Aspen, CO

Hotel Jerome: A landmark since 1889, Hotel Jerome sits less than a stone’s throw away from Aspen Mountain. Built during Colorado’s silver mining boom, the accommodations emulate some of the greatest European hotels of their time, such as the legendary Claridge’s in London. The hotel quickly became the mecca of the West for those looking to cash in on the silvery findings. http://www.hoteljerome.com/

Boston, MA

Omni Parker House: The oak-paneled walls and crystal chandeliers of the Parker House take visitors back to 1855, the hotel’s founding year. Located across from Boston Common, this legendary hotel has hosted world luminaries such as John F. Kennedy and Charles Dickens. While impressive, the guest list isn’t the most famous attribute of this 19th-century hotel. Fun fact: the Parker House is credited with the creation of the Boston cream pie.

Bolton Landing, NY

The Sagamore: When five Philadelphia millionaires joined forces more than 100 years ago, they sought to build an exclusive resort community in the place they dubbed their summer home. So they did what any determined millionaire would do and purchased an island situated on Lake George in the Adirondack Mountains. Known as Green Island, this exclusive paradise has been home to The Sagamore since 1883. http://www.thesagamore.com/

Charleston, SC

Planters Inn: Built in 1844, Planters Inn originally housed a dry goods emporium in Charleston’s bustling City Market. It wasn’t until 1994 that the building was purchased by its current owner with the goal of transforming it into one of the premier small luxury hotels in the South. With antique accents and its old-world charm, Planters Inn allows visitors to feel like they’re staying in one of Charleston’s historic mansions. http://www.plantersinn.com/

Gettysburg, PA

Best Western Gettysburg Hotel: During the height of the Civil War, the structure now known as the Gettysburg Hotel witnessed a pivotal event in American history: Union and Confederate troops swarmed the town in the three-day Battle of Gettysburg. Not far from the hotel, President Lincoln spoke the immortal words of the Gettysburg Address. Nearly a century later, the accommodations served as President Eisenhower’s national operations center during the Cold War. http://www.gettysburg-hotel.com/

Manchester, VT

The Equinox Resort and Spa: The roots of the resort date back to 1769, when Marsh Tavern was the only occupant of this property. During the Revolutionary War, the tavern’s owner took pity on the British cause, and the two-story establishment was consequently seized by American troops. By 1863, it was apparent that the establishment had made a name for itself as a premier summer resort when it was visited by Abraham Lincoln’s family. http://equinox.rockresorts.com/

Philadelphia, PA

The Latham Hotel: This historic Philadelphia treasure was built in 1907 and has since been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But it wasn’t until 1970 that The Latham Hotel opened its doors to the public, becoming an oasis for business travelers around the world. The European style boutique hotel sits on the original site of the home of William Bucknell, founder of Bucknell University. http://www.lathamhotel.com/

San Antonio, TX

The Menger Hotel: Twenty-three years after Davey Crockett’s legendary fight for the Alamo, German immigrant William Menger constructed this hotel, which is only steps from the fallen mission. Considering the folklore of the area, it’s not surprising that an apparition or two has been known to grace the halls of The Menger, which happens to be the oldest continually operating hotel west of the Mississippi, http://www.mengerhotel.com/

Sonoma County, CA

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa: The legacy of this historic hotel can be greatly credited to the hot springs that have boiled beneath its grounds for centuries. First developed in 1840 for commercial use, the springs revitalize its visitors to this day. Five years before the turn of the 20th century, the springs inspired the first hotel on this site, which catered to San Franciscan gentry. The current inn, a mission replica, wasn’t built until 1927, after a fire destroyed the original accommodations. http://www.fairmont.com/sonoma/

New Orleans, LA

Hotel Monteleone: Affectionately known as “New Orleans’ Timeless Address,” Hotel Monteleone has long been a favorite of writers such as Ernest Hemingway, who referred to the hotel in his short story Night Before Battle. This French Quarter location is one of only three hotels in the United States to be designated a literary landmark. http://www.hotelmonteleone.com/

Washington, D.C.

The Hay-Adams: Named after two of the sites’ first residents, The Hay-Adams overlooks Lafayette Square, just steps from the White House. The Italian Renaissance-style hotel, which opened in 1928, boasts a highly recognizable guest list, including Charles Lindbergh, Sinclair Lewis, and Amelia Earhart, to name a few. www.hayadams.com

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Posted in Educational & Historic, Hotel Travel
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I am sure you've heard of Aspen, Vail, Tahoe, Park City, and Stowe. Chances are you associate these mountainous destinations with winter fun. But what about summertime? As it happens, some of our favorite winter destinations make great warm weather getaways too. You get all the beauty, none of the snow, and--compared to winter--some real bargains to boot.

City slickers and outdoor enthusiasts alike can rejoice in endless activities. There are countless trails for hiking or mountain biking. Ride a lift up and explore. Summer fun in the mountains can include mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, fishing and even world-class golfing. Jeep tours and hot-air balloon rides are also commonplace in mountain towns and make for fun summer times.

More and more people are enjoying a second season in the mountains. However, tourist volume has not yet reached the peak of the winter months, so room rates are usually lower, and your chances of making the scene at the trendiest spots increases. Here’s your chance to score a reservation at the hot spots you've been reading about. Perhaps best of all, once you’ve rubbed elbows with the elites, you can high tail it back home and have the hot tub all to yourself!

Mountain resorts offer a great summer escape, whether you’re looking for an active blast, family time, or a romantic interlude. Family time is easy when there is something for everyone. There is plenty to do for almost every activity level. Organized hikes and leisurely picnics are inexpensive and memorable family times.
Check in with mountain towns by visiting their Web sites to find out about specific programming. Below are a few examples to help get you started.

Salt Lake City and the surrounding area , home to the 2002 Winter Olympics, offer hundreds of miles of trails ranging from high-elevation and rock-strewn single track to meandering historic pioneer pathways. With numerous resorts less than an hour from the airport, it's no wonder that the city is a popular summer destination. For example, the Canyons Resort in charming Park City is less than a half an hour drive. Welcoming summer visitors, the resort hosts musical celebrations thoughout the summer and performances are usually free to the public.
In Vail, there are concerts, festivals (like the wacky Big Wheel and Chili Festival), as well as a farmers' market every Sunday. Offering access to products from the best growers from the Front Range and Western Slope, it's easy to enjoy healthy, local produce. If you're staying at a property with a kitchenette, you can even cook up a cherry pie or whip up a pasta pesto extravaganza in no time. And don't forget nearby Beaver Creek with a great resort center, Keystone which allows animals to ride the chairlift for free, and Breckendridge with its town full of restaurant, bars and shops all in walking distance from the mountain sports.
Aside from the adventure provided by the scenic Rockies, Aspen also has a farmers' market (on Saturdays) and festivals throughout the summer. Aspen draws a crowd all year long but can be more affordable, and more beautiful in the summer -- well according to some locals anyway. I say, go and see for yourself!
Don't overlook Montana. Big Sky as well as the town of Whitefish offer a great getaway combining the great outdoors with the charm of a cozy mountain town.
Just because you're heading to the mountains, that doesn't mean water can't be in the plan. Consider Tahoe, where you get the best of both. Or drive to Mammoth Lakes where the awesome hiking is matched by spectacular water views. On the east coast, Stowe too has nearby waterways for recreation as well as a charming town and spa.
Take a naturalists approach up North. Whistler's Fairmont Chateau offers a unique and educational experience guided by local black bear researcher, Michael Allen. Guests take a three-hour 4 x 4 tour of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains visiting bear dens, daybeds, and feeding sites of the fifty black bears living there. You'll also find spectacular views of wildlife, glacial peaks, and old growth forests too

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Posted in Holiday & Seasonal
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Too often the obvious is overlooked, and holiday travel time is no different. There's a tremendous amount of focus on air travel to exotic destinations most of us only dream about going to, when in reality, the vast number of holiday travelers drive to their destinations. According to AAA, more than 85 percent of holiday travelers drove to their destinations in the past two years. This winter it's predicted that millions again will take to the highways at holiday time. If you're among them, you'll want to pay attention to the following tips. In addition to safety advice, they just may put some fun back into your road trip.

Before taking to the streets be sure your car is road ready. Check all the fluids and your tire pressure (including the spare) and even pack an emergency kit. My father always took care to make sure that our vehicles had the following: a reliable spare, tool set, working flashlight, blanket, and flares. These items are good to keep in your car at all times, but in the event of an emergency, they're beyond great – they're brilliant! (Thanks, Dad.) Also remember to take with you a charged cell phone, snacks, bottled water, and a stash of cash.

Be sure to start your trip well rested. They say a drowsy driver can be as dangerous as a drunk driver. Calculate your route ahead of time and write down or print directions to bring with you. As you pack up the presents, be sure to store them and all your valuable belongings out of sight, preferably in the trunk of your car. Remember to keep the doors and trunk locked at all times.

Beyond the basics, here are a few more tips to consider:

• Time your trip well to avoid rush-hour traffic. See if you can also plan your departure so it coincides with your kids’ sleep schedules or naptime. Leave before dawn to start your journey before the kids rise or after their bedtime.
  
• Pack (healthy) snacks. GORP, carrots, crackers, regular and dried fruit, nuts, and chips are all relatively easy to eat on the road. Healthy nibbles will help stave off hunger-induced irritability. Did you know that kids tend to get hungrier more often than adults?
  
• Keep children occupied with a VCR or DVD player in the back. They can even have headphones so as not to distract you from the road.
  
• Most kids love adventure. Let them hold the map and follow the highlighted path along the way. They may just develop an interest in geography.
  
• Document the trip. If you have teens, give them a disposable or digital camera for the trip and encourage them to keep a travel journal. When you get back they can put together a travel log of the family journey.
  
• Expend energy often. Whether at a roadside rest stop or a town green, encourage your kids to expend their pent-up energy. Frequent stops for stretching and fresh air are also good for you.
  

In the event that another driver bumps you or attempts to make you pull over by honking or yelling, keep driving. Proceed to a populated, well-lit area before checking out the situation.

You may already be a driving pro, but remember to drive defensively because it's a holiday season and not everyone on the roads is as good a driver as you. Here's to hitting the road and having fun this year!

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Posted in Road Trips
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