Palm Springs Getaway

Looking for some low key luxury? You’ll find it at the Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage in Palm Springs.

This high-end oasis boasts mountain desert views and provides the perfect setting for a romantic long weekend or golf filled getaway. 

Poolside Carne Asada Tacos and Spicy Strawberry Margarita

With just over 240 rooms this Ritz Carlton leans a little more intimate than most. As expected, the service is incredible and with such few guests, they can fulfill that Ritz promise of going above and beyond.

If you are visiting for a romantic rendezvous, don't miss the adult only pool perched cliffside or the 90-minute couples massage at the spa.

Request a room on the first floor to enjoy your personal fire pit and make sure you ask for a window-side table at The Edge Steakhouse to soak in the infectious desert sunset.

Couples Lounge at the

If your schedule allows it, plan an ENTIRE day at the spa. We've experienced a lot of spas all over and this is one of our absolute favorites. The spa area features an expansive couple's waiting lounge with a waterfall pool and outside sunning area. Within each locker room, you'll find a steam area, small European plunge pools, aroma showers and all of the toiletries and supplies you would need for a mini makeover. We loved the experience so much that we bought the aroma infused shower head so we could get our daily Ritz fix at home.

If you decide to journey outside the resort you'll have plenty of areas to explore. Palm Springs, nestled in the Sonoran Desert, is known for its spiritual retreats, golf courses, and film festivals. It's also flooded with midcentury-modern architecture (à la Frank Sinatra) and happily serves as Hollywood’s hideaway located 100 miles southeast of LA.

Searching for a dinner spot? Ristorante Mamma Gina's was recommended to us from our friend Gennifer and it's a "Can't-Miss". Originating in Italy in 1956, Mamma Gina's has enjoyed its desert location since 1986. The authentic Florentine cuisine was impressive and filling. Save room for dessert and an after-dinner drink because you'll want to soak up the ambiance.

If you are planning a boozy lunch, our gold medal goes to Las Casuelas Terraza. A Plam Springs staple since 1958, this Mexican joint offers a casual environment and a street-side patio adorned with tiny birds and plenty of tequila.

But you don't have to just eat your way through Palm Springs... you can shop your way through it too! Its core shopping district along Palm Canyon Drive features vintage boutiques, mainstream stores, interior design shops and lots of local watering holes.

If you are looking to explore your adventurous side, the surrounding Coachella Valley offers hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. Not to mention the Coachella Music Festival held every April.

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (Coachella), is an annual music festival held near Palm Springs in Indio, California. The festival features musical artists from a variety of music genres, including rock, indie, hip hop, and electronic dance music, as well as art installations. The origin of the event traces back to a Pearl Jam concert in 1993 held to boycott venues controlled by Ticketmaster. Some past acts include Madonna, Drake, Lady Gaga, Guns N' Roses, DJ Khaled and of course Beyonce. Since the festival is so close to LA you’ll find the place swarming with stars trying to get that perfect Instagram shot and dancing the night away. So if celebrity hunting is your game, it's well worth a ticket to Coachella.

Now, if golf is more your speed check out a round at one of many top-rated courses in the area. The prestigious PGA West Golf Club flexes its proverbial golf muscle with six courses designed by some of the biggest names in the business, including Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer.

Our concierge booked us at Desert Springs Golf Club located at the JW Marriott right across town. This course was very playable and a ton of fun. With two courses to choose from it caters to players of all skill levels. Taylor Made rental clubs are available if you aren’t into dragging your sticks around.

No matter what you are looking for you can find it in sunny Palm Springs. We couldn't have enjoyed our stay more can't wait for our next trip.

For more travel information and recommendations check out my other posts!

Aspen Food & Wine Classic

It’s been over a month since we’ve returned home from the Aspen Food & Wine Classic. And it’s taken me that long to process how amazing this experience was. If the Aspen Food & Wine Classic is not on your bucket list, put it on there (immediately).

Up until about six months ago I hadn’t even heard of this event (and I consider myself a Food and Wine lover). Now perhaps it’s my southern geographic location or that I tend to get “stuck” on things and become a habitual event attendee…whatever the reason… unacceptable. This event is AH-Mazing.

So here’s the skinny… (and it’s the only thing skinny about this event).

What:

The Aspen Food & Wine Classic is one of the most regarded and prestigious wine and food festivals in the world. Tickets sell out fast. Like, “Taylor Swift concert tickets” fast so you’ve got to mark your calendars for December in order to score some tickets. And they aren’t cheap. So you better get Santa buttered up while you’re at it. ($1550/person for a consumer pass)

The event kicks off Thursday evening and lasts until early afternoon on Sunday. If you can plan to make it all four days, it’s worth it. If you want to narrow it down, Friday and Saturday are not to be missed.

What makes the Classic so special is the prestige that it carries. Not only do the top brands and liquors and vineyards show up to transform giant tents into a real life Willy Wonka fairy tale, but some of the best chefs in the world are there as well. They teach classes throughout the day in an intimate setting and in some cases you get to ask questions, act as their sous chef and taste their food. It is as awesome as it sounds.

Here we are with Scott Conant from Top Chef + Chopped. We were lucky enough to taste his gnoochi. #YUM

You'll spend the day bouncing back and forth from the tasting tents (giant tents with every kind of wine from Napa and around the world to taste and the yummiest appetizers to try) then hurry into a class about how to pair popcorn with champagne and then back to the tasting tents where this time you might hang out at the Patrón hacienda and have a grapefruit margarita popsicle and take some selfies with your friends. Wash. Rinse. Repeat… for four days. You get the idea.

Important tip for first timers: book the classes! The tasting tents close during the education sessions so if you don’t book a class you will just be wandering around like a lost pup waiting for the tasting tent to open again. Here is a link to the schedule from this year so you can get an idea of what the days looked like and what kind of classes were offered.

Where:
The classic is located in a very condensed section of downtown Aspen, Colorado. Have ya been to Aspen? If the answer is no? Then go! Especially in the summer. We just couldn’t get enough of the clear blue sky and the mountains that nearly touched the sun.

The town is sleepy and quaint. While you are there check out the local coffee shops and delis (ink! Coffee and Grateful Deli were two of my favs).  Or just stumble down to the lobby of the St. Regis like I did on the daily for your cup of joe.

And on Saturday morning if you are looking for some extra circular activities … check out the amazing Farmer’s Market or some high end shopping (Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Fendi, and on and on).

But back to the good stuff… The Food & Wine Classic is all within walking distance so no need for a car. Just arrange for transportation from airport and you’ll be good to go for the weekend.

As far as accommodations you cannot go wrong with the St. Regis. Luxury at its finest. Big entry fireplace, killer lobby bar and every room comes with fluffy robes and its own humidifier. But perhaps my favorite part was the milk on ice and chocolate chip cookies waiting in our room after dinner. (I’m a St. Regis fan for life)

Some rooms have fireplaces; some have full walk out patios so make sure you book early to get your preference of “extras”.  Some of the sessions are even held in the ballrooms of the St. Regis so it makes it very convenient to make it to your early morning cooking class if you are just an elevator ride away.

When:

The Classic is held annually, during the second week of June. It was created to draw tourist during the summer since Aspen is such a “Ski Town”.   The 2017 Classic will be held June 16-18.

Extra Credit:

The Grand Tasting ends at 6:15 nightly so you do have some flexibility with your evenings. That is if you can physically put anything else in your stomach. We got roped into going to a “Speakeasy Party” that was just down the road in Snowmass. BIG MISTAKE. There is no need to leave downtown Aspen. There are plenty of things going on right outside your door. If you have an American Express you will want to check with their travel concierge because there was one party we could only get into by booking with our Amex.

Also wear comfortable flat shoes! You will be walking a lot and in grass.  I would even discourage wedges.  Go for flats or flops (fancy of course) and make sure you bring a crossbody purse.  You will have to carry a wine glass and a ton of little plates in the tasting tents so keep your hands free for food and wine!

For More Information:

Follow Aspen Food & Wine Classic on Facebook HERE. #Cheers