To the rest of the country, Hunter S. Thompson might be best known as the godfather of gonzo journalism. Thompson lived and wrote on the edge in a style epitomized in “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” which first came out in two installments in Rolling Stone before being published as a book that would end up defining the post-'60s counterculture. But to Aspenites, and especially here at Hotel Jerome, he’s best remembered for his 1970 run for sheriff of Aspen Pitkin County.

An unexpected friendship began at the open-air lobby during check-in, when we were greeted by Cal, the mild-mannered four-legged concierge with long white fur and a penchant for a petting. He crawled out of an emptied cabernet sauvignon wine barrel that lay on its side. The barrel’s top had been cut out and instead of wine, inside was filled with stuffed toys. Cal was carrying a stuffed toy monkey in his mouth and presented it to us as a personal invite to play. Fred, our Chihuahua, took the bait and the monkey.

Ahh, summer. The long awaited season of carefree afternoons, lingering poolside with bottomless glasses of crisp, refreshing, palate-pleasing Rosé. While this beautiful, multi-hued wine has long been the drinkable go-to for summer, Rosé has blossomed in popularity to become a year-round selection. Thanks to its food-friendly nature, Rosé now commands its own section in the supermarket wine aisle and has expanded beyond one or two offerings on restaurant wine lists to showcase domestic offerings from California and Oregon as well as international varietals from France, Italy and Spain, as winemakers expand on traditional Rosé styles and chefs and sommeliers embrace the versatility of Rosé as an ideal pairing companion.

How did Auberge capture your interest? Why did you choose Auberge?

How did this role capture your interest?

How did the hotel capture your interest?

I never knew I would find my perfect pair of Manolo Blahniks in the rolling hills of Connecticut. Beyond a pasture rife with bright red barns and hundreds of free-roaming cows, I traded in my exclusive invitation from the Mayflower to enter Arethusa Farm & Dairy, where Manolo Blahnik’s President and VP George Malkemus and Tony Yurgaitis have led operations since 1999.

We have a little secret brewing in Maine. Beyond our buttery lobster rolls, steamy chowders, and pillowy blueberry pancakes, Portland harbors the third-highest concentration of craft breweries in America. Though we’ve been ranked as one of the top 20 beer cities by publications like Travel + Leisure thanks to beer pioneers like Shipyard and Allagash, there’s something we have that those other cities don’t. While you may find craft beers flavored with pecans, bourbon, or even frozen lemonade elsewhere, our taprooms entice small-batch ale connoisseurs with what we know best: sweet and silky maple syrup.

In the early morning sun, just outside the family pool’s gate, I set out down a short path to the vineyard, which led me to Juan Luis, the son and assistant to the viticulturist on this 157-acre wooded paradise. I had no idea I would be embarking on a mystical journey filled with artistic transformations made with nature.

Whenever I travel, a full restaurant is a trusted choice as a place to eat, and Solbar was packed for lunch. Savory scents lured me inside and triggered a rumble in my stomach. With so many options on the menu, I took my seat to scope out the dining room for a view of what others were eating. The answer: fish tacos.

Chocolate is revered all over the world, but perhaps no more so than in Mexico, where it dates back to pre-Hispanic times. Back during the Mayan and Aztec eras, cacao beans were used as currency, and those of the highest ranks were known to have drunk copious amounts of frothy cacao out of clay-wooden vessels. At COMAL, we offer a fun tableside experience that lets diners create their own hot or cold chocolate drink with a molinillo, a traditional wooden whisk that dates back thousands of years. But using the molinillo isn’t just for historical integrity—it’s the secret to soft, almost cloudlike foam.

Wellness seekers have another reason to visit the Auberge du Soleil Spa in Napa Valley. In addition to the spectacular views, zen-like atmosphere and exceptional services, spa guests may now enjoy a signature wellness tea as part of their spa experience. Developed by ERDA, Napa’s ultra-premium organic tea farm, the custom blend features lemon verbena and spearmint, selected for the cleansing and clarity-promoting properties of the herbs. The Auberge du Soleil + ERDA Spa Tea is served at the conclusion of all services to enhance the wellness benefits of each treatment while guests linger and relax within the natural beauty of the Spa Courtyard overlooking the verdant vineyards and Mount Veeder in the distance.

Sailing away from Anguilla on a hand-crafted sailboat, we headed out to explore the small cays that dot the horizon. Looking for dolphins on the way became a game for the kids and us. The first stop brought us to a small sandy beach with nothing but the stunning turquoise water to look at. We swam and relaxed here listening to the stories of our captain about growing up in Anguilla. He tells the kids of the caves he explored as a child, and the kids are enthralled. Not long after, we are off again to explore the caves located on the eastern end of Anguilla.

Santorini is awash in glorious hues: bright white buildings, churches topped with cobalt-blue domes, dusky red cliffs, bright pink bougainvillea, and pops of red geranium. But ask us about our favorite Santorini colors, and my husband and I will immediately tell you they’re black and white. That’s because our wedding at Grace Hotel featured a special unity sand ceremony that incorporated Santorini's famed black and white sands, which we collected from our favorite beaches on the morning of our wedding.

Most people come to Telluride to ski, but I have a confession: I’m Madeline’s new General Manager and I’ve never strapped on a single pair of ski boots.  But I’ll let you in on another secret: I don’t feel like I’m missing out. With Madeline as Base Camp, I’ve discovered so many ways to enjoy Telluride’s incredible snow. My new favorite (and unexpected) winter sport is fat-tire biking. Cycling Bear Creek Trail pairs a great cardio workout on the trek up with an exhilarating descent. On five-inch tires, I feel like I’m almost floating down the slopes.

Every morning as I head down to the stables, the first rays of sunrise begin to peak over the crest of the lush mountains of Pérez Zeledón and slowly filter down into the valley creating a golden glow. A carpet of dew blankets the fields and sparkles in the morning sun.  A chorus of neighs and hoof stomps let me know that the horses are awake a ready for breakfast. On this morning last November, the 18th to be exact, Buena Noche’s white belly looks like it is about to burst.

I moved to Aspen last summer and soon adopted the same ritual as a lot of locals I know: trekking up Smuggler Mountain for an invigorating morning hike. The usual reward is a sweeping view of the town of Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley from the observation deck at the summit. But on my last trek, I found another reward far sooner. Just off the first turn, I spotted a wooden swing carved with the words #AspenSwingProject. Whether you use it for a short rest, or pump your legs for a childish thrill like I did, the swing truly is a “random act of kindness.”

Each year, my family and I reunite with friends in the tropical paradise of Costa Rica in celebration of the Easter holiday. Pops of color surround the city paralleled by a dewey rainforest scent as stunning processions sweep through the island’s picturesque towns and scenic cities during Semana Santa (Holy Week) culminating in traditional ceremonies on Easter Sunday. Semana Santa is considered one of the most influential holidays for native Costa Ricans and sparks lively celebrations combining lavish feasts and cultural festivities presented throughout the island.

Like the geothermal waters that rise from the earth of Calistoga’s crust, I arrived at Spa Solage bubbling over with the hope of detoxification. I’d spent half the day tasting Napa Valley wines and was primed for a wellness reboot. What lured me to the bathhouse après spa hours was the concept of purification in restorative waters during a floating meditation under the star-lit sky.

Imagine the best run you’ve ever taken on untouched snow. Now imagine repeating this over and over on snow no one has ever skied. Through a new partnership with Powderbird, the Lodge at Blue Sky has a dedicated helicopter for groups to ski deep in the Uinta and Wasatch Mountain Ranges. I joined a group recently and it was an incredible experience to fly over Salt Lake City, which has more than a million people, then head to what seemed like the middle of nowhere. I can’t remember the last time I felt so removed from it all.