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Month: November 2018

  • Best Ski Resorts In the United States

    Best Ski Resorts In the United States

    Planning your next vacation? Why not head to one of the best ski resorts in the world! Today we’re looking at some ski resorts that you absolutely must go visit to make the most of your winter vacation! Nothing beats the rush of moving downhill at a high speed! The wind in your hair, the snow under your skis, it’s really just a great time!

    Best Ski Resorts

    Aspen Mountain

    Aspen is an iconic ski town, and many famous people enjoy skiing there. It’s a symbol of status to go skiing at this iconic resort! Aspen Mountain is well-known for the wide variety of slopes you can find with just a single ticket price. There are four distinct ski regions, Aspen, Aspen Highlands, Snowmass, and Buttermilk. The four regions are connected by a shuttle system, and your ticket gives you access to all four. That’s a pretty good deal!

    The various slopes are great for skiers of all skill levels. Aspen Highlands are great for people with lots of experience. Some of the best skiing in Colorado can be found in Aspen Highlands, thanks to the great snow and awesome terrain. If you’re a more middling skier, you’d be better off hitting Buttermilk or Snowmass. These slopes are more well-geared for an intermediate-level skier.

    The town of Aspen itself is a great place for resort hang-outs. There’s tons of nightlife, DJs and things to do in town. It’s a little pricey compared to some ski resorts, but it’s easily one of the coolest places to come ski. If you’re looking for a bit of glitz to go with your powder, you’ve got to visit Aspen! It’s a great town and it earned it’s reputation by being a cool place to visit.

    Vail

    Vail’s not a perfect ski resort: it’s got a lot of polish but can feel somewhat inauthentic. However, don’t let that undercut just how awesome the slopes themselves are. The runs are wide, well-maintained and exhilarating. There’s plenty to see for both beginners and experienced skiers, so it’s well-worth the crowds and somewhat cheesy corporate polish to check the place out.

    Vail is one of the largest skiing areas in Colorado, making it an ideal place to visit if you’re newer to skiing. The European-style village towards the base of the mountain is picturesque and charming, but quite pricey. In fact, everything in Vail is pretty pricey. That said, it’s one of the most visited ski resorts in the US, so the price isn’t out of nowhere.

    There are also a lot of crowds when it comes to Vail. On the one hand, that can be a good thing! There’s plenty of people to hang out with! On the other hand, it can make the slopes feel a bit overcrowded, and it can be hard to get elbow room in town.

    In spite of all that, Vail remains a fantastic destination. The terrain is wide and varied, offering something for everyone. Snow falls in great quantities, especially during the winter months, so there’s going to be plenty for you to ski on. The resort got as popular as it is for good reason, so it’s worth visiting if you’re looking for a high-end skiing experience and have a bit of money to spend!

    Jackson Hole

    If you’re looking for some of the best slopes in the world, leave the kids at home and head to Jackson Hole. This resort sports some of the downright meanest terrain in the US, making it a must-stop resort for experts. In fact, a full half of the mountain is rated for experts only. If you’re an intermediate skier, you’re probably better sticking to the forty percent of the mountain rated as intermediate terrain. Beginner-friendly terrain, you might have guessed, makes up a paltry ten percent of the mountain’s terrain.

    Jackson Hole is also an interesting resort in that Winter is its off-season. If you’re looking for a high-end experience that has less crowds and more gnarly slopes, head to Jackson Hole. There is a bit of nightlife in nearby Jackson, which is about 20 minutes from the lodge. This makes it less extravagant than places like Aspen. However, that might not be a bad thing for certain visitors. If you’re looking for a lodge where you can focus on the pure act of skiing, look no further than Jackson Hole.

  • World’s Best Luxury Cruise Lines

    World’s Best Luxury Cruise Lines

    Is there anything better than a cruise? Think about it: you’re in the ocean, on a luxury boat, enjoying a drink and lounging by the pool. Today, we’re looking at some of the world’s best luxury cruise lines! Time to start planning your next vacation!

    World’s Best Luxury Cruise Lines

    Oceania Riviera

    The Oceania Riviera is one of the best luxury cruise lines for food-lovers. Outfitted with seven gourmet restaurants, it’s hard to top their offerings when it comes to cuisine! There’s an Asian cuisine restaurant called Red Ginger that you can visit, as well as a French restaurant named Jacques. If you like steaks, you can visit Polo Grill for a traditional meal!

    There’s also a restaurant called Toscana, which offers fine Italian food. If you’re in the mood for something classic, you can go to La Reserve and try a seven-course meal that includes wine pairings. There’s also the Grand Dining Room and Privee, both of which offer luxurious dining experiences.

    The Oceania Riviera also offers cooking classes at an onboard cooking school. The Bon Appétit Culinary Center offers a great range of classes to teach you how to make delicious food! If you’re in the mood for painting, instead, you can head to the Artist’s Loft and take some classes on that instead!

    Cruising on the Oceania Riviera starts at $1,600 for their Caribbean cruise. There’s also a la carte pricing for a lot of their meals and experiences on-board. As such, it can get pretty pricey for certain experiences. That said, if you’re looking for a great food cruise, this is the one for you!

    Viking Star
    The Viking Star is a luxury cruise ship with some very awesome amenities. These include an open, spacious feel on the deck and very roomy cabins. The cabins have small touches like USB ports near the beds and heated floors as well as major upsides like verandas.

    The ship sails out of Miami and makes several stops in Cuba. This is a great opportunity for those who wish to visit Cuba and try things like Cuban cigars. Cuban cuisine is also unique, and many Americans haven’t gotten to try it!

    The food options on the Viking Star are numerous: there are two international restaurants, The Restaurant (catchy) and World Café. There’s a Norwegian restaurant (no, really) called Momsen’s, as well as an Italian place called Manfredi’s. The highlight is the Kitchen Table, where you pay extra to pick out food with the chef while at port and help them make the gourmet meal you’ll be having that evening.

    The only downside, in our opinion, is that the cruise doesn’t have a casino onboard. For some people, that’s a good thing, as they don’t want to be tempted! All said, though, the Viking Star is a great experience. Cruises out of Miami start at $3,000.

    Regent Seven Sea Explorer

    An absolutely extravagant cruising experience can be had on the Regent Seven Sea Explorer. This downright regal ship is adorned with masterworks of fine art from stem to stern. That includes pieces from masters like Picasso, making this almost as much of an art museum as a cruise. Marble and granite adorns the floors of the interior rooms, making the cruise feel downright lavish.

    Every single cabin on the Explorer is a suite. If you’re cruising with them, you’re cruising in style. The suites are gorgeously appointed, and each one looks like a top-of-the-line suite from a movie.

    If you’re looking for a cruise with great food options, you’re in luck, as the Explorer has them. There’s a pan-Asian grill called Pacific Rim that serves a number of favorites. Prime 7 is the on-board steakhouse for those looking for a classic meal. There’s also traditional French cuisine on offer from Chartreuse, another restaurant on board. There’s buffet-style food available from La Veranda during lunch and breakfast, and then it switches to a more traditional restaurant experience.

    While the Explorer doesn’t have the most robust entertainment selection, it is downright lavish. The extravagant and well-appointed suites are wonderful to spend time in, and it’s amazing to view the paintings onboard. If you’re traveling without children, you’ll likely greatly enjoy this cruise. Children, however, may be a bit bored by the cruise. Cruises on this lavish ship start around $4,300.