ISSUE 3
FEB 2020
Travel inspiration, recommendations, and stories from around the world curated by and for
IN Season
Destination
Food & Beverage
Sports
Spring Break Destinations to Suit Your Travel Style pg 5
The First-Time Visitor’s Guide to Paris pg 2
The Intriguing History Behind 6 International Cocktails pg 7
5 Best Cities to Watch March Madness pg 6
A Few of Our Favorite New Additions to the Inspirato Pass Trip List We’re always adding new homes, hotels, and experiences to the Inspirato Pass trip list. Discover one of our favorite new Caribbean hideaway hotels, a trio of elegant ski condos in the Rocky Mountains, and a 15-day European river cruise that sails through picturesque cities in Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Alluring Amsterdam & Vienna Uniworld Immerse yourself in the colorful culture of Bavaria and Central Europe as you set sail along some of the most storied rivers in the world—the Rhine, Main, and Danube—with Uniworld’s Alluring Amsterdam and Vienna cruise. Adventure awaits in this picturesque region of Europe, dotted with
charming port cities straight out of a storybook. Throughout this 15-day cruise, you’ll have the chance to explore Amsterdam and its storied canals, Vienna and its captivating classical history, and everything in between. As the cruise winds through Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands, take in such wonders as the Wachau Valley, home to exquisite food and wine, and Regensburg, where you’ll tour the state-of-the-art BMW factory. Enjoy shore excursions in dreamy medieval villages nestled along the
water and take a bike, stroll, or hike to experience the region’s rich history firsthand, from WWII rally grounds to UNESCO World Heritage sites. And the fun doesn’t stop at port cities. While aboard the River Princess, you’ll be treated to local entertainment right on the ship, welcome and farewell receptions, and gala dinners. And at the end of the day, retire to your lavishly appointed stateroom, featuring a handcrafted Savoir bed, flat-screen TV, and marble bathroom with Hermés products.
Secret Bay, Dominica,
One Snowmass with Inspirato West Indies Residences: Wildcat, Live out your treehouse castaway fantasy—if the Grey Wolf, Coyote Hollow castaway lifestyle included a A more casual alternative to the glitz and glamour of nearby Aspen, Snowmass Village in Colorado is a perfect destination for families, as well as ski and snowboard enthusiasts. In fact, it ranked as the #1 overall mountain by Transworld Snowboarding magazine. One Snowmass with Inspirato—a luxury residental property located at Snowmass’s new Base Village—now has three residences available on Inspirato Pass. This property is the perfect après-ski hub, offering a private Inspirato
lounge, rooftop terrace with heated pool, and more. Two-bedroom Grey Wolf is just a two-minute walk to the Elk Camp Gondola and the Village Express lift, offering an outdoor deck and grill ideal for alfresco dining. The extensive architectural glass windows in the great room and kitchen allow for breathtaking village and ski mountain views. Threebedroom residences Coyote Hollow and Wildcat offer all the same amenities and boast incredible valley views.
private plunge pool, gourmet kitchen, and dedicated villa attendant—at Secret Bay, a six-star resort perched along the northwest coast of the isle of Dominica. Choose from a handful of sustainably built villas, surrounded by tropical foliage and overlooking dramatic cliffs that give way to hidden coves and secret, swimmable beaches. Dominica is known as “The Natural Island” and its resplendent scenery is on full display at the resort. Each luxury villa is designed with indoor-outdoor living in mind, boasting incredible
views of the Caribbean Sea with walls that fold away, spacious outdoor decks, and plunge pools partially enclosed by a privacy screen. At Secret Bay, you can choose the level of interaction you’d like, whether you wish to unplug, unwind, and keep to yourself in your own private oasis, or socialize with fellow guests. Order room service to your villa, or visit Zing Zing, the resort’s centrally located restaurant, which offers a “nomenu” experience of locally grown fare expertly prepared by gourmet chefs. Fill your days with snorkeling, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding, or treat yourself to pampering spa treatments.
Destination
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Seven Days in Paris with Inspirato Pass By Jorie Larsen
Day 1
Day 3
Arrive and Get Settled
Cruise the Seine River
Because most flights from the East Coast to Paris are overnight, you’ll likely arrive in the French capital in the morning. Groggy as you may be, fight off the jet lag by staying awake as long as you can (avoid the temptation for an afternoon catnap—it’ll only further delay your circadian rhythms adjusting to the time change).
Enjoy a sightseeing cruise along the Seine River, which winds through the heart of Paris. As you sail past Île de la Cité—a natural island in the middle of the Seine, where the city was founded—make a note to come back to visit the world-famous NotreDame Cathedral, dating back to 1163. Despite the fact that the cathedral’s exquisite interior was ravaged by a fire in April 2019, it’s still worth a stop to see the famed flying buttresses and grinning gargoyles up close.
Choose from several Inspirato Pass hotels such as Hotel Bel Ami, Hotel de Sers, Hotel Regina, or Hotel Montalembert—all of which are situated within walking distance of many of Paris’ banner attractions. Enjoy an authentic crepe from a sidewalk cafe for dinner and head to bed early.
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ore than 200 years ago, avid Francophile Thomas Jefferson once quipped, “A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life.” It’s as true today as it was then. An international capital and historic hub of the European continent, Paris still captivates travelers from all over the world, whether it’s their first visit or tenth. It’s impossible to narrow down all there is to see and do in Paris—and that’s okay. Part of its charm lies in its vastness; there’s always a new sidewalk cafe to discover and a new painting to behold. With Inspirato Pass, it’s never been easier to hop across the Atlantic and enjoy a seven-day sojourn in one of the world’s greatest cities.
Afterward, stroll through the bohemian Latin Quarter and dine on some of the best oysters in Paris— shipped from France’s Atlantic coast daily—at l’Huîtrerie Régis, a noreservations-accepted raw bar where each patron is required to order at least a dozen bivalves.
Day 4 Stroll Down the Avenue des Champs Elysées
Day 2 Behold Masterpieces at the Louvre No trip to Paris would be complete without a spin through what is arguably the most venerable art museum in the world. Home to Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the ancient Greek statue Venus de Milo, and the circa-secondcentury Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Louvre houses 38,000 paintings, artifacts, and sculptures. There’s no way its holdings can be seen in a day, so don’t even attempt it. Instead, choose a few halls or galleries that pique your interest, borrow an audio guide at the front desk, and spend the afternoon strolling at your leisure. Watch the Eiffel Tower Light Up at Night Pack a picnic of French cheese, wine, and bread and head toward the Place du Trocadéro around sunset. If you’ve never been, you may want to wait in line to ride the elevator to the top. Otherwise, find your own spot on the grass and wait for the Eiffel Tower to light up once darkness settles in. Every hour on the hour from dusk to dawn, the tower’s lights sparkle and shimmer during a brilliant five-minute show.
Day 6
Begin beneath the Arc de Triomphe, and stroll down the grand boulevard of Champs-Elysées, lined with high-end shops and designer boutiques. You’ll end at the Luxor Obelisk, a 3,000-year-old monument at the center of the square (this is also where the guillotines of the French Revolution of 1789 came crashing down). Continue on to Tuileries Garden, dotted with famous sculptures, walking paths, and leafy trees.
Take a Trip to the Palace of Versailles
See Impressionist Art at the Orangerie Museum and the Musee d’Orsay The world’s greatest collection of Impressionist art dwells here, within the Orangerie Museum and the Musee d’Orsay. Begin in the Orangerie Museum, nestled within Tuileries Garden and home to Monet’s water lilies collection and works by Renoir and Matisse. Cross the Seine River to pop inside the Musee d’ Orsay, housed within a former Beaux Arts-style railway station. Take in masterpieces by Monet, Degas, Cézanne, Gaugin, and other French painters, dating from 1848 to 1914.
Day 5 Visit the Neighborhood of Montmartre A quick Metro ride will take you to Montmartre, once the stomping grounds of Paris’ artisan class, who can count geniuses like Van Gogh, Picasso, and Renoir among them. Today, this colorful neighborhood is heavy on the charm— think quaint homes with overflowing flower boxes and cobbled lanes leading up steep hills. This is the area where you’ll find lively cabarets (including famous Moulin Rouge) elbowing up against charming cafes and squares like Place du Tertre, overflowing with portrait sketchers and watercolorists. Climb to the Sacre-Coeur, a gleaming white basilica crowning the tip-top of Montmarte that affords spectacular views of Paris. After working up an appetite, tuck into the incredible French choux pastry known as Paris-Brest— named after an 1891 bicycle race between the two cities—at Chez Michel nearby.
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Climb aboard the RER suburban train out to the Palace of Versailles for a full day exploring one of Europe’s grandest palaces. Built by Louis XIV, the so-called Sun King, in 1682, Versailles is one of the best representations of the excess and extravagance of French nobility—pre-French Revolution, that is. Embark on a guided tour of the palace interior, where you’ll have the chance to peek at the king’s private quarters, walk down the iconic Hall of Mirrors, and marvel at the Royal Opera house within. Later, spend the afternoon strolling the immaculate gardens and visiting Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette’s private retreat, designed like a faux-peasant village.
Day 7 Bid Adieu with a French Breakfast Spend your last morning soaking up the city like a true Parisian: lingering at a sidewalk cafe over a cappuccino and flaky pain au chocolat. Just about any sidewalk cafe will do, but you can pay homage to the Lost Generation writers like Simone de Beauvoir and Ernest Hemingway with a visit to Les Deux Magots in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, a brasserie where the literary elite once gathered. Catch your mid-afternoon flight back to the States. Stock up on a box of colorful Ladurée macarons in Charles de Gaulle Airport for a sweet treat that’ll remind you of your time in France for just a few days longer.
Entertainment
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Celebrate
St. Patrick’s Day Around the World By Stephanie Prince Alexander
Dublin, Ireland
Chicago, Illinois
It’s only fitting that Ireland’s capital marks the epicenter of the global St. Patrick’s Day celebration with a five-day festival March 13–17, 2020, that culminates with an extravagant parade on the actual holiday. Spectacular floats, marching bands, and artistic performers weave through the city center entertaining thousands upon thousands of merrymakers. For those seeking an authentic way to celebrate the heritage and culture of the Irish, Dublin is the ideal place. Make sure you snag one of the Pass trips available in Dublin for the week of St. Paddy’s now.
Perhaps the most iconic sight associated with St. Patrick’s Day is the Chicago River being transformed into a gleaming shade of Gaelic green, a tradition dating back to 1961. Spectators gather on bridges and on the Riverwalk to watch barges release 40 pounds of organic, environmentally safe dye into the river, which you can also see up close on a river cruise. The Windy City takes the cake with the most celebrations per capita—from the threehour parade downtown (to be held on March 14, 2020) to the Leprechaun Leap race along the Lake Michigan waterfront. For an authentic Irish bite and brew, visit The Galway Arms just west of Lincoln Park or head to The Grafton Pub & Grill to sample the extensive whiskey collection and cozy up to the fireplace. Choose from dozens of stays at luxury hotels, like The Thompson Chicago and The Langham Chicago, that will get you there in time for the parade.
London, England New York City First held in 1762, New York’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is the oldest and largest celebration of its kind in the U.S. The parade attracts over two million spectators and more than 250,000 bagpipes, dancers, and marching bands participate in the parade that kicks off on 44th Street and marches along Fifth Avenue, passing St. Patrick’s Cathedral on the way. To dive even deeper into the city’s Irish tradition, grab a pint of Guinness served by an Irish bartender at McSorley’s, the city’s oldest pub that remains untouched by time. Choose from hundreds of trips to the Big Apple now available on Pass during the week of St. Patrick’s Day.
Celebrate the patron saint of Ireland at the London St. Patrick’s Day Festival, March 15–17, 2020, with a showcase of the best Irish culture the city has to offer. There are plenty of trips available on the Pass trip list that will get you there in time for the parade on March 15, which culminates with a festival in Trafalgar Square featuring live Irish bands and a street food market. History buffs and culture seekers will appreciate film screenings at the St. Patrick’s Film Festival or visiting local museums with Irish exhibits. By night, London’s legendary nightlife shines as Irish expats, local Londoners, and pub crawlers from all walks of life can be found sipping pints and dancing until the wee hours among the city’s many Irish pubs.
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very year on March 17, people from around the world come together to celebrate Irish heritage and culture on St. Patrick’s Day—also known as the Feast of St. Patrick. There are many legends surrounding the patron saint of Ireland, one being that he used shamrocks to explain the Holy Trinity, hence the holiday’s association with all things shamrock green. Today, more countries celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than any other festival in the world. These six cities feature some of the best parades, festivities, and cultural events to celebrate the Irish tradition—and you can travel to all of them with Inspirato Pass during the month of March.
Boston, Massachusetts
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Home to a large population of Irish descendants, South Boston hosts an annual parade with marching bands from across the U.S., and is home to many authentic familyrun Irish pubs. History buffs may enjoy guided walks along the Irish Heritage Trail, as well as JFK Library’s March 14 celebration, where Irish immigrants tell their stories through songs and poems. For even more Irish culture, visit the Irish Film Festival at the historic Somerville Theatre from March 19–22, or see Boston’s own Celtic punk rock group—the Dropkick Murphys—at one of four shows March 14–17. Passholders can choose from hundreds of Boston trips available on the Inspirato Pass trip list throughout the month of March.
Argentina’s capital city is always up for a party and St. Patrick’s Day is no exception. Boasting South America’s wildest celebration, Buenos Aires puts on an exemplary display of Celtic revelry. The parade will be held on March 17 this year along Avenida de Mayo and Peru streets near the Plaza de Mayo,
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with elves, faries, bagpipes, and dancers honoring the Irish heritage. More than 50 stands will offer Irish food and drink and the festivities will continue into the night among the city’s streets and rowdy Irish pubs. St. Patrick’s Day may just be the perfect reason to get you to Buenos Aires, with plenty of luxury trips on the list that will get you there before the big day.
Highlights
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See How One Passholder Shares His Experiences with Inspirato Pass After subscribing to Inspirato Pass in November 2019, California resident Brian Hendricks created a blog to catalog his experiences traveling the world with Pass and share his vacation tales with an
audience of fellow (and prospective) passholders. Since joining just a few months ago, Brian has already taken a ski trip in Deer Valley, Utah and has two more upcoming trips in the works: a visit to Pelican Hill
in Newport Coast, California and a spring break vacation to London. To read more about Brian’s experience traveling with Inspirato Pass and follow along on his vacations, visit luxurypassreview.com.
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INyourOpinion It’s no secret that Inspirato members and passholders are discerning travelers who have some great insight to offer when it comes to traveling well. Enjoy their answers to this month’s question:
What’s the one item (or items) you won’t travel without? Guides by Lonely Planet, Citymapper and Maps.Me help “Apps like
with local street maps, sightseeing locations, and good insight (hours of operation, etc.), plus transit options and times. We preload the appropriate apps on our phones before we leave and then put those phones away, get involved, and enjoy our destination!” - Brooke Adams Siecke
A great eyemask.”
“
Passholder Highlight:
A Trip to Hilton Head Island
- Kimberly Davis
“I always travel with emergency
travel
insurance. You never know when a small mishap can turn into a BIG medical bill. It’s a quick way to spoil a wonderful vacation.”
Inspirato passholder Kal Ali recently visited Sandpiper, a brand-new, six-bedroom home in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Tucked within the gated Palmetto Dunes community just one block from the beach, Sandpiper provided the perfect Lowcountry setting for Kal’s memorable family vacation.
- Afif Ghannoum
“Your
passport! Not only is it your access to the
world, but it’s the doorway to endless adventure, creativity, connection, and getting out of your comfort zone.” - Dayna Adams Milne
“Comfortable shoes, lightweight
cashmere
wrap for cool evenings and the airplane, essential oils, my favorite face wash, and my journal!” - Caren Merlin
“1. A Patagonia Nanopuff (even in tropical weather... airports and such can be cold). 2. Full dosage of antibiotics (like amoxicillin).
“It was incredible. The house is phenomenal, top of the line!” said Ali. “Gayle from Inspirato and her husband, Dustin, were absolutely amazing and stayed in contact with us for the entire trip. Chef Anuscka and her husband made us a grand feast.
3. A Xerox
copy of my passport details.” - Melissa Perez
Phone charger (and adapters). Now that they
“
function as cameras, no way you can live without one.” - Punam Parikh Prahalad
If there’s any of the younger crowd reading this, please get the Pass for your loved ones. Life isn’t guaranteed but good times are.” I N S P I R ATO PA S S . C O M
IN Season
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Embrace your
Spring Break style this season By Megan Troutman
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pring break is the perfect time to stop, unplug, and break out the passport. Whether you’re traveling halfway across the world or relaxing on a beach, everyone should experience a week of adventure and relaxation. Inspirato Pass offers an array of spring break vacations to suit all kinds of travelers.
The Beachgoers
The Ski Enthusiasts
The Cruisers
The Culture Seekers
Nestled on the tip of the Baja California Peninsula, Los Cabos, Mexico is a quintessential spring break destination, known for its spas, softsand beaches, golf courses, and worldclass resort amenities. In Cabo, choose the itinerary pace that suits you. Relax in a traditional Mexican steam bath known as temazcal, a holistic treatment which incorporates medicinal plants, or seek out adventurous excursions ranging from ziplining to deep-sea fishing tours.
Opt for the ultimate spring break snow adventure in Aspen, Colorado, a posh Rocky Mountain town about 3.5 hours east of Denver. Aspen (and neighboring Snowmass) offers hundreds of trails, exciting pitches, and hidden glades spread out across four mountains: Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk.
Want to immerse yourself in the culture and history of several European countries without worrying about logistics or planning the itinerary? Choose one of the many European river cruises on the Pass trip list. Board the S.S. Maria Theresa for a memorable eight-day cruise along the Danube River, showcasing the best of Central Europe from Budapest, Hungary, to Passau, Germany. See charming ports of call in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary, with endless on-board entertainment and “Do as the Locals Do” shore excursions, such as a private concert of Mozart and Strauss in a Viennese palace.
Bali, Indonesia offers an unparalleled cultural experience. Nestled in the Indian Ocean north of Australia and south of the Philippines, this picturesque Indonesian, archipelago stretches about 3,200 miles, making it the world’s largest archipelago. Bali, home to over 4 million people, sits in the middle of the island chain.
A trendy escape perfect for couples and long weekend getaways, The Cape, a Thompson Hotel is designed with soft, neutral colors that lend a retro, 1960s Southern California ambiance. The hotel is also home to the only rooftop bar and lounge in Cabo San Lucas. With floor-to-ceiling glass windows, guests can enjoy picturesque vantage points of the iconic El Arco rock formation. Walk along Monuments Beach while watching expert surfers ride the waves, or depending on the conditions, grab a snorkeling mask to check out the reefs below. The AAA Five-Diamond awardwinning Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa offers a more familyfriendly experience, nestled into a unique cliffside location on a private beach. Indulge in an oceanside aromatherapy massage while your kids enjoy the complimentary kids’ club or splash in the infinity-edge pools overlooking the deep blue Pacific. For a stay longer than three nights, throw in an all-inclusive meal plan at an Inspirato discount for the family to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the eight on-site restaurants.
When you’ve had your fill of the slopes, visit the world-class Remède Spa or enjoy fine dining at Piñons, boasting a traditional American menu with Colorado-inspired flair and a 27-page wine menu. Although Aspen is known for its luxury shopping and upscale dining, the town still maintains its own unique brand of mountain charm.
Climb aboard the S.S. Catherine for a full eight days cruising down the Rhône and Saône rivers in southern France. Meals on board are prepared using the finest French ingredients. On day five, visit quaint villages known for their exquisite wines, made primarily from syrah grapes. Highlights include historical tours of medieval mansions and their hidden passageways, as well as more adventurous excursions like kayaking beneath a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct.
Huddle up with a cup of coffee and a blanket at the only ski-in, ski-out hotel in Aspen: The Little Nell. Located on what was once hunting grounds for the Ute tribe, the property has worn many hats over the years: a miners’ retreat, a grazing pasture for the cows of Aspen Dairy, and now The Little Nell, a boutique inn with a contemporarycabin style that blends perfectly with Aspen’s elevated aesthetic. The property was renovated in 2019 with the addition of dark metal accents and custom-designed chandeliers. Artwork hangs in the halls from Paula Crown, an artist from the Crown family who owns The Little Nell and Aspen Skiing Company. Located just a few steps from the Silver Queen Gondola, The Little Nell offers incredible ski access. I N S P I R ATO PA S S . C O M
Bring a group of friends to explore the city of Ubud, Bali, tucked amid the jungle, where monkeys walk down the street and traditional dragon tails, or penjors, hang from shopfronts. Fall in love with the Balinese culture and experience your first Kecak Dance—a traditional Balinese dance known for its intricate vocal chanting. Afterward, enjoy live music and cocktails at The Laughing Buddha, a local hangout. After a day of culture seeking, head back to the Hanging Gardens of Bali, a luxurious award-winning resort north of Ubud in the heart of the jungle. Swim in one of the world’s most intricate terraced swimming pools in this romantic getaway destination; be sure to snap a picture, as it’s one of the most photographed pools in Indonesia. Inside the comfort of your riverside or panoramic villa, soak up jungle views in this relaxing oasis.
Sports
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The 5 Best Cities to Celebrate
March Madness By Marie McMullan
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very year in mid-March through the beginning of April, the sports world comes alive when the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments are held. Coined “March Madness” for the swirl of excitement it creates, this single-elimination tournament features 68 teams vying to survive three weekends of games to be crowned the national champions. Feel the contagious energy at giant viewing parties or sit courtside as you watch your favorite teams live during tournament play at these five cities perfect for diving into March Madness. As an Inspirato passholder, you can relax and recharge at luxury Inspirato homes and partner hotels before putting your game face on.
Los Angeles, California See games live and celebrate the Sweet Sixteen West regional semifinals in sunny Los Angeles. The iconic STAPLES Center will be home for this round of matchups, and NCAA ticket packages can give fans that thrilling live action experience. From Busby’s West in Santa Monica or Clearman’s Galley in San Gabriel, Southern California is home to plenty of sports bars to eat, drink, and cheer on your team. Stay with Inspirato Pass at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows—sitting upon the shores of Santa Monica, this beachside getaway is ideal for soaking in the Sweet Sixteen. Or, use your Pass to stay steps from the STAPLES Center action at the JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. Live—ideal for fans hoping to catch courtside views.
Nashville, Tennessee
Las Vegas, Nevada Sin City perfectly captures the energy and action that March Madness presents—and for viewing parties beyond compare, Las Vegas has your number. For those confident in their brackets, the gambling capital of the country can offer an extra sense of excitement. The most popular time to celebrate, take bets, and watch is during the first and second rounds of play, March 19–22. The International Theater at Westgate Resort offers a free party full of food and drink, satellite betting, and viewing spaces—space is limited, so reserve your spot ahead of time. Inspirato’s two-bedroom High Stakes suite in the Vdara Hotel & Spa is just five minutes from the center of the city and is the perfect place to rest and recharge after a night on the town.
Come for March Madness, stay for the music scene and culinary delights. For a taste of Nashville’s nightlife, try Acme Feed & Seed, a historic bar in the heart of downtown that will satisfy sports and music fans alike. This updated honky-tonk offers class alongside its characteristic architecture; televisions upon the first floors provide sports-lovers a chance to keep up with the game, but the rooftop can give fans (or their partners) a much-needed break. Inspirato passholders can take respite at Inspirato’s suites within the luxurious Thompson Nashville hotel right in the thick of music city.
Houston, Texas Catch the Sweet Sixteen South games at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, on March 27 and 29, and the regional semifinals at the University of Texas. Ticket packages are still offering box suites and National Championship Trophy opportunities through the NCAA, but Houston has a host of venues to watch games live, celebrate, or recuperate from an intense game after the buzzer sounds. Houston’s old school sports fans love Nick’s Place in the Woodlake neighborhood, and in Midtown Houston, Pub Fiction will satisfy everyone in your group with over 80 TVs, live music, and a Texas chic feel. For a relaxing retreat, The Westin Oaks Houston at the Galleria is an Inspirato passholder’s ideal stay during the South’s Sweet Sixteen round of play.
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Atlanta, Georgia To find the height of March Madness, find your way to Atlanta, Georgia for the Final Four, where the winner of each regional semifinal division will meet to crown the champion of the NCAA Division I tournament. Semifinals will be played on Saturday, April 4, and the championship game will take place on Monday, April 6—both games will held be at Atlanta’s MercedesBenz Stadium. Arrive in Atlanta early to get into the championship spirit with the March Madness music festival on Friday, April 3, headlined by Taylor Swift. After the games, take a short walk to Restaurant Ten, a family-friendly sports bar found directly across from MercedesBenz Stadium. Stay with Inspirato Pass at The Whitley, a Marriott Southern-style luxury hotel that will calm the madness of the championship weekend.
Food & Beverage
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The International Histories
Behind 6 Classic Cocktails By Cortni Dietz
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ne of the best parts about visiting a new destination is the chance to unwind with the area’s signature cocktail. Though you can order most of these at your neighborhood bar, we’ve delved deeper into the background stories on some signature cocktails around the world, so you can feel like a local the next time you mosey up to the bar in Venice or London—and with Inspirato Pass, you’ll have the chance to be in the heart of those colorful cities as soon as next week.
Pimm’s Cup
Manhattan
Aperol Spritz
Piña Colada
London, England
New York, New York
Venice, Italy
San Juan, Puerto Rico
A classic British summer cocktail, Pimm’s Cup’s origin story begins with James Pimm, a fishmonger in the 1840s who wanted to make his oyster stand stick out from the rest crowding the London streets. He began serving a tonic of his creation called “Pimm’s No. 1,” which was picked up for commercial sale in 1859. The concoction, which is based on gin and features fruit, herbs, and other flavors, is said to only be known by six people. Since its inception, other numbered varieties using other liquors have been born, such as rum, No. 4, and rye whiskey, No. 5. But No. 1 remains the stronghold, and mixed traditionally with lemonade and fruit garnishes, it has been the official drink of the Wimbledon tennis tournament since 1971.
Though this mixture of whiskey, vermouth, bitters, and a Maraschino cherry garnish is about as straightforward as it gets, the origins of this classic cocktail are much more murky. Varying tall tales abound, from a party hosted by Winston Churchill’s mother to downing the drinks following the loss of Democratic presidential candidate Samuel Tilden in 1876. The most widely accepted and likely origin story of the Manhattan, though, is that it was concocted at New York’s Manhattan Club sometime in the 1880s, with the club’s first official recipe for the drink appearing in a 1916 edition of the organization’s official history.
This refreshing concoction has recently risen in popularity stateside, but the aperol spritz in its modern form can trace its roots back to Venice in 1919 with the creation of its signature liqueur. Aperol was marketed as a “fit” drink in early 20th-century Italy for healthconscious young people, but it wasn’t until the 1950s when the classic aperol spritz was born—three parts prosecco, two parts aperol, and a splash of soda water. The drink’s international expansion exploded in the early 2000s with the acquisition of aperol by Gruppo Campari, an Italian beverage company that pushed the drink in advertisements around the world.
Officially deemed the national drink of Puerto Rico in 1978, the sweet, creamy piña colada was created to showcase the island’s best tropical assets: pineapple and coconut. Though origin stories run as wild as a pirate using the drink to boost his crew’s morale, the most widely accepted story begins at the bar of the Caribe Hilton Hotel in the capital city of San Juan in the 1950s. In its infant form, the blend of pineapple juice, rum, cream of coconut, and crushed ice was meant to be a milkshake-esque snack for hotel patrons rather than a cocktail. But with the addition of rum, the drink’s popularity exploded—big Hollywood names like Joan Crawford and John Wayne sang its praises.
La Paloma
is that it was created by the owner and bartender of La Capilla, Tequila’s local watering hole, by bartender Don Javier Delgado Corona. Though Tequila boasts plenty of touring opportunities by way of its namesake product, it’s a little off the beaten path for those just visiting Mexico—rest assured you’ll find la paloma at any bar in Mexico, from Los Cabos to Riviera Maya. The drink’s signature tequila, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and soda water concoction is particularly refreshing on a balmy Mexican evening.
Tequila, Mexico Though Americans are most familiar with the margarita, the most popular tequila drink south of the border is actually its grapefruity cousin, la paloma. We know this cocktail’s town of origin sounds a little too on the nose, but one iteration of the drink’s alleged history
Blue Hawaii Honolulu, Hawaii You may be familiar with the Elvis Presley film of the same name, but this vibrant cocktail actually came to life four years before the release of “blue Hawaii.” This electric blue concoction was created by Hawaiian
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Village Hotel bartender Harry Yee in 1957 after receiving a request from the Dutch distiller Bols to craft a cocktail from their new product: blue curaçao. Sporting a blend of vodka, rum, pineapple, and sour mix, the drink was tied together with the addition of the blue curaçao, creating its signature aquamarine hue. Yee was attempting to mimic the color of the Pacific—some say he would even hold up each drink to the ocean from his Waikiki beach vantage point to ensure the color was right before serving it.
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Start Traveling
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The Trip List is Easier to Search Than Ever By Stephanie Prince Alexander
T
he Inspirato Pass trip list continues to grow all the time—with more than 120,000 trip options, sorting the list for your travel preferences is more important than ever. That’s why when passholders asked for a better way to search the trip list, we listened. Now, with our global search tool, you can type in the name of a specific home or hotel property, region, or destination and matching results will update as you type. This search feature will give you much more visibility into the homes and hotels available in the destination you’re interested in, helping
you find the vacation that fits all your wants and needs faster. As an example, if you know you want to go to Tuscany in the spring and only want to see available homes, select all the checkin dates that work for you, then as you type Tuscany into the search bar, the available properties in Tuscany will start to populate and you can select homes as they appear. You can also still filter the trip list by number of guests, nights, and trip type. And with our new search enhancements, you can search the trip list with even more ease to find your perfect vacation.
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For additional terms, conditions, and restrictions, please visit www.inspirato.com/legal. Inspirato is owned by Inspirato LLC and operated by its subsidiary Best of 52, LLC, 1544 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. ©2020 Inspirato LLC.
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