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Tag-Archive for "Mountains"

Romantic Getaways in Vail and Beaver Creek Dec 07

When most people think of Vail or Beaver Creek they think of world class skiing.  However, you will find that Vail has a lot to offer couples looking for a romantic getaway anytime of year.

Romance is in the air you breathe whether you are taking moonlight walks underneath the stars in the mountains of Vail or roasting marshmallows and drinking hot chocolate with your loved ones in the square at Beaver Creek.  Being in Vail and Beaver Creek for a romantic retreat is a moment in time you’ll treasure forever.

One of our favorite places to stay in Vail is the Vail Mountain Resort and Spa Marriott.  Many rooms have a crackling fireplace and a view of the splendid mountains.  There concierge is superb especially Adam Friedman.  He gave us great recommendations for romantic excursions.  There are great hiking trails within walking distance from the resort.

My husband and I recently celebrated our 11th anniversary in Vail and truly had an anniversary to remember.  To begin the day we had a scrumptious hot breakfast buffet at the Marriott, which was included in the price of our stay.  Later that afternoon for a romantic retreat we took a scenic drive to Beaver Creek Resort, a neighboring community.  In the middle of the square you can find an ice skating ring where couples can feel like kids again by strapping on those ice skating shoes and sharing laughter and memories that will last a lifetime.  To warm up afterwards you don’t have to go far.  There are several gas fireplaces with huge comfortable chairs to relax in while reminiscing with hot chocolate from the many cafes in the square.  Take a stroll around the square and you’re sure to find that special gift in the many quaint shops around. 

For a romantic dinner take a shuttle to Splendido at the Chateau.  Chef David Walford will tease your palette with fine contemporary American cuisine with French and Italian influences.  If you go in the Fall time they have great specials.  The ambience is exquisite from the moment you walk in with a grand piano, and a magnificent wood burning fireplace.  It reminds me of a chateau you would find in France.  The décor of the restaurant is made for romance from the white table clothes, candlelight, spectacular view of the mountains, and waitstaff that anticipate every need you might want.  Did I mention you can stay here?  How romantic would that be? 

After a romantic dinner you should take a shuttle ride to the Ritz Carlton lodge.  Enjoy an evening cocktail at Spago’s, a Wolfgang Puck restaurant. But for romance take your cocktail outside to the wood burning fire pit outside and cuddle up with your loved one for an evening under the stars roasting marshmallows.  Take a stroll around the grounds under a full moon.  It’s very romantic.  If you can afford to stay here, this is a very romantic atmosphere.  It’s very different from a normal Ritz Carlton.  The superb service and elegance is still there, but if you love the outdoors you’ll love the Ritz, It’s designed as a rustic lodge with beautiful fireplaces in every room.  You will definitely not be roughing it here, but you’ll still get that loving nature ambience. And for pet lovers, you can take The Ritz Carlton dog on your hiking trips with you.   

When we returned to the Marriott, our evening of perfection ended on a high note when we returned to our room to find chilled champagne and strawberries dipped in chocolate from our concierge! 

If you would like to go to Vail and aren’t able to stay at one of the places we mentioned above, you can click on the links below to help investigate other lodging options including hotels or vacation home rental properties.

Hotels near Vail, Colorado.


For help with planning your entire Vail or Beaver Creek vacation including airfare, you can click on the link below.

 

Romantic Getaways in the Mid Hudson Valley Nov 15

Within easy travel from the big city hubbub of New York City is the Mid Hudson Valley in New York State.  When you arrive, you won’t believe you are still in New York.  There are beautiful mountain and river views, great restaurants, historical sites to tour, wineries, and did I mention great restaurants?

 

To get to the Mid-Hudson Valley you can take the commuter train or Amtrak from NYC to get to Beacon, Poughkeepsie, or Rhinebeck.  The train ride takes about two hours and travels along the Hudson River.  The further away you get from the city, the more scenic the Hudson gets as you begin to pass riverside mansions, mountains, and you can even get a view of West Point along the way.  It is about two hours by car from any of the NYC area airports as well.  For assistance in planing your travel to the Mid Hudson Valley, you can click on the link below.


 

You will notice the beautiful natural scenery when you arrive at the Mid Hudson Valley (especially after spending some time in NYC).  The Catskill Mountains can be seen along the west side of the Hudson River and they provide opportunities for hiking and sightseeing and skiing in the winter.  Some beautiful parks for hiking, biking, and having an afternoon picnic are Lake Mohonk and Lake Minnewaska in the New Paltz area.

 

Hyde Park is home to the Culinary Institute of America which has trained the world’s greatest chefs for years.  One of the great things about the Mid Hudson Valley is that many of these great chefs stay in the area and open up restaurants.  There are romantic restaurants for all tastes.  The Culinary Institute has 4 restaurants with Italian, French, and Regional cuisine and the Apple Pie Bakery (a great coffee shop/bakery) but make sure to make reservations in advance.

 

For history buffs, visits to the Franklin D Roosevelt Home or the Vanderbilt and Staatsburgh Mansion in Hyde Park are both educational and have beautiful grounds for scenic walks and picnicking.  If you are in the area around Christmas be sure and check to see if any of these mansions offer Candlelight Christmas tours as these mansions are beautifully decorated and the candlelight definitely sets a romantic mood.

 

There are some great wineries throughout the valley as well which offer tours, wine tastings, and some have restaurants.  One of our favorites is the Cascade Mountain winery in Amenia which has a really nice restaurant (see above) and a variety of wines with interesting names.  A good website with a list of 21 wineries with brief descriptions of their offerings is found at A Visitor’s Guide to Wineries in the Hudson Valley.

 

The Mid Hudson Valley has a lot to offer a couple looking for a romantic getaway.  The food, history, and scenery all contribute to its appeal.  One final note, there is probably no more beautiful time to visit the Mid Hudson Valley than in the fall.  The colors of the leaves are breathtaking and rival the colors seen in Vermont and New Hampshire!

 

If you can’t make it to the Culinary Institute, there are great restaurants throughout the valley for a romantic dinner and night out.  Here are some of the real romantic ones for you to try.

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