Colorado Summer :

Let your summertime adventure begin in southwestern Colorado. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover a treasure-trove of travel experiences like the Telluride Yoga Festival and Crested Butte Music Festival.

If organized events aren’t your thing, don’t worry. There are plenty other activities like four-wheeling, wildflower hikes, and fly fishing to try your hand at.

So forget the beach and come along now and have some real summertime fun! We’re going to practice “Downward Facing Dog,” go four- wheeling to a gold mine, and listen to Beethoven in a barn while drinking beer.  Bet you’ve never done that before!

TELLURIDE:

Yoga Festival 
The quintessential little western ski town of Telluride has been hosting its annual Yoga Festival since 2007. The event continues to expand because it offers small classes that meet the needs of beginners and experts alike.

Since class size is limited, it is advised to register and schedule your workshop(s) in advance. If you’re a beginner, sign up for “Insight Yoga: Exploring How and Why To Meditate” hosted by Sarah Powers. It is an excellent way to kick off your experience. The yoga poses were a little challenging, but the meditation techniques helped calm the mind and are designed to make meditation a daily lifestyle choice. 

This year, the event attracted over 300 “yogis” from all over the world. To register for three full days of yoga, meditation, kurtin, and performances, log on to: www.tellurideyogafestival.com 

WHERE TO STAY:

Capella Hotel 
I’d recommend staying at the new CAPELLA five-star luxury hotel in Telluride.  Capella is a boutique resort property with 84 guest rooms and 11 suites. The guest rooms are furnished in a rich mahogany décor.

The bathrooms are outfitted with marble and stainless fixtures and the Burberry wool carpeting in our room felt divine underfoot.  Electronic amenities include a LCD flat screen, WIFI and iphone/i-pad music dock.  It’s staffed uniquely to accommodate each guest on a one-on-one basis. 

Before your arrival, your private concierge will contact you in order to ensure that all needs and special requests are fulfilled during your stay. This service is amazing and we recommend taking full advantage of it. Another great amenity is the private and secure underground parking garage that is separate from the rest of the valet parking.  Perfect for the Ferrari and luxury vehicle owners!

As of January 31st, Capella Hotels and Resorts will no longer operate or be affiliated with this property in Telluride, Colorado. The hotel will be kept open but as an independent hotel under new management.
 
WHERE TO EAT:

Allred's Restaurant
You can’t go to Telluride without checking out Allred’s. From Capella’s, go past the rink, bear right, and you’ll see the gondola that will take you to the summit where Allred’s is prominently perched.  It’s a perfect place to have a cocktail before heading down the backside of the mountain on the gondola to the quaint village of Telluride proper.  The views are simply stunning.  At 10,500 feet, you’ll be sipping your favorite beverage in heaven! If you decide to stay for dinner, you will not be disappointed.  The dining room is massive with flying trusses and stone pillars all supporting 20-foot plate glass windows.  There isn’t a bad table in the place. We sat at a table with expansive views of the valley.  We began our meal with a Caesar salad made with baby romaine hearts, marcona almonds, smoked tomato, and a fresh asiago crouton. ($12) For my entrée, I enjoyed the roasted organic chicken cacciatore with mixed peppers, organic mushrooms, San Marzano tomato and roasted garlic. ($32) What really shined was the amazing wine list and the juice tour we took. It started in the Russian River Valley with a William Selym Pinot Noir, continued with a superb Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, and then ended with an over-the-top Brunello di Montalcino. Ouch! Waiter, hide the bill! Allred's Contemporary American cuisine is available nightly throughout the winter season.

Onyx Restaurant
Onyx is located in the Capella Hotel overlooking the ice rink.  It reminds me of the Four Seasons in New York City but much more chic.  It’s definitely got a New York City vibe with sleek, and minimalist décor. The elegant sheer tapestry drapes sway gently in the summertime when the French accordion doors are open, bringing the outdoors inside. Kudos to Horst Schulze for this wonderful, innovative and versatile design.

We started our meal with the Heirloom Tomato Salad accompanied with fresh mozzarella, basil, saffron and onion marmalade. ($14) I decided to sample the “Catch of the Day” to see how fresh the fish was in Colorado at 8,200 feet.  The fish is flown in every day and the Atlantic cod with fresh vegetables was what you’d expect from ....