Category Archives: Travel Info

Discover Golf Courses in Aspen, CO

Aspen Golf CourseAre you a golfer and getting away in a Aspen vacation rentals? You will definitely want to check out one of the amazing golf courses. The area provides some of the most beautiful golfing experiences in the country!

Many golfers like to take to Roaring Fork Valley and experience one of its four scenic golf courses. The valley provides the beauty of towering green pines, abundant wildlife, and expansive open space. Its golf courses are situated near all sorts of fun outdoor activities, so the non-golfers in your family can come along and have fun while you work on your swing!

Choose from one of the following courses:

  • Aspen Golf Club: The club is a few miles west of Aspen Rentals and boasts of 18 pristine holes. The course is just over 7,000 yards long and includes a state-of-the-art driving range and putting greens, full-service locker room, and more. Golf season at the club runs from April to October and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Depending on when you play, greens fees range from $29-$129. If you dare to play after 3 p.m. you can enjoy “Twilight Rates,” which are less expensive. You can walk or ride the course, as cart rentals are available.  For more information call (970) 923-5700.
  • Maroon Creek Club: Also three miles from town, Maroon Creek is a private club. Unless you are a member, interested in becoming a member, or a family member/friend of a member, it is quite difficult to play the course.  In the case that you can score a round, the course is 7,100 of pure beauty. Call (970) 920-1533 for more information.
  • Golfing AspenSnowmass Club: This idyllic 72 par course measures approximately 7,000 yards and is home to towering trees and amazing wildlife. The club does require membership prior to 1 p.m., but is open to the public the rest of the day! The club’s season runs from May through October, and is a favorite of many visitors. For more information call (970) 923-5700.
  • Roaring Fork Club: This is also a private club and is designed by famed Jack Nicklaus. Located off Highway 82, the course is an 18-hole, par 72 with some of the most amazing views around. One must know that gaining the right to play there is highly unlikely if you don’t know a member. It is an invitation only club for those who take their golf game very seriously.

As you plan your next Aspen vacation home rental, you won’t want to miss out on the beautiful golf courses just miles away. There    is something for level of golfer to enjoy!

The Thrill of Paragliding in Aspen Colorado

Paragliding AspenImagine waking at dawn and taking a short drive from your Aspen vacation rentals. Once at your destination, you realize that very soon you will be soaring through the air as you take the breathtaking scenery of Aspen, Colorado. At the top of one of Aspen’s famed mountain slopes, your heart beats double time as you and your paragliding partner prepare to take a step of faith. In the air, you are amazed at how amazingly beautiful and quaint the town of Aspen is from above. You are also amazed by the awe inspiring beauty of the many trees, lakes, rock formation and fluffy clouds.

This experience can be yours without any prior experience! Aspen Paragliding offers tandem flights with USHGA certified tandem pilots.  Depending on the weather, tandem paragliding flights can be scheduled either in the summer or winter and are very close to Aspen rentals. Prior to stepping off the gentle slope of a mountain, you are provided full instruction and then fastened in front of the pilot. You can be sure that he or she has been flying tandem for years!

If you aren’t familiar with the specifics of paragliding, it allows for you to soar through the sky in the simplest of forms. Your pilot will come equipped with a transportable backpack. This art has been around for quite some time and is relatively safe. The well-sized paraglider makes for easy lift off most picturesque mountainsides and a gentle ride to your destination.

Packages through Aspen Paragliding begin at $225 per person. You must allow 2 hours round trip for their offices. For more information, dial 970-925-6975.

You won’t regret the decision to give a paragliding adventure a try. You will wave to your friends on earth with excitement, as you gain a full understanding of how lucky birds of the sky are as they glide through the air freely. When you return to your Aspen vacation rental by owner, you will be able to share your adventure with pride!

Aspen Rock Climbing Adventure

Rock Climbing Aspen COIf you are an adventurer, there are plenty of exciting choices in Aspen, Colorado that are within driving distance of your Aspen luxury rentals. It is no secret that there is numerous rock climbing adventures to be had in Aspen. Some of the most famous spots are Maroon Bells, Pyramid, Snowmass, Castle and Capitol Peak. Each of them offers amazing views, challenging rock faces, beautiful trees and flowers, and more.

You can either wander out of town for a night of camping under the stars and a couple days of climbing or a quick day trip. Experienced climbers can bring along their gear and go for it, while beginners can contact a local guide company such as Aspen Expeditions to lead the way.  In the case that you decide to go with a guide company they will teach you the art of rock climbing up granite crags and give you a chance to rappel as well. The great thing about the guide companies is that they provide certified and trained guides that will help keep you safe at all times.

Once you reach the peak of a mountain after a challenging climb, you will be awed by the amazing 360 degree views of the surrounding areas. According to Aspen Expeditions, their guided rock climbing tours are perfect for both children and adults. They can tailor their program to fit all experience levels and most fitness levels. Depending on how many people in your group, pricing ranges from $125 – $300 per person. The more that participate, the less expensive for everyone. For more information, call 970-925-7625 and visit www.aspenexpeditions.com.

In the case that you are afraid of heights and would rather stay on the ground while the rest of the family climbs, each of the climbing areas listed prior are also ideal for hiking, trekking or taking a good book along and enjoying a good read while relaxing.

The opportunities are endless, don’t stay inside all day while you are enjoying your Aspen Rental – explore nature today!

The Ultimate S’more Recipe

Ultimate S'mores RecipeFamilies around the world understand the importance of a good ole’ s’mores night by the campfire or crackling fireplace.Whether on a camping trip or at an Aspen vacation rental, the key is to rally the troops and inspire them to bring their inspiration to the activity at hand. No one should be guilty of not participating – including kids, parents, grandparents and friends – for it is during a s’more night that inspiration is fueled, the funniest stories told and laughter shared. There is no right way to create a one. In fact, the more out of the box one is willing to jump, the tastier their s’more will become!

The Ultimate S’more Recipe


Ingredients

Marshmallows

Graham Crackers

Milk Chocolate

Dark Chocolate

White Chocolate

Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups

Hershey’s Crunch Bar

Peanut Butter

Caramel

Any Other Well-Loved Candy Bar or Ingredient

Utensils
Hanger, skewer, or special S’more apparatus

Directions

  1. Set your ingredients out on a table or blanket for all participants to easily choose from. If on a camping trip, make sure that you don’t let sand get into your ingredients. Also, encourage everyone to have fun with their creations!!
  2. Hand all participants their hanger, skewer or other special s’more apparatus and instruct them to place their marshmallow(s) onto the device. It is best to make sure that the marshmallows are centered so that they don’t fall into the fire.
  3. Place the marshmallows over the fire so that they can become warm and brown. Some like their marshmallows crispy and are bold enough to place them in the flame and/or move them quickly through the flame. In the case that a marshmallow begins to burn, quickly pull it form the fire and blow the flame out.
  4. For the Ultimate s’more, you’ll want to make sure that whatever form of chocolate you choose melts a bit, and sometimes a marshmallow isn’t hot enough to melt it. To remedy this situation, place the chocolate (or better yet a Reece’s Peanut Butter Cup!) near the fire and allow for it to melt a bit if possible.
  5. Once the marshmallow is prepared to your satisfaction, remove it and place it on a graham cracker and then place the semi-melted chocolate on top of the marshmallow.
  6. Add any other filler that you’d like, such as peanut butter, caramel, etc.
  7. Place another graham cracker on top and then bite into your ultimate s’more. The bigger mess everyone makes the better! And don’t forget that multiple layers of chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallows are allowed!!

The beauty of a s’more night is that the activity brings everyone together for a moment you will never forget!
Looking to travel to Aspen, Colorado and want to bring your whole s’more crew to enjoy Aspen’s amazing beauty? Check out VRBO Aspen. You’ll be amazed at how many friends and family you can accommodate for endless fun and adventure. Aspen luxury rentals make for the most memorable vacations!

Food & Wine Classic Comes to Aspen Colorado June 17-19!

Food & Wine Classic 2011 Aspen, COAspen, Colorado is going to be crawling with some of the world’s most celebrated chefs and food & wine experts from around the world as the 29th Anniversary Food & Wine Classic comes to the beautiful city from June 17-19, 2011.

Food & Wine lovers will be treated to all sorts of information-rich & entertaining seminars, cooking competitions and food & wine tastings throughout the weekend. Food & Wine aficionados referred to the event as the ultimate summer camp for those who want to learn how to cook and know wine like never before!

Celebrity Chef Speakers including Jose Andres, Mario Batali, Daniel Boulud, Jacques Pepin and Thomas Keller will be offering cooking demos such as “The Wonderful World of Eggs,” “One Pot Meals,” “Grill Cheese Please,” “Greek at Home,” Sustainably Delicious,” and “Sexy Vegetable Dishes.”
There will also be plenty of wine seminars for those you want to learn more about the many wines from around the world. Seminar favorites include “Wine Jeopardy,” “Stellar Sparkling Wines,” “Old Wines are Awesome,” “Iron Sommelier,” “The Age of Argentina,” and “The Amazing Napa Cabernet.”

Plus, there are endless opportunities to enjoy food samples, learn about the latest food trends, and meet plenty of new friends while enjoying the charm and breathtaking beauty of Aspen, Colorado. There are a handful of ticket options to choose from including a Consumer Pass for $1185, Trade Pass for $1185, Best New Chef Dinner for $250, and Grand Tastings Only Day Pass for $395. For those who would like to help promote and support local farming with the Grow for Good organization, Grow for Good Passes are available for $3100.

Food & Wine Classic 2011 Aspen, CODon’t miss out on the amazing event that has inspired thousands food enthusiasts and experts alike to travel from all over the globe! For more information, visit http://www.foodandwine.com/promo/classic-in-aspen/ or call 877-900-WINE.
In the case that you can’t make it this year and would like to attend the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen 2012, mark your calendar for June 15-17th, 2012 and plan your vacation around the event!

If you are planning last minute to make an appearance at the Food & Wine Classic 2011 and haven’t yet booked a hotel, you may want to consider Aspen luxury rentals. You’ll be able to bring your whole family along for the trip!

Local Information

Get Local Information & Links For Aspen Snowmass

Make My Aspen Rental your number one resource for all the local contacts and links you will need to plan your next Aspen vacation trip. Get travel, lodging, restaurants, current events, and area activities.  Rent our deluxe Aspen vacation home rental direct by owner and receive all the expert advice from someone who has spent the last 5 years enjoying all that Aspen can offer.  Our travel expert can answer all your questions on transportation, lodging, dining, and skiing.

Aspen also has some world class dining for those who are looking to enjoy a quality dinner out in town.  Some of our restaurants have been here for decades while yet we continue to attract new ones as well like the Italian bistro Il Mulino out of New York.  We all  have our favorites and ours has always been Cache Cache, Campo Di Fiore, Matsuhisa, Syzygy, and Kimmy Steak House.  But the list goes on and on.  There is really something for everyone and every pallette.

Here is our list of the Top 10 Restaurants in Aspen:

  1. Matsuhisa
  2. Il Mulino
  3. Cache Cache
  4. Campo di Fiore
  5. Pinions
  6. Jimmys Steak House
  7. Pacific Sea Food
  8. L’Hostaria
  9. Gusto
  10. Mezza Luna