Telluride is truly an anomaly as a resort community. In Mountain Village, visitors enjoy the opulence and splendor of a mid-mountain location similar to the exclusivity of Deer Valley and Gastaad. Yet, just a gondola-ride away is the charming Town of Telluride, a mountain community in which time seems to stand-still as evidenced by the lovingly restored Victorian homes, the quaint Nugget movie theater and an overall laid-back vibe within the town of 8 square blocks. Yet, between the Town of Telluride and Mountain Village, some of the best dining in the 8-state Rocky Mountain region can be found.

In the Town of Telluride we suggest:

221 South Oak
Campagna
La Marmotte
Cosmopolitan

In Mountain Village we suggest:

9545 Restaurant
Allred’s
Appaloosa
La Piazza
Onyx

Whether you are a guest of one of the Penthouse or See Forever cabins at the Peaks or if you choose to vacation in our ski-in/out vacation rentals including our 6 bedroom luxury Alpen Ridge which sleeps 16 guests or our 9 bedrooms of extravagance in Hood Park Manor which sleeps 20.

Of course, if looking on a slightly smaller scale yet large on luxury and amenities, please consider Tramontana #5, a 3 bedroom / 5 bathrooms flat which sleeps 11 or The Castellina Townhomes providing guests with 4 bedrooms, 6+ baths which sleeps 8.

Whichever vacation rental you choose, our partners in Telluride, you will be most welcomed and probably return year after year.

Las Terrazas is a five-star luxury oceanfront resort on the island of Ambergris Caye and is the only member of the Preferred Hotel Group in Belize. The all new O Restaurant offers resort guests and locals an outstanding menu featuring International and Central American cuisine.   Guests will delight in the dining experience that Chef Manuel Dorigoni has created using the freshest ingredients with an array of flavors served in the most desirable of atmospheres.  At O you’ll surround yourself with décor reminiscent of the cool colors of the ocean and the brilliant colors of the summer sky.

Carolyn Stone, Director of Sales for Las Terrazas Resort said “O is an incredible restaurant concept which will suit our guests perfectly.  Under the direction of Chef Manuel our guests can look forward to a truly remarkable dining experience. O will also specialize in celebration dinners for groups, families or couples.”

Las Terrazas Resort is well known as a beautiful place for a wonderful destination wedding and honeymoon.  Group celebration dinners or a private dinner for two can be enjoyed on the beach, roof top of O, pool side or within the restaurant.

The name O is inspired by one of the most astounding dive sites found anywhere on earth; the Blue Hole.  The deep blue colors of the Blue Hole, located off of the Las Terrazas Resort shoreline, were used as inspiration for the interior of the restaurant.

O Restaurant will cater to all your culinary whims, reminding you why you chose Las Terrazas Resort as your special place to escape, indulge and enjoy.

About Las Terrazas Resort

Las Terrazas (www.lasterrazasresort.com), a five-star luxury oceanfront resort and residential development on the island of Ambergris Caye in Belize features 38 magnificent one, two and three bedroom townhomes.  The units include balconies, some with private plunge pools, as well as exquisite furniture handcrafted from Belizean wood, spacious kitchens with granite countertops and Kitchen Aid appliances, large plasma TV’s in each living room and master bedroom, telephones, DVD players, ipod docking stations, surround sound and high speed internet access.  Las Terrazas is located on the largest private beachfront on the island, has a 70’ infinity lap pool, fitness center and the Serenity Spa and Wellness Center.  On-site Concierge is able to assist with an array of island and mainland excursions including dive and snorkel trips with White Sands Dive Shop; a PADI 5-star facility.  Las Terrazas Resort is a member of the Preferred Boutique and the only member of Preferred Hotel Group in Belize.  The resort is also a member of Sustainable Travel International.   For reservations visit their website or call free 1-800-447-1553.

An opportunity recently came to our attention; an award winning home in East Hampton is available for the Thanksgiving and Christmas/ New Year’s holidays. While the area is known as a summer getaway for New Yorkers, insiders know the holiday season is truly magical on the East-End of Long Island.

The summer car traffic in East Hampton is replaced by window shoppers on foot. The shops and restaurants are decorated in the finest holiday fashion yet there is a serene calmness as locals and weekenders enjoy the crisp ocean breezes and the flat winter light which brought so many artists to the East End. Days are spent strolling along the quaint streets.

During the evening hours, dinner in town or maybe a supper at home and relaxing by the wood-burning fireplace. Be your own Barefoot Contessa and try some of Ina Garten’s recipes where they were created and conceived.  Need some “big-city excitement, hop on an LIRR Train or Hampton Jitney and spend the day in Manhattan (see NYC blog)

May we suggest Whale Rock House as your holiday getaway in the Hamptons. With three bedrooms on one level, all generations of the family are welcome. The expansive living room with fireplace will be the gathering place for family and friends.

For the chef, the gourmet kitchen will entice even the most jaded cook to consider roasting a turkey or glazing the ham for the holidays. Cooks, head into East Hampton for some local produce while the rest of the family plays touch-football in the yard. Before dinner, maybe a sunset walk on the beach.

We understand the ski chalet or flat rental is one of the most important aspects of your winter mountain vacation. While our management partners at The Society will insure your mountain lodging offers the superior value only available via a vacation rental, we wanted to provide our readers with additional information concerning lift pass deals at the most popular mountain resorts:

Lift Passes: In Ski Country, many options and great deals are available for skiers/boarders. If you plan to ski/board in more than of 6 days this season, consider a season pass as follows:

Colorado:

Epic Pass: The Epic Pass is the “granddaddy” of bargains. For $599, skiers and boarders have unlimited access to the slopes of Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Breckenridge and Keystone. The pass pays for itself after approximately 6 days of skiing. NOTE, THERE ARE NO BLACKOUT DATES! In Vail, may we suggest a lovely 3 bedroom/ 3 bathroom flat, sleeps 16 in West Vail, just minutes to the slopes and with the luxury of a wood burning fireplace.

Summit Pass: For those who plan to ski mostly in Summit County, the Summit Pass is a great deal. For $399, you get unlimited access to the slopes of Keystone, Breckenridge and Arapahoe Basin. To go with your pass, we suggest The Chateau at Trappers Glen, a luxury 6 bedroom private home which sleeps 18 offering private seclusion above the snowflake lift in Breckenridge. In the evening, apres ski in the private hot tub and walk to dinner along Main Street.

Rocky Mountain Super Pass: For $399, The Rocky Mountain Super Pass is the best product for unlimited access to Winter Park / Mary Jane and Copper Mountain throughout the 09/10 ski season.

Telluride: Located in the southwestern part of the state, Telluride is one of Colorado’s Premier Ski Resorts. You can secure an adult Season Pass to Telluride for $1198. They do have a great College Season Pass for only $299 through Oct 30th, $725 after Oct 30th. Our Tramontana #5, a luxury 3 Bedroom Luxury Condo which sleeps 11 is located in Telluride Mountain Village is an excellent choice for the visitor to Telluride

Steamboat Springs: Buyers of all Steamboat season passes are eligible for a Winter Park and Copper add-on for only $60! Plus, for every adult Steamboat Season Pass (full or upgraded), a parent or legal guardian will receive one child (12 and under) pass FREE. An excellent affordable family retreat is our 3 bedroom penthouse located at Storm Meadows at Christie Base, ski-in/out, sleeps 8, graded “A” by central reservations, perfect for families and friends.

OK, it may be short-notice as the booking window ends this coming Friday; however one of our partners in Breckenridge, Paragon Lodging is offering a promotion which should not be missed.

Paragon’s EXTRA EARLY BIRD SPECIAL!
Now save an EXTRA 15% if you book the following homes by September 30th! That’s 20% OFF winter stays at:

• Morningstar House: 3 Bedrooms/3.5 Bathrooms/ Sleeps 10-12
• Northwoods Lodge: 5 Bedrooms/5.5 Bathrooms/ Sleeps 16
• Bella Manor: 5 Bedrooms/5.5 Bathrooms/ Sleeps 10

Enjoy these luxury Breckenridge ski homes this winter! All reservations must be booked by September 30th, 2009! A 5-night minimum stay is required. Offer good for new reservations only. Not valid with any other discounts or properties. Not valid during holidays and blackout dates.

Contact Paragon Lodging directly at 1-888-306-1505 and please mention The Society.

Costa Rica has enjoyed much popularity due to its diversity of vacation opportunities from active to passive and everything in between. A favorite destination of many vacationers is the Pacific Coast at Manuel Antonio. The area is well known for Manuel Antonio National Park, which is the smallest of the nation’s national parks, yet one of the most popular due to the preservation of one of the most beautiful and bio-diverse areas in Costa Rica and the world.

The uniqueness of the area is the combination of lush rain forests, stunning beaches (considered the finest in the country) and living coral reefs (excellent for snorkeling). For eco-tourists, we suggest the trail around Punta Catedral with its spectacular views (and a visit to Cathedral Point which used to be an island now connected via a narrow land bridge). For the beach enthusiasts, Playa Manuel Antonio is not to be missed. It’s a ½ mile white sand crescent with a mix of dense forests and a beautiful cove.

If considering a visit to Manuel Antonio National Park and the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, may we suggest a private luxury villa within the gated community of Tulemar Gardens, a 33 acre development, intimate yet providing the amenities and services of a luxury resort.

Buena Vista Luxury Villas within Tulemar Gardens slopes down to the signature sandy beach with the most gorgeous sunsets year round. Each villa comes with daily maid service and within the Tulemar Gardens community is a restaurant, bar service and a beautiful Cliffside pool.

All the villas (from Jr. Suite to 3 Bedrooms) are fully air-conditioned, have lovely outdoor space and panoramic views of the rain forests and the Pacific Ocean. For families or a group of friends, we suggest the 3 Bedroom Villa, a truly luxury offering from state of the art electronics to a chef’s kitchen to three large bedrooms and beautiful common areas.

Activities in the area include: Park Tours (a must do), sport fishing, river rafting, jet skiing, horseback riding, surfing, mountain biking, 4-wheeling, dolphin watching and spa. Of course, this is an excellent destination for destination weddings and romantic honeymoons.

As we prepare for the fall and winter season (yes, Halloween decorations are already on store shelves), may we suggest taking spring break a little early this year? Our neighbors in the Southern Hemisphere are shedding their winter attire for spring fashion. While the skiing and boarding in Chile will continue for a few more months, a getaway to Brazil would be a fabulous opportunity for an early spring break.

This former Portuguese colony is the largest country in South America and offers a diverse landscape from cosmopolitan cities to rain forest explorations to some of the most beautiful beaches (and beach goers) on earth.

For those looking for urban sophistication Sao Paulo is not to be missed. A major metropolis, Sao Paulo is a feast for all the senses. For beach enthusiasts, Rio de Janeiro is the temple of beach culture. We recommend a visit to Ipanema and maybe meeting “The Girl”, an inspiration for the world-wide hit song of the 1960’s. As an architectural enthusiast, I would be remiss if I did not mention a visit to Brasilia a showcase of the design talent of Oscar Niemeyer. The architect’s own home on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro is most impressive, similar to the Case Study Homes of Los Angeles.

The Society.com is proud to offer clients a diverse selection of homes in this most beautiful country. If you live in the world of pop-culture you will recognize our Villa Brazil 2, from MTV’s the Real World-Road Rules. If you are in search of the “Girl from Ipanema”, consider a luxury 5,800 SF 3-bedroom penthouse with private pool just a one-minute walk to Ipanema Beach. Pack the sunscreen, the Portuguese phrase book and a hearty appetite; we’ll see you in Brazil.

Yes….For those who may not be familiar with the Epic Pass, the pass is a unrestricted season pass valid for the ski resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Breckenridge, Arapahoe Basin and Heavenly. The pass is a bargain, especially for those who may be skiing/boarding in excess of 5-6 days. Many of our clients secured Epic passes and booked multiple visits throughout the ski season. If I may quote one client as follows:

Our vacation home rental in Summit County was perfect. We were in close proximity of Breckenridge which is one of our favorite resorts yet the kids loved Keystone for the night-skiing. We took your reservationists advice and skied Vail and Beaver Creek as well. The 40 minute drive was easy, and we skied on weekdays, no lift-lines at all. The Epic Pass was a true money-saver and we look forward to multiple visits during the 2009-2010 ski season…..FWA, Milwaukee, WI