The party before the party: The week leading up to the greatest football matchup lights up Indianapolis. Credit: bnpositive.
By Amy Carey
About 10,000 visitors are expected to flood Indianapolis on Feb. 5, which seems manageable considering the millions who will be tuned to their TVs around the world for – what else? – football (and commercials, of course). It’s not too late to book an Indianapolis hotel or scope out the highlights in the week leading up to the high-demand event. (more…)
Run for your life (and some cash): The Punta Cana half-marathon is slotted for April 1 at the Punta Cana Resort & Club.
By Jennifer Olvera
Mid-winter where it’s familiar and mid-winter in Punta Cana? That may be mean different things entirely. And while it’s not like anyone needs arm-twisting to plan a Dominican Republic stay this time of year, the upcoming Punta Cana half-marathon and 10K might provide boost you need to make it through the snowy months that follow. Besides, it’s a solid excuse to lounge post-run at Punta Cana hotels. (more…)
Off with the cap and on with the helmet! Your visit to Chankanaab will be decidedly less hurried. Credit: Courtesy of Cozumel Municipal Governmen.
By Amy Drew Thompson
Think about a Mexican getaway, and the pervasive imagery generally includes white sand and blue water – perhaps Mariachis. Throw in a good bottle of tequila and I’ll race you to the airport. But for some travelers to Cozumel hotels, additional concerns arise: bike maintenance, bathing caps, whether their toenails have grown back since the last race.
National Western Stock Show and Rodeo: Darrell Petry wrestles a steer. Credit: Westfall.
By Erin Behan
Although skiing and outdoor snow sports might come to mind when thinking of a Denver vacation in winter, bull riding and livestock should also appear at the top of the list. Denver’s National Western Stock Show and Rodeo, running from Jan. 7 to Jan. 22, is more than a century old (this is its 106th) and has all the hallmarks of the old west—including plenty of cowboys, cowgirls and bucking broncos. (more…)
Right said F.R.E.D.: A free downtown transportation option in Norfolk, Va.
By Mark Chesnut
Negotiating the congested streets of a busy city can be a stressful part of any trip. But increasingly, the most efficient way to get around town may also be the most relaxing, thanks to an ever-expanding array of eco-friendly transportation options in major cities throughout North America. (more…)
Cold comfort: The Fairmont Banff Springs is a top meeting and ski destination.
By Mark Chesnut
With peak ski season rapidly approaching, the time is right to mix a decidedly snowy form of pleasure with your business travel. Indeed, the postcard-perfect slopes of North America’s greatest ski resorts can easily serve as an inspiring backdrop for that next meeting, conference or executive getaway. With venues as impressive as these, there’s no reason to come in from the cold. (more…)
Warrior Dash-ers don Viking-like helmets and power through over-the-top obstacles. Credit: JOE MARINARO.
By Jennifer Olvera
If you’re into wacky, obstacle-driven fun on your Florida vacation, the Warrior Dash – a three-mile race along an extreme course – is for you. Slotted for Dec. 3 in Deerfield Beach in South Florida, and Jan. 21 and 22 in Lake Wales in Central Florida, the beer-soaked extravaganza features costumed participants in warrior helmets, and challenges from fire-leaping to hay bale-climbing at every turn. (more…)
Soak your sea legs post-dive at the InterContinental Presidente Cozumel’s Mandara Spa.
By Amy Drew Thompson
Outside of saucy exercise videos, the bends are not particularly sexy, but they’re a calculated risk scuba enthusiasts run in pursuit of their passion for undersea exploration. Lucky for those looking to spend long blue days with eels and rays along the walls of the breathtaking Columbia and Palancar reefs, many Cozumel hotels come complete with sumptuous spas where Cousteau wannabes can soak, sweat and massage away post-dive exhaustion. (more…)
Hop in: A Mercedes at Four Seasons Resort Vail
By Mark Chesnut
More upscale hotels are tapping into the public’s fascination with shiny new luxury cars by offering free loaner programs. It’s a first-come, first-serve type of amenity that is certainly more interesting than free coffee or Wi-Fi.
Some of the loaner programs are for a limited time. The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, is offering guests the chance to drive the latest BMW models — including a sedan, several convertibles, an SUV and an eco-friendly BMW — for free between Sept. 18 and Oct. 24, as part of the Ritz-Carlton BMW Driving Tour. (more…)
One more reason to love the spring ski season: the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival.
By Pieter van Noordennen
The end of the season is a special time in ski towns. On mountain, the freeze-melt cycle of cold nights and warm days creates corn snow that skis almost as well as powder. Gone are those frenetic mid-season days that start at dawn and end at the closing bell are no more. Springtime skiing has a cooler, more relaxed pace, letting you wake up late, ski a few runs and then head to the sundeck for an IPA. Before it’s too late to savor a ski vacation, head to these three resorts for end-of-year parties that capture the spirit of spring, and still have plenty of terrain open in April as well. (more…)
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