Dallas to Vail for a Long Weekend

Over the next few weeks I am going to highlight some easy getaways from DFW that can turn a long weekend into a vacation. I am starting with my favorite. It is like eating dessert first.

{Taken from the top of Vail Mountain Gondola}

Let’s go to Vail! My husband and I first “discovered” Vail when we were still in graduate school in California.   I had a lecture in Denver in the middle of the summer I needed to attend and we had a week to travel.   Greg did an internet search for cheap, but nice hotels in resort destinations within a reasonable distance from Denver and came up with a crazy cool 4 night package in Vail. We went and have returned on a regular basis.   We love the entire Vail Valley and it is hard for me to choose one specific location because I could easily write this article for Arrowhead, Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek, Avon and Lionshead so I threw a dart and settled on Vail which is just plain yummy year around.

{Downtown Vail in the summer}

There are direct flights from DFW to Eagle-Vail.   Eagle-Vail is a 25 minute shuttle ride to the town of Vail, but the airport is small and easily navigated.   If you end up renting a car, it will be parked within steps of the airport front door.   If you have more than a long weekend, driving is an option.   It takes 14 hours by car and I recommend Nintendo DS’s and plenty of DVD’s if kids are along. Renting a car is optional if you are going to be staying in Vail.   Vail has a very comprehensive bus system that runs into the night and it is free to ride.   Most Vail area hotels and resorts have shuttles or can arrange other transportation if needed. The choices for accommodations in Vail range from the quaint and nice to the extravagant and nice.

{Gore Creek – Vail}

Prices are good in the summer, but if you really want a deal check out the off seasons – spring and fall – the closer to ski season on either end when there actually isn’t skiing is the time you will pay the least.   I love to ski, but my favorite time to go to Vail is in the summer.   I think it is because skiing isn’t distracting me from the natural beauty and eating. Eating. There is a ridiculous number of amazing restaurants in Vail.   My husband and I say that we travel to eat and it isn’t far from the truth.   We have tried new restaurants every time we have gone and we keep discovering more that are added to our must return to list.   Here are a few of my favorites from that list:

• Kelly Liken – If you watch Top Chef, then you know Kelly.   She was one of my favorites on the show and her Vail restaurant is all that I imagined it would be.   The atmosphere is cozy and contemporary.   The food is fresh and yummy.   If you visit in the summer, try her Sunday evening 3 course dinner menu based on what was found at the Farmer’s Market earlier in the day for $45 per person.
• Swiss Chalet – This is one of my favorite places for a cozy family winter dinner.   It is like an evening in Switzerland.   The food ranges from Wiener Schnitzel to cheese served as fondue or raclette.   If you work there, you are wearing lederhosen.
• Sapphire – I will not leave Vail without stopping at Sapphire for a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch.   I know that sounds crazy, but Sapphire’s grilled cheese is a heavenly mix of three cheeses dipped in a strawberry compote served with micro-greens.   In the summer, the patio overlooking Gore Creek can’t be beat.

Vail attracts a wide range of entertainment.   There seems to be something going on almost every evening.   My favorite thing to do in Vail is just look around.   There are the sweetest shops with original art and unusual accessories to explore.   All along Vail’s main street are fountains and play areas for the kids.   If you are traveling with children, you can’t miss the pirate park.

{Pirate Park located at the base of Vail Mountain}

The gondola ride to the top of the mountain is breath-taking.   All throughout the Vail valley the outdoor sports opportunities are endless.   If you can dream it up, there is someone that will rent you the equipment to do it. No one should leave Vail without going to the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.   I think it is the prettiest place on earth.   There are paths through waterfall, quiet ponds and insanely bright flowers.   Nestled along the creek is a kids building area where sticks and stones can be molded into forts and fairy cottages. I looked into several options for Vail packages through the American Express Membership Rewards website, Pay with Points.   Travel can be arranged through the site with membership reward points, money or a combination of money and points.   I like how they can bundle airfare and hotel rates together for a deal on the final price. Here is what I came up with for a end of summer/beginning of fall long weekend from Dallas.   These rates are based on travel from September 15 – 18, 2011 if arranged today:

• Round trip airfare from DFW – Eagle-Vail for two adults (non-stop flight)
• 3 nights at the Four Seasons Resort Vail in a mountain view room with a king bed
• Package price $1409.38 or 140,938 AmEx MR points

The Four Seasons is a good summer location in Vail.   It is within walking distance of all of Vail, located on the bus route for further adventures and has a large outdoor pool area. Here is what I suggest for an early ski vacation weekend from Dallas.   These rates are based on travel from December 8 – 11, 2011 if arranged today:

• Round trip airfare from DFW – Eagle-Vail for two adults (non-stop flight)
• 3 nights at the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch in a resort-view room with a king bed
• Package price $1,409.72 or 140,872 AmEx MR points

{Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch in the winter – photo by Ritz-Carlton}

OK!   I know I said I was going to stay in Vail for this one, but I saw this rate for the Ritz-Carlton in Bachelor Gulch and couldn’t resist because there is no better place in the world for easy ski-in/ski-out – see the chairlift 5 steps from the Ritz’s back patio?   It is a few miles closer to the airport and you definitely do not need to rent a car for the weekend because the shuttle service can take you anywhere from the Ritz. The other bonus is that you can hit Spago’s for breakfast…

She is Dallas info:   This is the second article in a series highlighting AmEx Membership Reward Points for travel.   I have been compensated with MR points for my participation in this series.   All opinions expressed are my own.   Stay tuned next week when we go somewhere YOU suggested in the   American Express Membership Rewards Dallas Getaway Giveaway.   American Express can be followed on Twitter as @AmericanExpress or on FB.