Radio Show

The next Travel Fun airs Tuesday, September 20th at 6:30p.m. mountain standard time at www.koto.org.       Dear Fellow Travelers, Shortly after having moved to Telluride, Colorado in the summer of 2003, I launched Travel Fun, a travel talk show on KOTO, the local NPR station here. Switching from writing about travel to talking about travel has been quite a change for me, but whatever the medium, it’s just fun to report on travel. This show, in fact, has allowed me to branch out beyond my usual beat (which has been France for the past fifteen years), and cover a great variety of destinations both within and outside of the United States. Travel Fun airs every other Tuesday at 6:30p.m. mountain standard time. If you’re not lucky enough to be in or around beautiful Telluride, Colorado at that time, you can tune in at the same time on the web at www.koto.org. The number of KOTO’s web listeners is growing due to KOTO’s eclectic programming and also probably because KOTO is one of only seven radio stations in the entire U.S. that is almost completely listener-sponsored. Each half-hour show typically features an in-studio interview with a local Tellurider, followed by a phone interview with a representative from a featured destination. Other shows are more theme-oriented. The people of Telluride are avid travelers, so in addition to being a captive audience, most have an interesting travel tale to tell as well. During one show, for instance, one of the guys from Telluride Helitrax (Colorado’s only heliskiing company) clued us in on his favorite hut-to-hut trip in British Columbia. Phone interviews have highlighted both nearby Four Corners’ destinations such as Mesa Verde and distant romantic get-aways such as the Meurice Hotel in Paris. Once again, you may tune in every other Tuesday at 6:30p.m. mountain standard time at www.koto.org. Please email me at maribeth@therichesof.com if you'd like to receive regular Travel Fun announcements. With best wishes, Maribeth       P.S. Check out www.visittelluride.com and www.tellurideskiresort.com for more information on Telluride.           Past Travel Fun programs welcomed the following guests:     September 20, 2005     - Caroline Mennetrier, Public Relations Director, from the glorious Hotel George V will be on the phone talking about Paris and life at this renowned hotel. Whenever I travel to a major city, I always make sure to visit at least one---if not two or three---of that city’s top hotels. That’s where you typically gain a sense of the grandeur of that city’s past as well as its ability to keep up with the times. Nowhere is this experience more elegant than in Paris. When you walk into the lobby of one of these hotels, you find yourself swept away by the beauty of these sumptuous spaces embellished with marble, gilding, and a flourish of high-styled flower displays. Whether you’re checking in for a few night’s stay or looking to fold yourself into the bar, moments past in such establishments always seem to figure amongst the finest memories of a trip. The Hôtel George V in Paris is one of these must-see places. Caroline will clue us in on why Paris and the award-winning Hotel George V are so special. www.fourseasons.com; tel.: 33-1-49-52-70-00 - George Christensen will be talking about what it was like for him to attend the Cannes Film Festival twice. George just left town after working a whole month at the Telluride Film Festival. In this pre-recorded interview you’ll be able to hear first-hand what a die-hard film devotee thinks about the Cannes Film Festival experience. www.festival-cannes.fr; www.telluridefilmfestival.org     *********** My travel tidbit for the week of September 20, 2005   Dinner reservations at hot restaurants are often hard to come by, especially when traveling. If you’re headed to Europe or Asia, you may want to consider contacting the following websites to have them make your arrangements for you ahead of time: www.restaurantrow.com; www.cuisinenet.co.uk; www.eat2eat.com; www.toptable.co.uk .   Pet Peeve People who boycott France and French products for political reasons.   My special recommendation of the week: When visiting Paris, you must go to the world-renowned Flea Markets at Saint-Ouen/Porte de Clignancourt. If you’d like to be debriefed in advance on matters such as where to look for certain specialty items, how to buy at the markets, or who to contact for shipping. I suggest you check out www.antikita.com. This site is helpful to individuals, but I’d call it a must for professionals.   ***********         September 6, 2005     - George Christensen will be in the studio to talk about his experiences cycling for many months around France and also to tell us about what it was like for him to attend the Cannes Film Festival twice. For the past eleven years, George has come to town to work for a whole month at the Telluride Film Festival. There he hustles around in shipping assuring the delivery of countless packages---from film reels to V.I.P. gifts---to the many different festival venues around town. This, plus his job as a bike messenger in Chicago, keeps him in excellent shape for the long-distance cycling adventures he partakes in every year. George has spent three months cycling in France these past two summers, each time kicking off his tour by attending the Cannes Film Festival. From there George headed out to attack certain stages of the Tour de France on his own before finally catching up with the Tour during the month of July. If you are passionate about cycling, the Tour de France, and/or film festivals, check out the following sites: www.crazyguyonabike.com; www.letour.fr; www.festival-cannes.fr; www.telluridefilmfestival.org     *********** My travel tidbit for the week of September 6, 2005   The Maison de la France, or French Government Tourist Office, has an excellent website loaded with all kinds of information on Paris and the French provinces. Go to www.franceguide.com to begin planning your next trip to France. They also put out an elegant, glossy magazine, called FranceGuide, which highlights a wide range of activities you can experience in France. You may order this complimentary 96-page publication through their website or by calling the public information hotline “France-on-Call” at 514-288-1904.   Hot Deal: I noticed some good air and land packages to France at www.go-today.com. All of these have to be purchased by September 22. And, of course, the best prices on travel are from November 1 thru late March.   My special recommendation of the week: You can also check out my website, www.therichesof.com, for more information on France. There you’ll see featured my books, The Riches of France and The Riches of Paris, along with many links to goods and services that will be helpful to you for shopping and touring in France.   ***********         August 23, 2005     - Jake Linzinmeir, restaurateur extraordinaire, will be in the studio to talk about his smoking ascension from chef de cuisine at the Excelsior Café to owner of numerous fine establishments in Telluride including the Excelsior, Blue Point Grill, and its adjoining Noir Bar, Chair 8, and the Wildflour Bakery and Café. Jake knew at the age of 16 that he wanted to be in the restaurant business. “I was also looking to be in a place where I could ski,” Jake readily admits. After a short stint at the Hotel Jerome in Aspen, Jake landed here in town. Fortunately for us, it looks as though he’s going to stay a good long while. Go to www.alchemyconcepts.com or call 970-728-8887 to find out more about this very enterprising guy and his work. - Peter Koehler, General Manager of the award-winning Hotel Palomar, will be on the phone talking about this week’s featured destination: San Francisco. Peter describes San Francisco as “a very livable and cosmopolitan city. All of the influences from Europe, Asia, and the Pacific make it a particularly exciting place to visit,” he continues. I feel that the writer Harold Gilliam also summed it up well when he wrote the following in San Francisco Bay: “It has been said that all great cities of history have been built on bodies of water---Rome on the Tiber, Paris on the Seine, London on the Thames, New York on the Hudson. If this is a criterion of a city’s greatness, surely San Francisco ranks in the first magnitude among cities of the world. For never was a metropol more dominated by any natural feature than San Francisco by its bay.” To find out more about what’s happening in San Francisco, go to www.sfcvb.org or call 415-391-2000. To discover the sleek and contemporary Hotel Palomar in San Francisco, go to www.hotelpalomar.com or call 877-294-9711.     *********** My travel tidbit for the week of August 9, 2005:   With more and more flights being cancelled these days, and with more and more airlines cutting back on amenities such as pillows and pretzels, you need to fly doubly prepared. I might actually become an advocate of comfy travel wear. Although let it be smart---not sloppy. Save room in your carry on for healthy snacks---which you still don’t find much of in the airports. And sure, why not squeeze in a cozy pillow.   Pet Peeve I received a lot of feedback about the last pet peeve I did regarding how we are often poorly addressed by people in the service industry. It seems as though many people feel they’re not being paid the respect they deserve. Here’s another one to add along those lines. So if you’re a service worker, please perk up. How about those wait people that ask you, “Do you want change?” when you’ve given a bill that far exceeds the total. If you were a wise guy, I guess you’d say, No that’s o.k. I always give 40% tips. C’mon folks, that’s just annoying. And that kind of treatment will only diminish your chances of receiving a healthy tip.   My special recommendation of the week: When planning your trip to San Francisco---or even Boston, Philadelphia, Seattle, Toronto, Chicago, New York City, Southern California or Hollywood---consider purchasing a CityPass. This pay-one-price ticket booklet contains admission tickets to the top attractions in each city or area for a reduced price. It also helps you to bypass ticket lines and provides you with all kinds of useful information. For more information, go to www.citypass.com or call 888-330-5008.   ***********         August 9, 2005     - Jeffrey Blackwell, the Executive Chef at 9545, will be talking about his experiences at the helm of this high-styled Mountain Village restaurant here in Telluride as well as his approach to the culinary arts in general. Jeff is a big believer in buying the freshest products available such as Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab that he has FedExed in and serves up the next day in his savory crab cakes. (All this in a remote mountain town 9545 feet above sea level!) His daily menu also touts organic and locally produced products such as fresh fruit from Paonia or wild mushrooms from the nearby mountainsides. To learn more about Jeff and 9545, go to www.innatlostcreek.com or call 970-728-6293. Jeff and his staff at 9545 will also be participating in this weekend’s Telluride Culinary Festival. For more information about this event, go to www.tellurideculinaryart.com. - Todd Rutledge, from Mountain Trip, will also be in the studio to talk about an entirely different expertise. With thirteen years of experience guiding in South America, the Himalayas, Europe, and most of all Alaska (including fifteen Denali expeditions), Todd knows a thing or two about leading expeditions up 20,000-foot mountains. “I like both the physical and mental challenges these trips present,” explains Todd. “When you have to deal with primal matters such as warmth, food, shelter, and water, everything else is put into perspective pretty fast. You have to know how to suffer and smile.” Check out www.mountaintrip.com to see if you might be cut out for such an adventure or call toll free 866-886-TRIP (8747).     *********** My travel tidbit for the week of August 9, 2005:   With London’s recent blow to its tourism, I thought this would be a good time to plug one of Europe’s most popular destinations. And did you know that London was in fact crowned the gourmet capital of the world by Gourmet magazine this past spring? It’s actually possible to learn all about dining out in London in a very handy little booklet that includes some 6,000 establishments from cheap eats to Michelin-starred restaurants. Eat London guides are free and available by calling 800-462-2748 or visiting www.visitlondon.com.   Hot Deal: This one is for Telluriders. The buzz is on about The Spa at L.A. Nails, the new full service salon in Montrose. Just like in New York and L.A., here Vietnamese beauticians buff, pamper, and polish you at prices that won’t leave you gasping for air. I think those dreaded trips to Walmart just might become a bit more exciting! Call them at 970-249-9663 to learn more.   My special recommendation of the week: I am greatly touched by the works of Christopher Gerlach, an artist who paints in the Impressionist style. Perhaps it is the subject matter that Chris has chosen that speaks to me so much since many of his paintings are of France, Colorado, and the American Southwest. But I believe it is his plein air realism and painterly style that warms my soul the most. Go to www.christophergerlach.com right now to view some of his works. I bet you will be instantly transported to many of your most familiar and beloved landscapes.   ***********         July 26, 2005     - Lauren Bloemsma, resident of Telluride for the past eight years and newly-appointed Director of the Telluride Historical Museum, will be in the studio to talk a bit about the history of Telluride as well as her vision for the town’s museum. The history of this old mining town is indeed richer than most people would imagine. It took all kinds of people---from the Ute settlers, to the rough and rugged miners, to the reclusive hippies, to the visionaries who launched the ski industry---to shape this town. Lauren will touch on these many different aspects of Telluride’s history and the programs that she is presenting at the museum to bring these stories alive. Best to contact the museum directly at 970-728-3344 for more information. Or you may check out www.telluridemuseum.com. - Carlos Garcia, the Public Relations Coordinator for Copper Mountain, Colorado will be on the phone talking about this week’s featured destination. Nestled in between the Ten Mile and Gore Mountain Ranges, this world-class resort is just seventy-five miles from downtown Denver. It seems as though that is one of the biggest draws in addition to the many amenities offered at Copper and the abundance of attractions---including excellent discount shopping---within the outlying area. Most of my time at Copper has been spent in the summer with my niece and nephew, so I have experienced it first-hand as a fantastic place for kids. Go to www.coppercolorado.com - to read about the plethora of activities offered throughout the rest of the summer at Copper or call 866-841-2481.     *********** My travel tidbit for the week of July 26, 2005:   For those of you still relatively unfamiliar with mountain weather in the summer, remember that you always need to be prepared. The weather here can change very quickly and storms roll in fast. Always carry a weatherproof top layer with you and make sure you’re well supplied in sunscreen, water, and snacks whether you’re caught out on the trail or in town. At these high altitudes, the sun can be extremely strong, but just as soon as it ducks behind the mountain, the air becomes quite chilly. Layering is the law, and if you have room, don’t hesitate to pack a down jacket.   Pet Peeve: How do you feel when you’re dining in a nice restaurant and a waitperson addresses you and your companion as “you guys?” Or what about when they ask “are you still working on it?” Why is it so hard for waitpeople to politely ask, “have you finished?” Maybe I lived too long in a country that prides itself on la politesse, or politeness. Indeed in France everyone is addressed as monsieur, madame, mademoiselle, or jeune garçon. It would be a veritable scandale, or scandal, if a French server addressed his clients as vous, les mecs, the French version of you guys! So if you happen to work in the service industry, please heed my advice, treat your customers with a dash more respect. It might just pay off in tips.   My special recommendation of the week: The snow will be flying before you know it and then you’ll be headed for the slopes! If you don’t buy your season pass to Telluride Ski Resort by this Friday, July 29, you’ll definitely be stuck out in the cold, despite this blistering summer heat. The $965. early Bird pass offers a savings of $410. off the regular season pass price of $1,375. Early bird prices are $400. for juniors, ages 13-18, and $250. for kids, ages 6-12. If you wait until after July 29, those prices go up to $540. and $250, respectively. College and senior passes may be purchased at half price now, and for children under 5, the cost is a mere $25. Passes will be sold online at www.tellurideskiresort.com and at the Mountain Village Activity Center until Friday, July 29 at 4p.m. Don’t miss out!   ***********         July 12, 2005     - John Duncan, resident of Telluride and guide and outfitter at Telluride Outside, will be talking about the fun there is to be had on the nearby rivers. Rafting on the San Miguel this season is better than ever due to a very snowy winter and wet spring. It’s fun to consider how you can double your enjoyment from the winter storms even after the slopes have closed! Rafting here is particularly well suited for those just out for a good time since most of the rapids are category two and three. Fly fishing is typically outstanding in this part of southwestern Colorado, but this year this popular outdoor activity is also shaping up to be exceptional. Go to www.tellurideoutside.com to learn more about these exciting activities and more or call 800-831-6230 or 970-728-3895. - Amy Hall, will be on the phone talking about Ladew Gardens, a delightful oasis of blooms and greenery, in Monkton, Maryland, that I recently discovered. Named “the most outstanding topiary garden in America,” by The Garden Club of America, Ladew Gardens are a must for anyone interested in plants and flowers. The topiaries are, of course, quite whimsical and emerge in a variety of shapes from sensuous swans, to a gigantic Buddha, to a magnificently rendered hunt scene. Situated in the heart of horse country, the picturesque drive to Ladew from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and nearby Pennsylvania also makes up part of the fun. And as Amy will explain in our interview, be sure to visit Harvey Ladew’s home on the premises. He is the eccentric fellow responsible for having created such an exquisite place. Go to www.LadewGardens.com or call 410-557-9466 for more information.     *********** My travel tidbit for the week of July 12, 2005:   Here I will continue my rant about airlines. Keep in mind that if you book a flight and seat assignments aren’t provided, that’s generally an indicator that that flight has been oversold. You may luck out with seat assignments at check in (or ahead of time after having called countless times on the phone), but know that there’s always a chance you might be given a lousy seat. Or even worse---be bumped from the flight. To avoid such scenarios, you could choose to only book a flight if a seat assignment is provided in advance.   Hot Deal: Last summer I reported on the many “dive in” specials at major resorts in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona. This is sort of like the drive in, but instead, you’re able to watch the movie from the comfort of your own float in a big glorious pool on a hot summer night. I’ve yet to experience it myself, but I think it sounds like a blast. A particularly alluring deal may be found at The Scottsdale Plaza Resort: www.scottsdaleplaza.com; tel.: 800-832-2025.   My special recommendation of the week: Telluride boasts so many fantastic festivals that one might wonder how there could be room for one more. So in order to squeeze into Telluride’s busy summer line up, somebody had to come up with a great idea. That person is Teddy Errico, producer of this weekend’s first annual Telluride Cajun Festival. The festival features three funk bands and Cajun cuisine in a spectacular setting high up in Mountain Village. If you’re ready to get your groove on, be sure to be there this Saturday for a real n’awlins-style party. Check out www.telluridecajunfestival.com or www.tellurideticket.com for more information or to buy tickets.   ***********         June 28, 2005     - Courtney Stuechli, from the Town of Mountain Village, will be my local guest in the studio this week. Courtney will be touching upon the spectacular line up of concerts, festivals, and other special events that will be taking place this summer 1,000 feet above the town of Telluride in Mountain Village. Whether you take the 15-minute gondola ride or snake in on Mountain Village Boulevard, you’re always awarded with spectacular views both on your way and once you’ve arrived in this mountaintop resort town. Few other places in the country (if not the world) boast such awe-inspiring panoramas and it’s just the frosting on the peaks to come here to attend such an array of events, many of which are free and open to the public. Highlights include the Summer Sunset Concert Series, Pinhead Town Talks, the first annual Cajun Festival, the Telluride Culinary Arts Festival, and Fireside Chats that recount Telluride’s rich history in a campfire setting. Be sure to check out the following websites: www.tellurideticket.com, www.visittelluride.com, and www.townofmountainvillage.com. - Pico Iyer, renowned travel writer and essayist, will be on the phone from California chatting about some of his experiences traveling the world for the past two decades. Pico will talk about a few of the destinations that he considers the most fascinating including Cuba, Tibet, and Japan (where he now lives). In 1995, Pico was named by the UTNE READER---along with the likes of Noam Chomsky and Vaclav Havel---as one of the 100 visionaries worldwide who “could change your life.” And if you’ve read any of the eight books that Pico has authored, you would understand why. To me, he is a keen and compassionate observer of foreign cultures and lands. Keep your eye out for Pico’s Sun After Dark, which was just released in paperback a few weeks ago.     *********** My travel tidbit for the week of June 28, 2005:   Make airline reservations as far in advance as possible, particularly if you’re flying in and out of a very small town such as Telluride. Know that airlines have a limited number of seats on the small planes that service the smaller airports, so the closer you are to your departure date, the less likely it is that you’ll find the availability you want and the more the price will go up.   Pet Peeve: Booking a flight online, then booking a second ticket for the very same trip less than ten minutes later only to discover that within that extremely short time frame the ticket price increased by over $100! Once again, this is the sort of scenario that happens when making flight arrangements to and from a remote destination such as Telluride. On a more positive note, there’s nothing quite as extraordinary as flying in and out of the Telluride airport, the second highest commercial airport in the world. It might just be worth it to many of you regardless of the price.   My special recommendation of the week: Want to feel as though you’re traveling around with your best friend and have her make all of the arrangements? This is how you’ll feel with Carol Bonow, a vivacious lady that creates and leads specialty tours for small groups of people. Her expertise is France although recently she has added trips to New England to her repertory. Whether you sign up for one of Carol’s Creative Genius at Home Day Trips or enlist her to plan a customized itinerary for you in Provence, your experience will be fun and artful with this most enthusiastic traveler. To find out more, go to www.TravelFranceWithCarol.com. And be sure to take a look at Carol’s handsome collection of travel-inspired cards there as well.   ***********         June 14, 2005     - Herb Manning, local Tellurider and founder of Telluride Offroad Adventures, will be in the studio giving us the perspective on how the surrounding area looks from the mountaintops. With the help of his Pinzgauer Swiss army troop transporters, Herb deftly tours people up and over the region’s precarious mountain passes. A seemingly never-ending network of back roads cut high and low across these mountains, giving way to some of the most outstanding offroad terrain in the country. These roads are indeed the best vestiges of the booming mining industry that existed here more than a hundred years ago. The idea of using them for recreation originated after WWII when veterans returned home with the “jeeping” spirit fresh in their minds. To line up a tour with Herb, call him at 970-708-5190 or go to www.tellurideoffroad.com. - Michel Tschann, General Manager of the Splendid Hotel in Nice, will be on the phone talking with us about this truly splendid Riviera destination and the Côte d’Azur in general. Few places in the world boast such a sublime combination of culture and natural beauty as the French Riviera. The Mediterranean here truly does shimmer blue azure and the water remains surprisingly clean and clear. Thanks to the British, Nice was established as a resort destination during the mid nineteenth century. Today the British influence is still felt in everything from the architecture of many of the historic hotels and residences, to the gentile tradition of taking tea, to the existence of cheap flights to Nice from London. Within the labyrinth of centuries-old streets surrounding Nice’s famed flower market, an abundance of grocers selling fresh pasta in every imaginable form and flavor indicates that not only is Italy close by, but it has also been integral in shaping the lives of the Niçois throughout history. And, of course, artists such as Picasso left their mark on the Côte d’Azur at the early part of the twentieth century as well; so much so, in fact, that the concentration of art museums, galleries, and arts and crafts shops along the coast still remains astounding today. A member of the esteemed Warwick Hotel Group, go to www.warwickhotels.com or call 800-203-3232 to find out more about the Splendid. For general information about the Côte d’Azur and the rest of France, check out www.franceguide.com, the official website of the French Government Tourist Office.     *********** My travel tidbit for the week of June 14, 2005:   It is best to avoid the French Riviera in the summer, particularly in August, if you are adverse to crowds. It’s hard for many Americans to comprehend that the majority of Europeans go on vacation for the whole month of August. (Entire factories shut down for this period throughout much of Europe!) September is a lovely time to go, however, and best of all, by then the sea has warmed up to a perfectly tepid temperature.   ***********         May 31, 2005     - Reuben Hammond, member of the Ute Indian tribe and Marketing representative from the Ute Mountain Casino, will be on the phone talking primarily about the Beardance, the largest social dance, or celebration of life, of the Ute people. A tradition among the Utes for centuries, the Beardance marks the arrival of summer and also provides the opportunity for courtship for members of the tribe after having passed many long months indoors. Reuben will also discuss the meaning of Pow wows, colorful gatherings of the Native people that take place on Reservations throughout the summer season. All of these events---along with other activities such as handgame and rodeo---are open to the public. Reuben recommends bringing lots of water and sunscreen and always asking permission to take a picture. This year’s Beardance will take place June 3, 4, 5, & 6 in Towoac, just south of Cortez, Colorado in the Four Corners area. For more information, go to www.utemountaincasino.com or call 970-565-8800. - Joy Connor, the Head Concierge at The Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado, will be on the phone chatting about her responsibilities as a concierge in such a superlative hotel. She’ll also talk a bit about the history of Aspen and tell us what’s taking place this summer in this chic mountain resort. Joy’s most unusual request was to seek out a protective covering for a client so that he could drive his Jaguar on the back roads of Colorado without risking damage from an errant stone or branch. Typically, though, Joy and her staff spend most of their time providing inside information about where to go and what to do in Aspen and the outlying area. This summer they will most certainly be busy talking about Aspen headliners such as the Food and Wine Classic, Jazz Aspen Snowmass, Massive Music and Movies, and much more. To find out more about this fine establishment and Relais & Châteaux member, go to www.thelittlenell.com or call 970-920-4600. For a wealth of information about Aspen and its surroundings, check out www.aspensnowmass.com.     *********** My travel tidbit for the week of May 31, 2005:   Take lots of pictures! This advice may seem all too obvious, but how many times have you returned from a trip only to say, oh, I wish I had taken a picture of that or I can’t believe we don’t have one good picture of the two of us in Paris, the city of love and light? And now with digital cameras, there’s no excuse for not taking tons of photos! Remember, too, that shots of monuments and other sites are generally more interesting with someone you know and love in the foreground.   ***********             May 3, 2005     - Joe Bridwell, writer/speaker/photographer, will be on the phone talking with me about his various travel adventures into the wilderness of the American West. After a long career in science---which included geology, math, and mechanics---Joe began to explore some of the lesser-known parts of the country and later reported on his numerous discoveries. In this interview, Joe will primarily focus on The Bisti, a remote part of New Mexico, located about thirty miles south of Farmington, New Mexico. Here within this lunar-like landscape, one can marvel at remnants from this area’s prehistoric past in the form of dinosaur skeletons, petrified trees nearly two hundred-feet tall, and wondrous rock formations called hoodoos. To learn more about this primitive land, go to any search engine and type in Bisti Badlands. Go to www.geocompa.com/HorsesNHoodoos.pdf to see some photos. You may also contact Joe at writer@geocompa.com or visit his website at www.blackstonegentry.com. - Ginny Murphy, Entertainment Director of the famous Tropicana hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, helps us throw it into high-stepping, high gear fun real fast. Ginny has been at her job since the late Seventies, so she has witnessed the sky rocketing ascension of Vegas as an entertainment hub. We all need distraction from our hectic and often stressful lives, and entertainment in all its forms typically provides just that. No place does it better than Vegas and certainly much fun is to be had at the Tropicana where in addition to its magic show and long-running Folies Bergere, the hotel also offers a variety of short and sassy shows within its casino that are open to the public. For more information, go to www.tropicanalv.com or visit www.lvcva.com or www.visitlasvegas.com.     *********** My travel tidbit for the week of May 3, 2005:   A friend recently forwarded the below information to me on the internet. Since I found it to be interesting---especially for those planning road trips in the near future---I thought I’d share it with you. This chart is apparently from CNN's website. Gas prices around the world are expressed in US dollars per gallon. Netherlands Amsterdam $6.48 Norway Oslo $6.27 Italy Milan $5.96 Denmark Copenhagen $5.93 Belgium Brussels $5.91 Sweden Stockholm $5.80 United Kingdom London $5.79 Germany Frankfurt $5.57 France Paris $5.54 Portugal Lisbon $5.35 Hungary Budapest $4.94 Luxembourg $4.82 Croatia Zagreb $4.81 Ireland Dublin $4.78 Switzerland Geneva $4.74 Spain Madrid $4.55 Japan Tokyo $4.24 Czech Republic Prague $4.19 Romania Bucharest $4.09 Andorra $4.08 Estonia Tallinn $3.62 Bulgaria Sofia $3.52 Brazil Brasilia $3.12 Cuba Havana $3.03 Taiwan Taipei $2.84 Lebanon Beirut $2.63 South Africa Johannesburg $2.62 Nicaragua Managua $2.61 Panama Panama City $2.19 Russia Moscow $2.10 Puerto Rico San Juan $1.74 Saudi Arabia Riyadh $0.91 Kuwait Kuwait City $0.78 Egypt Cairo $0.65 Nigeria Lagos $0.38 Venezuela Caracas $0.12   ***********         April 5, 2005     - Daniel Salençon, ski instructor at Telluride Ski & Golf and also co-owner of Escuela Mountain, a ski school in San Carlos de Bariloche, will be in the studio to talk for almost the full half hour about this renowned mountain destination of Argentina. Located in the Andes mountains, in the northern part of Patagonia, Bariloche is known for its spectacular mountain scenery and challenging terrain. Situated on a large lake, and surrounded by many more pristine bodies of water, Bariloche also reigns as an outstanding summer destination (in our winter, of course) for lovers of fishing, hiking, and the great outdoors. With its unique European ties and outstanding wilderness offerings, Bariloche, is a fascinating city to visit, perfect as a starting place for taking in the raw beauty of the rest of Patagonia. For more information, go to www.skifish.net and www.escuelamountain.com. Juan Vallmitjana, another top ski instructor at Telluride Ski & Golf and Daniel’s partner at Escuela Mountain, was unable to be present for the interview as planned. He has, however, graciously offered to take phone calls from now until April 15 at 970-728-4724 regarding any queries you might have about Bariloche, the Escuela Mountain Ski School, and the surrounding area. Please note also that due to a scheduling mix up, I was not able to interview John Briner on Alaska, but hope to have him as a guest on Travel Fun next year.     *********** My travel tidbit for the week of April 5, 2005:   This one comes from Daniel Salençon who has logged many hours making the approximate sixteen-hour trip from Telluride to Bariloche, Argentina. (He typically flies to Miami, then to Bariloche via Buenos Aires or Santiago, Chile, so east coast residents might have a shorter trip.) Daniel’s best recommendation is to move around a lot in the plane and in the airport. The good news is that if you are indeed traveling north to south, you don’t have to deal with jet lag. Also no vaccinations are required for Argentina and there’s no worry to be had about the water. Daniel also emphasized that the food is extremely fresh in his homeland.   ***********         March 22, 2005     - Chris Pranskatis, from Telluride’s own Ryder Walker Alpine Adventures (www.ryderwalker.com; tel.: 888-586-8365 or 970-728-6481), will be in the studio to talk about trekking in the Alps. This nationally recognized company has been organizing all kinds of treks to Europe for the past twenty years for intrepid adventurers of varying ability levels. Since Ryder Walker has been based in Telluride for the past ten years, it also offers many interesting guided trips here in the area including hiking to Wilson Peak and ice climbing excursions. - Everett Potter knows more than a thing or two about travel. I’ll have this renowned travel writer on the phone to hear where he recommends we should jet off to this spring and summer and how we should make our plans. As a columnist for the New York Times Syndicate and USA Weekend, and also as a contributing editor to Ski Magazine, Everett ranks as a leading authority on travel. He’s also a fan of Telluride, so he definitely has a sense of the sort of activities most Telluriders seek out at home and away. Here’s a preview on what Everett has to say: good bargains may still be found in the Caribbean at Anguilla and Viecques; thumbs up for bed-and-breakfast hopping on the Big Island in Hawaii; and if you want to go to Europe this summer, you’re apt to have the most affordable and enjoyable experience in Eastern Europe in destinations such as Budapest.     *********** My travel tidbit for the week of March 22, 2005:   Remember that we’re coming up on the time of year when the birds are traveling, too. So it’s a great time for bird-watching fans all over the country. Here in the Four Corners area, you can partake in the First Annual Ute Mountain/Mesa Verde Birding Festival that takes place on April 15 and 16, mostly in and around Cortez and Mesa Verde. For more information call 970-565-1151 or visit www.mesaverdecountry.com.   ***********       March 8, 2205     - Steven Craig, owner of Pacific Street Liquors (970-728-6333) here in Telluride, will be in the studio to chat about traveling around California’s wine country. With the recent success of the film, Sideways, sales of pinot noir have sky rocketed. And more and more people are heading off to the Central Coast region of California to experience first-hand the fun of sampling fine wines where they are actually made. There’s even a map that indicates the many places of interest featured in the movie. And, of course, you can always plan to dine at The Hitching Post---if only you can get in. Consult the following websites for information about these attractions and much more: www.santabarbara.winecountry.com; www.sbcountywines.com; www.hitchingpost2.com. - Mary Jones, owner of Thunderbird Lodge, will be on the phone to talk about this week’s featured destination: Canyon de Chelly, Arizona. Located on the Navajo reservation, this national park boasts all of the beauty of the Grand Canyon, yet on a much smaller scale. Highlights of Canyon de Chelly include an abundance of 1,000-year old ruins from the Anasazi, or ancestral puebloan Indians, that once inhabited this land. Originally opened as a trading post toward the end of the nineteenth century, today Thunderbird Lodge welcomes visitors from all over the world interested in discovering this natural wonder, the ways of the Navajo, and their magnificent arts and crafts. For general information, go to www.nps.gov and follow the links for visiting a specific park. For Thunderbird Lodge, check out www.tbirdlodge.com or call 800-679-2473.     *********** My travel tidbit for the week of March 8, 2005:   This one is wine oriented since it seems as though many of you may be heading out in the upcoming months to conduct your own tastings. Remember that if you’re flying, don’t bring a corkscrew since it is likely to be confiscated. I do, however, recommend you always have one in your car. You just never know when you might want to uncork a fine bottle in your B & B. Also keep in mind that shipping wine home can sometimes be costly and complicated. You may just want to plan on taking good notes and ordering with your favorite wine merchant back home. If you do purchase wine when away, be careful to transport it in the most favorable conditions possible and don’t leave it for any length of time in an over-heated car.     ***********         February 22, 2205   - Dean Sprague, executive chef at the Wyndham Peaks Resort & Golden Door Spa in the mountain village of Telluride, Colorado, will be in the studio to talk about what’s new food-wise at this signature property. A bit of zest has been added with the recent opening of Navarra, an elegant tapas restaurant devoted to the celebration of food and wine from one of the most renowned wine regions of Spain. With its line-up of savory dishes and select wines, Navarra may certainly be considered a fun and innovative addition to the dining scene in Telluride. And with dinner being served as of 5:30p.m., it’s a great place to go after the slopes. Go to www.wyndham.com for more information or call 970-728-6800 to reserve. - Jennifer Franklin, Public Relations Director of Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, will be on the phone chatting about this superlative resort and what’s new this spring in Scottsdale, Arizona, our featured destination of the week. Highlights at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess include its Havasu Falls-inspired spa, its plethora of restaurants and pools, and its spectacular golf offerings. The resort also provides many diverse programs for more adventuresome travelers interested in exploring the wonders of the nearby Sonoran desert. Check out www.fairmont.com or call 800-344-4758 for details.     *********** My travel tidbit for the week of February 22, 2005:   Always pack an additional collapsible bag whenever you travel, even if it’s just for a short trip! You hear this all the time, but don’t always remember to do it. How many times have you found yourself carting home bulking items---whether it be purchases or just a bizarre assortment of collectibles---in clumsy shopping bags from your time away? Even dirty laundry doesn’t seem to fold up very well in your bags. Many people think they can just buy an extra bag if they need to once away. That’s not always as easy as it sounds, however, and you may find yourself searching for an over-priced crappy bag just like the half dozen you already have at home.     ***********   February 8, 2005:   - Luci Reeve, resident of Telluride for more than twenty years and owner and operator of the town’s beloved Nugget Theater, will be in the studio to talk about her recent trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Having spent many an off-season in Mexico, Luci has had the chance to discover much of this enchanted land. Her most recent find is Playa del Carmen, a very pleasant resort town just fifty minutes from Cancun. Check outwww.playadelcarmen.com and www.cancunsouth.com for more information. - Diane Ohanian, publisher of France on Your Own and Au Château News, two online newsletters, will be chatting with us on the phone about France. Ever dream of staying in a private castle surrounded by a moat? Diane will tell us what to expect from the château experience in France along with other helpful advice about traveling in Paris and the French provinces. Go to www.franceonyourown.com and www.au-chateau.com to sign up to receive your free newsletters on France!     *********** My travel tidbit for the week of February 8, 2005:   This is a special one for Valentine’s Day. Keep in mind that traveling with someone is a huge test in compatibility. For budding romances, you may want to take a short trip together to see how you really get along. Pay particular attention to how your partner reacts to typical travel inconveniences such as airplane delays or lost luggage. Also take a look at how he or she adjusts to new environments or situations. If your very best times only take place over a romantic dinner, you may be in trouble. For those of you that are already in firmly established relationships, remember that traveling with your dearest continues to be a big test. Try not to have too many expectations and also be sure to create some time a part. First and foremost, though, plan a trip together that revolves largely around activities that you both enjoy. Good luck and bon voyage!     ***********           January 25, 2005   - Steve Opdyke, V.P. of Hotel Operations at Paris Las Vegas (www.parislasvegas.com; tel.: 877-796-2096), will be talking with me on the phone about this world-class hotel and providing me with his take on what people are doing these days in Vegas. Clearly the whole Las Vegas scene has become more about culture, shopping, and entertainment than gaming. And Paris Las Vegas stands out as one of the premiere properties for all of the above on The Strip. You need not be a Francophile to marvel at the famous Paris landmarks replicated here. Architectural elements such as cobbled streets, expansive metal beams, and fancy faux stonework recreate a look that was once thought to be exclusively parisien. - Connie Ross, a representative from Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas (www.hofbrauhauslasvegas.com; tel.: 702-853-2337), will be chatting with me on the phone about another unique European landmark that has been replicated in Las Vegas. Since the centuries-old Hofbräuhaus in Germany operates under the authority of the Bavarian Government, it took a bit of doing for a handful of very enterprising Germans to recreate this renowned institution stateside. Permission was eventually granted and the result is probably the most authentic German beer hall outside of Bavaria. With Hofbräuhaus beer imported directly from the original Hofbräuhaus, fine German fare served up daily, and a never-ending lineup of oompah-pah bands, you’re sure to feel as though you’ve stepped into the real deal.     *********** My travel tidbit for the week of January 25, 2005:   Remember to make good use of www.tellurideticket.com. It’s a great site to go to for information about the many upcoming events in Telluride and lots of other general tourist information for Telluride and Mountain Village. You may also purchase tickets and gifts directly from this site. ***********         January 11, 2005 - Chris Keiffer Parrino, manager of the Children’s Ski and Snowboard School of Telluride (tel.: 970-728-7545), will be in the studio to tell us about all the fun to be had for kids and adults (who don’t want to grow up) on the mountain. Looking for a new sort of snow sport? Why not try Thrill Hill, the place to go for a blast full of tubing down the mountain. Kid’s Night Out is also a great way to have the kids be entertained and supervised on the mountain while mom and dad are out on the town. - Patti Duax, Events Coordinator at Telluride Ski & Golf Company, will also be chatting with us about all of the exciting happenings to take place this season on the mountain. Snow shoeing, Nordic skiing, and great live music at Gorrono’s are just a few of the highlights. One of the biggest events of the season is to take place over this coming weekend during Telluride’s first ever Snowfest and third annual Hula Moon. For more information about these events and all other activities on the mountain, go to www.tellurideskiresort.com.     *********** My travel tidbit for the week of January 11, 2005:   There’s no end to travel information that you can find on the internet. One of my favorite sites is www.multimap.com. Go here to look up an online map for anywhere in the world. Their maps are free, but they also offer a full address search for a fee.     ***********       December 28, 2004: - “Glider” Bob Saunders will be in the studio talking about how Telluride and the outlying area looks from way above the mountain tops. When Bob is not on the hill teaching snowboarding, you can probably spot him flying around Gold Hill in his glider. Give him a wave next time you do, since Bob says that he can easily identify mountain adventurers from his viewpoint high in the sky. Contact Bob for a ride that you’re likely to never forget (tel.: 970-728-6870 or 970-708-0862; glidrbob@aol.com). - Telluride Locksmith, Tom Taylor, will be in the studio presenting a sort of expanded version of my usual travel tidbit of the week. We are all so attached to locks and keys---even in Telluride. And whether you’re traveling or just carrying out your daily routine, there’s a lot you can do to prevent goof ups and mishaps with your keys. Tom has much to say on this subject that also includes a few suggestions on how to begin 2005 with a fresh key…or more (tel.: 970-728-5625; ttaylor@montrose.net; www.telluridelocksmith.com) .       December 14, 2004: - Mary Dawn DeBriae and Stefan Schauss, owners of Alpen Schatz, the newly opened store on the main street of Telluride, will be in the studio to talk about holiday traditions in the Alps. Alpen Schatz means alpine treasures and this is exactly what you’ll find in this warm and inviting space that handsomely showcases handcrafted alpine originals. After having spent a number of years in Germany---mostly in the Bavarian Alps---Mary Dawn scouted out traditional craftspeople throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy to supply her with fine clothing, accessories, and home furnishings for her wholesale business and store. The family of one of her purveyors actually started in the fifteenth century as cobblers to the German royal family! Stefan, who was born and raised in Germany and vacationed regularly in the Alps, is looking forward to sharing stories about how Christmas is celebrated in his native land. (www.alpenschatz.com; tel: 970-728-4433)     ********** My travel tidbit for the week of December 14, 2004:       My travel tidbit for the week of December 14, 2004: Here’s something to think about as you shop for holiday gifts, especially if you chose to be politically aware. The following list of companies contributed heavily to the Democrats during the last election: Price Club/Costco; Rite Aid; Magla Products (Stanley Tools, Mr. Clean); Warnaco (undergarments); Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia; Estee Lauder; Guess?; Calvin Klein; Liz Claiborne; Levi Strauss; Olan Mills; Gallo Winery; Southern Wine & Spirits; Joseph E. Seagrams & Sons; Sony Corporation; Triarc Corporation; Hyatt Corporation. The following list of companies made generous contributions to the Republicans: Walmart; K-Mart; Home Depot; Target; Circuit City Stores; 3MCo.; Hallmark Cards; Amway; Kohler Co.; B.F. Goodrich; Proctor & Gamble; Coors; Brown-Forman (Southern Comfort, Jack Daniels, Bushmills, Korbel wines---as well as Lenox China, Dansk, Gorham