Denver Travel Examiner: Mexico vacationers safe, smiling and planning to return, despite the U.S. Department’s travel alert

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Denver Travel Examiner: Weekly room report: Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

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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

Check it out — new post budget friendly luxury travel at The Broadmoor

Denver Travel Examiner: Budget friendly, spring break getaway to The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs

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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