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The City of Light: Telluride
By Russell Dandridge and Rita Cook
If you're thinking about Colorado think no further than Telluride. Located in southwest Colorado in the San Juan Mountains some fun facts include a mention that Butch Cassidy robbed his first bank in Telluride in 1889 and got away with about $20,000; Telluride the town was named a national historic landmark district in 1964; there are no chain restaurants or shops in Telluride and you will find the only free gondola public transportation system in the country linking the towns of Telluride and a suburb higher up the mountain called Mountain Village. It's a 13-minute ride and it’s breathtaking.
Many people choose to stay in Mountain Village and come down to Telluride to socialize or grab a bite to eat. There is plenty to do in Mountain Village as well, just a completely different vibe.
Telluride is only eight blocks wide and 12 blocks long and colorful with Victorian homes and clapboard storefronts. In Mountain Village, you will find a European-style town that is a truly modern alpine feel.
A Telluride fact; it's where lots of celebs hang out both in the summer and winter, but it's where a lot of people go year round for fun. In the winter Telluride offers just about every type of winter activity. Ski lifts open on November 22 and there are 1,700 skiable acres as well as 92 named runs and 17 lifts. You can also dog sled, snow mobile, ice skate, take a sleigh ride or just shop, visit a few local spas or stop in at the Telluride Historical Museum. You might also consider taking a historical walking tour - either in warmer weather or, for those who like the cold it's just as easy to trudge through the snow and get history highlights.
The history of Telluride began long before white men came through. Several thousand years ago the Ute Indians discovered the area and made it their summer home location. The Spanish came through in the 1700s, but it was in 1875 when a prospector made his first claim that folks from everywhere flocked to find gold.
During the summer months visitors can take a 4 X 4 tour up Imogene Pass to the ghost town of Tomboy where the prospectors lived along with their families. Even on the warmest days, the higher you go up the mountain the colder and more desolate it becomes. Note too, that at some point you will be able to see Bridal Veil Falls, Colorado's tallest freefalling waterfall. The power generated by this falls is home to the world's first alternating AC power plant. Another factoid, Telluride is said to be the first city in the world that had electric streetlights ala, the City of Lights.
Looking for Adventure:
Telluride Outside
4 X 4 Tours and Fly Fishing Excursions (depending on the season)
800-831-6230
www.tellurideoutside.com
Places to Stay:
Mountain Lodge Telluride
Choose from a condominium or private cabin, near the gondola. There is also wireless internet, a fitness center and an outdoor heated pool and spa.
457 Mountain Village Blvd.
Telluride, CO 81435
970-369-5000
www.Mountainlodgetelluride.com
Best Place for a Spa Treatment:
In Mountain Village opt for The Himmel Spa at the Fairmont Heritage Place. The reflexology with hot stones is great as is the oxygen facial. Speaking of oxygen, the spa can hook you up to an oxygen machine for 30 minutes - flavors included.
567 Mountain Village Blvd.
Telluride, CO 81435
970-728-7113
In downtown Telluride go for Atmosphere Spa. This spa offers a number of treatments from facials to wraps to massages.
250 W. San Juan
Telluride, CO
970-728-0630
www.telluridespa.com
Where to Eat:
Allred's Restaurant - located at the top of the Gondola
970-728-7474
Excelsior Café
200 W. Colorado Ave., Telluride, CO
970-728-4250
www.visittelluride.com
Lights, Camera, Action! Sheraton Universal Hotel Universal Citywalk & Universal Studios Hollywood
By Mel and Ronnie Greenberg
There's no shortage of star power in Universal City. At 40 years old, one of Hollywood's most iconic stars proves it's not "over the hill" as it celebrates with a new look. The casual chic family-friendly Sheraton Universal, with the theme and furnishings of the 1920's to 1940's Regency style, is a wonderful close-by retreat for a romantic getaway or family outing.
The newly refurbished 451 guestrooms, include the Lanai wing, a three-floor poolside wing, and 31 suites feature the signature Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed, and am intimate living and workspace.
The hotel amenities include wireless internet, theLink@Sheraton communications hub, Club Lounge, an outdoor pool, and a 24-hour Fitness Center. Also offered is the Gym-in-a-Bag which contains fitness tools for exercise in the comfort of your guestroom. Sheraton is pet friendly and special amenities are offered including in-room water and food dishes, and pet sitters/walkers are available upon request.
Known as the Hotel of the Stars, it has made its mark on entertainment history by serving as the backdrop for countless films and television shows. The most recent are Desperate Housewives, Chuck and CSI. It was home for 17 years to Telly Savalas, and has hosted stars including Tom Hanks, George Clooney, Jennifer Aniston, B.B. King and Matthew McConaughy. It is also the Hotel of the Pet Stars when pet celebrities appear on TV shows. The Sheraton has hosted Gibson, the World's Tallest Dog; baby tigers and leopards; monkeys and a giant sea turtle.
In the Mix is the place for cocktails and appetizers served in semi private cabanas draped in sheer fabric, elegant chaise lounges or along the retro, elliptical bar that glows in the center of the lobby. You can enjoy a selection of more than 58 vodkas, 53 varieties of domestic and imported wines, eight hand-crafted California draft beer, or a strong variety of agave tequilas, single malt scotches, specialty bourbons, cognacs and desert wines.
The hotel's Californias Restaurant is overseen by Executive Chef Urs Balmer whose culinary delights blend local cuisine, international light snacks and elegant dining. Start the day with the traditional or healthy start light menus, or the buffet. For lunch favorites are the black pepper crusted Ahi tuna Nicoise salad or lobster club sandwich .At dinner the restaurant transforms to elegant dining with white cloths and candlelight, highlighted by Chef Balmer's signature dishes which include Dijon crusted Australian rack of lamb and pan fried Chilean sea bass. For an ultra romantic dinner the 40th Anniversary Prix Fixe Dinner is a sumptuous 5 course event with the option of accompanying wines. The dessert of assorted truffles can also be delivered to your room.
A complimentary shuttle service runs every 15 to 20 minutes throughout the day from the Sheraton Universal to Universal Citywalk and the Theme Park. The shuttle takes 5 minutes. For those who prefer the outdoors it's a 10 minute walk.
The Sheraton Universal is located at 333 Universal Hollywood Drive in Universal City. For information phone (888)627-7186 or www.sheratonuniversal.com
If it's been a while since you visited Universal CityWalk you'll enjoy this bustling entertainment, shopping and dining complex, the Universal Cinemas including IMAX, and the Gibson Amphitheatre concert and special event venue.
Then head over to Universal Studios Hollywood and hop aboard a tram for a behind the scenes trek through the backlot. The 45 minute tour features Hi-Def digital servers, and flat-screen monitors in each tram with commentary from filmmakers and stars along with clips from movies and TV productions, many created especially for the Studio Tour, and all corresponding to the sites visited along the Tour route. You get up-close to the movie sets, of "War of the Worlds", "Jaws", Psycho House-Bates Motel, the "Mummy's Tomb," Dr, Seuss' The Grinch that stole Christmas," and "Desperate Housewives" Wisteria Lane.
Just a year after fire damaged four acres of the movie studio lot, Universal Studios is set to reopen more of their iconic sets in mid-summer including Courthouse Square, Brownstone Street and an enhanced New York Street. The new locations will include a gas station, a firehouse, a London Street and most notably, a modern urban cityscape with glass and steel façade structures.
Beginning June 1, "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" will debut in a newly renovated sound stage located on the Universal Studios lot. The show's state of the art studio will become a featured showpiece of the Studio Tour.
After the tour it's time for action with the attractions. Among the favorites are the Revenge of the Mummy- the Ride, the spectacular new The Simpson Ride; "Shrek 4-D" and Jurassic Park-The Ride". Don't miss WaterWorld's spectacular tidal wave of stunts, explosions and an ocean of thrills.
Major new attraction
Set to open within the theme park in the Spring of 2009, is "The Creature from the Black Lagoon-The Musical." This awesome 25 minute stage production with all original songs and spectacular stage effects has a sizzling pace of acrobatic choreography, and hilarious toe-tapping music. You'll be immersed in a strange and menacing Amazon environment enveloped within the exotic sounds and scents of the jungles. Admission will be included in the price of theme park tickets and annual passes.