Things to do in Vail, Colorado. Rosie's Travel Tips 3

Summer Heat, Summer Fun

Summer Heat, Summer Fun in Vail Colorado

Welcome to the third edition of my Travel Blogs. The blog is interactive, so you can plan your Vail vacation with me and WhatToDo.info. I’ll help you find the good places that locals like and suggest ways to make this an exceptional vacation. I love trips and discovering new territory, and I love the high country.

I’ve lived in Vail since the ’70s and have visited many countries and lived around the world, but I always come back home to the Rockies. How about an afternoon of golf? Colorado golf includes stunning views. That’s what you get when you play here, along with a high-flying drive. Did you know that golf balls soar farther at high altitude? Introduce the family to 3-par golf at Eagle-Vail or try miniature golf up in Beaver Creek. The kids will see the trampoline and want to jump, so make it a leisurely visit. This could be when you all take a ride up the Chairlift. I saw a deer grazing down below one summer, and three of them staring back at us at Spruce Saddle on a grassy hillThere are several golf courses in the valley, and you’ll find them on our website at WhatToDo.info. The Vail Valley Golf Program has it all organized, so you can call one number or reserve your tee times online at www.golfvailvalley.com. Check with them at 877 PAR-VAIL. If the golfer(s) in the group want(s) to meet up with friends and family after play, check out happy hour deals and discounts at restaurants with decks and views. Anything else you’d like to do or discover as your Vail vacation gets underway? Click on Comments and tell us about it. WhatToDo.info is connected with hundreds of service providers and can help you plan all the details. Very soon, you’ll begin to realize why you chose Vail.



Things to do in Vail, Colorado. Rosie's Travel Tips 2

Summer Heat, Summer Fun

Hey, It’s Rosie. Welcome to another edition of my Vail, Colorado Travel Tips. It’s interactive, so you can plan your Vail vacation with me and WhatToDo.info

I love to travel and explore, and I love the Rockies and the brilliant blue skies after snowfall and throughout the summer months. I’ve lived in Vail since the ’70s, have visited many countries and lived around the world, but I always come back home.

But let’s talk about you and your vacation.

By now, you’re in Vail, you’ve found a great hotel, and you are ready to explore. When I go to the south of France, I get settled in my hotel and maybe nap a little if I have jet lag. Or I might want to look at a map to figure out logistics. When I open the door though, it’s all right there in front of me, “This is France,” I say, and off I go. Vacations are like that. They take you out of yourself. They put you in touch with the best the new place has to offer. So, explore it will be – Vail and all its surprises. Open that door and see what you can discover in the Rocky Mountains in and around Vail, Colorado.

Not the normal one-foot-after-the-other discover, not yet. Friends have told you how gorgeous and expansive the views are in the Colorado Rockies. You might know about the gondola ride to Eagle’s Nest in Vail and the summer chairlift ride in Beaver Creek. Save those for later in the week when there’s free music and bbq and a dinosaur dig for the kids on the mountaintop. But you’ve never taken a hot air balloon ride, and you know the kids will love it. Now’s the time to check it out.

High flying balloon rides

High flying balloon rides

So, off you go one fine bright morning, sunscreen on, water bottles and hats in hands. Kids are talking a mile a minute, wondering what this will be like. They’re saying things like, “Daddy should see this.” But he’s off having a marvelous time golfing in the thin air and hitting the ball further than he ever thought he could. Remember to ask the balloonists when you make your reservations if there’s anything special you should or shouldn’t wear. And don’t forget the camera.

Anything else you’d like to do or discover as you start your Vail vacation? Click on Comments and tell us about it. WhatToDo.info is connected with hundreds of service providers and can help you plan your Vail trip.

Do you like to eat out or order in? Vail has it all, and the variety of restaurants available here will never leave you hungry. Tell us your favorites, and we’ll suggest a few places where you can try something new. You begin to realize why you chose Vail.


View More of Rosie’s Vail Travel Tips




In Colorado, preserving the state's energy is taken seriously. Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability urges voters to say yes on Ballot 1A.

This November’s ballot is a welcome change from the crowded ones of recent years. But what that ballot lacks in sheer number of measures, it makes up for in the remarkable opportunity for Eagle County to create jobs while improving the energy performance of our homes and businesses.

Passage of ballot measure 1A would create the Energy Smart Local Improvement District that will allow Eagle County property owners to finance energy improvements at low rates with payments spread over the entire life of those improvements, even if property changes ownership. The program is entirely voluntary: property owners who do not wish to participate in the program will not pay any additional taxes or fees. They will not be impacted financially in any way.

As a participant, you would pay back energy loans through your property taxes. You only pay back what you borrow. If you don’t borrow any money, your taxes cannot be increased for this program. Your property taxes cannot be increased to pay for others’ Energy Smart loans. Moreover, your monthly housing payment could immediately decrease if you borrow money under the Energy Smart Loan Program because the energy savings may more than offset the cost of the improvements.

Eligible energy improvements include upgrading insulation, replacing inefficient heating systems, upgrading lighting systems and fixtures, sealing air leakages, and installing solar electric and solar hot water. These improvements will generate work for local contractors, immediately creating construction jobs in Eagle County. Unlike a conventional home-equity loan, an Energy smart loan does not affect your credit, and it does not require you to repay it when you sell your home (although it allows you to do so). If you live in an incorporated area your jurisdiction will have to opt into the special district before you can take out an Energy Smart loan.

The intent of the Energy Smart Local Loan Program is to provide tools for Eagle County families and businesses to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements without raising taxes.

Visit www.EnergySmartEagle.org for more information on the program. And don’t forget to send in your mail ballot this year with a yes vote on 1A. Be Energy Smart. Promote green-collar jobs. Vote YES on 1A.

New Vail Valley Business Network will give Vail, Colorado businesses a social network

The Vail Valley Partnership is proud to launch the Vail Valley Business Network. This is a new member-only social network designed to allow Vail Valley businesses to share ideas, suggestions, tips, business-to-business discounts and more. Visit the Web site to learn more about local events or to promote your own events, sales or specials.

Information on the Vail Valley Business Network includes:

1. News from Vail Valley Partnership member businesses;
2. Real-time Twitter updates about Vail and Beaver Creek;
3. Vail Valley calendar of events; and
4. Discussion boards and the ability for VVP members to ask questions of other partners, promote member discounts or to learn from others in the community.

Vail Valley Partnership presents "Ask the Experts" educational program October 14

Save the Date for the next Vail Valley Partnership FREE “Ask the Experts” educational program. This event is on Wednesday, October 14th 5:30-7:00pm, at the Vail Valley Partnership offices.

Join these panelists to learn how to expand your social media presence:
Kyle Gosnell, Interactive Innovations:
Kyle has 15 years’ internet marketing experience at the professional level and is currently the CEO of Interactive Innovations (Search Engine and Internet Marketing Company), Netsuite Marketing Partner (#1 Web-based software company), Microsoft Partner. His clients include list of Fortune 100 companies, Google Gadgets Creator and Publisher, SEO and Web2.0 professional, RSS Expert, Video Propagation, Wikipedia Author, Blog Optimization Consultant, Podcasting Expert, Channel Marketing expert – Expert in Affiliate Marketing and Tracking, Google analytics and conversion funneling expert. Current customer base is generating over $50,000,000 in annual sales and over 5,000 first-page product rankings in Google.

Katie Coakley, Peeples Ink.:
Katie Coakley serves as a senior client service manager for Vail, Colorado-based Peeples Ink PR, Ltd. She directs communications services for a number of diverse clients in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Katie’s communications experience includes: directing media relations campaigns for a variety of destination resort properties throughout the western United States including the Town of Vail, Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spa and lumière, a five-star property in Telluride, Colo., successfully directing community and regional campaigns.
Katie is adept at managing and monitoring the new frontier of social media. With the prevalence of on-line outlets and consumer conversations, Katie’s online media relations strategies and crisis communications tactics address social media networks and utilize the variety of tools and applications available in this ever-changing medium.
Katie is a graduate of Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA with a degree in English. She lives in Breckenridge, CO where she is an avid snowboarder, hiker and insatiable reader.

Holly Orr, Vail Resorts:
Holly Orr is the Online Marketing Manager at Beaver Creek Resort. She began her career at Beaver Creek as the PR intern in November 2007 and was fortunate to gain a full-time position in the marketing department six months later. Her responsibilities include display advertising, email communication, Beavercreek.com, beavercreekextreme.com, the Red Sky Ranch website, and Beaver Creek’s social media, including facebook and twitter. Holly was recently in charge of a complete make-over of Beavercreek.com, which averages about 70,000 visits a month. A Boulder native, Holly graduated from the University of Colorado School Of Journalism with a degree in Advertising.

Ryan Cantrell, RTP Technical Service:
Ryan is responsible for Interactive Strategy and Technical Guidance for RTP’s Interactive solutions. He consults with customers both up-front and on an ongoing basis helping them to take advantage of the latest Web innovations and engage in a constructive dialog with their customers online. He provides a consultative role between creative brand strategy, the RTP development team and your IT and Marketing representatives to ensure a seamless blend of the creative brand vision with all of the technical elements that make up your online presence.
With RTP since 2005, Ryan brings over 13 years’ experience consulting on, creating and delivering interactive, Web-enabled solutions. Specializing in the integration of the various facets of RTP’s delivery team (Design, Development and Delivery) to ensure high quality solutions, Ryan currently is responsible for the successful delivery of RTP’s Web projects. He previously served as the Director of Operations for RTP’s Internet Solutions division and prior to joining RTP; Ryan worked as a Manager with Accenture’s Silicon Valley practice.

The Philadelphia Orchestra plays Gershwin at Vail's Bravo Music Festival

Gershwin comes to Vail

Wednesday, July 15, 6:00 p.m. at the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival in Vail, Colorado
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Rossen Milanov, Conductor
Anne-Marie McDermott, Piano

Gershwin comes to Vail

Gershwin comes to Vail

GERSHWIN:
An American in Paris
Rhapsody in Blue for Piano and Orchestra
I Got Rhythm Variations for Piano & Orchestra


GERSHWIN / arr. BENNETT:
Porgy and Bess, Symphonic Picture
Festive Classics


Locals and Visitors Ride Around with B-Line Xpress in Vail, Colorado

B-Line Xpress in Vail, Colorado offers excellent rates that combine with unparalleled services and amenities. B-Line Xpress eases the cost of luxury travel to Colorado’s High Country. Find out more about their transportation services by clicking on the links above.

Vail Valley Service Providers listings are brought to you by the Vail Valley’s complete Vacation Planning Resource, Funafar.com. and What To Do Vail, Magazine.

Celebrate the 4th of July in Vail. Plan your Vail vacation getaway.

Vail's Best Vacation Information

Vail


4th of July Weekend is right around the corner — make your holiday weekend plans now and get the the best selection and value on lodging.

Link to Last-Minute Lodging Deals

July 4
Beaver Creek July 4 celebrations include the Clambake at Beano’s Cabin, 4th of July Picnic, The Neville Brothers in concert, and the fireworks display at Avon Lake.

Summer Vail All the Love. The Way to Spend Your Summer Vacation.

Planning Your Summer Vacation

www.funafar.com can help you have fun.You have an expectation in mind,

and we’re here to make sure your experience

is perfectly orchestrated to your wishes.

Vail.funafar.com will help with your Vail Summer vacation plans.

Discover how you can be a part of Vail All the Love and enjoy

exclusive offers summer long.

View Lodging Accommodations and Summer Web Specials

Write here and tell us what you like about spending

your vacation in Vail. Use the Reply Box below or

click on the green “Comment” message under the

Blog. If you have travel or scheduling questions,

ask Funafar for advice.

Loving Summer Vail

Loving Summer Vail

Planning a Vail Colorado wedding? For peace of mind, use a Vail wedding planner.

Planning a wedding or special event?

Sassy Events will create a unique experience in the Vail Valley. Sassy Events will work with you and deliver a special, one-of-a-kind memory for you and your guests.
Vail Valley Service Providers listings are brought to you by the Vail Valley’s complete Vacation Planning Resource, Funafar.com. and What To Do Vail, Magazine. For Detailed Information on every type of activity in the Vail Valley, please visit our online activities web site.

Claire Graham Wedding Planner

Claire Graham Wedding Planner

Sassy Events Wedding Planner Claire Graham asks,

“Is there a price for peace of mind?”

As a wedding planner, obviously I would always say you need to hire a planner! However, our experience shows there are many good reasons you need us. When couples begin to plan their wedding they can often feel overwhelmed by the details. You will be faced with decisions about everything from invitations to budgets to the honeymoon. The best advice is to hire professional help from the moment you start planning.

Not so long ago wedding planners were seen as a luxury, now they are an essential. A professional planner saves money and time. They have in-depth knowledge of the industry and can avoid costly mistakes. Weddings take more time than you can imagine; so, it isn’t surprising that people enlist professional help. The wedding planner is not the decision maker but will guide you to the make the decisions that are best for you. She can help to eliminate stress, manage budgets, create the wedding design, and work through problems that may arise. Having someone there on the day to manage the details for you is extremely valuable. When hiring your planner make sure you like and trust them since you will be spending a lot of time talking to them.
Happy Planning!
Sassy Events/Matt Alberts Photography