Aspen Food and Wine Festival

You may think of Aspen as only a winter destination, considering it offers amazing skiing and snowboarding, as well as one of the top ten Aprés-ski scenes in the world. But what you might not know, is that the summer season lights up with unique events and gorgeous outdoor sports and excursions. From exploring the fabulous art galleries and shopping at the boutiques, to mountain biking over "the pass" or fly fishing in the Roaring Fork Valley, Aspen in the summer has everything you can imagine.

Along with all of these activities, each year Aspen hosts the Food & Wine Magazine Classic, which is one of the nations most prestigious events. Culinary stars show their passion for food, wine, and entertaining. More than 300 Vintners present premium wines complimented by specialty foods from around the world. You can also join leading chefs including Bobby Flay, Jacques Pépin, as well as world-renown wine authorities such as Joshua Wesson for three days of wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, and other special events.

This event will prove to be one of the highlights of the year and will be taking place June 19-21. Whether you are staying just for the weekend or want to extend your stay for a few weeks, Le Rêve can create a customized itinerary that allows you to experience the breath-taking beauty of Aspen. Whether you enjoy river rafting down the Royal Gorge, hot-air ballooning over Marroon Bells, or simply taking in the culinary arts, everyone in your family will love this Aspen experience.

While in Aspen, you can also stay in your own private villa, complete with workout room, game room, and jacuzzi. Enjoy the comfort of home, the beauty of Aspen, and the exciting talents of some of the world's greatest chefs and sommeliers.

The Remède Spa at the St. Regis

While in Aspen, I was introduced to one of the most deluxe spa treatment centers I have ever seen. It is not simply an afternoon at the spa, but a full experience that leaves you feeling rejuvenated, refreshed, and ready for whatever life holds. Exclusive to the Aspen St. Regis Resort, Remède Spa offers a comprehensive menu of customized and results-oriented facial, massage and body treatments, as well as wax and nail services. The ambiance and the welcoming atmosphere there are also a highlight. This is one of the great staff members that greeted me there.

These treatments and services, combined with signature touches including chilled champagne, Jacques Torres truffles and Kashwere throws, create a decadent spa experience that is unmistakably Remède. Remède Spa recognizes each guest, each face, each body is unique. As such, no two facials or massages are the same.

Following your treatment, enjoy the Oxygen Lounge, where guests reap the benefits of fruit-infused oxygen while laying on chaise lounges before a marble fireplace.

Here is a day experience which especially caught my eye. What better way to spend a day to yourself while on vacation. Allow Remède Spa to indulge you in a day of decadence, including the following treatments:

The Remède Customized Facial
The Remède Customized Massage
Sweep Body Softening Scrub
The Remède Manicure
The Remède Pedicure
Light Lunch

Take advantage of the incredible Remède Spa while enjoying the breath-taking beauty of Aspen!

Back from Aspen

I’m back from my whirlwind tour in Aspen. Below are some of the highlights from my last couple of days spent with my family and friends:

~ Atlas Pizza in El Jebel. As you can see it is the friendliest family restaurant in the Valley and the wine and food along with the atmosphere are fabulous too…a win-win for the whole family! Aren't the girls beautiful!

~ Kenichi with my TASIS friend…the food was good, but the most interesting part of the night was that we learned that Sapporo beer is brewed in Japan and Kirin is brewed in the USA (thanks for the trivia Dominic!).

~ The NASTAR race exclusively for the TASIS alumni on Aspen Mountain. I didn’t win…in fact far from it, but did have a blast! This can be arranged for any group (family, corporate, bachelor party, etc.). We enjoyed a private lunch at Buckhorn, a picnic spot with a view of all the surrounding mountains, which you can see in the picture below. Our host brought us Swiss cheese, sausage, chocolate and wine…what more could you want?!

A few other suggestions that I would be remiss if I left out:

~ If you are looking for a fun and challenging ski run while in Aspen you’ll want to ski Highlands to hike and ski “the Bowl” Just ask a local and they will tell you about it!

~ A few things I want to fit in on my next winter trip to Aspen: Pine Creek Cookhouse, Skate-ski to Maroon Bells, Historical tour of Aspen with the Aspen Historical Society, Snowcat dinner to Cloud Nine, Cross country ski Hut-Trip…stay tuned for the Le Rêve one-of-a-kind gourmet Hut Trip (bringing a bit of Switzerland culture to Aspen) and call me if you want the details!

~ I accomplished my goal of sourcing the finest luxury rental homes in Aspen and re-learning where to go, what to do and who to help plan it! I saw family, old friends and made some great new friends as well. I feel like Aspen is my home once again! I look forward to planning one-of-a-kind Aspen trips for my customers…I just know they will be blown away!