Blessings from an altar boy amid the sound of chanting monks is not how I expected to begin my first-ever three-star Michelin restaurant experience.
13.01.2025 - 18:17 / insider.com
Soaring granite peaks, glacier-carved valleys, and a myriad of geothermally-heated hot springs are just a handful of reasons that thousands of Americans venture to the Swiss Alps each year.
However, I've found similarly stunning mountainous landscapes and a thriving food and arts scene in humble Colorado.
The Centennial State is famous for its many adorable mountain towns and ski villages, but as a Colorado local, there are only three that I venture to when I want to rekindle that heart-pounding feeling I felt when I first visited the Alps many years ago.
Here are three of my favorite Alpine-style villages in Colorado.
Ouray is one of few towns in the US that's been nicknamed "The Little Switzerland of America."
It's easy to see why with just one wintery jaunt down its main boulevard — towering bluffs of rock and snow jut up in every direction, and historic buildings are everywhere.
There's no need to fly to a mountain resort in Zermatt to get your adrenaline pumping, either. Ouray's Ice Park and annual Ice Festival offer some of the best opportunities to dust off your crampons and go ice climbing in the US.
For a bit of higher-brow culture, stop at the Wright Opera House. It was established in 1888 and hosts a variety of live performances throughout the year, including an annual Yule celebration.
If you visit in the summer or fall, don't miss the Million Dollar Highway, a scenic driving route that winds past cascading waterfalls and tall peaks.
When it's time to refuel, check into the Victorian-era Beaumont Hotel in downtown Ouray. With its antique furnishings and historic architecture, it feels like it belongs in Europe.
Finally, soak your tired bones while enjoying outstanding mountain views at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool or the Historic Weisbaden Hot Springs Spa that give some of Switzerland's a run for their money.
Apart from having an excellent ski and live-music scene, Telluride is also home to incredible European-inspired eateries and architecture.
If you want to recreate a classic Swiss tradition, try the extensive fondue menu at Alpinist and the Goat, which features imported Gruyère and French truffle.
If you're staying slopeside, check out Timber Room, which offers fire-roasted meals and crudité in an elegant, living-room-style setting.
For second-to-none Euro-style digs, head to the lavish Dunton Town House.
It's designed to honor Tyrolean immigrants who came to the San Juan Mountains over 150 years ago — and Austrian ceramics and antiques can be found throughout the historic inn.
Of course, Telluride also has many opportunities for outdoor recreation.
To experience a quintessentially Alps-like mountain hut, visit High Camp Hut near the mountainous Lizard Head Pass. It puts guests at the
Blessings from an altar boy amid the sound of chanting monks is not how I expected to begin my first-ever three-star Michelin restaurant experience.
In the minutes before an American Airlines flight crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, an air traffic controller requested a last-minute runway change.
This is part of Why I Moved, a recurring series about Americans building a life abroad.
The crash of an American Airlines flight in Washington, DC, has renewed anxiety about air-traffic control staffing and procedures at US airports, especially in crowded airspaces.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) remained shut down on Thursday morning after an American Airlines regional jet fatally collided mid-air with a military helicopter just outside the airport.
An American Airlines plane with 64 passengers and crew collided mid-air with a military helicopter yesterday (29 January) as it approached Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, just five kilometres south of the White House and the US Capitol.
New Zealand is making it easier to plan an extended stay by relaxing visa requirements to allow digital nomads to work from the country remotely.
Now that we've closed the door on 2024 and have started the year with some record-breaking winter weather, some of us may already be dreaming of summer.
As cold winter temperatures continue to cover much of the United States, airlines are discounting prices for spring break getaways. American Airlines recently published hundreds of discounted airfares, many under $200, spanning the spring and early summer travel season. Best of all, the destinations include a variety of popular locations including Cancun, Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando, Phoenix, and more. Travel + Leisure spotted a variety of discounted fares including:
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