Inspirato Winter 2015 by Inspirato

MEMBERS GABBY REECE AND LAIRD HAMILTON ENTREPRENEURS, FITNESS ICONS, WORLD TRAVELERS, MOM AND DAD PAGE 62

WINTER 2015

CARL HIAASEN

CELEBRATES FLORIDA’S WEIRD AND WONDERFUL VAIL/BEAVER CREEK

MAKER OF OLYMPIC SKIERS, HOST TO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS BAJA

A TALE OF TWO SEAS AND ONE SPECTACULAR PENINSULA

CONNECT

T H E F I R ST C L A SS C A BI N

IS NOW AVAIL ABLE FOR SE ATING.

Cut-and-sewn leather-appointed interior Hand-selected natural-ﬁnish elm wood available 12" reconﬁgurable full-color gauge cluster cadillac.com/2015-Escalade

T H E F I R ST C L A SS C A BI N

IS N OW AVAIL ABLE FO R SE ATING.

Cut-and-sewn leather-appointed interior Hand-selected natural-finish elm wood available 12" reconfigurable full-color gauge cluster cadillac.com/2015-Escalade

WINTER 2015

CONTENTS FEATURES

62 LIFE LESSONS Big-wave surfer and stand-up paddleboarding pioneer Laird Hamilton and former provolleyball player and model Gabrielle Reece share their hard-learned tips for living the best life possible. AS TOLD TO GRANT DAVIS

68 THAT’S “MR. SOUTH FLORIDA” TO YOU! Best-selling writer Carl Hiaasen has chronicled the wackiness of his home state for 40-plus years and, along the way, provided readers with guides to the best Florida has to offer. BY JOHN WOODROW COX

BAJA STORIES

Our intrepid traveler takes to Hwy. 1 at the end of the Baja Peninsula to suss out the laidback charm and colorful characters that make it such a revered vacation destination. BY AARON GULLEY

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

HOME SNOW ADVANTAGE Vail and Beaver Creek, Colorado host skiing’s World Championships this February, a showcase for the valley’s homegrown talent. BY DINA MISHEV

INSPIRATO.COM

CONTENTS

WINTER 2015

DEPARTMENTS 20

11 WELCOME LETTER 12 N EWS

Inspirato members enjoy a luxury cruise through the Eastern Mediterranean.

16 MEMBERS SPEAK OUT See what Inspirato members had to tweet and Instagram about recently.

INSPIRATION . 20 FOOD & DRINK Paris is one of the world’s undisputed capitals of chocolate.

24 FACES Names to know in food (p. 24), fitness (p. 32), skiing (p. 40) and shoes (p. 56).

26 SPORTING LIFE Formula 1 turns Austin, Texas into the fastest city on earth.

34 ADVENTURE Fly-fishing the sublime waters of the Dordogne in central France.

43 STYLE & DESIGN Gadgets for the traveler in your life,

58 34

sophisticated style for the holiday party season and Nigel Curtiss’ guide to dressing up this winter.

58 MEMBER RECOMMENDED Melissa Etheridge shares highlights from her honeymoon on St. Barts.

180 IN THE MOMENT Share an inspired memory from your travels. You could win a special gift from Inspirato.

SIGNATURE RESIDENCES A COMPREHENSIVE PEEK AT INSPIRATO SIGNATURE RESIDENCES AROUND THE GLOBE. PAGE 98

INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

WINTER 2015

CONTENTS FEATURES

BAJA STORIES

Our intrepid traveler takes to Hwy. 1 at the end of the Baja Peninsula to suss out the laidback charm and colorful characters that make it such a revered vacation destination. BY AARON GULLEY

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

HOME SNOW ADVANTAGE Vail and Beaver Creek, Colorado host skiing’s World Championships this February, a showcase for the valley’s homegrown talent. BY DINA MISHEV

INSPIRATO.COM

CONTENTS

WINTER 2015

DEPARTMENTS 20

11 WELCOME LETTER 12 N EWS

Inspirato members enjoy a luxury cruise through the Eastern Mediterranean.

16 MEMBERS SPEAK OUT See what Inspirato members had to tweet and Instagram about recently.

INSPIRATION . 20 FOOD & DRINK Paris is one of the world’s undisputed capitals of chocolate.

24 FACES Names to know in food (p. 24), fitness (p. 32), skiing (p. 40) and shoes (p. 56).

26 SPORTING LIFE Formula 1 turns Austin, Texas into the fastest city on earth.

34 ADVENTURE Fly-fishing the sublime waters of the Dordogne in central France.

43 STYLE & DESIGN Gadgets for the traveler in your life,

58 34

sophisticated style for the holiday party season and Nigel Curtiss’ guide to dressing up this winter.

58 MEMBER RECOMMENDED Melissa Etheridge shares highlights from her honeymoon on St. Barts.

180 IN THE MOMENT Share an inspired memory from your travels. You could win a special gift from Inspirato.

SIGNATURE RESIDENCES A COMPREHENSIVE PEEK AT INSPIRATO SIGNATURE RESIDENCES AROUND THE GLOBE. PAGE 98

INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

SouthShore Golf Club, Las Vegas, Nevada Signature Golf Destination

Want to brag about your driving distance from Las Vegas to California? Club selection is everything.

PacificLinks.com

ASIA ~ AUSTRALIA ~ CANADA ~ HAWAIâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I ~ LAS VEGAS ~ CALIFORNIA ~ NEW YORK ~ ARIZONA ~ FLORIDA ~ WEST VIRGINIA

Dove Canyon Golf Club Orange County, California

Membership to Pacific Links grants

DragonRidge Country Club Las Vegas, Nevada

most storied courses, Southern

Southern Highlands Golf Club Las Vegas, Nevada

short drive from spectacular Dove

SouthShore Golf Club Las Vegas, Nevada

Even more enticing, Membership

Kapolei Golf Club Kapolei, Hawai‘i

across the continent and around the

Royal Hawaiian Golf Club Kailua, Hawai‘i

Membership at a Club near you.

Olomana Golf Club Waimanalo, Hawai‘i

you access to three of Las Vegas’ Highlands, SouthShore and now DragonRidge. And you’re also a Canyon in Orange County as well as 5 celebrated TPC® locations. gives you and your family access to more than 100 exclusive Clubs globe. Inquire about a Pacific Links

National Golf Memberships from $285/mo.

Makaha Golf Club (West) Waianae, Hawai‘i Makaha Valley Country Club (East) Waianae, Hawai‘i Pete Dye Golf Club Bridgeport, West Virginia

Paciﬁc Links Ambassador

Greg Norman

PacificLinks.com

Toll Free: 1-888-888-1780

Brent Handler FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Brad Handler

Brian Corbett

Martin Pucher

FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN

FOUNDER & CHIEF EXPERIENCE OFFICER

FOUNDER & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Jeff Hartman EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Christine Rafanelli

Brian McCarthy

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

DIRECTOR OF BRAND MARKETING

PUBLISHER David A. Henry

EDITOR Grant Davis

CREATIVE DIRECTORS Pete Schaer, Gary Serviss ASSOCIATE EDITOR Dina Mishev

COPY EDITOR Teri Vannoy

ART DIRECTOR Mark Lesh

PHOTO EDITOR Christopher D. Thompson

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tom Bie, Georgia Alexia Benjou, John Woodrow Cox, Aaron Gulley, Katy Lindenmuth, Alec Lobrano, John Patrick Pullen, Andrew Tilin, Matt Villano CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Justin Cash, Philp Chueng, Greg Von Doersten, Cody Downard, Keoki Flagg, Emiliano Granado, Jen Judge, Andrew Machpherson, Wade Schields, Brian Smith, Christopher D. Thompson

PROJECT MANAGER Chris Rhodes

PRE-PRESS Lauren Pesce

NATIONAL ADVERTISING SALES Hugh Malone RMS MEDIA GROUP, INC. hughm@rmsmg.com 978.623.8020

1637 Wazee • Denver, CO 80202 Inspirato.com • info@inspirato.com • 303.586.7771

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LANETERRALEVER

laneterralever.com • 303.296.4100

Inspirato magazine is published three times annually, © 2014. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without the express written consent of the Publisher. Inspirato® is a private travel membership club that requires a non-refundable Initiation Fee and Annual Membership Fee. Membership is subject to acceptance of terms and conditions and other reservation and use rules. Availability, benefits, minimum stay requirements and nightly fees may vary by residence, date and membership option selected. See website (www.inspirato.com) for complete details. Inspirato is owned by Inspirato LLC and operated by its subsidiary Best of 52, LLC, 1637 Wazee Street, Denver, CO 80202, info@inspirato.com, 303.586.7771. Operator is registered as Florida Seller of Travel Registration No. ST38403; Washington Seller of Travel Registration No. UBI 603086598; California Seller of Travel Registration No. CST 2107465. ©2014 Inspirato LLC. All products and services offered and rendered by Inspirato® (including the operation and management of any vacation residence) are provided solely by Inspirato LLC, Best of 52, LLC, or their respective agents and affiliates, and not by the American Express Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

INSPIRATO.COM

WELCOME

WHAT’S IN A NAME WHEN WE LAUNCHED INSPIRATO ALMOST four years ago, one of our most difficult decisions was choosing our company name. We were determined to find a word that reflected everything we believed vacations could and should be for our members, so we evaluated hundreds of possibilities. Nothing felt quite right. At my wit’s end, I turned to one of my most important consultants: Mom. “What about Inspirato?” she suggested as our launch date approached. “Italian for ‘inspired.’ It’s such a beautiful word. And isn’t that what everyone is looking for on vacation? Inspiration?” It felt spot on. Fast forward to today and our name serves as a reminder that when you travel well, creating lasting memories with family and friends, you live a more inspired life. As Inspirato has evolved, we’ve realized that the first two letters of our name represent a powerful double meaning for the promise we make to our members. After all, our goal is to help you go all IN on your vacations, take IN the wonders of each

INSPIRATO.COM

destination you visit with us and ultimately live more IN the moment. To echo this double meaning, you’ll see us beginning to use IN as an accent in our magazine and other materials. In addition to reflecting the promise we make with each and every vacation we deliver, we also think it looks pretty sharp. Another fun aspect of IN is the many “INteresting” new members who are joining the club. We’re excited to introduce you to several of them in this issue. Our cover feature on members Laird Hamilton and Gabby Reece (page 62) explores how they manage their individual ambitions while building a successful marriage and rich family life. This past summer we helped recording artist and Inspirato member Melissa Etheridge plan a surprise honeymoon escape to St. Barts. She was gracious enough to share her memories with us in our Member Recommended department (page 58). Fashion designer Nigel Curtiss, also an Inspirato member, shared tips on dressing up

for your upcoming winter and holiday parties (page 54). We spoke with another New York City-based member, John Foley, about the fitness revolution he’s sparking with Peloton Cycle (page 32). Hearing from these Inspirato members—each of whom embody the Inspirato spirit—inspires me to more fully embrace all the world has to offer. I hope this issue does the same for you. Enjoy the journey, BRENT HANDLER FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER INSPIRATO LLC

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

MEMBER NEWS EASTERN MEDITERR ANEAN CRUISE

7.28 – 8.4. 2014

TOUR OF THE ANCIENTS

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

nathan hindman (11)

nspirato members arrived in Istanbul with a day to explore this crossroads of civilization before boarding the stunning Silver Spirit for a members-only, seven-day cruise through Greco-Roman history and the unmatched beauty of the Turkish coast and Greek isles. Highlights included a visit to Ephesus in Turkey, one of the world’s best preserved ancient sites, and a rare overnight stay at the picturesque Greek island of Santorini, famous for its whitewashed, cliff-side settlements rising over the clear Aegean Sea. The itinerary also included stops in Dikili, Turkey; the ancient city of Rhodes and Nafplion in Greece, which is known for its Venetian influences. The trip finished in Athens with the opportunity to explore the ruins of the Acropolis with an expert guide. Throughout the voyage, guests were treated to the Silver Spirit’s impeccable service and luxurious accommodations. Each day, customized shore excursions allowed travelers to spend the day steeped in history lessons and shopping and dining in charming seaside villages or staying aboard ship for members-only activities and parties.

INSPIRATO.COM

A BON VOYAGE (Clockwise from top left)

Greek Island Nights The sun sets on the cliffside community of Oia on Santorini.

All Together The Jordan family strikes a pose on the Silver Spirit near the Santorini caldera.

First Dance (inset) Tom and Andrea Roth, who eloped at the stop in Santorini, enjoy their first dance as a married couple.

Artisans Kate Sales (left) learns the art of Turkish rug weaving.

Beautiful Ruins (inset) The Wilburn family at Inspiratoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exclusive evening at the Library of Celsus in Ephesus, Turkey.

Spice of Life The spice market in Istanbul, Turkey.

New Friends (left to right) Jim Hering, Heather Philand and Ron Werner share a toast.

View Deck Mike and Suzanne Shaw enjoy cocktail hour.

Spring Break Dr. Luis Farias explores the ancient healing center and springs of Asclepion in Pergamum.

Shopping Stop Mike and Julie Sistrunk before they head into Istanbulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grand Bazaar.

Silver Spirit At anchor in Nafplion.

INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

YOU’RE AMONG FRIENDS

Wherever you go with Inspirato feel free to share highlights with your Inspirato family.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES! The summer’s best tweets and Instagrams from Inspirato members and friends.

WINTER 2015

MEMBERS GABBY REECE AND LAIRD HAMILTON ENTREPRENEURS, FITNESS ICONS, WORLD TRAVELERS, MOM AND DAD PAGE 62

CARL HIAASEN

CELEBRATES FLORIDA’S WEIRD AND WONDERFUL VAIL/BEAVER CREEK

AUSTIN * BAJA * DORDOGNE * PARIS * VAIL/BEAVER CREEK

MAKER OF OLYMPIC SKIERS, HOST TO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

TWITTER @INSPIRATO @sewick MATT SEWICK Is this real @inspirato? Paradise on earth in #cabo #Mexico #inspirato

WINTER 2015

@metheridge MELISSA ETHERIDGE Thank you @inspirato... everything we could wish for. A perfect honeymoon. #bliss

BAJA

A TALE OF TWO SEAS AND ONE SPECTACULAR PENINSULA

CONNECT

SHARING MADE EASY The best vacations involve one-of-a-kind experiences and stories that will be told for years, and the Inspirato magazine tablet edition lets you start the sharing now. Download the new edition from the iTunes® store or Google Play™ and then use email to share pages covering your favorite destinations.

@ScottYoungDDS SCOTT YOUNG Great day at the beach in Lake Tahoe with @Amy_ Young1. Great vacation and great service! @inspirato

@Thenascarguru DAVID LANE Thank you @Inspirato for another great vacation in South Beach

@mrdougellin DOUG ELLIN Florence, Italy The Portrait Firenze may be my favorite city hotel anywhere. Thanks @inspirato for the hook up.

@lwheeler428 LISA WHEELER Eastern Mediterranean Cruise Excited for cruise 2014 #inspirato #cruisen #cruise2014 #turkeyandgreece @inspirato

@eleanorwroble ELEANOR WROBLE @inspirato makes every concert experience better Meeting @SarahMcLachlan was the highlight of the night!

@fvlifestyle MISHA GILLINGHAM FAIR VERONA Punta de Mita, Mexico (Casa Mariposa) @inspirato Our house is so lovely! Thank you! #happytraveller #travel

@emilymariemcgregor EMILY MARIE MCGREGOR Esperanza Resort, Los Cabos, Mexico Whale watching before dinner! We both are mammals! We both love water! I bet we would get along great! #Mermaid #CaboHouse #Whales #inspirato #OceanLife

facebook.com/inspirato

@inspirato

youtube.com/inspirato

instagram.com/inspirato

pinterest.com/inspirato



INSTAGRAM @INSPIRATO

Check in regularly with inspirato.com for additional content and to learn about Inspirato Signature Collection vacation choices.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

INSPIRATO.COM

WELCOME

DISCOVER INSPIRATO'S NEW EXPERIENCE CENTERS Lounge in the Inspirato living room. Explore the touch screen to find your next vacation destination. Talk live with a Personal Vacation Advisor. Stop in to meet the Inspirato Team and discover a new way to vacation. Visit us at our new Inspirato Experience Centers at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center in Denver, Colorado and Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek, California.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR NEW EXPERIENCE CENTERS WWW.INSPIRATO.COM/EXPERIENCECENTERS

Inspirato® is a private travel membership club that requires a non-refundable Initiation Fee and Annual Membership Fee. Membership is subject to acceptance of terms and conditions and other reservation and use rules. Availability, benefits, minimum stay requirements and nightly fees may vary by residence, date and membership option selected. See website (www. inspirato.com) for complete details. Inspirato is owned by Inspirato LLC and operated by its subsidiary Best of 52, LLC, 1637 Wazee Street, Denver, CO 80202, info@inspirato.com, 303586-7771. Operator is registered as Florida Seller of Travel Registration No. ST38403; Washington Seller of Travel Registration No. UBI 603086598; California Seller of Travel Registration No. CST 2107465. ©2014 Inspirato LLC. All products and services offered and rendered by Inspirato® (including the operation and management of any vacation residence) are provided solely by Inspirato LLC, Best of 52, LLC, or their respective agents and affiliates, and not by the American Express Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates.

PEAK EXPERIENCE Sunrise over the KT-22 lift at Squaw Valley. INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

INSPIRATO.COM

KEOKI FLAGG

WINTER GEM, LAKE TAHOE There is a God. How else to explain how one of the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most picturesque lakes, Tahoe, also happens to be home to some of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best ski terrain, an aesthetically pleasing combination that could make someone believe in a benevolent creatorâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and give credence to how the Heavenly ski area got its name? Peaks rising 9,000-to-10,000 feet trap the moisture-laden storms rolling in off the Pacific to produce snowfalls measured in multiple feet. In schussing terms, that snow covers the slopes of granite and ponderosa pines to create the legendary steeps off of Squaw Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s KT-22 lift, the fast groomers at Heavenly and the terrain parks at family-friendly Northstar, among the other

INSPIRATO.COM

runs carved through the terrain at the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nine resorts. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a density of thrills unmatched in America that adds up to a 22,060-acre winter playgroundâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; enough space for skiers and riders of any level to find their groove. Tahoeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best feature, however, may be its accessibility: The easy drive up from the international airport in Reno, Nevada to the base village at Squaw Valley can take as little as 45 minutesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the trip to Northstar takes 40 minutes. Easy. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;THE EDITORS * FOR MORE DETAILS ON INSPIRATOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LAKE TAHOE SIGNATURE RESIDENCES, TURN TO PAGE 164 NORTHSTAR AND 165 SQUAW VALLEY .

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

FOOD & DRINK | PARIS, FR ANCE

DARK PASSION

“There’s no city in the world that loves chocolate more than Paris, and the passion Parisians have for it is one of those very rare ones that just grows deeper and more intense as time goes by,” observes French master chocolate-maker Nicolas Berger. Berger is well placed to comment on Parisians’ inexorable love of chocolate, too. He runs Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse – Manufacture à Paris, the small, intoxicatingly scented workshop with exposed brick walls in a former eastern Paris garage near La Bastille that is the French capital’s very first bean-to-bar atelier. This game-changing business opened in February 2013 and was conceived by gastro-entrepreneur and ardent choco-phile Alain Ducasse and Berger, who formerly worked as chef patissier at Ducasse’s restaurant at the Essex House hotel in New York City and then at Restaurant Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée in Paris. “From the very start, many of our customers came daily, and just a few days after we’d opened we were getting people from the 16th Arrondissement (an aﬄuent district on the opposite side of the city from their 11th Arrondissement location) and the suburbs. In Paris, it’s pretty obvious there’s sort of an informal chocolate tom-tom that keeps people who love it up-to-date on the very latest openings and creations even before they’ve been picked up by the mainstream press,” says Berger, whose own taste for chocolate dates “back to my cradle.” His parents are pastry chefs who ran a shop in a town outside of Lyon, and Berger says he was helping out in the kitchen as PARIS soon as he could walk and remembers being especially

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

fascinated by watching chocolates being dipped. But what is it exactly that makes Parisians so insane for chocolate? “Paris is a profoundly epicurean city,” says Berger, “So Parisians proudly share a culture of connoisseurship, along with an insatiable curiosity about all and any fine food stuffs.” Like chocolate. This explains why Ducasse’s new bean-to-bar operation was so immediately tantalizing to Parisian chocolate-lovers. To launch the atelier, Berger shopped for antique chocolate-making machinery all over Europe—many of the machines best-suited to small-scaled quality chocolate manufacturing are no longer made—and then scouted suppliers of the world’s finest and rarest cocoa beans. Now he roasts his own cocoa beans daily on the premises, joining a tiny elite band of French producers who start from scratch, including Bernachon in Lyon and Stéphane Bonnat in Voiron, a village outside of Grenoble. “Cocoa beans have the same gastronomic eloquence as grapes, which means that they offer a powerful expression of the land and climate from which they come,” explains Berger. Evaluating the production of Ducasse’s new atelier during a comprehensive tasting of their ganaches (a mixture of chocolate and cream), dark chocolate and milk chocolate in September 2013, the esteemed Le Club des Croqueurs de Chocolat, a very serious association of Parisian chocolate lovers founded in 1981 by food critic Claude Lebey, rated the new atelier’s chocolate as “very promising.” Ducasse’s single-origin chocolates have also received high marks from such exigent Paris-based chocolate experts as cookbook writer Trish Deseine and blogger David Lebovitz.

courtesy of alain ducasse / pierre monetta

Explore Paris’ centuries-old love of chocolate BY ALEXANDER LOBRANO

INSPIRATO.COM

offset / johner images

FOOD & DRINK | PARIS, FR ANCE

(Previous page) The wares at the boutique chocolatier Le Chocolat. (This page) Morning breaks over Paris.

INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

FOOD & DRINK | PARIS, FR ANCE

FRENCH HERITAGE

Indigenous to Central America and first introduced to Europe by the Spanish conquistadors who discovered it during their conquest of the Aztec empire in what is now Mexico, chocolate is generally believed to have been brought to France by the Spanishborn Princess Anne of Austria when she married King Louis XIII in 1615. Consumed in both liquid and solid form, it immediately became a favorite delicacy of the French court for its taste, rarity and reputed aphrodisiac qualities. Bayonne in southwestern France was the original center of French chocolate production when Jewish chocolate makers and merchants fleeing the Portuguese Inquisition of 1536 settled there, but it was in Paris that chocolate emerged as a luxurious public indulgence. Louis XIV appointed a valet in the Queen’s household, David Chaillou, to open the very first chocolate shop in Paris on May 28, 1659. Located on the rue de l’Arbre Sec in the 1st Arrondissement, Chaillou’s shop enjoyed a monopoly on the preparation and sale of chocolate beverages and sweets that lasted nearly 30 years before competition arrived on the scene. By 1689, other pioneering chocolate shops had opened in the heart of the city, including Rere on the rue Dauphine and Renard on the present-day quai de Conti. Even as its popularity grew in the court of King Louis XV, where Queen Marie-Antoinette had her very own private chocolatier (chocolate-maker), chocolate retained its rarified status as an elite luxury until after the French Revolution. With the end of French court life, chocolate, along with many other luxury goods and services, suddenly became more widely available to the general public. In 1800, Sulpice Debauve, the former royal pharmacist to King Louis XVI and the personal chocolatier to King Charles X, opened a chocolate shop on rue Saint-Dominique, in Saint-German-desPrés. It’s still around today: Debauve moved to its present location on rue des Saints-Pères in the 7th Arrondissement in 1818. That same year, Debauve began a partnership with his nephew, August Gallais, also a chemist. Together they produced and sold “health chocolates,” which were variously made with almond milk, vanilla and orange-blossom water, or ingredients like Icelandic lichen, a combination believed to beneficial for treating chest ailments. In the early 19th century, chocolate was often used to make bitter medicines more palatable and was widely believed to bring good health and vitality to those who ate it regularly. So widespread was the Gallic association between chocolate and good health at the beginning of the 19th century that the famous French epicure Jean-

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

Anthelme Brillat-Savarin puckishly summed up his country’s love of chocolate with the adage, “What is health? It is chocolate!”

CHOCOLATE ARTISANS

Industrial advances in chocolate manufacturing and the expansion of cocoa-bean production in France’s vast African colonial empire—the Ivory Coast, a former French colony, remains the world’s largest cocoa-bean producing country today with almost 40 percent of the world’s annual crop—made chocolate an affordable daily pleasure for the French by the end of the 19th century. Paris, however, maintained its proud tradition of elegant chocolatiers of the highest quality, including such still existing producers as Foucher, which was founded in 1819 and is still excellent, and La Marquise de Sévigné, which was born in the Auvergnat spa town of Royat and today is more commercial than artisanal. Deprived of good chocolate during World War II, Parisians fell in love with it all over again during the 30 years of post-war French prosperity known as Les Trente Glorieuses, the 30 glorious years. It was against this backdrop of an insatiable hunger for luxury that chocolatier Robert Linxe, the French Basque chocolate maker whom many consider to be the father of modern French chocolate, opened the estimable but now gone Marquis de Presles boutique in 1955. Serious chocolate eating in Paris had previously been largely confined to the Christmas and Easter holidays, but Linxe made the pleasure mainstream by creating a line of boldly flavored ganache chocolates, including his signature Zagora (flavored with fresh mint leaves). His idea was that eating quality chocolate should be an accessible year-round pleasure. After selling his Marquis de Presles business to caterer Gastron Le Nôtre in 1977, Linxe opened his first La Maison du Chocolat the same year, ushering in the new era of craft chocolate in Paris. La Maison du Chocolat, which re-codified Parisian chocolate as a daily luxury in both gastronomic and visual terms—its packaging is as elegant as its Paris boutiques—is now under the direction of pastry chef and chocolatier Nicolas Cloiseau, who became head chef of the group in 2012. And now Alain Ducasse has raised the local chocolate bar with his Right Bank atelier and just opened Left Bank boutique in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Pres. Bon appetit. Alexander Lobrano is a Paris-based food and travel writer and author of Hungry for Paris and Hungry for France.

courtesy of alain ducasse / pierre monetta

(Above) Some like it hot: hot chocolate flavors from Le Chocolat.

INSPIRATO.COM

FOOD & DRINK | PARIS, FR ANCE

SWEET SHOPS “FOR ME, THERE’S NO DOUBT PARIS IS THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CHOCOLATE,” SAYS DAVID LEBOVITZ, WHO WORKED AS THE PASTRY CHEF AT CHEZ PANISSE IN BERKLEY, CALIFORNIA FOR  YEARS BEFORE MOVING TO THE FRENCH CAPITAL IN . AUTHOR OF MANY WELL-KNOWN COOKBOOKS AND AN AVOWED CHOCOLATE HOUND, HE SHARES HIS PICKS FOR PARISIAN SWEET SHOPS THAT SHOULDN’T BE MISSED.

. Patrick Roger “Patrick Roger uses inventive ﬂavors, like lime, basil and saﬀron, but he uses them with restraint, adding just enough to make them exotic, but not enough to overwhelm the great taste of the chocolate he’s working with.”  boulevard Saint-Germain, th Arrondissement, Tel. () ----, patricKroger.com

3 2

. Pierre Hermé “Famous pastry chef and chocolatier Pierre Herme is so wonderfully playful. I love the way he’s so reﬂexively unexpected, doing things like using salted roasted corn in chocolates, along with orange, or a sprinkling of fleur de sel, which surprises and delights.”  rue Bonaparte, th Arrondissement, Tel. () ---, pierreherme.com . La Manufacture d’Alain Ducasse “Not only do they make their own chocolate, but their house-made pralines, especially the peanut and pistachio, are particularly freshtasting and excellent with the bean-to-bar chocolate that enrobes them.”  rue de la Roquette, Tel. () ---;  rue Saint-Benoît, th Arrondissement, Paris, Tel. () ----, lechocolat-alainducasse.com

. Fouquet “The darkest chocolate you’ll ﬁnd in Paris. Less cream, more nuts and other ingredients ﬁll these chocolates, which are incredibly intense.”  rue François er, th Arrondissement, Tel. () ---, fouQuet.fr

. Jean-Charles Rochoux “Very classic dark chocolates with no surprises, these are just perfect Parisian chocolates.”  rue d’Assas, th Arrondissement, Tel. () ----, jcrochouX.com 

INSPIRATO RECOMMENDS EXPLORE: Board a private Venetian water limousine and cruise the Seine past the Eiﬀel Tower, Notre Dame and more.

Paris Across the river Siene from the Eiffel Tower sits the luxurious La Réserve with two-bedroom, 1,720-foot apartments available to members. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT INSPIRATO’S PARIS SIGNATURE STAYS, TURN TO PAGE .

INSPIRATO.COM

Jessie Allee-Walsh’s picks

Inspirato Personal Vacation Advisor

CHILD’S PLAY: No translation is necessary to enjoy the thrills and laughs of the famous Cirque National Alexis Gruss. SPA: Across the street from Inspirato’s accommodations at La Réserve, Villa Thalgo is a sprawling 10,700-squarefoot refuge that welcomes guests with a full range of skin treatments inspired by the sea.

LAUGH: The English-comedy show, “How to Become a Parisian in One Hour,” will quickly get you up to speed on Gallic sensibilities. STYLE: Fashionistas can schedule a private visit to the Pierre Bergé Yves SaintLaurent Foundation to view the master designer’s oeuvre of more than 5,000 styles and 15,000 accessories. ART: Let a guide show you the best of the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and the Pompidou.

Oct. 29-Nov. 2, 2014 LE SALON DU CHOCOLAT Indulge yourself during this celebration of all things cocoa. Dec. 2014 CHRISTMAS MARKETS Across the city, clusters of shops spring up to sell mulled wine, gingerbread and traditional giﬅs. January 1, 2015 PARIS GRANDE PARADE A massive spectacle in Montmartre with ﬂoats, bands and street performers.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

FA C E S | S T O W E , V E R M O N T

GREEN THUMB Charlie Nardozzi tends to his home garden in North Ferrisburg, Vermont.

FALL HARVESTER

CHARLIE NARDOZZI

“It’s really a hoot,” Nardozzi says. “People call in with all kinds of outlandish questions. I sing to them, I tell them stories, I help them settle marital disputes. I just like that live interaction with people. That’s why I love garden coaching, too: I can be out in the field talking with people, seeing what they’re doing and thinking about. It keeps me fresh with what’s going on in the gardening world.” In Nardozzi’s gardening world, a nook of western Vermont that encompasses Stowe, Burlington and his current town of North Ferrisburgh, he’s noticed that autumns have been lasting longer, allowing avid gardeners to grow and harvest all the way into November and even December, providing a welcome addition to

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

the local farm-to-table menus of restaurants around the area. “I plan a lot of plantings in vegetables to mature at that time of year,” he says. “Leeks and parsnips, for example, you’ll put in, let them grow all season and not really touch them until September or October when it’s a little cooler and they’re full-size.” And when he’s not advising New Englanders on their gardens, he retires to work on his own: He and his wife live on 5 acres of land that includes a 3,000-square-foot vegetable garden, an edible hedge row, flower gardens around the house, berry plantings and a small orchard. “It’s tiring just talking about it,” he says with a laugh. “Thank God my wife gardens, too!” KATY LINDENMUTH

 

PEOPLE FROM THE NORTHEAST with any interest in gardening or horticulture know Charlie Nardozzi—or at least recognize him thanks to his signature wide-brimmed straw hat. The Connecticut-born gardening guru has established a mini empire in the Stowe area: He regularly plays TV cohost and gardening tour guide, authors books such as Vegetable Gardening for Dummies and works the speaker/consultant circuit sharing his insights on all things related to gardening. He’s perhaps best-known for his longestrunning gig—closing in on two decades—as a radio personality on WJOY-AM’s call-in gardening show In the Garden.

INSPIRATO.COM

Inspired by the elements.

Universal Elements by Wood-Mode, available in the U.S. and Canada. Scan the QR code to view more photos from this collection.

wood-mode.com

ÂŠ2014 Wood-Mode, Inc.

14WDMD003-112903-3

SPORTING LIFE | AUSTIN

SPEED CITY, TEXAS

The invasion of Formula 1 racing every fall turns Austin into the liveliest town in the Lone Star State. BY ANDREW TILIN

October 31 to November 2 on your calendar now—all that is over the top about Forumula 1 turns an already spirited town into a mindblowing, must-experience international destination. Arrive in Texas for Formula 1 weekend and you’re in for sensory overload. You’ll watch and hear the world’s most sophisticated cars howl around the 20-turn course until they’ve raced for nearly 200 miles. Fantastic Texas barbecue tempts your taste buds. Dancers and musicians inspire you to swing and sway. Then there’s the party that is Austin itself. A cultural mecca, it’s host to impressive dining and nightlife (It bills itself the Live Music Capital of the World). Mesh these two worlds together and the result is one of the more engaging atmospheres in North America.

courtesy oF cota / al staley

“W

e’re trying to bring a level of an experience a la Monaco to Austin for that one weekend,” says My Yacht Group’s Nicholas Frankl about the Formula 1 race that comes to Texas every fall. And Frankl should know how to do it. The Los Angeles and London-based party-thrower for the rich and famous, like so many people connected to Formula 1 racing and its hyperbolic universe, seemingly lives with his feet off the ground. His specialty: “That client who spends 100,000 euros in an evening,” he says. Each year, the global racing circus comes to Austin and descends on the 3.4-mile, winding racetrack called Circuit of the Americas that was built for Formula 1 competition. And each fall—mark the dates of

TEXAS BULLFIGHT The Red Bull Infiniti during last year’s race at the Circuit of Americas.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

INSPIRATO.COM

SPORTING LIFE | AUSTIN

THE RACE

uckily for Austinites and the many thousands of car racing’s most rabid fans from around the globe, Formula 1 arrived in Austin two years ago courtesy of some previous U.S. misfires. The racing series, which dates back to 1950 and currently consists of 11 teams traveling to approximately 20 races held on five continents, bounced around U.S. venues for decades before withdrawing from this country after leaving sleepy Indiana and its Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2007. About three years later, Austin developers stood over 1,500 acres of open, rolling land 15 miles southeast of town and envisioned bringing auto racing’s highest form of competition back to the United States, and specifically to central Texas. Formula 1 cars are wind-tunnel shaped and jammed with circuitry and innovation. Their 1.6-liter, turbocharged V-6 hybrid engines produce obscene amounts of horsepower (try more than 750), and they’ll whine to 15,000 revolutions per minute as they thrust cars weighing as little as 1,500 pounds to 60 miles per hour in around two seconds. An F1 car, which fits its nearly supine driver like a tight carbonfiber suit and features a steering wheel packed with dials and readouts, can top more than 200 miles per hour and pull in excess of 4 G’s. Annual budgets for Formula 1 teams are outlandish; perennial favorite Scuderia Ferrari has reportedly burned more than $400 million in a season. The Circuit of the Americas (COTA) was designed with one nod toward Formula 1’s heritage and nuance, and another toward Austin and Texas. Track connoisseurs will tell you that COTA’s turns 3 through 5 were inspired by a sequence of bends from Silverstone (a storied F1

INSPIRATO.COM

track in England), and that turns 13 through 15 bear close resemblance to a section of Hockenheimring (Germany). Some of COTA’s corners subtly widen upon approach, which invites drivers to take different lines through the turns—and can make for more exciting racing. The venue is also unquestionably Texan. Enjoy the race while chowing on barbecued sausage or brisket and stay for the post-event concert held at the Austin360 Amphitheater, which is surrounded on three sides by track, and accommodates 14,000 people. Last year’s race entertainment was the high profile-rapper Pitbull. But you don’t have to sit still. Walking paths traverse the facility, though it’s best to leave the Italian high heels or loafers at home, and instead hoof it over the long paths in a pair of locally bought snakeskin cowboy boots. Elevation changes throughout the venue make exploration both demanding and worthwhile. “Folks in high-end hospitality often say ‘I want to get out and walk the track’,” says COTA president and CEO Jason Dial. “There are a lot of amazing vantage points.” Whether paying $169 for a three-day general admission pass or nearly $8,000 per person for a long weekend’s worth of exclusive and perkfilled opportunities (including skybox seating and access to an open patio overlooking the pit lane, closed-circuit TV race coverage, gourmet food and wine, and the potential to hobnob with celebrities), you should also make a trip to the top of COTA’s 25-story Observation Tower. You’ll find an expansive view of Austin, the Texas Hill Country and, of course, the racetrack.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

SPORTING LIFE | AUSTIN

BY THE NUMBERS: F1 MEETS AUSTIN 00,000 Cubic yards of clay, gravel and limestone needed to construct Austin’s .-mile, Circuit of the Americas (COTA) Formula 1 track.

200 Estimate of the number of helicopters privately hired to shuttle fans over the snarled traﬃc headed from downtown Austin to the race.

5,000,000 In dollars, the economic impact on the state of Texas as a result of Austin hosting the race.

113,12 Race-day attendance for the 1 Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix, the sport’s third-best attended event of the year.

5 Approximate lifespan, in miles driven, of a Formula 1 racing tire.

23.50 Cost, in dollars, of an oﬃcial Lotus F1 Brake Disc Clock. The centerpiece of the pricey memento is a used, 11-inch carbon-fiber brake disc.

94 As a percentage, Austin’s citywide hotel occupancy rate during Formula 1 weekend.

5.32 In miles, the cumulative length of all the hot dogs stocked at COTA track for the Formula 1 weekend.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

courtesy cota

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Grid girls line up in starting positions; Aerial view of turns 13-16 from the observation deck; Paul di Resta rounding turn 4; Sergio Perez, McLaren MP4-28 Mercedes, makes a stop.

INSPIRATO.COM

SPORTING LIFE | AUSTIN

THIS IS NOT A PRIUS The down force created by the spoilers is powerful enough that the car could drive upside down at speeds greater than 95 mph.

No fuel stops: The cars must complete the race on one tank of gas weighing no more than 220 pounds at the start of the race.

Pit stops to swap in four new pre-heated tires take less than three seconds.

The battery collects energy from regenerative braking and heat from the exhaust that is later accessed during acceleration.

There are more active NASA astronauts (43) in the world than Formula 1 drivers (22).

ULTIMATE RIDE The Red Bull Infiniti driven by last year’s Formula 1 champ, Sebastian Vettel.

INSPIRATO RECOMMENDS

leonard zhukovsky / shutterstock.com

MUSIC: The Moody Theater is home to Austin City Limits, the longest-running music series in American television history.

Texas Hill Country Make yourself at home in the 4,800-square-foot, five-bedroom Waterstone Lodge, located on Lake Travis, an hour northwest of Austin. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT INSPIRATO’S SIGNATURE RESIDENCE, TURN TO PAGES 167.

INSPIRATO.COM

Adam Gardell’s picks Inspirato Personal Vacation Advisor

PLAY: Dive into the clear waters of Krause Springs in nearby Spicewood, a popular day trip for residents for more than 50 years. SPA: Indulge yourself with a full-day of treatments at the award-winning LakeHouse Spa at the Lake Austin Spa Resort. Downtown? The Viva Day Spa on South Lamar is repeatedly ranked best by the locals.

EAT: Get your fill of some of the city’s best Tex-Mex cuisine at La Condesa. Be sure to sample their crab, apple and coconut vinegar guacamole. The mouthwatering brisket served at Franklin Barbecue is worth the long wait in line. Truluck’s seafood, steak and crabhouse sources its crustaceans from its own fisheries in southern Florida, delivered within 24 hours of being caught. For a sophisticated night out downtown, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood nails it.

Nov. 8 & 27, 2014 UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS FOOTBALL Home games are a religious experience in Texas. See it for yourself. Feb. 15, 2015 AUSTIN MARATHON & HALFMARATHON More than 16,000 runners take over the city. March 13–22, 2015 SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST (SXSW) Filmmakers, musicians and interactive media stars turn the city into a high-energy, cross-cultural romp.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

SPORTING LIFE | AUSTIN

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

half-dozen stages with crowds of Brits wearing McLaren shirts and Germans in Mercedes AMG caps mingling with the locals. While some performances were free, a $299 VIP pass put you right next to the Bud Light Main Stage and out of the beer lines. But this being Formula 1, there’s always entertainment that has aspirations in step with the sport’s own determined and deeppocketed teams seeking the best at any cost. For $325 you can attend the dimly lit, Monaco nightclub-themed My Yacht Club party at the downtown Ballet Austin building hosted by the aforementioned Nicholas Frankl. The event begins at 10 p.m. and the imported European DJ as well as the bartenders don’t stop working until 4 a.m. In 2012, millions of dollars worth of Lamborghinis were parked out front, and private tables, many manned with their own waitresses, went for $4,500 and up. “We built a custom stage for the client who bought the $50,000 table, and had two security guards looking out for his guests,” Frankl says. “He had two, custom, 24-carat gold Methuselahs of goldinfused champagne.” One would be hard-pressed to devise a better ending to a trip that’s dedicated to the fast lane. Andrew Tilin writes from Austin, Texas.

BOOMTOWN Dowtown Austin rises above Town Lake.

RACE DAY Inspirato has access to the boxes and hospitality areas right over the pits at this year’s race. Contact your Personal Vacation Advisor for more information.

JeFF schultes / shutterstock.com

f course for seasoned Formula 1 fans, some of whom follow the races from Bahrain to Monaco to Singapore, the demand for first-class dining, entertainment and excitement must extend beyond the cars, tracks and Sunday’s race. Fortunately, Austin has what this crowd wants. Iconic hotels like the W Austin and Four Seasons ﬂank the city’s fairly compact yet vibrant downtown, and make for good jumping off points. Colorful bars and eateries—including Clive Bar, Craft Pride and El Naranjo—are clustered in the Rainey Street Historic District. Italian (Vespaio), seafood (Perla’s) and gourmet-burger (Hopdoddy) restaurants line South Congress Avenue. Nearby you’ll find incredible sushi (Uchi) and Thai food (Sway). But we’re just getting started. Austin is known for its live music (laying claim to music royalty that includes Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Ely and Gary Clark, Jr.), and the gritty and hopping Red River Cultural District packs together established venues and international crowds into the night. “There’s more than a dozen clubs in four blocks,” says Jennifer Houlihan, executive director for the advocacy group Austin Music People. “They’ll kind of save some of their best performers for that week, so the F1 crowd sees the best the city has to offer.” Meanwhile Fan Fest is COTA’s Austin-based party: Last year, the 12-block, four-day-and-night, downtown gathering featured a

INSPIRATO.COM

RARE GRILL THE KALAMAZOO HYBRID FIRE GRILL Gas, charcoal and wood in one incredible grill. Hand-built in Kalamazoo, Michigan from $10,495. H Y B R I D K A L A M A ZO O.C O M | 8 0 0 . 8 6 8 .1 6 9 9

FA C E S | N E W Y O R K C I T Y

PEDAL PUSHER

EXERCISE FANATICS OFTEN talk about the “positive addiction,” the obsession they get from the endorphin rush of a great workout or fitness class. By these standards, fitness buff and Inspirato member John Foley and his wife were total addicts who needed a constant fix. Their drug of choice: FlyWheel and SoulCycle. The problem: There are only a handful of these studios in New York City, and, as the parents of two young kids, rearranging lives to get to them in person could be tough. Foley remembers one particular stretch where his wife shelled out upward of $150 total for daycare and taxicabs to and from the class. “When we got to the point where it was costing us $150 and two hours for her to attend a 45-minute cycling class, we knew we had a problem,” he says. That’s when he had an epiphany: There simply had to be a better way. The answer: Peloton Cycle, a new company launched last year that aims to revolutionize the way people around the world work out at home. Peloton specializes in high-end indoor spin bikes equipped with a 22-inch, sweatproof touchscreen tablet that streams spinning classes from Peloton’s TV studio for home workouts. Foley invented, researched and designed the bikes himself. The 43-year-old also serves as company CEO. “The company—and our concept—are direct responses to the person who looks at his or her schedule and thinks, ‘It’s going to be tough to squeeze in a really tough and fulfilling workout,’” he said. “It’s possible to get a dripping-wet fitness class at any time, from any place. You just have to think about it a little differently.” Foley has been thinking differently for the better part of a decade, focusing on e-commerce all the while. He is a former executive at Internet conglomerate, IAC; has helmed Proust.com, Pronto.com and Evite.com; and has worked as general manager of notification and access at Ticketmaster. In his most recent job,

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

he headed up e-commerce for Barnes & Noble, the bookseller that took on Amazon. com for supremacy in the e-book market (and, eventually, lost). Foley was in charge of the $500-million web division, and tasked with shifting Barnes & Noble away from books and toward a broader marketplace model. Though the company’s fit-in-yourknapsack NOOK hardware and software platform didn’t fall into his specific domain, the product and its implications always were front-of-mind. That means the strategic notion of swallowing profit margins to gain subscriptions was discussed every single day. “That was the name of the game; getting the devices into consumer hands and selling them content after the fact,” he said, noting that infomercial-based fitness programs such as P90X use the same strategy, only without the technology. “We realized that people don’t take a Kindle Fire on vacation and think about the product itself, they’re thinking about the content—that book they’re going to read or movie they’re going to watch.” THIS IS THE MODEL Foley has embraced at Peloton, as well. Bikes retail for $1,995— just about what Peloton pays to make them. The company’s business model will see its profits come from selling content; monthly subscriptions for the classes are required and rates start at $39 per month. Peloton participants can opt to download archived classes at their own leisure, but much of the material is live— streamed from the company’s purposebuilt New York City studio. Here, real-life participants sit atop bikes that encircle the class’ instructor (they’re called coaches at Peloton). The coach’s tablet on her bike enables her to see the names of all remote participants, affording her the chance to shout out specific names and words of encouragement during class. Ultimately, under this new model, Foley has said coaches could become minicelebrities, teaching up to 50,000 people at a

time, and earning more than even the city’s highest-paying gyms would offer per class. Coach Marion Berrian Roaman is the first piece of that plan. Once Foley had the prototype for the company, he recruited Roaman, who founded a popular spin studio in the New York City area, to become a co-founder and help run the show, and she jumped at the chance. For Roaman, the most important part is keeping participants engaged—regardless of whether they’re in the studio or streaming from St. Paul, Minnesota. She notes that Foley has encouraged her to experiment with camera angles as a way to maximize intimacy for participants at home. “There’s a real bond you experience in a spin class as an instructor where you want people all over the room to feel like they’re right there with you, all going on this ride together,” she says. “Because [Foley] has taken spin classes, because he knows what it’s like to have those connections, he is supportive of constantly trying to make our content reflect this.” After raising nearly $15 million to date, growth is next for Peloton. The company has opened several high-end retail stores to market the bikes in the New York City area and Los Angeles as well as through the website. And Foley claims that a number of high-end fitness centers and gyms across the country were working to incorporate the devices into classes at their respective facilities. He added that even a handful of Inspirato properties and luxury hotel chains were expecting to add machines by the end of the year. Larry Silver, one of the investors in the business, summed up Foley’s strategy nicely: “What Ted Turner did for news with CNN, we think Peloton can do for fitness,” he told Crain’s Chicago Business last summer. Foley agrees, noting that, eventually, he aims to stream as many as 12 hours of live content a day. “We could be like a TV network,” he says. “So long as people want the classes, there’s really no limit to the amount of content we can create.” —MATT VILLANO

emiliano granado

JOHN FOLEY

INSPIRATO.COM

FA C E S | N E W Y O R K C I T Y

FIT’S NEW ORDER Peloton Cycle founder and Inspirato member John Foley shows off his proprietary exercise bike.

INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

ADVENTURE | D ORD O GNE , F R A NC E

LET IT FLY T

FRANCE

hey come for the wine. And for the foie gras, the confit, the scenery, the chateaus and the black truﬄes. But increasingly, visitors to the hilly, castle-packed department of Dordogne also come to fly-fish its namesake river and its many tributaries. The Dordogne River, France’s fifth longest, flows west for more than 300 miles from near the hot-springs spa town of Le MontDore through many gorges, valleys and villages until reaching the Gironde Estuary just north of Bordeaux, in southwestern wine country. It’s a wide, fast river, especially in its upper reaches near the towns of Argentat and Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, where it’s more reminiscent of western U.S. fly-fishing destinations such as Montana’s Madison than of France’s northern rivers, like the slow-moving Andelle of Normandy. As the English angling writer Charles Rangeley-Wilson wrote of France’s northern chalkstreams: “These are rivers that Eisenhower, Hemingway and Ritz fished.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

And of course they flow through French countryside, French villages, past cafés and restaurants and, in the case of the one where I’m sitting right now, the grounds of a private manor where you can stay on the top floor with views to the silent woods all around, and be absurdly well fed, wined and watered.” A trip to the Dordogne Valley offers equal or better opportunities to be well fed and well wined; there’ll just be fewer Brits around when it happens. Not that the Dordogne is tourist-free. It’s far too beautiful for that, and also too close to Burgundy’s wine country. Still, like most of France, the farther you get from Paris, the less touristy it becomes. If you like to combine fly-fishing and food, then France is a logical choice. But for hardcore destination anglers, the country may sound like little more than a vacation trade-off—a way to appease the spouse’s desire for luxury and a good pinot, while still

corBIs / MAcDuFF eVertoN

The scenic Dordogne River in southwestern France meanders through a verdant landscape teeming with history and beauty, but for anglers worldwide, the main attraction is underwater. BY TOM BIE

INSPIRATO.COM

ADVENTURE | D ORD O GNE , F R A NC E

providing the angler an opportunity to “wet a line while you’re there.” But don’t be mistaken; France has a strong tradition of flyfishing and fly-fishermen. I witnessed both firsthand as guide to the world’s most decorated competitive fly-fisher—France’s three-time World Champion Pascal Cognard—in the 17th World Fly-Fishing Championships, held in 1997 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Cognard and his comrades have excelled in world competitions ever since, in part because they simply have a lot of exceptional home water in which to practice, including the Dordogne. The mainstem Dordogne is big water, and if it were in the U.S., it would undoubtedly be fished from a driftboat. But in France, it is most often accessed by wading, walking the banks or by renting a canoe. “Most fishermen on the Dordogne chest-wade and do ‘the heron,’” says Nick de Toldi, owner of Gourmetfly, a French field-sports tourism company, referring to an angler who stands in

INSPIRATO.COM

the water and waits motionless, like a heron. “The strong current prevents you from covering big distances while wading. No one floats here in boats like in America, but some guide friends of mine have done it while visiting Montana and came back impressed by the technique. They spoke many times of adapting it here but it remained a mere project.” Perhaps American driftboat manufacturers should look at expanding to southwest France. In the meantime, canoe rental operators along the Dordogne Valley provide a popular alternative. “A reader once asked me, if I were to bring a spry, 73-year-old grandmother to Europe, where would I go?” famed Europhile Rick Steves once wrote. “My response: I’d take her for a float down France’s Dordogne River in a canoe. I can’t think of a more relaxing way to enjoy great scenery while getting some exercise. And you can pop ashore whenever you like.”

BIG BEND The Dordogne River curves around the small farms and villages of the Massif Central.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

ADVENTURE |

DORDOGNE, FRANCE CAST AWAY (Left) An angler wades into the early morning mist of the Dordogne River near Aquitaine. (Right) The medieval village of Beynac.

HISTORY LESSONS

ALAMY / cYrILLe GIBotA

There are two important UNESCO sites in the Dordogne region and both are worth a visit. The first is the Vézère Valley, which was designated a World Heritage Site in 1979 due to its vast collection of vivid, colorful cave paintings. The Lascaux Cave, near Montignac, is easily the most famous of the valley’s 147 sites, with numerous large-animal paintings that are thought to be more than 17,000 years old. An 1-yearold discovered Lascaux in 1940, but visiting the caves became so popular that they were closed to the public in 193 and a replica containing the main sections of artwork (Lascaux II) was built less than 700 feet away. The second UNESCO designation occurred in July of 2012, when the entire Dordogne River basin was designated a Biosphere Reserve, the largest such reserve in France. The designation came largely because of socio-economic aspects, the beautiful scenery, the balance between economic development and conservation, and the extensive plant and animal biodiversity found there, including its 39 diﬀerent species of fish.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

INSPIRATO.COM

ADVENTURE | D ORD O GNE , F R A NC E

shutterstock

FISHING GUIDE

Like Mr. Steves, fly-fishers have figured out that canoes are the tool of choice on the Dordogne. “Taking canoes is very common, because most companies allow you to rent upstream, drift down and get picked up by the canoe rental people to take you back to your car,” de Toldi says. “My brother has done it several times with a fly rod, but more to stop under cliffs of otherwise difficult access points than to fish as the boat drifts down.” As the most famous waterway in the region, the main Dordogne can get crowded with canoes and kayaks in the summertime. Hitting one of its many smaller tributaries offers a more intimate angling experience, with clear, spring-fed runs surrounded with hatches of various mayflies and caddis. But that doesn’t mean they’re easy rivers to fish. “You could compare the upper Dordogne to the Henry’s Fork [of the Snake River in Idaho],” says Cyril Kamir, founder and manager the popular French online fly-fishing magazine, LeMouching, who has fished the Dordogne region several times. “It’s a broad river, up to 120 feet wide, with many weeds and big trout. Due to the many little currents, you have to fish with very long leaders—16 feet is not unusual. The Dordogne always has a lot of fish, but they are difficult to catch, partly because there are a lot of water-level variations from the dams upstream. But it’s a good way to improve your fishing. I love it best in early and late season, when there are fewer people and lots of grayling and trout.” According to Kamir, many French fly-fishers consider there to be two Dordognes. “No one fishes the lower Dordogne,” Kamir says. The anglers’ Dordogne is the upper or “Haute Dordogne,” near the charming, riverside towns of Argentat and Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne. This area includes the Vézère River, a 130-mile fly-fishing-friendly tributary of the Dordogne that

INSPIRATO.COM

is home to 25 prehistoric cave systems containing numerous cave paintings dating back nearly 20,000 years. Both the Vézère and the Dordogne are home to several medieval castles along their banks, and UNESCO recently named the entire region, all 15,000 square miles of it, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage site. Within this area, you’ll find three of the Dordogne’s most famous tributaries—the Cère, the Maronne and the Doustre. The Cère flows 75 miles through the departments of Lot and Corrèze, entering the Dordogne on river left near the town of Bretenoux; the Morrone is a small stream with good mayfly hatches and big trout that could be mistaken for a river you might find in the Adirondacks of New York; and the Doustre is a small, sometimes technical river in a gorgeous setting. All three have dams, so anglers must be careful to keep a watchful eye on flows. Mayfly hatches on all Dordogne Valley rivers start with March browns in spring and generally end with the last caddis hatch in September. Browns, rainbows and grayling are the main species, though several area lakes also have pike and carp. As for techniques, most rivers are great for dry flies by midsummer. In early season, streamers are effective, but many Dordogne locals consider streamer fishing to not be fly-fishing, so be prepared for that discussion if you are a diehard streamer fisherman. Sight nymphing is not easy in most places because of the weeds, but usually works fine with an indicator. What better way to celebrate that symbiosis than with rod in hand and wine in belly, doing “the heron” along the Dordogne?

The rules for fishing in France are complicated and ever evolving, but no more so than in parts of the U.S. Each of the country’s 101 departments (roughly equivalent to counties in the U.S.) sets its own laws, so for the most up-to-date info, it is best to contact one of the major fly shops, such as La Maison de la Mouche, which has operated in Paris since 1934. No matter where you fish, you’ll need a license. A fullseason license costs around 70 euros; and a weekly (sometimes called a “Holiday License”) costs around 40 euros. In 2007, many regions also started selling daily licenses, but those often didn’t allow fishing until after May, and you’ll sometimes need another license if you move to another region. Trout season in France begins the third Sunday in March, and generally closes by the third Sunday in September, except in and around some of the mountain regions, which remain open through mid-October. After this, you can still fish for grayling or other “course fish” (carp, pike, bass, etc.— basically, anything other than trout or salmon). This lateseason fishing is especially popular and productive in the Dordogne and parts of the Massif Central in southcentral France. Lastly, waters in France are divided into First Category (lakes or rivers dominated by trout and salmon, where only one rod is allowed), and Second Category, which are lakes and rivers dominated by anything else. Second Category waters allow up to four rods, and up to two hooks each.

Tom Bie is the founder and publisher of the fly-fishing magazine The Drake. He lives in Denver, Colorado and fishes around the world.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

ADVENTURE | D ORD O GNE , F R A NC E ALL-STAR CAST

SCOTT RADIAN R905/4 ROD

Handmade in Montrose, Colorado, the new Radian (79) took the fly-fishing world by storm in 2014, mainly for its combination of power and sensitivity. On a bigger river like the Dordogne, there will be times you need to make a distance cast with a heavy streamer. There will also be times when you need a light touch to delicately place a dry fly with a light tippet. The Radian allows you to do both. And by using the highest-grade Portuguese cork for the handle and box elder burl wood custom reel seats, Scott helps ensure that you’ll look good doing it. —T. B.

FRENCH FLIES Southern France has many similar mayfly and caddisfly hatches to those in the States. While dry fly-fishing is often preferred, nymphing and swinging wet flies are also popular methods. A good collection of flies for the Dordogne region would include a handful of small streamers, as well as our hand-picked choices shown here. —T. B.

DRIES BLUEWING OLIVES A DOZEN SIZE 1-1

ELK HAIR CADDIS A DOZEN SIZE 14-1

HENDRICKSON A DOZEN (SIX LIGHT AND SIX DARK) SIZE 14-1

GRIFFITH’S GNATS A DOZEN SIZE 1-20

NYMPHS PHEASANTTAIL ½ DOZEN SIZE 14-1

HARE’S EAR ½ DOZEN SIZE 14-1

PRINCE NYMPH ½ DOZEN SIZE 14-1

Dordogne Members can reserve the spectacular Château Esperance, a former 17th-century presbytery and chapel, recently updated and furnished to become a modern villa complete

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

with four bedrooms, four bathrooms and 4,000 square feet of living space. The grounds include a courtyard with fountain, a covered loggia for outdoor dining and a private saltwater swimming pool. Set in the heart of the Périgord Noir overlooking the Dordogne River, the château is a short and pleasant walk to the charming hamlet of St. Julien de Lampon.

Justin Szymik’s picks Inspirato Personal Vacation Advisor

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT INSPIRATO’S SIGNATURE RESIDENCE IN DORDOGNE, PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 121.

EAT: The familyrun Hostellerie de Bequignolles is a local favorite serving classic French country fare. For an unparalleled and authentic dining experience, walk to L’Auberge du Cantou. The setting, food and wines at the Michelin-rated Le Pont L’Ouysserind are worth the 45-minute drive. Another popular option: a private French cooking class at your villa.

DAY TRIPS: Within walking distance is Château de Fenelon, a 15th-century castle. Other castles in the area worth a trip include Château Castelnaud with its vast collection of medieval arms and armor, and Les Château Milandes, once owned by the dancer Josephine Baker. Stock up for the day’s adventures with fresh local delicacies at the morning market in Sarlat, considered one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.

courtesY scott FLY roDs (toP LeFt), MArk Lesh (toP rIGht)

INSPIRATO RECOMMENDS

INSPIRATO.COM

A JOURNEY MEASURED IN MAGNIFICENCE

ANTARCTICA EXPEDITION 2016 Journey to the Earth's southernmost continent, where the grandeur of white mountain ranges will leave you speechless and the hulking ice shelves will astound in their silent magnitude. We've created a members-only expedition aboard the National Geographic Orion through the great white kingdom of Antarctica.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE 888.546.5008 | WWW.INSPIRATO.COM/ANTARCTICA2016 Inspirato® is a private travel membership club that requires a non-refundable Initiation Fee and Annual Membership Fee. Membership is subject to acceptance of terms and conditions and other reservation and use rules. Availability, benefits, minimum stay requirements and nightly fees may vary by residence, date and membership option selected. See website (www. inspirato.com) for complete details. Inspirato is owned by Inspirato LLC and operated by its subsidiary Best of 52, LLC, 1637 Wazee Street, Denver, CO 80202, info@inspirato.com, 303586-7771. Operator is registered as Florida Seller of Travel Registration No. ST38403; Washington Seller of Travel Registration No. UBI 603086598; California Seller of Travel Registration No. CST 2107465. ©2014 Inspirato LLC. All products and services offered and rendered by Inspirato® (including the operation and management of any vacation residence) are provided solely by Inspirato LLC, Best of 52, LLC, or their respective agents and affiliates, and not by the American Express Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates.

FA C E S | J A C K S O N , W Y O M I N G

GEARED UP Havell, ready to tackle the backcountry outside Telluride, Colorado.

THE CURIOUS SKIER

KIM HAVELL But over the past several years Havell realized that her skill set is better suited to exploration than photogenic thrills. “I’m finding that I’m more excited by exploration—going places where there’s no maps and I have no info,” she says. Explaining why a spring ski trip into the Wind River Mountains south of Jackson was wonderful, she says, “We didn’t see another person the whole eight or nine days.” To tackle the remote ski lines Havell does requires not only the physical and mental strength and skill to ski 60-degree slopes where a fall means likely death, but also the ability to first get to and climb up the mountain. Havell is an athlete for Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, where she’s a guest instructor at the Steep & Deep and women’s camps, but half of her skiing is done miles from a lift. Sometimes the climbing is on rock.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

Other times on ice. Often a ski descent is interrupted by a rock buttress requiring a rappel down the cliff. Havell has skied and notched first descents on all seven continents; on volcanoes in Bolivia, 26,000-foot-high peaks in the Himalaya and Pakistan’s Karakoram ranges, in Morocco’s Central High Atlas, in Greenland, in the Arctic and Antarctic, and in Alaska, Russia and Japan, to name just a few spots. In total, she’s adventured in more than 50 countries. “Mountaineering adds layers to an adventure,” Havell says. “And it offers the opportunity to see what I’m made of, to feel that healthy dose of respect and fear.” This winter, you can see what Havell is made of on Salomon Freeski’s YouTube channel, where you can catch the evolution of her dreams coming true. —DINA MISHEV

greg von doersten

KIM HAVELL’S CHILDHOOD DREAM was substantially different from that of the friends she made growing up in Hong Kong and then New York City, before attending Choate Rosemary Hall and then Brown University. “I wanted to star in ski films,” she says. “Drop out of helicopters and all of that.” Recently transplanted to Jackson Hole after 15 years in Telluride, Havell made that happen with appearances in 2011’s Solitaire and Breaking Trail.

INSPIRATO.COM

PALETTES OF THE BALTIC SEA

BALTIC SEA CRUISE 2015 From the stately palaces of Stockholm to the peaceful Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Inspirato invites you to behold Northern Europe’s immense beauty. Join us in July of 2015 for a customized, all-inclusive journey aboard Silversea’s Silver Whisper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE 888.546.5008 | WWW.INSPIRATO.COM/BALTICCRUISE Inspirato® is a private travel membership club that requires a non-refundable Initiation Fee and Annual Membership Fee. Membership is subject to acceptance of terms and conditions and other reservation and use rules. Availability, benefits, minimum stay requirements and nightly fees may vary by residence, date and membership option selected. See website (www. inspirato.com) for complete details. Inspirato is owned by Inspirato LLC and operated by its subsidiary Best of 52, LLC, 1637 Wazee Street, Denver, CO 80202, info@inspirato.com, 303586-7771. Operator is registered as Florida Seller of Travel Registration No. ST38403; Washington Seller of Travel Registration No. UBI 603086598; California Seller of Travel Registration No. CST 2107465. ©2014 Inspirato LLC. All products and services offered and rendered by Inspirato® (including the operation and management of any vacation residence) are provided solely by Inspirato LLC, Best of 52, LLC, or their respective agents and affiliates, and not by the American Express Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates.

Vacation from work, not luxury. Leaving home doesn’t mean sacriﬁcing comfort.

Avis and INSPIRATO have joined together to bring INSPIRATO members exclusive beneﬁts and rewards that will help you travel in cushy comfort all for less than you think. Enjoy a personalized, premium experience when you make a reservation today at Avis.com/INSPIRATO. Use code AWD# D338600 to save up to 25% or let us do the work by calling 1.800.331.1212.

S T Y L ES & T YDLEES & I GD NE S| I G G AND G E T S

BRING IT Gift ideas for the smart traveler by john patrick pullen

WOOLLY THUMPER

A portable speaker sounds as good as it looks

usic shouldn’t just be heard, it should be felt, as in wool felt used to wrap the case of Libratone Zipp ($399). This quartsized portable speaker uses high-quality Italian wool to give it a distinctive look that infuses the high-end sound components underneath with a warm, full sound. Coming with three different covers (with eight colors to choose from), the wool sleeve can be unzipped and changed out to match your mood or the room’s vibe. The Zipp’s eight-hour battery and leather carrying loop mean it can go anywhere you do. Connecting to computers, smartphones and tablets through AirPlay and DLNA (Wi-Fi streaming methods that dominate the wireless sound quality of Bluetooth), the portable speaker projects audio in 360 degrees, with a crystal clear high-end through two one-inch tweeters, and a deep, rich bass emitting from a four-inch driver. Whether you listen to Bach, Beck or The Beatles, it produces the kind of sound you can feel.

INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S T Y L ES & T YDLEES & I GD NE S| I G G AND G E T S

DAPPER TECH

Corral your gadgets and cables

harger Mod ($290) turns gadget-clad wayfarers into pocket-packing Ponce de Leons, with a folio case full of loops and pouches that keep cables and other gear from slinking off into the far reaches of your luggage. Hand sewn and made of soft, premium leather available in tan, brown, silver or black, the zip-up packet can hold various magnet-clad inserts that make the case customizable, suiting a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tools of their trade (there are musician-specific and illustratorspecific inserts, for example). Each Mod can hold an iPad Mini, a phone, cords and a stylus, but the Charger Mod is particularly wired for convenience, with a 4,500 mAh battery pack to keep your iPad or iPhone charged and ready for action.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

INSPIRATO.COM

S T Y L ES & T YDLEES & I GD NE S| I G G AND G E T S

FLY-OVER COUNTRY

Capture a bird’s-eye view of your vacation

xplorers have always gone above and beyond in the name of excitement. Now, with the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 Power Edition ($369), high-flying travelers can see their adventures from an entirely new perspective. A four-propeller helicopter that connects to iOS and Android devices via Wi-Fi, this drone packs two cameras—a 720p HD camera on the front and a low-res camera that points down—that save and stream video back to an app on the pilot’s tablet or smartphone. Able to fly up to 165 feet away from the controller, the AR.Drone Power Edition can stay airborne for up to 18 minutes (it comes with two rechargable lithium batteries), running pre-programmed patterns such as panoramic sweeps and crane pans. The camera can be fine-tuned through the app to refine exposure, saturation and white balance to breathe new life into flat vacation photos and videos. Plus, it blows your old vacation’s selfies away.

INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S T Y L ES & T YDLEES & I GD NE S| I G G AND G E T S

ACTUAL SIZE

PROJECTING GREATNESS

Take the big screen with you

ith streaming video and digital downloads, movies have gotten much more mobile over the years, and now the entire theater can slip into a carry-on bag, as well. Smaller than a stack of DVDs and weighing less than a pound, the Philips PicoPix Pocket Projector ($550) can throw up to 10 feet of crisp video across any wall, which makes it great for impromptu evening screenings by the fire or poolside at the villa. The PicoPix 100 lumen LED light can project up to 16 feet away, and with a two-hour battery, you can set up your cinema anywhere, even on a cliff-side beach. In fact, running Android, the portable cinema can even connect to Wi-Fi and stream Netflix. It also has an SD card reader, VGA, mini HDMI, and standard and mini USB ports, allowing users to literally plug-n-play their media, and with an internal sound bar, no extra audio is necessary.

John Patrick Pullen covers technology and travel for Fortune, Wired and Entrepreneur, among others.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

INSPIRATO.COM

S P I R E D VAC AT I O N S INSPIRED MOMENTS. LASTING MEMORIES. Imagine privileged access to a growing collection of luxury vacation residences, custom experiences, VIP events and more. Imagine a trusted advisor committed to making each trip better than the last. Imagine the benefits of being known and recognized every time you travel. Now imagine it all in a private club that inspires you to live life’s best moments more easily and often than you ever thought possible.

NOT A MEMBER YET? CALL OR VISIT US ONLINE TO LEARN MORE 888.546.5008 | WWW.INSPIRATO.COM

STYLE & DESIGN | WINTER

COZY UP TO FALL Settle into the season with ease and sophistication style by georgia alexia benjou photography by christopher d. thompson

all collections feature accessories ranging from mink muffs (Céline) to fox-trimmed cuffs (Fendi), but it is the fur-embellished bag—nearly ubiquitous on all the runways —that is the essential accessory for fall 2014. The best of these, like the Nancy Gonzalez crocodile and astrakhan boxcar tote shown here, make the most of another seasonal trend, experimenting with a cool color palette, rich textures and luxurious materials. If there’s a more glamorous-yet-understated fur than sleek, subtly ridged astrakhan—previous generations called it Persian lamb—we haven’t found it. $4,550, AVAILABLE BY SPECIAL ORDER FROM BERGDORF GOODMAN

INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

STYLE & DESIGN | WINTER

WOMEN’S

PAT T E R N P L AY

DRIES VAN NOTEN WOOL SWEATER Van Noten has been called one of the most cerebral designers working today. But there’s no doubt this hand-painted wool sweater’s floral motif is romantic. It’s also a nod to the Art Nouveau era. $1,045.

WOOL AND SILK PANTS The Escher-like geometry woven into these printed jacquard wool and silk trousers gives the outfit an edge. $910, BOTH AVAILABLE FROM MAXCLOTHING.COM

CÉLINE PATENT LEATHER BOOTIE Menswear-inspired shoes are still a strong trend this season. Celine’s loafer-style bootie is a sleek take on the brogues and oxfords we’ve been seeing from the high street to the runway. $1,040.

LARGE BRASS SILVER BRACELET Since color and print mash-ups can be tricky, let a single hue, like the silver of this Céline bracelet, help unify your look. $455, BOTH AVAILABLE FROM MAXCLOTHING.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

INSPIRATO.COM

STYLE & DESIGN | WINTER

WOMEN’S

SHEARLING

REED KRAKOFF CALF HAIR AND SHEARLING VEST Glamorous. Divine. Sublime. What’s not perfect about this vest? $4,990.

SATIN WRAP SKIRT Balance the weight and ruggedness of shearling by pairing it with a narrow bottom—whether a feminine skirt, dress or even skinny jeans. We love this mid-length wrap skirt with an anaconda print. $1,390.

ANKLE-WRAP PUMPS Krakoff’s two-tone Italian-made pumps bring easy sophistication to many looks. $850, All available from reedkrakoff.com

DEMEGLIO BRACELETS AND RING Award-winning Italian designer Roberto Demeglio does it again with these jaw-dropping pieces you won’t ever want to take off. Their elastic bands make them great for gift-giving: no sizing required! $2,858 each. osterjewelers.com

INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S T Y L ES T&Y D LE E S&I GDNE S |I GWNI N T E R

WOMEN’S

EVENING KNITWEAR

RALPH LAUREN CASHMERE TURTLENECK This mélange cashmere sweater is the epitome of ease and sophistication. $1,095.

LIGHT JERSEY SKIRT Fresher this season than a bedazzled gown or cocktail dress for an evening event? This understated maxi skirt from Ralph Lauren. Another benefit? It’s more comfortable than a cocktail dress. $2,695, BOTH AVAILABLE AT RALPHLAUREN.COM

PRADA SUEDE BOOTS Try low boots with a pointy toe when your skirt has a thigh-high slit. $890, NEIMANMARCUS.COM

MO & ME PAVÉ DROP EARRINGS Since you’re skipping a bedazzled dress, make your ears sparkle with these diamond (9.35ctw) pavé drop earrings set in silver and 10 karat yellow gold. $4,200, OSTERJEWELERS.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

INSPIRATO.COM

S T Y L ES T&Y D LE E S&I GDNE S |I GWNI N T E R

WOMEN’S

WINTER WHITE

AKRIS LAMB GILET Vests are one of the most important pieces this season and this silk-lined Kalgan one is luxuriously tactile. $5,990.

JERSEY SHIRT Cut like a ski layer, this sporty cashmere silk jersey shirt makes a winter-white outfit modern. $1,190, BOTH AVAILABLE AT BERGDORF GOODMAN, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

MARION WOOL FLANNEL PANTS Sophistication meets playful in these tailored boy pants. Add polish with a coordinated cervocalf leather belt. $995, $495, AVAILABLE AT BERGDORF GOODMAN, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

MANOLO BLAHNIK PUMPS Simple and simply perfect, these shoes can finish any outfit. $595, NEIMANMARCUS.COM

CHURCH AND STATE OPTICS RATTLE SUNGLASSES Oversized frames are always chic. The Rattle is an adventurous take on the classic style. $139, CHURCHANDSTATEOPTICS.COM

INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

STYLE & DESIGN | WINTER

CLASS ACTS

Nigel Curtiss, menswear icon and Inspirato member, dresses up the season.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WNTER 2015

COLD WEATHER STYLE: Every fall we stylists and designers say “it’s all about layering” and this year is no exception. For your average man this causes all sorts of questions about what goes with what, and what doesn’t. This wool and cashmere sports coat with zip-in quilted vest gives you the layers, it gives you the flexibility, but someone else (me) has worked out the layers for

you—I expect that many men will find this their go-to staple of the year. Shown here is our blue and green, brushed wool jacket with blue zip-in vest ($2,850). The vest comes in six different colors and we work with you to make the best match for your lifestyle. TREND SPOTTER: The dress shirt with white collar and cuffs is back as a trend and already very popular

throughout Europe, and we’re seeing it hit New York, as well. Shown here is our blueon-pale-blue houndstooth check in 120/2 superfine cotton with white collar and cuffs and mother of pearl buttons ($495).

All pieces are made to order. To schedule a viewing and custom fitting go to www. nigelcurtiss.com.

courtesy nigel curtiss (3)

“I

don’t just design clothes, I design a personal identity,” says British-born designer Nigel Curtiss. “It’s a lifestyle beyond work style.” For more than 20 years, he’s brought his signature take on fine tailoring and luxurious fabrics to the world’s A-listers, dressing Mick Jagger, David Beckham, Jack Nicholson and even Ozzie Osbourne. All of them appreciate Curtiss’ ability to beautifully mesh timeless style with a unique look. Here, Curtiss gives us an inside look into the creative thinking behind his upcoming winter and holiday collections and the trends you can expect to see at this season’s most fashionable parties. —THE EDITORS

INSPIRATO.COM

STYLE & DESIGN | H O L IDAY

DRESSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS CURTISS: This season, it’s all about a fresh approach to dressing up for a good time. There are two new staples to take on board and both are absolutely on trend and both will add elegance and comfort to your evening—and put you ahead of the pack, stylewise. Velvet is back and color is very important. But instead of traditional black, try silk and viscose velvet in rich and luxurious colors such as cobalt blue, burgundy or bottle green. Shown here is the peak lapel cobalt blue velvet jacket with slanted pockets ($2,400). The tuxedo has come up for a breath of fresh air; the only place a black tuxedo belongs is on an older gentleman. Everyone else has moved on to a tuxedo with color; think midnight blue with black silk lapels and details, something that Cary Grant or James Bond would carry off with ease. For those with more adventurous tastes—who are younger at heart—the possibilities are enormous. Exhibit A: The black wool tartan tuxedo with black silk detailing shown here ($4,950). GIFT TIPS: Stand out from the obvious with a made-to-order dopp kit or credit-card holder crafted from alligator skin and available in amazing colors from orange to emerald green to cobalt blue and almost any color in between. Each piece can be customized to fit your needs. Shown here is the burgundy dopp kit with gold- plated zips ($4,950) and the credit card holder in orange and green alligator ($295).

INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

FA C E S | T O R O N T O , C A N A D A

FOOTWEAR MAGICIAN

LORENA AGOLLI

Now, she’ll fix or upgrade almost anything that involves leather: watchstraps, a pair of Muay Thai boxing gloves, even a custom-made chair. But it’s her creative projects that have elevated Sole Survivor from a small brickand-mortar shop to a trendy lifestyle brand with a growing online presence that features her more ambitious creations including converting a customer’s ice skates into boots. To keep up with demand for her custom creations, Agolli opened a second location in Toronto’s West End, where she and her team plan to do most of their custom work. “I like to say I have a sense of style and I’m bringing that into Sole Survivor, too,” Agolli says. “For example,

THE SHOE FITS Lorena Agolli at her shop in the Kensington Market neighborhood in downtown Toronto.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

we do the resoling of Red Wing work boots, and I’ll sometimes tell customers that they should change the color of the sole—it’ll look dope if the shoes are brown and the sole is black instead of cream—or if we add a spiked sole to a pair of vintage loafers.” The 30-year-old has also begun creating footwear from scratch and plans to offer bespoke shoes on a made-to-order basis. She’s hired several female employees since taking over Sole Survivor, and they’re all learning the trade of cobbling just as Agolli did when she herself was apprenticing. “I want to give more girls the opportunity to be in this world, doing this type of craft and working with their hands,” she says. K.L.

 

TORONTO’S COOLEST NAME IN SHOES, Lorena Agolli, doesn’t run a boutique. She runs Sole Survivor, a Kensington Market shoe repair shop that she bought more than a year ago after working there as a part-time cobbler for two years. A former retail manager with a pair of design degrees, Agolli got hooked on footwear after taking a moccasin-making class. In the year that she’s single-handedly run the shop, Agolli has revamped not only countless pairs of boots, brogues and loafers—she’s revitalized the company itself.

INSPIRATO.COM

CELEBRATED EVENTS A R T F U L LY C U R AT E D LEARN MORE ABOUT SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES 888.546.5008 | WWW.INSPIRATO.COM/XXXXXXXXXX

INSPIRATO SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES Remarkable adventures in faraway lands, VIP access to world renowned events and exclusive packages to some of the most extraordinary happenings in the world. Join your fellow members and guests on the next once-in-a-lifetime Inspirato Signature Experience.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES 888.546.5008 | WWW.INSPIRATO.COM/EXPERIENCES

MEMBER RECOMMENDED

LOVE STORY A St. Barts honeymoon offers the perfect spot to recharge and grow closer BY MELISSA ETHERIDGE, PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN-PHILIPPE PITER

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

INSPIRATO.COM

MEMBER RECOMMENDED

HONEYMOONERS (Left ) Etheridge and Wallem share a quiet moment. (Right) The newlyweds walk down to the beach from their Inspirato villa within the exclusive Le Sereno Hotel. INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

MEMBER RECOMMENDED

SITTIN’ PRETTY (Above) Etheridge and Wallem enjoyed the view of Anse de Grand Cul de Sac from the deck of their Inspirato villa.

ST. BARTS

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

I WAS WORKING ON WRITING and recording my new album at the same time my now wife Linda (Wallem) and I were planning our wedding in California and, as anyone who’s planned a wedding knows, it quickly becomes overwhelming. And then we remembered that we had to plan our honeymoon as well. It was the last thing we had time to think about. But I looked at Linda and said, “Let me do it.” That’s where Inspirato came in. I got in touch with Jill Neumann, my Personal Vacation Advisor, and she and I narrowed down the list of destinations that would involve a beach in paradise at a resort where we didn’t have to go anywhere if we didn’t want to and, to minimize jet lag, didn’t require more than a day of travel. I ended up picking St. Barts and Inspirato’s villa within the Le Sereno Hotel. But I didn’t tell Linda. It was my surprise. At our wedding reception, instead of numbering the eight tables, I named them after potential honeymoon destinations; all of them places where Inspirato has properties. Mexico, Hawaii and the Caribbean were all represented. It kept everyone, and especially Linda, guessing all night. At the end of the night I revealed we were going to St. Barts, and we left the next day. After finishing my album and all the effort that went into our

wedding, I wanted a place to sit and relax and not have to do anything for a week, and that’s what we got. We flew from Miami to the airport on St. Martin, getting there at night and boarding a ferry for the short trip to St. Barts under the stars. It was such an incredible way to arrive. Inspirato’s villa was perfect. We had a private pool and deck and private couple’s massages on our patio. Jean-Paul, our beautiful French chef made us wonderful meals each day in our villa’s kitchen. The days he prepared freshly caught lobster and sea bass stand out. And his desserts were outrageous—he made a banana, mango tart that was delicious. Each morning, we woke up to our valet Laurent making us fresh smoothies for breakfast that were incredible. Linda and I sunbathed by the pool and on the beach and explored Anse de Grand Cul de Sac bay on sea kayaks, but for the most part we were content to stay in our beautiful house. Someone at Inspirato knew that I loved jigsaw puzzles and there were several waiting for me when we arrived. I happily spent time each day working on them. At night we sat under the incredible canopy of stars enjoying the warm tropical breeze and the perfect setting. If I needed anything, I just called Jill at Inspirato and it was

INSPIRATO.COM

shutterstock

(2)

MEMBER RECOMMENDED

taken care of. Due to the language differences—neither one of us speak French—I called Jill in the middle of the night to ask for fresh mangoes in the morning and it was done. She was constantly in touch making sure everything was taken care of. And it was. Both Linda and I live very large lives and even with assistants it can be hard to get stuff done. There’s no way we would’ve been able to do what we did without Inspirato. I’d never been to the Caribbean before this trip and it was beyond what I’d expected. After a couple of days I started to get the whole Jimmy Buffett/Margaritaville thing. There’s such a nice pace to life down there. I even started thinking of how I could do a mini-tour and play every island in the Caribbean. St. Barts has a serene vibe to it unlike the party and festive atmosphere I think you’d see elsewhere in the Caribbean. The people have a deep respect for the specialness of the place, and I could tell that they thoroughly enjoy it. The combination of French and Caribbean cultures works so well. The island is ideal for any adult looking for tranquility. I doubt we’d ever bring our children there, but for a honeymoon where nothing is all you want to do—well, I’m missing it already.

INSPIRATO.COM

—AS TOLD TO GRANT DAVIS

DAY DREAMS (Above) The quaint town of Gustavia on St. Barts; (top) a deserted cove near Le Sereno Hotel.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

INSPIRATO.COM

THE MOST

EXCELLENT, ADVENTURE-FILLED, FAMILY-PACKED LIFE OF

LAIRD HAMILTON AND

GABBY REECE* AS TOLD TO GRANT DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREW MCPHERSON

*AND THEIR TIPS ON LIVING IT YOURSELF.

INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

t’s rare enough that a person is known around the world by their first name. Think Elvis, Cher or Kanye. But a marriage of two such people at the top of their game is even more unique. Exhibit A: big-wave surfer Laird Hamilton, 50, and former pro-volleyball player Gabby Reece, 44, the Inspirato members otherwise known as Laird and Gabby.

Laird made his name as a fearless and innovative big-wave rider and stand-up paddleboard (SUP) pioneer. His feats have been chronicled in the surfing documentary Riding Giants and the best seller The Wave. Equally famous is his fitness regimen and approach to life, which he laid out in his best seller Force of Nature. Gabby’s own resumé is the equal of Laird’s: collegiate volleyball star, pro-tour regular, fashion model, TV personality, fitness entrepreneur and author of her own guide to the good life, My Foot is Too Big for the Glass Slipper. Between the two of them they’re building their own businesses—Laird has a line of namesake SUP boards—splitting time between homes on Kauai and in Malibu and somehow finding time to stay as fit and strong as ever. Together they’re one of the world’s ultimate power couples that has, against common perception, turned into a tight-knit family that plays and travels together. Reached by phone this past summer, we asked them for the secrets behind maintaining their marriage, raising children and finding balance in their full lives. INSPIRATO: HOW DO YOU MAKE THIS MARRIAGE WORK, SINCE YOU BOTH HAVE SUCH STRONG PERSONALITIES? GABBY: I think it helps that we both grew up on islands, where you can’t escape, and you’re forced to take people as they are. I grew up in the Caribbean (U.S. Virgin Islands). Laird is from Hawaii. Family and the natural surroundings played a big role in shaping our values. Granted, we sometimes take different paths to come to an agreement, but I trust that we will. We’re both alphas, and in our early years I had to be right no matter what. But now I just want to get to a common solution. I don’t poke the bear. That’s not going to work, and I don’t expect Laird to do that with me. No one single person is going to make each other happy, and it’s foolish to expect the other person to do that. We’ve figured

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

out our roles: I wanted someone to take care of the male roles—the big stuff—and Laird does that very well. I’m here to be the mom and make it better for him, and that’s my choice. We leave everything—our egos, our combativeness—at the front door. We don’t let that stuff into our family life. LAIRD: In all successful relationships, the man respects the woman—and it takes a special guy to handle a successful woman. You have to be confident in who you are and what you do. Fortunately, I was given an incredible foundation from my independent mother. She showed me what was possible from a strong, loving woman. Most men need their wives to need them, and I’ve seen that lead to their downfall. Gabby allows me to be the man I need to be. She’s not dependent on me, but she expects me to fill my role as the father and provider. YOU SPEND OCTOBER-MARCH ON KAUAI FOR THE SURF AND THE REST OF THE YEAR IN MALIBU TO FOCUS ON YOUR CAREERS. HOW DOES HAWAII DIFFER FROM CALIFORNIA? GABBY: The difference between the two is that in Hawaii, if you’re invited to dinner, it’s assumed that the children are invited as well. On the islands, no one treats children like they’re not part of the conversation. People talk to children as people and include them in adventures and conversations. This is important, especially for our girls (Gabby has a 19-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, and two daughters with Laird, ages 6 and 10.). They’ve learned to handle themselves around adults and that makes them more mature. That isn’t to say that Hawaii’s better. On the mainland, everyone seems to be trying to get somewhere. Kids are taught to shoot for the moon, to believe in their ability to do anything, to follow their passions. In Hawaii, you’re stuck

in the middle of the Pacific, and it can be difficult to see how you’re going to follow your passion from there. LAIRD: We’re more grounded in Kauai, and that’s mostly because everything is right there. All my family, the beach, friends: they’re just down the road. It’s more intimate. California has more distractions, more activities for the kids, more driving. In Hawaii, the environment is fabulous. In Malibu, the people are fabulous. Our family unity is tight, and we have the Pacific Ocean outside our door in both places, so there is consistency. YOU BOTH DESCRIBED HAWAII VS. CALIFORNIA IN TERMS OF FAMILY. HOW DO YOU DIVVY UP THE PARENTING? GABBY: We try to expose the girls to as many things as we can, encouraging them to find their voice and channel it. Even though I take care of the mom stuff, I’ve maintained my own individuality with my own projects, and I think our girls see that I’m not just the mom or the wife. In some ways, I’m relieved that I didn’t have a son. That way no one has to be Laird, you know? It’s a test for Laird to deal with all these women in the house…but I’ll admit, like any parents, some days we have our doubts that we know what we’re doing. LAIRD: You have to decide what level you want to participate in your children’s lives. The more you do, the better your relationship is going to be. You have to listen to your instincts. You know when it’s time to lay down the law. I’m the dad, the cleanup guy. I deal with the bigger messes. But I also provide more adventures and excitement. It works out. Life with three daughters can be nervewracking, but it’s amazing to be loved by so many different women. Each is unique. I always said I wanted to be surrounded by women. Then I got Gabby and three daughters!

INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

BOTH OF YOU HAVE LONG BEEN THE FACES OF AN INCREDIBLY FIT LIFESTYLE. WHAT’S YOUR APPROACH TO STAYING IN SHAPE FOR YOUR ENTIRE LIFE? GABBY: I take the choice out of exercise. It’s not an option. Even when the girls were babies, taking 15 minutes to exercise helped me take care of everything else. I won’t say my nutrition is perfect. If I’m at a restaurant and there’s fresh pasta on the menu, I’m going to order it. At home, though, I avoid grains and do a lot of the cooking to control what our family eats. LAIRD: People always ask me when they see me working out, “What are you training for?” The answer is I’m training for life. There are these guys I know in their 80s and 70s that I look up to, and the one thing they have in common is that they all still train. I’m following their lead. Like Gabby, working out isn’t an option; sleep, eat and workout. All training does is get us back what

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

we lost when we stopped having to hunt down our food. Our bodies are built for it already. I’m not doing anything new here. AS WORLD TRAVELERS, WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED, AND WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO? GABBY: We have three kinds of travel. Work travel for me, which is—I hate to say it—more enjoyable now that I have kids. Then there’s Laird travel, which is him chasing a swell. We might go with him as a family, but he’s not really with us. Finally, there’s family travel, when we go on adventures. We have to be doing stuff. We can’t lie around a resort pool; if we tried, Laird would go crazy and start to drive us crazy. We pack light, although I sometimes overthink the planning: What do we need to bring? Where are we going to stay? I’m still envious of Laird’s ability to just get up and go and figure it out later. The one important rule I have with the girls is that when we go to a place, we eat what they eat. I’m not

bringing food or going to waste time trying to find foods that I know they like. Eating is a part of travel. I’d like to go to Africa, away from water, away from what’s normal for us. When you put yourself in those places your life looks so far away. It makes a big impact. LAIRD: Travel’s the great educator, especially for the girls. You can’t put a value on it. I do need to travel with a purpose, though. I can’t go somewhere to just hang out with friends. When I fly to Chile to surf or go snowboarding in Russia or some other adventure, I try to include the family when I can and go see friends along the way. Or take the girls to Paris to show them what that’s like. There needs to be a reason to go, so you go deeper into whatever place you’re visiting to find those unforgettable experiences. Grant Davis is the editor of Inspirato. Like Laird, he hates traveling without a purpose.

INSPIRATO.COM

FRONT YARD PLAY Laird, Gabby and their two youngest daughters enjoy their local playground, the beach in Malibu, California, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s within walking distance from their summer home.

INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

brian smith

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

INSPIRATO.COM

SUN BAKED For more than 40 years, best-selling novelist Carl Hiaasen has chronicled the colorful characters and natural beauty of his South Florida home. BY JOHN WOODROW COX

of Carl Hiaasen described above might also not seem fitting for one of Florida’s—real Florida’s—greatest crusaders. But it is. Though Hiaasen, 61, has been a journalist at the Miami Herald since the mid-1970s, he is best known for his zany, swift-moving novels, packed with sex and laugh-out-loud one-liners and detestable characters getting their comeuppance in all sorts of cruel, entertaining ways. Despite selling close to 14 million books in North America alone, he has never won a National Book Award, and he doesn’t seem to be trying. “His books are built of [flimsy] balsa wood, but they are beautifully constructed all the same,” said New York Times literary critic Janet Maslin. “And if they call for more comic distraction than honest emotion? Forget it, Jake; it’s South Florida. The truth is always stranger than fiction.” But don’t be fooled by the parade of strange. The themes of his work, nonfiction or fiction, are profoundly serious. He is and has always been on a mission for which he cares deeply. Hiaasen wants to protect Florida—its Everglades, its beaches, its mangroves, its wildlife, its natural beauty—and for decades he has employed a sardonic wit to relentlessly fight on the state’s behalf. “When you don’t speak up and when you don’t fight back and when you don’t raise hell, that’s the ultimate act of cynicism, and it’s effectively surrender,” he said in the introduction to Kick Ass: Selected Columns of Carl Hiaasen. “It’s saying, ‘Things are so bad that it’s now acceptable.’ It’s not acceptable, it can’t be acceptable.”

he real Carl Hiaasen doesn’t seem like he could be the novelist Carl Hiaasen. He has bleach-white teeth and Gulf of Mexico-blue eyes. His cheeks are dimpled, and his voice is soft, measured. He wears polos and buttondowns, almost always in neutral tones. His silver hair, parted to the side, could exist on the head of a banker. Friends, who sometimes compare his look to that of a choir boy, say he is polite, seldom swears and drinks like a Baptist—so, almost never. He is known to never be more thrilled than on the bow of a boat, with a fly rod in his hand, overlooking the still, emerald waters off the islands of Islamorada in the Florida Keys—possibly his favorite place on earth. The sight of a tarpon’s shadow makes him happy. The squeal of a reel’s drag makes him blissful. Hiaasen knows those waters so well that, if he wanted to, he could make a living quietly guiding other fishermen through them. This is not the image of a hardened newspaper columnist who has described politicians in the following ways: “bum,” “cockroach,” “head clown,” “worthless blowhard,” “pernicious little ferret” and “affable, back-slapping, ribbon-snipping blob.” Nor is it the image of a fiction writer who, in his latest work, begins chapter one with a severed arm on the end of a fishhook, later highlights a spell-casting voodoo witch named the “Dragon Queen” and eventually introduces a bad monkey (for which the best seller is named) that bites a man, well, in a bad place. Take a moment to cringe, then consider that the innocuous image

INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

laif / reduxt

BEACHSIDE A lifegaurd watches over South Beach.

INSPIRATO.COM

n 1953, Hiaasen was born in a place that, in many ways, no longer exists. Plantation, Florida, is 30 miles north of Miami, sandwiched between the Atlantic coast and the Everglades. The city was incorporated the year of Hiaasen’s birth with a population of less than 500. Now, it’s home to almost 90,000. Back then, that area of the state was a wild, swampy place; ideal for a child with an affinity for things that creep and crawl. “He represents a dying breed of the people who were born and raised there,” said William McKeen, a historian of literary journalism and chairman of the Department of Journalism at Boston University. McKeen, who also spent time growing up in Florida, described Hiaasen’s youth as a “Huck Finn” childhood. But much of that wild didn’t last. Hiaasen watched as the dirtbike path that once led him into the swamp where he and his friends caught water moccasins was turned into a road lined with shopping malls. He watched the Everglades shrink as development boomed. He watched animal species go extinct as their habitats were paved over. “It was just rampant destruction,” said Tim Chapman, a photographer whom Hiaasen met years later at the Herald. Hiaasen, however, couldn’t just watch. In perhaps a first effort to protect his beloved home, he and friends would pull surveyor’s stakes out of the ground. “We were kids,” he said in Kick Ass. “We didn’t know what else to do. We were little and the bulldozers were big.” He compared their rumble to the sound of greed, “the engine that has run Florida ever since there was a Florida.” Chapman shared in his youthful frustration. He used to cut down billboards with a chain saw and, once, even filled a developer’s storm drain with a cement plug to prevent the pollutants from seeping into Biscayne Bay. “I realized I was going to be arrested and go to jail, so I picked up a camera,” Chapman said. “Carl, of course, wielded the sword of the pen.” Hiaasen had been sharpening that blade almost since birth. The Herald’s sports pages taught him to read. At age 6, his father bought him a typewriter, and he used it to punch out stories about neighborhood kickball games. In high school, he produced a newsletter, More Trash, that, among other things, satirized his teachers and administrators. All the while, Hiaasen was developing his now-distinct world view, and it didn’t just result from the demise of Florida’s innocence, but also from the nation’s. He grew up in the 1960s and bore witness to John F. Kennedy’s assassination, the Vietnam War and Watergate. “It was a poisonous time to be coming of age,” he said in Kick Ass. “It seemed to me there was so much wrong in the world. I felt such outrage for so many years over those things happening that it wasn’t a hard thing to carry into journalism.” Hiaasen arrived at the University of Florida after transferring from Emory University in Atlanta. He had intended to work in broadcasting, but a news reporting class taught by legendary journalism professor Jean Chance helped alter the course of his future. “He was a very special student, no question about that,” said Chance, now retired. She immediately recognized the gracefulness of his writing and the ease with which he completed assignments. “I would have to stretch to find some nitpicky thing to give him a hard time about,” she said. Chance told Hiaasen that TV journalists tend to focus less on writing and more on presentation. A career in front of a camera, she thought, would be a waste. She pushed him to work at the student newspaper, the Independent Florida Alligator, where he began to write a column. “That,” she said, “was when he saw the light.”

INSPIRATO.COM

He began his professional career at Cocoa Today, a small paper in Brevard County now known as Florida Today. Every few Saturday nights, Chance said, he would call her to complain about the owner’s rule that any time his wife’s name appeared in the paper—she was a state senator—he be told, so he could change or kill the article on her behalf. He wanted to do something bigger, more meaningful. She told him to be patient. He listened. After two years, in 1976, he got a job at the Herald.

n the late 1970s, Chapman recalled, Hiaasen got a tip that someone was illegally digging out mangroves near Key Largo. The two men hired a fishing guide with a boat to take them down to see for themselves. “They were literally selling properties and digging a huge marina, and conveniently no one who had the power acted against it,” Chapman said. “No permit, no nothing.” Hiaasen wrote a story that forced state officials to kill the development. Such scoops became a staple of his early career. Years later, Chapman said, Hiaasen learned that a wealthy man in the Keys had hired someone to chop down the mangroves around his house so he could better see the water. “The owner of the house blamed it on some wayward surfers,” Chapman said. Hiaasen didn’t buy it. He wrote the story. “Various counties in South Florida have always been subject to corruption,” Chapman said, “and it takes people like Carl to stand up to them.” In 1985, Hiaasen started writing his column for the Herald. It began a nearly 30-year (and ongoing) career of keenly pointing out wrongdoing, those who were responsible and, most memorably, the weird and wacky and plain wrong ideas that make Florida so entertaining. In a March 1988 column, for instance, Hiaasen skewered the city of Miami Beach for its ridiculous plan to host horse races on its beaches. On the topic of what the animals might leave behind, his biting sense of sarcasm was in top form: “It’s not so big a crisis, really. Tourists on South Florida beaches are used to quick-stepping around all kinds of daunting obstacles, from poisonous jellyfish to gobs of tar, to the occasional human torso. A horse dropping would hardly make them dash for the hotel checkout. Before allowing such a minor drawback to squelch an otherwise brilliant idea, why not try to turn it around and make something positive? One obvious solution is to ask the city commissioners themselves to clean up after the horses. They are, after all, vastly experienced in this area.” The horse races never came. “I think Carl was probably the most hated man by the chamber of commerce in Miami history,” Chapman said. “They just hated the fact that Carl told the truth.” Certainly, Hiaasen’s columns had a substantial impact on South Florida, but it was the novels that spread his message to the world.

Hiaasen began his career at Cocoa Today, and called Chance to complain about the owner’s rule that any time his wife’s name appeared in the paper—she was a state senator—he be told, so he could change or kill the article on her behalf.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

o, how well does Carl Hiaasen really get South Florida? Consider the evidence in just the first four chapters of his latest sprawling crime novel, Bad Monkey, some of which might seem cliché, but only because the details are so consistently indicative of life in the Sunshine State. On page 5, Hiaasen’s main character, Andrew Yancy, sits in a plastic lawn chair and drinks rum as he experiences one of the most repeated gripes of long-time residents: “the offensive buzz of wood saws and the metallic pops of a nail gun” on the obnoxious, viewdisrupting house being erected next to his own. On page 7, it’s explained that the local sheriff won election only because his two opponents were in jail on racketeering charges. On page 8, the aforementioned sheriff orders Yancy to dispose of a severed arm caught by a fisherman for fear of the negative publicity that might befall his community, though Hiaasen quickly notes the greater truth: “Nothing short of a natural disaster discouraged people from going out on (or into) the water.” On page 18, readers are introduced to a doctor who made his fortune by investing in a series of pain management clinics “that dispensed Percocets and Vicodins by the bucket to a new wave of American redneck junkies.”

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

On page 23, traffic is jammed on Florida State Road A1A because a gravel truck crashed head-on into a southbound rental car. Typical. On page 34, Yancy, now a health inspector, gets served a plate of fries and a coffee by the manager of a restaurant: “By Keys standards it could hardly be considered a payoff.” No doubt, Hiaasen understands that he has tapped into and perhaps even helped create the national perception that his home is an odd place. Type “why is Florida” into Google, and the first completed response ends in “so humid”—the second in “so weird.” That search returns 29.9 million hits. But it could be argued that all the allusions to Florida wackiness (and his novels’ wackiness in general) are merely a means to an end. Millions of people devour Hiaasen’s novels because they’re fun and entertaining, but buried not so deep within his prose are the ideas he really wants readers to remember. “[St. Petersburg Times columnist] Jeff Klinkenberg once said of Carl’s writing that ‘People respond better to ice cream than to broccoli,” Keen said. “Hiaasen has mastered preachy-less preaching.” “These are fanciful characters, but there’s an underying truth to what he’s talking about… these are morality plays in many ways,” said Thomas Fiedler, former Herald executive editor and now dean

INSPIRATO.COM

shutterstock

SEA LIFE (Above) The colors of Cocoa Beach. (Right) Dawn breaks over the Fishing Pier at Naples.

INSPIRATO RECOMMENDS SUNSETS: Miami may have the glitz, but Naples has the sunsets. The Fishing Pier is the best viewing spot.

Naples

shutterstock

The beach is a short walk away from either the 4,629-square-foot, fivebedroom Palm Villa or 4,143-squarefoot, four-bedroom Sand Castle. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT INSPIRATO’S NAPLES SIGNATURE RESIDENCES, TURN TO PAGE 140.

INSPIRATO.COM

Doreen Metz’s picks Inspirato Destination Concierge

SHOP: High-end fashion boutiques and galleries line Fifth Ave. South and Third Ave. South. For quaint gift shops, hit Tin City on the waterfront. BEACHES: Lowdermilk Park, Clam Pass, Delnor-Wiggins and Vanderbilt beaches are all beautiful, but for a special day hire a boat to take you to Keewaydin Island.

EAT: Truluck’s seafood, steak and crabhouse sources its crustaceans from its own fisheries in southern Florida— it’s as fresh as it gets. The Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar is a beloved Naples institution right on the waterfront. For fresh seafood with Latin and Caribbean flair, head to The Dock at Crayton Cove. The front porch and lush garden at the Ridgway Bar & Grill in the shopping district make for excellent people watching to go with its FrancoAmerican dishes.

Dec. 18, 2014 TUBA CHRISTMAS CONCERT Big horns take over the glitzy shopping district, Fifth Ave. South. Jan. 24-25, 2015 GOODLAND MULLET FESTIVAL Thousands descend on Stan’s Idle Hour Seafood for this contest. Seriously. Feb. 6-8, 2015 EVERGLADES SEAFOOD FESTIVAL Everglades City hosts its version of a county fair with country music, a carnival and, yes, fresh seafood.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

either destined to triumph, or they’re destined to die in heinous, hilarious fashion. Those clear outcomes may again well be rooted in the alternate reality of Hiaasen’s own world. South Florida’s crusader has won his share of the battles, to be sure, but it’s hard to argue that he is winning the war. The state has continued to develop, and swamp-land has continued to disappear. Corruption still thrives. Many animal species and natural resources remain threatened. Recently, Hiaasen argued in his column that state politicians have allowed billions of gallons of toxic water to be dumped into Florida’s rivers because of the money their campaigns are getting from big business. “Those people are always going to win in real life,” McKeen said. “I think he writes the books as therapy, and I think he wants the good guys to win somewhere.” And perhaps the idea is that, like Hiaasen, his legion of readers will someday want as badly as he does for the good guys—for real Florida—to win. And maybe, just maybe, one day it’ll actually happen and the state’s crusader can put down his sword.

of Boston University’s College of Communication. “They are really rooted in the issues that he believes are important for Floridians to understand.” Take page 35 in Bad Monkey, for example. Before the wealthy newcomer razed the lot next door, Hiaasen writes, Yancy spent almost every evening watching the white-tailed Key deer pick at hammock scrub and red mangroves. He explains that just a few hundred of the deer remain on the islands, but that motorists, ignoring warning signs, often run them over. He talks of the refuge created for the surviving animals and that Yancy, knowing what’s in their best interest, had left them alone. “He didn’t snap pictures, or whistle, or make up cute names for the fawns. He just sat there sipping rum and watching the deer do their thing.” Hiaasen spends two-thirds of a page on the plight of white-tailed Key deer, which have exactly nothing to do with the story’s plot, but he still makes certain readers know they matter. “I think,” Fiedler said, “Carl is the voice for what is right in Florida, and he’s particularly the defender of Florida, not just as it used to be, but Florida as it should be.”

n this modern era of storytelling in which anti-heroes are so often celebrated (see: TV’s Breaking Bad or The Sopranos), Hiaasen’s novels offer little room for gray. Characters are either good or evil. They’re

John Woodrow Cox is an enterprise reporter at the Washington Post in Washington, D.C. He formerly worked at the Tampa Bay Times and taught narrative journalism at the University of Florida.

INSPIRATO RECOMMENDS

Miami/South Beach Take in the view from Inspirato’s highrise luxury apartments. Choose from one or two bedrooms with 899 to 1,325 square feet of space. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT INSPIRATO’S MIAMI SIGNATURE RESIDENCES, TURN TO PAGE 138.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

Ashley Wood’s picks Inspirato Destination Concierge

EAT: The hottest Sunday jazz brunch is downstairs at The Restaurant at The Setai. Southerners feel right at home with the soul-food, farm-to-table menu at Yardbird Southern Table & Bar. James Beard Award-winning chef José Andrés mixes his famous take on Spanish tapas with South Beach’s Latin flavors at The Bazaar. Favorite of celebrities and heads of state for generations, Joe’s Stone Crab is the place to be during crab season (Oct. 15-May 15).

SHOPPING: Lincoln Road is an eight-block pedestrian mall and short amble from The Setai Hotel. People from around the world come to shop at Bal Harbour where Miami’s socialites, fashionistas and celebrities go. BAYSIDE CRUISE: Charter a boat for a fishing expedition or cruise of the bay. Or head to the beach next to the hotel to rent a Jet Ski, paddle board or book a parasailing excursion.

Dec., 4-7, 2014 ART BASEL/MIAMI The world’s foremost modern and contemporary art fair takes over the city. Feb., 12-16, 2015 MIAMI INT’L BOAT SHOW From sailboat to mega-yacht, you can shop for one here. Feb. 19-22, 2015 SOUTH BEACH WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL Emeril Lagasse, Bobby Flay, Rachael Ray, Martha Stewart and Guy Fieri have all appeared at this culinary party.

INSPIRATO.COM

CASSADAGA

Hiaasen’s Literary Guide to Florida

ORLANDO

LAKE OKEECHOBEE LOXAHATCHEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Nearly every story passes through Miami, but from there, readers can take a tour of the Sunshine State through his characters and plotlines.

FORT LAUDERDALE TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS

EVERGLADES CHOKOLOSKEE

MIAMI BISCAYNE BAY KEY LARGO

KEY WEST

INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

 

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

INSPIRATO.COM

HOME SNOW ADVANTAGE As host of this year’s Alpine World Ski Championships, Vail and Beaver Creek, Colorado will welcome ski racing’s best to the same slopes that shaped U.S. Olympic champions for decades. BY DINA MISHEV

LOCAL HERO Mikaela Shiffrin, on her way to second place in the Beaver Creek giant slalom, 2013. INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

And that’s why you’re here, to watch the best alpine skiers in the world race on some of the world’s most challenging courses. The only other North American resort to ever host an Alpine World Championships is Aspen. And that was back in 1950. 2015 is Vail and Beaver Creek’s third world championships (they previously hosted in 1989 and 1999). Why does the international circuit come back? To race among some of the country’s most rabid skiing families, families much like Sounia Chaney’s. “This is the chance of a lifetime,” she says about the upcoming World Championships. Chaney, who, with husband Michael and kids Skylar, 18, Cameron, 15, Roxy, 13 and Dylan, 9, all skiers or snowboarders, moved to Vail in 2010 from Reston, Virginia. Roxy, herself an alpine racer, says, “Here I get to see pros skiing a lot, sometimes next to me, and it always makes me feel inspired that I can achieve my goals. I can’t even imagine how inspiring it will be to have all of the world’s best racers here.” “When our kids started outgrowing the mountain closest to our home, Vail was a no brainer,” Chaney says. “We didn’t think twice about selling our house, our ski boat, our RV—everything. Vail offers the best training and the best coaches and challenging academics, and it has 300 days of sunshine. It’s not just our kids who ski. It’s a dream come true for all of us.”

  (4)

eep an eye out for Bode Miller or Lindsey Vonn today. Or maybe slalom wunderkind Mikaela Shiffrin. And we don’t mean on television. Over the first two weeks of February, these Olympic gold medalists—two of whom, Lindsey and Mikaela, call the Vail Valley home—will be among the 700 athletes from 70 countries racing at Vail/Beaver Creek in the biennial FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. It’s the first time alpine skiing’s biggest race (outside of the Olympics) has been in North America since 1999. Other U.S. resorts might try to compete with Vail and neighboring Beaver Creek in grooming, views or terrain, but, neither Jackson Hole nor Telluride or Tahoe can claim the only U.S. stop on skiing’s annual World Cup racing circuit, but Beaver Creek can. “At all levels, Vail is in many ways the center of the ski racing universe today,” says Aldo Radamus, a former U.S. Ski Team coach and 1990 USSA Domestic Coach of the Year and, for the last 13 years, the Executive Director of the Ski & Snowboard Club Vail (SSCV), which counts Shiffrin, Vonn and at least eight other Olympians among its alumni. “Ski racing seems to be ingrained in this community’s DNA, and we’ve got two resorts that have the terrain and willingness to make it happen on the highest level.”

INSPIRATO.COM

et back to your own racing dreams on Vonn’s namesake run, Lindsey’s. A groomed ribbon of ice on the front side of Vail Mountain, Vonn has described it as, “definitely the most challenging run on the mountain.” As you look down from the top of the run, its pitch elevating your pulse and slowing your breathing, you won’t be surprised to learn it was the site of the women’s speed events during the 1989 and 1999 World Championships, when it was still named International. As a teen, Vonn skied the run that would one day bear her name, but, more often, like SSCV racers today do, she did laps on Vail’s Golden Peak. “That’s where we did so much of our training and raced for girls and boys Nor-Am,” says Paula Moltzan, who moved to Vail from Minnesota to train during her junior year of high school and now, at 20, is on the World Cup tech team.

INSPIRATO.COM

Abby Ghent, a SSCV racer who was 6 the last time the valley hosted the World Championships and this season has a World Cup spot for Super G suggests you try Centennial at Beaver Creek. “We’d have Nor-Am downhills there. It’s a classic course,” she says. And then, of course, there’s Beaver Creek’s famed Birds of Prey course and its new women’s course, Raptor. (Before the World Championships, the former hosts its annual World Cup race, The Audi Birds of Prey Men’s World Cup, December 6-8.) The pros own both during the World Championships, but, at other times in the season, the public can ski them. Fair warning, “Birds of Prey is terrifying,” says Moltzan. “I just can’t imagine flying off any of those jumps at the speeds the guys are going. But watching it is something else.”

SKIER’S PARADISE (From left) Fresh tracks in Vail’s Back Bowls; fireworks over the village at Beaver Creek; heading out for a private lesson at Beaver Creek.

Dina Mishev is Inspirato magazine’s Associate Editor and skis 80-some days a year from her home in Jackson, Wyoming.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

ALDO RADAMUS, FORMER COACH OF THE U.S. SKI TEAM AND CURRENT HEAD OF VAIL’S FAMED SKI & SNOWBOARD CLUB OFFERS A PRIMER ON THE BIGGEST FACES AT THIS YEAR’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. “The Norwegians have always done well here,” says Radamus, who coached for the U.S. Men’s and Women’s ski teams, and was named USSA Domestic Coach of the Year in 1990, before taking over as executive director at the SSCV. “I’ll be watching for Aksel Svindal, Kjetil Jansrud and their new young technical threat Henrik Kristoffersen, who

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

exploded onto the scene last year.” “Past world and Olympic downhill champion Lindsey Vonn, working toward a return to competition following two years of injury, is undoubtedly looking to add to her World Championship medal tally,” Radamus says. At the last FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, at Schladming, Austria in February 2013, Vonn tore her ACL/MCL and fractured her tibial plateau in a horrific crash. By August, a month and a half ahead of schedule, she was back on the snow. But then in mid-November, she crashed during a downhill training run at Copper Mountain in Colorado and reinjured herself. “Lindsey has

something to prove and she’ll be racing at home,” Radamus says. “Among the Americans, our six Olympic medalists are medal threats at Worlds. Any one of them could win,” Radamus says. “Julia Mancuso because she always steps up when it counts. Ted Ligety owns this hill (he has won four straight giant slalom events on Birds of Prey) and is working hard to become a threat in [slalom] again; the snow suits him here in Colorado. Bode Miller for his last hurrah. Mikaela Shiffrin to defend her title. Keep an eye on (two-time Olympic Super G medalist) Andrew Weibrecht too. He loves the hill and has done well here.”

 /  

SKIERS TO WATCH

INSPIRATO.COM

POWDER THRILLS

 

“I love racing, but when there’s fresh snow, I’m the first to suggest we ski some powder,” says Paula Moltzan, a SSCV alum who is on the World Cup tech team this year. “I love Blue Sky Basin (shown above) on those days.” Seven miles, four li s and 45 minutes from Vail Village, Blue Sky is the most remote spot at Vail. While the resort is famous for its broad runs and open back bowls, Blue Sky Basin’s 645 acres are more “backcountry lite.” For intermediate skiers there are a couple of groomers through the trees, but, like Moltzan, you want to come here for the northfacing runs that can hold powder for a week.

INSPIRATO.COM

MILLER TIME American Bode Miller attacks the Beaver Creek giant slalom course in 2013, finishing second behind countryman Ted Ligety.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

SKIER’S GUIDE TO BIRDS OF PREY

STARTING LINE TO THE FLYWAY Russi designed Birds of Prey with the ability to host each major alpine skiing event—downhill, Super G, giant slalom and slalom; different races that start at different points. It is the downhill that uses the entire 2,577 vertical feet and 1.6 miles of the course though. While the heart of this course is as challenging as they come, the first 20-some seconds out of the start are slow and flat. The starting gate’s elevation is 11,427 feet.

AFTER SWISS SKIER BERNHARD RUSSI WON GOLD IN DOWNHILL AT THE 1972 SAPPORO OLYMPICS, HE SWITCHED TO DESIGNING RACE COURSES FOR THE 1988 CALGARY , 1992 ALBERTVILLE , 1994 LILLEHAMMER , 1998 NAGANO AND 2014 SOCHI OLYMPICS. IN BETWEEN, HE ALSO DESIGNED THE BIRDS OF PREY COURSE, WHICH BEAVER CREEK BUILT SPECIFICALLY FOR THE 1999 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. FROM DAY ONE, THE COURSE, WHICH IS THE ONLY OFFICIAL U.S. STOP ON THE MEN’S FIS WORLD CUP CIRCUIT, HAS BEEN CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT IN THE WORLD. HERE’S WHY:

THE BRINK Immediately a er The Flyway, the slope’s pitch hits nearly 40 degrees, just as the course takes a loopy le -hard turn. This is where racers really begin to build speed. The best follow the fall line here to take as much speed as possible into a tight turn that sets them up for The Talon.

PETE’S ARENA

THE TALON

This area is similar to the start, mellow and followed by a technical section. (This is where the men’s giant slalom starts.)

The Talon tests “air sense,” how well racers stay in form when they’re in the air. It throws racers off of their le ski as they head over a gentle jump. They land and have to quickly transition to their right ski on ice that is o en in the shadows. (This area is also roughly where the men’s Super G starts.)

RUSSI’S RIDE

Aerodynamics. That’s what this section of the course is all about. Racers looking to make the podium have to stay low and strong through here. In 2003, when he set the course record (1:39.59), which still stands today, Daron Rahlves relied on the fall line and his powerful right leg through Russi’s Ride to slingshot through the le hand turn into Screech Owl.

SCREECH OWL

The run-in here is tight and made more intimidating by a stand of evergreens. Racers are o en airborne for 180 feet and land on a steep hill that then becomes the course’s only flat section.

GOLDEN EAGLE JUMP

One of the largest jumps on the World Cup circuit—sending skiers into the air for at least 200 feet—Golden Eagle requires racers to be absolutely precise with their positioning: If they land just a bit on the backs of their skis, their race is most likely over. For this reason, the landing is known as “The Abyss.” (The men’s slalom starts here.)

HARRIER JUMP AND RED TAIL JUMP TO THE FINISH

You’d think Russi would let racers recover a er surviving The Abyss, but no. Racers hit another jump, Harrier, and then have to keep a clean, tight line through a long right turn followed by a le before they launch off the course’s final jump, Red Tail.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

BASEMAP COURTESY VISTAMAP ©

GOLDEN GIRL Part-time Vail resident Lindsey Vonn at work.

DESIGNATED SPEEDING ZONES Unlike pretty much every other resort in North America, Vail and Beaver Creek have runs where going as fast as you dare is the whole point. Vail Resort’s social media/ski tracker app, EpicMix Racing, partnered with four-time World Cup Champion and Olympic gold-medalist Lindsey Vonn, who, a er moving to Vail at age 12 to train with the Ski & Snowboard Club Vail has become

the most successful American skier in history, to design a course at Vail and a second at Beaver Creek. Vonn practiced on both until she had them dialed. Then the geeks at EpicMix timed her. Now anyone with the EpicMix app open can race down either course—the Black Forest Race Area just east of the Avanti Express Li at Vail or beneath Beaver Creek’s new high-speed

combination li that just opened at the beginning of this season—and measure themselves against Vonn’s time. Good luck catching her; few skiers on the international stage can come close to her. EpicMix claims that the average racer is about 5-7 seconds slower than Vonn on either course and that it’s a rare skier that comes within three seconds of her times.

 

INSPIRATO RECOMMENDS

Vail

Beaver Creek

Members have their pick of 25 residences that range from sprawling mountainside homes with five bedrooms and 5,900 square feet of space to convenient two- to sixbedroom residences in the village and within walking distance to the gondola, shops and dining options.

Nestled into the mountainside, Inspirato’s five luxurious Signature Residences offer all the space members need highlighted by the High Road property that features six bedrooms, six-and-half bathrooms and 9,005 square feet of opulence.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT INSPIRATO’S VAIL SIGNATURE RESIDENCES, TURN TO PAGE 172.

INSPIRATO.COM

Beth Cleveland’s picks Inspirato Destination Concierge

EAT: Treat yourself to a spectacular, intimate dining experience on the mountain at Vail’s 160-seat Game Creek Lodge or Beaver Creek’s Beano’s Cabin. Both are only accessible via snow-cat. Vail’s Matsuhisa serves the valley’s best sushi and seafood, and it’s the place to be on New Year’s Eve. During the holidays, you might see Woflgang Puck working at Spago, his place inside the RitzCarlton, Bachelor Gulch. NIGHTLIFE: The 500-seat Vilar Performing Arts Center in the quaint village of Beaver Creek features a packed calendar of

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT INSPIRATO’S BEAVER CREEK SIGNATURE RESIDENCES, TURN TO PAGE 105.

Broadway musicals, classical music, concerts and family entertainment. Dec. 16-22, 2014 HOLIDAZE The week before the Christmas holiday, Vail works to get everyone in the spirit with Olympic figure-skating shows, tree lightings and fireworks. Mar. 26-29, 2015 VAIL FILM FESTIVAL Every year, this festival grows in stature and A-list appearances. Kate Bosworth, Zach Braff, Jane Seymour, Kevin Smith and Adrian Grenier are just a few who’ve shown up for premieres.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

DESERT MEETS THE SEA (from left) A Cardón cactus, Baja’s version of a Saguaro; a secluded bay on Isla Espíritu Santo in the Sea of Cortez. INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

INSPIRATO.COM

THE END

From the energetic to the sublime, the southern tip of Baja, Mexico oﬀers a juxtaposition of characters, attitudes and geography that make it unlike any other destination in North America. No wonder visitors can’t get enough. BY AARON GULLEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEN JUDGE

INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

THE END “Hop a flight from L.A. and you can be pink from sun exposure before you’d have even touched down on flights to Hawaii or Costa Rica. And then there are the beaches, which rival the Caribbean.”

ON THE ROAD (Above) Mangoes for sale at a roadside stand. (Right) Sunset over San José del Cabo.

She steps aboard the catamaran in floral-print, aquamarine shorts that barely cover the tops of her tan-line free thighs, and almost every man on the ship immediately believes that the sunset jazz cruise was worth the price of admission. I’m not so easily convinced. From where I sit on this “luxury sailing excursion,” I can see pale tourists onshore posing with two caged lion cubs at a pop-up photo stand. And across the bay, at Jack’s Bar & Grill, the faux-swaggering, paste-on mustachioed Captain Sparrow accosting tourists is hardly the exotic character I travel to meet. This crassness is precisely why I have never before ventured to Baja’s Cabo San Lucas, which I’ve long associated with everything base about Mexican travel. Like its Nevada doppelganger, Vegas, this tourist town at the tip of the Baja peninsula is so hip that it goes just by Cabo. But while the place might be as graceless as the border towns of Nogales and Laredo, it still attracts some 1.5 million visitors each year. And judging by kitsch Cabo San Lucas proper, they’re not coming for the culture.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

Proximity is surely an appeal. Hop a flight from L.A. and you can be pink from sun exposure before you’d have even touched down on flights to Hawaii or Costa Rica. And then there are the beaches, which rival the Caribbean. On the 18-mile-long corridor of coastal highway stretching to the northeast, hundreds of hotels and resorts have carved out pristine space on rocky headlands and sugary strands that are inarguably stunning. That’s where I’m staying, at a resort called Esperanza that’s part country club, part beach hideaway; the sort of place you could settle into for a week and never leave. “Many of our clients eat here, sleep here, sun here and then fly home,” says Lucas Williams, my Destination Concierge. And while that sounds perfectly anaesthetizing, I’m curious to know if there’s more to Baja California Sur. That’s what led to the evening jazz cruise, which at first doesn’t give me much hope. But then the local Kool-Aid starts to kick in. The boat motors into Bahía Cabo, where the Arch of San Lucas, a natural limestone passage cut from the sea, is backlit in golden God-light,

INSPIRATO.COM

S EA OF C OR TEZ

LA PAZ

TODOS SANTOS

PACIFIC O CE AN INT’L AIRPORT SAN JOSÉ DEL CABO DOWNTOWN CABO

INSPIRATO SIGNATURE RESIDENCES AT ESPERANZA

ARCH OF SAN LUCAS

and everyone quiets in genuine awe. The moment is legitimately stirring—though it’s not completely clear to me whether the men are moved by the glorious view of the arch or Ms. Coppertone’s cutoffs. But I realize it doesn’t matter. There’s authenticity to be found in Cabo if you’re willing to look for it.

I go searching up the west coast the next morning on a day trip to the village of Todos Santos. The Cabo circus act disappears as soon as I crest the first hill out of town, and I’m suddenly speeding through desolate high desert scratched with thorny acacias and topsy-turvy cardón cactus reminiscent of Arizona’s saguaros. Little more than a pocked double track a couple years ago, the road has lately been paved and widened to four lanes. The hope is that once the bypass around Cabo San Lucas is complete, developers will be inclined to build on this stretch of coast since travelers could reach it from the international airport in about an hour. For now, it’s just open highway with the occasional dusty side road trailing off to the Pacific.

INSPIRATO.COM

Todos Santos is dozy too, with a single strip of pavement through town and a quaint little Catholic church the color of whipped egg yolks overlooking a cobbled plaza. Three wrinkly old men in scuffed boots and battered cowboy hats sit so still on a palm-shaded bench that I have to walk closer to make sure they’re not statues. The only real action is down the street at The Hotel California, which owner Debbie Stewart claims (but can’t prove) is the establishment that inspired the song, though she’s quick to emphasize that’s where the connection ends. “We’re not selling the Eagles. We’re selling real Mexico,” she says, explaining that Todos Santos is part of a Mexican tourism initiative called Pueblos Mágicos to promote the country’s most culturally compelling towns. The plaza was recently spruced up, several new boutique hotels have opened in renovated, 100-year-old buildings, and a few art galleries have popped up in anticipation of the increased traffic. “Mostly though people still just come here to surf and relax,” Stewart says.

10 miles

ON BAJA TIME (Clockwise from top left) La Fuente ice cream in La Paz; a lush estuary on the Sea of Cortez side; cold beer with lime caps off a perfect day in San José del Cabo.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

“If Cabo San Lucas is the Disneyland of Baja, San José del Cabo is Santa Barbara, with a prim little downtown, endearing shops that don’t revolve around T-shirts or gaudy ceramics, and a modicum of self respect.”

BAJA’S QUIET SIDE (Above) Anchorage for one along the coast of the Sea of Cortez. (Right) A seagull snatches a fresh clam for dinner.

She suggests a trip to Playa Los Cerritos, 10 minutes down a sandy track from the highway. When I arrive, 30 or so cars are parked beside a thatch-roof bar, with a dozen white umbrellas facing the sea. I take my place under a free umbrella among the crowd of mostly Mexican families, and a waiter is soon plying me with margaritas, icy bottles of Sol beer and totopos and guacamole. He keeps up a steady flow of refrescos as I read, nap and listen to the thrum of the sea, and before I know it evening has come. Back in town, the trio of gauchos on the plaza hasn’t moved. I take their cue and settle in on the covered, street-front arcade to watch life go by. Stewart tells me that if I’d come a month ago, I could have watched whales steaming past town from shore, but they’ve already moved north for the summer. A stooped old man leads a donkey down the opposite side of the road by a frayed rope. Then a procession of churchgoers singing hymns in Spanish tread slowly the other direction toward the church. It’s nothing but everyday life here in Baja, but to me it’s both exotic and deeply quieting. “Cabo is about the party. La Paz is about the water,” Stewart says.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

“We’re just a quiet little town with history and a sense of place.” This laidback vibe is exactly why Todos Santos is seeing an increase of both development and visitors. And the sublime mix of vast desert and sea helps, too. It’s the same trifecta—sand, sea, culture—that has always drawn people to Baja, long before, and perhaps in spite of, the development of Cabo. On the dark desert night’s drive back, I roll down the window to get the cool Pacific wind in my hair. Cabo San Lucas might be only an hour down the road, but it feels decades away.

The next day, I drive the other direction up the highway to San José del Cabo. And I’m glad I do. If Cabo San Lucas is the Disneyland of Baja, San José del Cabo is Santa Barbara, with a prim little downtown, endearing shops that don’t revolve around T-shirts or gaudy ceramics, and a modicum of self-respect. Even the local tequila shop, Los Barilles de Cuervo, forgoes the overbearing eat-the-worm bravado and pours up tequila tastings from its 260 varieties. Midmorning, I walk down quiet avenues admiring pink

INSPIRATO.COM

THE END

INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

WATER TAXI Heading out to Stingray City.

TODOS SANTOS (Clockwise from top) Hand-painted plates line a wall; downtown in festive splendor; the ancient door to the Todos Santos Inn.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

INSPIRATO.COM

THE END “I stop at a taco shop called Rossy’s and gorge on fresh tortillas stuffed with smoked marlin, tempura fried fish and marinated octopus. The seafood is so fresh I go back for a second serving.”

bougainvillea that climb up whitewashed Spanish revival façades and stop to pet the occasional cat—even the strays here feel approachable. I like to think that it’s just this charming, small-town atmosphere that brings so many foreigners to Baja, both as travelers and expatriates. I start to notice galleries all around, full of paintings that make you stop and look, such as the mod, mixed-media piece at the O Gallery that depicts, among other things, an anthropomorphic Easter Bunny on a crucifix. It’s weighty stuff, especially in a country as Catholic as Mexico, and I can’t resist going inside. The owner, a stubbly, ponytailed Parisian transplant from Los Angeles who goes only by François, describes a nascent art scene in San José del Cabo. “We still get the tourists coming here looking for cheap ashtrays, but there are more and more proper buyers,” he says. “Most of Baja is just stunning physically. The desert next to the sea…it’s like another planet.” In that sense San José is still catching up. With the art and the investments in the place, it’s becoming beautiful. He invites me back in two days for the monthly Thursday-night art walk, promising cocktails, good conversation and a handful of openings. Around the corner, artist Frank Arnold’s airy home is part of his gallery, and it’s not until I’m leaning across a bed staring at a dark interpretation of a bull that it occurs to me that I might be intruding. Then Arnold’s assistant, a short little Mexican fellow who speaks so fast I never catch his name no matter how many times I ask, appears from around a corner and assures me that I’m welcome to traipse

INSPIRATO.COM

all over the home and admire the artwork. Arnold has stepped out, though a palette sits waiting on a side table and the canvas he’s painting is still wet. His assistant introduces me instead to his Bichon Frisé poodle named Picasso, and encourages me to sample from any of the decanters of tequila (Granada, almond and regular) around the studio. When I try to beg off because of the early hour, he acts almost wounded. “It is past 11 o’clock,” he says. In the end, what I appreciate most about San José isn’t the friendly reception or the significant artwork—though both are a pleasure. What’s nice is coming across something unexpected. For me, travel is about experiencing things I couldn’t otherwise at home: sipping fine liquor in the morning, listening to François’ story of driving a moving truck down the Baja peninsula and simply knowing that Los Cabos isn’t only about spring break hedonism and tropical escape. You can find something true here if you’re willing to scratch around for it. After my tour of town, I stop at a taco shop called Rossy’s and gorge on fresh tortillas stuffed with smoked marlin, tempura fried fish and marinated octopus. The seafood is so fresh I go back for a second serving. I also order an Ojo Rojo, the classic Mexican cocktail I’ve always wanted to try that blends Tecate and Clamato, that strangesounding mix of tomato and clam juices. When it arrives, I’m as expectant as a serious buyer waiting for a new piece from my favorite painter. I taste it, and I almost spit it out. Authentic, it turns out, isn’t always a good thing.

ARTS DISTRICT (Left, right) Furnishings inside the CostaBaja Resort.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

THE END

SPIRIT QUEST Crossing the channel to Isla Espíritu Santo in the Sea of Cortez.

THE ESPERANZA WAY (Left) Short rib cannelloni with Baja lobster tail and sea bass with ham and asparagus from Cocina del Mar at Esperanza. (Right) Cliffside dining at Cocina del Mar.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

The only thing left is to experience Cabo as most visitors do: From the comfort of an all-inclusive resort. And it’s easy at Esperanza, where a concierge caters to everything. When I mention that I’d like to go kayaking, Williams, the Desination Concierge, selects a nearby trip and has a guide waiting for me at 9 o’clock the next morning. We put in at a limestone-protected cove 10 minutes east of the resort, and though I imagine that waters this close to town will be turbid and denuded of any marine life, I see fish flash like sun-catching prisms below my hull as soon as we push off. At Bahia Santa Maria, another calm bay, the corals are vibrant shades of blue and green, and schools of striped grunt flicker in the morning sun. I follow a pair of bumphead parrotfish as big as dorm-room refrigerators and try to catch up with a sea turtle, which easily fins away. “Jacques Cousteau didn’t call the Sea of Cortez ‘the world’s aquarium’ for nothing,” the guide says. It’s a line he must use often. After a few hours on the water, I’m ready for lunch and Williams encourages me to try the resort’s beach club. I’m convinced I’ll get a better meal if I drive back to San José and seek out a local joint, but the sun has made me lazy. So I order lunch at the resort club and settle into a fluffy, bleach white towel under a thatched palapa. And if I’m honest, the grilled fish and

shrimp tacos turn out to be more succulent and mouthwatering than Rossy’s. They are, with the exception of the dinner I have at Esperanza’s signature restaurant, Cocina del Mar, the finest thing I’ll eat all week. I wouldn’t trade my meal at Rossy’s—nor the tequila with Picasso the poodle or my classic rock desert sojourn to Todos Santos. But neither would I give up a single bite of these luscious Esperanza tacos, not even if my wife begged. Baja is a place of sharp contrasts—the craggy, little-explored desert peaks of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains tumbling straight into crystalline seas—and no trip here would be complete without the push and pull of these natural and man made forces. After picking over the taco plate for every last morsel, I order a margarita. And as I’m lingering on the sun-splashed, cloudybrain edge of a nap, I’ll be damned if I don’t see three whales breaching a few hundred meters out at sea. I consider rushing back to the villa to get my binoculars. Instead, I just watch them steam away to the south until I can’t keep my eyes open any longer and drift asleep. Aaron Gulley was born in Africa and has traveled the world on assignment for Outside Magazine, Islands and Men’s Journal, among others. He lives in Santa Fe, N.M.

INSPIRATO.COM

FINDING PEACE Less than two hours from Cabo San Lucas, La Paz is doable as a long day trip. But if you have the time, it’s better to spend a few days. Most people come for the diving and snorkeling, and the full-day excursion to Isla Espíritu Santo is worth the two hours of motoring on open waters that it takes to get there. At the northernmost tip of land, on a subsidiary island called Isla Partida, it’s possible to swim among the colony of sea lions that inhabit a craggy basalt spit of land. The animals will dart and slither all around you in the water and may even playfully try to nibble at your fingers if you goad them. It’s an unusual opportunity to interact with wild animals in their environment, and though some operators will encourage you to take dive gear, snorkeling with these creatures is just as breathtaking. The other big attraction in La Paz is the Malécon, a boardwalk that stretches the length of the city’s waterfront. Most evenings around sunset, especially on weekends, families gather at the seafood restaurants along the sea to eat dorado, octopus and lobster tacos, then spend hours strolling, usually with at least one stop for ice cream. Bismark-cito probably has the best tacos, while La Fuente ice cream parlor has a constant line out the door for its exceptional homemade flavors. —A.G.

INSPIRATO RECOMMENDS

Los Cabos/ La Paz Several miles east of Cabo, Inspirato members can choose from an extensive collection of luxury homes within the spectacular Esperanza Resort. Signature Residences range from the four-bedroom, 3,300-square-

INSPIRATO.COM

foot condominium, Casa Gardenias, to the sprawling, oceanfront Villa Buenaventura, a five-bedroom, 8,027-square-foot mansion with a private cliffside infinity pool. Members interested in visting La Paz and exploring the Sea of Cortez can settle into either of the three-bedroom, 2,800- to 3,300-square-foot, Signature Residences available within the exclusive, waterfront CostaBaja golf resort. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT INSPIRATO’S SIGNATURE RESIDENCES ON BAJA, TURN TO PAGES 135 (LOS CABOS) AND 131 (LA PAZ).

exfoliation—the Spa at Esperanza’s treatments are decidedly different. DAY TRIP: Divers need to head to Pelican Rock to see Sand Falls, an underwater waterfall of sand.

Lucas Williams’ & Paco Flores’ picks

Inspirato Destination Concierges EAT: For traditional Mexican fare at its best go to Los Tres Gallos in Cabo San Lucas—try the molé dishes in particular. SPA: Papaya-mango body polish, hibiscus anti-oxidant flower bath, lime body

Dec.–March WHALE MIGRATION Thousands of whales swim past Los Cabos on their way to the Sea of Cortez. Dec. 1-6, 2014 SABOR A CABO FESTIVAL Chefs from around the world and Baja showcase their talents. Mid-Jan. 2015 TODOS SANTOS MUSIC FESTIVAL R.E.M.’s Peter Buck hosts and performs at The Hotel California.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

A MOROCCAN ADVENTURE

MOROCCO: MEMBERS JOURNEY While African in geography, the influences of Spain, Portugal and France over the years have given Morocco a decidedly Mediterranean feel. It’s that dash of eclectic mystery, along with our exclusive Inspirato itinerary, that makes this Inspirato Signature Experience ideal for members.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE 888.546.5008 | WWW.INSPIRATO.COM/MOROCCO Inspirato® is a private travel membership club that requires a non-refundable Initiation Fee and Annual Membership Fee. Membership is subject to acceptance of terms and conditions and other reservation and use rules. Availability, benefits, minimum stay requirements and nightly fees may vary by residence, date and membership option selected. See website (www. inspirato.com) for complete details. Inspirato is owned by Inspirato LLC and operated by its subsidiary Best of 52, LLC, 1637 Wazee Street, Denver, CO 80202, info@inspirato.com, 303586-7771. Operator is registered as Florida Seller of Travel Registration No. ST38403; Washington Seller of Travel Registration No. UBI 603086598; California Seller of Travel Registration No. CST 2107465. ©2014 Inspirato LLC. All products and services offered and rendered by Inspirato® (including the operation and management of any vacation residence) are provided solely by Inspirato LLC, Best of 52, LLC, or their respective agents and affiliates, and not by the American Express Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates.

IMAGINE

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

MAGINE A GLOBAL COLLECTION OF UNIQUELY LUXURIOUS VACATION OPTIONS. IMAGINE A TRUSTED

guide committed to making each trip you take better than the last. Imagine being known and recognized every time you travel. Now imagine it all in a private club that helps you turn simple moments into lasting memories more easily and oямЕen than you ever thought possible.

WE ARE INSPIRATO WITH AMERICAN EXPRESS WELCOME TO A WHOLE NEW WORLD.

INSPIRATO.COM

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

M E M B E R S H I P | ABOUT INSPIRATO

EXPERIENCE A NEW WAY TO VACATION

Vacations are the special times when you live life to the fullest, embracing moments you know you’ll always remember. Inspirato with American Express is a private club for those who understand this simple truth. Our luxury residences and custom experiences are carefully selected to fit almost every vacation style and interest. And our service team strives to ensure your trips are relaxed, carefree and designed just for you.

MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY MOMENT What sets us apart? We’re committed to anticipating your needs, exceeding your expectations and showcasing the very best of the destination on every trip. Your Personal Vacation Advisor will be an indispensable partner in planning your travels and getting the most from your membership. Our on-site Destination Concierge will welcome you with authentic local knowledge and expert assistance. And our entire team will collaborate to learn your preferences and help you make the most of every moment—even if your vacation is halfway around the world.

INSPIRATO SIGNATURE COLLECTION WHERE WILL YOU GO NEXT? The Inspirato Signature Collection features hundreds of irresistible vacations chosen just for our members. There is an expansive selection of Signature Residences to suit almost every taste, customized Signature Experiences that take you to the far corners of the world and Signature Stays featuring exclusive privileges with iconic hotels and resorts. From Maui to Vail, Los Cabos to New York, Tuscany to Grand Cayman—even Antarctica and the Kentucky Derby—you always have somewhere new to explore with us.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

INSPIRATO SIGNATURE RESIDENCES MAKE YOUR PRIMARY HOME JEALOUS

Our Signature Residences are beautiful homes designed to suit every vacation style, from jaw-dropping luxury villas to fashionable urban apartments to charming beach cottages and everything in between. Each combines the spaciousness and character of a private vacation home with the warm and personalized attention of our Signature Service. Unlike typical online vacation rental agents that broker third-party homes, we manage and control each residence 365 days a year for the exclusive use of our members. We invest an average of $50,000 in furnishings, fine linens and other upgrades to meet our exacting standards. Each home includes an on-site Destination Concierge and daily housekeeping to handle all the details.

INSPIRATO SIGNATURE STAYS

EVEN MORE VACATION CHOICES TO EXPLORE

Inspirato partners with select iconic hotel and resort brands to expand your vacation choices into major metropolitan areas and member-favorite resorts around the world. From sandy beaches in Anguilla or the Bahamas to a suite in Manhattan, Chicago or Las Vegas, we deliver luxurious accommodations and premier services with an Inspirato touch.

INSPIRATO SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES REALIZE YOUR LONG-HELD VACATION DREAMS

Learn something that could change everything. Catch yourself living life to the fullest. Our Signature Experiences are remarkable adventures that take you to the far corners of the world and renowned global events, turning long-held vacation dreams into lifelong memories. From the magnificent ice shelves of Antarctica to the Palettes of the Baltic Sea and The Masters in Augusta, these custom members-only trips bring you face-to-face with priceless scenes and happenings.

INSPIRATO.COM

M E M B E R S H I P | ABOUT INSPIRATO

INSPIRATO CLUB MEMBER BENEFITS YES, THESE COME STANDARD

Dedicated Personal Vacation Advisors: Expert

planners assigned as partners to each member, committed to helping you get the most from your membership and every vacation you take.

Destination Concierges:

On-site experts who will anticipate your needs, share authentic local knowledge and create inspired experiences just for you during your Signature Residence vacations with the club.

Jaunt ® 52: Each week, our

Jaunt 52 vacations oﬀer superior savings when you book one of dozens of featured trips and our Jaunt Now getaways provide the excitement and amazing values of spontaneous escapes.

Family Sharing for Executive and Core Members: Treat your parents,

your spouse’s parents and your children ages 5 and over to unforgettable Inspirato vacations of their own.

Members-Only Rates:

Enjoy significant savings on nightly rates when compared to the open market for luxury vacation homes with a comparable level of services and amenities.

Certiﬁed Collection:

A collection of residences, experiences and hotel and resort stays that have been vetted and verified by the Inspirato team to provide members with additional vacation options and benefits.

INSPIRATO.COM

HOW MEMBERSHIP WORKS Simple. Flexible. Easy. Inspirato members pay a one-time initiation fee to join the club plus an annual membership fee. In return, they enjoy access to our Inspirato Signature Residences, Signature Stays and Signature Experiences, all at members-only rates that vary depending on the desired trip, destination and dates. Each trip comes with our Signature Service, including your own Personal Vacation Advisor. You have the flexibility to travel as much or as little as you like, paying only for the nights you use. At the end of each year, you pay the annual membership fee to renew or contact us to resign and walk away with no further commitment.

MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS Perfect for the Way You Travel We oﬀer membership options specifically designed around the way you like to vacation so you can travel in a way that best fits your schedule and interests. All membership options come with Inspirato Signature Service and Club Member Benefits, but include different Signature Residence access and features.

NOT A MEMBER YET? Call .56.500 or visit INSPIRATO.COM to learn more.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

INSPIRATO

SIGNATURE COLLECTION

SHUTTERSTOCK

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N A T U R E S T AY S

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

INSPIRATO.COM

100 Abaco, Bahamas 101 Amalfi Coast, Italy 102 Anguilla, British West Indies 103 Aspen, CO 104 Bahia Beach, Puerto Rico NEW 105 Beaver Creek, CO 106 Big Sur, CA NEW 107 Bora Bora, French Polynesia 108 Boston, MA 109 Brush Creek Ranch, WY 110 Cape Cod, MA 111 Chicago, IL 112 Colorado Springs, CO NEW 113 Cacique Peninsula, Costa Rica 114 Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica 115 Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica 116 Deer Valley, UT

INSPIRATO.COM

117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136

Denver, CO Devon, England Doonbeg, Ireland Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico Dordogne, France Florence, Italy Fort Lauderdale, FL Geneva, Switzerland Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Kohala Coast, Big Island, HI Hilton Head Island, SC Isle of Palms, SC Jackson Hole, WY Kiawah Island, SC La Paz, Mexico Las Vegas, NV Lenox, MA London, England Los Cabos, Mexico Kapalua, Maui, HI

137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158

Wailea, Maui, HI Miami/South Beach, FL Nantucket, MA Naples, FL Nevis, West Indies NEW New York City, NY Newport, RI Palm Springs, CA Palmetto BluďŹ&#x20AC;, SC Paris, France Provence, France Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Punta de Mita, Mexico Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Riviera Maya, Mexico Rose Hall, Jamaica Rosemary Beach, FL San Diego, CA San Francisco, CA Scottsdale, AZ Sea Island, GA Snowmass Village, CO

159 St. Barts, French West Indies 160 St. Martin, French West Indies NEW 161 St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands 162 Steamboat Springs, CO 163 Stowe, VT 164 Tahoe, Northstar, CA 165 Tahoe, Squaw Valley, CA 166 Telluride, CO 167 Texas Hill Country, TX 168 Tortola, British Virgin Islands 169 Turks & Caicos, British West Indies 170 Tuscany, Italy 171 Tucson, AZ 172 Vail, CO 173 Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands 174 Whistler, Canada 175 Wine Country, CA

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE BOUGAIN VILLA 3 BED / 3.5 BATH

From deep-sea fishing for marlin to a fly fisherman’s pursuit of bonefish, the “gray ghost” of fish, Abaco is the apex of any angler’s bucket list. At the Abaco Club on Winding Bay, Inspirato members can relax on the porch and regale the crowd with the day’s fish stories. Simply relax on a secluded beach or cruise between islands on a chartered sailboat. The choice is yours.

ABACO HIGHLIGHTS SAIL CENTRAL

You’d be hard pressed to find a more scenic locale for sailing. The Abacos are a 120-mile chain of more than 100 pristine islands and cays, inviting you to drop anchor and dive in to explore the untouched beauty of this aquamarine expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. CONVENIENCE

While you may think you’re on the other side of the world, Abaco is closer to mainland U.S. than

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

BAHAMAS

Caribbean destinations, with several airlines offering direct flights from Florida to Marsh Harbour on the island. THE INSIDER’S LIST

Hop on a skiff and head to Cracker P’s Bar and Grill on Lubbers Quarters, a local favorite for conch dishes and an island spin on the British pub. For a special night, book a table at Angler’s at the Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour or the Clubhouse at The Abaco Club on Winding Bay. The British Virgin Islands

100

have the Painkiller as the signature cocktail. Abaco has the Whachamacallit, a blend of iced tea, lemonade, pineapple rum, mango rum, blackberry brandy and fresh fruit juice. To get your groove on, the place to be is downtown Marsh Harbour, where a selection of open-air venues await, many with live music. PRIME SNORKELING

Right off the coast from the Abaco Club, Inspirato members can find some of the world’s most enchanting underwater ecosystems.

Once you’ve had your fill there, venture to Great Guana and Nippers, with an outer edge that drops 20 feet, providing an oasis for larger fish such as barracuda. Or try the shallows of Green Turtle Sea Gardens, known for its beautiful sea fans and coral reef.

~4~

RESIDENCES/STAYS Explore our Abaco Signature Residences and Signature Stays at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE VILLA SORRENTINA 3 BED / 3 BATH

The Amalfi Coast of Italy, on the southern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula an hour south of Naples, boasts 28 miles of dramatic coastline with villages and roads clinging to the mountainsides. Wake up to spectacular views of the Bay of Naples and Mt. Vesuvius across the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean.

AMALFI COAST HIGHLIGHTS VIEW FROM EVERY ROOM

With a superb location within walking distance to the shops and restaurants in the quaint town of Sorrento, Inspirato members can call the multistory Villa Sorrentina home. Its three bedrooms open up to balconies overlooking the sea. A private pool, grand terrace and lush gardens put you in the mindset to enjoy la dolce vita. BEAUTIFUL RUIN

Thirty minutes away by

INSPIRATO.COM

car sits the ancient Roman city of Pompeii. Buried by volcanic ash in 79 AD, its buildings and way of life was preserved intact for centuries until the city was excavated more than 1,500 years later. TAKE A HIKE

The breathtaking 25-mile Path of Gods between Amalfi and Sorrento is a short distance from Inspiratoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residence. Trekking along the mountains, the ancient path courses through remote valleys and villages that seem untouched

101

I TA LY by tourists and modern life. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Italy, literally off the beaten path. SEA LIFE

Take a day to hop the ferry to the island of Capri or to the charming seaside towns of Amalfi and Positano down the coast. Seek out the Grotta dello Smeraldo, a marine cave known for its emerald waters that you can visit by boat, elevator or steps. Dive in and create your own adventure with a day of sailing, windsurfing or snorkeling the shallows along the craggy

coast. Your Inspirato Destination Concierge can reserve a powerboat for you to use for the duration of your stay.

~1~

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE Explore our Amalfi Coast Signature Residence at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE STAY FOUR BEDROOM OCEANFRONT 4 BED / 4.5 BATH

With beautiful beaches and fine dining, Anguilla is a true escape. The perfect day is easy here: It begins when you sink your toes into the soft white sand, continues with bright rays of sun reflecting off the turquoise Caribbean, and culminates in international fare in an open-air restaurant or an island beer paired with local barbecue.

ANGUILLA HIGHLIGHTS

which you’ll see worlds of bright fish and coral reefs.

CLEAR CARIBBEAN

The Caribbean opens just beyond the terrace of every Signature Stay at Inspirato’s Anguillan villas. Relax in up to 8,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space. Or take a short walk or golfcart shuttle to the beach. SENSATIONAL SNORKELING

There’s great scuba diving, too, but the abundant calm bays around Anguilla and its outlying islands make for easy snorkeling in

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

BRITISH WEST INDIES

A DAY ON THE BEACH

There are more than 30 powdery beaches on Anguilla. Stroll along Mead’s Bay, take the kids to the Cove Bay beach or indulge in barefoot luxury dining at Sandy Ground.

prepare cuisine with influences from Asia, Africa, France and more. Don’t leave without sampling some authentic Anguillan barbecue. THE POOL

Each residence features a private pool or plunge pool. RELAX AND UNWIND

FINE DINING

For a population of just under 15,000 residents, you’d never guess that Anguilla could house so many outstanding restaurants. Chefs

102

lunch served to your chair in the sand and dinner prepared and served poolside at your private villa.

~ 14 ~ STAYS

Explore our Anguilla Signature Stays at inspirato. com/destinations

Swim, dive, kayak, paddleboard, boat, fish—all the delights you desire in or over the water. Bike, shop, golf, dine— simply unwind, relax and reconnect. Have breakfast delivered to your villa,

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE RETREAT ON UTE 4 BED / 4.5 BATH

There are enough hip boutiques, gourmet restaurants and private jets in Aspen to rival the world’s greatest luxury destinations, but this mountain town’s true appeal rests in its beautiful setting and adventurous outdoor activities. You can hit the slopes, take on a whitewater river or just relax and watch the world go by.

INSPIRATO.COM

ASPEN HIGHLIGHTS ASPEN, YOUR WAY

All of our Aspen properties feature an upscale, mountain-home feel with tasteful appointments and generous layouts that will make you feel right at home. Whether you pick the 6,458-square-foot, five-bedroom Steinway for a group get-together or the 4,278-square-foot, four-bedroom Silver Queen for something slightly more intimate, our Aspen homes deliver whatever you desire.

COLORADO

MAROON BELLS

FASHION FORWARD

If you buy a postcard in Aspen, the photo will likely be of the spectacular Maroon Bells, some of the most photographed mountains in the world. They’re shrouded in snow all winter but come summer, these 14,000-foot peaks are covered in a riot of wildflowers.

Join the celebrities who shop for the latest international styles at the boutiques on Galena Street. And check out the local shops for chic skiwear, high-end Western apparel and unique pieces of art.

FOUR FOR ONE

Enjoy access to four worldclass ski mountains— Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk—on a single li ticket.

103

WINING AND DINING

perfect glass of wine or a local cra beer to pair with your meal.

~5~

RESIDENCES Explore our Aspen Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations

Aspen restaurants are a destination unto themselves, whether you’re craving expertly prepared Colorado game, decadent comfort food, world-class sushi or a burger at Little Annie’s. And wherever you go, you can count on the

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE ALELI 3 BED / 4 BATH

Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club in Puerto Rico is one of only 21 resorts in the world to be designated as a Certified Gold Audubon International Signature Sanctuary and is the only resort in the Caribbean with this distinct honor. El Yunque National Rainforest neighbors the resort’s 20+ acres and the dedicated staff pride themselves on protecting the natural environment and its inhabitants.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

BAHIA BEACH HIGHLIGHTS

of glowing creatures light up around you.

GOLF

World-famous golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed the scenic fairways at Bahia Beach and it has been named the “Best of the Best” by global luxury magazine Robb Report.

BEACHFRONT

Bahia Beach unfolds in two miles of stunning white sand beach. The sparkling blue water is swimmable and shaded palm trees provide a peaceful oasis. The sun and sand here are enjoyable year-round.

NIGHT LIGHTS

Travel 40 minutes to Laguna Grande in Fajardo to see bioluminescent dinoflagellates light up the mangrove-lined lagoons. Enjoy a two-hour kayak tour in the water as millions

THE BOATHOUSE

The resort offers complimentary equipment and gear for various activities: You and your group can explore 70 acres of canals and lakes on the

104

PUERTO RICO resort grounds. Nearby is the Espíritu Santo River, should you feel like venturing a bit farther. Kayaking and paddleboarding are traditionally offered on the resort’s lake. If you would like to head out to the ocean, the resort can arrange your plans. A canoe is the perfect vessel for navigating the property’s canals with more than four miles to explore. Spin fishing is common on the resort’s docks. A variety of saltwater fish species inhabit the water;

mangrove snapper, jack and mullet, to name a few. For the more adventurous type, windsurfing and sailboats are available.

~2~

RESIDENCES Explore our Bahia Beach Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE HIGH ROAD 6 BED / 6.5 BATH

Fall in love with Beaver Creek—a cozy alpine hamlet in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Along with neighboring Vail, these vibrant communities boast thousands of skiable acres, posh residences and an array of year-round amenities.

BEAVER CREEK HIGHLIGHTS

is reached by snowcat or snowshoe.

CONVENIENT ACCESS

Beaver Creek is the superexclusive little sister to the popular Vail. Savvy travelers flock to the convenient winter activities at Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek and Arrowhead.

ALPINE GOLF

NATURAL COLOR

Tee off at Beaver Creek Golf Club, a Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed course set amid stunning scenery in the mountain valley.

Explore this valley on foot or by bike in the summer and fall to experience beautiful golden aspen glades, multicolored wildflowers and highaltitude overlooks.

MEMBER FAVORITE OPTIONS ABOUND

Dining options in Beaver Creek blend gourmet fare with fresh, local ingredients. Take your pick of elegant restaurants in town or request a private chef to prepare an unforgettable meal you

INSPIRATO.COM

can enjoy in your mountain residence.

COLORADO

For one of the most romantic dining experiences in town, Inspirato members love Beano’s Cabin at Beaver Creek, an intimate and off-the-beaten-path venue that serves a selection of delectable options and

105

NIGHTLIFE

When the sun sets on Beaver Creek, mellow evenings await. Start with a handcra ed martini at the The Beaver Creek Chophouse, try Vin 48 for fine wines and an ever-

changing menu of rustic American fare made with local, organic ingredients, and don’t miss Splendido at the Chateau with its unique and refined Euro-American cuisine.

~5~

RESIDENCES Explore our Beaver Creek Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE STAY SOUTH COAST HOUSE 2 BED/ 2 BATH

At Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, California, you will get back to basics in the most serene of settings; cliffs, mountains and panoramic ocean views. These luxury accommodations are the ultimate romantic getaway, recently ranking in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards as one of the Top 5 Inns in the U.S. and Canada.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

BIG SUR HIGHLIGHTS MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM

More than 35,000 creatures representing more than 550 species are showcased at the aquarium, which has nearly 200 exhibits of marine life for the public to enjoy. The aquarium’s mission is to inspire ocean conservation. Check the aquarium schedule to witness meal times for African blackfooted penguins and playful sea otters. An open-sea feeding window also provides an incredible view

CALIFORNIA

of tuna, turtles, sharks and sardines getting their collective suppers. CARMEL BY THE SEA

Condé Nast Traveler named Carmel the second best small city in the U.S. in 2014. Historic ruins, wine tastings, art galleries, dining and shopping are just a few of the reasons to visit this little slice of walkable heaven. PFEIFFER BIG SUR STATE PARK

Have you ever seen mystical redwood trees in person? The park has 1,006

106

acres of sprawling trees and meadows. Twenty-six miles south of Carmel, you can enjoy countless hiking trails and waterfalls. Also check out Pebble Beach, home of the famous golf course. HEARST CASTLE

Hearst Castle was the residence of newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst. He used the glittering hilltop estate to host lavish parties for Hollywood guests in the 1920s and 30s. Tour the unbelievable buildings and grounds.

HIGHWAY 1

Highway 1 is a designated American National Scenic Byway. Don’t be surprised to see migrating whales and elephant seals on the coast below the road. Channel your inner car commercial; you have never driven a highway like this.

~1~ STAY

Explore our Big Sur Signature Stay at inspirato.com/ destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE STAY OVERWATER BUNGALOW 2 BED / 2 BATH

Escape to the French Polynesian island of Bora Bora, considered by many to be the most beautiful island in the world. From diving the spectacular barrier reef to exploring the interior on a 4x4 safari, come see the landscape and people that inspired artist Paul Gaugin’s seminal works.

INSPIRATO.COM

BOR A BOR A HIGHLIGHTS WATER WORLD

Settle into your bungalow situated over the water where access to white sand beaches and swimming in the warm tropical waters is as simple as stepping down the stairs from your private deck. A glass panel in the living room under the coffee table lets you watch the sea life below. The secluded and nearby beach at Motu Pitai Aau will let you truly get away from it all.

F R E N C H P O LY N E S I A

SUBMARINERS

Explore the vibrant sea life that calls the island’s expansive reefs home without the need to become SCUBA-certified. See it by submarine instead. Want more freedom? Try a two-person submarine aquabike. Keep your eyes open for rays, angelfish and blacktip reef sharks. Or combine a charter sailboat cruise with stops for snorkeling among the shallows. If you want to truly connect with the local sea life, book either a shark

107

or ray feeding adventure where these creatures of the deep take food right from your hand. JEEP SAFARI

Roll through Bora Bora’s rugged terrain in a 4x4 and climb up the slopes of Mount Otemanu for jaw-dropping views of the famed lagoon below. Then pay a visit to the only pearl farm on the island. LA VILLA MAHANA

of seafood and classic French cuisine such as duck and lamb and is recognized for the best table on the island. Save it for an intimate and romantic celebration in a superlative setting.

~2~

STAYS Explore our Signature Stays in Bora Bora at inspirato.com/ destinations

This tiny French restaurant (seven tables total) takes reservations months in advance for its rich menu

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE STAY LUXURY PARK VIEW SUITE 1 BED / 1 BATH

Boston in the fall and winter is known for crisp air and breezes by the bay, and history around every corner. Take a walk on the Freedom Trail, try dinner at one of the city’s hot new restaurants, shop the boutiques on Newbury Street or take a breather among the grass and fall colors of the Public Garden.

BOSTON HIGHLIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL

Inspirato members stay at the Taj Boston, located in the city’s theater district on Arlington and Newbury streets overlooking the picturesque Public Garden and Boston Common. Premium shopping and sumptuous dining options are a short walk away. A DAY AT THE PARK

Fenway Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, is more than 100 years old and considered one of the most

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

MASSACHUSETTS

famous sports venues in the world. Catch a game from the luxurious EMC Club or the Absolut Clubhouse. WALK THROUGH HISTORY

Follow the red-painted bricks of the Freedom Trail as they lead you to 16 different historic sites and buildings in downtown Boston, including the Old North Church, Paul Revere’s House, the site of the Boston Massacre and the U.S.S. Constitution. THE NORTH END

Head to Boston’s historic Italian neighborhood, the

108

North End, where the scintillating North End Wine Tour takes you to the city’s premium establishments such as Aragosta, The Wine Bottega and Gennaro’s. WATERFRONT VIEWS

Hop aboard Scudamore’s Punting Company for a tour of the city up the Charles River past Cambridge and back. Or head to sea for a sunset dinner cruise on the Voyager III for a trip to Stellwagen Bank, a popular spot for whales and dolphins. The lights of the city will guide you back to port.

SHOPPING EXCURSION

The Rodeo Drive of the East, Newbury Street is a shopper’s paradise with an eclectic mix of independent boutiques as well as shops from international fashion icons such as Diane von Furstenberg and Georgio Armani.

~2~

STAYS Explore our Boston Signature Stays at inspirato.com/ destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE STAY BRUSH CREEK RANCH

BRUSH CREEK R ANCH

Travel to the West as it used to be (and still is). The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch sits on 15,000 acres of rolling foothills west of the Medicine Bow National Forest outside of Saratoga, Wyoming. Spend your summer days in the saddle on trail rides into the mountains or fly-fishing along the North Platte River. Nights are for meals in the great house and relaxing spa treatments at this all-inclusive Western resort.

HIGHLIGHTS RANCH LIFE OF LUXURY

Brush Creek is limited to 13 lodge rooms, nine cabin suites and 10 separate luxurious log cabins with two to three bedrooms. For a tight-knit family reunion or corporate retreat, reserve the Magee Homestead, which features its own private lodge and seven historically restored cabins that sleep up to 25 and are served by its own dedicated staff. TAKE IT OUTSIDE

The ranch is home to more

INSPIRATO.COM

than 50 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. Shooting with the Brush Creek Ranch Gun Club, cattle drives, paintball competitions and a ropes course are just some of the programs available to guests. All activities include gear and experienced guides. RIVERS WILD

Orvis-endorsed guides will take fly fishermen to the best fishing holes along 10 miles of private water within Brush Creek’s property. For more options farther afield, scenic fly-

109

WYOMING

fishing float trips can be arranged.

mood, Brush Creek has a menu and level of service you desire.

TRAILHEAD SPA

Rejuvenate your body at the Trailhead Spa where guests can reserve a couple’s massage, manicure or pedicure. Exercise buffs can break a sweat at the state-ofthe-art fitness center with cardio and strengthtraining equipment. DINING AT THE RANCH

Adventurous days call for hearty, fireside meals for small parties served with fine wines. Whatever your

CHILD’S PLAY

Children can stay busy and enthralled with the ecology program, a history tour of the original homesteads or a search for buffalo via four-wheel-drive vehicle.

~6~

STAYS Explore our Brush Creek Signature Stays at inspirato. com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE STARBOARD 4 BED / 5.5 BATH

Summers on the Cape have been a hallmark of New England families for centuries. Start your own vacation tradition with a family getaway packed with sunny days on the beach, rides on the rail trail, fresh seafood at the Cape’s finest establishments or a traditional clambake on the sand.

CAPE COD HIGHLIGHTS NANTUCKET SOUND

Protected from ocean swells, the calm and warmer waters of Nantucket Sound offer a more mellow beach experience than the ocean side. Try Ridgevale Beach, Cockle Cove and Hardings Beach.

Residence. Then tick off Race Point, Chatham Light and Nauset Light. FINE ARTS

The artistic heart of the Cape is Wellfleet, home to two dozen art galleries showcasing works by both local and nationally recognized artists. BEACH FEAST

BEACONS OF LIGHT

The historic lighthouses of Cape Cod are almost as famous as its sand dunes. Pay a visit to Truro’s Highlight Light, the closest to Inspirato’s Signature

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

MASSACHUSETTS

Let Inspirato set you up with a classic New England lobster boil or clambake prepared on your roo op deck. Lobsters will come straight from the area’s waters. Our clambake,

110

a tradition that dates back to the time of the Pilgrims, features as many crabs, mussels, lobster, steamers, sausages, potatoes and corn as you please. CONVENIENCE

It’s a short drive to the harbor in Provincetown to hire a boat for a fishing expedition by day and to take part in the village’s boisterous nightlife a er the sun sets. Shoppers can head to the boutiques in Chatham for a piece of New England charm to bring home.

WHALE TALE

New England is one of the top 10 areas in the world for whale spotting with humpback and finback whales being the most common. High season stretches from April through October.

~1~

RESIDENCE Explore our Cape Cod Signature Residence at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL & TOWER, LAKEVIEW SUITE 2 BED / 3 BATH

With its first-class restaurants, shopping, museums and sports teams, Chicago boasts urban attractions that draw visitors from around the world. The Windy City is also very accessible, with miles of lakefront paths that invite a late-afternoon stroll and festive atmospheres at Millennium Park and Navy Pier. But perhaps the best way to take it all in is with a bird’s-eye view from your suite in the spectacular Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago®.

INSPIRATO.COM

CHICAGO HIGHLIGHTS THE HEART OF IT ALL

Inspirato’s residential suites are located on the higher floors of The Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago, which means you’ll enjoy unobstructed views of the Chicago River and the city skyline from every residence. THE MAGNIFICENT MILE

This eight-block stretch of Michigan Avenue features a staggering 460 stores, from high-end boutiques to offbeat bargain and specialty shops.

THE LOOP

The historical center of downtown Chicago, The Loop is chock-full of culture, art, attractions and notable landmarks. Willis Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Cultural Center are all found here. DINING

Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, each with a unique vibe and culinary offerings. Your Destination Concierge is available to help you find the city’s newest hotspots and offthe-beaten-path gems.

111

ILLINOIS And, of course, you’ll want to sample Chicago-style pizza and hot dogs—it’s the only way to join the debate about which city has the best of each.

THE LOCATION

Just outside the Tower’s front doors, you’ll find the best of Chicago, including Michigan Avenue, Millennium Park and world-class restaurants.

THE SERVICE

You’ll enjoy Trump Attaché™ services 24 hours a day. This unparalleled service delivers personalized attention without intrusion, including everything from a custom-stocked refrigerator or a personal shopper to whatever your heart desires.

~4~

RESIDENCE/STAYS Explore our Chicago Signature Residence and Signature Stays at inspirato. com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE STAY RANCH AT EMERALD VALLEY 1 BED / 1 BATH

COLOR ADO SPRINGS

Founded by civicminded adventurers who extracted their first fortunes from the booming gold mines of nearby Cripple Creek, Colorado Springs still offers a sense of adventure. This quality is no doubt furthered by the hilly city’s breathtaking proximity to the mountains, stunning geological displays accessible via many parks and the base of majestic Pikes Peak, which dominates the view for miles in every direction.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

HIGHLIGHTS OLYMPIC DREAMS

Colorado Springs is home to the U.S. Olympic Training Center and offers tours of the facility. Keep your eyes open for current and future Olympians from almost every sport. INTO THIN AIR

Book a seat on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway departing from nearby Manitou Springs to the top of 14,115-foot Pikes Peak, open year-round, weather permitting.

SEVEN FALLS

Billed as the “Grandest Mile of Scenery in Colorado,” Seven Falls is a private canyon known for a series of cascading waterfalls. BROADMOOR HOTEL

One of only 13 triple five-star hotels in the world, the Broadmoor has welcomed international guests since 1918. It features two 18-hole championship golf courses (it hosted the U.S. Women’s Open in 2011 and U.S. Senior Open in 2008). A renowned spa, horseback riding, tennis

112

COLORADO

and pool make it a world unto itself. Come the holidays, the Broadmoor’s decorations and lights have drawn locals for decades. Recently opened, the Ranch at Emerald Valley and Cloud Camp both bring Broadmoor’s level of service to rustic locations in a valley and at the top of a mountain.

for the family. Feed eager giraffes and ride a tram for a bird’s-eye view of tiger habitats.

~4~

STAYS Explore our Colorado Springs Signature Stays at inspirato. com/destinations

VISIT CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO

Sprawling on the mountainside at multiple elevations, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a must

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE VILLA VIENTOS 4 BED / 4 BATH

CACIQUE PENINSULA

Guanacaste, on Costa Rica’s northwest Pacific coast, is known locally as the “Gold Coast” for its sunny days. The region offers a treasure trove of exhilarating adventures. And all are within reach from the hillside residences on the breezy Cacique Peninsula, where the views and sunsets are a thrill in their own right, and the beach is five minutes away.

INSPIRATO.COM

HIGHLIGHTS EASY ACCESS

Thanks to the location of Liberia’s Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, Playa Hermosa is the closest beach town to an international airport in the country. Inspirato’s residences offer easy access to the highway and with it, quick access to the wild interior of the Palo Verde National Reserve, whitewater ra ing, zip-line tours, ATV tours and much more.

C O S TA R I C A

OFFSHORE ADVENTURES

RIVERS WILD

Board a 45-foot sailing yacht and set sail for spectacular snorkeling spots and deserted sandy beaches. Dolphins are sure to follow along as you ply the Pacific for a full-day excursion complete with open bar and a sunset barbecue. The popular Tamarindo Beach is renowned for the mellow breaks that have introduced many people to the sport of surfing. More experienced surfers can catch waves at Witch’s Rock or Ollie’s Point.

The Gauchepelin Tour starts with a horseback ride to a waterfall. Then you’ll hop into a tube to float down the gentle rapids of the Negro River. A er lunch, it’s up into the sky on a forest-canopy tour, and then the day wraps up with a soak in a naturally heated thermal spring. On the Rio Perdido Tour, exhilaration is the name of the game as you explore the dry forest and canyons near the Miravalles Volcano. Swim in crystal-clear mineral

113

springs and then tackle the Aerial Canyoneering experience with its 15 zip lines, pendulum cable, Tarzan swing and more, all completed 300 feet over the Rio Blanco. The Tenorio River offers thrilling Class III and IV rapids as you churn down its 15-mile course.

~3~

RESIDENCES Explore our Cacique Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE VENADO NUEVE 4 BED / 4.5 BATH

PENINSULA PAPAGAYO

Welcome to Costa Rica’s most exclusive peninsula, where a private beach club, world-class marina and yacht club await and guests can tee off on the Arnold Palmer Signature golf course. Residences climb the lush hillside, offering a steady breeze and breathtaking views across the Papagayo Gulf.

HIGHLIGHTS DIVE IN

Snorkel right off the beach in the shallows of the bay, keeping an eye out for an elusive tortoise. Or kayak to the nearby sea caves in search of sea life hiding in the calm waters. Surfers can head to the break at Ollie’s Point. Don’t know how to surf? No problem; a lesson from the locals at Tamarindo on the beach town’s mellow surf break will have you up on your feet and screaming with joy inside an hour.

HERO GOLF

Home to some of the most dramatic holes in the country, the golf course at the Four Seasons sits atop the highest plateau on the peninsula, affording views across the Bahia de Culebra and holes perched on cliffs high above the Pacific. Take note of the wildlife; the club is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary teeming with a diversity of wildlife, including howler and white-faced monkeys. BEACH CLUB

C O S TA R I C A

Beach Club and Spa for beachfront snorkeling, lap pool, spa treatments and a relaxing day at the beach. It’s also home to the Peninsula Discovery Program, which offers a range of activities from camping safaris and trail rides to outrigger canoe trips and surfing lessons.

~2~

RESIDENCES Explore our Papagayo Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

MARINA DISTRICT

Marina Papagayo is the country’s first and only luxury marina, with slips large enough for the Pacific’s most luxurious and largest yachts.

Drop down to the Prieta

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

114

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE STAY IBIS 2 BED / 2.5 BATH

Playa Flamingo, on Costa Rica’s Northwestern Pacific coastline, exemplifies the beauty of Costa Rica, offering long stretches of sandy beaches and close proximity to several world-class surf spots. This small beach hamlet also boasts a marina, entertainment, shopping and dining within walking distance of your residence. Additional activities include horseback rides, whitewater rafting, ATV tours and golf.

INSPIRATO.COM

PLAYA FLAMINGO HIGHLIGHTS

steps away from your residence.

RESIDENCES

Set upon a sprawling white sand beach in the heart of Guanacaste’s Gold Coast, your open-air beachfront villa draws the outside in with floor-to-ceiling glass doors and dual, oversized terraces. Inside, the open living space includes a gourmet kitchen, wet bar, wine cooler and vaulted ceilings. Although you might never want to leave the master suite, with its marble bath and private terrace, pristine Playa Flamingo beach is only

UNDER THE SEA

The Pacific coast of Costa Rica offers the best diving, despite having less coral than the Caribbean side. Dive centers usually take guests to the nearby Santa Catalina Islands, where divers will see plenty of big fish, whales, manta rays, turtles and more. LEARN TO SURF

Some of the best surfing in Costa Rica can be found at Tamarindo Beach in the northwest, where you’ll

115

C O S TA R I C A find the mellow breaks perfect for a first-timer. More advanced surfers can try Witch’s Rock and Ollie’s Point, known for their big waves. NOT EXACTLY PALEO

Get up close to area wildlife at Palo Verde National Reserve, where you’ll travel by boat through the waterways; crocodiles swim next to your boat, monkeys may join you on board and you’ll see iguanas and thousands of birds along the way.

COME SAIL AWAY

A sunset cruise along the coastline makes a perfect romantic evening. Board a catamaran at the beach right in front of your residence and embark on a sail in search of ocean wildlife while enjoying the stunning scenery.

~1~ STAY

Explore our Playa Flamingo Signature Stay at inspirato. com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE BLUEBELL 3 BED / 3.5 BATH

Some devotees believe that Utah has the best powder in the world. Others say it has the most beautiful summers and autumns. We think both are right. Deer Valley’s aspen-covered hillsides, copious amounts of light powder snow, summer concert series and exceptional service makes the resort a five-star experience no matter the season.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

DEER VALLEY HIGHLIGHTS WILD WEST LUXURY

Slope side with the convenience of ski trails nearby, several of our Signature Residences and Stays are situated in the heart of Deer Valley Resort. Rich wood finishes, lush granite countertops and warm decorations add to the inviting, mountain lodge feel of Inspirato’s stylish accommodations.

U TA H

access to the impeccably groomed runs that are a Deer Valley hallmark.

are exclusive to skiers—no snowboarders, please.

ROOM WITH A VIEW

When the snow melts, spend some time at Hawkeye’s private community putting green before heading out for a round at a nearby course.

HIGH ALTITUDE GOLF

The Hawkeye residence’s living room includes a vaulted ceiling, a floorto-ceiling stone fireplace and two-story windows that overlook Deer Valley Resort. When you’re ready to hit the slopes, the Northside Express is just steps away.

OUTDOOR CONVENIENCE

SKIER’S PARADISE

Inspirato’s Signature Residences offer deluxe accommodations and easy

Deer Valley Resort’s 2,000 acres are one of only three ski areas in America that

116

PARK CITY

Chances are good that you won’t want to leave the comfort of Deer Valley, but if you do, Park City is just minutes away. You’ll find a wide variety of great restaurants, boutique shopping and fun nightlife

options including the famed Egyptian Theatre, home to the prestigious Sundance Film Festival held each January.

~6~

RESIDENCES/STAYS Explore our Deer Valley Signature Residences and Signature Stays at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

CERTIFIED STAY FOUR SEASONS, DENVER

High above Denver’s theater district and boasting an unbelievable view of the Rocky Mountains to the west, your Signature Stay at the Four Seasons Denver will be a trip to write home about. The city enjoys more than 300 days of glimmering sunshine, 6,000 acres of spectacular parks, a bustling downtown filled with entertainment options and luxurious spa facilities on-site at your accommodations to unwind after a full day of non-stop adventure.

INSPIRATO.COM

DENVER HIGHLIGHTS ROOM WITH A VIEW

With a vantage point of either the Rocky Mountains or downtown Denver, your Premier Corner King room at the Four Seasons Denver is an intimate reprieve from a full day of exploring the Mile High City. Spoil yourself with richly grained wood with accents of shabui stone, a built-in private bar, writing desk for space to work and a built-in LCD HDTV in the marble bathroom.

COLORADO

DOWNTOWN EASE

CHERRY CREEK SHOPS

Inspirato members can avail themselves of the on-site spa and full-service fitness center and year-round heated saltwater pool and hot tub with a stellar view of the mountains and downtown. Guests receive complimentary car service within a three-mile radius— far enough to reach the hip bars and restaurants in the Highlands, most of the city’s museums and concert halls and three of its major professional sports venues. The renovated Union Station has quickly become a hub of fine dining and cocktails.

The shops found in the Cherry Creek neighborhood southeast of downtown are home to the most upscale boutiques and department stores—everything from Neiman-Marcus to LouisVuitton—in Colorado outside of Aspen.

117

RED ROCKS PARK AND AMPHITHEATRE

The open-air theater sandwiched between towering red rock formations is famous the world over among performers. Take a tour of the spectacular setting

and museum—and keep your eyes open for dinosaur bones! CLYFFORD STILL MUSEUM

Denver was picked to house the works of one of modern art’s seminal painters and its striking home doesn’t disappoint. It’s attracted fans from around the world.

~1~ STAY

Explore our Denver Certified Stay at inspirato.com/ destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE STAY BOVEY CASTLE

Explore Devon and take a trip back in time. The rolling English countryside is scattered with rustic farmhouses, rural villages and cobbled streets and squares. The history and beauty of the moors and the mystery of historic Stonehenge is England at its most poetic.

DEVON HIGHLIGHTS MICHELIN DINING

Devon boasts MichelinStar-rated restaurants, including the exceptional Gidleigh Park, where head chef Michael Caines serves one of the best meals in Britain inside of a Tudorstyle country house set among 54 acres of gardens and woodlands. CASTLE LIFE

At Bovey Castle, which dates back to the 16th century, the links are consistently rated among the most enjoyable to play.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

ENGLAND

Off the course, there’s falconry, archery, fly-fishing, clay-pigeon shooting and horseback riding. A erwards refresh at the spa, all within a short walk of the lodges. FAMILY FUN

Children ages five and older will enjoy traditional storytelling and imaginative exploits, including drawing, sculpting and painting at Bovey Castle’s Husbandry School. The Miniature Pony Centre offers pony and donkey rides. For a day trip, book passage on the

118

Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company for a tour of the countryside and coastline. TEA TIME

Enjoy a quintessential British tradition, a ernoon tea, held in grand style inside Bovey Castle, with an array of scones, finger sandwiches and homemade cakes served with fine teas. Sip in front of a roaring fire or out on the terrace overlooking the sprawling gardens. ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE

Devon has long been

used as the setting for numerous Hollywood films and was the inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles. See the best of it at the stunning Becky Falls at Dartmoor National Park, Stonehenge and Kents Cavern, the oldest-known settlement in Britain.

~2~

STAYS Explore our Inspirato Signature Stays next to Bovey Castle at inspirato.com/ destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE STAY TRUMP INTERNATIONAL GOLF LINKS AND HOTEL®

As you cross the sevenarch stone bridge into Doonbeg, you’ll feel the mystical lure of this quaint coastal village. From the ancient ruins brimming with history and the stately manors dotting the Irish countryside to the grand Trump International Golf Links and Hotel®, with its celebrated links course, this is Ireland as you always dreamed.

INSPIRATO.COM

DOONBEG HIGHLIGHTS LINKS LOVE

Rated one of Ireland’s top golf courses, Doonbeg was designed by British Open Champion Greg Norman on an undeveloped stretch of the Atlantic coast in County Clare. The scenery is as spectacular as the course, from century-old dunes to windswept views of the Atlantic.

ages to explore. Start in the village with a tour of the mysterious ancient castle, Bunratty, built in 1425 and restored in 1954, and still home to furnishings from the 15th and 16th centuries. Then saddle up for a spirited horseback ride along the beach at Doughmore Strand or head to sea on an excursion to spot bottlenose dolphins and gray seals.

COASTAL IRELAND

WALLS OF ROCK

County Clare is steeped in history and tradition, which makes it a fascinating place for children of all

The Cliffs of Moher stretch for five miles along the Atlantic coast and soar straight out of the sea

119

IRELAND up to 702-feet high. The jaw-dropping view draws millions to the trails along its crest. Rock-climbing instructors will assist you in climbing and repelling down the famed limestone formations in Burren. FINE DINING

At Doonbeg, diners can experience chef Wade Murphy’s dual personalities with a table in the awardwinning Long Room, and its menu highlights of langoustine ravioli and fillet of sea bass, or a seat in Darby’s Pub and a hearty

sirloin steak or traditional fish and chips. Head to Ennis in town for an authentic night of food, drink and traditional Irish songs.

~2~

STAYS Explore Inspirato’s Signature Stays in Doonbeg at inspirato. com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

DORADO BEACH RESORT PUERTO RICO

Inspired by original developer Laurance Rockefeller, Dorado Beach is a private Caribbean sanctuary on a glistening coastline. Guests retreat here to tee off on the three championship golf courses, sink into bliss at the open-air spa, splash in the pools and water slides of The Watermill, and jump into the glorious lagoons with snorkels and surfboards.

DOR ADO BEACH HIGLIGHTS MAKE A SPLASH

From the sunny golden sands of Dorado Beach’s private beach, you’ll find protected lagoons for easy swimming, coral reefs for snorkeling and opportunities for windsurfing. The beach club includes a family pool and an adult lap pool, poolside cabanas and a hammock garden, shaded by the tall palm trees. GOLF

The avid golfer will appreciate that Dorado

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

Beach is the only Caribbean resort offering 54 holes. Even better, the three courses, originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., have been restored to maximize Caribbean sight lines and speed on the greens. These courses have hosted PGA tournaments and golf legends since their beginning in 1955. EXPLORE THE JUNGLE

The only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, El Yunque National Forest is located 90 minutes from the resort. Lace up your hiking shoes

120

PUERTO RICO (and bring a bathing suit) to enjoy trails through a lush jungle canopy, with waterfalls along the way.

Concierge to book a massage in the open-air treatment room perched among the tops of the palm trees at Spa Botánico.

DINING

Zafra serves delectable New World and Caribbeaninspired cuisine with views of golf course fairways and mountains in the distance. Dine on fresh ceviche of the day and a classic Criollo sandwich for lunch or herb-roasted half chicken, mahi mahi casserole and rack of lamb for dinner. THE SPA

Ask your Destination

THE EXPERIENCE

Dorado Beach beckons you to stretch out on a lounge chair on golden sands, palm trees gently swaying overhead, and simply inhale the inevitable peace.

~4~

RESIDENCES Explore our Dorado Beach Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE CHATEAU ESPERANCE 4 BED / 4 BATH

From high on a rocky promontory, you’re surrounded by breathtaking views of the Dordogne River and mountainsides. Explore peaceful country roads winding past tobacco fields, walnut groves and medieval villages. Whether by foot or canoe, you’ll uncover the true spirit of the French countryside.

DORDOGNE HIGHLIGHTS FLOAT TRIP

Rent a canoe and float down the smooth-flowing Dordogne River, stopping along the way for a picnic on a secluded island or a drink in a riverside village. You’ll flow past France’s history: ancient chateux, both in ruins and still standing, and under centuries-old bridges. HISTORY LESSONS

As one of the oldest settled areas in France, Dordogne is chock full of Roman ruins, home to the

INSPIRATO.COM

prehistoric artwork found in the caves of Lascaux and vestiges of the Hundred Years’ War with England. Kids are sure to remember a visit to Bournat, a living history attraction that depicts life at the turn of the 20th century as well as during prehistoric times. FRENCH CUISINE

The foods of southwest France are known for goose and duck fare with foie gras (fattened goose liver) and confit de canard (slow-cooked duck thigh) and even pommes sarladaises (potatoes

121

FRANCE roasted in duck fat and garlic). All are on offer at the region’s familyowned restaurants. Wine lovers can escape to the legendary wineries of Bordeaux, no more than a two-hour drive away. TAKE IT OUTSIDE

As one of France’s most scenic regions, outdoor pursuits are on order here, including horseback riding, treetop adventure parks, hot air balloon rides and cave explorations. Or dial back the adventure and stroll through Sariat, a quaint medieval town with

an excellent year-round market. CHATEAU LIFE

Inspirato members can stay in Chateau Esperance, a former 17th-century presbytery and chapel situated over the River Dordogne.

~1~

RESIDENCE Explore our Dordogne Signature Residence at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE LA LIMONAIA 5 BED / 6.5 BATH

The Cradle of the Renaissance, Florence still dazzles with its elegant combination of history and glamour. Peruse its famous jewelry shops on the Ponte Vecchio and high-fashion boutiques scattered throughout this pedestrian-friendly city. Dine in a restaurant owned by a prince and take in one of the world’s great Western art collections at the Uffizi. The best of Italy awaits.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

FLORENCE HIGHLIGHTS SHOPPING

Mercato de San Lorenzo, located in Piazza San Lorenzo, is where you’ll find a lively and swirling mix of leather goods, clothes, jewelry, wines, cheese and meats for sale much in the same way it’s been sold in Italy for decades. WHEN IN FLORENCE

Eat like an Italian. Try the ravioli de brie con carciofini Morelli (ravioli stuffed with brie, dressed with artichokes) at La Giostra,

which was founded by a prince who loved cooking. At Il Latini, communal tables are the norm and ordering off the menu is discouraged by waiters who will offer their suggestions for the night’s best tastes.

I TA LY PIAZZA DEL DUOMO

Really a collection of sites, this world-famous square features the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Campanile, the Baptistery of San Giovanni and the Loggia del Bigallo. THE LOCATION

UFFIZI GALLERY

Designed by Vasari for Cosimo de’ Medici, the beautiful Uffizi is even more famous for the treasures within, including works by da Vinci, Botticelli, Titian, Raphael and Rembrandt.

Walk to the most famous Florence landmarks, including the Uffizi Gallery, Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral and Palazzo Pitti.

countryside starts minutes outside the city. Day trips to Siena, Pisa or Lucca are an easy train ride away.

~1~

RESIDENCE Explore our Florence Signature Residence at inspirato.com/destination

LAUNCHING PAD

The classic Tuscan

122

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE GRAND CANAL 3 BED / 3 BATH

Known as the Venice of America due to its elaborate canal system, Fort Lauderdale boasts a semi-tropical climate, fantastic beaches and a big city’s amenities without the showy glitz of its southern neighbor, Miami. Members will check into a suite with a view at the five-star Ritz-Carlton® and enjoy access to the resort’s sprawling pool deck overlooking the ocean.

INSPIRATO.COM

FORT LAUDERDALE HIGHLIGHTS RIVERWALK

The Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District strings together the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and the Museum of Art as it continues west from Las Olas Way, the heart of the city’s dining and shopping district.

pick for best meal in the city, and 65 upscale boutiques that can outfit men, women and families in high style. WATER TAXIS

Rather than battle beach traffic, hail a water taxi as it travels the Intracoastal Waterway to beaches in the north and along the Riverwalk district. SPA DAY

DINING AND SHOPPING

Speaking of Las Olas Way, this quaint, pedestrianfriendly district offers more than 30 alfresco dining options including Yolo, our

The Ritz-Carlton® is home to Fort Lauderdale’s largest luxury spa and the only one in the area to offer “SkinCeutical” anti-aging facial treatments, which

123

FLORIDA

use a precise application of Vitamin A to help rid the skin of wrinkles and maintain the results longer. The spa’s other signature treatments feature variations on sea salt therapies and gentle exfoliating body scrubs.

~1~

RESIDENCE Explore our Fort Lauderdale Signature Residence at inspirato.com/destination

BEACH

There’s plenty of room to find a quiet spot on Fort Lauderdale’s expanse of sand, but for peoplewatching—and plenty of dining and watering hole options—take a stroll or pedal a beach cruiser down the Beachfront Promenade.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE STAY LAKE SUITE 1 BED / 1 BATH

Sitting on the western shore of the deep blue Lac Léman, Geneva’s beauty and cosmopolitan charm draws visitors from around the world. Surrounded by 10 acres of verdant parkland, you’ll find it hard to believe you’re only minutes from the city center and its captivating and quaint cobblestone streets and waterfront promenade.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

GENEVA HIGHLIGHTS LAKESIDE LUXURY

The modernist design of your decidedly Swiss suite at La Réserve will make you feel like one of the many heads of state who’ve stayed here. LAKE GENEVA

Your suite offers impressive views of the grand expanse of this classic lake situated below the towering peak of Mt. Blanc, where sailboats ply the sapphire waters and the beach offers plenty of places to relax.

SWITZERLAND

GETTING AROUND

JET D’EAU DE GENÈVE

With your resort pass, you can access the local trains for free to explore this exciting region known as much for its chocolates as its place in international business. Depending upon the season, you can avail yourself of a complimentary Venetian motoscafo with service to and from Geneva’s city center.

Jet d’Eau is the one of the tallest fountains in the world. Located in the center of Geneva Lake, the city is proud of this attraction. Powerful engines pump 500 liters of water per second to heights of 459 feet.

PATEK PHILLIPPE MUSEUM

Fans of beautiful watches flock to this showcase of master watchmakers’ creations.

124

GRAND THÉÂTRE DE GENÈVE

Home to the largest stage in Switzerland, this magnificent opera house towers over Place Neuve and was reopened in 1962 after an extensive makeover.

THE PALAIS DES NATIONS

The palace in Ariana Park has served as the United Nations Office since 1946. Hour-long tours are available in 15 languages.

~1~ STAY

Explore our Geneva Signature Stay at inspirato.com/ destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE STARLET 4 BED / 4.5 BATH

GR AND CAYMAN

Relaxation and adventure intersect in the Cayman Islands, no more so than on Grand Cayman, where your perfect itinerary might include swimming with stingrays in the morning, picnicking in the afternoon and enjoying fresh seafood on an open-air patio with views of the brilliant sunset at night. A reef just offshore not only provides hours of magnificent snorkeling but also acts as a barrier, to keep the coastline calm and gentle.

INSPIRATO.COM

HIGHLIGHTS

can swim with a colony of stingrays in the open sea.

FRONT ROW SEATS

Any closer and your toes would be in the water. The spacious condominiums and boutique residences are a stone’s throw or short walk to the lapping turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Some with private terraces offer unobstructed views of Seven Mile Beach. SWIM WITH STINGRAYS

Experience Grand Cayman’s marine life up close and personally with a stop at Stingray City, where you

PLAY’S THE THING

Kids will love splashing in the calm waters or snorkeling the colorful coral reef. Miles of white sand beaches invite sunbathers to unwind with a good book and a daiquiri. For a four-legged walking—or trotting—tour of the beaches and the inland hills, guided horseback rides are a unique way to take in the sights. DINING

Island classics like conch

125

C AY M A N I S L A N D S stew at Vivine’s Kitchen on the East End and inventive twists such as a jerk-spiced burger at Macabuca Oceanside Tiki Bar & Grill will get you in that laidback local islander mood. INDULGE

If the calming blue waters and the gentle ocean breeze aren’t enough, the Silver Rain (a La Prairie Spa at The Ritz-Carlton) can help you fully unwind with a range of hydrotherapy and massage treatments, no matter your pampering preference.

SNORKELING

Cemetery Reef on Seven Mile Beach is considered the best snorkeling and reef diving on all of Grand Cayman, and it’s just outside your door.

~9~

RESIDENCES Explore our Grand Cayman Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE HALE HONU 3 BED / 3.5 BATH

KOHALA COAST

The greatest thing about the Big Island is that it offers something to entice everyone: long stretches of sandy beach for families and locals’ beaches accessible only by SUV; world-class dining as well as fresh local produce from a farmers market; thrilling activities from helicopter tours and scuba diving to hiking a volcano and exploring a rainforest; and the relaxation of a champagne sail at sunset.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

HIGHLIGHTS VISIT A VOLCANO

You have to visit Kilauea Volcano, the most active island volcano in the world, whether it’s by land or air. Take a two-hour helicopter tour where you will likely see the volcano in its full fury. Better still, hike through the ancient rainforest to a newly lavapaved crater. BEST BEACHES

If you feel like relaxing in a cabana lounger, head to the south end of the nearby beach and enjoy the sea

BIG ISL A ND, H AWA II

breezes. For a wider expanse of sandy beach that’s great for a morning stroll or for the kids to build sandcastles, we recommend Hapuna. Nearby Kikaua Point Beach has so sands and calm waters that make it one of the island’s best family beaches. SCENIC SUNSETS

Take a cruise on the Body Glove Sunset cocktail tour. While cruising the historic coastline, watch as the spinner dolphins come out to play. Sit back, relax and enjoy the air flowing through your hair with cocktail in hand.

126

DINING

Brown’s Beach House at the Fairmont Orchid offers inventive seafood dishes and an excellent wine list. Prior to sunset, the ocean views are fantastic. Try the sea scallops, swordfish poached in seasoned olive oil, and the crab-crusted ono, sitting on wasabi mashed potatoes. GOLF

Consistently rated as the island’s top courses, Mauna Lani Resort boasts a North and South course under the legendary Francis H. I’i Brown moniker. These

championship courses host the PGA Senior Skins Tournament each January. TRAIL TOUR

Discover the captivating Waipio Valley as you journey into its mountains on a horseback tour through lush trails, taro patches, magnificent waterfalls and historical, spiritual sites.

~5~

RESIDENCES Explore our Kohala Coast Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE SWITCHGRASS 6 BED / 6.5 BATH

HILTON HEAD ISLAND

With miles of wide, sandy beaches all accessible by bike, it’s easy to unwind on Hilton Head. But don’t be fooled by the island’s small size. Hilton Head packs a lot into its 60 square miles, including exceptional golf courses, a diverse array of restaurants, charming boutiques and shops, spas and more. It’s no wonder that Hilton Head ranked high on Condé Nast Traveler’s “Best in the World Reader’s Choice Awards” in 2011.

INSPIRATO.COM

HIGHLIGHTS

Hills Course is one of South Carolina’s finest.

SWITCHGRASS

Your residence on Hilton Head offers the finest in private luxury paired with a convenient location. Enjoy the home’s light-filled interior and extensive outdoor living area, replete with a private pool and many other amenities. HIT THE LINKS

Hilton Head is a world-class golf destination and features more than 20 championship courses designed by the likes of Pete Dye and Robert Trent Jones. The Arthur

FAMILY FUN

Hilton Head is an ideal family destination. Kids will enjoy playing on the beach, bike rides on the many paved paths or challenging Mom or Dad to a game of tennis. LUNCH TO GO

Christine’s Cafe & Catering will prepare a gourmet picnic lunch with everything you need. BEACH TIME

Three miles of premier beaches are right outside

127

SOUTH CAROLINA your door. Get active with an early morning jog or an a ernoon game of bocce ball or just relax and let the tide roll in. INDULGE AND UNWIND

Choose from one of the many treatments and packages available at The Ocean Tides Spa, conveniently located near your residence. SUN DOWNER

Sunsets are a treasured time on Hilton Head. Find prime viewing and good eats at The Quarterdeck in Harbour Town Marina, San Miguel’s in Shelter Cove Marina and

The Old Oyster Factory overlooking Broad Creek. NIGHTLIFE

Head to The Jazz Corner for an upbeat evening of great music and top-shelf libations. The Lodge offers a more relaxed atmosphere where you can settle in by one of two stone fireplaces with an expertly cra ed martini.

~1~

RESIDENCE Explore our Hilton Head Island Signature Residence at inspirato.com/destination

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE WATERWAY 5 BED / 5.5 BATH

Close to Charleston, South Carolina yet another world away, Inspirato’s residence in the beachfront Wild Dunes Resort introduces visitors to the best of Southern charm on a peaceful barrier island with pristine beaches that have been a luxury vacation spot for South Carolinians since the 19th century.

ISLE OF PALMS HIGHLIGHTS WATER WORLD

With the ocean on one side and the lagoons and Intracoastal Waterway on the other, canoeing, kayaking, boating (including kite surfing and jet skiing) and fishing is the name of the game. You can stay on the sand if you want and take an eco tour along Boneyard Beach—the name refers to the eroded skeletal remains of oak tree trunks sticking out of the surf. CHILD’S PLAY

The Wild Dunes Resort and

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

its award-winning Island Adventures® program will keep your little ones enchanted thanks to activities ranging from family golf and tennis to nature expeditions and haunted ghost and graveyard tours in nearby historic Charleston. Too scary? There’s always a visit to the South Carolina Aquarium to consider. SWING SET

With 36 holes of championship golf available to guests, golfers can tackle two distinct tastes of South Carolina

128

SOUTH CAROLINA golf on the Tom Faziodesigned Links Course along the oceanfront and lagoons and salt marshes that mark the Harbor Course. CHARLESTON

Recognized as one of the top foodie towns in the country, Charleston is bursting with original menus and comfort foods done to perfection. Try Husk, recently named Best New Restaurant in America by Bon Appétit. On the flip side, snack on boiled peanuts and fresh seafood at The Wreck of the Richard

& Charlene on Shem Creek. A er dinner take a stroll through the Southern gothic neighborhoods in the city’s famous Historic District, where grand homes and their secret gardens harken back to the state’s pre-Civil War heritage.

~1~

RESIDENCE Explore our Isle of Palms Signature Residence at inspirato.com/destination

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE BIG HORN 3 BED / 3.5 BATH

Surrounded by the breathtaking Teton Mountains, Jackson Hole combines the charms of the rustic West with the luxuries of an upscale resort. Our spacious homes are tucked away on a gentle hillside and offer convenient access to Teton Village. With so much to do—whether golfing, fishing, hiking, biking or skiing—you will delight in retiring to your comfortable mountain home after an active day spent with friends and family.

INSPIRATO.COM

JACKSON HOLE HIGHLIGHTS

outside with the luxurious comforts found inside.

PERFECTLY LOCATED

Our homes provide easy access to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Teton Village, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, the National Elk Refuge, the town of Jackson and so much more. From walls of windows that frame amazing mountain views, to expansive deck and patio spaces and tasteful furnishings, you will love how our Jackson Hole homes integrate the dramatic natural elements

WYOMING restaurants, inviting cafés, cozy après-hike hangouts and eclectic shopping.

THE SETTING

Jackson Hole draws outdoorsy types and culture hounds from around the globe with its breathtaking landscape, national parks and Old West charm. At the base of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the “Vil” has a combination of Swiss and modern architecture and all the amenities you would expect from an internationally renowned vacation destination, but still retains a quaint charm. Visitors enjoy delicious

129

OUTDOOR THRILLS

Summer is bright and warm with hiking, flyfishing, golfing, live music and cultural activities galore, while the crisp and clear winter provides legendary mountain terrain and deep powder for worldclass skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, sleigh riding, dogsledding, snowshoeing and more.

THE WILD WEST

A visit to Jackson’s Town Square is like stepping into the Wild West, complete with friendly cowboys and authentic saloons. Chuckwagon dinners and horseback and stagecoach rides can be found nearby.

~6~

RESIDENCES/STAYS Explore our Jackson Hole Signature Residences and Signature Stays at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE AZALEA 6 BED / 6.5 BATH

K IAWAH ISLAND

Experience the charms of the Old South and the luxury of modern conveniences on this intimate, 13-square-mile island untouched by and worlds away from the hectic pace of everyday life. Kiawah Island is not (and never will be) overdeveloped, and its shoreline is actually growing. A contrast to the dry landscape of Mexico and the tropical climes of the Caribbean, Kiawahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s topography features lush forests, tidal creeks and freshwater ponds.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

HIGHLIGHTS ANIMAL KINGDOM

Separated from the relative metropolis of Charleston by a short causeway, the island is a natural playground teeming with wildlife. Out here you can catch a glimpse of everything from dolphins to red foxes, Loggerhead sea turtles to white-tailed deer.

the ultimate in relaxed island luxury. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re close to the beach, golf courses, shopping, restaurants and all that Kiawah has to offer.

Ocean Course, Turtle Point and Oak Point. As always, your Destination Concierge can arrange tee times, club rentals and other logistics.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES

GARDEN PARTY

With 30 miles of gentle bike paths, Kiawah is best toured on two wheels. Pedal down the quaint village lanes and boardwalks or cruise down to the beach for a picnic.

A family visit to Middleton Place, the oldest landscaped gardens in the U.S., is another way to enjoy the great outdoors and the historic ambiance that permeates the entire island. Modeled a er European classics such as Versailles, the grounds at Middleton will inspire people of all ages to stop and smell the flowers.

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE

Our Kiawah Island Signature Residences comfortably accommodate 10 to 14 guests, depending on the property, and offer

SOUTH CAROLINA

GET TO THE GREENS

You could easily spend your entire vacation on the immaculate, world-class golf courses, including The

130

SOUL FOOD

Chef Donald Drake and his team use traditional ingredients and cooking techniques to create upscale Southern cuisine. Try the lowcountry bouillabaisse, grilled chicken Creole or bourbon-glazed porterhouse pork chop.

~3~

RESIDENCES Explore our Kiawah Island Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE VILLA PERLA 3 BED / 3.5 BATH

Capital of the world’s second-longest peninsula, La Paz means “peace,” and you’ll find it on the Sea of Cortez coast as you lie down on a private white sand beach or swim in crystal-clear waters among a school of technicolor fish. Reach a deserted island by kayak and claim it for the day or try your luck on a fishing charter.

INSPIRATO.COM

LA PAZ HIGHLIGHTS PERFECTLY LOCATED

The Sea of Cortez is home to one of the richest marine habitats on earth. You owe it to yourself to book a snorkeling trip to the uninhabited Isla Espirítu Santo, where you can swim with the sea lions and keep an eye out for dolphins, gentle whale sharks, manta rays, whales and tortoises. From September to February the gray whales return from their summer spent off the Alaskan coast.

MEXICO

GOLF

Inspirato guests staying at the residences at CostaBaja™ can tee off on the resort’s 18-hole course designed by Gary Player, rated a top-10 course in Mexico and noted for its lush greens, ocean vistas and unique mix of desertby-the-sea landscaping. The 7,082-yard, par-72 course challenges golfers on the front nine but offers a more forgiving layout on the back nine.

John Steinbeck in the 1940s and made famous again by marine explorer Jacques Cousteau in the 1960s. Both were drawn to the area’s abundant sea life and the stories they tell. To sample some, head to the humble Bismarkcito for fresh lobster tacos and seafood. Carnivores can try the pork or steak tacos at Rancho Viejo. A er polishing off a meal, take a stroll on the city’s Malecón boardwalk along the beachfront.

LA PAZ

WELLNESS

The mellow side of Baja was discovered by writer

From daily yoga on the beach to a full slate of indulgent spa

131

treatments, Espiritu Spa at CostaBaja™ resort offers 60 different ways to rejuvenate the body.

~2~

RESIDENCES Explore our La Paz Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE ALL IN 2 BED / 2.5 BATH

The luxurious suites at Vdara Hotel & Spa put you in the middle of the best of the Vegas Strip, but its casinofree lobby offers a quiet retreat from the 24/7 bustle of the city. Walk to internationally renowned dining and shopping at Crystals at CityCenter or the luxurious casino at Aria right outside the main entrance to the hotel.

LAS VEGAS HIGHLIGHTS SANCTUARY IN THE SKY

The sprawling two-bedroom suites at Vdara, with their fine appointments and stunning views of the city, offer a welcome homebase to explore the energy and action of Vegas. Members enjoy pool and cabana privileges as well as access to Vdara’s spa and golf at Shadow Creek and Dragon Ridge. FINE DINING

The number of chefs with gourmet venues in Las

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

Vegas grows every year: Joel Robuchon, Michael Mina, Charlie Palmer, Tom Colicchio, Alain Ducasse, Andre Rochat and more have created showpiece restaurants that serve unforgettable menus. CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

Although Cirque du Soleil is an international organization, it seems as if Vegas is their spiritual and creative home, with several completely different shows held in various resorts along the Strip. You really have to see their unique

132

N E VA D A combination of dance and dexterity, live theater and acrobatics to believe it. NIGHTLIFE

If Las Vegas doesn’t sleep, should you? From gaming at one of the many casinos to the most exclusive nightclubs that attract DJs from around the world, there’s something fun and vibrant for every visitor under the bright Vegas lights. VEGAS FOR KIDS

Las Vegas isn’t all about decadence; there’s plenty for the whole family to

do. From the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay to Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, a wild ride on top of The Stratosphere or simply watching the dancing fountains at the Bellagio or the pirate ship and volcano at Treasure Island, Vegas delivers.

~2~

RESIDENCES Explore Inspirato’s Signature Residences in Las Vegas at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE STAY CANYON RANCH, LENOX

An 11-time winner of Condé Nast Traveler’s Best Destination Spa Award, Canyon Ranch knows how to rejuvenate its guests. Set on a century-old New England estate deep in the Berkshires and steeped in local charm, Canyon Ranch offers a welcome respite that’s a short drive from many East Coast cities.

INSPIRATO.COM

LENOX HIGHLIGHTS BE WELL

Take advantage of more than 40 fitness classes available each day, ranging from spin-bike classes to yoga to dance and even one that’ll teach you how to stay in shape on the go using a small, portable fitness kit and a series of exercises. Take your workout outside by joining one of several daily hikes, bike rides, or canoe and kayaking excursions. Tennis pros will help you hone your game on the Ranch’s courts.

MASSACHUSETTS

EAT TO YOUR HEALTH

Guests sit down to three meals a day prepared with Canyon Ranch’s commitment to serving delicious, gourmet dishes of meats, seafood and vegetarian options that are also the epitome of a balanced and healthy diet. No matter what your skill level in the kitchen, take part in a daily cooking class where you’ll learn the practical cooking skills and techniques to create menus and dishes that are simple, taste great and are good for your health. Watch and learn as Canyon

133

Ranch’s chefs prepare your lunch while sharing easy, time-saving methods. PROGRAMS FOR LIFE

For an extra charge, you’re welcome to take control of your body with assistance from one of Canyon Ranch’s signature, multiday classes: Jumpstart to a Healthier Life, the weight-loss program, stress management or work with a series of nutritionists and trainers to design your optimum fitness program for life.

RECUPERATE

The 100,000-square-foot spa complex features a 75-foot indoor pool, indoor tennis and racquet-sports courts, Pilates/Gyrotonic® studio, plus a salon and spa that offers an assortment of full-body wraps and scrubs and a range of massage therapies including Asian, Ayurveda and deep tissue.

~2~

STAYS Explore our Canyon Ranch, Lenox Signature Stays at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE STAY FALCONERS SUITE 2 BED / 2 BATH

In London, tradition and ceremony meld seamlessly with the fast pace of a global financial center and a vibrant, modern aesthetic. Mixed in are diverse neighborhoods, world-renowned restaurants, beautiful public parks and history. Around for millennia, England’s capital city isn’t stuck in the past, but neither does it ignore it.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

LONDON HIGHLIGHTS TRADITIONAL TEA

When Downton Abbey is airing in Britain—usually mid-September until midNovember—Grosvenor House has a tea inspired by the show. The rest of the year, its Anna’s A ernoon Tea, a wonderfully English treat. Sit in The Park Room’s plush chairs looking out on Park Avenue and Hyde Park while sipping tea and nibbling on warm buttermilk scones with Devonshire clotted cream, cream puffs, French pastries and finger sandwiches.

ENGLAND

EXPERIENCE IT ALL

It’s never more than a short cab ride from Inspirato’s Signature Stays to London’s famous neighborhoods, shopping locations and restaurants. Stroll through the scenic passageways of Mayfair and Knightsbridge— two of London’s elite neighborhood districts—spend the day at Hyde Park, visit international treasures at the British Museum, Tate Museum and National Gallery or pay a visit to Westminster Abbey. WEST END THEATRE

Only New York’s Broadway can compete with the

134

West End. Famous movie actors appear on stage here frequently, and it’s also known for its many amazing restaurants, making this an unforgettable evening experience.

three floors of viewing platforms almost twice the height of any other viewing platform in London. Ask your Destination Concierge for a VIP tour. Floor 72, the highest of the three viewing levels, is open to the air.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Great for families, the Queen’s official London residence features 775 rooms, lavish décor and is the site of the Changing of the Guard. THE SHARD

~5~

STAYS Explore our London Signature Stays at inspirato.com/ destinations

The city’s tallest building and one of the most visually arresting in Western Europe (1,016 feet), The Shard has

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE VILLA BUENAVENTURA 5 BED / 7 BATH

Ask several people why they visit Los Cabos and they’ll all cite a different reason. For sport fishers, Cabo is a billfishing mecca. For golfers, the ocean-view championship courses are a must. The nightlife in Cabo San Lucas is endlessly entertaining. If you have kids, a zipline tour over desert canyons might be more your style. But everyone can agree on the beauty of this shimmering jewel by the Sea of Cortez.

INSPIRATO.COM

LOS CABOS HIGHLIGHTS SIT BACK AND RELAX

Members staying at the Auberge Private Residences at Esperanza Resort and Punta Ballena Resort have world-class dining and spa access to what Condé Nast Traveler readers call two of the top resorts in all of Mexico. Head down to the beautiful pools, try an awardwinning spa treatment or dine at any number of unforgettable restaurants. Whatever your pleasure, you’ll love your new home on the Baja peninsula.

GOLF

Los Cabos is home to six championship courses where you can test your skills on the desert terrain with the Sea of Cortez as a backdrop.

MEXICO go far to enjoy the best of Los Cabos. THE SPA

The Spa at Esperanza regularly appears on Travel + Leisure’s best-of lists.

THE SERVICE

THE SELECTION

From room service to poolside attendants at many of the residences, your every need is managed.

With 22 Signature Residences and one Signature Stay, you have a variety of options for the perfect place to dwell. Your refrigerator will be stocked with everything you requested, from bottled water and cervezas to fresh fruits. And you won’t spend a second fretting about

CONVENIENT LUXURY

With stunning ocean views and five-star amenities close at hand, your family won’t need to

135

dinner reservations or how to schedule that whalewatching tour or round of championship golf; your Destination Concierge will handle it all.

~ 22 ~

RESIDENCES/STAY Explore our Los Cabos Signature Residences and Signature Stay at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE MONTAGE KAPALUA BAY

Within minutes of arriving at Kapalua in northwest Maui, you’ll understand why Condé Nast Traveler readers voted Maui “Best Island.” Kapalua’s impressive lava fields extend like outstretched fingers from the lush mountains toward the cerulean Auau Channel and the deep Pacific beyond. Our residences are located in the heart of Kapalua’s ethereal Polynesian beauty, basking in the bright sunshine and mere steps away from the area’s dramatic volcanic sands and shore.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

K APALUA HIGHLIGHTS RAINFOREST HIKES

A hike through the Kapalua Maunalei Arboretum Rainforest is an activity that sets this destination apart from beach resorts throughout the islands. The roots springing from banyan trees above are a natural wonder. You can grab a wild guava fruit right off the tree and eat it. The view from the top of the trail will take your breath away. SNORKELING

Grab a mask and fins and dive into the Kapalua Bay.

M AUI, H AWA II

Natural reefs located just offshore in a sheltered, white sand crescent of calm water boast a spectacular array of marine life. Expect to see butterfly fish, parrotfish and a plethora of crustaceans and invertebrates in one of the best snorkeling spots on Maui. GOLF

Tee off on The Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort and you’ll understand how you compare to PGA Tour pros, who play a tournament on the course each January. The 7,411-

136

yard stunner is considered one of the best courses in the country, which helps attract the likes of Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Vijay Singh to the PGA event. The Bay Course at Kapalua Resort is no slouch either thanks to its 6,600 yards of undulating fairways and exquisite water holes. To beat the course record of 62, you’ll have to avoid its biggest water hazard, the blue waters of Oneola Bay. LOCAL EATS

wonderful option for an informal breakfast and lunch—or to put together a picnic for the day. The Farmers Market Maui in nearby Honokowai sells fresh Maui produce including gold pineapples, strawberry papayas and macadamia nuts.

~5~

RESIDENCES Explore our Signature Residences at Kapalua at inspirato.com/destinations

Located in Kapalua, Honolua Store is a

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE NALU 4 BED / 5 BATH

You can truly have it your way on Maui. From exploring a lush rainforest and trekking to the top of a towering volcano to catching a wave or just digging your toes into the sand, the island is home to larger-than-life adventures and singular beauty. Your residences at Fairmont Kea Lani put it all within easy reach. Featuring a wealth of resort amenities, Fairmont Kea Lani is one of Hawaii’s finest.

INSPIRATO.COM

WAILEA HIGHLIGHTS DON’T MISS

Looking for adventure? Hike above the cloud line on Haleakala, Maui’s highest volcanic peak, or grab a surfboard and hit the waves. For more leisurely activities, Maui boasts 14 golf courses, several of which are considered among the world’s best. The unspoiled town of Hana is also well worth a visit. THE RESORT LIFE

Home to three Residences, the Fairmont Kea Lani

M AUI, H AWA II

offers three pools, beach activities, a spa and great restaurants—all without leaving the resort. Your generously sized and luxuriously appointed oceanfront villa features a private lanai with plunge pool, deep soaking tubs and walk-in showers as well as access to the Spa Kea Lani, three resort pools, two whirlpools, complimentary transport to Wailea Golf Club and access to the Keiki Lani children’s program. You could leave the resort, but why would you want to?

137

GREEN LIVING

The Andaz Residences Maui at Wailea Resort offer luxury hotel amenities to go with Inspirato’s two oceanfront, LEED-certified villas, each with its own private lanai. BEST NEARBY BEACH

Polo Beach is just steps from your residence, and its wide, sandy shores are perfect for boogie boarding. There are plenty of umbrellas too. BEACH STROLL

The three-mile Wailea Coastal Walk takes about

an hour to complete roundtrip, but you’ll want to linger at one of five white sand beaches with swaying palm trees. A MEAL TO REMEMBER

There’s only one reason we would recommend a 45-minute drive to dinner: Hali’imaile General Store. It’s worth the trip.

~5~

RESIDENCES Explore our Maui Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE SUNDARI 2 BED / 2 BATH

MIAMI/SOUTH BEACH

Miami Beach’s famed South Beach neighborhood envelops the southernmost blocks of Florida’s main barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. In a word, this international entertainment and nightlife destination is beautiful—both in terms of stunning scenery and gorgeous people. Even the architecture is enticing.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

HIGHLIGHTS HOT SPOT

If you’re in Miami Beach, there’s only one place to be: South Beach. And a stay at The Setai is as good as it gets. This hip oceanfront resort is intimate and peaceful yet also seductively flashy and spectacularly chic. Our 19th-floor, corner residence features views of the ocean and downtown Miami, as well as access to three beachfront pools, a world-class spa and fitness center, valet parking and beach attendants ready to serve you surfside.

FLORIDA

THE CLUB SCENE

ECLECTIC SHOPPING

ART DECO

With hundreds of clubs, bars and other establishments, South Beach is one of the world’s hottest destinations for nightlife. GLOBAL DINING

South Beach is bustling with couture labels, antique shops, fashionable galleries, quirky boutiques and retail outlets. Lincoln Road, an open-air pedestrian mall, is the premier shopping area.

Gourmands flock to South Beach for its global cuisine, fresh ingredients, celebrated restaurants and notable chefs. Whether you desire elegant dining, traditional Latin spice, fresh sushi or anything in between, you will find it in South Beach.

Tucked amidst the skyhigh resorts and chic, contemporary venues that frame Miami’s waterfront, the petite Art Deco District makes a statement with more than 800 beautifully restored buildings in just one square mile of prime real estate.

A collection of Miami’s barrier islands constitute sunny South Beach, and wherever you choose to stay, eat and play in this neighborhood, you’re never far from the water.

138

SUN WORSHIP

~3~

RESIDENCES Explore our Miami Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE HARBOR HAVEN 6 BED / 6.5 BATH

Nantucket’s mere 47 square miles belie the number of ways there are to play on this charming island. You can explore the peaceful beaches lining the island’s many idyllic inlets and bays, take to the water in a rented boat or on a guided tour, or simply spend a long afternoon engrossed in a good book or tracking the graceful flight of coastal birds.

NANTUCK ET HIGHLIGHTS HAVE IT YOUR WAY

From charming seaside cottages to an in-town escape with an ideal location to a sprawling seaside estate, our residences offer the best of Nantucket any way you’d like to approach it. And of course, they all feature touches and amenities that meet Inspirato’s exacting standards. BEACHES IN ABUNDANCE

From seaside service, where you can watch the evening colors settle over the ocean with your favorite cocktail, to

INSPIRATO.COM

MASSACHUSETTS

raw, unpopulated stretches of coast where the only amenities are what you bring, Nantucket’s beaches offer an experience to suit every taste. NANTUCKET FARMERS AND ARTISANS MARKET

Why go hunting for the most authentic, freshest and best when Nantucket’s artisan producers round it all up in one place? Head down to Cambridge and North Union streets from June to October and take home your choice of locally grown vegetables, plants and cut flowers, baked goods, locally roasted coffee,

139

handcra ed pottery, jewelry and more. HISTORICAL SIGHTSEEING

The Nantucket Historic District, which comprises the entire island, seamlessly blends a rich maritime history with upscale shopping, restaurants and other amenities. Be sure to visit one of the island’s museums, including the Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum and the Whaling Museum. BIKE TOURS

Nantucket may be only 3.5 miles wide and 14 miles long,

but it boasts more than 25 miles of bicycle trails. Ask your Destination Concierge to arrange rental bikes to explore the island. LOCAL ONLY

The fine shopping on Nantucket has a distinctly local flavor—so local, in fact, that no chains are allowed on the island.

~7~

RESIDENCES/STAYS Explore our Nantucket Signature Residences and Signature Stays at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE SAND CASTLE 4 BED / 3.5 BATH

With sun-drenched beaches, temperate waters and abundant natural beauty, Naples is an ideal setting for outdoor activities. You can play on the beach, head downtown to shop at eclectic boutiques and dine on local seafood, or venture into the tropical wilderness of the Everglades.

NAPLES HIGHLIGHTS THE LOCATION

Our Sand Castle residence is centrally located yet feels like a private oasis. The home features a gourmet kitchen with custom cabinetry, a large master suite with a private balcony and clawfoot tub, a spa and pool, a grand staircase and marble floors. SEASIDE ACTIVITIES

Explore the area’s pristine coastline with a snorkeling excursion or a fishing trip, or take to the skies for an exciting float-plane tour.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

FLORIDA

EXPLORE THE WILD EVERGLADES

Explore the nearby Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve with a guided kayak eco tour, jungle cruise or swamp safari. FRESH CATCH

In close proximity to both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, Naples has no shortage of freshly caught local seafood. Domestic favorites, international flavors and chef-inspired fusions abound around town, whether you’re dining

140

at a relaxed waterside restaurant or in one of the many upscale dining rooms.

alfresco kitchen and gas grill, as well as a recently rebuilt pool and spa.

GOLF MECCA

Spend a day at the beach, browse enchanting boutiques or indulge in homemade gelato—it’s all just a short walk from your front door.

EXPLORING NAPLES

With more courses per capita than any area in the world, Naples is a golfer’s paradise. An Inspirato vacation gives you access to some of Naples’ finest and most challenging courses with unique designs and stunning views no matter where you tee off. GREAT OUTDOORS

Enjoy exceptional outdoor living spaces with an

~2~

RESIDENCES Explore our Naples Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE STAY SUNSET HILL 4 BED / 4.5 BATH

When you unwind at the Four Seasons Nevis in the West Indies, you’re surrounded by stretches of pristine, quiet beaches and an appreciation of life at a slower pace. The 36 square miles of this island are populated by warm, friendly people. Our secluded residences are found in the development adjacent to the main resort. You’ll feel right at home in this small-town atmosphere with access to swimming pools, worldclass tennis courts and golf.

INSPIRATO.COM

NEVIS HIGHLIGHTS NATURAL SPLENDOR

Embark through the Upper Rawlins on an herb tour with a local islander. Michael will take you on a show-and-tell tour of the same bush medicine that the women in his family of generations past used to treat aches, sores, diabetes and infections. Wake up before dawn for a moderately challenging two-hour hike past two tropical ravines and into a cave that will lead you to a magnificent, panoramic view of the island.

WEST INDIES

The slopes of Nevis Peak are home to both rainforest and the ruins of coconut plantations. This moderate hike will take you through trees, tropical plants, bamboo and massive volcanic boulders. If you’re in the mood for a more challenging hike, take the Butler’s Source route to see the Prison Farm (also known as Russell’s Rest). You’ll also see monkeys and cocoa trees. HISTORIC CHARLESTOWN

Charlestown is the birthplace of one of America’s founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton.

141

Today you can tour his family home, which has been carefully reconstructed. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings, visit the Charlestown’s Market Place. Between March and April, watch cotton being harvested. MONKEY BUSINESS

Vervet monkeys inhabit Nevis. These social creatures have silver bodies and black faces. Four Seasons offers a Sunset Monkey Tour Excursion to take you to the monkeys’ natural forest habitat by way of a guided tour.

TEE OFF

Neighboring island St. Kitts is visible in the distance from the Nevis golf course, a Robert Trent Jones II par 71 layout. Built around a historic sugar mill, this spectacular course challenges players with elevation changes.

~3~

STAYS Explore our Nevis Signature Stays at inspirato.com/ destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE STAY TRUMP SOHO™

No matter what your heart desires, New York reigns supreme with its world-class dining, culture, nightlife and more. In the city that never sleeps, one visit is never enough, but Inspirato puts you in the heart of it so you can get the most out of your visit. HIGHLIGHTS DESIRABLE LOCATIONS

At Trump SoHo™ New York, one of Manhattan’s most renowned hoteliers welcomes you to the highly desirable location where

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

NEW YORK CITY SoHo meets Tribeca and the West Village—as well as the neighborhood’s outstanding art galleries, fine dining and boutiques. Trump Central Park puts you right on Central Park West across from one of the world’s greatest parks and some of the city’s best restaurants and shopping at nearby Columbus Circle. The Gramercy Park Hotel sits across from the key garden at Gramercy Park, one of the most exclusive squares in the city and close to NYU and the action around Union Square. Those wanting a Midtown

hotel can stay at The Pierre, one of Manhattan’s most iconic luxury hotels, situated across Fi h Avenue from Central Park. AMENITIES ABOUND

At the Trump properties, your suite features floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views of Manhattan and a spacious living area for entertaining. Gramercy Park distinguishes itself with embroidered chairs, red oak floors and marble bathrooms.

142

NEW YORK FINE DINING

It’s best to pay attention, because new must-visit restaurants pop up every week. From the most exquisite steakhouses to contemporary fusion bistros to favorite stops in Chinatown, foodies of every description will find something to expand their culinary horizon.

mecca turned stylish outdoor mall that is SoHo. NIGHTLIFE

Looking for an early dinner and a ticket to a Broadway show? Interested in hip clubs in your fancy attire? Or do you love live music from the celebrities of opera to the skinny jeans of indie rock? You’ll find all that and much, much more.

SHOPPING

Start with the haute boutiques on Madison Avenue, swing through Barneys, Bloomingdale’s and Bergdorf Goodman, then head to the artist

~ 14 ~ STAYS

Explore our New York Signature Stays at inspirato. com/destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE THISTLE 4 BED / 4.5 BATH

Take your place among the palatial mansions that were once home to famous yachtsmen and the Gatsby-era tycoons at Carnegie Abbey, a classic club offering an equestrian center and tennis facilities. Inspirato’s residences sit alongside a Scottish-style links course. HIGHLIGHTS GRAND ESTATES

No visit to Newport is complete without a tour of the historic mansions that dot the rocky coastline.

INSPIRATO.COM

NEWPORT Check out the opulence of Vanderbilt’s The Breakers, mining heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs’s Rosecliff, based on Versailles, or the stately grounds of The Elms. Stroll the famous Cliff Walk for views of the back side of these palatial estates. DINING

Order a steaming bowl of clam chowder from the Black Pearl on the town’s bustling waterfront. Or find a meal that everyone agrees on, from elegant seafood to family-style Italian, along Bannister’s Wharf. For a more intimate

RHODE ISLAND

experience, book a reservation for the Chef’s Table with chef Andy at Carnegie Abbey. Combine beautiful scenery with dinner on the Newport Dinner Train, which heads up the coastline.

beach, adjacent to the Cliff Walk, Easton’s is where Newport comes to unwind with weekly free concerts, a carousel and perfect sand for constructing ambitious sandcastles.

NARRAGANSETT BAY

Guests at Carnegie Abbey can tackle the traditional Scottish-style links course with its sod bunkers and seaside location designed by Donald Steel to blend into the resort’s mature woods, wetlands and colonial-era stonewalls. Equestrians can find peace on a ride that explores

LIFE OF LEISURE

Rent sea kayaks and paddle along the rocky coastline, exploring coves and hidden bays. Schedule a sail on a classic America’s Cup racing yacht for a private matchrace on the open water. EASTON’S BEACH

As Newport’s only ocean

143

the resort’s seven miles of picturesque trails or take lessons on English riding from the instructors. The tennis facility and its staff work with the Newport Tennis Smash to bring pros such as Todd Martin, Stan Smith and Rod Laver to the resort for private clinics.

~2~

RESIDENCES Explore our Newport Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE VILLA REJUVENATION 4 BED / 4.5 BATH

Long a favored escape for Hollywood’s elite stars and star-makers, Palm Springs is now a unique mix of resort-style leisure and amenities, stark desert and mountain landscapes and iconic mid-century modern design. Golfers, hikers and architecture fans will all find something to love about this antidote to the hustle and bright lights of Hollywood.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

PALM SPRINGS HIGHLIGHTS THURSDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

a memorable day trip to a place that feels like the other side of the world.

Each Thursday evening means VillageFest in downtown Palm Springs. Mingle with the locals, browse the art and jewelry stands or shop the famed boutiques, all while listening to live entertainment and sampling delicious food.

Thanks to the Aerial Tramway, visitors can ride a gondola 2.5 miles to the top of Mount San Jacinto at 10,834 feet, where an alpine oasis of pine trees and meadows await—and in the winter, even snow.

VIEW FROM ABOVE

GO REMOTE

FAMILY ATTRACTIONS

The breathtaking boulder formations and gnarled branches of the Joshua trees inside Joshua Tree National Park make for

Stay cool at the sprawling water park, Knott’s Soak City with its series of pools and slides. Or pay a visit to the Living Desert,

144

CALIFORNIA a zoo and conservation area where you can come face-to-face with animals ranging from Mexican wolves, javelinas, giraffes and cheetahs in a beautiful desert setting. CULINARY STARS

Palm Springs contains a wonderfully diverse restaurant scene. Our faves: Tinto, a Basque wine bar with a tempting selection of small plates from Iron Chef winner Jose Garces; local favorite Spenser’s for its modern American fare (try the lobster potstickers with

chili aioli); or Alicante for divine Mediterranean food that’s as delicious as the people watching. Casual diners can’t go wrong at Teriyaki Yogi, a familyfriendly Japanese grill.

~2~

RESIDENCES Explore Inspirato’s Palm Springs Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE JASMINE 4 BED / 4.5 BATH

PALMETTO BLUFF

Encircled by ribbons of rivers and streams trickling through marsh to a pristine Lowcountry landscape, Palmetto Bluff retreats from the modern world into its own peaceful splendor. Within the gates of this master-planned Montage resort community, you’ll bike the quiet streets, play a game of bocce ball on a perfectly manicured lawn and gently recline in rocking chairs on a spacious, screened-in porch.

HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL FLAIR

A number of unique festivals and regionally inspired events provide visitors with the perfect venue to experience the rich culture of this beautiful region in a fun, vibrant setting. The ongoing Music to Your Mouth celebration is a local favorite culminating in the week-long Culinary Festival that showcases top chefs, winemakers, musicians and artists. DINING

For casual everyday

INSPIRATO.COM

dining with scenic views of majestic oaks and pristine golf course fairways, the May River Grill at the Clubhouse can’t be beat. This Bluffton gem features delicious local dishes and contemporary American favorites in a relaxed yet upscale setting. STEP BACK IN TIME

When you really want to unwind, retreat to a more peaceful way of life. There are fewer people in this beautiful private community than on a large cruise ship. The sunny neighborhood streets encourage relaxing

145

SOUTH CAROLINA on the porch and spending quality together time. It’s the private community that time forgot, but that discerning travelers will always remember. FAMILY FUN

Within the idyllic resort community, you’ll find a world of activities to occupy you and your kids for days on end. Ask your Destination Concierge to arrange horseback riding lessons or a family ride. Your kids can splash in the pool, catch the breeze on a boat and try their hand at bocce. There’s also a shooting range and a

boat center with kayaks and canoes. DAY TRIP

The historic city of Savannah is 30 minutes away and offers a wealth of Southern charm including grand house tours of the Isaiah Davenport House Museum and the Mercer House.

~2~

RESIDENCES Explore our Palmetto Bluff Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE STAY APARTMENT 6 2 BED / 2 BATH

Paris is the crossroads for the world’s best art, cuisine, architecture and many other marvels. The city is also your palette for opportunity. Enjoy a fresh baguette on the banks of the River Seine, photograph the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral, breathe in the Champs Élysées after a spring rain, pause to enjoy a streetside concert— Paris is truly a feast for the senses.

PARIS HIGHLIGHTS LUXURY AND CONVENIENCE

The spirit of luxury is evident in every detail of your Inspirato property at La Réserve and thanks to an exceptional setting near the Place du Trocadéro Gardens in the upscale 16th arrondissement—home to diplomatic embassies and museums—the best of Paris is an easy walk away. FOODIE HEAVEN

When it comes to pleasing the palate, there’s no place like Paris. Follow your

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

FRANCE

nose to the smell of fresh buttery croissants baked at the corner bakery to the local fromagerie that sells more than 100 varieties of artisanal cheeses. Wine lovers can take a seat at a bustling wine bar serving bistro classics with rare vintages. Or indulge in the elegant and sublime creations of the city’s Michelin-starred chefs. MUSEUMS

You can easily spend a full day exploring the treasures at the Musée du Louvre, but be aware that truly seeing the art of Paris

146

involves the entire city. Centre Pompidou flaunts the largest collection of modern art in Europe, and any wine enthusiast requires quality time at the Musée du Vin. JARDIN DU LUXEMBOURG

Revered for its role in Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables, the Luxembourg Gardens appeal to families and lovers alike with their tranquil setting and elaborate fountains. Stroll the pathways or relax on a bench and enjoy this most Parisian of scenes.

LA CINÉMATHÉQUE FRANÇAISE

The Cinémathéque offers daily screenings from its vast collection, the largest in the world.

~2~

STAYS Explore our Paris Signature Stays at inspirato.com/ destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE CHÂTEAU ROSINE 4 BED / 4.5 BATH

When you enter southern France’s quaint and picturesque Provence region, you’ll understand how the area’s beauty inspired master artists to create some of the world’s most famous paintings. Stroll through fields of sunflowers in this sunny expanse framed by the Alps and the Mediterranean coastline. Explore hilltop towns or medieval fortresses and Roman ruins.

PROVENCE HIGHLIGHTS PERSONAL TOUCH

Your Destination Concierge has personal relationships with lavender and truffle growers and extensive knowledge of each town’s market day. Vineyards are available right outside the front door of your chateau. With Inspirato’s help, you’ll fully experience the pure flavors, culture and character of Provence and the Luberon Valley. FRESH LAVENDER

INSPIRATO.COM

Your Destination Concierge knows a skilled lavender grower who also has a distillery in his field. You can see where the lavender oil is made and buy a fresh bottle. The scent of this completely pure product will evoke memories of your vacation for years to come.

wind through town. For antique lovers, this town is a paradise. Locals also come here for the fresh fish; order the trout almandine at le Vivier and your entrée will have been swimming minutes prior to arriving at your table.

TRUFFLE TASTING

In nearby Avignon, you’ll definitely want to see the famous Pope’s Palace and the Pont d’Avignon. In addition, the Pope provided Jews refuge from the French king in the 14th century, and the region boasts beautiful

CATHEDRALS

The House of Wine and Truffles offers truffle education and wine tastings. ANTIQUE SHOPPING

Inhale the delicate scent of lavender floating in the air.

FRANCE

L’Isle sur la Sorgue is known as the Venice of Provence for the canals that

147

synagogues as well as cathedrals dating back to those days. DINING

Overlooking the Palais des Papes, La Moutardier delights with ambiance and cuisine alike. Friendly, impeccable service will help non-French speakers with the menu, which delivers classic French cuisine.

~3~

RESIDENCES Explore our Provence Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE CASA CANA 5 BED / 5.5 BATH

Once an off-the-beatenpath destination, the Dominican Republic’s Punta Cana is now home to one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean—and with good reason. La Altagracia province’s pristine white sand beaches, the heart of the Punta Cana region, are tailor-made for lounging, and the aquamarine waters that lap at its ribbon of shoreline invite worldclass reef snorkeling.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

PUNTA CANA HIGHLIGHTS

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

offer a stunning backdrop for a day of sunbathing.

BEAUTIFUL COASTLINE

A trip to Punta Cana is all about dedicated, donothing beach time. For people watchers and water sports lovers alike, Playa Bávaro offers a gorgeous expanse of silky white sand punctuated by a string of resorts, restaurants and amenities. Or for sweet seclusion, head north along the coast, passing Playa El Cortecito and Playa Arena Gorda, to claim your beach towel territory on Playa Macao. The dramatic cliffs and sheltered cove

BOATING

Punta Cana’s dazzling beaches are even lovelier from the water. Charter your own speedboat from an adventure outfitter such as Bávaro Splash and explore the Punta Cana shoreline at high speed, or sail aboard a glassbottom power cat with Marinarium Tours for a more serene day at sea. SPECTACULAR HOMES

Our members enjoy some of the Caribbean’s

148

most extraordinary private residences in our plantation-style homes here, which offer private pools and are up to 16,000 square feet in size. DINING

Bamboo, a sophisticated venue at Tortuga Bay, is a treat for those who like their food and wine with a side of design: the elegant interior space, featuring contemporary plantation-style furnishing and crisp, white linens, was conceived by none other than Oscar de la Renta—and the

Mediterranean cuisine will certainly not disappoint. GOLF

Some of the very best golf courses in the Caribbean curve along this dazzling coastal region, including courses designed by Nicklaus, Fazio, Dye and Faldo.

~6~

RESIDENCES Explore our Punta Cana Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE EL TESORO 4 BED / 4 BATH

Surrounded by lush jungle and the deep blue of the Pacific, Punta de Mita is a Mexican peninsula located on the same latitude as Hawaii, and it boasts a similar climate. The peninsula’s natural charm attracts visitors year-round— specifically to the quiet oasis of Los Veneros Resort Residences and Beach Club and Real del Mar.

PUNTA DE MITA HIGHLIGHTS BEACH LIVING

Removed from the hectic beach resort towns of Mexico, Inspirato’s penthouse residences at Los Veneros Resort Residences and Beach Club on the Punta de Mita peninsula, as well as the Casa Mariposa residence at Real del Mar, offer a soothing oasis near bustling Puerto Vallarta. PRIME JEWEL

Casa Mariposa, an exquisite, 11,000-squarefoot residence, will truly

INSPIRATO.COM

take your breath away with its resort-like luxury yet private setting. It’s the resort’s largest front-row villa. BANDERAS BAY

The seventh largest natural bay in the world is home to migrating humpback whales and nesting sea turtles. THE BEACH

Playa Destiladeras is literally steps away from our Los Veneros residences. This gently sloping beach is sheltered by rock formations on

149

MEXICO either side and is ideal for surfing, snorkeling or just lounging. The private Los Veneros and Real del Mar beach clubs offer restaurants, spas, fitness clubs and more. PLUNGE IN

Your penthouse at Los Veneros Resort features a private sun deck and plunge pool, a perfect way to start your morning or to cool off a er a hard day at play. SURF’S UP

Warm water, a variety of breaks and gentle winds

make Punta de Mita an ideal surf destination. From zippy reefs to the perfect point breaks and fun, white sand beaches, there is something for everyone. Also try paddleboarding, a sport that combines a great workout with incredible oceanic sightseeing as you stand up and paddle a specially designed surfboard.

~ 20 ~

RESIDENCES Explore our Punta de Mita Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE SONGBIRD 3 BED / 3 BATH

R ANCHO PALOS VERDES

Minutes from LAX, yet a world apart, visitors to the 102 oceanfront acres at Terranea Resort on the far end of the Palos Verdes Peninsula can enjoy a round at Trump National Golf Club™, or drop out for a day of pampering with an ocean view or try surfing. HIGHLIGHTS CHILD’S PLAY

Kids can start their day at the Tide Pool Kids Club, led by expert naturalists, and learn about the fascinating array of marine life along

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

the coast. If they want to dive in, they can grab a kayak or surfboard and try their hand at snorkeling. The day wraps up with s’mores and hot chocolate around a roaring, cliffside fire. CATALINA ISLAND

Visible from the resort, Catalina Island lies 22 miles offshore and is a short express ferry ride away. Explore the picturesque harbor village of Avalon Bay, snorkel in its clear blue waters, or hike to the top of the island for a view of Los Angeles and the mountains beyond.

BEACH LIFE

The famed South Bay beaches stretching from Redondo Beach to Manhattan Beach, with their broad expanses of sand, volleyball courts, fishing piers and mellow surfing waves, lie minutes to the north via complimentary shuttle. ACCESS HOLLYWOOD

Explore filmmaking’s hometown, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, shopping along LaBrea and Melrose avenues, a movie at the Chinese Theater or a concert in the hills under

150

CALIFORNIA

the stars at the famed Hollywood Bowl. LOCAL FARE

Guests at Terranea can reserve a table at Mar’sel for a fresh twist on California cuisine. Catalina Kitchen offers stunning ocean views and a menu that ranges from roasted Petaluma chicken to swordfish melts. Nelson’s serves up comfort food, microbrews and gorgeous sunsets from their patio, while Bashi blends traditional Vietnamese flavors and contemporary dishes.

PARKLANDS

Despite being surrounded by the sprawl of Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean, the hills above Terranea offer horseback rides and energizing hikes among the costal chaparral, all with views across the ocean to Catalina Island.

~4~

RESIDENCES Explore our Rancho Palos Verdes Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE STAY MAYAKOBA GOLF VIEW 3 BED / 3 BATH

Travel south along Mexico’s Caribbean coast to the Riviera Maya and you’ll enter a pristine world of Mayan archaeological wonders set among jungle preserves and white sand beaches. Dive into mysterious underwater caves, stroll through gardens bursting with flowers and encounter a calliope of butterflies or a bright red macaw.

INSPIRATO.COM

RIVIER A MAYA HIGHLIGHTS SAFE HAVEN

Inspirato’s residences are found within the luxurious Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa, set right on the sands on Punta Maroma where the jungle meets the sea. A private marina offers sailing, snorkeling, Hobie cat sailboats, kayaks and jet skis. The gated resort community at Banyan Tree Mayakoba offers additional villas to members surrounded by six miles of freshwater canals and mangroves.

CENOTES

Pronounced “sea-no-tays,” these natural wonders are hidden worlds unto themselves with their underwater caves, limestone formations and diverse marine life. THE MAYA

About an hour from Inspirato’s resort options sit the famed ruins of Tulum. Built on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean, the ancient site features more than 60 preserved Mayan structures dating from the 12th to 15th centuries. Tour the ruins

151

MEXICO then head down the stone staircase to the stunning beach below. PLAYA DEL CARMEN

Europeans have been vacationing in this seaside town for decades and as a result it has more of a European spin on Mexico than other spots along the coast. Enjoy shopping and a vibrant nightlife driven by DJs that are sometimes flown in from the continent.

(Island of Swallows), a tourist stop for cruise ships and a mecca for SCUBA divers and snorkelers worldwide. Spend the day walking the Mayan ruins or snorkeling the reef at Chankanaab Park.

~4~

STAYS Explore our Riviera Maya Signature Stays at inspirato. com/destinations

COZUMEL

East from Playa del Carmen lies Cozumel

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE IRIS 5 BED / 5 BATH

Situated along Montego Bay with its crystal-clear waters, soft white sand beach and palm trees, Rose Hall within the Half Moon Resort brings together a quintessential Jamaican experience of colonial charm, vibrant shops and bars along Gloucester Avenue, and tropical ease.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

ROSE HALL HIGHLIGHTS NATURALLY JAMAICA

Inspirato members have access to two miles of uninterrupted beach to stake out. Take a break from the salty sea and climb up the spectacular Dunn’s River Falls and grab an inner tube to float through the river’s bubbling rapids as they spill into the Caribbean Sea. The resort’s two bottlenose dolphins, Raggae and Toni, will be your swimming partners at the Dolphin Lagoon.

ISLAND CUISINE

For a one-stop dining experience that fuses together the many influences of the region, including Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, book a table at The Sugar Mill Restaurant. If you’re craving Italian, head to Il Giardino Restaurant, or you can find dual options at Aarya Indian and Thai.

JAMAICA buildings where kids can create puppets or listen to captivating island stories in the Tacoomah hut. PLANTATION HISTORY

Explore the historic Rose Hall Great House that once ruled over the former sugar plantation. You’ll hear about the ghost of the home’s former mistress, Annie Hall, the White Witch of Rose Hall and about the history of the property.

KID FRIENDLY

It’s always playtime at the Anancy Children’s Village, a model Caribbean village with brightly colored

152

FUN TIMES

for a delicious buffet and Jamaican treats while being entertained by local performers. Adults can grab a cocktail at Margaritaville and then take a ride on its waterslide from the upstairs bar to the ocean below.

~1~

RESIDENCE Explore our Jamaica Signature Residence at inspirato.com/destinations

Friday evenings, head to the weekly Beach Barbecue on Sunrise Beach

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE SUGARWHITE COTTAGE 6 BED / 6.5 BATH

Rosemary Beach is the perfect place for a family reunion or to simply get away with a few loved ones. With year-round musical and artistic entertainment, along with some of the country’s most pristine beaches, there’s a wide array of highly recommended venues and activities sprinkled throughout several charming neighborhoods.

INSPIRATO.COM

ROSEMARY BEACH HIGHLIGHTS FAMILY FRIENDLY

Rosemary Beach was designed with families in mind. Quiet streets invite exploration on bicycle or foot and family-oriented amenities and activities abound. HOME BASE

With homes that can accommodate a family or several families, our Rosemary Beach properties are fully equipped to ensure that your stay is a memorable and effortless experience. Your home

FLORIDA

features comfortable indoor and outdoor living spaces and charming décor that reflects the area’s beachtown vibe. You’ll feel at home as soon as you walk through the front door.

throughout the year, this is a culturally rich hub for cra s and artistry. The Bayou Arts Center is just one of many venues to take in some original imagination and talent.

SUNSETS

RACQUET CLUB

Rosemary Beach has memorable sunsets. If getting away from city lights for some peace and tranquility is your mission, you’ll find it here.

A tennis destination, the club maintains eight clay courts—six are lighted for evening play—and a viewing deck for spectators.

ARTS AND CULTURE

Rosemary Beach offers access to four amazing beachside and park-side pools, open to residents and

their guests. From cabanastyle to infinity-edge pools meant for lounging, enjoy these beautiful areas to cool down and relax.

~2~

RESIDENCES Explore our Rosemary Beach Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

THE POOLS

With numerous fairs, festivals, exhibits and events taking place

153

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE SOLANA 5 BED / 4.5 BATH

One week here is barely enough time to get a taste of what the 70 miles of coastline, dozens of golf courses and hundreds of thousands of acres of rolling hills have to offer. From your home base at the Beach Village resort, your family can choose from every type of activity, from lazy beach lounging to themepark touring. If the ocean-view villas and cottages weren’t so cozy, you might never want to sleep during your vacation.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

SAN DIEGO HIGHLIGHTS RANGE OF RESORTS

We’ve delivered several unique resort experiences for you to enjoy. Start with one of the world’s six triple five-star resorts, The Grand Del Mar. Choose between accommodations that range from excellent to exquisite. Service, from attentive to superlative. And the experience, from lazy smile relaxed to jawdroppingly over-the-top. AHOY, LA JOLLA!

Explore the striking architecture of the Scripps

CALIFORNIA

Institute and the popular beach at La Jolla Cove (try snorkeling among the shallows just off shore). You’ll find some of the city’s best shopping and dining along Prospect Street. Everything is a short hop and a skip from Inspirato’s Calita Signature Residence. PEDAL, PADDLE, PARAGLIDE

Whether by land on a bicycle, by air on a paraglider or by sea in a kayak, sightseeing San Diego need not be conventional. Your Destination Concierge can

154

set up any type of tour you desire. LEGO AND ENJOY

There are few things more exciting to kids than a tour of LEGOLAND® or going on a safari at the San Diego Zoo, and there are few things more enjoyable to a parent than a satisfied bunch of kids.

in San Diego is the way to go, and there’s no shortage of ocean-minded eateries up and down the coast.

~7~

RESIDENCES/STAYS Explore our San Diego Signature Residences and Signature Stays at inspirato.com/destinations

FRUTTI DI MARE

When you’re in San Diego, your menu selections are easy: order the catch of the day. Whether plucked from the waters right off shore or flown in fresh, seafood

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE COCOA 2 BED / 2 BATH

From the historic cable cars to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is one of the world’s most colorful cities. Perfect for young or mature couples, small and large families, its attractions and personality fit every visitor. One visit is never enough. Your Destination Concierge can plan the perfect trip this time, and an equally great one the next.

SAN FR ANCISCO HIGHLIGHTS CONTEMPORARY DIGS

San Francisco’s waterfront Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood is home to Inspirato’s two-bedroom residence featuring city views, complimentary parking, dining options at Ghirardelli Square, ferry access to Marin County and easy access to the rest of the city.

ON THE WATER

When the skies are clear, there’s nothing better than gaining some perspective of the magical city from the water at its feet. Rent a kayak or take a chartered sailboat ride into the bay to see the famous bridges and sites.

SERVICE

Housekeeping will visit daily to ensure you have everything you need. Following suit, a

INSPIRATO.COM

complimentary car service is available during the day, so you needn’t fuss with a rental or taxis.

TWO WHEELS

The trolley cars are a great way to tour the city, and many of the sites are easily

155

CALIFORNIA walkable, but for a unique perspective, rent a bicycle and cross the Golden Gate Bridge’s 8,981-foot span via the wide, uncrowded walkways. EAT WHAT YOU WANT

Menus are so … restrictive. Unless you’re dining at the incomparable Gary Danko, where you can create your own tasting menu to match your mood. Pair the chef’s specialties such as glazed oysters with osetra caviar with one of 1,200 bottles in the restaurant’s wine cellar.

ART TOUR

The Legion of Honor houses an impressive collection of fine European art spanning 4,000 years. From its perch atop Lincoln Park, the views of the Golden Gate Bridge are almost as impressive as the pieces on display.

~4~

RESIDENCE/STAYS Explore our San Francisco Signature Residence and Signature Stays at inspirato. com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE SONORA 4 BED / 4 BATH

SCOTTSDALE

It’s the incredible collection of golf courses that truly sets Scottsdale apart. Members can play a diﬀerent course every day during their visit. From a central location at some of Scottsdale’s most exclusive addresses, Paradise Valley, the area’s 200+ courses are a short drive away.

courses; Gainey Ranch and its three separate nine-hole courses that can be mixed and matched to challenge players’ power game, accuracy or ability to stay out of the water hazards; and Seville with its Gary Panks course set against the gorgeous San Tan Mountains backdrop.

HIGHLIGHTS

James Beard Foundation award-winning chef Douglas Rodriguez serves up what he calls Nuevo Latino cuisine at Deseo. Start with his tres ceviches or shrimp chicharron before moving on to lamb chops with truﬄe chimichurri.

SWING SET

Did we mention the golf? Seriously, duffers will salivate over access to these private clubs: Anthem with its two Steve Nash-designed

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2014

FOOD LOVERS

And don’t forget the wine list, considered one of the best in the state. Talavera works hard to source its ingredients from local purveyors—even the olive oil comes from nearby— to create American cuisine that’s as fresh as it gets. Old school charm denotes the French menu and small seating at Petite Maison where classics such as escargots and cassoulet are always on the menu. SPRING TRAINING

Every March, pro baseball players come to the area to gear up for the next season or

156

ARIZONA make the cut and join the big leagues. Scottsdale is home to the facilities for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants. That’s in addition to the 12 other clubs’ spring-training complexes spread across the metropolitan area. SHOPPING OASIS

Often referred to as “the Beverly Hills of the Southwest,” Scottsdale is home to the Biltmore Fashion Park, home to Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Fendi and more. Farther east, the Scottsdale Fashion Square houses Barneys New York,

Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Tiffany, Ferragamo and others. For trendy boutiques on the cutting edge, pay a visit to The Mix Shops of Southbridge.

~4~

RESIDENCES Explore our Scottsdale Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE ESTUARY 4 BED / 4.5 BATH

The Lowcountry beckons you to the balmy Georgia coast and Sea Island, home to the storied Cloisters Hotel, the seaside vacation choice for industrialists and U.S. presidents for more than 80 years. There’s PGA-caliber golf, shooting, ﬁshing, worldclass shelling and even a historic bingo game that comes with a dress code.

INSPIRATO.COM

SEA ISLAND HIGHLIGHTS HUNT CLUB

At the Broadfield, the sporting set can practice their shots at the range and during birding season, hunt for quail and pheasant over 00 acres alongside trained dogs, or try something different with Harris’s hawks, goshawks and peregrine falcons. The Sea Island Shooting School, nearly as old as The Cloister itself, has taught generations of visitors to handle a gun and shoot it the right way.

LOVE CHILD

Professional golfer Davis Love III calls Sea Island home, thanks to its three courses built around beaches, marshes and woods. The Seaside Course hosts the annual McGladrey Classic, organized by Love himself. GHOST BEACH

The unusual, yet stunning Driftwood Beach is renowned for the beautiful driftwood scattered on its sands as well as the giant oaks and pines buried upside down in the sand with their roots exposed to

157

GEORGIA the sky. The effect is a tree graveyard that’s a sight to behold. CAMP CLOISTER

On any given day The Cloisters’ children’s program may involve sailing lessons, instruction at the shooting range and hands-on biology lessons from the resort’s naturalists that could range from crabbing to tending a turtle’s nest. LOWCOUNTRY, GEORGIA

Other seaside destinations may promise turquoise waters and a landscape

scraped clean and replanted, but The Cloisters is more comfortable: Spanish moss drapes the oaks and while the water isn’t crystal clear, it teems with life. The dunes capture the flotsam and jetsam of the sea—and make it a wonder to explore.

~4~

RESIDENCES Explore our Sea Island Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2014

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE GOLDENLEAF 5 BED / 5.5 BATH

SNOWMASS VILLAGE

Snowmass Village is a charming mountain hamlet surrounded by majestic peaks and some of the country’s most coveted terrain, providing for a bounty of exciting outdoor activities year-round. Depending on your preference, your Personal Vacation Advisor and concierge team can arrange a customized itinerary that will have you outside and active, indoors and comfortable, or somewhere in between during your stay.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

HIGHLIGHTS CONVENIENT ACCESS

Our homes are removed, but not remote, and mere minutes from Snowmass Village. Windows in every direction provide an unobstructed view of nature’s artistry. Outdoor decks are favorite spots to relax in the crisp mountain air, while cozy nooks offer a secluded respite from the day’s adventures. GOLDENLEAF

Take a hike into the sea of aspens that blanket the Snowmass ski area.

A challenging but short climb up to the famed Government Trail is a meandering gem of a hike that weaves its way across the mountain, interspersed with grand views of the Roaring Fork Valley and the cool shade of dense aspens and pine forests.

COLORADO

or local favorite Il Poggio’s for excellent Italian fare. Your Destination Concierge can call ahead and reserve an outdoor table with your own personal fire pit at Venga Venga; be sure to try their spicy orange margarita with a side of queso fundido.

FOOD AND DRINK

FESTIVAL SEASON

From imaginative upscale cuisine to a low-key evening engaged in comfortable conversation with friends, Snowmass delivers. Try the Village Tavern for a laidback après-anything experience,

Snowmass Village hosts a wide variety of fun festivals and events throughout the year. From Jazz Aspen Snowmass to a culinary festival, wine festival, the annual Snowmass Balloon

158

Festival and Snowmass Chili Pepper & Brew Fest, nearly every weekend hops with activity and excitement.

~5~

RESIDENCES/STAYS Explore our Snowmass Village Signature Residences and Signature Stays at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE STAY LE SERENO HOTEL

Boasting celebrityenticing accommodations, posh designer boutiques and upscale duty-free emporiums—not to mention miles upon miles of postcard-worthy shoreline—the très-chic island of St. Barts is a true Caribbean paradise. Add gourmet French, Creole and Caribbean fusion cuisine to its laundry list of assets, and it’s easy to see why this petite volcanic isle is a perennial favorite among jetsetters.

ST. BARTS HIGHLIGHTS THE LOCATION

Le Sereno overlooks the stunning Grand Cul-de-Sac and sits among a small collection of 37 suites outfitted with furnishings designed by Christian Liaigre. Terraces among the landscaped gardens lead down to the pool and beach. THE BEACHES

The dazzling white sand beaches are perfect for relaxing and the Le Sereno staff will help you find the best spots and services.

FRENCH WEST INDIES

HOSPITALITY IN ANY LANGUAGE

The island’s elegance is unsurpassable, primarily because of the Parisian influence. Islanders speak French fluently and most speak English as well. You’ll find a welcoming smile everywhere you go. KITE SURFING

Kite surfing is one of the most popular sports on St. Barts. Former kite surfing champion Enguerrand Espinassou gives expert lessons at the Dive Center on Grand Cul-de-Sac Beach.

THE SAILING

St. Barts Sailing School, located at Public Beach, offers lessons to help improve your skills, and boat charters can also be arranged for members. THE AMENITIES

Enjoy full access to Le Sereno’s resort amenities, including a beachfront swimming pool, fitness center and personalized beachside service. RESTAURANT DES PÊCHEURS

Experience some of the

INSPIRATO.COM

159

finest dining on St. Barts without leaving Le Sereno. Restaurant des Pêcheurs serves a casual breakfast and lunch, and we especially recommend its more upscale dinner. The saffron-based bouillabaisse with local seafood from chef Jean-Luc Grabowski is known island-wide as a meal you have to try.

~2~

STAYS Explore our St. Barts Signature Stays at inspirato. com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE PELICAN 4 BED / 4 BATH

Belmond La Samanna sits on St. Martin’s ﬁnest beach, surrounded by picture perfect Caribbean water. It’s one of only eight resorts to be proﬁled as “Best Resorts in the World for Wine” by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Swimming pools, beach cabanas, tennis, sunset cruises and alfresco massages will relax your body and mind. This destination is also family-friendly, with a dedicated team of childcare professionals and nannies on-site.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

ST. MARTIN HIGHLIGHTS MARIGOT

The French town of Marigot has a long history of sugar cane production and many buildings still have their 19th-century facades. Today, it’s a headquarters of the sous préfecture (administration area) for both St. Martin and neighboring St. Barts. SHOPPERS’ PARADISE

St. Martin is the only 100% duty-free Caribbean island. Local boutiques carry high-end designer brands such as Cartier and Chanel

FRENCH WEST INDIES

but it’s just as easy to find locally made clothing and artisanal jewelry. DEEP SEA FISHING

A private boat that can host up to six passengers will take you on a fourhour deep sea adventure beyond the reef. Not into fishing, but love boating? Charter Sammy Girl, a private, Italiandesigned motorboat for a full- or half-day trip or island transfers. DINING OUT

St. Martin is known as the Cuisine Capital of the

160

Caribbean and on the French side of this island, you will find incredible French food at every turn. Trellis combines traditional French food with a jawdropping view of the ocean. At La Cave, your own tasting menu is offered by a private chef and paired with palatable French wines from its worldrenown cellar. Reservations are required at La Cigale, a family-run establishment that’s home to the island’s best Sunday brunch and is a local favorite.

UNDERWATER EXCURSIONS

Several snorkeling and SCUBA diving excursions are available at the Water Sports Cabana at La Samanna. Dive into the waters of Baie Longue and beyond to discover a beautiful underwater world.

~4~

RESIDENCES Explore our St. Martin Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE ALLAMANDA 3 BED / 3.5 BATH

St. John has the sugary sands you crave, aquamarine waters that are prime for snorkeling and warm, sunny days that hallmark the ideal beach vacation. With 60 percent of its land protected as a national park and no cruise ship docks, it’s also impossibly immaculate.

ST. JOHN HIGHLIGHTS TROPICAL HOME

Located within a private, gated enclave, Inspirato’s Signature Residences on St. John are elegant, Italian-inspired villas on a five-acre estate nestled on a hillside overlooking Cruz Bay. Featuring gorgeous Caribbean views, these homes have airy and bright interiors. SAILING CHARTERS

The crystalline waters of the Virgin Islands are perhaps the best sailing waters in the world.

INSPIRATO.COM

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

Our favorite day trips include Jost Van Dyke, a snorkeling area where you may spot sea turtles, and The Baths, where you’ll wade in tidal pools. DINGHY DO

One of the more relaxing and casual ways to explore St. John is to rent a dinghy and cruise from beach to beach. Start your beach hopping at Cruz Bay. Although you can’t drop an anchor, you’ll find it’s easy to pull your dinghy to shore.

161

DINING OUT

Across the island on Coral Bay, a burger at Skinny Legs Bar & Grill is a tradition. At Rhumb Lines, the atmosphere is casual and the fusion of Pacific Rim and tropical cuisine is excellent. Try the Thai crab cakes and spicy diver scallops. Enjoy live music during dinner and come back for the island’s best Sunday brunch. UNDERWATER PARK

St. John may very well be the Caribbean’s premier snorkeling destination. All beaches are protected as

part of the Virgin Islands National Park. A few of our favorite spots: Maho Bay Beach, home to green sea turtles, rays and, on occasion, nurse sharks and octopi. Hawksnest Beach was named for the hawksbill sea turtles here, but the real benefit is a beautiful reef just a few yards from shore.

~ 10 ~

RESIDENCES Explore our St. John Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE DAYBREAK 5 BED / 5.5 BATH

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

At your cozy mountain getaway just down the hill from the ski area’s base village, you’ll enjoy views of the Yampa Valley and the mountains. See what they mean by Champagne Powder™ snow in the winter and, in summer, Colorado ranch country as you’ve always imagined it. You’re staying in The Porches of Steamboat with its own ski-in, ski-out valet on the mountain and complimentary shuttle service to skiing and the town center.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

HIGHLIGHTS SOAK IT IN

Tucked up into the mountains north of town are the Strawberry Park Hot Springs, where you can rejuvenate yourself with watsu therapy massage treatments and a soak in the 104-degree hot springs pools. COWBOY COUNTRY

Ranching is a way of life in the Yampa Valley, and fortunately the area’s dude ranches will let you in on the lifestyle. Saddleback Ranch even hosts sleigh rides to Double Dollar

COLORADO

Lodge in the winter. Don’t forget to stop by F.M. Light & Sons, the iconic Western wear shop founded in 190 that specializes in cowboy duds.

distinguishes Sweetwater Grill from the town’s Western vibe. Its fire pits along the Yampa River lure revelers outdoors year-round.

FOOD FIX

Come winter on the slopes of Steamboat Ski Resort, you’ll have 3,000 skiable acres to explore, including the area’s famous glades and, of course, its powder snow. Between the ski area and the area’s Nordic ski trails, is it any wonder that Steamboat has produced more Winter Olympics athletes than any other town in the world?

ACTION HEROES

Start your day at Freshies with a plate of cherry granola pancakes or a veggie scramble. Lunch here includes grass fed beef burgers and the town’s best salads. A 122-year-old barn is the setting for sizzling steaks at the Ore House at the Pine Grove. Sleek, modern décor

162

Steamboat Powdercats will transport you to the untouched slopes off Buffalo Pass where you can indulge your taste for powder skiing to your heart’s content. For a little more zip to your day, try a snowmobile tour on the Continental Divide through mountain meadows and backcountry woods.

~1~

RESIDENCE Explore our Steamboat Signature Residence at inspirato.com/destination

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE STERLING 4 BED / 4.5 BATH

Beneath Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansﬁeld, scenic hillsides drape this enchanting New England village. Stowe Mountain Lodge sits at its base, with a network of trails to explore by snowshoe in the winter or hiking boots in the summer and fall. HIGHLIGHTS STOWE MOUNTAIN

Inspirato members have access to the Stowe Mountain Club at the ski area and its 4 acres and vertical drop of 2,10 feet.

INSPIRATO.COM

STOWE Off the mountain, take the family for a traditional sleigh ride or hold tight on a dogsled tour through the woods. During the summer, golf clubs replace ski poles as duffers tackle the 3 holes that meander along the slopes of Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak, climbing to an elevation of 1,00 feet and offering unparalleled views of the New England countryside. Kids can race down the alpine slide and stay occupied for hours at the resort’s Summer Mountain Adventure Camp

VERMONT

ALPINE CONCIERGE®

TASTE OF VERMONT

During the winter, members enjoy ski valet service, which allows guests to ship their equipment in advance and tune it to be ready for the day’s snow conditions, with boots heated and delivered to the gondola with guests’ lift tickets. Come the summer, golf concierges will arrange tee times, carts and any additional equipment needs. Anglers can utilize the flyfishing service, where fishing licenses, Orvis-certified guides and transportation logistics are arranged in advance.

A Taste of Vermont excursion takes you to the home of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream as well as the headquarters of Green Mountain Coffee. Taste the state’s famous Cabot cheese, locally pressed apple cider and Lake Champlain Chocolates. The optional Vermont wine tasting—yes, they make wine up here—is worth it.

163

LOCAL FARE

Fresh produce is all but guaranteed in Stowe’s best restaurants. Grab the deck for tacos with a side of orange chipotle at Frida’s Taqueria + Grill. Locals love the friendly

vibe and open-kitchen pie spinning at Piecasso. For fancier fare, Solstice Restaurant at Stowe Mountain Lodge prepares tempting seasonal favorites. YOU WILL GO

To the Trapp Family Lodge, home of the Von Trapp family made famous in The Sound of Music.

~4~

RESIDENCES Explore our Stowe Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE POLARIS 3 BED / 3 BATH

NORTHSTAR

With 12 major mountain resorts in two states oﬀering every imaginable sport and amenity, Tahoe truly has something for everyone—every season, every day and every night. You’re guaranteed to ﬁnd adventure while visiting Lake Tahoe.

HIGHLIGHTS ONE VILLAGE PLACE

Located at the base of Northstar California resort, your Inspirato residence at One Village Place takes what people expect from exclusivity and adds a dash of charm and convenience to the mix.

L A K E TA H O E , C A L IF O R N I A

home resort to two-time snowboarding Olympic gold medalist Shaun White. BIG SPRINGS EXPRESS

Direct, private access to an in-residence gondola means that you’ll never have to wait for a ride up the mountain. MOUNTAIN GOLF

NORTHSTAR MOUNTAIN

Northstar resort features a bike and hike park spread across 3,000 acres of varied terrain. It’s a proper summer paradise that’s characteristic of the entire Tahoe region. It’s also the

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

Unforgettable golf courses—such as Northstar-at-Tahoe, Old Greenwood and Gray’s Crossing—offer superb summer greens and gorgeous views.

164

STAY ACTIVE

With a dozen major ski areas, golf courses, trails, streams, dozens of restaurants and unique shopping opportunities at every turn, Tahoe is the ideal destination in summer or winter.

~5~

RESIDENCES/STAYS Explore our Northstar Signature Residences and Signature Stays at inspirato. com/destinations

THE VILLAGE AT NORTHSTAR

The mountain village provides access to five-star dining, boutique shopping, private fitness centers and more.

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE APEX 5 BED / 3.5 BATH

SQUAW VALLEY

Squaw Valley is a vibrant, multi-season vacation paradise. Visitors relish the romance of early evening alpenglow and the buzz of extreme skiing and riding. With Inspirato, Squaw Valley is elevated to an undeniably extraordinary destination with amazing, personalized service among the peaks of the Sierra Nevadas.

INSPIRATO.COM

HIGHLIGHTS PASSPORT TO FUN

Squaw Valley is the ideal year-round resort for the adventurous and the enthusiast who relishes the best in mountain living. Inspirato’s travel experts will help you experience this treasured alpine playground any way you’d like to slice it. PRIVATE LUXURY

Apex features an expansive wraparound deck where you can watch the epic Tahoe sunset burn in coral hues for a breathtaking instant. Inside, the timber

L A K E TA H O E , C A L IF O R N I A

lodge ceiling of your great room soars to beautiful heights, and the full kitchen is truly a chef’s delight. PIES AND WINE

There’s nothing like a good pizza, especially gourmet pizza accompanied by a stellar wine list. At the Fireside Pizza Co., the whole family will enjoy a hearty menu that’s chockfull of appetizers, salads, pastas and gourmet pizzas. JUST SAY SPA AHHH

In the heart of the village, the Trilogy Spa offers private, award-winning

165

treatments. Reserve some time to enjoy a glass of wine or champagne, and select from a lineup of mini treatments for a memorable après-ski activity. FUN IN THE SUN

The mountain resorts of Tahoe don’t shut down for the summer; once all the epic snow melts, Squaw Valley delivers a steady surge of monthly outdoor festivals and events. From the Fine Arts & Crafts Festival in late June to the Annual Alpen Wine Fest in early September, Inspirato

members will never be at a loss for fun.

~1~

RESIDENCE Explore our Squaw Valley Signature Residence at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE GOLD HILL 5 BED / 5 BATH

Set amid the soaring peaks of the San Juan Mountains, Telluride is an eclectic Western town that’s a charming combination of raucous Old West roots and world-class mountain luxury—all delivered with a local flair that makes it a unique and welcoming destination.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

TELLURIDE HIGHLIGHTS CONVENIENT ACCESS

Inspirato’s Gold Hill home is conveniently located on the Telluride Golf Course in Mountain Village with access to the area’s famously eﬃcient gondola system. At Wilson Ridge, ask your Destination Concierge to stock the wine cellar before you arrive. At Evergreen, the sprawling master suite occupies the top floor. And at Vermilion, you’ll have access to a slopeside ski valet. These are just a few of the highlights available.

WINTER THRILLS

Come explore Telluride Ski Resort’s more than 2,000 skiable acres, including the wide-open playground known as Revelation Bowl. But downhill isn’t the only way to go: nearby snow-covered mountains offer hut-to-hut ski tours, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and the chance to bundle up for a tear through the woods behind a team of sled dogs.

COLORADO terrain, locals take to the hills. The town also plays host to nearly weekly world-class events and festivals throughout the summer, including the life-list-worthy Telluride Bluegrass Festival. FESTIVALS

SUMMER FUN

Famous for its steep skiing in the winter, in the summer months Telluride is a hotbed of music, art, food and film festivals with something happening almost every weekend.

When the snow recedes to reveal untold stretches of grand hiking and biking

Built by miners in 1913 for

166

PERFORMING ARTS

vaudeville performances, the Sheridan Opera House is the centerpiece of the renowned Sheridan Arts Foundation. From music and dance to comedy and drama, the foundation fosters a stimulating variety of performing arts throughout the year.

~5~

RESIDENCES/STAYS Explore our Telluride Signature Residences and Signature Stays at inspirato. com/destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE WATERSTONE LODGE 5 BED / 4.5 BATH

TEX AS HILL COUNTRY

The Hill Country of Texas meets the cool inviting water of Lake Travis, one of the state’s premier watersports playgrounds, in Spicewood. Roughly an hour northwest of downtown Austin, Inspirato’s private retreat oﬀers convenient access to one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world and a quiet escape that’s another world away.

INSPIRATO.COM

HIGHLIGHTS PRIVATE ESTATE

Located lakeside on two acres of land in the exclusive gated community of Lakecliff Country Club, the magnificent Waterstone Lodge offers the perfect combination of amenities and solitude. With direct waterfront access, you can jump off the dock with the kids (or just like the kids). When not on the lake, relax by the pool and hot tub, enjoying the privacy and Lake Travis views of this grand estate.

TEXAS

SUNSET MEMORIES

HILL COUNTRY CHARM

As the sun sets and the heat abates, move your party outside to enjoy the outdoor kitchen, living room and fire pit—as well as the lodge’s pool, hot tub and rock waterfall.

Schedule a day trip to the towns of Kerrville and Fredericksburg, famous for their art galleries and vineyards such as Becker Vineyards. Stop into the Hunt Store, a local watering hole and onestop shop in Hunt known for its burgers, best eaten on one of the picnic tables outside. When it’s peach harvest time, Stonewall is the place to be for the freshest fruit in Texas.

RECREATION

Inspirato members can also avail themselves of the amenities at the Lakecliff Country Club (for additional fees), which includes the 1-hole golf course, tennis club, fitness facility and dock.

167

~1~

RESIDENCE Explore our Texas Hill Country Signature Residence at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE FRENCHMAN’S LOOKOUT 5 BED / 5 BATH

For devotees of sailing, power boating, scuba diving and deep-sea ﬁshing, the 60 or so islands and cays that constitute the British Virgin Islands are a peerless destination. The largest and most popular of the islands, Tortola oﬀers a bounty of marinas and charter operations that cater to every seaborne aspiration, as well as restaurants and world-famous beach bars, all just minutes away from your spectacular residence.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

TORTOLA HIGHLIGHTS OUTDOOR LIVING

With countless doors and only one window, all rooms at Frenchman’s Lookout lead to a wraparound deck with stunning ocean views. Frenchman’s Paradise overlooks West End Marina and also features spectacular Caribbean views. It’s a short distance to Soper’s Hole restaurants and shops, as well as some of the island’s best unspoiled white beaches. TAKE TO THE SEA

From half-day boating

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

excursions and skiff rentals to staffed and provisioned full-day and multiday charters aboard an array of yachts and power cats, there’s a wide variety of options for exploring the waters around Tortola.

and fresh nutmeg—at the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke. Charter a half- or full-day sailing excursion to the nearby island to try the original, or mix one up right at your residence.

NIGHTLIFE

For one of the most memorable dining experiences in the islands, visit Brandywine Bay on Tortola, a spectacular Italian venue set amid gardens overlooking the sea.

BRANDYWINE BAY

The British Virgin Islands are teeming with beach bars, many of which feature live music on most nights. FEEL NO PAIN

Sip an authentic Painkiller cocktail—a delicious blend of local rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, coconut cream

168

MUST SEE SPOT

The Baths—an iconic, naturally occurring

formation of boulders near Spanish Town on Virgin Gorda—are one of the top attractions in the BVIs. Hike through a series of rock caves leading out to the sea, then swim or snorkel back to the beach. The Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda is another great destination and offers a wide variety of water sports and sailing instruction for all skill levels.

~2~

RESIDENCES Explore our Tortola Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE CAYA HICO 4 BED / 4.5 BATH

TURKS & CAICOS

Located in the British West Indies, Turks & Caicos is a group of serene islands prized by beach and water lovers around the world. These gorgeous, lowkey islands are ideal for a relaxing family vacation or a romantic getaway. With easy daily flights, many members ﬁnd that they can leave their homes in the morning and have lunch on the beach.

INSPIRATO.COM

HIGHLIGHTS ISLAND OASIS

Choose from a variety of residences on Turks & Caicos, each with unique décor. The Somerset on Grace Bay offers first-class service and top-notch amenities, including en-suite spa service; or take a dip in the pool or the reverse-current lap pool, complete with an underwater sound system. At Caya Hico, the ocean breeze blows through this open-air residence with access to the secluded, 1.mile long Babalua Beach.

BRITISH WEST INDIES

TOP BEACH

WILE AWAY THE DAY

DECADENT DINING

With its turquoise waters and pearl white sands, Grace Bay Beach is routinely voted one of the best in the world. When you stay at The Somerset, you’re just steps away from this stunning stretch of shoreline.

With non-motorized water sports, a reading library and a regulation croquet lawn, there is constant fun for the young and young at heart.

Take pleasure in the eclectic dining options. Indulge in a private chef for a meal on the terrace that you won’t soon forget.

ACTIVITIES ABOUND

Balance your beach time with snorkeling, water skiing, kayaking, horseback riding, cave exploring, windsurfing, parasailing and more. With so much—or so little—to do, a vacation in Turks & Caicos will soothe and refresh.

169

EXCELLENT FISHING

Anglers of every experience level can enjoy bonefishing or deep-sea fishing. Bonefish are small, fast fish that swim around the low waters of Grace Bay. To catch them, you can wade at the water’s edge or cast a line from an offshore boat. Or head into open water and try to land the big one during a deepsea fishing excursion.

~8~

RESIDENCES/STAYS Explore our Turks & Caicos Signature Residences and Signature Stays at inspirato. com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE IL PRATO 9 BED / 9.5 BATH

Tuscany was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, but the works of art that have fascinated generations are only part of its allure. You’ll ﬁnd your eyes following the landscape of rolling green hills, dotted by olive groves and the grapes and trellises of carefully manicured vineyards. You can taste family recipes in the region’s trattorie and glimpse back to the 11th century in the venerable stone towers of San Gimignano.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

TUSCANY HIGHLIGHTS THE CHIANTI REGION

In 171, former Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo III de’ Medici decreed that four area villages would be the only oﬃcially recognized producers of Chianti wine. One of these villages, Greve, is the site of a restored stone farmhouse that is now Il Bronzino. These Inspirato residences can be combined as a ninebedroom villa or enjoyed separately. Il Bronzino is located between Florence and Siena.

THE VILLAS

All of Inspirato’s spacious residences are situated amid impeccably manicured gardens and feature incredible views of the area’s rolling green hills and surrounding vineyards and olive groves. YOUR OWN WINE GUIDE

Your Destination Concierge is happy to arrange for an expert sommelier to help guide you through the region’s outstanding Chianti, Rosso di Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino, Rosso di Montepulciano, Montefalco

170

I TA LY Rosso and Super Tuscan wines. Your Destination Concierge can also arrange a private chef.

to Florence for high fashion. Instead, walk the pedestrian streets Via di Cittá, Banchi di Sopra and Via Dei Montanini in Siena.

SAN GIMIGNANO

The charming hill town of San Gimignano features stone architecture that dates to the 11th century. Though you can see its 14 towers from miles away, there’s nothing like a stroll on the town’s ancient stone streets to really feel like you’ve stepped back in history.

~ 13 ~

RESIDENCES Explore our Tuscany Signature Residences at inspirato.com/destinations

SHOPPING IN SIENA

You don’t have to go

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE STAY CANYON RANCH, TUCSON 1 BED / 1 BATH

Retreat to an oasis in the Arizona desert where the iconic saguaro cactus meets the pine forest of the mountains under an unbelievably clear blue sky. Canyon Ranch, Tucson is the original game-changing, full body and mind wellness resort, and it still sets the bar for innovative classes, treatments and pathways to a healthier, fuller life.

TUCSON HIGHLIGHTS AUTHENTIC ARIZONA

Set on 10 acres in the Sonoran Desert, Canyon Ranch was a guest ranch up to the 1970s. Immerse yourself more deeply into the area with day trips to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Kartchner Caverns State Park or at Kitt Peak National Observatory, home to the world’s largest collection of telescopes. MASSAGE CENTRAL

People come from the all over the world over

INSPIRATO.COM

ARIZONA

for a sampling of Canyon Ranch’s wide variety of massages. Try their innovative watsu massage in which guests float in a pool of warm water while a therapist softens your muscles or stick with their famous Canyon Stone Massage that uses heated basalt stones as extensions of the therapist’s hands. TOTAL GOLF

There’s golf instruction and then there’s Canyon Ranch’s approach. A PGA pro helps dial in your game on the course

171

in conjunction with a golf-centric fitness training program built specifically to shore up your weaknesses and keep you in the game. The goal? Help you find your natural golf swing. Then you can take your new skills and try it out on the course at nearby Ventana Canyon.

vision goggles to spot the nocturnal wildlife. HEALTHY FOOD, HEALTHY BODY

With help from the spa’s nutritionists and chefs, learn how food affects your mental and physical wellbeing and where to find the nutrients and energy to fuel your best life.

NATURAL WONDER

Take to the trails leading out from the ranch to explore the Sonoran desert through a geocaching treasure hunt, nature hike, photo safari or a late night trek into Sabino Canyon using night-

~4~

STAYS Explore our Canyon Ranch, Tucson Signature Stays at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE BLUE SKY 3 BED / 3.5 BATH

Boasting hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, ﬁelds of alpine wildflowers, posh residences and an array of world-class amenities just steps from the lifts, Vail Mountain is a magnet for discerning jetsetters. Vail Village is reminiscent of an elegant alpine resort, teeming with upscale boutiques, Michelinstar-rated restaurants and laidback bars serving up hot toddies and warm company.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

VAIL HIGHLIGHTS CONVENIENCE

Our Eagle’s Nest and Blue Sky private homes offer convenient access to Vail Village with complimentary parking spots in the heart of the Village. SOLARIS

Twenty three of Inspirato’s Signature Residences in Vail are in the centrally located Solaris complex, just steps from the lifts. Ranging from three to six bedrooms, each residence offers views of

COLORADO

the surrounding peaks, access to the indoor pool and hot tub, and priority reservations at Matsuhisa Vail, one of the most popular restaurants in the Vail Valley. WARM WEATHER ACTIVITIES

Saddle up for a trail ride with a local dude ranch, take a half-day Jeep tour through alpine forests, tee off for a game of golf, cast a line into a blue ribbon trout stream—when the weather warms, the opportunities are nearly endless.

172

NIGHTLIFE

Just outside our Solaris residences, Nobu Matsuhisa’s gourmet cuisine, Vail’s only movie theater and a stylish bowling alley are all within steps from each other, not to mention a bounty of excellent bars and restaurants to discover.

trails for serious skiers and riders of every ability to explore.

~ 25 ~

RESIDENCES Explore our Vail Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations

FRESH TRACKS

When the snow piles up, Vail Mountain is known as one of the largest— and arguably the most popular—ski mountain in the United States. Vail Mountain offers nearly 200

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE STAY VILLA AQUAMARE 5 BED / 5.5 BATH

VIRGIN GORDA

Welcome to virgin territory, a place where Laurance Rockefeller dreamed of a “wilderness beach,” where privacy ruled among endless beauty. Once a desolate island, Virgin Gorda was transformed into a must-see destination for discerning travelers when Rockefeller opened his resort at Little Dix Bay in 1964. Since then the sleepy island has kept its peaceful, captivating soul.

INSPIRATO.COM

HIGHLIGHTS THE BATHS

The signature natural wonder of the British Virgin Islands, The Baths are an unusual collection of giant boulders along the beach, which form caves and grottoes that house tranquil pools of ocean water, an ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling. Go early by car or boat to beat the crowds. SEA LIFE

The tropical waters just offshore from Inspirato’s residence, Villa Aquamare

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

on Mahoe Bay, host two spectacular reefs that start 1 feet from the beach and are home to turtles, parrotfish and hundreds of other species. Explore it by kayak or bask in the sun in the secluded cove nearby, Savannah Bay, a spot many local sailors consider one of the most beautiful beaches in the British or U.S. Virgin Islands. DOLPHINS

Dolphin Discovery inside Prospect Reef Port in Tortola brings you up close with the sea’s most magical creature. Pick one

173

of the interactive programs and dive in to say hello to your new friends. AYE, CAPTAIN

Charter a sailboat for the day and set a course for your own island-hopping adventure, stopping in remote coves and secluded beaches where it’s just you and the Caribbean. From catamarans to power boats to sailboats, a wide variety of vessels can be yours for a sunset cruise, a day of island hopping, or an overnight in your very own bay. You don’t need a boat

to explore the water, however, as jet skis and personal watercraft are available for hire out of Leverick Bay Marina, a short 1-minute drive from your residence.

~1~ STAY

Explore our Virgin Gorda Signature Stay at inspirato. com/destinations

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE CHÂTEAU MONDEAU 5 BED / 6 BATH

WHISTLER

With the nearby peaks and the Garibaldi Provincial Park, there will never be a lack of things to do when touring one of North America’s premier mountain destinations. Inspirato will ensure the finest alpine vacation you can find in British Columbia, providing you with firstclass access to WhistlerBlackcomb’s year-round resort activities and the greatest experience in mountain living.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

HIGHLIGHTS CHÂTEAU MONDEAU

An impressive mountain road leads to Château Mondeau, a magnificent stone chalet standing among pine trees and pure serenity. The luxuriously appointed residence is a modern take on a majestic castle, with soaring ceilings and English colonial hardware, all surrounded by amazing valley views and easy access to Whistler’s world-class ski runs and hiking and biking trails.

BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA PEAK EXPERIENCE

The twin peaks of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains house a renowned mountain bike park in the summer. In the winter, they form the largest ski area in North America. Whistler also features a quaint Europeanstyle village, world-class dining and a hot nightlife scene unique to North American ski resorts. HELI HIKING

After a few days of hitting the pair of mountains in town, it’s time to get a little more daring. Let your Destination Concierge book a helicopter

174

tour through Whistler HeliSkiing and you’ll enjoy guided access to 432,000 acres of incredible backcountry terrain and a picnic atop a mountain. VALLEY TRAIL

The Whistler Valley Trail connects in several places in the village and each way forks in different directions, so you can pick multiple routes on this scenic paved path that’s very popular for running, biking and rollerblading. NATURE TOUR

Open summer and winter, Ziptrek Ecotours is a peak-topeak zip-line tour over creeks

and rainforests. Those who want to walk instead of fly can try the canopy walk. DINING

Dusty’s, Whistler’s oldest hot spot, is also its best for an après-activity nosh. Dusty’s has been in business since 19, and its interior is designed like a classic Western ski lodge. The sunny patio is a local favorite.

~1~

RESIDENCE Explore our Whistler Signature Residence at inspirato.com/destinations

INSPIRATO.COM

S I G N AT U R E R E S I D E N C E S & S I G N AT U R E S TAY S

SIGNATURE RESIDENCE VILLA DELLA LUNA 4 BED / 3.5 BATH

WINE COUNTRY

You needn’t travel all the way to Bordeaux or Tuscany to enjoy a worldclass wine destination. The hills and valleys of Sonoma and Napa, with their countless vineyards and tasting tours, make an ideal stateside getaway. But the fun doesn’t stop when the bottle runs dry; outdoor activities like tennis, canoeing, golf and biking keep the action going.

HIGHLIGHTS SIGNATURE RESIDENCE

With four bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, and 3,00 square feet, the Manzanita residence is a sprawling Wine Country estate perched majestically on a hill. The home also features a separate casita. The intimate two-bedroom, two-bath Wheelman House Bohemian is blocks from downtown Healdsburg.

SONOMA, CALIFORNIA

meadows, all awash in the fragrances of eucalyptus, lavender and rosemary. THE GOURMET KITCHEN

Several residences contain gourmet, professional-grade kitchens. To enhance your Wine Country experience, arrange for a private chef to prepare an unforgettable meal expertly paired with the wines you gather during your daily excursions. THE WINERIES

PRIVATE COMPOUND

The spectacular Palladian Estate is set on 40 acres of Mediterranean gardens and

INSPIRATO.COM

Visit some preferred vintners, including Cakebread Cellars, FerrariCarano Winery, Jackson

175

Family Wines, Lancaster Estate, Terra Valentine and many more. We can also help you discover smaller, familyrun wineries that speak to the heart of California’s original winemaking culture. INSIDE TRACK

Our members can enjoy priority reservations at Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen, even on short notice; and a variety of private winery tours and inhome tastings arranged by your Destination Concierge.

goes on and on; some of our favorite wineries include Medlock Ames, Matanzas Creek and MichelSchlumberger, but your Destination Concierge can direct you to dozens more.

~ 11 ~

RESIDENCES/STAYS Explore our Wine Country Signature Residences and Stays at inspirato.com/destinations

A GOURMAND’S DREAM

The list of amazing wines

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

INSPIRATO

SIGNATURE COLLECTION S I G N AT U R E E X P E R I E N C E S

177 178 179

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

Antarctica Expedition Palettes of the Baltic Sea Morocco: Members Journey

176

INSPIRATOMAGAZINE.COM

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

ANTARCTICA EXPEDITION

Journey to the Earth’s southernmost continent, where the grandeur of white mountain ranges will leave you speechless. With few visitors each year, the region’s wildlife has no fear. Watch in awe from your Zodiac landing craft as whales breach the icy waters, seals roll through the water nearby and penguins swim and frolic on and around the ice floes. HIGHLIGHTS

THE EXPERIENCE

Limited to Inspirato members, your 10-night Antarctic adventure will deviate from the standard itinerary with a route designed to maximize your time in Antarctica with no stops between the tip of South America and Antarctica. Doing so allows members to get the most of their time with the naturalists, wildlife experts, historians and guides aboard the National Geographic Orion as they travel to Paulet Island, Lindblad Cove, Paradise Bay, Lemaire Channel and Port Lockroy. SPECIAL GUEST

National Geographic photographer Flip Nicklin will be joining the trip to help members capture the unique and awe-inspiring landscape and sea life. As one of the world’s leading whale photographers, his

INSPIRATOMAGAZINE.COM

shots and audio tracks of humpbacks and killer whales have appeared in numerous National Geographic publications and television specials. In 2012 the North American Nature Photography Association named him Outstanding Nature Photographer of the Year. THE SHIP

Upon arrival at Ushuaia, at the tip of Patagonia, you’ll board the National Geographic Orion, a purpose-built expedition ship with a strengthened hull that’s rated just short of icebreaker classification. The 3-cabin ship can comfortably accommodate 102 guests. A quiver of Zodiac launches ensures that everyone can leave to explore the quieter bays and ice floes near shore. And on those quests, Inspirato members have access to an arsenal of underwater cameras

and video equipment, a ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), a hydrophone and other equipment, along with instruction on how to best capture the sights and sounds of this ice-strewn, watery world. Meals are prepared from Sydney’s award-winning chef, Serge Dansereau, and his focus on sustainably caught fish. There’s a fitness center to keep you in shape, LEXspa wellness retreat and an on-board physician, plus a videographer to capture the highlights of your trip. LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS

Inspirato tapped the unparalleled expertise of Lindblad Expeditions to match the level of Signature Service expected by Inspirato members. Started by the “father of eco-tourism,” Lars-Eric Lindblad, more than 0 years ago, the company was the first travel company to take guests to Antarctica.

177

Beyond their expertise in navigating the area and documenting its history, Lindblad’s certified photo instructors and undersea specialists help ensure that members leave with few if any desires unmet.

you’ll travel through is rife with leopard seals, crabeater seals, killer whales and sperm whales. And be prepared to see penguins, thousands of them, especially Gentoo, Adelie and Chinstraps.

WHAT TO EXPECT

TRAVEL TO ANTARCTICA

You’ll hike over snow, ice and rock, terrain where few have ever trod, if at all. Zodiac excursions are the best way to reach the wildlife. Travel in groups of 12 to 14 to reach shorelines teeming with wildlife. Want to go your own way? The ship’s sturdy and safe, two-person kayaks will let you quietly explore this empty corner of the world in silence. Throughout the trip expedition leaders and naturalists will provide a comprehensive and in-depth look at the continent of ice and its inhabitants. While no wildlife viewing is guaranteed, the region

Inspirato members will enjoy a night’s stopover in Buenos Aires at a luxury hotel prior to departing for Ushuaia, Argentina and the ship. In Ushuaia, members can get to know each other over lunch on a catamaran cruise to the Beagle Channel. DATES JANUARY 1 – 27, 201 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON INSPIRATO’S ANTARCTICA EXPEDITION, PLEASE GO TO INSPIRATO.COM/ EXPERIENCES

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

PALETTES OF THE BALTIC SEA

From the stately palaces of Stockholm to the statue of the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, this members-only voyage is an opportunity to behold Northern Europe’s immense beauty and historic wealth, creating a treasure trove of memories. You will visit the royal capitals of Northern Europe to discover glorious palaces and onion-domed cathedrals. HIGHLIGHTS

THE INSPIRATO EXPERIENCE

Between ports, you will voyage on ancient channels once dominated by the trade empire during the Middle Ages. With nearly 17 hours of daylight and a landscape that delights at every turn, this cruise will be unforgettable. THE SILVER WHISPER

Travelers will board the Silver Whisper, an elegant ship from Silversea, recognized by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure as the world’s Best Small Ship Cruise Line. Our

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

all-inclusive rate includes all meals, 24-hour suite service, an open bar and onboard entertainment. An onboard spa offers a variety of services at additional fees or you can enjoy the casino. Shore excursions are also available at an additional cost. Complimentary butler service will deliver a morning paper and replenish your chilled Champagne. You will enjoy gourmet dining in a number of extraordinary restaurants with your spirits of choice included gratis. With this Signature Experience, you can discover a Europe as richly varied as your interests.

ITINER A RY

STOCKHOLM

The city boasts a glorious, medieval Old Town, grand palaces, ancient churches, sturdy edifices, public parks and 19th-century museums. HELSINKI

Helsinki is a meeting point of eastern and western Europe, a fact reflected in its cosmopolitan image, its influx of Russians and Estonians and its generally multilingual population. ST. PETERSBURG

St. Petersburg is a planned city built on more than

178

100 islands in the Neva Delta, linked by canals and arched bridges. It was first called the “Venice of the North” by Goethe. Little wonder it’s the darling of today’s fashion photographers. TALLINN, ESTONIA

Tallinn’s tiny gem of an Old Town has romantic towers, cobblestone streets, small nooks, citywall cafés—in many ways it looks the same as it did during the medieval era.

OPENHAGEN

The early morning air in the pedestrian streets of the city’s core, Strøget, is redolent of freshly baked bread and soap-scrubbed storefronts. This cozy city is filled with museums, restaurants, cafés and lively nightlife. DATES JULY 20-27, 2015 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON INSPIRATO’S PALETTES OF THE BALTIC SEA, PLEASE GO TO INSPIRATO. COM/EXPERIENCES.

VISBY, SWEDEN

With its magnificent walled town of Visby, the Island of Gotland is one of Sweden’s most popular summer destinations.

INSPIRATOMAGAZINE.COM

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

MOROCCO: MEMBERS JOURNEY

An eclectic mystery. That’s Morocco with its mix of sweeping desert, towering moutains, lush valleys, wide beaches and ancient cities. Add to that its African geography and centuries of influence from Spain, Portugal and France, and you’re left with one of the most enigmatic and entrancing destinations on earth. HIGHLIGHTS

THE INSPIRATO EXPERIENCE

This adult-oriented adventure combines the best of Morocco’s unique geography and ancient history. Bike or hike your way through the towering Atlas Mountains. Enjoy a Moroccan mint tea ceremony. Learn how to prepare authentic couscous and tagines. Watch the sun cast shadows on the waves of sand dunes on the edge of the Sahara Desert. And dive into the color and culture of Marrakech. Throughout your journey, Inspirato’s Signature Service will

INSPIRATOMAGAZINE.COM

handle every detail, as well as the flexibility to explore Morocco at your own pace and curiosity. ATLAS MOUNTAINS

Settle into Kasbah Tamadot, Sir Richard Branson’s personal retreat in the Atlas Mountains where you’ll choose from downhill mountain biking through the stunning Ouirgane Valley and Mount Toubkal National Park or trek into a forest of junipers and oaks on your way to the peak of Asloun and its panoramic views. MARRAKECH

The “Red City” has enthralled visitors for centuries and you’re next.

Visit the enchanted square of Jamaa el Fna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest and oldest square on the continent. At night, you’ll enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner in the 300-year-old palace in the heart of the city. By day you’ll tour the ancient city including the Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque and the Mederasa Ben Youssef. That afternoon you can try a cooking class or drummaking class. Before departing Morocco at the end of your visit, you’ll check into the luxurious Hotel La Mamounia, a legendary palace with its sumptuous swimming pool, lush

179

gardens and invigorating (or relaxing, if that’s your desire) spa. THE SAHARA

Home to legends and shifting sands, the Sahara is your home for a night as you helicopter in from Marrakech. You’ll take tea in your own private desert camp as the sun sets and later enjoy drinks while a clay oven barbecue is prepared under the stars of the crystal clear desert sky, your home for the night. SKOURA VALLEY

life-giving waters for centuries. Here, you’ll take a camelback ride to a Moroccan tea ceremony, go for a nature hike and later that evening transfer to Sidi Fla for a memorable candlelit dinner surrounded by the towering rock walls of the Gorges of Dades. DATES MARCH 14-22, 2015 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON INSPIRATO’S MOROCCO: MEMBERS JOURNEY, PLEASE GO TO INSPIRATO.COM/ EXPERIENCES.

The Ouarzazate oasis region is called “the door of the desert” and has drawn locals to its

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

IN THE MOMENT

STEPPING INTO HISTORY This past summer Inspirato members embarked on a Mediterranean cruise from Istanbul to Athens. Among the highlights: a members-only sunset cocktail party inside the Library of Celsus (shown here) in the ancient GrecoRoman city of Ephesus. Guests were free to mingle among the ruins of the amphitheater built in 135 A.D., enjoying the entertainment space as it was originally intended, not as a museum piece. By doing so, they became a small part of its long and storied history.

POST A PHOTO TO WIN You could win a limited-edition copy of INSPIRATO: INSPIRED MOMENTS, LASTING MEMORIES, a sumptuous, hardbound coffee-table book featuring hundreds of Inspiratoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most breathtaking vacation photographs from around the world. To enter, simply post your own travel photo from a visit you took to a historical site on Instagram tagging Inspirato and using the hashtag #InspiratoMoment. Be sure to tell us where and when you visited!

*Contest subject in all respects to complete Official Rules available at inspirato.com/instagramcontest. Contest ends at 5:01 pm MT on December 31, 2014.

INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | WINTER 2015

180

INSPIRATO.COM

FIND YOUR VACATION INSPIRATION JAUNT 52 AND JAUNT NOW TM

Every Wednesday, we send our Jaunt email with a new selection of exciting Jaunt 52 trips: featured Inspirato vacations available during specific dates over the next 52 weeks at rates you have to see to believe. Combined with our Jaunt Now drop-everything-and-go last minute getaways, these values are sure to prompt you to vacation more than ever.

LEARN MORE ABOUT JAUNT 52 AND JAUNT NOW 888.546.5008 I WWW.INSPIRATO.COM/JAUNT

Marine Chronometer Manufacture Manufacture chronometer movement with Silicium technology. Self-winding. Water-resistant to 200 m. 18 ct rose gold case. Available also on leather strap or gold bracelet.

W W W . U LY S S E - N A R D I N . C O M

F O R A C ATA L O G , C A L L 5 61 - 9 8 8 - 8 6 0 0 O R E M A I L : U S A 10 9 @ U LY S S E - N A R D I N . C O M