MDTrip Report: Denver, CO

Lights of Denver at 16th Street Mall

Got the urge to go West?  We recommend a visit to Denver, Colorado.  This vibrant, thriving city situated in the midst of the Rocky Mountains is an eclectic mix of arts, outdoors, culture, history, food, shopping and more.  Widely known on the East coast as a winter sports destination - there is far more to do and see while in the Mile High City.

Denver Art Museum

We encourage you to check out a few of the prime spots we visited on our recent trip to Denver.  Starting with the Denver Art Museum located on 13th Avenue in the Civic Center Cultural Complex.  The museum architecture is as much of a work of art as the timeless pieces housed within its many facilities, galleries and studios.  We'd recommend at least the good part of day to tour the facility and to get your fill of artwork.  And, for the readers in our blog audience, conveniently located right across the Complex from the Museum is the Denver Public Library.  

Denver Public Library

So, you've had your fill of art and now it's time to decide what's for dinner!  Hop in the car and drive over to Larimer Square situated between 14th and 15th Streets in downtown Denver.  Larimer Square is district of Denver dedicated to one-of-a-kind chef-owned restaurants, unique boutiques and the like - all within a beautiful historic backdrop. So, what's on the menu?  Choose from a few examples [or go visit and see for yourself]:

Larimer Square

• Lime - features fresh Mexican food
• Corridor 44 - Denver's only champagne bar and restaurant
• Tag - continental social food from chef/owner Troy Guard
• Rioja - Mediterranean cuisine by chefs Beth Gruitch and Jennifer Jasinski

16th Street Mall

If you've still have daylight on your side after dining, spend some time wandering around the Square taking the Historic Walking Tour.  The self-guided tour introduces you to 10 historic properties within a loop around Larimer that are some of the oldest in Denver.

You've studied some artwork, read few books, enjoyed fine dining, and basked in some of Denver's amazing history - so now it's time for a wee bit of shopping!  Where's the place to be to shop while in Denver?  None other than the 16th Street Mall.  This mile long district is dedicated to small shops, restaurants and big name retailers.  It's a pedestrian foot-traffic area, other than that it's open only to the free shuttles that run the length of the Mall district all day long.  

REI at Confluence Park

Before we depart Denver, we cannot miss out on the outdoors culture of the city.  Visit the flagship store of REI (Recreational Equipment Inc) in Confluence Park to try your hand at kayaking and indoor rock climbing and to supply your every outdoor activity whim - biking, hiking, trailing, backpacking, running - the list goes on!  Once you're geared up there are Open Spaces (parks) in every corner of this 2.5 million person metro area.  Biking, walking, running and similar are a daily routine for the residents of Denver.  Be prepared to adjust your activities levels to the altitude difference though.  If you're not a regular visitor or resident of Denver, you may be at risk for altitude sickness - so take it easy and allow your body and your expectations to get acclimated to being at 5,280 feet above sea level.

REI Rock Climbing Wall

Do you have other interests about Denver that we've not covered?  Ask us!  We'll be happy to look into it for you and/or point you to the right location for more information.  Or, you can take in more about the city on your own by visiting www.VisitDenver.com or actually flying there [NONSTOP!] on Frontier Airlines from MDT!

Nonstop, seasonal service to Denver resumes on April 22, 2013.  Book your flight today! 

Wondrous Wanders: Santorini, Greece

Today we feature the fourth post in our guest blog travel series.  This series highlights the favorite travel destinations that inspired wonder in each guest blogger as they wandered there.  Today's post is from Dan Gellert on his wondrous wanderings in Santorini, Greece.  Dan is the CEO and Co-Founder of GateGuru, the leading in-airport mobile application for travelers.  In addition to his love of traveling and technology (hence GateGuru!), Dan enjoys outdoor activities, playing music and family. 

A little over a year ago, I visited Santorini with my wife as part of our honeymoon.  While this wasn’t my first time in Greece, this was my first time to the island of Santorini.  However, that trip will not be my last trip to Santorini.   In short, the island is the most perfect place I have ever been, and through that experience it has been elevated to my favorite travel destination.  Given that I have been to 6 continents and all 50 US states this is a big claim – so what specifically made Santorini my favorite travel destination?  In my mind, what made Santorini such a special place is the following:

Kirini Hotel

• Our hotel was right out of a dream.  Within Santorini, we stayed in the town of Oia, which is probably the most beautiful of the towns in Santorini (it is on the northwest coast of the island).  For those that don’t know anything about Santorini, the island was formed as a result of a volcanic explosion.  Many of the hotels, are basically carved right into the island, and as a result, they look like they are sitting on the edge of a cliff, creating amazing panoramic views of nothing but rock and blue seas.  Within Oia, we stayed at the Kirini Hotel.  We had the type of room where the doors opened up to a view of nothing but the deep blue Agean Sea – not a bad way to open your eyes in the morning!  Apart from the room, the hotel (along with many hotels in Oia) made sure our every desire was met and on our final night we had “The Experience Dinner”.  This aptly named dinner involves a 5-course meal where the diners are sitting on a jutted out part of the main balcony, creating a paradigm where it feels like you are the only two people in the world.  Simply amazing. 
• Lots of fun outdoor activities.  While I enjoy some beach time, I am not the type of person who can spend a week on a beach.  Luckily, on the island of Santorini there are so many fun and exciting activities.  One day we rented an ATV and went beach hoping to explore the island.  Another day we took a hike from Oia to Fira (the main town in Santorini) and another day we did a wine tour (there are lots of great Greek wines!).  Finally, we had one day to do nothing but sit by the infinity pool by the hotel (have I mentioned how much we liked the hotel J).  Overall, Santorini was a great mix of relaxation and activities, something that I would consider a requirement for my favorite travel destination.



Infinity Pool

• Worlds Best Sunset.  The sunset on Santorini is simply unlike anything I have ever seen before.  In short, it is the world’s best sunset.  Every night the people on Santorini go to the northern most tip of the island and everyone watches the sunset together.  The beauty of the Santorini sunset was one of those amazing moments that I will never forget in my lifetime.  

World's Best Sunse

The 4 days and 3 nights we spent on the island of Santorini were some of the most memorable of my life.  Despite my preference to constantly travel to new places, Santorini is one place that I will return to  in the coming years and I hope you have the chance to visit the island as well!

Have you been to Greece, specifically Santorini?   What have been your favorite aspects of traveling to this exotic destination?