Wine Reviews Ratings

posted by admin on Jul 22

Sundance Resort is a small full service art, nature and recreation village situated on 6,000 of protected wilderness. Enjoy skiing at the base of the majestic 12,000 ft. Mount Timpanogos.

Mountain

With 500 acres and 41 trails, beginner and expert skiers and boarders can choose from perfectly groomed gentle slopes to wide open bowls and steep narrow chutes. New, for the 2009/10 season, Sundance Resort is offering night skiing! Take a rest and snack break on top of the mountain at Bearclaw Cabin with its incredible panoramic views of Uinta Mountains.

Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

With 25 km of daily groomed trails for Nordic skiing and 10 km of scenic trails, Sundance provides activities for everyone to enjoy.

More Activities at the Art Shack

The Sundance Art Shack offers daily workshops. Explore your creativity in pottery, painting, jewelry making, drawing, printmaking or photography.

Spa

Relax and rejuvenate yourself after a day of activities and explorations. Visit the Spa at Sundance offering healing and restoration of the body and spirit through a blend of Native American traditions.

Dining

Sundance Resort’s dining is top-rated with a variety of offerings. Sit by the fire and listen to a band play in the Owl Bar where Butch Cassidy’s Hole-in-the-Wall gang visited. Want romance and a candlelit dinner? The Tree Room is the ultimate fine mountain cuisine dining experience with its Four-Diamond award and the Wine Spectator award.

Stay

Locals and guests from around the world relax and stay at the Sundance resort lodges for a true mountain retreat.

posted by admin on Jun 28

If you’ve been tempted to visit the Czech Republic, then you might already have been. If you haven’t been yet, this is what you’re missing out on.

1. Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. With over a millennium of history it’s not surprising there are many museums, and galleries to see.

2. Thanks to it’s history, this country is home to 12 UNESCO sites, which goes to show how important the unique heritage of this country really is.

3. There are lots of castles and churches to visit too, and no matter where you are in the country, you’ll be able to find incredible architecture and impressive buildings.

4. Natural parks are important here too, and if you like wildlife, and enjoy walking or just watching, then there are lots to choose from all over the country. This could be the perfect place for you.

5. As well as the history and the culture, there are over 70 golf courses, so you’ll want to bring your golf clubs with you.

6. Thanks to the outstanding scenery, cycling holidays in the Czech Republic are increasingly popular. No matter whether you’re looking for a leisurely ride and want to take in the views, or will be leading your cycling club on a more demanding ride, if you’re a cyclist, you’ll definitely want to ride whilst you’re here.

7. As well as the golf and cycling facilities, there are several ski resorts in the country. If you’re fed up with expensive and overcrowded winter holidays, why not come skiing here for a change?

8. If you want to get away from it all, or perhaps recover after a round of golf or a day in the saddle, why not visit one of the many spas in the country? You’ll find it the perfect way to relax, especially if you think that a holiday is time to do less, not more.

9. Czech beer is legendary, and if you’ve never experienced it in it’s home country, then you really are missing out. You’ll also find great food and wines here, as well as a warm welcome.

10. Because there are lots of things going on at all times of year, you’ll find plenty to see and do no matter what time of year you decide to fly to the Czech Republic.

Now you know more about what there is to see and do here, perhaps now is the time to book your flights to the Czech Republic, and experience this amazing country for yourself.

posted by admin on Jun 26

When one mentions the word chalet, often images of skiing in the Swiss Alps come to mind, but one does not have to go to Switzerland or be a pro-skier to experience a chalet vacation! Travelling to any ski resort, whether in the USA, Canada, or Europe, chalets can provide an excellent opportunity to relax, have a mug of hot chocolate by the fireplace, and unwind in the isolation of snowy mountains surrounded by loved ones or strangers about to become new friends.

The dictionary defines a chalet as a wooden home with a sloped roof and overhanging eaves, common in Switzerland and other areas in the Alps, but these days it’s not restricted to Switzerland at all. Most cottage or lodges built to resemble chalets in the Alps are called chalets. In some parts of Quebec, any vacation home built near a ski hill is called a chalet, whether or not its built in the traditional style.

Chalets were originally used by dairy farmers in Europe during the summer months. To prevent the milk from spoiling during transport, they would stay in the chalets and make milk or cheese. In the early years of the 20th century the idea came about to use these chalets as a holiday, an extension of the country house weekend. In the early sixties, chalets were accommodations that one would share with eight or ten guests to share. Sharing the one chalet also meant sharing one hot water tank so guests would race to be the first people back inside after the lifts stopped. Those that came after the first one back were rewarded with afternoon tea as a consolation prize. The warm tea became a staple of chalet-living and continues to this day with either tea, hot cocoa or good quality wine.

Guests visiting these rustic ski resorts can also partake in some obvious activities: skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, or some indoor activities like board games or some friendly rounds of poker. If you do decide to partake in some sports activities, skiing is a fairly popular sport that people of all ages and ability levels can participate in. It can be a great idea for a family vacation, and a good opportunity to bond with your children as they learn to make it down the bunny slopes!

If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you may want to try your hand (or foot?) at snowboarding. Snowboarding is much like skiing on one wide ski, but requires much more core strength and can challenge your balancing abilities. Those who have much experience with downhill skiing may want to try snowboarding for a more challenging experience.

Those considering a skiing trip should also consider the arrangements that need to be made about their equipment. Most chalets have the ability to provide ski/snowboard rental as well as boot rentals. You’ll also need to ensure you pack snow gear such as a ski jacket and ski pants, as well as snow goggles and of course hats and mitts.

Once you’re done your outdoor activities for the day, plan to take a dip in the warm jacuzzi or take a few moments to sweat out some toxins in the sauna. Or, feel free to grab a mug of something warm and curl up in front of the fire with a loved one. There’s plenty of peace and quiet to enjoy once you’ve made the time to vacation at a ski resort.

Whether you decide to go to a chalet in a secluded mountain cranny in the Swiss Alps, or find a luxury resort in the Canadian Rockies, once you’ve had a wonderful travel experience like this you’ll be coming back for more every year!

posted by admin on Jun 12

Staying in a ski chalet is a great way to enjoy a skiing holiday and also a very economical option, especially while the pound is weak against the Euro as France is the most popular destination for ski chalet holidays.

Following a tough season in 2008/09 many ski chalet operators have cut their capacity for 2009/10, some by 10% others by up to 40%. This means that the remaining chalets being offered on a catered board basis are going to be very much in demand and there are likely to be less last minute deals and price reductions available.

Christmas, New Year, February half-term, and to an extent Easter, are always very popular so this year in particular it is essential that you book early as if you leave it too late you really could struggle to find what you are looking for.

The standards for ski chalets have improved greatly in recent years; many have seen modern refits and all rooms have en-suite facilities, you can also find a number of chalets with outdoor hot tubs and state of the art entertainment equipment.

The standards of the food and the wine have also improved; four and even five course evening meals with good wine are commonplace and some offer coffee, cheese and petit fours. You can be assured of a great breakfast to start the day and a delicious slice of cake when you get back after a hard day on the mountain.

A chalet is great for a group ski holiday and is also a good option if you are skiing in a smaller group but would be happy to join up with another group. The concept of a chalet-hotel has grown in popularity over the last 5 years. These chalet-hotels are run on the same basis as a chalet, just on a larger scale and often with more choice in terms of you dining options. They also often have children clubs and day-care options as well as a larger selection of family rooms so are very popular for families.

posted by admin on Jun 11

Vancouver Island and is located west of British Columbia, just 90 minutes from Vancouver by ferry across the Strait of Georgia. Vancouver Island is famous for its spectacular sceneries along the coastlines and known as a place where you can ski and play golf in one day.

Stunning Nature
Vancouver Island, or ‘The Island’, is like a real paradise with its unspoiled beaches and bright green rainforests surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. You will find a huge variety of plants and animals, imposing snowy mountains and shimmering bays, rivers and lakes. Fields completely filled with wildflowers, wide farmlands and plenty of vineyards.

Outdoor Activities
All together the Island offers a variety of outdoor activities, like skiing, playing golf and practicing all kinds of water sports. But also some excellent wine tasting and beautiful walks.

Laid-back Victoria
The capital of Vancouver Island is Victoria, down south, is known for its laid-back artistic culture. Its ancient parliament reminds you of Britain. Stroll through the little streets, colorful gardens and enjoy the many cafés, pubs and the picturesque harbor where the ambiance is nice and calm.

Butchart Botanical Gardens
You don’t want to miss out on the Butchart botanical gardens with more than one million plants. The gardens creatively designed and divided by theme: rose gardens, Japanese gardens and Italian gardens. Plan your Visit when there is an outdoor concert on a nice summer evening, when the gardens will be spectacular illuminated by colored lights.

Tofino
The little fishing town Tofino offers the best sandy beaches. Go out on the ocean for whale watching form here or ride the waves on your surfboard.