole links style course perfect for golfers of all abilities.  The layout was recently redesigned and the course conditions were great.  The greens were fast, but fair, and the fairways were lush yet provided a challenging angle to the greens.  The kids enjoyed the sun, sea, sand and seashells, all things VERY important to a make a vacation memorable according to them.  And for me, the toughest critic in the group, I found a tiny island steeped in history, a relaxed pace, picture perfect beaches, romantic restaurants, handcrafted local artwork all in the most beautiful natural and authentic setting.  We will certainly be back to Nantucket again as it truly is an incredible slice of paradiseis with so much to offer everyone who visits.

My top picks on Nantucket:

Best way to tour the island – www.nantucketbybike.com

Best book store I could get lost in for hours –  www.nantucketbookworks.com

Yummiest picnic sandwiches – Provisions in Harbor Square near the wharf

Kid’s favorite toy shop with lots of beautiful wooden toys  –  www.thetoyboat.com

Bustling old-fashioned soda fountain – Congdon’s Pharmacy Soda Fountain on Main Street

Museum perfect for all ages – The Whaling Museum -  www.nha.org/sites

Best place to enjoy a local brew – www.ciscobrewers.com

Perfect way to spend a glorious day sailing the sea  – www.endeavorsailing.com

Golf course with spectacular vistas and challenging holes - www.miacometgolf.com

Luxurious island accommodations - www.nantucketislandresorts.com

Christa Hobart is a travel agent with Ocean Summit Travel and is a gypsy at heart.  She has an insatiable love of travel and is always planning her next escape.   Christa lives in Williamsville, New York and would love to help plan your next getaway to Cape Cod or Nantucket.  Christa would love to help you plan your dream vacation.

 I dream about Santorini a hundred times a day.  Whether I glance at a framed postcard in my kitchen that reads “We serve Greek salads here” or when I grab my keys and catch the words “Greece” spelled out in silver beads dangling from my evil eye key chain, I am constantly reminded of my magical times on Santorini.

 The first time I was introduced to the enchanting little island of Santorini was in 1982, when like so many others who filled theater seats to see the quirky film “Summer Lovers”, I left knowing I would one day experience it for myself.  A few years later, imagine my delight when one of my closest friends announced her family would be spending a year living in Athens.  I leapt at the chance to visit the country I had dreamed about since leaving that theater in Minneapolis.

 Since that first trip in 1985, I’ve returned to “my” island, but not nearly enough to satisfy my soul nor to experience the real essence of the island.  Much like wine that develops a more intense flavor as it ages, on each subsequent visit my love affair for the island grows more complex.  Each time I have set foot on Santorini’s soil I feel as though I am truly where I am meant to be, yet I know I have only scratched the surface of this complex rocky gem.  I’ve tried to explain this feeling to people over the years but I’ve yet to find the words. Perhaps it is a feeling for which there simply aren’t words.  Like falling in love for the first time, there are not enough adjectives to accurately express your emotions.  Rather, I believe, the lure and spiritual charm of the island has to be felt deep within one’s heart.

When I close my eyes and let my mind wander away freely, I always drift to sultry sun-kissed Santorini.  Perhaps it is the hypnotic rhythm of the waves and the pulling of the tide that gently calls to my subconscious.  My mind always fills to the brim with the endless possibilities of time spent on this ancient and alluring isle.  In my idyllic dream what would I do? How would I fill my time in my paradise? 

   I want to view the early morning rising sun and feel how, with each passing  minute, the light and warmth begins to awaken and enliven my soul. 

I want to stroll to a local kafenio and sip piping hot coffee while learning to play tavli.

I want to explore the famous ruins at Akrotiri.  The Minoan city surely keeps the secrets of the lost city of Atlantis within its crumbling walls and exquisitely preserved frescos.

Many years ago I read “Zorba the Greek”.  A passage from the book has hung on my wall ever since.  The paper has yellowed and is a bit crumpled but it has not been forgotten as I am reminded of my quest every day.  “Happy is the man, I thought, who, before dying, has the good fortune to sail the Aegean Sea.”  Perhaps now is the time to unfurl my sails and let the warm Cycladic winds fill my dreams.

I want to visit the vineyards and see how the assurtiko grape flourishes in the hot and dry fields.   Then stomp the grapes with my bare feet as though I am participating in an ancient mythical Dionysian festival.

I want to break a plate while shouting “Ompah” and drinking ouzo!

I want to walk along the rugged path that clings to the caldera’s edge from Fira to Oia relishing in the breath taking views that surround me.

I want to listen to live bouzouki music. 

I want to live in the moment.  Why is it in “real life” that we have such difficulty achieving this most simple and obvious task?

I want to pick up a paint brush or piece of chalk and attempt to capture the dramatic and ever changing beauty that was created by nature’s hand.  I’m not an artist but I know here I could be.  I can’t imagine a setting more inspirational, colorful and poetic.

I want to ride a donkey.

I want to taste the bounty of this volcanic arid land.  Fragrant bright yellow lemons, succulent grapes, pungent feta cheese, plump vine ripened tomatoes, freshly pressed olive oil, honey , pistachios and salty olives would all be served around my table.

I want to sit down on the edge of the caldera with a bottle of retsina and slowly watch the sun slip to sleep beneath the rolling sea.

I want to gaze up at the night sky and watch the stars dancing like millions of fireflies to the heavens as I drift off to sleep knowing I have found paradise.

This is my Santorini Dream.  It plays daily in my mind.  It is serene, intimate, respectful, romantic, soulful, filled with passion and uniquely my own.  

Once again, my escape from this heat is to head for the hills. From the moment the very gracious valet opened the car door and effortlessly whisked away my luggage, I was refreshed! Refreshed in temperature and mentality!

Every Colorado mountain town has its own unique personality. While adventure, indulgence, and relaxation all combine seamlessly together in the Gore Valley, Beaver Creek and Vail evoke one feeling above all else and that feeling is luxury! They are two distinct towns that breathe the same breath. Vail, of course, is a legacy. The name of the town in itself is synonymous with finer living. Beaver Creek, tucked into the mountainside slightly further west, is the closest thing I’ve experienced to the idyllic Austrian landscape in this country. In fact, as I stood on my Juliet balcony each night, the lights of the adjacent chalets thankfully brought back memories of European travels growing distant in the rear-view mirror of my mind.

By happy accident (and by “accident,” I mean “completely on purpose”), my visit coincided with the Beaver Creek Wine and Spirits Festival. Beaver Creek has an extremely convenient shuttle service and you will be carried off to your destination within minutes of calling – not a care in the world! After quickly settling into my beautiful and comfortable room at The Pines Lodge, I hopped on board the shuttle and headed off to the Beaver Creek Rodeo & BBQ. How many places on earth can you find gourmet food and bull riding in the same place?! That juxtaposition right there is enough to jolt you into a brand new state of mind!

Just as I was allowing myself to slip into this alternate reality, the next morning found me horseback riding. Yes, horseback riding. It looks so graceful and relaxing in movies, right? I can project “graceful” on one of my better days…I think!  I certainly excel at relaxing. It will be like a hike through the woods but with less work, riiiiight?! Whoa, Nellie! Not exactly!

I was a mess of flailing limbs - pulling, leaning, and ineffectively kicking this behemoth. Only my horse, independent of all the others, instead of keeping up with the pack, insisted on bowing his head to snack literally every 20 seconds. Well, I admit, the wild sage did smell amazing, and surely I can sympathize because I have quite the insatiable appetite myself…but come on?! This horse was actually making me look like the amateur I am! I was just beginning to be seriously flummoxed with the way things were going when all of a sudden we emerge from a cloud of dust and into a vast grove of Aspen trees. Gasp! Hands down one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life. After that, I said “Whatever, Ponyboy! You eat, drink, and be merry, indeed! I’m sure you’ll get me back to the ranch eventually.”  

Joining me on this trip was my close friend, Suzanne. Always the first to share a laugh, we gabbed our way up the Beaver Creek Express Lift and had a blast on a Jeep tour. These rarely-seen views of the alpine tundra were nothing short of spectacular and our extremely informative guide took us to the edge of a vertigo-inducing slope literally called The Brink. It wasn’t something I’d ever be brave enough to go near with two narrow planks strapped to my feet, but it was completely breathtaking when covered with wildflowers. Suzanne and I wove our way through Vail Village in the mid afternoon, hit the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, splashed around in the river while recharging with iced coffees, and savored the European vibe like we were born for this, baby.

Later that night, our weekend came to a close with a fabulous event - The “Best Of” Walk Around Tasting. What is an ice rink during the winter months was transformed into a bevy of gastronomical delights! The wines, the food, the atmosphere – it was all delicious!

Later, as we savored every last second in the hot tub, I looked down and saw the miniscule bubbles collecting on my skin. It reminded me of the glasses of champagne I had just graciously imbibed an hour before… like I was in champagne…like I was champagne. It doesn’t get more luxurious than that.

                                                                                                                                                                                                -Megan

Priding myself on being the consummate traveler, I don’t usually complain about things like extreme temperatures, corrupt taxi drivers, long lines and the like. However,  I have not been doing any traveling yet this summer, which has given me plenty of time to focus on how h-o-t HOT it’s been! Do you find yourself stuck in one of the states somewhere between California and Delaware that is enduring a stiflingly long, hot, humid summer? Before heading up to Winter Park, Colorado, last week, I saw on the weather report that it was going to be about 20 degrees cooler up there, but my skin couldn’t even remember what 70 degree weather felt like, honestly. Well, let me tell you, folks…it feels gooooood!

First of all, how did I not realize that this summertime utopia is only 1 hour and 45 minutes outside of Boulder?! My main squeeze, Cooper, and I were out of the city and into the mountains quicker than you can say “Rocky Mountain High!” Measurably refreshed and enjoying the gorgeous mountain vistas, the smell of fresh pine that can only be described as “green,” and scattered veins of snowpack, Cooper and I left our lower elevation cares far, far below.

I peeled myself out of the car and climbed right into a knee-deep Jacuzzi to wash away the dried city sweat and long workweek while Coop stood on the private patio of our gorgeous townhome, The Antlers at Lakota, admiring the breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys against the crisp cerulean sky.

Now, I think the 12-year-olds inside of us have been feeling more than a little repressed for quite some time. Nothing undoes that feeling like a few zips down the Alpine Slide! Winter Park has the longest Alpine Slide in Colorado, but it still only felt like I had the wind in my hair for a matter of seconds – going fast enough to bypass my frontal lobe and emit a pre-evolutionary hoot as I zoomed around the curves! Again, again, again!!! Follow a few of these runs with a bike ride on the Fraser River Trail or any of the paths ranging from relaxing to adrenaline-inducing. Treat yourself to a pastry and a delicious grown-up drink - or save yourself a step and get the too-good-to-be-true apple pie shot at The Library Sports Grille! Delish! Drift in and out of consciousness while lying on a blanket and watching fly fishermen lazily cast into the softly rushing river. All this followed by a long hot shower and you’re ready to hit the town, my friends! Speaking of “friends,”…

I find that with any traveling, what truly makes or brakes the trip isn’t the luxurious accommodations (though they were), the breathtaking scenery (though it was), or the fun attractions (though they are), but rather the people. The friendly, helpful, generous locals are what have me ready to get back in the car and truck back on up to Grand County. The entire community convenes at Hideaway Park for free live music during the summer. Couples meandered hand-in-hand, teenagers clustered on the grass, and tiny little tykes rode tiny little skateboards. We struck up conversations with kindred spirits, just happy to be there…enjoying this summertime secret. Winter Parrrrk.

Grab a few of your nearest and dearest and make tracks to Winter Park, Colorado. More than just rejuvenating for your sun-stroked self, isn’t it time you let the big kid come out and play?!

For your accommodations in Winter Park, call Pamela @ Ocean Summit Travel .  She represents Destinations West managed upscale condos, cabins and gorgeous lodges in Winter Park and Fraser.  (303) 664-1650

For more information on activities to do in Winter Park, stop by and see the Chamber of Commerce located at 78841 U.S. Hwy. 40, Winter Park, CO 80482 or click on www.playinwinterpark.com.