Where in the World is Diana Today?

Did you know you can kayak in downtown Denver? Explore more than 850 miles of paved, off-road bike trails? And let’s not get me started on the fabulous hotels, ranging from the luxurious Ritz-Carlton to the historic Brown Place to brands like Grand Hyatt Denver and Westin Tabor Center — oh and my favorite the hip and funky Hotel Monaco! Denver is also gaining quite a reputation for its culinary offerings.

All this and more is included in my recent article in the Business Traveler, entitled “Summer in Denver.”  See below for an excerpt and here’s a link to the article:

Summer in the City

Diana Rowe finds that summers in Denver are action-packed too When the Democratic National Convention (DNC) selected Denver as its host city, and some 50,000 delegates and visitors descended on the city last summer, many speculated that the seven-county metro area couldn’t carry it off. But the success of the pivotal four-day convention has helped put this old mining town back on travelers’ maps.
    Says Mayor John Hickenlooper, “Denver is the largest city in a 600-mile radius, so we have become the cultural, sports, shopping and nightlife capital for a vast region of the country. The DNC allowed us to showcase our great city.”
    Traditionally, travelers think of Denver as a winter destination, and they should—the majestic, snow-capped Rocky Mountains are less than an hour away. The landscape beckons even city slickers, but it’s more than a state filled with skiers and scenery. With 300 days of sunshine per year—that’s more than Miami or San Diego—Denver is a brighter place to visit year-round.
    The Mile High City’s mild climate is its best-kept secret, with low relative humidity and summertime averages at just 86 ˚F. Locals anticipate the summer almost as much as the snowpack. In fact, many transplants will say, “I moved here for the winter, but stayed for the summer.”
    Perhaps that’s why the streets of Denver bustle with a constant flow of business and jogging suits—the perfect blend of work and play. Hickenlooper notes that Denver “has the nation’s largest city park system, with more than 850 miles of paved, off-road bike trails to explore. It’s not surprising then, that Denver is continually named America’s thinnest and fittest city.”Until next time — and hopefully sooner!  (Where has the time gone…)Diana

A couple of weeks ago, I was romanced for the first time by the mountains and harbor of Vancouver and Whistler, two cities ready to host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.  This was my first visit to both cities, and both stops were highlighted by amazing sites. Allow me to tell you about a few. 

Vancouver is a walkable city, and a foodie’s delight, including the art of food on Granville Island (courtesy of Edible British Columbia). In fact, an increasing number of Vancouver restaurants are signing on to a new sustainable fish industry initiative spearheaded by the Vancouver Aquarium, called Ocean Wise.

The off-and-on again rain, so typical of the Pacific Northwest finally stopped long enough on my last day for the sun to pierce the skies and romance me with the amazing views of a bustling Canadian city that continuously buzzed with the landing and take-off of the Floatplanes -- even during the drizzle. 

I was wowed by the ribbon cutting at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The centre  tripled in size with its newly expansion to a 1.1 million square foot facility. From just about anywhere, the centre offer spectacular views as  40% of the centre is suspended over the harbor, specially designed to recreate a natural shoreline and act as a marine habitat for sea urchins, stafish and sea lettuce. (My group even caught a glimpse of a seal — or some sort of marine life…) 

The top of the centre, its “living roof,” is a six acre grass and wildflower roof similar in design to an infinity pool (sans the pool) – only this is a meadow that gives the illusion of stretching and dipping into  the harbour and mountains horizon. I was entranced by the centre’s green design team that created a eco-friendly structure that will not only serve as home base of the 2010 Winter Olympics & Paralympics but also host a potpurri of meetings and conventions, bringing an inflow of business to a welcoming city. There’s plenty of hotels (more than 24,000 in Greater Vancouver, 13,000 in downtown core) to cater to the meetings and conventions business.

Meeting planners and leisure travelers alike can choose from the Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel, where I stayed to familiar brands like the Westin, Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harborside, and Fairmont; to budget hotels like the Victorian Hotel, all dotted throughout this harbor-centered city. Special room rates and packages are frequently offered online.

Another first for me was a visit to Whistler, a 2+ hour scenic and surprisingly comfortable bus ride on Pacific Coach Lines from Vancouver to my hotel, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.

Great deals are available here in Whistler and anywhere, and it was spring skiing like it should be. (Consider visiting during the very exciting 2010 Winter Paralympics, room rates are more reasonable and you’ll still get to see top athletes compete.)

My first step in Whistler was an exhilirating step — off a tree top on the Ziptrek Ecotours. If five incredible zipline rides in a network of ground based boardwalks and trails, aerial stariways and bridges of over 80 feet in the tree canopy zipping along as far as 2,200 feet doesn’t get your adrenaline junkie love going — well nothing will.

The next day’s continued high on dizzying heights when I rode the 11-minute PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola (glass bottom). Read more statistics here. I followed that with a more sedate ride down Whistler’s mountain strapped into my own sno-limo. Ah the thrills of Canadian mountain adventures.

I continued my eating frenzy in Whistler, apres ski drinks at Monk’s at the base of Blackcomb; dinner at Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s fabulous on-site signature restaurant, The Wine Room; breakfast at Ciao-Thyme Bistro (Love the eggs benedict); Irish lunch at Dubh Linn Gate Pub; and a steak dinner complimented by local British Columbia wine and beer in Whistler Village at Earls…

Whew! and now I’m home, and packing up to leave again. This time, heading to another Pacific Northwest destination, Seattle and the surrounding Washington Wine country, including stays at Hotel 1000; Willows Lodge; Cave B Inn at SageCliffe; and the Woodmark Hotel, Yacht Club & Spa. Stay tuned for blogs from the road.

Until the next time,  Diana
Also check out my articles as Denver Travel Examiner

And two-wheels up…

Since landing (after a 90 minute crawl through customs), Vancouver has welcomed me by feeding me. This city knows how to get to a traveler’s heart, through her stomach, and it’s been quite an eating adventure. If I’d known the amazing amount of food awaiting me, I might’ve paced myself.

After checking in the Pan Pacific Hotel, I met with a fellow traveler at the bar, ordered a much needed glass of chardonnay, mango salsa shrimp and cheese plate. The food was exactly what I needed, but the views of the harbor were the frosting! 

That was just the beginning.

The opening reception for me, ten other writers, and dozens of meeting planners was at the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside. The top floor was decked out in hors devoures, but I only had eyes for the sushi.

Then we’re off for round 2 of eating at LIFT Restaurant, Vancouver’s waterfront dining next to Stanley Park.

Not only was the food amazing (loved their seared tuna,

and don’t get me started on their dessert medley!)

but the view of the water netted another interesting view — rowers from the Vancouver Rowing Club. Yes, it was raining and foggy, but at one time, there was a half dozen boats with rowers.

Besides Vancouver, I’m also adventuring up to Whistler.

That was just the first night…more coming soon.

Happy trails, Diana

More on Vancouver soon at Denver Travel Examiner

It’s my first trip to Vancouver, and western Canada.  Leaving this morning, actually heading to the DIA airport in 2 minutes.

Vancouver (Canada) is home to the 2010 Winter Olympics, and it’s also perfect destination for meetings or incentives. I leave tomorrow for the ribbon-cutting of the recently renovated and expanded Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. 

I’ll be staying at the Pan Pacific Hotel. I’m totally stoked about my first trip to this area. I’ll post pictures and updates as frequently as possible.

Then Saturday I’ll head to another 2010 Winter Olympics site — Whistler. 

Until soon, Diana
Denver Travel Examiner

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From Denver, any Caribbean destination is a long day of traveling, and Puerto Rico is no different — except no need to bring your passport. Puerto Rico is a U.S. Commonwealth, so no passport; no problem here.

I’ve been here since Wednesday with a schedule packed full of busy and fun things to do, from a massage to wandering around the Gran Melia ocean front property:

 leave your flip flops behind…

to golf at Bahia Beach on a slightly overcast, early morning

and a stop at the 18th hole of Trump International to watch the rainy Puerto Rico PGA.  Today I’m venturing out to the much-anticipated El Yunque tour, Puerto Rico’s rainforest.

No time to write much, but a picture paints a thousand words, so hope you enjoyed the pics — more later.

Diana

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Technically it IS winter, but with temps in the high 40s in Steamboat Springs (and Denver breaking records in the 70s), it doesn’t feel like that bone-chilling cold that the mountains often receive in the late winter/early spring.  The weather is just one reason why there’s never been a more perfect winter to take a break and head to the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

A couple of days ago, I wrote about my snowshoeing adventure in Steamboat. Today, I’m feeling the effects of my first skiing adventure in nearly 5 years!  Yikes, I had no idea how out of shape I am. (NOTE TO SELF: get back on the exercise routine - Pilates and exercise bike.)

Not a lot of pictures to show of the intense blue skies and champagne powder that Mother Nature blessed Steamboat with on Monday morning because, well, I’m an amateur skier at best. Translation = I fall down the slope. Not a good plan with expensive camera equipment, so the camera stayed home when I rode the first (and last) lifts/gondola up the mountain. (But my BFF Diana brought her lightweight digital camera — see picture below — and yes that’s me on the top of the mountain. Read further..)

Renting skis and purchasing lift tickets is convenient when you stay at the Steamboat Sheraton Resort.  Steamboat Ski & Sport is located within the Sheraton on the basement level at the gondola base (Sheraton slopeside).

My ski-mates were my friend Diana and 18-year-old, snowboarding Hutch. I began slow enough, trying out my skis and stopping ability, citing the mantras “french fry” or “pizza.”  Then we all boarded the ski lift to the top of the green runs, Stampede and Lil’ Rodeo. Not so bad, so I did a few more runs. Apparently, I felt brave, so was convince by my ski-mates to brave the gondola and move further uphill. I was assured that more greens were in my future.

[Click here for picture Steamboat Springs, base of mountain
near the Sheraton Steamboat Resort]

At the top of the Gondola, we exited right — when we should’ve exited left to ski the nice ‘n easy Why Not green run. Huck went off on his own to snowboard; Diana stuck with me. We proceeded to get lost in the maze of trails, ending up at the top of the mountain, Sunshine Peak.

It was without a doubt absolutely stunning beautiful, wide open vistas, white-packed snow. At first, I skied without fear, but then my out-of-shape calves gave up the ghost. I was done, but we couldn’t figure out how to get down to the gondola. A few more missed turns and runs, including the last one where I did a splendid fall, lost a ski, and finally slid down on my bum to a more even surface to get my skis back on.

Let’s just say my sweaty and sore body really appreciated the two cold beers at 3 Saddles in the Sheraton Steamboat Resort lobby. (Diana said I practically threw my rental skis at the dude at the ski shop — her story not mine…)

I enjoyed a fabulous evening meal at Cafe Diva, a short walk from the Sheraton’s front entrance, feasting on a tasty bottle of chardonnay, appetizers (favorite: crab cake); soup (yummy! tomato and crab bisque); and slightly spicy scallops, a house speciality.  A tired and sore Diana crawled into bed.

 The next day I woke up ready to get home, although I did look longingly at the mountain, and had the fleeting thought of tackling the Why Not green run — just to say I could. I resisted, and packed up the SUV and headed back to Denver.  Maybe next time — and Why Not?

Until the next time, Diana
Denver Travel Examiner

P.S. next week it’s off to Puerto Rico to watch the Puerto Rico PGA at Trump International Golf Club, March 9-15 — and maybe even play some golf.

I arrived yesterday at Steamboat Springs, a less than 3 hour drive from Denver, and my first visit in nearly 16 years. I’m here to check out the extensive renovations of the Sheraton Steamboat Resort.

With its champagne powder, Steamboat has long been a playground for everything winter: alpine and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, + more.

 As you might recall from my Quebec City Ice Hotel adventure, I’m not much of a winter person, but how could I resist an opportunity to snowshoe? Snowshoeing is simply hiking in fancy shoes through the snow, right? 

The temps were 40’s, and all the layers of clothing were way too much. I ended up snowshoeing with my ski jacket tied around my waist.  The Rocky Mountains provided the backdrop as my friend Diana and I snowshoed the groom trails at the Steamboat Touring Center.  

A short hour later, we returned to the center and made our way back our rooms at the Sheraton, via their courtesy shuttle.

The invigorating “hike” was complimented by drinks and appetizers at 3 Saddles Bar & Grill, the hotel’s lobby bar.  My drink of choice was White Out–a white chocolate martini, and appetizers included yummy hummus and pita bread, and bite-sized chicken, salmon and beef with sauces. My favorite was the Wasabi.

Located at the base of the ski area with views of the Silver Bullet Gondola, Sevens, their newly reopened, on-site restaurant, served an paired glass of Sauvignon Blanc with wild boar — mmmm. 

Today I’m going to brave the mountain and put on a pair of skis. Steamboat should be very scared!

Until next time, Diana
Denver Travel Examiner