SPRING 2014
BAHAMAS THE TIME IS YOURS, TAKE A BREATH PAGE 18
COSTA RICA
JUST THE RIGHT SIDE OF WILD DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
DISCOVER THE CARIBBEAN’S POLO HERITAGE GEORGIA
THE LOWCOUNTRY CHARM OF SEA ISLAND ASPEN
THE LOCALS KNOW SPRING IS KING
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CONTENTS
SPRING 2014
FEATURES
76 NATURE’S RICHES
The western corner of Costa Rica welcomes visitors to a pristine and quiet adventure land that’s miles away from the country’s more developed southern coast. BY AARON GULLEY
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94
THE MANE EVENT
SEASIDE SANCTUARY
THOSE WHO KNOW, GO
Each spring, polo’s international set comes to the Dominican Republic, continuing more than 70 years of tradition. BY SUSAN ENFIELD
Sea Island, Georgia —and The Cloister Hotel specifically—has welcomed presidents and generations of Americans attracted to its lowcountry charms and southern hospitality. BY JED PORTMAN
Forget the beach, spring break in Aspen means sunny days, snow depths measured in yards, and the best skiing and snowboarding conditions of the year. BY TESS WEAVER
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
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CONTENTS
SPRING 2014
DEPARTMENTS 11
WELCOME LETTER
12
NEWS Inspirato members enjoy exclusive access to New York Fashion Week and a weekend of yoga and nutritional wellness in Baja.
INSPIRATION . 20 CULTURE Festivals that feed your soul with sights, sounds and food.
26 FACES
22 20
Stars to know in apothecary (p. 34), art (p. 26), fashion (p. 58) and golf (p. 44).
TK
28 FOOD & DRINK
46 54
A er the Derby, slake your thirst on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
36 SPORTING LIFE Inspirato’s top 6 golf courses chosen by GOLF magazine’s Joe Passov.
46 ADVENTURE Order a painkiller and join the crew for the British Virgin Islands’ Sailing Regatta.
54 STYLE & DESIGN
58
Compact, studio-quality gadgets that prove you can take it with you.
61 MEMBER RECOMMENDED
36
Aboard the mega-yacht Lady J in Turks and Caicos. A Punta de Mita, Mexico birthday bash turns into a whale of a tale.
180 GRUMPY TRAVELER ”No, I’m not done!” Grumpy dreams of finishing his meal in peace.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCES A COMPREHENSIVE PEEK AT INSPIRATO SIGNATURE RESIDENCES AROUND THE
58 INSPIRATOMAGAZINE.COM
GLOBE PAGE 103
7
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
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Ira Bahr EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Christine Rafanelli
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DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
DIRECTOR OF BRAND MARKETING
PUBLISHER David A. Henry EDITOR Grant Davis CREATIVE DIRECTORS Pete Schaer, Gary Serviss ASSOCIATE EDITORS Dina Mishev, Amanda Tust COPY EDITOR Teri Vannoy ART DIRECTOR Mark Lesh PHOTO EDITOR Keri Bascetta CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ira Bahr, Susan Enfield, Zach Everson, Aaron Gulley,
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INSPIRATO with AMERICAN EXPRESS 1637 Wazee • Denver, CO 80202 Inspirato.com • info@inspirato.com • 303.586.7771
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LANETERRALEVER
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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 | SPRING 2014
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WELCOME
PUNTA DE MITA, MEXICO
YOUR LIFE, MADE RICHER
A
t Inspirato, we recognize that you go on vacation because the places you visit, the people you meet, and the experiences you have all knit together to make life immeasurably richer. Our goal with each issue of Inspirato magazine is to remind you of this important truth, and inspire you to continue making travel an essential part of a life well-lived. But we also have a practical objective: to showcase the expanding selection of luxury vacation choices our members enjoy—our Inspirato Signature Collections. This is particularly timely now because at the end of 2013 we combined with destination club Portico, adding 80 new Signature Residences to our portfolio. You’ll see many of these new homes in this issue: spacious luxury cottages beside The Cloister Hotel in Sea Island, Georgia; cliffside villas overlooking the Pacific in Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica; and immaculate residences alongside Kapalua Bay on the north side of Maui. You will also notice that we’ve reorganized our portfolio to reflect the full spectrum of Signature Collection vacations we now offer, beyond our Signature Residences. Inspirato Signature Stays
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feature premier accommodations with a selection of iconic hotels and resorts. Inspirato Signature Ticket (formerly Access) gives members VIP access to celebrated events and extraordinary people. And our new Inspirato Signature Experiences take members on customized excursions featuring some of the most interesting, exciting and unspoiled places on earth (who’s in for Antarctica?). Of course, as we continue to grow, our team also remains obsessed with that first goal I mentioned: to inspire. To that end, this issue features highlights from several recent Signature Ticket events, which have drawn high praise from members. You’ll find photos from events held during New York City’s Fashion Week (pages 12, 13), as well as our successful fall Wellness Weekend, held at Esperanza Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico. Our Jaunt program also continues to give members compelling reasons to explore more of the world, offering incredible value on short-notice trips. Inspirato member Andre Vicario shares how his last-minute vacation to Punta de Mita and a fishing trip turned intimate whale-watching excursion resulted in an unforgettable experience on land and sea (page 64). One new destination I’m particularly excited about is Costa Rica’s North Pacific Gold Coast, where a direct flight from many U.S. cities delivers you to some of the very best this popular, friendly country has to offer. You can see what I mean on page 76. And that’s really just the beginning. From the unique polo fields of the Dominican Republic to the
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famed Spring Regatta in the British Virgin Islands, this issue of Inspirato is packed with travel experiences that I believe will make you a richer person, in the very best sense of the word. We hope they prompt you to look out at the far horizon, feeling inspired to embark on new adventures. Enjoy the journey, BRENT HANDLER FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
INSPIRATO
PHOTO CONTEST
Post your favorite captured memories from a recent Inspirato vacation on Instagram using the hashtag #InspiratoContest for a chance to win a $500 American Express® gi card. The winning photo will appear in the next issue of Inspirato magazine.*
*Contest subject in all respects to complete Official Rules available at inspirato.com/instagramcontest. Contest begins on 2/10/2014 and ends at 5:00 p.m. MT on 3/25/2014.
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
MEMBER NEWS NEW YORK FASHION WEEK NYC STRUT (Clockwise from top left)
Fashion Capital For the first week of September, New York City turns into the style capital of the world.
Spring Shimmer Marchesa’s sultry mix of lace and sheer defined the spring line.
Hot Nights Yards of gorgeous lace flow from Marchesa’s evening gown.
VIP Stylist Member Jennifer Probert enjoys a
THE MARCHESA EXPERIENCE
private shopping experience with designer Joanna Mastroianni.
A
s the “prom queen of Fashion Week” according to Vogue, Marchesa’s runway show at the New York Public Library last September was the hottest ticket in town, and Inspirato members were among an exclusive group of fewer than 300 people who got a first glimpse of the spring/summer line from Marchesa designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig. Famous for dressing Blake Lively, Sandra Bullock, Kerry Washington, Zoe Saldana, Anne Hathaway, Olivia Wilde and Rachel McAdams, among others, Marchesa gave the group a private preview of the collection and access to the adrenaline-charged frenzy backstage at the runway show. Members stayed in a Trump SoHo suite for the three nights and received a $500 gift card to Barneys New York with lunch reservations at Freds as part of this unforgettable fashionista experience.
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
Say “Hello” Inspirato Members Greg Probert and Jennifer Probert meet with designers Keren Craig and Georgina Chapman during the event.
Special Guests Gina Gerson, Petra Nemcova, Molly Simms, Olivia Palermo, Sheryl Crow and Courtney Love wait for the runway show.
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clockwise from top left: courtesy trump new york, courtesy of marchesa (2), inspirato, joe schildhorn bfanyc.com (2)
empire-waist
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clockwise from top: wireimage/getty images, greg endries, inspirato, shutterstock
SEPTEMBER 2013 THE PROJECT RUNWAY EXPERIENCE
RUNWAY STYLE
I
host Heidi
(Clockwise from top)
Judge & Jury Project Runway
nspirato’s Signature Ticket offered members the opportunity to attend the grand finale of Project Runway during New York Fashion Week last September. Held inside the tents at MercedesBenz Fashion Week, guests enjoyed an exclusive behind-the-scenes meet-and-greet with the TV show’s judges Heidi Klum, Zac Posen and Nina Garcia, plus Tim Gunn. The three-day experience included pre-party VIP makeovers from the TV show’s L’Oreal Paris hair and makeup artists, a three-night stay at a Trump SoHo suite and a $500 gift card to Barneys New York along with lunch at Freds. The Inspirato Signature Ticket team was on-site to assist members throughout the one-ofa-kind experience. They wrangled transportation to and from the airport and runway shows and took care of everything during this dream trip for fashion lovers; one that made sure they were decidedly “In.”
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Klum, designer Zac Posen and fashion editor Nina Garcia, along with guest judge, Emmynominated actress Kerry Washington arrive on the runway to take their seats for the final runway show.
Final Details Designer Bradon McDonald tweaks his creation.
Heidi’s World Inspirato members Andrea and Burt Lewis with Heidi Klum at the taping of Project
Runway’s season 12 finale.
Statement Piece Designer Dom Streater’s bold prints won the competition.
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INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
MEMBER NEWS WELLNESS WEEK END, LOS CABOS BREATHE EASY
I
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
nathan hindman (7)
nspirato members escaped to Cabo San Lucas last October in order to relax, rejuvenate and celebrate healthy living, nutrition and fitness. While staying four nights at Mexico’s world-class Esperanza Resort, members enjoyed personalized consultations and members-only group classes with fitness- and wellness-expert Mandy Ingber, the creator of Yogalosophy, and celeb nutritionist Keri Glassman, MS, RD, founder of Nutritious Life. Ingber led a yoga class each day and hosted an informal talk about the power of incorporating a little humor and plenty of self-love into workouts and yoga practice. Glassman met oneon-one with each member to help everyone establish a customized, holistic nutrition plan. She also led two group lectures with question-and-answer sessions to explain her eight rules for dropping weight and provided a bevy of tips to keep members on track when working toward their wellness goals.
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OCTOBER 2013 CABO SAN LUCAS (Clockwise from top left)
Tropical Oasis (left and right) The stunning coastline and villas at Esperanza Resort offered the perfect backdrop.
Tools of the Trade Members received a luxury gift bag with a yoga mat, towel and copies of Ingber’s and Glassman’s recent books.
Baja Nights Each evening offered time to make new friends.
Class of 2013 Glassman (center, red dress) and Ingber (center, white dress) made sure attendees came away recharged from nearly five days of yoga practice and delicious, healthy meals.
Yoga Practice Wellness Expert Mandy Ingber led the daily yoga class both outside and in the studio.
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INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
TAKE IT WITH YOU
Load Inspirato magazine onto your tablet to peruse it on your next trip or share scenes from your exclusive Inspirato vacation or Signature Ticket event with family and friends.
SPRING 2014
BAHAMAS THE TIME IS YOURS, TAKE A BREATH PAGE 18
COSTA RICA
JUST THE RIGHT SIDE OF WILD DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
DISCOVER THE CARIBBEAN’S POLO HERITAGE GEORGIA
THE LOWCOUNTRY CHARM OF SEA ISLAND ASPEN
THE LOCALS KNOW SPRING IS KING
SHARING MADE EASY
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STAY CURRENT ON THE LATEST NEWS
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AND SIGNATURE COLLECTION OFFERINGS
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FEEDBACK AND EXPERT TIPS ON WHAT TO
THROUGH OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
AND ADVENTURES FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE.
DO AND SEE DURING YOUR NEXT TRIP.
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Even though the best vacations involve one-of-a-kind experiences and stories that will be told for years, the Inspirato magazine tablet edition lets you start sharing now. Download the new edition from the iTunes® store or Google Play™ and then use email to share pages that highlight your memories.
Check-in regularly with inspirato.com and inspiratomagazine.com for additional content and to learn about new properties.
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
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INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
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BREATHE THE BAHAMAS ONLY A 90-MINUTE FLIGHT from Miami International Airport, the Bahamas feel like you’re on the other side of the world. Warm tropical water, broad sand flats and brilliant white sand beaches coupled with sophisticated dining, shopping and British colonial charm make it the perfect quick escape from the continent’s gray spring chill. Or the island chain can serve as an angler’s ultimate test of fly-fishing ability. Casting in as little as 18 inches of water, the area’s legendary bonefish requires paBAHAMAS
tience, the ability to spot a fish and place a fly perfectly. Once hooked onto a 3- to 4-pounder, though, the fun truly begins with the fish’s world-famous fight. For help, hire Oliver White, a pro-angler guiding out of Abaco and St. Andrews (he’s responsible for the catch shown here). Amid the clear, sunny skies of spring in the Bahamas, he offers one of the best chances of landing the elusive fish. Hook one and you’ll understand why bonefishing is to anglers as heli-skiing Alaska is to skiers. —THE EDITORS
*SEE SIGNATURE RESIDENCE PAGE 108 FOR MORE DETAILS PHOTO BY ADAM BARKER
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INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
CULTURE | F E S T I VA L C I R C U I T
SOUL FOOD
Forget Groundhog Day. Never mind daylight savings time. The true harbinger of warmer days ahead is the start of festival season. These multiday affairs give you reason to indulge your passions in a mélange of travel, adventurous food, stellar wine and stimulating conversation. From big concerts to big ideas, our picks for this year’s attractions will leave you richer in mind, body and soul. —Matt Villano
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CULTURE | F E S T I VA L C I R C U I T
SOUTHERN COMFORT
BB&T CHARLESTON WINE + FOOD FESTIVAL MARCH 6 9
Y
ou don’t need a doctorate to grasp that the biggest reasons to attend this renowned wine and food festival are, well, the wine and the food plus the Southern Gothic charm of the oceanfront South Carolina host city. While the more than 30 themed dinners and 15 wine, beer and cocktail tastings held in and around historic Charleston offer something for everyone’s particular taste buds, this festival’s hallmarks are its demonstrations and dinners. Matt Lee, co-owner of The Lee Bros. recommends the demos in particular. “The real values are the sponsored demonstrations, with chefs like Steven Satterfield of Miller Union fame in Atlanta—among the most talented chefs in the country—Louisville’s Edward Lee and Portland’s Andy Ricker,” he says. “For my money those events bring truly great chefs into close proximity with festival goers in a loose enough setting for it to be fun and illuminating.” Lee helped us zero in on several events worth booking a ticket to see and taste this year.
WAFFLE HOUSE SMACKDOWN The ubiquitous Southern restaurant chain has a cult following, and this competition tasks chefs with recreating classic late-night Waffle House dishes as they go head-to-head and compete for the title of “Master Blaster.” Charleston chef Mike Lata (FIG, The Ordinary) is back to defend his title from the 2013 event.
PLUFF MUD OYSTER ROAST Few things are more classically Charleston than oyster roasts, and this new event is a unique introduction to the ultimate lowcountry experience for out-of-town guests. A number of Charleston-area oyster purveyors provide a wide variety of freshly caught shellfish, allowing guests to compare and contrast raw oysters as well as traditional side dishes such as Brunswick stew and hush puppies.
NEW + NOTABLES DINNER This dinner spotlights some of the culinary world’s up-and-coming talent, including Charleston’s own Jason Stanhope from FIG, New York City’s Michael Toscano (Perla and Montmartre), Justin Burdett from Ruka’s Table in Highlands, North Carolina, San Francisco’s Outerlands’ chef Brett Cooper and pastry chef Jenna Hodges of Colt & Gray in Denver, as well as Noah Dorrance, founder of Banshee Wines.
COMFORT FOOD Charleston’s foodie heaven goes all day and night; a seating at the New + Notables dinner; working the line; jalapeño pastries.
TIP: A er the festival shuts down for the day, head to Charleston’s historic downtown and The Gin Joint or the Husk Bar, where it’s a safe bet that at least some of the day’s participating chefs will be winding down over cocktails and lively conversation late into the night. CONTACT YOUR PERSONAL VACATION ADVISOR FOR LODGING OPTIONS IN CHARLESTON.
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INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
CULTURE | F E S T I VA L C I R C U I T
INSP-Sp14-
COACHELLA VALLEY MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL
MUSIC OASIS (Clockwise from left) The Empire Polo Club grounds; view from the main stage; The Do LaB performance; the festival doubles as a preview of the coming summer’s hippest styles.
APRIL 11 13, 18 20
O
ne part music fest and one part art fest, in recent years this Southern California hallmark has become known for its parties and its fashion influence, making it a go-to destination for celebrities and style and music mavens the world over. Spread across six stages, three nights and 180 acts, the music festival is so massive that it repeats the lineup on consecutive weekends. With hundreds of musicians holed up in town for the week, the greater Palm Springs area becomes ground central for the world’s music scene. While the 2014 lineup has yet to be finalized, big name artists such as Madonna, Phoenix, Daft Punk, Beastie Boys, The Black Keys, Dr. Dre and Radiohead, have performed in front of tens of thousands of festival goers in the past. What makes Coachella more than just another music festival is the visual art component: Think Burning Man, the annual anything-goes gathering every summer in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, but with grass underfoot instead of dust, live music and an airport and luxury accommodations near-
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
by. Then, of course, there are creative mash-ups of music and art; The Do LaB, for instance, builds elaborate stages out of recycled materials and produces shows in the makeshift venues. Outside of the Empire Polo Club, where the festival is held, house parties abound, as do ones at nearby hotels such as The Ace Hotel, La Quinta Resort & Club and The Saguaro Palm Springs. “These hotel parties start in the morning and go into the afternoon,” says Sean Glass, founder of Win Music, an indie record label in New York. Why so early? So everyone can head to the festival grounds for the night’s main acts. But according to Glass, you must be a guest at the hotel or on the guest list for the party to get in. However, for the ultimate Coachella memory, Glass recommends keeping your ears open for word of live sessions of superstar musicians or up-and-coming new acts hosted by radio stations or record labels that are often held offsite, sometimes on nearby ranches or farms or at private estates. These are the performances that everyone will talk about, but few will see.
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TIP: Spring for one of the limited number of passes to the VIP areas. They may not have the best view of the main stage, but you’ll have no problem hearing the music, all while being able to take refuge under shade canopies when the heat sets in, snooze on a couch, enjoy shorter waits for the restrooms and quench your thirst at a full bar.
clockwise from left: imagine imagery/chris miller (3); fashion toast
DESERT BEATS
SEE PAGE 140 FOR DETAILS ON INSPIRATO SIGNATURE RESIDENCES.
INSPIRATOMAGAZINE.COM
from top: peter foley/european pressphoto agency; getty images for tribeca film festival; filmmagic/getty images
CULTURE | F E S T I VA L C I R C U I T
STARRY NIGHTS
TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL APRIL 16 27
T
he Tribeca Film Festival (TFF for short), held in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Manhattan, has become one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. The reason? For starters, actor and director Robert De Niro helped launch it. It’s also in New York City, home to a critical mass of celebrities who attend, paparazzi in tow. Organizers strive to put together a lineup that packs emotional and intellectual punch in addition to entertainment. About a Boy and The Elephant King have played here, as well as James Spione’s 2011 Oscar-nominated documentary short, Incident in New Baghdad. Thanks to the connections and pull of De Niro and fellow founders, producer Jane Rosenthal and investor Craig Hatkoff, the festival continues to draw the biggest stars every year. Last year brought out Oscar-winning actor and
INSPIRATOMAGAZINE.COM
director Clint Eastwood to participate in the Tribeca Talks Directors Series along with director Darren Aronofsky of Black Swan fame. Legendary comedian Jerry Lewis joined De Niro and director Martin Scorsese for the closing night screening of their 1982 film, The King of Comedy, and former President Bill Clinton introduced the world premiere of the documentary, Bridegroom. Other notables in attendance last year: Naomi Watts, Kate Hudson, and Alice Eve to name a few. Beyond the films, TFF is known for its parties and after parties in various restaurants, bars, hotels and lounges around Manhattan. Catch, Goldbar and Liberty Hall at the Ace Hotel are only some of the backdrops for these bashes— others are held in smaller, more intimate venues. All parties are invitation-only, but don’t be afraid to ask the organizers at the screenings for one.
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IT’S SHOWTIME! Red carpet at the TFF; Jerry Lewis, Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro; Clint Eastwood with director Darren Aronofsky.
TIP: A er a screening, grab a table at Tiny’s, Bubby’s, Brushstroke or Locanda Verde for a bite to eat. “During the festival you never know who you are going to see at one of these places,” says voice-over actress and downtown local Rory Byrne. “You could end up eating tacos or sushi next to one of the biggest names in Hollywood.” SEE PAGE 138 FOR DETAILS ON INSPIRATO SIGNATURE STAYS.
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
CULTURE | F E S T I VA L C I R C U I T
WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?
ASPEN IDEAS FESTIVAL JUNE 24 JULY 3
A
spen has always had a reputation as a stellar ski town, but the first Aspen Ideas Festival, in 2005, put the city on the map as a global destination for big thinkers. The inaugural event, organized by the Aspen Institute, pulled together the likes of naturalist Jane Goodall, writer Toni Morrison, journalist Jim Lehrer and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos. Since then, the event has continued to attract speakers who can not only give a good talk, they can actually affect change in the world. Best of all, anybody can attend. This year the Institute will challenge its multidisciplined lineup of guests (formalized in late spring) to envision the world 20 years from now, under the theme “Imagining 2024.” Seminars and discussions include jobs of the future, climate change and America’s position in the world. And to help spark those conversations, talks and film screenings that touch on the theme will run throughout the day and
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
into the evening. “This is not the kind of event that people attend only to network,” says Kitty Boone, director of the festival and the Institute’s vice president of public programs. “This is for people who are thought leaders, civically interested, very curious and enthusiastic learners.” To back up that appeal, Boone points out that the price of admission allows participants to attend as many sessions as they wish. “We hope attendees take away one thing: a fresh perspective,” she says. “The more we listen, the more we appreciate the complexities of issues and the world around us, the better off we’ll be. The opportunity to think out loud with someone who may not agree with you can be invaluable. The key is opening your mind.”
MOUNTAIN HIGH Aspen’s Harris Concert Hall; Bill Clinton; Yo-Yo Ma on the bass.
TIP: A er the day’s programs wind down, the bar at the Hotel Jerome and Justice Snow’s, a cocktail bar and restaurant located in the former Wheeler Opera House building, heat up with casual conversations among both festival goers and speakers.
Based in Healdsburg, Calif. and London, England, Matt Villano writes about food, wine and travel.
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SEE PAGE 110 FOR DETAILS ON INSPIRATO’S SIGNATURE RESIDENCES IN ASPEN.
INSPIRATOMAGAZINE.COM
CARFIRMATION
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TIN MAN Balayn with a collection of his signature pieces.
POP ARTIST
PHILIPPE BALAYN The 52-year-old, self-trained artist uses papier-mâché to serve up a wry blend of old and new to create his signature pieces, three-dimensional canned sardines and other fish, all of which are peeking out of tins or buckets. The work is like Andy Warhol meets Alaska fish artist Ray Troll, a mash-up of mass-market culture with a piscine motif. “I always add some winks in my creations to keep the art enjoyable,” he says. “It could be a little childish, but I think that it’s important to put smiles in our life.” Balayn wasn’t always a professinal artist; The former Parisian turned to papier-mâché after a 20-year career in information technology for Compaq Computers. He loved his job, though he wanted a change. Finally, in 2006, it hit him: Why not focus on art full-time?
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When Balayn decided to switch careers, he embraced a subject and medium he had practiced frequently over the years: animals and papier-mâché, which was affordable and easy to work with. To add some humor, he fabricated a box to look like a sardine tin and had the fish popping out. Thus a professional meme was born. “You could say my work is very autobiographical,” he says. “Fishes who attempt to get out of the box are like me…a man with a need to get out of the box.” Balayn constructs roughly 50 commissioned and gallery pieces a year, showing his work in a handful of galleries across the Continent with pieces ranging in price from 500–3,000 Euro each. “People need optimistic art,” he says. “I am glad I am in a position to provide it.” M.V.
patricia balayn
HISTORY AND TRADITION REIGN SUPREME in the region of Provence, France, the first Roman province beyond the Alps, and a hotbed of old-school French winemaking, but thanks to Avignon artist Philippe Balayn, it’s becoming known for pop art as well.
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ring from the stella collection
new york
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FOOD & DRINK | KENTUCKY DISTILLED TO PERFECTION (Clockwise) Scenes from Maker’s Mark: the copper stills; the sample lineup; batch testing; vats of corn mash, bourbon’s key ingredient.
KENTUCKY GOLD
T KENTUCKY
“This is our country’s native spirit. Everyone in the states can lay claim to that,” says Chea Beckley, when asked about bourbon’s recent surge in popularity, not just in Louisville on Derby weekend, but nationwide. Beckley’s the restaurant manager at Louisville’s Proof on Main, the restaurant tucked into the chic boutique 21c Museum Hotel, where a room Derby weekend is almost as hard to score as a spot in the Churchill Downs starting gate. Craft cocktails, farm-to-table cuisine and contemporary art installations like deer heads in leather masks attract both travelers and hip locals to Proof. Also, it doesn’t hurt to have up to 80 bourbons behind the bar. The number depends on the time of year: Bourbons typically get released in the fall with a smaller release in the spring, and small batches often sell out in between. “Bourbons have also gotten a lot better over the years,” Beckley says. The craze for a $130 bottle of top-rated Pappy Van Winkle’s Family
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Reserve 20 Year, distilled by the third and fourth generation of Van Winkles at Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, has encouraged mass distillers to develop small batch, higher-quality bourbons. Typically, local guests at Proof know the bourbon they want, Beckley says. Maker’s Mark with its sweet notes, the smooth balanced Woodford Reserve and the sweet and spicy Johnny Drum are Proof’s best sellers, with Basil Hayden’s (spicy, but not overpowering) also a popular request. If you’re new to the spirit, Beckley suggests sampling a few types by ordering a flight of 10-year-olds. Another way to discover your bourbon of choice, of course, is to hit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. While there are formally eight distilleries on the official Trail that highlight Kentucky’s liquor heritage, let’s be honest, it’s the craft distillers that create some of the best. With that in mind, we cherry picked the ones to see on the Trail.
courtesy of david toczko/maker’s mark, inset: shutterstock
The two fastest things in Louisville on Derby weekend are the horses at Churchill Downs and the bourbons leaving the shelves at area bars and restaurants. by zach everson
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FOOD & DRINK | KENTUCKY
KENTUCKY
KENTUCKY’S FAVORITE
LOUISVILLE
FRANKFORT
LEXINGTON
I-64 I-65
CHURCHILL DOWNS
KY-127
KNOB CREEK WOODFORD RESERVE FOUR ROSES
KY-245 BARDSTOWN
KY-49
HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERIES BOURBON HERITAGE CENTER
top: courtesy of pappy van winkle; shutterstock
SOUTH MAKER’S MARK Heading south from Louisville on I-65, you’ll experience all the charm of an interstate for most of your drive to the Jim Beam American Stillhouse. But almost as soon as you’ve begun to take in the Kentucky countryside after turning off onto KY-245 South, a big white barn with the Jim Beam logo blazoned across is your GO EAST signal to turn left into the compound. The drive on I-64 from Louisville to the eastern distillYes, it’s a massive facility, producing the world’s most popular eries takes you into the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass bourbon, but you’re here to check out Beam’s small-batch Knob region. Turn south onto KY-151 for the winding drive Creek, where if you’re lucky, they’ll enlist your help to dump to Four Roses, which has one of the more interesting out a barrel or sterilize a bottle in a bourbon wash (cleaning it histories of the bourbons. Among America’s top sellers with water would alter its taste), place it back on the bottling in the 1930s through 1950s, it disappeared from the line and then buy that same bottle later after they etch your U.S. market in the 1960s, until a new owner fired up the name on it in appreciation for your help. distillery in 2002. Housed in a historic Spanish MisThen you’re back on KY-245 South for another 16 miles of sion-style spread, the bourbon has gone on to become a Kentucky countryside before coming into four-time winner of Whisky Magazine’s Bardstown. Taking the right onto North Whisky Distiller of the Year—America AT ANY GIVEN TIME, Third Street will bring you smack into award. MORE THAN 5 MILLION BARRELS the brick-laden downtown of Kentucky’s Of all the distilleries on this tour, second-oldest town, and a mainstay on many Woodford Reserve best represents OF BOURBON AND “best small towns in America” lists. OTHER WHISKEYS ARE Kentucky’s twin passions. It’s the official Every September, Bardstown hosts the sixAGING IN KENTUCKY bourbon of the Kentucky Derby and the faday Kentucky Bourbon Festival; regardless of cility itself, the self-proclaimed oldest and what time of year you’re visiting, its restaurants and shops are smallest working distillery, used to stable racehorses. worth a detour. The casual New American Circa is in the city’s Woodford is also the bourbon used in the oldest stone house, while Hadorn’s Bakery is the place to go for $1,000-a-glass mint julep prepared and only sold at the a quick morning pastry (try their doughnuts). Derby (the ingredients change each year but have inA 2-mile drive from downtown Bardstown, the Heaven Hill cluded gold-filtered mineral water, Turkish mint grown Distilleries Bourbon Heritage Center showcases the counnear the Euphrates and ice from the Arctic Circle). The try’s largest independent family-owned bourbon producer. The distillery’s tour features the longest barrel run in the distiller of Evan Williams and Elijah Craig offers a three-hour United States, where the barrels travel from the distillery appointment-only Behind the Scenes Tour that includes barrel to the warehouse, and the only copper pot stills used in filling, dumping, warehousing and bottling operations and a bourbon distillery, the traditional means for distilling bourbon tastings for a full-sensory experience. small-batch bourbon. Head due south on the windy KY-49, passing cows, horses Beyond bourbon, Woodford serves up delicious and tobacco barns on the way to the scenic home of Maker’s farm-to-table dishes from April through October when Mark Distillery. Get out of your car and you’ll notice the smell chef-in-residence Ouita Michel, a four-time James Beard resembles a bakery. That’s for good reason: Maker’s Mark uses Foundation Best Chef: Southeast nominee, prepares her a red winter wheat, which gives it a sweet flavor. “The world’s legendary Picnics on the Porch. oldest operating bourbon whiskey distillery” (according to the Guinness Book of Records) is home to America’s only handmade Louisville-based writer Zach Everson writes for The Wall bourbon whiskey, so says Maker’s. And while the fermentation Street Journal and USA Today and never turns down a room contains some of the only wooden vats still in use at a chance to drink Pappy Van Winkle. bourbon distillery, it’s the gift shop that’s the major attraction: You can dip the top of your own bottle of Maker’s into *SEE PAGE 176 FOR DETAILS ON INSPIRATO’S KENTUCKY its iconic red wax sealer. DERBY SIGNATURE TICKET EVENT.
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When asked where in town to find a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year, a near-mythical bourbon that’s aged at least 20 years before bottling and can fetch more than $1,000 a bottle at auction, Louisville’s Chea Beckley answers with, “Chicago.” A fair amount of Louisville restaurants carry it though. Call first; just because it’s on a drink menu doesn’t mean they’ll have a bottle of it on hand, and even if it is in stock, it doesn’t mean the restaurant will sell it to you: The New York Times reported that a Louisville steakhouse refused to dip into its Pappy stash even for the CEO of Buffalo Trace, the distillery where Pappy’s is made.
BOURBON AND THE KENTUCKY DERBY Its history doesn’t go back quite as far as bourbon, but for 140 years, Louisville has been home to the Kentucky Derby. Other than the horses, locals associate the first Saturday in May with mint juleps, the cocktail made from bourbon, crushed mint leaves, sugar and water. Churchill Downs estimates it sells 120,000 of the cool drinks over Derby weekend.
BOURBON 101 All bourbons are whiskeys, not all whiskeys are bourbons. By federal law, bourbon must be: • Produced in the United States • Made from a grain mixture that’s at least 51 percent corn • Nothing but water, grain and yeast can be added to it • Aged in new, charred-oak barrels • Distilled to between 80 to 160 proof
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
FOOD & DRINK | KENTUCKY
LOUISVILLE SLUGGERS
THE BEST POURS FROM THE BLUEGRASS STATE
PAPPY VAN WINKLE
BLANTON’S
Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery (in collaboration with Buffalo Trace) One sip and you’ll understand the craze for this balanced, wheat bourbon with hints of caramel, vanilla and fruit— and why someone stole 195 bottles of it last fall from the warehouse.
Buffalo Trace Distillery The bourbon from Blanton’s Original Single Barrel carries a deep nose of nutmeg, vanilla, honey and caramel. Even better, track down a bottle of Blanton’s Gold Edition for its sharp taste and long finish with hints of toffee and apple, but only sold internationally or in U.S. dutyfree shops.
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ANGEL’S ENVY CASK STRENGTH
JEFFERSON’S CHEF’S COLLABORATION
JIM BEAM EAM DEVIL’S CCUT STRAIGHT GHT BOURBON
Louisville Distilling Co. Created by Lincoln Henderson, who previously developed Woodford Reserve, among others, Angel’s Envy’s limited Cask Strength release was ranked “best spirit in the world” by Spirit Journal.
Jefferson’s Reserve While not technically bourbon, this balanced blend of two bourbons with a 14-year-old rye came from a collaboration between Jefferson’s master blender, Trey Zoeller, and Louisville’s 610 Magnolia chef/owner Edward Lee.
Jim Beam Distillery A proprietary prietary process pulls p out thee rich whiskey tr trapped inside the barrels’ wood a er they’ree empt emptied, ages it and then blends it with a 6-year-old bourbo bourbon to make this new elixir. ixir. The result has a full-bodied oak flavor unlike anything else.
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EAGLEE RARE 17 YEAR 17 YEAR OLD Buffalo o Trace Distille Distillery Wine Enthusiastt rated E Eagle Rare 17’s 7’s delicate, dry ta taste and “very ery long” finish a 96 9 out of 100. ‘Nuff said.
top: courtesy of proof on main/glint studios (3)
If your Derby itinerary is short on time, Louisville offers plenty of bourbontasting distractions that don’t involve travel. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience located on Whiskey Row honors the man who opened the first commercial distillery in the state. Or spend an evening sampling one of the 50 to 150 bourbons available on the Urban Bourbon Trail. Another option: set up at Proof on Main (pictured here). Located inside 21c Museum Hotel, which doubles as a contemporary art gallery, Proof on Main’s 80-bottle collection of rare and premium hooch from around the country offers drinkers the chance to compare notes and finishes with our selection of Kentucky’s finest bourbon whiskeys (see below).
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FOOD & DRINK
Cap’n Jack’s Hope Town “There’s nothing like taking a speed boat to a downand-dirty music bar on the harbor. We ended up there most days on a recent vacation to Hope Town with a group of friends from Los Angeles. This place is all about the casual vibe—and great margaritas.”
MIAMI The Dutch at W South Beach/ The Raleigh Pool Bar 2201 Collins Ave/ 1775 Collins Ave “My brother-inlaw David is the developer of the W South Beach so I’ve been a regular at The Dutch since it opened. I can’t get enough of their oyster sandwiches. Plus, it’s good to know I can always get in. Recently, David took over The Raleigh. There’s nothing like relaxing with a mojito at their iconic pool bar.”
PARIS Chez Georges
SUPER FOODS Designer John Varvatos fuels his global travels with a treasured list of go-to eats. Thanks to his association with Iggy Pop and Willie Nelson, New York-based John Varvatos and his eponymous fashion line have become synonymous with rock-n-roll icnonoclasts. In fact, he wrote the book on it, John Varvatos: Rock in Fashion, released last fall. With stores and celebrity customers around the world, travel comes with the job, and for Varvatos, that means the chance to revisit his favorite restaurants in Europe and the tropics. On a break from working on his next collection, he shared his most memorable dishes with Inspirato. J E F F M I L L E R
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1, rue du Mail “A true classic bistro in every sense. My wife and I never miss a visit on our trips to Paris and always get the foie gras. My wife claims their veal kidneys can’t be beat, but I can’t vouch for that. I’m not as adventurous as she is!”
NEW YORK Lure Fishbar 142 Mercer St “This is my go-to NYC SoHo restaurant. It has consistently fantastic food and a nice crowd. I’m very good friends with co-owner, John McDonald, and executive chef Josh Capon. There’s
nothing on the menu that I don’t love, and the sushi is exceptional. If you need some peace and quiet (not easy to find in SoHo) tell John you want the back room.”
CHIANTI, ITALY Il Papavero Barbischio, 15, Gaiole “Driving through the hills of Chianti years ago with my wife we stumbled into the medieval hilltop hamlet of Barbischio and this restaurant, located in a charming rustic stone cottage. They served us amazing traditional food made slowly with a lot of love—I had fresh pasta with braised beef that melted in my mouth.”
FLORENCE, ITALY Zeb Via San Miniato, 2r. 50125 “I have an office in Florence and think of it as my home away from home. I love many restaurants in the city, but the winner for me is Zeb. Whatever the owners, a mother and son, put on the table for the evening is simply incredible. On my most recent visit it was a delicious pasta with truffles.”
LONDON Tamarind 20 Queen St “It’s here where I go for my Indian [food] fix on my frequent trips to London. Best I’ve had anywhere. The food is so beautifully presented you hate to ruin it with the first bite. The lobster masala is worth a trip on its own right; slightly sweet, very savory, and the spice hits you at the end.”
varvatos: richard phibbs. book: mick rock. the dutch: noah fecks
ABACO, BAHAMAS
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FA C E S | S C O T T S D A L E , A R I Z O N A
THE CLEAN TEAM Herbalists and Herb Stop owners, Breitler and Hajdu-Voakes.
SKIN SAVIORS
LEILAH BREITLER & NATALIE HAJDU-VOAKES Breitler, a Swiss-born pharmacy assistant and apothecary, launched the business in Phoenix in 1992. A decade later, she traded the Valley of the Sun’s heat for the cooler temps of Pine, a mountain town roughly 90 miles north of Scottsdale. The move produced space for the company’s on-site product manufacturing, herbal certification classes, apprenticeship program, personal consultations and thousands of products for sale in the store. Unable to keep up with the expansion, Breitler brought in Hajdu-Voakes as president, tapping into her experience as a certified family herbalist, spectro-chrome therapist, reiki practitioner and, if we’re getting personal, strict raw vegan. Despite the shop’s growing mini empire, Hajdu-Voakes has kept the Herb Stop anchored to its cruelty-free, PETA-approved roots. “We try to buy everything from companies that have had their
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products tested—jojoba oil, chaparral, mullein—and make sure it comes from a reliable place, often local,” she says. That philosophy and the quality of its products has made Herb Stop the go-to source for skincare needs at several upscale spas throughout Arizona, including The Saguaro Spa in Scottsdale, which stocks their luscious prickly pear scrub, and the Montelucia Resort & Spa, for which Hajdu-Voakes created an exclusive hammam soap for its Turkish baths. For the Herb Stop’s most exotic creams, soaps and lotions such as Cascading Emotional Cleanser and Tantric Spice Mix (“It’s for cooking,” claims Hajdu-Voakes), head to their store in Pine. One thing you won’t find in their store? Healing crystals. “We try not to take the new-age route,” Hajdu-Voakes says. “We take the health route.” KATY LINDENMUTH
studio no 5, sottsdale, az
TUCKED AWAY IN THE RUGGED MOUNTAINS above Scottsdale, Ariz., is a stash of more than 2,000 solutions to life’s worries and ailments. Herbal experts Leilah Breitler and Natalie Hajdu-Voakes, the mother-daughter team behind their company the Herb Stop, have concocted every all-natural product imaginable—from immunity-boosting teas to essential oils to mineral-based makeups.
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© PADULO PRIVÉ 2014
PHOTOGRAPHY JEAN-CLAUDE LUSSIER
ART DIRECTOR TONY FERRARA
SPORTING LIFE | SPRING GOLF
HOT LINKS
Warm-weather courses that bring the heat and must be played in your lifetime
by joe passov
Dorado Beach Resort (East Course) DORADO, PUERTO RICO
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aster architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. created the concept of a “heroic” hole, differentiated from “strategic” or “penal” design as something between the two. Jones defined such a hole as one that demands a heroic carry or gamble for the better player to get in position for a birdie (or eagle), but one that leaves an option for the lesser player to take the safe route. Jones’ ultimate expression of a heroic hole is his 481-yard, par-5 4th at Dorado Beach Resort’s East Course. Recently given a facelift by Jones’ oldest son, Bobby, the 4th
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has returned to its 50-year-old glory days when Sam Snead and Jimmy Demaret helped capture the 1961 Canada (now World) Cup Matches there and when Jack Nicklaus called it, “one of the 10 best holes in the world.” With a drive that flirts with a lake on the left, an approach that tangles with tall coconut palms and another lake on the right, and the Atlantic Ocean beckoning behind the green, the risk/reward 4th lives up to the hype. SEE PAGE 118 FOR DETAILS ON INSPIRATO’S SIGNATURE RESIDENCES.
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SPORTING LIFE | SPRING GOLF
Mauna Kea Golf Course KOHALA COAST, BIG ISLAND, HAWAII
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n 1960, the man developing the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Laurance S. Rockefeller (yes, of those Rockefellers) prowled the dark lava landscape he had in mind for his resort’s golf course alongside the dean of modern architecture, Robert Trent Jones Sr. As Rockefeller surveyed the cactus-flecked, desert-like terrain, he asked Jones if a golf course could be built. After some experimenting, Jones answered in the affirmative. The mudrock (volcanic stone) could be crushed and was actually quite porous. It could indeed be used as a soil base. The discovery allowed nearly a dozen courses to be built on the Kohala Coast over the next 40 years. The best of them, however, remains the original at Mauna Kea. Inspirato offers lodging within the Hualalai resort community, which possesses two of the Big Island’s best lava-lined courses and is near more oceanside fairway
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splendor at Mauna Lani. Still, it’s Mauna Kea, just to the north, that tops them all, partly for its rugged, hilly, 7,370yard journey; partly for its renovated greens and deepened bunkers, the work performed in 2008 by Trent Jones’ son, Rees; but mostly for its jaw-dropping, gargantuan par-3 3rd hole. Stretching 272 yards from its tiny, isolated back tee set into 5,000-year-old black lava rock, this unparalleled one-shotter demands a career shot over crashing Pacific surf to a huge green ringed with a necklace of bunkers. Nearly 50 years ago, in December 1964, Jack Nicklaus downed top rivals Arnold Palmer and Gary Player over four rounds in the nationally televised Big Three match. Afterwards Nicklaus called Mauna Kea, “the most fun golf course I’ve ever played.” Jack, I can tell you that it’s still really fun. SEE PAGE 127 FOR DETAILS ON INSPIRATO’S SIGNATURE RESIDENCES.
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
SPORTING LIFE | SPRING GOLF
Harbour Town Golf Links HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA
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ilton Head has beckoned vacationers since 1960 or so, but it wasn’t until 1969 that it took its exalted place among golf destinations. It was all due to Harbour Town, where Jack Nicklaus, serving as co-designer with Pete Dye, made his first foray into big-time course architecture. The PGA Tour staged a November event in 1969 and both tournament and course were judged roaring successes. It didn’t hurt that another future designer, Arnold Palmer, won that first event with a hardfought, 1-under-par total. Situated 15 minutes away from Inspirato’s Hilton Head property, Harbour Town is a bewitching brew of dark lagoons, flat, narrow fairways framed by moss-festooned live oaks, tiny greens and bunkers shored with railroad ties. The emphasis here is on strategy and
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
placement, which explains why brilliant ball strikers such as Johnny Miller, Tom Watson and Payne Stewart won here twice each and why Davis Love III owns five trophies from the Heritage Classic. To win, all of them had to survive the fabled 472-yard, par-4 18th, one of golf ’s “must-play” holes. To the left are the breeze-fueled salt marshes of Calibogue (pronounced “Cali-bogey”) Sound. To the right, trees, condos and out of bounds. In the distance looms Harbour Town’s most enduring symbol, a candy cane-striped lighthouse, along with a luxury boat-filled marina. Spring in the lowcountry is a special time of the year, and a round at Harbour Town is a perfect a way to experience it. SEE PAGE 123 FOR DETAILS ON INSPIRATO’S SIGNATURE RESIDENCES.
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SPORTING LIFE | SPRING GOLF
Cabo del Sol (Ocean Course) CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO
INSPIRATOMAGAZINE.COM
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romotional hyperbole may have influenced Cabo del Sol’s designer, Jack Nicklaus, to trumpet its closing trio as “the three finest finishing holes in golf,” but after you’ve played them, it’s hard to argue with the Golden Bear. The Scottsdale-by-the-sea setting at the southern tip of Baja, within 10 miles of more than a dozen Inspirato residences, combines cactus, mountain and ocean in a delightful—and slightly surreal—package. This 1994 seaside/desert design features newly redone back-to-back par-3s along the Sea of Cortez on the front nine and the aforementioned finish that sandwiches two demanding, dramatic par-4s around the unforgettable 178-yard, par3 17th. From a clifftop tee, the 17th calls for an all-or-nothing shot over a wave-splashed sandy cove and rugged rock outcroppings, with cactus-covered hills and the turquoise-blue
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sea forming a compelling backdrop. A fistful of the world’s elite golfers have trod the fairways, including Hall-of-Famer Raymond Floyd, who won the PGA Tour’s Senior Slam here in 1995. Dr. Gil Morgan broke Floyd’s course record when he captured the Senior Slam in 1998, on rounds of 66-68, beating Hale Irwin by six shots. However, locals still talk about April 12, 1996, when Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino dueled in a televised Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf match. With highs in March averaging 75 degrees and lows only in the 60s, frost is the last thing you’ll encounter this spring. An icy margarita might be the first though—ordered on the Courtyard Bar at the Clubhouse’s terrace overlooking the sea. SEE PAGE 132 FOR DETAILS ON INSPIRATO’S SIGNATURE RESIDENCES.
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
SPORTING LIFE | SPRING GOLF
Cap Cana Resort (Punta Espada Course) PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
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n explosion of heralded golf courses has turned the Dominican Republic from a one-trick golf pony (Casa de Campo’s wonderful Teeth of the Dog course) into a paradise of seaside links. Among the most remarkable of the recent designs is Tom Fazio’s Corales Golf Course at Puntacana Resort & Club. The mostly private Corales course is accessible to guests of the Punta Cana Resort (including Inspirato members) and community residents, who include designers Oscar de la Renta and Bunny Williams and singer Julio Iglesias. Stylish bunkers, mature palms, scattered lakes and a closing trio of jaw-dropping holes along the sea are highlights. As superb as Corales is, the nearby Punta Espada Golf Club at Cap Cana is even more spectacular. This 2006 Jack Nicklaus design incorporates oceanfront bluffs, beaches and jungle in
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
its memorable 7,400-yard journey through a slice of Domincan Republic teeming with wildlife, from an iguanafilled cave to the left of the first fairway to native roosters that strut around like they own the place. What most crow about, however, is Punta Espada’s 13th hole, a beautiful brute of 250 yards that plays directly over the Caribbean Sea. Mortals can utilize a short-right bailout area—but you didn’t fly this far to lay up—and neither did Fred Couples who not only conquered the 13th, but the other 17 holes as well, when he beat out Corey Pavin to win a Champions Tour event at Cap Cana in 2010. See if you can do the same. SEE PAGE 145 FOR DETAILS ON INSPIRATO’S SIGNATURE RESIDENCES.
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SPORTING LIFE | SPRING GOLF
The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort KIAWAH ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA
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s iconic images in golf go, none so perfectly captures the agony of defeat as Bernhard Langer’s anguished grimace at the 1991 Ryder Cup. Amid suffocating pressure, the German star had just missed a 6-foot putt on the final green at Kiawah’s Ocean Course to hand the U.S. team victory in the fabled “War by the Shore” match. Not so glum was Rory McIlroy, who manhandled this notoriously difficult Pete Dye design at the 2012 PGA Championship, romping to an eight-shot win over the best in the world. Whether you match Rory’s final-round score of 66, or shoot 106, your emotions will likely run more to Rory-like glee, rather than Langer-like misery—purely for the setting alone. Filled with tranquil lowcountry charm amid live oaks, wavy golden grasses and strong sea breezes, Kiawah’s Ocean course is lovely, but lethal. A blend of tidal marsh carries, scrub-topped dunes and undulating greens pair with 7,356 muscular yards to form a relentless mix of beauty and brawn. Dye’s masterpiece was the fourth course at Kiawah and was finished specifically to host the Ryder Cup. While Dye has softened the greens and their surrounds over the years, the Ocean Course remains among the toughest tests in the country. If you find yourself overwhelmed, you can always retreat to the Ryder Cup Bar at the clubhouse, overlooking the Atlantic and regroup. SEE PAGE 126 FOR DETAILS ON INSPIRATO’S
erin o’boyle
SIGNATURE RESIDENCES.
Joe Passov golfs around the world as the golf course architecture editor for GOLF magazine. He lives and hones his game in Phoenix, Arizona.
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INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
SWING O SHIFT
The TaylorMade SLDR Driver
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
n Day 2 of the Presidents Cup in October 2013, Phil Mickelson decided to put his usual driver in his bag. Observers at Muirfield Village Golf Club were shocked. The club he put into play was TaylorMade’s new SLDR ($400). That Mickelson is a confirmed Callaway man, with a lucrative contract, should tell you all you need to know about how quickly this driver has impacted the PGA Tour. Released in August last year, the 460cc SLDR (“slider,” for those in the know), impressed slugger Dustin Johnson immediately. “My first swing with it was Monday at the (British) Open Championship,”
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said Johnson. “The look, sound and distance were incredible. I’ve never put a new driver into play so fast, and never at a major.” A critical innovation on the SLDR is a large, easy to manipulate 20gram sliding weight on the front sole of the club. Moving the weight along a track toward either the heel or the toe assists golfers in creating draws and fades on command. Of greater significance, however, is the clubhead’s center of gravity (CG) location, which is placed lower and forward compared to other TaylorMade drivers. This construction promotes a high launch angle, lower spin rate and faster ball speed, which
adds up to maximum distance. A 12-position rotating hosel that TaylorMade calls its “loft-sleeve technology” allows users to adjust the effective loft up to 1.5 degrees. As such, driver lofts are higher. Justin Rose, the U.S. Open champion, went from 8.5 degrees of loft to 9.5 when he switched. Former British Open winner Stewart Cink changed from 10.5 degrees to 12. TaylorMade has been a headline-maker for several years with its RocketBallz and R1 lines. With its new, wildly successful SLDR, the bar has moved higher yet again. See if it moves your game up a notch as well. —J.P.
courtesty of taylormade
SPORTING LIFE | SPRING GOLF
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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.
FA C E S | H I LT O N H E A D , S O U T H C A R O L I N A
HEAD SWINGER
DOUG WEAVER Upon graduating from Furman University in Greenville, S.C., the young standout golfer grappled with the prospect of going pro. The problem? His new home was too much fun. “I didn’t go pro because I was loving my life in Hilton Head so much,” he says. “I was fishing, crabbing, golfing, playing tennis—enjoying all the amenities, year-round.” But after some prodding from his now-wife Trish, Weaver did give the PGA tour a try. His career highlight came at the 1989 U.S. Open at the Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y. when he made history by being the first of four golfers to hit an ace on the same hole. Never able to advance beyond the two U.S. Opens he appeared in, Weaver settled back in Hilton Head and found a new calling. As Palmetto Dunes’ director of golf instruction, he draws on his successes and failures daily.
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
“I see in my clients the same struggles that I had and still do,” he says. “I try to really connect with them, ask them why they’re fearful or doubtful, and build them up in a sincere way.” Through his lessons, Weaver teaches students not just how to play golf—the mechanics and etiquette—but how to enjoy golf, reminding his clients that the game can serve as a gateway to a better understanding of one’s place in the world. “My clients come with the understanding that they’re going to leave my golf experience as better employees, better citizens, better husbands and wives—better people,” he claims. You could call the transformation becoming “Weaver-ized.” K.L.
GOLF GURU Weaver on the course at Palmetto Dunes.
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mark staff
AT THE SPRAWLING PALMETTO DUNES OCEANFRONT Resort in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, tucked inside the golf course clubhouse, resides the spiritual head of Hilton Head, Doug Weaver. The 54-year-old former PGA pro, now golf instructor at the resort, has called this barrier island in the South home for more than 30 years.
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ADVENTURE | BRI T I S H V IR GIN I S L A NDS
CARIBBEAN UNFURLED
Every year the British Virgin Islands host the Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, a raucous combination of racing, cruising and rum-based painkillers.
by pete mcdonald
On the morning of Friday, April 4, the waters of the Sir Francis Drake Channel, which runs through the heart of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), will be teaming with cruiser-racer and bareboat sailboats, all waiting for the blast of an air horn and wave of a flag that signals the start of the 43rd Annual BVI Spring Regatta. The captains aboard the boats will have their sails set and bows pointed to cross the starting line and gracefully carve through the Caribbean’s stunning cobalt waters. Several races will stretch over the next three days but for many, the fun starts five days earlier at Nanny Cay Marina on Tortola when the 12th annual Sailing Festival begins and the party scene kicks into gear, fueled by a generous helping of painkillers, the signature rum-based drink of the BVI. As sailing events go, the regatta and festival may just be the most democratic and accessible in the world. It has something for everyone from America’s Cup and Olympic sailors to neophytes who want to give competitive sailing a try and even for people just looking to enjoy those painkillers and hitch a ride on a boat. The attraction: The BVI’s geography makes it a veritable theme park for the sailing set.
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BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
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william anthony/photo.vi
ADVENTURE | BRI T I S H V IR GIN I S L A NDS
INSPIRATOMAGAZINE.COM
POINT TAKEN Boats make their way around Frenchmans Cay on the western end of Tortola.
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INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
ADVENTURE | BRI T I S H V IR GIN I S L A NDS
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
WARM WATER, HOT SAILING
T
he British Virgin Islands’ archipelago consists of 60-odd islands nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, about 70 miles east of Puerto Rico. Christopher Columbus came across this collection of long-dormant volcano remnants in 1493. Notorious pirates such as Sir Francis Drake, Blackbeard and Black Sam Bellamy, credited with capturing 53 ships in his day, all sought refuge in the numerous coves and anchorages hidden throughout the BVI during their careers. Fast forward to 1972 when members of the BVI Hotel and Tourist Association decided to put on a regatta to bolster the growing recreational sailing community. One of them, Peter Haycraft, served as the regatta’s chairman for 25 years and has the distinction of sailing in every race to date. It started off small, consisting of roughly 20 boats; mostly tiny one- or two-person boats such as Squibs and Sunfish racing between islands over the course of a weekend. This year more than 3,000 people will flock to the Sir Francis Drake Channel for the Regatta and Sailing Festival, with 125 boats expected to participate. What draws them? Phenomenal sailing in an incomparable setting. “We’re very fortunate to have constant trade winds and fair seas,” says Judy Petz, director of the BVI Spring Regatta. In late March and early April, when it’s still frigid in much of the northern hemisphere, the BVI enjoys days with temperatures
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in the 80s (F), but the sea breeze keeps it comfortable. That same breeze blows steady through the islands, which form a protective circle around the waters between St. John to the west, Tortola to the north, Virgin Gorda to the east, and a string of close-together islands to the south. The Drake Channel, a deepwater straight that’s roughly nine miles long and four miles wide, runs between Tortola and the southern chain and bisects the territory. In all, the BVI offers nearly 60 square miles of nautical paradise. For the week of March 31 through April 6, the spiritual home of island sailing sets up on the docks of Nanny Cay Marina, just west of Tortola’s main city, Road Town. By 6 p.m. on that Monday, the docks will be shaking from the good vibrations of a reggae backbeat, as the first Mount Gay Welcome Party kick-starts the week’s festivities. On Tuesday morning you can participate in the Round Tortola Race, which doesn’t earn points in the regatta but is a cherished part of the weeklong festival. Boats that enter are trying to win the Nanny Cay Challenge for the fastest sailing time around the island. (The current record is 3 hours, 29 minutes, 41 seconds.) There’s another “pre-race” race for fun on Wednesday that ends in a beach barbecue. On Friday, with the start of that first official regatta race, it’s game on.
from bottom: shutterstock; william anthony/photo.vi
PRO DEAL Team Sintez charging through the Sir Francis Drake Channel during the Spring Regatta.
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ADVENTURE | BRI T I S H V IR GIN I S L A NDS
OUTWARD BOUND Boats heading out from the start at Nanny Cay Marina on Tortola.
CAPTAIN OF YOUR OWN BOAT Several reputable companies
com, a leading authority on
will provide bareboat charters
yacht charters.
for the regatta, but two
provide crewed race boats,
The Moorings. There are races
including Northrop and
specifically for the bareboat
Johnson Charters out of
class so participants won’t go
Newport Rhode Island.
head to head with world-class
Carolyn Titus, the company’s
competitive sailors.
yacht charter manager,
william anthony/photo.vi
But what if you don’t know
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Several charter companies
notable ones are Sunsail and
has extensive racing
your bow from your transom?
experience that includes
“If you don’t have any racing
the BVI Spring Regatta and
experience you can go to a
a win at the prestigious St.
broker and arrange a boat
Maarten Heineken Regatta,
outfitted for racing, complete
and can match a crew
with its own crew,” advices
to your experience and
Kim Kavin, from CharterWave.
competitiveness.
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
ADVENTURE | BRI T I S H V IR GIN I S L A NDS
SAILING’S CARIBBEAN OPEN
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deavor, and you can bring along some of your own crew and participate as much as you want, from learning how to work the sails and man the tiller to simply moving from one side of the boat to the other to maintain the proper keel angle (the way the boat leans as it glides through the water). Depending on the boat’s size, a crew consists of anywhere from two to 22 people. If you don’t want to charter an entire boat, there are ways to sign up to be a part of someone else’s crew, with spots available for any skill level from novice to expert. After the last race on Sunday, everyone makes their way over to Regatta Village on the beach at Nanny Cay for the awards ceremony where the winners pick up their trophies and relive their experiences, while the revelers try to remember theirs. With first-, second- and third-place prizes given out for all 16 classes, there’s plenty of love to go around, starting with the winners who pick up bottles of champagne or top-shelf rum and quickly disseminate it to their crews. It may be the only time all week where a captain’s shout, “Bottom’s up!” is met with a cheer instead of fear. Pete McDonald is the deputy editor of Boating magazine and the author of The Blitz: Fly Fishing The Atlantic Migration.
william anthony/photo.vi
ortunately, you don’t even have to know your spinnaker from your jib to take part in the BVI Spring Regatta. “There are all kinds of people involved, from Olympic and America’s Cup competitors to people who have never been on a boat before,” Petz says, going on to point out that the event has drawn competitors from as many as 17 different countries including the U.S., Canada, Italy, China and Croatia. In all, there are 16 classes of boats that race in three different areas throughout the islands. Because the water is so protected—and land is almost always on the horizon—sailors rarely find themselves in adverse situations. Experienced sailors without their own vessel typically charter a raceready bareboat, which is the equivalent of renting a car from the airport: You pick it up, sail off and return it when you’re done. It’s a family sailboat, with no crew or captain provided, and no spinnakers (the big billowy sails that are used to sail downwind). Most charters start on Tortola, the most populous island and the home of the international airport. “The BVI is a great place to try your first regatta,” Petz says. “It’s very relaxed and many of the boats are a lot smaller, maybe 40–50 feet.” With an experienced captain, it’s a safer en-
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ADVENTURE | BRI T I S H V IR GIN I S L A NDS
The Drink:
THE PAINKILLER If there’s a common theme coursing through the waters of the BVI, it’s, “have a good time, all the time.” The most famous way to do that is by enjoying a painkiller. Legend has it that the drink originated at the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke, and while no bartender reveals his exact recipe, here’s what goes into it. 2 oz. dark rum 1 oz. cream of coconut 4 oz. pineapple juice 1 oz. orange juice Stir and pour over ice. Sprinkle nutmeg on top.
The Get:
THE MOUNT GAY HAT Each Mount Gay baseball cap starts off bright red but a er a few years of hard use in the sun, the hats weather and turn pink. A faded one imparts veteran sailor status on the wearer, as that person had to earn it sailing in a race. Yep, technically you can’t buy a red hat; you have to compete in a Mount Gay-sponsored
HOLE SHOT Sopers Hole and Frenchman’s Cay on the south side of Tortola.
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regatta. And even then you are rewarded with one only a er the race is over.
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ADVENTURE | BRI T I S H V IR GIN I S L A NDS
AT LANT IC
NORTH SOUND
OCEAN VIRGIN GORDA
JOST VAN DYKE
TORTOLA WHITE BAY
AIRPORT
ROAD TOWN
GREAT HARBOR
NANNY CAY
S E I C AG N A SS R A F P R I KE S A THE R BATHS D
B R I T I S H V I R G I N I S L A N D S
FRENCHMAN’S CAY WRECK OF THE RHONE
ST. JO H N
C ARI BBEA N S EA
PETER ISLAND
( U. S . V I R G I N I S L A N D S )
NORMAN ISLAND
SAILOR’S PARADISE
T
he same characteristics that make the BVI ideal for a regatta make it easy for newbies to give cruising a try. For one, it’s hard to get lost. “It’s mostly line of sight sailing,” says Bob Friel, the former editor in chief of Caribbean Travel & Life magazine about the friendly confines of the Drake Passage. “It works for sailors of any experience level.” “Every day you’ve got a pretty straight forward plan,” Friel says. “You wake up in a gorgeous anchorage with a beach bar and sail to another gorgeous anchorage with a beach bar.” Many charter companies such as Palm Yacht Charters offer three-day sailboat charters that give you a taste of the island cruising life. Or opt for a day-cruise outing that involves
2 MILES
snorkeling, island hopping and a stop at a popular restaurant or beach bar. The bars of the BVI are stuff of legend, starting with the Soggy Dollar Bar in White Bay on Jost Van Dyke. Set back from the white sand beach in a canopy of palm trees, the Soggy Dollar earned its name from patrons paying for their drinks with wet money from swimming in or falling off their dinghies—there’s no dock so you have to anchor off the beach. The Soggy Dollar lays claim as the home of the original painkiller. Just around the corner in Great Harbour, there’s Foxy’s Bar. The key is to go in the daytime and hope the legendary proprietor, Foxy Callwood, is performing. Callwood has called himself the laziest man on earth, but his bar and musical performances have attained cult status. “He’s the most famous raconteur in the BVI and will make
up a song about you and your crew on the spot,” Friel says. Those lucky enough to earn an original composition leave with some of the same sailing street cred attained from a weathered Mount Gay hat. If bar-hopping BVI style isn’t your style, book one of the best dives in the entire Caribbean, the wreck of the Rhone, a British mail ship that sunk during a hurricane in 1867. Pirate enthusiasts and literary types can investigate Norman Island, the place that reputedly inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to write Treasure Island. Or cruise over to the natural wonder of The Baths on Virgin Gorda, where giant boulders along the beach trap secluded pools of water. And there’s the Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda, perhaps the most well known sailing destination in the BVI with its sheltered North Sound, an ideal playground for small boats.
SPA: At Serenity Spa inside Sopers Hole Marina, they’ll pamper you with everthing from massages and facials to yoga and acupuncture.
MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME Begin, or wrap up, your BVI sailing adventure at one of two Signature Residences on Tortola’s West End. Ocean views beckon from the wraparound deck at the 5-bedroom, 10,000-square foot Frenchman’s Lookout. For more intimate parties, chose Frenchman’s Paradise, a 3,000-square foot, 3-bedroom retreat nestled in the hills above Frenchman’s Cay. Both homes feature private pools and easy access to several of the BVI’s pristine white sand beaches.
Tortola
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N
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT INSPIRATO’S TORTOLA SIGNATURE RESIDENCES, TURN TO PAGE 161.
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Jill Neumann’s list Personal Vacation Advisor BEACH: The best is going to be the sugar-white sand and aqua-blue waters of Cane Garden Bay on Tortola. EAT: You can’t beat the local flavors of the Banana Keet Café located in the hills above Cane Garden Bay.
DAY TRIP: Hop over to Virgin Gorda and explore The Baths, a collection of giant boulders along the beach. It’s the BVI’s signature natural wonder and photo op. May 23–25, 2014 THE BVI MUSIC FESTIVAL Big-time Caribbean artists such as Claudette Peters and Gramps Morgan take the beachfront stage along Cane Garden Bay.
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Inspired by the elements. Universal Elements by Wood-Mode. Scan the QR code to view more photos from this collection.
wood-mode.com
Š2014 Wood-Mode, Inc.
14WDMD003-01-112903-1
STYLE & DESIGN | GADGETS
SIGHTS + SOUNDS Compact, studio-quality gear that can travel. by john patrick pullen
T
POWER BALL
ake your party anywhere you go. Harmon Kardon’s Onyx ($499) is a volleyball-sized speaker that delivers a sensory tour de force. Camouflaged under its cloth-covered grill are four drivers pumping out crisp audio, backed by two, 3-inch woofers for deep base and a pair of 3/4-inch tweeters for clear high-frequency sound.
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
Grab its stainless steel handle and move it where you want, then connect it wirelessly to the music on your iPhone or Android phone for eight hours of nonstop beats. Helping matters is the Onyx’s secret sauce, a so leather backside that adds richness to the sound—and produces a speaker that’s as much a high-end showpiece as it is a complete sound system.
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STYLE & DESIGN | GADGETS
IMMERSE YOURSELF
T
hankfully, Aëdle, maker of the premium VK-1 Headphones ($380), opted for understated elegance and luxury, not DJ bling. The on-ear cups are loaded with 40-millimeter drivers and high-end transducers made of a titanium diaphragm and
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neodymium magnet, wrapped in ultraso , lambskin cushions. The exterior is fashioned from brushed, aircra -grade aluminum, and the headband is formfitting liquid silicon wrapped in supple lambskin. Looks aside, the VK-1’s true beauty shines when the music’s on. Pouring
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out dark, velvety tones alongside crystal clear mid-range notes, these headphones are designed for music’s most discerning fans. Bonus: The VK-1’s high-quality touch extends to its audio cable; the aramid fiber-wrapped cord houses a microphone for use with a smartphone.
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
S T Y L ES & T YDLEES & I GD NE S| I G G AND G E T S
THE WHOLE PICTURE
F
rom the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel to the front rows of Fashion Week, there are many places where you’ve wished you could soak in the surroundings and commit the details to memory forever. But photos, regardless of the resolution, rarely cut it—the crop of the image always cuts out the magic. But the slim RICOH Theta ($399) captures every angle by taking spherical 360-degree snaps using a pair of convex lenses on both the front and back of the device. Shoot and store up to 1,200 JPEG
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
S
CINEMA BUFF
uper 16 film is the stock of choice for indie and documentary filmmakers, and if you want your memories to look as good as their silver screen features, you should use it too in the form of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera ($995). Call it the digital camera answer to shooting in Super 16, albeit one that tips the scales at less than a pound thanks to a lightweight and durable magnesium alloy frame that’s, yes, small enough to fit in a front pocket.
images with the camera, then wirelessly download your images to iOS devices via an embedded Wi-Fi transmitter, or upload files to a PC through its microUSB port, which doubles as a charger for the camera’s battery. Once the image is transferred to a Facebook, Tumbler or Twitter feed, viewers anywhere can zoom in and out, look up, down, and all around the image. Your friends and family may not be able to accompany you on your trips, but when they see your photos, they’ll feel like they were there.
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For lenses, the Pocket Cinema accepts the industry’s Micro Four Thirds lenses, allowing cinematographers to use a huge array of existing film hardware on this digital shooter. And by capturing video on SD cards, the camera makes it easy to offload clips to your laptop on the fly. No computer? The Blackmagic’s 3.5-inch screen on the camera’s rear makes it easy to see which clips will make the cut on your highlight reel.
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S T Y L ES & T YDLEES & I GD NE S| I G G AND G E T S
W
SHARP SHOOTER
hile the Sony DEV50 Digital Recording Binoculars ($1,999) look like something out of Star Wars, there’s no science fiction going on inside. Instead it’s stuffed with some of the most cuttingedge imaging technology on the planet. As a pair of binoculars, these lenses are capable of up to 25x magnification,
making them ideal range scanners on safari, beach or mountains. But what makes them truly out of sight are two image sensors that allow these binos to shoot 20 megapixel photos, and a pair of high-speed processors that record 1080p HD video in 2-D and, incredibly, in 3-D as well. Assembling images from both the le and right lenses, the DEV-50’s 3-D
movies spring to life when viewed through the lenses. A micro-HDMI output lets you move the show to HDTVs. Sony does all this while also cramming image stabilization and auto-focus into the binoculars’ splashand dust-resistant housing to produce a svelte 1.6-pound unit that can admirably replace your digital camera with the bulky zoom lens.
John Patrick Pullen covers technology and travel for Fortune, Wired and Entrepreneur, among others.
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FA C E S | L A G U N A B E A C H , C A L I F O R N I A
MINISTER OF STYLE
FETNEH BLAKE
SOCAL CHIC Blake holds court in her namesake boutique.
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Blake—the person— grew up in Iran and Washington, D.C., before moving to the West Coast 25 years ago. “The first time I walked through Laguna Beach, I didn’t have a job, I didn’t know what I was going to be doing,” she recalls. “All I knew was that I loved this little town, and I had this dream, at that moment, that I wanted to have my own business.” Her first venture was as part owner (with her now-exhusband) of a contemporary art gallery, but that didn’t fully satiate her lifelong love of beautiful things—in particular, beautiful clothing. “My father was a commercial pilot and would bring me back pretty clothes from all over the world, and my mother handmade my dresses,” she says. In 2001, Blake opened her eponymous shop with the unique mission of curating not necessarily the most in-demand designer apparel but the most unique,
well-crafted, soonto-be “it” pieces. Soon, she was carrying lines by Rick Owens and Olivier Theyskens—fashion A-listers today but relative unknowns 13 years ago when she discovered them. These days, Blake no longer stocks her friend Owens’ clothing: He’s doing fine without her. She favors smaller brands, like the rocker-chic threads of If Six Was Nine, which she has carried for the past few seasons and will continue to do so. But she’s always looking for someone new who catches her sophisticated eye. Once Blake discovers such untapped talent, she usually becomes the exclusive Orange County retailer for the line, a deal that makes Fetneh Blake, the store, a shopping destination in its own right for clients across the region and beyond. “It’s a small store,” she says confidently, “but it delivers big.” K.L.
james cant
IN ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, there’s Fetneh Blake, the person, and Fetneh Blake, the boutique. The latter is a strikingly accurate representation of the former: small, sleek, tastefully put together and a standout in the stereotypical Laguna Beach fashion scene (think yoga outfits and casual sweat pants and hoodies).
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MEMBER RECOMMENDED | LADY J
FROM LEFT: O. ALAMANY
& E. VICENS/CORBIS;
BETH KNAPP
(2)
YACHT LIFE Lady J will make any port your home.
CASTLE OF THE SEA Off the grid aboard the mega-yacht Lady J BY IRA BAHR
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TURKS & CAICOS
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
MEMBER RECOMMENDED | LADY J
WELCOME ABOARD (Clockwise from top, left) Breakfast is served; Lounging on the aft deck after a midnight dip; Catching the breeze atop the sun deck; Crew introductions; Typical Providenciales: empty bays and sand flats; Tea time aboard ship; The day’s catch turns into dinner.
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list seldom exceeds 10, meaning the ship’s ratio of crew to guest is roughly 1:1 so there is no wish left unanswered or, more impressively, unanticipated. A few steps up to the main deck and we are given cool towels and still cooler champagne. While the captain explains the vessel’s safety features on our introductory tour, I can’t help but eye both the collection of wines and the collection of water-born sea toys that includes two jet skis, a 32-foot, fishing/waterski/do-whatever-the-hell-you-want speedboat, and an arsenal of associated apparatus from paddleboards to wakeboards to banana boats, all accessible from a hardwood sports deck that extends invitingly off the stern a foot or so above the water.
In a corner of the economy that few get to see and even fewer get to experience, there exists a conveyance known as the mega-yacht. Nothing short of castles upon the sea, these vessels are more than 100 feet long, 25 feet in beam, and more than 50 feet tall. Bulging with four decks and more than 5,000 square feet of living space, they are multilevel Park Avenue penthouses—that float. Lady J, at 142 feet, is the definition of mega-yacht; and what better place to show it off than the island of Providenciales, part of the Turks and Caicos archipelago. As we walk the pier to board, Lady J’s crew of nine, including captain Steve, snap to sharp attention to welcome us. The yacht has a capacity of 12, but its passenger
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Morning begins with a breakfast of smoked salmon, eggs Benedict and cappuccino as we cruise toward our anchorage off a lovely coastline on the west side of the island. Once there, the crew squires us aboard the tender for a day on a deserted beach where upon arrival we find beach chairs arranged, umbrellas unfurled, and champagne on ice. The beach itself is beyond pristine, having been raked by the crew hours earlier. The staff of Lady J operate in a manner that combines the most important elements of white glove service (in some cases even including white gloves), the U.S. Secret Service (each wearing an earpiece to assure that a guest’s mildest requirements can be promptly met) and of traditional
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PROVIDENCIALES: JEWEL OF THE WEST INDIES
hospitality (“Is there anything at all I can get you?”). When one evening a guest decides to have an unannounced midnight swim, it seems as if two of the crew arrive with waiting towels even before he hits the water. “We have a swimmer!” is quietly heard over the radio to a listener being poured some chamomile in the main parlor. We spend the morning speeding on jet skis, falling off paddleboards, and snorkeling on the reef. Given the choice of lunch on the beach or back at Lady J, the guests agree to return to the ship for chef Nate’s ministrations, which this time included a lovely quinoa salad and some perfectly seasoned grilled chicken. While some of our group elect to spend the afternoon on the sun deck
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replete with a hot-tub and comfy chaise lounges, Captain Steve suggests we try our hand at some game fishing. Thirty minutes later, we are off in Lady J’s powerboat equipped with tackle well suited for Moby Dick. Steve, who’s an angler by heart, put us on fish almost immediately, and we return with both fresh mackerel and some very tired arms. Fatigued from a full day of indulgence, we assemble in the formal dining room for a carefully crafted sauté of diver scallops, shrimp, and lemon flounder. It is delectable, as is the freshly baked bread, in which Nate takes particular pride. With the exception of some unexpected rain which the crew handles with the deftness and coordination
of a race car pit crew, our cruise on Lady J is a mix of luxury, excitement, relaxation, and service that leave us thinking only of the next time we might be aboard. Ira Bahr is Inspirato magazine’s Grumpy Traveler. He was decidedly not grumpy during his stay on Lady J.
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The gleaming, reef-enclosed island of Providenciales sits at the northwest corner of the Turks and Caicos island chain, yet it’s neither Turk, nor Caico. It’s not technically part of “the Caribbean” either according to purists who claim that the Turks and Caicos, along with the Bahamas, are not Caribbean islands. Whatever the case, to most visitors the warm, gentle and gin-clear water that explodes in turquoise and surrounds Providenciales is a decidedly Caribbean experience. What’s not Caribbean about it? That Turks and Caicos appears to be relatively underdeveloped with respect to other islands, which are both farther away from the United States and no more beautiful. “Provo”—as the locals call Providenciales—lies a mere 500 miles from Miami, and the airport’s 9,000-foot runway can serve the largest jets in the world. The islands are also possessed of the earth’s third-largest barrier reef (behind Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and that of Belize) and offer some of the best diving and fishing in the Americas. —I.B.
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MEMBER RECOMMENDED | P U N TA D E M I TA
WHALE OF A TALE Members Andre and Kim Vicario head to Punta de Mita for a deep-sea adventure theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never forget.
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BIRTHDAY BASH (Left ) The Vicarios and their friends enjoy a beachside drink while their server preps a fresh guacamole dip; (Below) Andre Vicario and friends fall into tropics time within minutes of arriving.
PUNTA DE MITA
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RELAXATION STATIONS (Clockwise from left) Andre and Kim Vicario on Puerto Vallarta’s oceanside malecón; Joel Mendez, George Harris and Andre Vicario relax on the deck of the Vista Bahia Signature Residence; (left to right) Ramona Mendez, Joel Mendez, George Harris, Esther Harris and Andre Vicario in their private infinity-edge pool; fresh margaritas at a nearby beachside restaurant.
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to be an endless supply of chips and salsa available at all times. Each morning we awoke to the smell of breakfast being prepared by our personal chef who started our day with delicious pancakes, waffles, quiche and huevos rancheros. During the day we enjoyed couples’ massages and specialty cocktails while looking out over the Playa de Estiladeras. The nights that we weren’t grilling and relaxing by the pool, we went out for lobster dinners along Puerto Vallarta’s famed malecón, or boardwalk, a short drive away. Our Personal Vacation Advisor took care of everything—I was never left wondering what would happen next. We even had a rental car delivered
To celebrate my 44th birthday last February, my wife and four of our friends booked a last-minute Inspirato Jaunt™ vacation to Punta de Mita on the Pacific side of Mexico, 10 miles north of Puerto Vallarta. We enjoy vacations near water, and I’ve gotten into sport fishing the past few years, so it seemed like a perfect fit for our first Inspirato trip. We arrived at our five-bedroom Vista Bahia residence at Los Veneros Resort Residences and Beach Club to fresh margaritas, martinis, beers and meat prepped for grilling. There were floor-to-ceiling accordion doors leading outside, and the whole front of the residence opened up to a patio and a private pool overlooking the ocean. There seemed
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to us with such detailed instructions on where to go and how to get there that we had no problem navigating our way around the scenic peninsula. Sometimes it’s nerve-wracking trying to navigate in another country, but everything went incredibly smooth during our five-day stay. The highlight of our visit was day three, when we took an all-day fishing charter out of the marina at Punta de Mita on a 35-foot-vessel. There were huge swells out on the open ocean, but our captain did a phenomenal job of maneuvering us through the chop. I can’t say enough about how fantastic the captain and crew of the Banderas in Paradise (BIP) charter were that day. I’ve been on fishing boats where
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no one really talks and there’s no effort to connect with you. This team was super supportive and made an effort to get to know us. They seemed to be having just as much fun as we were out there on the ocean. When I started reeling in a fish, the crew ran around the boat making sure there were no obstructions. I welcomed their assistance since I lost a marlin after 30 minutes of serious effort during a previous fishing charter because I gave the line too much slack. I didn’t want that to happen again. I was lucky enough to snag the largest of the four fish caught that day: a rooster fish that was about 4 feet long. My adrenaline was pumping. It was quite a birthday catch.
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whales and dolphins popping up out of the water. We were thoroughly impressed. While talking with locals about our great sightings, we learned that we witnessed the tail end of the annual whale migration. The height of migration is a few weeks earlier and most whales have moved on by late-February. If we’d come just a little bit earlier, we might have seen ten times the number of whales. Whenever Kim and I get together with the other couples from the trip, we always talk about our day out on the boat and our desire to head back to Punta de Mita to see the whales again. In fact, by the time you read this, we’ll have probably already returned.
On the water later that day, we also spotted two large humpback whales and a baby whale a mere 20 yards from the boat. Our boat looked small compared to this trio of giants. They swam right by us and would breach, splash, drop and shake their tails. It was very like something out of a National Geographic documentary, one mashed up with a SeaWorld show. At one point the whales glided through the water side-by-side, jumping and weaving back-and-forth between one another and truly showcasing their playful side. It was as if they knew that we were there to watch them and decided to put on a show for us. Back at our residence, we sat out on the balcony and spotted a few more
OUT TO SEA (Clockswise from left) The Vicarios and their friends were impressed by Punta de Mita’s stunning views of the Pacific; 2 miles off shore, the group spotted three humpback whales; a crew member helps Vicario reel in his rooster fish, the group’s catch of the day.
— AS TOLD TO AMANDA TUST
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THE MANE EVENT Spring signals the return of international polo to the Dominican Republic. PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHELLI BREIDENBACH WORDS BY SUSAN ENFIELD
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erhaps no sportâ&#x20AC;Śso much as poloâ&#x20AC;Śmakes a man more a man than this entrancing game, none ďŹ ts him more for the sterner joys of war or enables him better to bear his part in the battle of life.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; J. MORAY BROWN, BADMINTON LIBRARY OF
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hundering hooves, the whack of mallet on ball and a tropical breeze from the Caribbean Seaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;welcome to polo as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s played in the Dominican Republic, home to an active polo scene for more than 70 years. At local polo clubs today, visitors can take polo lessons, watch professional matches and even join a match or two, given sufficient horsemanship skills and experience. For equestrians of all sorts, and for anyone who appreciates an adrenaline-fueled display of athleticism and horsemanship, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing that compares, at least according to Jabar Singh Jr., whose father helped develop the Dominican Republicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s polo community in the 1950s. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true that polo is the `sport of kings and king of sportsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.â&#x20AC;?
WORLD CLASS HERITAGE The British ruling classes helped popularize polo worldwide in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, after officers stationed in India took up the sport, which has its origins as a cavalry training game in ancient Persia. Since then, polo has remained a favorite gentlemanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sport in posh enclaves and clubs in Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, as well as South America (especially Argentina), Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Iran, Pakistan, India and the Caribbean (Dominican Republic and Jamaica). During the 1940s, in the midst of President Rafael Trujilloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 30-year reign in the Dominican Republic, the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s privileged class, including Trujilloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son RamďŹ s and internationally renowned playboy PorďŹ rio Rubirosa, began playing polo on the ďŹ elds adjacent to Hotel El Embajador in the capital city of Santo Domingo. In 1954, Rubirosa, who was linked romantically to actresses Ava Gardner and Marilyn Monroe and married to heiresses Doris Duke and then Barbara Hutton, invited poloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s then superstar
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Maharaja Jabar Singh to an international tournament in the Dominican Republic that featured some of the best players of the era. Born in Jodhpur during the â&#x20AC;&#x153;golden ageâ&#x20AC;? of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s autonomous princely states, Jabar Singh was raised dividing his time between hunting and polo. A highly rated player, he traveled the world winning international tournaments. Impressed by Singhâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skills, RamďŹ s Trujillo invited him to stay on the island and help organize the sport. Singh stayed for six years, meeting the woman who would become his wife, Mireya, and having two sons, Jabar Jr. and Bijai. He wouldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve stayed longer, but while playing at a tournament in Paris in 1961, Trujillo, Singhâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s benefactor, was assassinated. For the next decade, Singh lived in Spain, competing successfully throughout Europe. In 1971, he returned to the Dominican Republic at the invitation of the conglomerate Gulf + Western, to help develop a polo club at the corporationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new resort, Casa de Campo.
ISLAND POLO Located on the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s southeast coast in the city of La Romana, one hourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drive west along the new highway from Punta Cana, Casa de Campo comprises 7,000 verdant acres bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Chavon River. Year-round, the resort and its nearby sister club, El Pitirri, host friendly practice matches and smaller weekend tournaments. Casa de Campo has become the heart of Caribbean polo, though, with its three tournament ďŹ elds, practice ďŹ eld, an outdoor arena and string of more than 100 polo ponies bred and trained at the resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rancho Higueral. The result is the premier polo destination in the Caribbean according to the resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s polo director, Calixto â&#x20AC;&#x153;Caliâ&#x20AC;? Garcia-Velez. Garcia-Velez learned to play and ride correctly
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SPORTS AND PASTIMES, 1891
from Jabar Singh himself, alongside his longtime friend Jabar Singh Jr., chairman and CEO of The Cliffs Ocean Resort in Santo Domingo. At the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s other currently active club, Sierra Prieta Polo Club in Santo Domingo, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the players are locals and play friendly games of a lower level,â&#x20AC;? explains Singh Jr. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Casa de Campo sees a combination of local and international players and tournaments are at a medium level.â&#x20AC;? Those international tournaments are the most competitive in the region with local players hoping to make an impression and move up to the highest level of the sport. According to Singh Jr., locals Denis Santana and Carlos Cortez are among the best the island has ever produced. The formal tournament season runs from January through April, peaking with the Semana Santa Polo Tournament held over Easter week. According to Garcia-Velez, the ďŹ nal weekend of matches attract a cosmopolitan crowd of a couple thousand spectators who come to watch the competition and then attend the luxurious parties that extend into the late hours, night after night. During halftimes, the global mix of European, American and Dominican spectators gather on the ďŹ eld to mingle, stretch their legs and divot stompâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; the traditional job of spectators to toe back into place clumps of grass that have been dislodged by the poniesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fast and furious maneuvers. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the players who probably enjoy the week most. With its unique combination of adrenaline and intense athletic challenge, polo is addictive according to Singh Jr. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Imagine hitting with accuracy a bouncing synthetic ball the size of a baseball from on top of a horse galloping at full speed with a ďŹ&#x201A;exible 52-inch rattan stick, while seven other players are running after you.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Believe me, it is not easy,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;[But] polo is like a drug, once it gets into your system it is very difficult to stop. I have played many other sports, and I can assure you there is no better feeling than playing polo.â&#x20AC;? Â&#x2122;
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irst of all, you need to truly love and understand horses, since your performance and enjoyment of this game depends 60 percent on the quality of your horses and your skills as a good rider. The swing requires excellent hand-eye coordination and is similar to tennis. The strategy of the game is more like soccer but 100 times more difficult and risky. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; JABAR SINGH JR.
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here are very few sports that can give you such an adrenaline rush as polo; every time you get on the field you know that you are putting your life in danger. It requires 100 percent concentration and a mistake could be very costly. When you are on the field, you completely disconnect yourself from the rest of the world. — JABAR SINGH JR.
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olo is like a drug, once it gets into your system it is very difficult to stop. I have played many other sports and can assure you there is no better feeling than playing polo. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; JABAR SINGH JR.
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olo is addicting. The rush of running down the field at reckless speeds striking a ball while someone is trying to knock you off your horse is hard to describe. It is also a family sport, as most great polo players come from great polo dynasties. The years alongside my father, brother, and now my son are truly unforgettable. —CALIXTO GARCIA-VELEZ
POLO LESSONS Currently, Casa de Campo’s Equestrian Center is the easiest place on the island to take up the game—or find one to join. The center has everything you need: horses, equipment, and experienced instructors as well as a seasonal schedule of informal matches.
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MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME
Punta Cana The polo fields at Casa de Campo are within an hour’s easy drive from Inspirato’s Signature Residences in Punta Cana and Cap Cana, highlighted by the 16,000-square-foot Villa Palmyra with 6 bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms and a dedicated chef, housekeeper and butler. Intimate parties will enjoy Villa Tortuga’s 4 bedrooms and 4,150 square feet of living space and a private pool. Those desiring beachfront and a private pool can opt for the 6-bedroom, 9,800-square-foot Casa Caribe. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT INSPIRATO’S PUNTA CANA SIGNATURE RESIDENCES, TURN TO PAGE 145.
Aleece Gregg’s list Personal Vacation Advisor EAT: For seafood and Thai-inspired cuisine, go to Acqua Mare, in the Cap Cana marina. The glass floor over the sea at Punta Cana Resort’s La Yola is as amazing as its Mediterranean cuisine. Passion by Martin Berasetegui puts a Caribbean spin on Spanish and Basque flavors.
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DAY TRIP: Travel to the snorkeling paradise of Isla Catalina. Feb.-Mar., 2014 ANNUAL PUNTA CANA CARNIVAL Carnival teams show off their moves. Jan.-Mar., 2014 WHALE WATCHING Witness the humpback whale migration.
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NATURE’S RICHES Tucked into the far western corner of Costa Rica, visitors can still find a pristine and quiet adventure land of mellow surf breaks, teeming jungles and, yes, zip lines. BY AARON GULLEY, PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEN JUDGE
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PACIFIC DREAM The clear blue waters of the Pacific Ocean as seen from Inspirato’s Serena residence near Playa Hermosa, a five-minute drive to the beach, and one of several Inspirato residences on Peninsula Papagayo and Cacique Peninsula.
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“The land is mostly wild and empty hill country that’s cloaked in an impenetrable canopy of secondary forest tumbling straight down to the untouched edge of the Pacific Ocean.”
BEACH LIFE (Above) An iguana caught sunbathing on Peninsula Papagayo. (Above, right) The jungle meets the sea on Peninsula Papagayo.
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From the slack wood seat of an Adirondack chair, Gil Henry munches popcorn. He flicks every other kernel to a scrum of gulls flittering at his feet as he watches the wan sun emerge from late-day storm clouds and slip back out of view below the Pacific horizon. Henry just finished a blustery round of golf on the Arnold Palmer designed links at the Four Seasons Resort on Peninsula Papagayo, and after he polishes off his Hendrick’s and tonic he’ll head to the nearby town of Playa Hermosa for dinner and then on to his villa in the hills. Just another day in this Latin American Eden. “I come every year. Have been for a decade,” he says. “I used to think I should branch out, go elsewhere. But once you find paradise, why change it?” Costa Rica, with its miles of empty beaches and biodiverse forests and easy-to-use infrastructure, inspires loyalty among travelers. With a full 33 percent of its land under some form of
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conservation protection and everyman’s adventures ranging from cloud-forest hikes to snorkeling and horseback riding, it has become the poster child for ecotourism. In 2012, the latest year statistics are available, some 2.3 million visitors came here to learn to surf and spot birds in the cloud forests and witness sea turtles nesting. That’s part of why I’ve avoided visiting the place for years, because no matter how physically endowed or ecologically sensitive a place might be, as far as I’m concerned paradise overrun by crowds is no paradise at all. Besides that, I’ve always scoffed at Costa Rica’s feeble sense of adventure. I once mentioned the place to my parents, and my 68-year-old mother, whose idea of excitement is a social tennis match followed by a glass of sweet rosé, announced that she’s always wanted to go zip lining in Costa Rica. The place must be about as thrilling as a bridge tournament, I decided. But curiosity got the best of me. The millions of people like
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86o
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Henry canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be wrong, can they? So I booked a ticket to the northwestern town of Liberia, the smaller of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two international airports, and headed up the PaciďŹ c coast near Nicaragua in search of the charm of this ecotourism hotbed. Crowds and underwhelming adventures be damnedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;I would ďŹ nd the secret to this placeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appeal. The only condition: no zip lines.
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Less than an hourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drive on freshly painted two-lane roads from the international airport, the quiet town of Playa Hermosa and Peninsula Papagayo that wraps away to the north should be overrun with tourist traffic. But unlike the more built-up swathes of beachfront farther south on the Nicoya Peninsula or the hippy traveler hangouts inland in Monteverde and La Fortuna, this northwest PaciďŹ c corner of Costa Rica is still mostly undeveloped. A few hotels speckle the waterfront, including the boutique
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Bosque del Mar thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s literally cut into the jungle on a spit of gray sand. But the land is mostly wild and empty hill country thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cloaked in an impenetrable canopy of secondary forest tumbling straight down to the untouched edge of the PaciďŹ c. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It looked like that was all going to change ďŹ ve years ago. There was a lot of speculation and rumors that half a dozen international hotel chains had plans to open properties here,â&#x20AC;? says Anne Hegney, a Montreal transplant who moved here over a decade ago and opened Ginger, one of the best restaurants in the vicinity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But after the global economic crisis in 2008, it really cooled down. Everyone put their plans on hold, and Playa Hermosa has stayed quiet and friendly.â&#x20AC;? Things look to be picking up again, with the boutique Mongroove Hotel opening in January north of Playa Hermosa and the Hyatt revealing a new property on the Papagayo Peninsula in December. Several other resorts are set to come online in late 2014 or 2015, as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think it will be that big
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CALM REFRESHMENTS (Clockwise from top left) The bar at the Four Seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Peninsula Papagayo; an order of Ticoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ahi tuna tacos at the Four Seasons; kayaking the calm bay of Peninsula Papagayo; cocktail hour at the Four Seasons.
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NATURE’S RICHES “I can put a client in the water on a board, and I guarantee they’ll be surfing by the end of the day.” —Jonathan Zamora, surf instructor, Kelly’s surf shop, Tamarindo.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD (Above) Surf instructor, Jonathan Zamora, from Kelly’s surf shop in Tamarindo. (Right) Zamora heads into the mellow break with a client.
of a change,” Hegney says. “We’re starting from minimal development. Even the busy towns around here like Tamarindo are relaxed. It’s not like this is ever going to be Miami Beach.” I decide to have a look for myself and set out for Tamarindo early the next morning. Driving in Costa Rica is a little like wandering through a corn maze—you know you’ll eventually get where you need to go, but it’s never clear what route you’ll take or when you might arrive. So vague are the highways that I’m almost surprised to reach Tamarindo, a one-road town sandwiched with surf shops and curio stands and pastel, open-air cafés. It’s busier than Playa Hermosa, but Hegney is right, it’s a far cry from the tawdry visions of Cancún that I imagined. At Kelly’s, one of Tamarindo’s best-known surf shops, instructor Jonathan Zamora says people keep coming to Costa Rica, crowds or no crowds, because the surfing is that good. “I can put a client in the water on a board, and I guarantee they’ll be surfing by the end of the day,” he says. “But then down the coast, there are breaks to keep me surfing for the rest of my life.” I tag along as Zamora, who’s built like a can of Costa Rican
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Imperial lager with a crop of shoulder-length hair as curly as Christmas ribbon, guides a couple of clients to the beach for their first-ever session. Zamora leads them through a series of yoga-like drills on land to warm up. All along the beach, I note other neophytes are standing on their boards, moving through similar poses. Within the hour, Zamora’s clients are surfing, grinning and hooting like rodeo clowns. It’s not pretty, but it’s still surfing. After the lessons are done, strangers gather on the beach and squat on their boards to trade stories, both about the day and their lives back home. Phone numbers are traded. Friends are made. It’s not unlike summer camp for adults, except when the sun sets everyone saunters down the beach to the scatter of restaurants serving icy Imperials and freshfried corn chips to scoop up the lime-tart ceviche. Around dusk, a squall pushes through town dropping rain so heavy that you can’t see from the bar patio to the cars parked out front. Evening plans are scrapped and amended, and another round of Imperial is ordered.
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TAMARINDO: SURF TOWN, COSTA RICA (Clockwise from top, left) Street vendor selling handcrafted bird whistles; beachside souvenirs; waxing surf boards at Kellyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surf shop; hand-carved wooden masks for sale.
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SHOWER FALL Enjoy a heated natural shower at Echostermales hot springs near Arenal.
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“[Tenorio] is not the best-known corner of the country, but in our opinion it is the best.” —ex-pat Frenchman Joel Marchal, owner Celeste Mountain Lodge
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There are two ways to enjoy a stay on the Pacific coast, on the beachfront or in the hills. “The water is nice,” says Kelsey Hill, Inspirato’s destination concierge in Costa Rica. “But the views are what you want.” I’m skeptical. It sounds like marketing spin for, “We couldn’t get beachfront.” Until I visit one of the company’s properties, that is. Set on a finger of wooded land overlooking Playa Coco to the south and Playa Hermosa to the north, the airy singlestory home has a glass-front living space that opens onto an expansive patio and infinity pool with dizzying views to the Pacific. A salty breeze blows all day, making this perch both cooler and more spectacular than the waterfront properties where I’d been staying. It’s just five minutes in the car to surfing, snorkeling and kayaking. Yet the perspective, out over a canopy so thick that it looks like broccoli florets, is worth the extra few minutes of travel time. For the mightiest canopies, however, you must head inland. Arenal, which sits beneath one of Costa Rica’s most active volcanos, is the nearest, biggest rain forest. But it’s a long drive, so I opt for the lesser-known Tenorio Volcano National Park. INSPIRATOMAGAZINE.COM
Farther north, it has a dominant cinder cone akin to Arenal, rain-forest hikes, a spring-fed river that supposedly shimmers as blue as Kool-Aid and fewer visitors. The road to Tenorio, as is the case with most byways off the main arteries, is roller coaster steep and covered with boulders big enough to crush a large raccoon-like coati. Along the way is the Celeste Mountain Lodge, a quirky and elegant ecolodge owned by Frenchman Joel Marchal that makes a timely coffee stop and break from the jouncing road. Marchal, whose Canadian-based travel company was one of the first to offer Costa Rican trips, moved here in 2003 to erect his ideal jungle lodge. “It’s not the best-known corner of the country,” he says. “But in our opinion it is the best.” At Tenorio, guide Alex Ordoñez Jarquin meets me at daybreak and leads the way up the steep, rooted national park trail in search of wildlife. There’s the possibility of sighting a tapir, an endangered mammal that, judging by the murals at park headquarters, resembles an overstuffed, cow-size pig with a short trunk. The odd beast proves elusive, though there’s plenty of other fauna, including several beautiful coati and a pencil-thin zopilota snake that Jarquin plucks from
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BAY BREEZE The infinity pool and view from Inspirato’s Signature Residence, Villa Vientos, on the Cacique Peninsula.
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NATURE’S RICHES
NATIVE CHARM (Clockwise from top, left) Residents of the butterfly conservancy in Arenal; guide Alex Ordoñez Jarquin at Tenorio Volcano National Park; red-eyed tree frog spotted in the national park.
a branch for a closer look. He also points out the iridescent blue Rio Celeste, which derives its fantastical color from a chemical reaction that takes place at the convergence of two mineral-rich tributaries. “Last year Paris-Match called the Tenorio waterfall the most beautiful in the world, and most people have never even heard of it,” Jarquin says. “This country is full of untapped spectacles. You just have to look.”
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I decide that I owe it to Costa Rica—and to my mother—to see the zip lines. It’s the country’s biggest attraction, and to pass judgment on tourism here without at least trying it would be like going to Peru but skipping Machu Picchu. So I detour eastward toward Arenal where the land turns to pristine, canopied hill country that empties into a broad valley beneath the perfect onyx pyramid of Arenal volcano. No one can definitively explain the connection between zip lining and Costa Rica, though the most reasonable sounding explanation comes from a guide who says that the activity
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caught on after researchers at the Monteverde cloud forest introduced the cable system for research purposes. One of the biggest operations in Arenal today is a 9-year-old company called Sky Adventures that climbs 775 feet up the mountainside by way of a 1,000-meter-long open-air gondola and then descends on eight zip lines cut into the canopy, one nearly half a mile long. A group of twelve visitors conquers the course together, and reactions range from peels of unfettered laughter to screeches of terror. When my turn comes, I zing across the chasms, sometimes as high as 600 feet off the ground and ogle the views. I have to admit that it’s entertaining. But it’s the South African retirees on the excursion who make the experience for me. Having come to Costa Rica for the birding, Pieter and Moira decided they simply had to try the zip lines. Moira, a spry but graying grandmother, is beaming after her first few rides. She later tells me it’s the most thrilling thing she’s ever done. I will forever like the zip lines because of her. We travel to INSPIRATOMAGAZINE.COM
”We travel to expand our experience, to discover something new about the world and ourselves... That’s the thing about adventure—you never know where it will take you.”
MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME
Costa Rica Nestled into the soaring hillside along the Cacique Peninsula, Inspirato’s three Signature Residences offer private pools, a daily housekeeper and a chef (for breakfast and lunch). Homes range from the 4,000-square-foot, 4-bedroom Villa Vientos and Villa Altamira residences to the sprawling, modern 4,600-square-foot, 3-bedroom Serena abode. New this year, Inspirato members can settle into two residences on Peninsula Papagayo with access to the golf course at the Four Seasons Resort. LEARN MORE ABOUT INSPIRATO’S SIGNATURE RESIDENCES ON 112 & 143.
expand our experience, to discover something new about the world and ourselves, and Moira will always remember the day she flew through the Latin American cloud forest. That’s the thing about adventure—you never know where it will take you. It’s also Costa Rica’s secret. Sure the country has world-class surf, rain forest hikes and biodiversity that makes Noah’s ark look like a dinghy. And yes, the northwest corner has some of the most consistently perfect weather of anywhere on the planet, with zero precipitation virtually guaranteed from December through April. Everyone knows these things. But just when you think you have a handle on the place, a tapir will walk out in front of you on the trail, or the dry season skies will unleash a cloudburst so violent you can’t see the car bumper ahead of you, or a volcano will unexpectedly growl and erupt. There are still plenty of spectacles to be found in Costa Rica. You just have to look. _____ Santa Fe-based Aaron Gulley wrote about Puerto Rico for the Winter 2014 issue of Inspirato. INSPIRATOMAGAZINE.COM
COOL BLUE (Above) The iridescent blue waters of the Rio Celeste waterfall at Tenorio Volcano National Park.
Mark Ury’s list Personal Vacation Advisor DAY TRIPS: To get the best of Costa Rica, plan on exploring the country. Travel by horseback to a waterfall close to the Borinquen Resort, and then fly through the jungle on their zip line. Return for a large lunch and spend the rest of the day at the spa. Take the Jungle ATV tour of the rain
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forest and prepare to get muddy from stream crossings. Want less adrenaline but no less awe? The Palo Verde Tour boat trip up a river through a wildlife sanctuary passes crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas and thousands of birds—on a good day the monkeys will jump into your boat!
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A S N E C D T I S U A A E RY S Sea Island, Georgia has attracted generations of families to its low-key luxury served with a generous dollop of southern grace. BY JED PORTMAN SOUTHERN GOTHIC The front entrance to The Cloister, originally built in 1928.
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GEORGIA BLISS (Clockwise from top) The riverfront side of The Cloister; its indoor pool; lush gardens meander throughout The Cloister; morning gallop on the shore.
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ea Island is not a new resort. All the way back in 1928, two months after the flagship Cloister hotel opened on the privately-owned island, then-president Calvin Coolidge became the first visitor to plant a commemorative oak tree on the hotel’s lawn. General Dwight Eisenhower and his wife followed suit, vacationing there in 1946, just a year after a lanky young veteran named George Bush honeymooned there with his new wife. For generations now, Sea Island has been a genre-defining destination for both genteel Southerners and Yankees seeking the year-round comforts of the Georgia coast. In fact, the island’s reputation as a leisure destination extends even beyond the 20th century—and beyond recorded history. Before the arrival of the first Europeans, the island was the site of a Native American hunting and fishing camp known to Georgia natives as Fifth Creek. When European settlers—first the Spanish and then the English—colonized the area, establishing missions and later plantations, they used the scraggly stretch of land
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as a place to pasture animals. It was briefly a hunting preserve at the end of the 19th century, but that venture was short-lived and it was, once again, a sandy strip overrun with livestock by the time that Alfred William Jones and his moneyed cousin thought it might be the spot for their next project. His cousin, Howard Coffin, was a mild-mannered auto magnate from Ohio who had purchased large swaths of land in coastal Georgia and planned to open a hotel for well-to-do travelers arriving on a newly constructed causeway. At the time, Sea Island did not make much sense for the luxury destination that Coffin and Jones had in mind. It was undeveloped and wild, lacked basic utilities, and the road across the marsh needed serious improvement. And yet within a matter of years, Coffin and Jones strung power lines across the marsh and hired wellknown architect Addison Mizner to construct the low-slung, Spanish-style Cloister, which would thereafter anchor a lush island of pools, tennis courts and second homes. Today, nearly a century later, the old Cloister has been razed
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BRING YOUR A-GAME (above) The 12th hole at the Plantation Course on Sea Island.
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and replaced by a palatial structure with a red-tiled roof similar to that of the original. Residents and vacationers have constructed and reconstructed hundreds of homes on the shady avenues past the hotel. Countless feet have hustled down the well-kept paths that connect the hotel and the equally venerable Sea Island Beach Club, which has also played host to several generations of visitors: roaring-twenties capitalists sipping champagne by the pool; Eisenhower-era parents trusting burnt but happy children to the watchful eyes of the staff while heading off to play a game of golf or a round of tennis; iPhone-equipped teenagers tanning by the Beach Pool, sipping non-alcoholic daiquiris and sneaking dips in the adults-only hot tub. Sea Island is already many small renovations and one major overhaul into its existence. Still, under all of the new construction, the island has not lost its wild character. It’s in the bones of the new Cloister, where several rooms were built in part from planks of native heart pine and pecky cypress that were salvaged
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from old buildings and riverbeds. And it’s in the grounds, which are neither as tightly manicured as those of chillier resorts nor as breezy and paradisiacal as those of beachside getaways in Florida or the Caribbean.“There’s a certain mystique to coastal Georgia,” says Bill Jones III, grandson of Alfred William Jones and former CEO of the resort. “It’s unspoiled, with the moss and the live oaks and that rugged coastline.” While other beach resorts preside over spreads of gleaming sand and gin-clear water, the colors of Sea Island are muddied tropical greens and muted shades of brown and opaque blue. At night, the moon casts Southern-gothic shadows over gnarled trees, palmettos, white-capped ocean and hanging curtains of Spanish moss. Inside The Cloister, however, the atmosphere is considerably different: glasses clinking, piano playing, forks settling onto plates and guests murmuring as they head back to their rooms or their homes after dinner. Officially, Sea Island claims seven
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OLD-SCHOOL COOL (Clockwise from top left) The Georgian Room at The Cloister; Colt and Alison at the Lodge; Tavola at The Cloister; The Cloister’s Wine Cellar dining room.
restaurants. Counting the kiosks scattered throughout the resort and the food truck parked May through August on the beach, the number is considerably higher than that—at the height of the tourist season, more than 700 people work on the food-andbeverage side of Sea Island. But three of the most noteworthy restaurants on the island are inside The Cloister. The River Bar is a cozy brasserie that overlooks the marsh and the Black Banks River, with a menu that nestles old-time favorites such as shrimp nachos and fried green tomatoes alongside airy profiteroles and duck cassoulet. Another continental eatery, Tavola, serves rustic Italian food helped along by sheets of house-cured meat and from-scratch pasta. The crown jewel of dining in The Cloister, however, is the Georgian Room. There, yes, jackets are still required in the dining room, but chef Daniel Zeal is not mired in white-tablecloth standards. His tasting menu explores the flavors of coastal Georgia with meticulous attention to detail and quality ingredients—and the occasional wink. Take, for exam-
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ple, the Southern-inspired pork bun at the top of the menu, stuffed with bacon, coleslaw, fried pickle and pimento cheese. (For guests in search of a more casual experience, the Lounge next door serves small bites from Zeal’s kitchen as well as craft cocktails.) Come morning, after The Cloister staff has set out the stacks of newspapers, trays of pastries and urns of coffee in the glass-walled solarium, guests stream through the front doors of the hotel toward the beach, the spa, the tennis courts, the golf courses, the shooting school and the hunting preserve, or the marina where boats leave for deep-sea fishing. And then, if it were not already evident at dinner the night before, a guest realizes how Sea Island has changed over the past few decades. It may still be grounded in its founders’ vision, but a recent push to reinvigorate the place has sent new blood pumping into old veins. The children’s program, long a Sea Island hallmark, has developed a full-on curriculum. A typical day might begin with tie-dying shirts, progress into instruction in sailing or on the air-
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POWER TABLE In 2004, the leaders of the world’s most powerful countries came to Sea Island for the annual G-8 Summit and one souvenir from the gathering remains: the massive conference table in the Summit Room, cra ed from local pine.
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HIGH ROLLERS In addition to golf and hunting, The Cloister’s signature activity is family bingo hosted for the last 26 years by flamboyant emcee Jack Jenkins, a.k.a. "Billy Bingo.” Put on your blazer, slacks, or dress (yes, it’s a formal institution here) and join the competition on Tuesday and Thursday nights from March through August.
CHILD’S PLAY (Clockwise from top) Kayaking the Black Banks River; tending to a loggerhead turtle’s nest; Crabbing on The Cloister’s dock.
rifle range, and transition into a hands-on lesson in biology from one of the resort’s naturalists, who come equipped with nets and microscopes, among other things. “We’ve got live animals, we’ve got shells, we’ve got skulls,” says Mike Kennedy, Director of Recreation. “We want kids to learn things that they can take home with them, which is an experience that we try to give to every guest.” In keeping with Sea Island’s all-things-to-all-people approach, the fishing guides are trained as naturalists, too. When the fishing isn’t good, they’ll take guests out to see the dolphins, or to explore the barnacled exterior of a commercial crab trap. For most of the year, though, the fishing is just fine. Guests have been known to haul in as many as 100 fish in a day—catch-and-release, of course—although the chefs at Sea Island will clean, cook and serve a freshly caught fish to order. They’ll also cook game birds for guests coming back from Broadfield, the relatively new hunting preserve where the resort is cultivating an Edenic array of activities for the sporting set: five-stand shooting, a rifle and pistol range
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and 500 acres of quail and pheasant habitat where hunters can pursue birds with a guide or hunt alongside trained Harris hawks, goshawks, and peregrine falcons overseen by Sea Island falconers. (The beehives, chicken coop, smokehouse and gardens at Broadfield supply the restaurants back at the main resort, and it will soon help stock The Market, a gourmet general store at the entrance to the Sea Island causeway.) For those more interested in learning to shoulder a shotgun than taking it to the field, the Sea Island Shooting School, an institution nearly as old as The Cloister, keeps an experienced team of teachers on staff. The most junior instructor among them has been teaching for 15 years. “We can teach people who have never touched guns in their life,” says Jon Kent, a longtime instructor who is now Sea Island’s Director of Outdoor Pursuits. “We go through the safety, and then get them out there, and they’re usually hitting targets within five or 10 minutes.” Golf, too, has been an integral part of the Sea Island experience
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MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME
Sea Island Inspirato members can settle into any of four Spanish-style luxury homes, including the Estuary or the Tidewater, situated in The Cloister at Sea Island. Both offer 3,700 square feet of comfort, along with 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms and a heated pool. The Cloister’s restaurants, spa, Beach Club and other amenities—all available to Inspirato members—are a liesurely five-minute walk from either house. LEARN MORE ABOUT INSPIRATO’S SIGNATURE RESIDENCES ON PAGE 154.
HUNT CLUB (above) Falconry at Broadfield, The Cloister’s hunting range. (below) Hunts at Broadfield come with a guide and bird dog.
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Kayla Vahling’s list Personal Vacation Advisor
since the resort’s founding. Today, three courses built around the beaches, marshes and woods of southern Georgia draw visitors from all over the world. The Seaside Course is home to an annual PGA tournament, the McGladrey Classic, organized by professional golfer and Sea Island resident Davis Love III. At the golfing school guests can fine-tune their mental games with sports psychologist Dr. Morris Pickens while new converts practice on their swings with the pros. At the end of the day, sore shoulders and tired arms find relief in the 65,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, home to an indoor waterfall and an experienced team of nutritionists, trainers and masseuses. And still, despite the absurd range of offerings, Sea Island is greater than the sum of its parts. Ultimately, the golf courses and sparkling activity centers and hunting properties and five-star restaurants do not make the
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resort what it is. Rather, it is the overarching focus on quality that has been at Sea Island’s foundation since the resort was only a sketch in Coffin’s notebook—and, just as importantly, the timeless Southern hospitality that has been drawing vacationers to rugged coastal Georgia for all these years. “People say to us sometimes, ‘You must have a great training program,’” Jones says. “My answer is, ‘No. We have a great hiring program.’ You can’t train warm, fromthe-heart service. And whether we have movie stars, or big businessmen, or whoever they might be, those people don’t get treated any differently than any other guests here at Sea Island.” _____ Jed Portman has been vacationing on Sea Island since he was a child. He currently works as an editor at Garden & Gun magazine in Charleston, S.C.
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DAY TRIP: Head to the historic St. Simons Island lighthouse and museum close to the pier. Then peruse the village’s boutiques. If time permits, grab a boat to wilds of Little St. Simons Island.
March 1–2/6-7, 2014 JEKYLL ISLAND ART & ANTIQUES FESTIVAL Dealers from across the south come to sell a wealth of period furnishings, jewelry and art.
LOCAL FARE: On St. Simons Island stop into Barabara Jean’s for seafood and homestyle cooking. Get your ‘cue fix at Southern Soul BBQ or try Willie’s Wee-Nee Wagon and Twin Oaks BBQ in Brunswick.
March 14–15, 2014 ANNUAL PEACHES TO THE BEACHES Thousands flock to “Georgia’s Longest Yard Sale,” which takes place along the Golden Isles Parkway.
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THOSE WHO KNOW, GO An Aspen spring means sunny days, hot nights and the seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best skiing. BY TESS WEAVER
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SCOTT MARKEWITZ
VIRGIN TERRITORY Skier Reggie Crist carves fresh powder in the backcountry behind Aspen Mountain.
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ANGEL DUST Aspen Mountain (a.k.a. Ajax) rises above downtown Aspen.
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During the year-end holidays, Aspen’s busiest week of the winter, “Campo Dave” Ellsweig works round the clock, managing Aspen’s popular Italian eatery Campo de Fiori. Tall, dark and handsome, he choreographs one of the most popular spaces in town with ease, sending plates of crispy frutti di mare to impatient patrons and decadent espresso martinis to the bar’s loyal following. Does he mind working and not skiing? Not at all. Ellsweig knows much of Aspen’s best skiing happens in March. That’s when he hikes up Highlands Bowl in a T-shirt to ski deep north-facing powder and wrap up a morning session on the slopes with a wine-saturated lunch at Aspen Highland’s mid-mountain restaurant, Cloud Nine. Back in town after lunch, he can pull up a chaise lounge at the Sky Hotel on Sunday afternoon when the poolside DJ is in full swing. Or say he decides to ski Aspen Mountain: He’ll take the slow Couch quad, ski down sun-softened bumps before joining the lift operators for a barbecue at the bottom. From there it’s a couple of steps to check out the band outside at Ajax Tavern. For dinner, there’s king crab tempura at Matsuhisa a few blocks away.
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Every day, Ellsweig can set out to do something different: click into alpine touring skis to skin up Aspen Mountain, Nordic ski around the town golf course or ride a fat-tire’d snow bike up the unplowed road to the Maroon Bells. It’s springtime in Aspen and anything’s possible. No, Ellsweig doesn’t understand why anyone would go to the beach in March. There are plenty of other months perfect for sun bathing, like December. March boasts the deepest base depths of the winter and more open terrain than at any point in the season. Colorado’s snowiest month of the year intersperses spring storms that bring deep powder days with abundant sunshine that create idyllic spring snow conditions, forgiving moguls and groomed runs made for carving turns. And the atmosphere on the mountain warms with the temperatures. Groups mingle on gondola square or atop their favorite run. And the deck scenes come alive. “In spring, you don’t have to get up early in the morning to get the best tracks—the ski day starts at 10 or 11 a.m.,” says Aspen-based pro skier Chris Davenport. “It’s all about timing in the spring.”
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C2 PHOTOGRAPHY
ASPEN, Colorado
Average High Temperature in March:
“In spring, you don’t have to get up early in the morning to get the best tracks—the ski day starts at 10 or 11 a.m.” —Chris Davenport, professional big mountain skier.
42.5 (F)
Total acreage of Aspen’s four resorts: 5,505, or 1/4 the size of Manhattan Average snow depth March: 75 inches
December: 35 inches
Average snowfall March: 60 inches December: 45 inches
TYLER STABLEFORD
CLIFF DIVING Adrenaline junkie John Nicoletta launches into space at Snowmass. INSPIRATOMAGAZINE.COM
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ASPEN, Colorado
LOCAL HERO Aspen resident and Red Bull skier, Chris Davenport, goes deep into Colorado’s famed powder.
What Davenport means is that the snow that freezes overnight is rock hard in the early morning, perfect around midday and slushy and sticky by late afternoon. You’re looking for the daily harvest of “corn,” a granular snow surface that turns mediocre skiers into phenoms, and you’ll find it by following the sun as it warms up the snow from the southeast to southwest, lower mountain to upper mountain. And with four ski mountains—Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Snowmass and Buttermilk—you can hunt for corn on a different mountain each day or on the same day thanks to complimentary shuttle rides between each area. On Aspen Mountain, Davenport recommends skiing the steep, east-facing aspen trees off the top of F.I.S. chair, known collectively as “The Dumps,” as soon as they’re warmed by the morning sunlight. “Ski a groomer like North American to test the snow and see if it’s transforming,” he says. “If your edges grip into the snow and hold a carve, take F.I.S., ski a perfect lap in The Dumps, go up the gondola and do it again.”
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“If it hasn’t changed,” he says, “swing into Bonnie’s midmountain restaurant for an oatmeal pancake.” At Aspen Highlands, longer days and warm sunshine motivate skiers to make the 45-minute hike up to the 12,392-foot-high top of Highland Bowl. It’s a long way to shoulder your skis, so bring a backpack or purchase a ski strap at the Aspen Highlands ski patrol shack near the start of the hike. While blustery conditions often limit summit time midwinter, March’s plentiful windless, sunny days allow hikers to linger atop longer and take in the most dramatic alpine views in the area. Depending on your skiing pleasure, you’ll ski down 1,500 vertical feet of wide-open steeps or flow through tree glades. When the sun has overcooked everything on the mountain, the Bowl’s north-facing G-Zones can still harbor good snow. If it’s your first time skiing the bowl, hire a pro like local ski mountaineer and ski instructor Ted Mahon to find the best stashes. Beginners and kids love Buttermilk’s gentle terrain year round, but in spring, its two terrain parks soften up enough to make jump landings a little more forgiving. At Snowmass,
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MATT POWER
“[On Aspen Mountain] if your edges grip into the snow and hold a carve, take the F.I.S. chair, ski a perfect lap in The Dumps, go up the gondola and do it again.” —Chris Davenport, Aspen-based pro skier
SPRING FLINGS
MARCH 15 Pull on running shoes, snowshoes or alpine touring skis and skins and earn your turns at America’s Uphill. Join hundreds of other locals racing 3,000-vertical feet and 2.5 miles up Aspen Mountain to the Sundeck Restaurant at 11,212 feet.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: MATT POWER; JEREMY SWANSON; MATT POWER; C2 PHOTOGRAPHY; JEREMY SWANSON; C2 PHOTOGRAPHY; COURTESY OF ASPEN SKI CO/SCOTT MARKEWITZ
SPRING BREAK (Clockwise from top) The hike to Aspen Highland’s famed bowl; Little Nell run on Aspen Mountain; The mellow base village at Snowmass; the historic Hotel Jerome in Aspen.
MARCH 13–16 Aspen International Fashion Week returns with models showing off next season’s winter resort wear and ski outerwear while strutting their way down an outdoor runway with Aspen Mountain as the backdrop. The show continues with daily après-ski events, on-mountain parties, in-store presentations and after-hours concerts.
MARCH 13–16 The Après-Ski Cocktail Classic celebrates the cocktail culture of après ski with a series of mountaintop parties, cocktail tastings, fireside chats, a Grand Tasting Village and an après-ski pub crawl through town.
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ASPEN, Colorado
“After months of sitting vacant due to the freezing cold, the decks around the mountains and in town defrost and host the liveliest scenes in Aspen and some of the world’s greatest people watching.”
PEAK SHOPPING DISTRICT You’d have to travel to Beverly Hills or New York City to match downtown Aspen’s collection of luxury boutiques.
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cabins for a lavish meal prepared by a gourmet chef, sleep to the sound of a crackling fire and enjoy fresh powder the next morning after another over-the-top meal. After months of sitting vacant due to the freezing cold, the decks around the mountains and in town defrost and host the liveliest scenes in Aspen and some of the world’s greatest people watching. The famous two-tiered deck at Bonnie’s on Aspen Mountain should be your first stop. Grab a cup of white bean chili, a mug of warm red wine, a slice of authentic apple strudel with hand-whipped cream and take a seat in the sun to experience Aspen’s best patio atmosphere. At Aspen Highlands, Cloud Nine’s deck turns into a Euro disco. At Snowmass Village, Viceroy Snowmass offers ski-in/ ski-out sushi at Nest and a vodka bar steps from the pool. For something more posh and quintessentially Aspen, suss out the orange umbrellas of The Little Nell’s pop-up champagne bar, The Oasis, located mid-slope on Aspen Mountain. Once there, raise a glass of Veuve Clicquot and toast the fact that right here, right now, this is the best that Aspen gets. Aspen-resident Tess Weaver writes for Aspen, Powder and Freeskier magazines while skiing 70 days a year.
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CORBIS
where intermediate groomers reign, it’s hard to beat cruising any of the runs accessed from the Elk Camp chairlift on a perfect spring morning. If you’re looking for something more adventurous, head to the Sheer Bliss run and look for one of the gates leading to Hang On’s or Buckskin. Spring storms blast the high elevation terrain at Snowmass. After a storm, head to the top of the mountain to ski spring powder before the sun’s rays bake the snow. By March, conditions in the backcountry also grow safer and Aspen offers plenty of ways to ski beyond the resort boundary, no matter your experience level. Ride a luxury snowcat to the backside of Aspen Mountain with Aspen Mountain Powder Tours, where you’ll score fresh tracks down gentle alpine bowls with expansive views of the picturesque Elk Mountains. Aspen Expeditions’ guides lead clients to lift-accessed backcountry off all four of Aspen’s resorts. Ski wide-open intermediate terrain off Snowmass Mountain or black diamond steeps off Aspen Highlands. Take it even farther off the map and to a higher level of luxury with one of Aspen Expeditions’ Epicurean Hut Trips. Ski on alpine touring equipment to one of Aspen’s many backcountry
MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME
AJAX TAVERN
SPRING CAFÉ
SPRING CAFÉ
DAVID BURKE KITCHEN
Aspen Members can choose from one of five Signature Residences ranging from the 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath, 3,800-square foot Encore home that sits one block away from the Aspen Mountain gondola to the 7-bedroom, 7.5-bath, 7,988-square-foot Blue Spruce manse located alongside Hunter Creek on the sunny side of Aspen Valley. Aspen Highlands skiers can settle into the 5-bedroom, 5.5-bath, 5,793-square-foot Roaring Fork residence and walk to the lifts. After a day on the slopes, guests have acess to Ritz-Carlton Club spa.
SUSTENANCE, WELL DESERVED SPRING CAFÉ Start your day out right with a hearty and healthy breakfast, including energy packed smoothies. Warm up with a chai latté made with their homemade nut milk.
AJAX TAVERN An Aspen icon for decades, Ajax Tavern’s open deck at the base of Aspen Mountain is a must. Order the restaurant’s famous double burger served with truffle fries and kick back as local bands offer a live soundtrack to the end of your day on the slopes.
AJAX TAVERN: C2 PHTOOGRAPHY
CLOUD NINE ALPINE BISTRO Book an outside table for the last seating of the day
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at this mid-mountain institution at Aspen Highlands. When you book the reservation, order the raclette, a melted cheese that you can slather over baked potatoes or air-dried beef. That way it’s ready as soon as you sit down. The extensive wine list and unmatched views of the iconic Maroon Bells mountains will keep you occupied until ski patrol signals last call.
DAVID BURKE KITCHEN The celebrity chef opened a spinoff of his eponymous New York City restaurant in downtown Aspen that features locally sourced dry-aged meats (think elk, venison, wild boar) and a seasonal menu.
BURLINGAME CABIN Once a sheepherder’s cabin, the Burlingame is a short snowcat ride away from Snowmass Village, but thanks to its secluded location tucked among an aspen grove, it seems a world apart. The menu is decidedly cowboy with barbecue pork, fresh chili and mac and cheese served family-style. Local storytellers and musicians entertain guests throughout.
LEARN MORE ABOUT INSPIRATO’S
RICARD BRASSERIE & LIQUOR BAR/ BIA HOI SOUTHEAST ASIAN STREET FOOD A Food & Wine “Best New Chef,” Tim Goodell from Los Angeles has partnered with Related Colorado to open two new restaurants in Snowmass Village this winter. Ricard Brasserie serves classic French fare such as prime steak tartare, oysters and house-made charcuterie. Bia Hoi’s draw is an extensive drink menu that puts a Colorado spin on tropical cocktails thanks to spirits and beers from local distillers and brewers.
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Logan Taylor’s list Personal Vacation Advisor SHOPPING: Downtown Aspen is the Madison Avenue of the Rockies—and arguably the chicest shopping town between Chicago and Las Vegas— due to its cluster of upscale boutiques. Find the latest from Prada, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Ralph Lauren and more among local faves such as Gorsuch.
SPA: Remède Spa at the St. Regis offers customized treatments. Mar. 16, 2014 ASPEN SANTA FE BALLET performs “Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo.” Apr. 8, 2014 ASPEN FILM SHORTSFEST Short films star at the Wheeler Opera House.
INSPIRATO MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014
THE CRADLE OF INSPIRATION
E ASTERN MEDITERR ANE AN CRUISE Where some of the world's richest history lives, from the sunny shores that were once Constantinople to the grand Acropolis of ancient Greece, we're inviting members to an unparalleled opportunity to discover inspiration: our first foray into the Eastern Mediterranean on a customized, members-only cruise.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE 888.546.5008 | WWW.INSPIRATO.COM/CRUISE
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.
ANGUILLA, BRITISH WEST INDIES
CHANGE THE WAY YOU
EXPERIENCE THE WORLD
I
MAGINE PRIVILEGED ACCESS TO A GROWING COLLECTION OF LUXURY VACATION RESIDENCES, CUSTOM
experiences, VIP events, and more. Imagine an expert advisor committed to making each trip you take 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 o en than you ever thought possible.
THIS IS INSPIRATO WITH AMERICAN EXPRESS WELCOME TO A WHOLE NEW WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE WORLD.
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M E M B E R S H I P | ABOUT INSPIRATO
INSPIRATO SIGNATURE SERVICE A PRIVATE CLUB EXPERIENCE Inspirato Signature Service is at the heart of the member experience. It represents our commitment to making your vacations easier, and better, every time you travel with us. Your Personal Vacation Advisor will serve as your advocate and guide to help you get the most from your membership. Our onsite staff will welcome you with expert advice and assistance. And our entire team will remember your unique preferences so you can enjoy a private club experience at every Signature Residence, event and adventure—even if your vacation is halfway around the world.
DORADO BEACH, PUERTO RICO
INSPIRATO SIGNATURE COLLECTIONS WHERE WILL YOU GO NEXT? Our Inspirato Signature Collections feature hundreds of irresistible luxury vacation choices: awe-inspiring Signature Residences, custom Signature Experiences in faraway lands, Signature Ticket VIP access at celebrated global events, 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 The Kentucky Derby and the Sundance Film Festival—you always have somewhere new to explore with us.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCES
SIGNATURE TICKET
MAKE YOUR PRIMARY RESIDENCE JEALOUS
CELEBRATED EVENTS AND EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE
Our Signature Residences combine the space and comfort of private vacation homes with the five-star service of luxury resorts. 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, investing an average of $50,000 in furnishings, high-end electronics and other upgrades to meet our exacting standards. And each home includes a Destination Concierge and daily housekeeping to handle all the details.
Your Inspirato membership is so much more than lavish villas and unforgettable vacations. It’s also access to VIP events, celebrity one-on-ones, backstage passes and exclusive packages built around some of the most extraordinary happenings in the world. Through Inspirato’s Signature Ticket, members have visited the Masters and New York Fashion Week, gone behind the ropes at the Sundance Film Festival, witnessed the Kentucky Derby from Millionaires Row and much more.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES
SIGNATURE STAYS
EXPLORE THE FAR<FLUNG
WORLD CLASS HOTELS AND RESORTS
Learn something that could change everything. Catch yourself living life to the fullest. Our Signature Experiences feature themed global journeys inspired by your wildest travel dreams. From an all-inclusive Eastern Mediterranean cruise to a once in a lifetime voyage in the unforgettable Galapagos Islands, these custom members-only adventures deliver the ease, comfort and certainty of the Inspirato experience in far-flung places you have always wanted to explore.
Inspirato partners with select iconic hotel and resort brands to expand the Inspirato Signature Residence portfolio into major metropolitan areas and member-favorite resorts around the world. From a penthouse suite in Manhattan, Chicago or Las Vegas to a beachside resort in St Barts or Nantucket, we deliver luxurious accommodations and premier services with an Inspirato touch.
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M E M B E R S H I P | ABOUT INSPIRATO
INSPIRATO CLUB MEMBER BENEFITS EVERY INSPIRATO MEMBERSHIP COMES WITH THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS TO MAKE YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE CLUB EVEN MORE EXHILARATING.
Dedicated Personal Vacation Advisors: Dedicated travel planners assigned to each member and committed to building the service relationship, learning travel preferences, helping plan flawless vacations and imparting expert advice.
Destination Concierges: Local destination experts who deliver attentive, onsite support during your Signature Residence experiences with the club.
Partner Programs: Privileged access and discounted pricing to such luxury services as private golf courses and custom clothing manufacturers, private air and VIP transportation services, chefs and gourmet culinary experiences, and much more. Family Sharing: Treat your parents, your spouse’s parents and your children age 25 and over to unforgettable Inspirato vacations of their own. Jaunt: Our drop-everything-and-go, short notice travel program giving members access to outstanding Inspirato Signature Residences for as little as $295/night.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE CÉBLUE VILLAS, ANGUILLA
THE INSPIRATO DIFFERENCE
MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS We offer options specifically designed around the way members use the club, so you can travel in a way that best fits your schedule and interests. All membership options come with the same Inspirato Signature Service and Club Member Benefits, but offer different access and features.
HOW DOES IT WORK? Simple. Flexible. Easy.
Members-Only Rates: Significant savings on nightly rates — as compared to open market rates on accommodations with a comparable level of services and amenities— when vacationing at Inspirato Signature Collection destinations.
Certified Collections: A collection of residences, experiences, hotel and resort stays that have been vetted and verified by the Inspirato team to provide members with additional vacation options and benefits.
Inspirato members pay a one-time Initiation Fee to join the club at their desired membership level, plus an Annual Membership Fee. In return, they enjoy access to our Inspirato Signature Collection of vacation choices: Signature Residences, Signature Experiences, Signature Ticket VIP events and Signature Stays, all at members-only rates that vary depending on the desired trip, destination and dates. And every trip comes with our hallmark Inspirato 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 nights you use. At the end of each year, you pay the Annual Membership Fee to renew, or walk away with no further commitment.
NOT A MEMBER YET? CALL 888.546.5008 OR VISIT INSPIRATO.COM TO LEARN MORE.
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INSPIRATO
SIGNATURE COLLECTIONS 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
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Abaco, Bahamas Anguilla Aspen Beaver Creek Cacique Peninsula, Costa Rica Chamonix, France Chicago Deer Valley Devon, England Doonbeg, Ireland Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico Dordogne, France Fort Lauderdale Grand Cayman Great Exuma, Bahamas Hilton Head Island
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Isle of Palms Jackson Hole Kiawah Island Kohala Coast La Paz, Mexico Lake Tahoe, Northstar Lake Tahoe, Squaw Valley Las Vegas Los Cabos, Mexico Maui, Kapalua Maui, Wailea Miami/South Beach Nantucket
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Naples New York City Newport, Rhode Island Palm Springs Palmetto Bluï¬&#x20AC; Paris, France Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica Provence, France Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Punta de Mita, Mexico Rancho Palos Verdes Rose Hall, Jamaica Rosemary Beach St. Barts San Diego San Francisco
153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166
Scottsdale Sea Island Singer Island Snowmass Steamboat Springs Stowe Telluride Texas Hill Country Tortola, British Virgin Islands Turks & Caicos Tuscany, Italy Vail Whistler Wine Country, Sonoma
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ABACO
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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 their day’s fish stories. Or simply relax on a secluded beach or cruise between islands on a chartered sailboat. The choice is yours.
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 the mainland U.S. than Caribbean destinations, with several airlines
BAHAMAS
offering direct flights from Florida to Marsh Harbour on the island.
PRIME SNORKELING
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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 has the painkiller as its signature cocktail. Abaco has the Whachamacallit, a blend of iced tea, lemonade,
Explore our Abaco Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations
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.
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.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE BOUGAIN VILLA 3 BED / 3.5 BATH
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With fine 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.
HIGHLIGHTS CLEAR CARIBBEAN The
Caribbean opens just beyond the terrace of every Signature Residence 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. 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.
BRITISH WEST INDIES
SENSATIONAL SNORKELING There’s
great scuba diving, too, but the abundant calm bays around Anguilla and its outlying islands make for easy snorkeling where you’ll see worlds of bright fish and coral reefs. FINE DINING For a population of just under 15,000 residents, you’d never guess that Anguilla could house so many outstanding restaurants. Chefs prepare cuisine with influences from Asia, Africa, France and more. Don’t leave without sampling some authentic
~6~ RESIDENCES Explore our Anguilla Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations
Anguillan barbecue. THE POOL Each residence features a private pool. RELAX AND UNWIND
simply unwind, relax and reconnect. Have breakfast delivered to your villa, lunch served to your chair in the sand, and dinner prepared and served poolside at your private villa. RESORT AMENITIES At CéBlue Villas & Beach Resort, enjoy the fitness room, kids’ game room, spa treatment rooms, members’ lounge area and intimate beachfront dining at da’Vida.
Swim, dive, kayak, paddleboard, boat, fish—all the delights you desire, in or over the water. Bike, shop, golf, dine—
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE CÉBLUE VILLAS 5 BED / 6 BATH
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ASPEN
COLORADO
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE BLUE SPRICE 7 BED / 7.5 BATH
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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.
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HIGHLIGHTS ASPEN, YOUR WAY All
the photo will likely be of the spectacular Maroon Bells, some of the mostphotographed mountains in the world. Consider a visit in the summer, when these 14,000-foot peaks are covered in a riot of wildflowers.
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 7,988-square-foot, seven-bedroom Blue Spruce for a group get-together or the 4,278-square-foot, four-bedroom Silver Queen for something slightly more intimate, whatever you desire, our Aspen homes deliver.
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.
MAROON BELLS If you buy a postcard in Aspen,
Aspen restaurants
FASHION FORWARD Join
~5~ RESIDENCES Explore our Aspen Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations
FOUR FOR ONE Enjoy access to four worldclass ski mountains— Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk—on a single li ticket.
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 perfect glass of wine or a local cra beer to pair with your meal.
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BEAVER CREEK
COLORADO
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE LARKSPUR 5 BED / 6 BATH
F
Fall in love with Beaver Creek—a cozy alpine hamlet in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Taken together with neighboring Vail, these vibrant communities boast thousands of skiable acres, posh residences and an array of world-class amenities.
HIGHLIGHTS CONVENIENT ACCESS
Beaver Creek is the superexclusive smaller sister to her more popular big sister, Vail. Savvy travelers flock to the convenient villageto-village ski offerings at Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek and Arrowhead. 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 can enjoy in your mountain residence.
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ALPINE GOLF Tee off at Beaver Creek Golf Club, a Robert Trent Jones Jr.designed course set amid stunning scenery in the mountain valley. MEMBER FAVORITE
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. NATURAL COLOR Explore this valley on foot or by bike in the summer and fall to experience beautiful golden
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~5~ RESIDENCES Explore our Beaver Creek Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations
American fare made with local, organic ingredients, and don’t miss Splendido at the Chateau with its unique and refined Euro-American cuisine.
aspen glades, multicolored wildflowers and highaltitude overlooks. 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 everchanging menu of rustic
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CACIQUE PENINSULA
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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.
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 and the Palo Verde National Reserve, whitewater ra ing, zip line tours, ATV tours and much more. OFFSHORE ADVENTURES
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 its 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. RIVERS WILD The Gauchepelin Tour starts with a horseback ride to a
C O S TA R I C A
~3~ RESIDENCES Explore our Cacicque Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations
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 forestcanopy 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 day as you explore the dry forest and canyons near the MiraValles volcano. Swim in crystal-clear mineral 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.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE VILLA VIENTOS 4 BED / 4 BATH
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CHAMONIX
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Home of the first Winter Olympics in 1924, Chamonix is a truly legendary sports destination. Tucked into the side of the mountains, Inspirato members can avail themselves of two ski chalets with easy access to the slopes.
HIGHLIGHTS EUROPEAN DINING The
season’s best pairings, from goat-cheese ravioli to sweet-chili salmon, can be savored at Le Panier des 4 Seasons. Or stop by Jekyll and Hyde’s for an upscale take on Guinness steak pie. For après-ski—this is a er all the place that invented it—hit Chambre Neuf for Swedish fare and cocktails. Insider tip: Make a reservation at Hôtel et restaurants Famille for dinner and save room for their famous honey ice cream with raspberry coulis.
FAMILY FUN When the kids aren’t sliding down the slopes at Grands Montets ski area, they can head to the Richard Bozon Sports Centre to zip down the 130-meter covered toboggan run or, during the summer, ride the river rapids. The pool’s waterfalls and slides will keep the little ones busy while you soak up the sun or relax at the spa. SPA ESCAPE The Spa at
Les Granges d’en Haut feature the skills and expertise of the Caudalie brand and its Vinothrapie® treatments. While there
FRANCE
~2~ STAYS Explore Inspirato’s Chamonix Signature Stays at inspirato. com/destinations
enjoy the indoor lap pool, Jacuzzi, steam bath, sauna and tropical rain showers. RIDE TO THE TOP Once the world’s highest gondola, the trip to the majestic spire Aiguille du Midi will take your breath away, as will the view from the 12,605-foot summit needle.
If you have the legs, you can ski down the Vallée Blanche run to the valley below, a nearly 12.5-mile descent that drops almost 9,000 feet. MONT BLANC The gargantuan glaciers of Mont Blanc (elevation, 15,781 feet) punctuate the skyline and the mountain sets the stage for adventure. The area attracts adrenaline junkies from around the world to ski, board and climb its famous slopes.
SIGNATURE STAY CHALET GLADYS 4 BED / 4 BATH
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CHICAGO
ILLINOIS
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE LAKEVIEW 2 BED / 2.5 BATH
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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 lateafternoon 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™.
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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 personal concierge is available to help you find the city’s newest hotspots and off-thebeaten-path gems. 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.
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~4~ RESIDENCES/ STAYS Explore our Chicago Signature Residence and Signature Stays at inspirato.com/ destinations
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.
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DEER VALLEY
U TA H
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE BLUEBELL 3 BED / 3.5 BATH
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Some devotees believe that Utah has the best powder in the world. That must be the reason SKI Magazine has named Deer Valley the top ski resort in North America for four consecutive years. That soft snow coupled with Deer Valley’s exceptional service—from ski valets and overnight equipment storage to superb on-mountain dining venues—makes the resort a five-star experience at every turn.
HIGHLIGHTS WILD WEST LUXURY
Slopeside with ski-in, ski-out convenience, several of our Signature Residences are situated in the heart of Deer Valley Resort in the Village at Empire Pass. Rich wood finishes, lush granite countertops and warm decorations add to the inviting, mountain lodge feel of Inspirato’s stylish accommodations. SKI CONVENIENCE
Inspirato’s Signature Residences offer deluxe accommodations and most provide ski-in, ski-
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out access and private ski storage rooms. ROOM WITH A VIEW
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. HIGH ALTITUDE GOLF
When the snow melts, spend some time at Hawkeye’s private community putting green before heading out for a round at a nearby course.
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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.
TWO WHEEL TOURING
Deer Valley has nearly 70 miles of bike trails with variable terrain and terrific views. And bike season continues through the fall, when changing leaves are spectacular. PARK CITY Chances are good that you won’t want to leave the comfort of
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DEVON
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Explore Devon and take a trip back in time. The rolling English countryside topped with ancient tors. Rustic farmhouses and rural villages. Cobbled streets and squares. The history and beauty of the moors and the mystery of historic Stonehenge. It’s England at its most poetic.
HIGHLIGHTS MICHELIN DINING Devon boasts Michelin-star-rated restaurants, including the exceptional Gidleigh Park, where head chef Michael Caines serves one of the best meals in Britain inside of a Tudor-style 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. Off the course, there’s falconry, archery, flyfishing, clay-pigeon shooting
ENGLAND
and horseback riding. A erwards, refresh at the spa. All within a short walk of the Inspirato’s lodges. FAMILY FUN Children 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 Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company for a tour of the countryside and coastline.
~2~ STAYS Explore our Inspirato Signature Stays next to Bovey Castle at inspirato.com/ destinations
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.
SIGNATURE STAY BOVEY CASTLE
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DOONBEG
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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 Lodge at Doonbeg™ and its celebrated links course, this is Ireland as you always dreamed.
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 a spectacular as the course, from century-old dunes to windswept view of the Atlantic. COASTAL IRELAND
County Clare is steeped in history and tradition, which makes it a fascinating place for children of all 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 grey seals. WALLS OF ROCK The Cliffs of Moher stretch for five miles along the Atlantic coast and soar straight out of the sea up to 702 feet high. The jaw-dropping view draws millions to the
IRELAND
~2~ STAYS Explore Inspirato’s Signature Stays in Doonbeg at inspirato. com/destinations
trails along its crest. Rock-climbing instructors from The Lodge at Doonbeg will assist you in climbing and repelling down the famed limestone formations in Burren.
personalities with a table in the award-winning 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.
FINE DINING At Doonbeg, diners can experience chef Wade Murphy’s dual
SIGNATURE STAY LODGE AT DOONBEG
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DOR ADO BEACH
PUERTO RICO
DORADO BEACH, PUERTO RICO
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Inspired by original developer Laurance S. 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 surf boards.
HIGLIGHTS MAKE A SPLASH From
the sunny golden sands of Dorado Beachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s private beach, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 Beach is the only Caribbean resort offering 54 holes. Even better, the
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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 JUNGLE The
only tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest System, El Yunque National Forest is located 90 minutes from the resort. Lace up your hiking shoes (and bring a bathing suit) to enjoy trails through a lush jungle canopy, with waterfalls along the way.
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~3~ RESIDENCES Explore our Dorado Beach Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations
DINING Zafra serves delectable New World and Caribbean-inspired 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 concierge to book a massage in the open-air treatment room perched among the tops of the palm trees at Botanico Spa. 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.
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DORDOGNE
FRANCE
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE CHATEAU ESPERANCE 4 BED / 4 BATH
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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.
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 medieval clifftop chateaux, Roman ruins, home to the prehistoric artwork found in the caves
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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 (slowcooked duck thigh) and even pommes sarladaises (potatoes roasted in duck fat and garlic). All are on offer at the region’s family-owned restaurants.
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~1~ RESIDENCE Explore our Dordogne Signature Residence at inspirato.com/ destinations
Wine lovers can escape to the legendary wines of Bordeaux, no more than a two-hour drive away.
cave explorations. Or dial back the adventure and stroll through Sariat, a quaint medival 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.
TAKE IT OUTSIDE As one of France’s most scenic regions, outdoor pursuits are on the order here, including horseback riding, treetop adventure parks, hot air balloon rides and
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FORT LAUDERDALE
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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 access to the resort’s sprawling pool deck overlooking the ocean.
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. DINING AND SHOPPING
Speaking of Las Olas Way, this quaint, pedestrianfriendly district offers more than 30 al fresco dining options including Yolo, our pick for best meal in the city, and 65 upscale
boutiques that can outfit men, women and families is 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 through the Riverwalk district. SPA DAY The RitzCarlton is home to Fort Lauderdale’s largest luxury spa and the only one in the area to offer “SkinCeutical” anti-aging facial treatments, which use a precise application of Vitamin A to help rid
FLORIDA
~1~ RESIDENCE Explore our Fort Lauderdale Signature Residence at inspirato.com/ destination
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.
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. BEACH There’s plenty of room to find a quiet spot on Fort Lauderdale’s expanse
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE GRAND CANAL 3 BED / 3 BATH
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GR AND CAYMAN
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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.
HIGHLIGHTS FRONT ROW SEATS
Any closer and your toes would be in the water. The spacious and airy beachfront condominiums and boutique residences overlook the lapping turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Private terraces offer unobstructed views of Seven Mile Beach.
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.
SWIM WITH STINGRAYS
Experience Grand Cayman’s marine life up close and personal with a stop at Stingray City, where you can swim with a colony of stingrays in the open sea.
DINING Island classics
like conch stew at Vivine’s Kitchen on the East End and inventive twists such as a jerk-spiced burger at Macabuca Oceanside
C AY M A N I S L A N D S
~5~ RESIDENCES Explore our Grand Cayman Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations
Tiki Bar & Grill will get you in that laid-back local islander mood.
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.
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
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE COUSTEAU 4 BED / 4.5 BATH
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GREAT EXUMA
BAHAMAS
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE AZUR 3 BED / 3 BATH
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The largest of 365 cays, Great Exuma attracts sailors to its glass-clear waters, anglers to its big-game fishing and nearly everyone else for its powdery-soft sand beaches and tropical waters teeming with life. Inspirato members can make themselves at home inside Grand Isle Resort on the water and just 15 minutes from the international airport.
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HIGHLIGHTS WATER WORLD With more
than 360 cays or islands to explore, chartering a boat for a day or an overnight will let you cruise to a deserted cay with a pristine beach. Or drop anchor next to a coral reef and snorkel through the abundant sea life. At the Exuma Wall, scuba divers can plunge from the turquoise shallows down 75 feet of the wall that’s home to a huge array of sea life of all shapes and sizes. The surf may not be epic, but the ever-present winds make for excellent kiteboarding.
UNTOUCHED WORLD Since 1958 the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park has protected the wildlife onshore and in the water, leaving the park as a pristine example of the Bahamas as they were before humans arrived. As a result, the Stomatolite reefs are home to some the oldest and rarest living creatures in the region. CONCH DELIGHTS
Bahamian conch (the meat of a giant sea snail) is the islands’ “it” dish. Find it in everything from conch salad to conch fritters or a brimming bowl of conch chowder. Big D’s Famous Conch Spot serves it up
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~2~ RESIDENCES Explore Inspirato’s Signature Residences on Great Exuma at inspirato.com/ destinations
CARIBBEAN ADVENTURES The young
ones can join a treasure hunt on the beach for coins and more, fly a kite, become expert sandcastle builders and frolic in the ocean on paddleboard.
fresh alongside a cold bottle of Kalik beer. The beach bar Chat ‘N’ Chill® is where locals rub shoulders with the yachting crowd over conch burgers and grilled gouper. SEASTAR SPA Pamper yourself with a range of skin and body therapies, from Balinese massage to organic facials.
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HILTON HEAD ISLAND
SOUTH CAROLINA
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE SWITCHGRASS 6 BED / 6.5 BATH
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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.
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HIGHLIGHTS 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 Hills Course is one of South Carolina’s finest.
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 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.
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~1~ RESIDENCE Explore our Hilton Head Island Signature Residence at inspirato. com/destination
INDULGE AND UNWIND
Choose from one of the many treatments and packages available at The Ocean Tides Spa, conveniently located near your residence.
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.
SUN DOWNER Sunsets are a treasured time on Hilton Head. Find prime viewing and good eats at
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ISLE OF PALMS
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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’s been a luxury vacation spot for South Carolinians since the 19th century.
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 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 golf on the Tom Faziodesigned Links Course along the oceanfront and
SOUTH CAROLINA
~1~ RESIDENCE Explore our Isle of Palms Signature Residence at inspirato. com/destination
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.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE WATERWAY 5 BED / 5.5 BATH
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JACKSON HOLE
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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 here 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.
WYOMING
HIGHLIGHTS THE SETTING Jackson PERFECTLY LOCATED Our
homes provide easy access to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Teton Village, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, the astonishing 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 outside with the luxurious comforts found inside.
Hole Mountain Resort draws skiers and boarders from around the globe with its varied terrain, which ranges from gentle slopes to extreme backcountry runs. At the base of the resort, Teton Village feels as if you have been magically whisked away to Europe. The “Vil” has Swiss architecture and all the amenities you would expect from an internationally renowned vacation destination. TETON VILLAGE This quaint village has become a
~9~ RESIDENCES Explore our Jackson Hole Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations
destination in its own right. Visitors enjoy delicious restaurants, inviting espresso bars, cozy aprèsski hangouts and eclectic shopping. OUTDOOR THRILLS
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 Town Square is like stepping into the Wild West, complete with friendly cowboys, authentic saloons, chuck-wagon dinners, and horseback and stagecoach rides.
Summer is bright and warm with hiking, flyfishing, golfing, live music
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE BIG HORN 3 BED / 3.5 BATH
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K IAWAH ISLAND
SOUTH CAROLINA
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE AZALEA 6 BED / 6.5 BATH
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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, Kiawah’s topography features lush forests, tidal creeks and freshwater ponds.
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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. SIGNATURE RESIDENCE
Our Kiawah Island Signature Residences comfortably accommodate up to 14 guests and offer the ultimate in relaxed island luxury. They’re close to the beach,
golf courses, shopping, restaurants and all that Kiawah has to offer. HOTEL PARTNER
Recognized by everyone from Forbes to Travel + Leisure, The Sanctuary Hotel is among the world’s finest resorts. Enjoy grand architecture, meticulous detail and design, classic décor and a five-piece bathroom. Two outdoor swimming pools with views of the ocean, a toddler pool and an indoor lap pool are perfect for wading, playing or exercising.
~3~ RESIDENCES Explore our Kiawah Island Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
With 30 miles of gentle bike paths, Kiawah is, perhaps, best toured on two wheels. Pedal down the quaint village lanes and boardwalks or cruise down to the beach for a picnic lunch. GET TO THE GREENS You could easily spend your
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entire vacation on the immaculate, world-class golf courses, including The Ocean Course, Turtle Point and Oak Point. As always, your concierge can arrange tee times, club rentals and other logistics. GARDEN PARTY 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 ambience that permeates the entire island. Modeled a er European classics such as Versailles, the grounds at Middleton will inspire all ages to stop and smell the flowers.
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KOHALA COAST
H AWA II
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE HALE HONU 3 BED / 3.5 BATH
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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.
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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 her full fury. Better still, hike through the ancient rain forest to a newly lava-paved 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 breezes. For a wider expanse of sandy beach that’s great for a morning
stroll or for the kids to build sand castles, 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 you will watch as the spinner dolphins come out to play, while the sun sets on the horizon. Sit back, relax and enjoy the air flowing through your hair with cocktail in hand.
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~5~ RESIDENCES Explore our Hawaii Signature Residences at Inspirato.com/ destinations
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 clouds of 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. 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 and spiritual sites.
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LA PAZ
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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.
HIGHLIGHTS SEA LIFE 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 Espiritu 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 to the area 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. LA PAZ The mellow side of Baja was discovered by writer John Steinbeck in the 1940s and made famous again by marine explorer
~3~ RESIDENCES Explore our La Paz Signature Residences and resort partner at inspirato.com/ destinations
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. WELLNESS From daily yoga on the beach to a full slate of indulgent spa treatments, Espiritu Spa at CostaBaja™ resort offers 60 different way to rejuvenate the body.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE VILLA PERLA 3 BED / 3.5 BATH
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LAK E TAHOE
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With 12 major mountain resorts in two states offering every imaginable sport and amenity, Tahoe truly has something for everyone—every season, every night and every day. 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. RESORT AMENITIES
Enjoy access to fitness centers, hot tubs, a swimming pool and more at the Ritz-Carlton®—all just steps from your residence. NORTHSTAR MOUNTAIN
Northstar resort features
95 ski trails spread across 3,000 acres of varied terrain. It’s a proper spring paradise that’s characteristic of the entire Tahoe region. It’s also the 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 GOLFING
Unforgettable golf courses—such as Northstar-at-Tahoe, Old
N O R T H S TA R
~5~ RESIDENCES/ STAYS Explore our Northstar Signature Residences and Signature Stays at inspirato.com/ destinations
Greenwood and Gray’s Crossing—offer superb summer greens and gorgeous views. STAY ACTIVE With a dozen major ski areas, golf courses, trails and streams, dozens of restaurants and unique shopping opportunities at every
turn, Tahoe is the ideal destination in summer or spring. VILLAGE SKATING RINK
Leisurely skating on an open rink is a wonderful way to end a day of shopping and exploring the Tahoe area. THE VILLAGE AT NORTHSTAR The mountain
village provides access to five-star dining, boutique shopping, private fitness centers and more.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE POLARIS 3 BED / 3 BATH
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LAK E TAHOE
S Q U AW VA L L E Y
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE APEX 5 BED / 3.5 BATH
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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.
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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 snowcovered playground any way you’d like to slice it. PRIVATE LUXURY Apex, one of Inspirato’s amazing properties, features an expansive wraparound deck where you can watch the epic Tahoe sunset burn in coral hues for a breathtaking instant. Inside,
the timber lodge ceiling of your great room soars to beautiful heights, and the full kitchen is truly a gourmand’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 chock-full of appetizers, salads, pastas and gourmet pizzas. JUST SAY SPA AHHH
In the heart of the village, the Trilogy Spa offers private, award-winning treatments. Reserve some
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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 & Cra s Festival in late June to the Annual Alpen Wine Fest in early September, Inspirato members will never be at a loss for fun.
SNOW DAY Kids ages 6 to 12 will enjoy riding a snowmobile that’s just their size at the SnoVentures mini-snowmobile course.
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LAS VEGAS
N E VA D A
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE ALL IN 2 BED / 2.5 BATH
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The luxurious suites at Vdara put you in the middle of the best of the Vegas Strip, but its casino-free 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.
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 DragonRidge. FINE DINING The number of chefs with gourmet venues in Las Vegas grows every years: Joel Robuchon, Michael Mina, Charlie Palmer, Tom
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Colicchio, Alain Ducasse, Andre Rochat and more have created showpiece restaurants that serve unforgettable menus. CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
~4~ RESIDENCES/ STAYS Explore Inspirato’s Signature Residences and Signature Stays in Las Vegas at inspirato.com/ destinations
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 different resorts along the Strip. You really have to see their unique combination of dance and dexterity, live theater and acrobatics to believe it.
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.
NIGHTLIFE If Las Vegas doesn’t sleep, should you?
VEGAS FOR KIDS Las Vegas isn’t all about
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decadence; there’s plenty for the whole family to do. From the Shark Reef Acquarium 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 attack at Treasure Island, Vegas delivers.
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LOS CABOS
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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.
HIGHLIGHTS SIT BACK AND RELAX
As a guest of Auberge Private Residences at Esperanza Resort and Punta Ballena Resort, members staying in these resort residences have world-class dining and spa access to what Condé Nast Traveler readers call one of the top resorts in all of Mexico. Head down to the beautiful pools, try an award-winning 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. THE SPA The Spa at Esperanza regularly appears on Travel + Leisure’s best-of lists. ZIPLINE TOUR Hook up to a zipline and soar fast and far over the wide canyons of the Baja landscape. THE SERVICE From room service to poolside attendants at many of the residences, your every need
MEXICO
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is taken care of. CONVENIENT LUXURY
With stunning ocean views and five-star amenities close at hand, your family won’t need to go far to enjoy the best of Los Cabos.
have a variety of options for the perfect place to stay. 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 dinner reservations or how to schedule that whalewatching tour or round of championship golf; your Destination Concierge will handle it all.
THE SELECTION With 20 Signature Residences, you
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE VILLA BUENAVENTURA 5 BED / 7 BATH
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MAUI, K APALUA
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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 the bright sunshine and mere steps away from the area’s dramatic volcanic sands and shore.
HIGHLIGHTS RAIN FOREST HIKES A
hike through the Kapalua Maunalei Arboretum Rain Forest 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. And 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. 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-yard stunner is considered one of the best courses in the country,
H AWA II
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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 62, you’ll have to avoid its biggest
water hazard, the blue waters of Oneola Bay. LOCAL EATS Located in Kapalua, Honolua Store is a 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.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE ONELOA 3 BED / 3.5 BATH
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MAUI, WAILEA
H AWA II
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE NALU 4 BED / 4 BATH
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You can truly have it your way on Maui. From exploring a lush rain forest 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. The Inspirato 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.
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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.
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 and two whirlpools, complimentary transport to Wailea Golf Club and within the Wailea community, and access to the Keiki Lani children’s program. You could leave the resort, but why would you want to?
THE RESORT EXPERIENCE
The Fairmont Kea Lani offers three pools, beach activities, a spa and great restaurants—all without leaving the resort. Your
INSIDER’S TIP Most visitors to Maui opt for the Haleakala sunrise, but the sunset is just as spectacular (and you don’t
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complete round-trip, but you’ll want to linger longer at one of five white-sand beaches with swaying palm trees and, in the right season, humpback whalewatching. A MEAL TO REMEMBER
have to get up early). 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.
There’s only one reason we would recommend a 45-minute drive to dinner: Hali’imaile General Store. It’s well worth the trip.
BEACH STROLL The 3-mile Wailea Coastal Walk takes about an hour to
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MIAMI/SOUTH BEACH
FLORIDA
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE SUNDARI 2 BED / 2 BATH
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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.
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HIGHLIGHTS HOTSPOT If you’re in
Miami Beach, there’s only one place to be: South Beach. And if you’re in South Beach, 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 worldclass spa and fitness center, valet parking and beach attendants ready to serve you surfside.
THE CLUB SCENE With hundreds of clubs, bars and other establishments, South Beach is one of the world’s hottest destinations for nightlife.
~3~ RESIDENCES Explore our Miami Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations
GLOBAL DINING
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. ECLECTIC SHOPPING
South Beach is bustling with couture labels, antique shops, fashionable
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galleries, quirky boutiques and retail outlets. Lincoln Road, an open-air pedestrian mall, is the premier shopping area.
you’re never far from the water. ART DECO Tucked amid the sky-high 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.
SUN WORSHIP A collection of Miami’s barrier islands constitute sunny South Beach, and wherever you choose to stay, eat and play in this neighborhood,
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NANTUCK ET
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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.
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 raw, unpopulated
MASSACHUSETTS
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, handcra ed pottery, jewelry and more.
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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 concierge to arrange rental bikes to explore the island’s many bike-accessible beaches and quaint shopping areas. LOCAL ONLY The fine shopping on Nantucket has a distinctly local flavor—so local, in fact, that no chains are allowed on the island.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE HARBOR HAVEN 6 BED / 6.5 BATH
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NAPLES
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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.
HIGHLIGHTS THE LOCATION Our Sunray 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 soaking tub, a spa and pool with custom tile work, and a well-equipped outdoor kitchen. 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.
FLORIDA
EVERGLADES ADVENTURES Explore the
nearby Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve with a guided kayak eco-tour, jungle cruise or swamp safari.
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GREAT OUTDOORS Enjoy exceptional outdoor living spaces with an al fresco kitchen and gas grill, as well as a recently rebuilt pool and spa. EXPLORING NAPLES
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 at a relaxed waterside restaurant or in one of the many upscale dining rooms.
GOLF MECCA 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’s finest and most challenging courses, with unique designs and stunning views no matter where you tee off.
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.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE PALM VILLA 5 BED / 5 BATH
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NEW YORK
NEW YORK
SIGNATURE STAY TRUMP SOHO™ 2 BED / 2 BATH
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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.
HIGHLIGHTS DESIRABLE NEIGHBORHOOD At
Trump SoHo™ New York, one of Manhattan’s most renowned hoteliers welcomes you to the highly desirable location where SoHo meets Tribeca and the West Village—as well as to the neighborhood’s outstanding art galleries, fine dining and boutique shopping. AMENITIES ABOUND At Trump SoHo, your suite features floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views of Manhattan, a spacious living area
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for entertaining, deep soaking tub and standalone shower, as well as a European-style wet bar. TWO LOCATIONS
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In addition to SoHo, you can vacation in fabulous residences at Trump International Hotel & Tower Central Park, giving you easy access to nearby eclectic treasures or the world’s most famous park.
bistros to favorite stops in Chinatown, foodies of every description will find something to expand their culinary horizon.
FINE DINING It’s
SHOPPING Start with
best to pay attention, because new must-visit restaurants pop up every week. From the most exquisite steakhouses to contemporary fusion
the haute boutiques on Madison Avenue, swing through Barneys, Bloomingdale’s and Bergdorf Goodman, then head to the artist-mecca-
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turned-stylish-outdoormall that is SoHo. NIGHTLIFE Looking for an early dinner and a ticket to a Broadway show? Interested in hip clubs in your hippest 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. THE SERVICE You’ll enjoy signature Trump Attaché services 24 hours a day, with everything from a custom-stocked minibar to personalized business cards and laundry service.
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NEWPORT
RHODE ISLAND
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE CAMBRIA 4 BED / 4.5 BATH
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Take your place among the palatial mansions that were once home to famous yachtsmen and the Gatsbyera tycoons at Carnegie Abbey, a classic member’s club offering an equestrian center, tennis facilities and where 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. 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
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elegant seafood to family-style Italian, along Bannister’s Wharf. For a more intimate 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. NARRAGANSETT BAY
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 match-race on the open water.
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EASTON’S BEACH
As Newport’s only ocean 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. LIFE OF LEISURE
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, not overpower the landscape. Equestrians can find peace on a ride that explores 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.
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PALM SPRINGS
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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, starkly beautiful 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.
HIGHLIGHTS
someplace that feels like the other side of the world.
THURSDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
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. GO REMOTE The
breathtaking boulder formations and gnarled branches of the Joshua trees inside Joshua Tree National Park make for a memorable day trip to
GET HIGH Thanks to the
Ariel 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.
CALIFORNIA
~2~ RESIDENCES Explore Inspirato’s Signature Residences in Palm Springs at inspirato.com/ destinations
FAMILY ATTRACTIONS
with animals ranging from Mexican wolves, javelinas, giraffes and cheetahs in a beautiful desert setting.
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, a zoo and conservation area where you can come face-to-face
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.
CULINARY STARS
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE VILLA MAJESTIC 5 BED / 5.5 BATH
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PALMETTO BLUFF
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Encircled by ribbons of rivers, with 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 Auberge resort community, you’ll bike the quiet streets, where there’s no hurry to remove the training wheels. Play a game of bocce ball on a perfectly manicured lawn, and gently recline in rocking chairs on a 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 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 on the porch and spending quality together time. It’s the private community
SOUTH CAROLINA
~2~ RESIDENCES Explore our Palmetto Bluff Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations
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 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. And you can forsake the car for family bike rides on the quiet streets. DAY TRIP The historic city of Savannah lies a 30-minute drive away and offers a wealth of Southern charm including grand house tours of the Isaiah Davenport House Museum and the Mercer House.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE JASMINE 4 BED / 4.5 BATH
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PARIS
FRANCE
SIGNATURE STAY LA RESERVE 2 BED / 2 BATH
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Paris is the crossroads for the world’s best art, cuisine, architecture and many other marvels. The city is also your palette of 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 street-side concert— Paris is truly a feast for the senses.
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HIGHLIGHTS LUXURY AND CONVENIENCE
The spirit of luxury is evident in every detail of your Inspirato property, including, of course, the stunning view of the Eiffel Tower from the window. 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 within easy walking distance. Guests also enjoy complimentary continental
breakfasts to start the day. FOODIE HEAVEN When it comes to pleasing the palate, there’s no place like Paris. Follow your 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. And 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
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JARDIN DU LUXEMBOURG
~2~ STAYS Explore our Paris Signature Stays at inspirato.com/ destinations
spend a full day exploring the treasures at the Musée du Louvre, but be aware that truly seeing the art of Paris 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.
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. LA CINÉMATHÉQUE FRANÇAISE
The Cinémathéque offers daily screenings from its vast collection, the largest in the world.
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PENINSULA PAPAGAYO
C O S TA R I C A
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE JICARO NUEVE 4 BED / 4.5 BATH
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Welcome to Costa Rica’s most exclusive peninsula, where a private beach club and 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 Golfo de Papagayo.
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
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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 Drop down to the Prieta Beach Club and Spa for beachfront snorkeling, lap pool, spa treatments and a relaxing day at the beach. It’s also
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with slips large enough for the Pacific’s most luxurious and largest yachts.
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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. MARINA DISTRICT Marina Papagayo is the country’s first and only luxury marina,
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PROVENCE
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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.
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 Inhale
the delicate scent of lavender floating in the air. 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. TRUFFLE TASTING The “House of Wine and Truffles” offers truffle education along with wine tasting. Pure truffles are for sale. ANTIQUE SHOPPING L’Isle sur la Sorgue is known as the “Venice of Provence” for the canals that wind through town. For antique lovers, this town is a paradise.
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Locals also come here for the fresh fish; if you order the trout almandine at le Vivier, your fish will have been swimming 15 minutes ago.
Pope provided Jews refuge from the French king in the 14th century, and the region boasts beautiful 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.
CATHEDRALS In nearby Avignon, you’ll definitely want to see the famous Pope’s Palace and the Pont d’Avignon. In addition, the
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE CHÂTEAU ROSINE 4 BED / 4.5 BATH
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PUNTA CANA
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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.
HIGHLIGHTS BEAUTIFUL COASTLINE A trip to Punta Cana is all about dedicated, do-nothing 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 offer a stunning backdrop for sunbathing.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
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 glass-bottom power cat with Marinarium Tours for a more serene day at sea. SPECTACULAR HOMES
Our members enjoy some of the Caribbean’s most extraordinary private residences in our plantationstyle homes here, which offer private pools and up to 16,000 square feet.
~5~ RESIDENCES Explore our Punta Cana Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations
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 plantationstyle furnishing and crisp, white linens, was conceived by none other than Oscar de
la Renta—and the inventive 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.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE CASA CANA 5 BED / 5.5 BATH
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PUNTA DE MITA
MEXICO
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE EL TESORO 4 BED / 4 BATH
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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.
HIGHLIGHTS BEACH LIVING ON BANDERAS BAY 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-square-foot residence, will truly take your breath away with
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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 either side and is ideal for surfing, snorkeling or just lounging.
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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 that’s 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, whitesand 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.
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R ANCHO PALOS VERDES
CALIFORNIA
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE SONGBIRD 3 BED / 3 BATH
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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 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
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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,
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shopping along LaBrea Avenue and Melrose Avenue, a movie at the Chinese Theater or a concert under the stars at the 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.
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ROSE HALL
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Situated along Montego Bay with its crystalclear waters and 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.
HIGHLIGHTS NATURALLY JAMAICA
Inspirato members have access to two miles of uninterrupted beach to stake out. Or take a break from the salty sea and climb up the spectacular Dunn’s River Falls and then grab an inner tube and 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 influence of the region, including the 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. KID FRIENDLY It’s always playtime at the Anancy Children’s Village, a model Caribbean village with brightly colored buildings where kids can create puppets or listen to captivating island stories in the Tacoomah hut.
JAMAICA
~1~ RESIDENCE Explore our Jamaica Signature Residence at inspirato.com/ destinations
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.
FUN TIMES Friday evenings, head to the weekly Beach Barbecue on Sunrise Beach 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.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE ROYAL PLANTATION 5 BED / 5 BATH
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ROSEMARY BEACH
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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.
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 features comfortable indoor and
outdoor living spaces and charming décor that reflects the area’s beachtown vibe with upscale amenities. You’ll feel at home as soon as you walk through the front door.
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a viewing deck for spectators.
RESIDENCES Explore our Rosemary Beach Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations
SUNSETS Rosemary Beach has memorable sunsets. If getting away from city lights for some peace and tranquility is your mission, you’ll find it here.
hub for cra s and artistry. The Bayou Arts Center is just one of many venues to take in some original imagination and talent.
ARTS AND CULTURE With numerous fairs, festivals, exhibits and events taking place throughout the year, this is a culturally rich
RACQUET CLUB A tennis destination, the club maintains eight clay courts—six are lighted for evening play—and
THE POOLS Rosemary Beach offers access to four amazing beachside and park-side pools, open to residents and their guests. From cabana-style to infinity-edge pools meant for lounging, enjoy these beautiful areas to cool down and relax. FINE DINING Bring the luxury dining experience to your residence via a personal chef, or take advantage of Rosemary Beach’s premier restaurants.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE SUGARWHITE COTTAGE 6 BED / 6.5 BATH
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ST. BARTS
FRENCH WEST INDIES
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE L’VILLA SANCTUARY 3 BED / 4.5 BATH
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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.
HIGHLIGHTS THE LOCATION Le Sereno overlooks the stunning Grand Cul-de-Sac and sits among an almost half-acre of lush, landscaped gardens with private terraces, pool and parking. THE BEACHES The dazzling white-sand beaches are perfect for relaxing, and the Le Sereno staff will help you find the best spots and the best services. HOSPITALITY IN ANY LANGUAGE The island’s
elegance is unsurpassable, primarily because of
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the Parisian influence. Islanders speak French fluently, and most speak English as well. You’ll find a welcoming smile everywhere you go.
~1~ RESIDENCE Explore our St. Barts Signature Residence at inspirato.com/ destinations
KITE SURFING Kite
surfing is quickly becoming one of the most popular sports on St. Barts. Former kite-surfing champion Enguerrand Espinassou gives expert lessons at the Dive Center on Grand Culde-Sac Beach. THE SAILING Some of the most incredible yachts in the world have slips on St. Barts, and for good reason—this quiet island
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pool, fitness center and personalized beachside service.
is an impeccable sailing location. St. Barts Sailing School, located at Public Beach, offers lessons to help improve your skills, and boat charters are also available.
RESTAURANT DES PÊCHEURS Experience
some of the 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 taste.
THE AMENITIES Enjoy full access to Le Sereno’s resort amenities, including a beachfront swimming
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SAN DIEGO
CALIFORNIA
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE SOLANA 5 BED / 4.5 BATH
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One week here is barely enough time to get a small taste of what the 70 miles of coastline, seven dozen 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 theme-park touring. If the ocean-view villas and cottages weren’t so cozy, you might never want to sleep during your vacation.
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HIGHLIGHTS 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 concierge can set up any type of tour you desire. RANGE OF RESORTS
We’ve delivered several unique resort experiences for you to enjoy, from one of the world’s six triple five-star resorts at The Grand Del Mar to the casual Southern California vibe of La Costa Resort & Spa. At The Beach Village at
The Del, we invite you to spend a week of beachside and poolside living. Or visit Rancho Valencia, the top tennis facility in the U.S. which also includes horseback riding for kids. Choose between accommodations that range from excellent to exquisite. Service, from attentive to superlative. And the experience, from lazy-smile relaxed to jaw-droppingly over-the-top. LEGO AND ENJOY There are few things more exciting to kids than a tour of Legoland, seeing Shamu at SeaWorld or going on a safari at the San Diego Zoo,
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and there are few things more enjoyable to a parent than a satisfied kid.
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 in San Diego is the way to go, and there’s no shortage of ocean-minded eateries up and down the coast.
CABANA LIVING Relax in one of the resort’s poolside cabanas with TVs, magazines and refrigerators stocked with complimentary water, so drinks, fruit and snacks.
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SAN FR ANCISCO
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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 comer. One visit is never enough. Your concierge can help you plan the perfect trip this time, and an equally great one the next.
HIGHLIGHTS
so you needn’t fuss with a rental or taxis.
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. SERVICE Housekeeping will visit your room not once but twice every day to ensure you have everything you need. Following suit, a complimentary car service is available during the day,
ON THE WATER When the skies are clear, there’s nothing better than gaining some perspective on 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. TWO WHEELS The trolley cars are a great way to tour the city, and many of the sites are easily 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.
CALIFORNIA
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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.
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.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE COCOA 2 BED / 2 BATH
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SCOTTSDALE
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It’s the incredible collection of golf courses that truly sets Scottsdale apart. And with Inspirato’s partnership with ClubCorp, 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 more than 200 courses are a short drive away.
HIGHLIGHTS SWING SET Did we mention
the golf? Seriously, duffers will salivate over access to these private clubs: Anthem with its two Steve Nashdesigned 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. FOOD LOVERS James Beard Foundation awardwinning 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. 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. Sunday brunch takes
ARIZONA
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center stage at the upscale and formal Palm Court. SPRING TRAINING Every March, pro baseball players come to the area to gear up for the next season or 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’ springtraining complexes spread across the metropolitan area. SHOPPING OASIS O en 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.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE SONORA 4 BED / 4 BATH
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SEA ISLAND
GEORGIA
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE TIDEWATER 4 BED / 4.5 BATH
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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.
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 500 acres alongside trained dogs, or try something different with Harris 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
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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, Dri wood Beach is renowned for the beautiful dri wood scattered on its sands as well as the giant oaks and pines buried upside down in the sand with their roots exposed to the sky. The effect is a tree graveyard that’s a sight to see.
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LOWCOUNTRY, GEORGIA
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CAMP CLOISTER On any given day The Cloister’s 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.
Other seaside destinations may promise turquoise waters and a landscape scraped clean and then replanted, but The Cloisters is more comfortable: Spanish moss drapes the oaks, the water isn’t crystal clear, but it teems with life and the dunes capture the flotsam and jetsam of the sea—and make it a wonder to explore.
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SINGER ISLAND
FLORIDA
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE HEADSAIL 2 BED / 2.5 BATH
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On the northern reaches of Florida’s most exclusive destination, Palm Beach, sits Singer Island and the RitzCarlton® Residences on Riviera Beach. Enjoy private fitness classes, a heated lagoon pool steps from the beach and easy access to downtown Palm Beach’s world-renowned shopping and galleries on Worth Avenue.
HIGHLIGHTS FLORIDA WILD Take a
guided tour of John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, where you can kayak or paddleboard around the sprawling estuary of mangrove forests and other wonders and catch glimpses of local wildlife including peaceful manatees, lively dolphins and maybe even a gator. If you really want to get blown away, visit Blowing Rocks Preserve to see plumes of water shoot 50 feet into the sky. BOATING Head to the Sailfish Marina, where
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you can take a Water Taxi sightseeing tour or hop on a ferry to Peanut Island, the old U.S. Coast Guard Station located in the heart of the Lake Worth Lagoon. When finished, order the catch of the day at the restaurant at the marina. Rent fishing tackle and book a deep-sea fishing charter, or grab your snorkel for a trip to nearby natural and artificial reefs. Or better yet, charter a 47-foot catamaran for an adventure on the high seas.
items such as spicy rare tuna and blackened mahi. The Tiki Waterfront Grill serves amazing grouper tacos. To get your “shine” on, order drinks at Two Drunken Goats.
DINING From pizza to grouper, Singer Island will satisfy any craving. Coconuts on the Beach offers menu
KIDDING AROUND Let the kids surf with a lesson at Singer Island Surf Camp, or they can ride the slides and
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rivers at Rapids Water Park in West Palm Beach. The Palm Beach Zoo specializes in animals from the tropics.
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SNOWMASS VILLAGE
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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 yearround. 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.
HIGHLIGHTS CONVENIENT ACCESS
First Tracks isn’t just a name. With the Two Creeks chairli right outside this Inspirato residence, you can enjoy first tracks on many of Snowmass’s exciting runs. And for that time off the slopes, this threestory residence gives your teenage kids enough space to have fun on their own. GOLDENLEAF This
beautiful home provides the optimal atmosphere for the entire family to relax and enjoy one another’s company. A grand stone
fireplace opens to the comfortable living room on one side and a 10-seat dining table on the other. Beneath vaulted ceilings, tall windows welcome morning sunshine and offer gorgeous views of the Snowmass valley. The home also features a TV room with a pool table, and a private back patio with a hot tub. FOOD AND DRINK From imaginative upscale cuisine to a low-key evening engaged in comfortable conversation with friends, Snowmass delivers. Try the Village Tavern for a laid-
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~3~ RESIDENCES Explore our Snowmass Village Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations
back après-ski experience, 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.
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 Festival and Snowmass Chili Pepper & Brew Fest, nearly every weekend hops with activity and excitement.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE BABY DOE LODGE 4 BED / 4 BATH
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STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
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At your sprawling mountain home just down the hill from the ski area’s base village, you’ll enjoy views of the Yampa Valley, the mountain and complimentary ski-in, ski-out valet service. See what they mean by Champagne Powder™ snow in the winter and Colorado ranch country as you’ve always imagined it.
HIGHLIGHTS ACTION HEROES
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 hyper-dry 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? 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.
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FOOD FIX
~1~ RESIDENCE Explore our Steamboat Signature Residence at inspirato. com/destination
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 Lodge in the winter. Don’t forget to stop into F.M. Light & Sons, the iconic Western-wear shop founded in 1905 that specializes in cowboy duds.
Start your day at Freshies with a plate of cherrygranola 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 distinguishes Sweetwater Grill from the town’s Western vibe. Its fire pits along the Yampa River lure revelers outdoors yearround.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE DAYBREAK 5 BED / 5.5 BATH
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STOWE
VERMONT
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE STERLING 4 BED / 4.5 BATH
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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 or boots in the summer and fall.
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HIGHLIGHTS STOWE MOUNTAIN
Inspirato members have access to the Stowe Mountain Club at the ski area and its 485 acres and vertical drop of 2,160 feet. 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 36 holes that meander along the slopes of Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak, climbing to an elevation of 1,800 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 ALPINE CONCIERGE®
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’ li tickets. During 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
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tasting—yes, they grow wine up here—is worth it.
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logistics are arranged in advance. TASTE OF VERMONT 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
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.
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TELLURIDE
COLORADO
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE GOLD HILL 5 BED / 5 BATH
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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 Telluride a unique and welcoming destination.
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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, you can ski right out the back door and onto the slopes. Evergreen is only 50 yards from the slopes and boasts a large, handsomely appointed interior. And at Vermilion, you’ll have access to a slopeside ski valet.
SPRING THRILLS With more than 2,000 skiable acres, including the wideopen playground known as Revelation Bowl, it’s easy to understand why locals love to tout the Telluride Ski Resort. 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. SUMMER FUN When the snow recedes to reveal untold stretches of grand hiking and biking terrain, locals take to the hills. The town also plays host
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~7~ RESIDENCES/ STAYS Explore our Telluride Signature Residences and Signature Stays at inspirato.com/ destinations
to nearly weekly worldclass events and festivals throughout the summer, including the life-listworthy Telluride Bluegrass Festival.
renowned Sheridan Arts Foundation. From music and dance to comedy and drama, the foundation fosters a stimulating variety of performing arts throughout the year. FESTIVALS Famous for its steep skiing in the spring, in the summer months Telluride is a hotbed of music, art, food and film festivals almost every weekend.
PERFORMING ARTS
Built by miners in 1913 for vaudeville performances, the Sheridan Opera House is the centerpiece of the
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Endless rolling hills give way to rugged canyons and spring-fed rivers where tranquility abounds. Set up in a luxurious house inside the Stablewood Springs Resort where floats down the Guadalupe River, award-winning vineyards, golf, starpacked skies and miles and miles of spring wildflowers beckon.
HIGHLIGHTS RIVER RECREATION
The Guadalupe River, running by the Stablewood Springs Resort, offers mellow canoeing, kayaking and tubing. There’s also fly-fishing and, during the season, bird hunting available to guests. HILL COUNTRY CHARM
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 one-stop 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. KID FUN Take the gang to Antonio for a wild time at Six Flags® amusement park or the wildlife shows at SeaWorld® San Antonio. Or make a reservation on a restaurant that floats down the scenic River Walk as it meanders through downtown San Antonio. RECREATION Tee off with a round at the historic
TEXAS
~1~ RESIDENCE Explore our Texas Hill Country Signature Residence at inspirato.com/ destinations
Riverhill Country Club, a private course anchored by the property’s original three-story mansion and links designed by Byron Nelson and course architect Joe Finger. Outside of golf, the surrounding area is noted for its mountain biking and hikes.
TEXAS EATS The Antler Grill overlooks miles of the surrounding countryside from its perch atop the valley. But you’ll forget the view once you dive into chef Blas Gonzalez’s signature dishes of locally sourced, organic fare that includes wild game. Outside of Fredericksburg, stop into August E’s for fine dining and nouveau Texas cuisine.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE STABLEWOOD SPRINGS RESORT
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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.
HIGHLIGHTS OUTDOOR LIVING With
65 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 excursions and skiff rentals to staffed
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
and provisioned full-day and multi-day charters aboard an array of yachts and power cats, there’s a wide variety of options for exploring the waters around Tortola. NIGHTLIFE 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 and fresh nutmeg—at the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke. Charter a half- or
~2~ RESIDENCES Explore our Tortola Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations
full-day sailing excursion to the nearby island to try the original, or mix one up right at your residence. BRANDYWINE BAY For one of the most memorable dining experiences in the islands, visit Brandywine Bay on Tortola, a spectacular Italian venue set amid lush gardens overlooking the sea.
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.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE FRENCHMAN’S LOOKOUT 5 BED / 5 BATH
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TURKS & CAICOS
BRITISH WEST INDIES
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE THE SOMERSET ON GRACE BAY
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Located in the British West Indies, Turks & Caicos is a group of pristine islands prized by beach and water lovers around the world. These gorgeous, low-key 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 by noon.
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HIGHLIGHTS ISLAND OASIS AT THE SOMERSET The Somerset
on Grace Bay was designed for pure relaxation and beach lounging. Choose from a variety of residences, each with unique décor, and enjoy first-class service and top-notch amenities as Inspirato caters to your every desire. Dine on gourmet fare or casual favorites; indulge your senses with an en-suite spa service; or take a dip in the infinity-edge pool or reverse-current lap pool, complete with an underwater sound system.
TOP BEACH 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.
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ACTIVITIES ABOUND
WILE AWAY THE DAY
Balance your beach time with action-packed 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 rejuvenate.
With non-motorized water sports, a reading library and a regulation croquet lawn, there is constant fun for the young and young at heart.
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fast fish that swim around the low waters of Grace Bay. To catch these agile creatures, 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 deep-sea fishing excursion. DECADENT DINING Take pleasure in the eclectic dining options. Indulge in a private chef for a meal on the terrace that you won’t soon forget.
EXCELLENT FISHING
Anglers of every experience level can enjoy bonefishing or deep-sea fishing all year long. Bonefish are small,
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TUSCANY
I TA LY
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE IL BRONZINO 9 BED / 7.5 BATH
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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.
HIGHLIGHTS THE CHIANTI REGION In 1716, 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 nine-bedroom villa or enjoyed separately. Il Bronzino is located between Florence and Siena. THE VILLAS All of Inspirato’s spacious residences are situated
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amid impeccably manicured gardens and feature incredible views of the area’s rolling green hills and surrounding vineyards and olive groves.
~ 11 ~ RESIDENCES Explore our Tuscany Signature Residences at inspirato.com/ destinations
SHOPPING IN SIENA You don’t have to go to Florence for high fashion. Instead, walk the pedestrian streets Via di Cittá, Banchi di Sopra and Via Dei Montanini in Siena.
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 Rosso and Super Tuscan wines. Your concierge can also arrange a private chef.
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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.
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Boasting thousands of skiable acres, 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, Michelin-starrated restaurants and laid-back bars serving up hot toddies and warm company.
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 and ski valet service near the base of the mountain, all of which are included in an Inspirato vacation. SOLARIS Seventeen of Inspirato’s Signature Residences in Vail are in the centrally located Solaris complex, just steps from the li s. Ranging from
COLORADO
three to six bedrooms, each residence offers views of 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.
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the largest—and arguably the most popular—ski mountain in the United States, Vail Mountain offers nearly 200 trails for serious outdoor enthusiasts to explore.
Nobu Matsuhisa’s gourmet cuisine, Vail’s only movie theater and a stylish bowling alley are all within steps of one another, not to mention a bounty of excellent bars and restaurants.
NIGHTLIFE Just outside our Solaris residences,
WARM WEATHER ACTIVITIES Saddle up
FRESH TRACKS Known as
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.
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE BLUE SKY 3 BED / 3.5 BATH
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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 ski destinations. Inspirato will ensure the finest mountain vacation you can find in British Columbia, providing you with first-class access to Whistler-Blackcomb’s year-round resort activities and the finest in mountain living.
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 worldclass runs. PEAK EXPERIENCE The twin peaks of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains
BRITISH COLUMBIA
combine to form the largest ski resort in North America in the winter, and house a renowned mountain bike park in the summer. Whistler also features a quaint Europeanstyle village, world-class dining and a hot nightlife scene unique to North American ski resorts. FRESH TRACKS Ask your
Destination Concierge about Fresh Tracks. You’ll board the Gondola at 7:30 a.m., enjoy a great (and filling) breakfast buffet high on the mountain at Roundhouse Lodge, and then make tracks before anyone else.
Explore our Whistler Signature Residence at inspirato. com/destinations
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.
HELI SKIING A er 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 skiing tour through Whistler Heli-Skiing and you’ll enjoy guided access to 432,000 acres of incredible backcountry terrain.
APRÈS SKI Dusty’s, Whistler’s oldest hotspot, is also its best for an après-ski nosh. Dusty’s has been in business since 1965, and its interior is designed like a classic Western ski lodge. The sunny patio is a local favorite.
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SIGNATURE RESIDENCE CHATEAU MONDEAU 5 BED / 6 BATH
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WINE COUNTRY
SONOMA
SIGNATURE RESIDENCE VILLA DELLA LUNA 4 BED / 3.5 BATH
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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 fun going.
HIGHLIGHTS SIGNATURE RESIDENCE
With four bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, and 3,600 square feet, the Manzanita residence is a sprawling Wine Country estate perched majestically on a hill near the Mayacama Golf Club. The home also features a separate casita. The intimate two-bedroom, two-bath Wheelman House Bohemian is blocks from downtown Healdsburg. PRIVATE COMPOUND
The spectacular Palladian Estate is set on 40 acres of Mediterranean gardens and meadows, all awash in the
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fragrances of eucalyptus, lavender and rosemary. THE GOURMET KITCHEN
All residences’ gourmet, professional-grade kitchens are big in size and long on beauty. 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 Visit some preferred vintners, including Cakebread Cellars, Ferrari-Carano Winery, Jackson Family Wines, Lancaster Estate,
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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 We take inside member access to new places in Wine Country. Our members can
enjoy private tastings at Captûre Wines, a Bordeauxstyle artisanal winemaker; 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. A GOURMAND’S DREAM
The list of amazing wines goes on and on; some of our favorite wineries include Medlock Ames, Matanzas Creek and Michel-Schlumberger, but your concierge can direct you to dozens more.
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OWN THE MOMENT
It’s the simple, vivid snapshots in time we remember most. An afternoon surf lesson with your private instructor. A gasp as you witness a gray whale appear from the ocean’s depths. A pounding heart as you fly through the jungle canopy on a zip line. Or soaking in the sunset from your oceanfront villa in Los Cabos. Pure joy comes from owning the moment. For Inspirato members, it’s the only way to experience life.
WANT TO LEARN MORE? 888.546.5008 | WWW.INSPIRATO.COM
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. 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. ©2014 Inspirato LLC.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES & SIGNATURE TICKET
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SIGNATURE COLLECTIONS S I G N AT U R E E X P E R I E N C E S & S I G N A T U R E T I C K E T
Antarctica Expedition Eastern Mediterranean Cruise The Masters — April 8–13 Kentucky Derby — May 1–4 The World Cup — June 15–26
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ANTARCTICA EXPEDITION
EXPLORE THE SOUTHERN CONTINENT
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
LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS
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.
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 50 years ago, the company was the first travel company to take guests to Antarctica. 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.
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 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 53-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 can avail themselves of 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 awardwinning chef, Serge Dansereau, and his focus on sustainably caught fish. There’s a fitness center to keep you in shape and LEXspa wellness retreat and an on-board physician, plus a videographer to capture the highlights of your trip.
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WHAT TO EXPECT
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 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 the Gentoo, Adelie and Chinstraps. TRAVEL TO ANTARCTICA
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. Members who desire a more comprehensive stay in Buenos Aires before or a er the cruise are welcome to join a guided immersion in Argentinian culture, including such highlights as flamenco dancing, wine tastings and churrasco cooking.
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EASTERN MEDITERR ANEAN CRUISE EXPLORE THE CRADLE OF INSPIRATION
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After the spectacular success of our first members-only cruise to the best ports of the French, Italian and Spanish Rivieras, we hope you’ll join us again this summer—or for the first time—as we travel along the Turkish coast and on to some of Greece’s most scenic isles aboard the elegant Silver Spirit, recognized by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure as one of the world’s “Best Small Ship Cruise Lines.” HIGHLIGHTS THE EXPERIENCE
Thanks to a unique itinerary, Inspirato members can travel to a sequence of world-class ports, including a rare overnight stay at picturesque Santorini. In addition to the ancient and historic scenery, the seven-night cruise will provide customized shore excursions, members-only deck parties and Silversea’s all-inclusive, 24/7 service.
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THE SILVER SPIRIT
Beyond the Silver Spirit’s unmatched service and ocean-view cabins— most with balconies—the cruise liner features an expansive pool deck, fitness center, a full slate of performances in its theater and for those over 18, a casino where gamblers can play roulette, blackjack or the slots. Six dining options mean that members can eat in a different restaurant almost every night during the trip. The Restaurant, the Silver Spirit’s formal dining room, sparkles with silver, crystal and candlelight and a menu of contemporary international cuisine. At La Terrazza, guests can indulge in the best of Italy’s “Slow Food” movement that highlights fresh, sustainable and locally grown ingredients. For oenophiles, Le Champagne offers diners pairings of fine wines complemented by a set, six-course tasting menu of regionally inspired dishes. Seishin features innovative Asian fusion cuisine; think Kobe beef and spider lobster. At the Art
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Deco-inspired Stars Supper Club, small plates showcasing regional and seasonal delicacies are the stars. The Pool Grill transforms from informal menu to The Grill at night, a dining experience where a hot volcanic rock brought to your table serves as your personal kitchen stove.
ITINER A RY
village and its popular beaches of Bademli and Denizköy. KUŞADASI, TURKEY
The principal draw of the port is nearby Ephesus, an ancient GrecoRoman city and now one of the world’s best-preserved ancient sites. Wander the ruins and seek out the famed Library of Celsus, a grand amphitheater built in 135 AD. RHODES, GREECE
ISTANBUL
The ancient port city that bridges Europe and Asia bustles with activity and history including the Hagia Sophia which has transformed from basilica to mosque to museum; the Topkapi Palace, where Ottoman Sultans once ruled for roughly 400 years; and the Blue Mosque, a 15th-century masterpiece adorned with more than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles. DIKILI, TURKEY
Walk the cobblestone streets and you’ll feel the charm underfoot that draws visitors to this seaside fishing
The fortified city of Rhodes dates back centuries and is most widely known for the Colossus of Rhodes, a towering statue of the god Helios that was once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. NAFPLION, GREECE
The Venetian influence is obvious as soon as you arrive in port: the Palamidi fortress, a baroque structure begun in 1686, stands guard over the port. The charming village feels more like the Dalmatian Coast and is ideal for strolling and shopping.
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SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
SANTORINI, GREECE
The epitome of the Greek Isles, the whitewashed, cliï¬&#x20AC;-side settlements of Santorini rise over clear Aegean waters and beaches of white, red and black sands. Climb the heights to enjoy the view, or stay on the water and relax. PIRAEUS ATHENS
You owe it to yourself to visit the Acropolis, one of the wonders of the ancient world, with ruins and history spanning some 3,000-plus years. Also recommended: a trip to the Ancient Agora, which includes the Temple of Hephaestus, the best-preserved ancient Greek temple.
DATES JULY 28 AUGUST 4 Explore more information on accommodations aboard the Silver Spirit as well as Inspiratoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ports of call at inspirato.com/destinations
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SIGNATURE TICKET
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Take advantage of Inspirato’s Signature Ticket to the 2014 Masters at the iconic Augusta National club in Georgia. Make yourself at home along with three of your companions in a selection of comfortable houses within five miles of the course for a six-night stay. See all the action every day, from Thursday’s first round to the climatic final hole on Sunday evening. HIGHLIGHTS THE INSPIRATO CLUBHOUSE
Take a break from the action at the exclusive Inspirato Clubhouse available for you and your guests. Our onsite staff can assist you with everything you need during your time in Augusta, including access to dinner events and transportation to and from your nearby house, to Augusta National or to select parties held a er the day’s rounds have been completed.
18th hole. Now see how your game stacks up with a round on America’s most famous golf course. PRACTICE ROUNDS
If four days of the tournament isn’t enough for you, tickets to the practice rounds held Monday through Wednesday— along with access to The Perrin House—are available to Inspirato members.
THE PERRIN HOUSE
You’ve seen the best tackle Amen Corner and the fabled
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APRIL 8 APRIL 13 For more information on Inspirato’s Masters Signature Ticket experience, please go to inspirato.com/ events
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The Master’s premiere hospitality destination offers fine cuisine, freshly prepared by a renowned chef, top-shelf open bar, business center and multiple HDTV’s to catch the day’s action and valet.
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of the gourmet food, bar, private wager stations and prime vantage point for the entire day of races.
MILLIONAIRES ROW
This section of Churchill Downs is the ultimate place to mingle and enjoy the races at the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby. Decked out in your Derby finest, join celebrities and national leaders from the most sought-a er spot in Louisville during Derby weekend. You’ll enjoy the Southern hospitality and avail yourselves
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THE BROWN HOTEL
Lauded by Travel + Leisure, the Brown Hotel serves as your home away from home for three nights and includes Sunday brunch and transfers between the airport and Churchill Downs.
DATES MAY 1 4 For more information on Inspirato’s Kentucky Derby Signature Ticket experience, please go to inspirato.com/ events
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If you want to experience the rich tradition and suave Southern style of the Kentucky Derby, Inspirato’s Signature Ticket has the best seats at Churchill Downs and access to an exclusive members-only party. Bring your best Derby hat to Louisville this spring and experience the 140th edition of the running of the roses in high style.
K ENTUCKY DERBY
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Inspirato members have an opportunity to attend one of the world’s greatest events, the World Cup in Brazil, as its matches pass through the great seaside city of Rio de Janeiro. Pick from four seating options at one of the host stadiums as well as a custom itinerary for two put together by Blue Parallel, ranked as one of Latin America’s Top Travel Specialists by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure. Whether you travel on June 15–19 or June 22-26, each program offers members two seats to two matches. HIGHLIGHTS a er each match, buffet and premium beverages will be served. * Bossa Nova Seats come with a direct line of access to the stadium seating from the most exclusive lounge in the stadium, with a restaurant menu created by an internationally renowned chef and a full selection of premium beverages available throughout the match.
BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE
FUN FACT
Inspirato members can choose from three levels of seating inside the famed Maracana, all of them offering a host of onsite amenities, including an exclusive commemorative gi and hospitality kit.
The Maracana stadium was originally built for the 1950 World Cup to pack in crowds of up to 200,000. For the 2014 edition, the stadium’s capacity has been shrunk to 73,531.
* Pavilion Seats come with access to the premium hospitality lounge adjacent to the stadium where a buffet and premium beverage service welcomes diners before and a er each match. * Business Seats are more comfortable than Pavilion Seats and offer access to a reserved table in the hospitality room located inside the stadium. Both before and
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DATES JUNE 15 19 OR JUNE 22 26 For more information on Inspirato’s World Cup Signature Ticket experience, please go to inspirato.com/ events
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THE HEART OF RIO
Settle into your four-night stay at the Golden Tulip, a four-star hotel at the north end of the famed Copacabana Beach, two blocks off the beach in a quiet neighborhood. Blue Parallel’s team will offer private tours of the city, dinner reservations and access to parties surrounding the World Cup, as wells as all private transfers and transportation throughout the visit (airport and matches).
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G R U M P Y T R AV E L E R
BY IRA BAHR
Why is it almost impossible to have a meal without being asked, “Are you done with that, sir?” ¶ “No, as a matter of fact, I’m not done with that at all,” I want to respond. “Even though it may look that way, I still need to scrape the rest of this pesto off the Royal Doultan china that your Michelin-rated establishment uses. But don’t worry; your question doesn’t unnerve me at all. It’s not like the suggestion that I might be done, suggests that I should be done, right? By all means, please bus up the tables around me. Those people look done. No way your question will make me think I’m over-eating or eating too slowly, I’m way too self-confident for that. ¶ Thanks so much for asking, though. And while you’re here, could you refill my water, please?”
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FAST FOOD
Ira Bahr travels extensively and has been grumpy his entire adult life.
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C E L E B R AT E D E V E N T S A R T F U L LY C U R AT E D
Your Inspirato membership is so much more than lavish villas and unforgettable vacations. It's also access to VIP events, celebrity one-on-ones, backstage passes and exclusive packages built around some of the most extraordinary happenings in the world. Through Inspirato’s Signature Ticket, members have visited the Masters and New York Fashion Week, gone behind the ropes at the Sundance Film Festival, witnessed the Kentucky Derby from Millionaires Row and much more.
WANT TO LEARN MORE? 888.546.5008 | WWW.INSPIRATO.COM/EVENTS
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.
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.
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