At Vanish, that type of travel has always been our m.o. But when it comes to isolated, magical, and culturally significant places like Maui, the directive to visit responsibly does take on more weight. Visiting Maui right now means arriving with aloha, compassion, patience, and empathy.

And while we spent a week exploring the island, that just barely scratched the surface and whetted our appetite to return. One of the places we found the most respite was the Westin Maui, centrally located on the shores of Kā’anapali, a veritable Shangri La for families and anyone looking for an turnkey vacation in one of the most coveted spots on earth.

Earlier this year, the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali completed its multi-year, $160 million transformation with the complete renovation and rebranding of the Ocean Tower into Kūkahi Tower. Guests will now enjoy a completely refreshed design aimed at facilitating a calming and rejuvenating stay. A 10,000-square-foot social center – located within Kūkahi Tower – is the first resort venue of its kind in Hawai‘i for guests and the community to gather and enjoy arcade games, Topgolf Swing Suites, a bar, lounge, and more.

The newly-transformed, beachfront resort offers guests an incomparable experience rooted in nurturing wellness, the sharing of Hawaiian wisdom and a real-world immersion into nature. With the Pacific Ocean and verdant volcanic mountains, there are countless opportunities for adventure and rejuvenation.

“Our original tower, which once stood alone, has been renamed Kūkahi, which literally means ‘to stand alone’ or ‘stand upright’ in Hawaiian,” said Joshua Hargrove, general manager of the Westin Maui. “But like many Hawaiian concepts, it has a deeper meaning: the element and energy force that creates growth from the land. In line with this theme, our hope is that guests in Kūkahi would experience an empowering sense of well-being and personal growth during their time here.”

The design of Kūkahi Tower is inspired by a poem found in the Bishop library that describes the location of the resort in the early 1800s. The poem describes the “paʻūpili mist” – the light rain that commonly falls in the early hours of the morning in this area. As the water surges from the mountains and moves from the land towards the ocean, a misty fog hangs in the air. As the sun starts to shine, and the paʻūpili mist settles on the pili grass leaving a “million points of starlight” behind. This evokes the image of light that infuses life and energy, and can be connected to the concepts of “inner self discovery” and “positive energy and wellness,” which are at the core of Westin Maui’s resort experience.

When entering a Kūkahi room guests are greeted with a design that combines simplicity and elegance, brought to life by a natural palette. Clean architectural lines, rich wood finishes, and subtle contrasts woven throughout the textile selections create a calming, bright and sophisticated atmosphere. Each room features curated details like bespoke artwork, unique printed textiles and woven area rugs designed specifically for Kūkahi. A generous lanai and incredible ocean views expand the living space and cement the experience in Kūkahi.

Notable room features include original, wall-mounted wood sculptures; and a sleek, modern entertainment center with built in storage and an incorporated desk with outlets and USB charging ports. In the bathroom, guests enjoy warm tones of wood mingled with marble accompanied by striking espresso metal accents and a stunning illuminated vanity mirror.

Alongside the redesign of Kūkahi Tower, the resort also recently welcomed Ulu Kitchen by acclaimed chef Peter Merriman. Ulu Kitchen specializes in a blend of old-fashioned Hawaiian hospitality with carefully crafted food and beverages that celebrate the rich bounty of Hawai‘i’s fishermen, ranchers and farms – all served in an outstanding ocean view setting.

You will also not want to miss the Luau, one of the best dining experiences and hands down one of the most extravagant and worthwhile cultural experiences of my life. My kids were absolutely blown away by this performance.

The resort began this transformative redevelopment following its acquisition by a joint venture including Trinity Investments and other institutional investors in 2017. Trinity’s in-house asset management and development teams led the renovation and repositioning plan for the resort.

The post Vanish To: The Westin Maui appeared first on VANISH TODAY.

The food scene, the people, the mountains, fly fishing, easily some of the best snow and the best gravel riding in the world, the Wasatch are simply incredible. The same goes for the Valley: Salt Lake City is absolutely one of my favorite cities in the country, has only gotten better over the years (besides suffering from the same sprawl as Denver), and it’s actually one of the few cities I would ever consider living in due to its proximity to some of the best snow and mountains on earth and a vibrant social scene.

I remember interviewing for a job with Backcountry.com, writing some form of early commerce content I think it was, two decades ago, and I always wondered how my life would have been different had I moved out to Utah instead of staying in Colorado. But winter and summer, I have to make it out to Park City at least once a year.

As you’re making plans for the winter’s ski season, I highly recommend putting the Westgate Park City Resort & Spa at the foot of The Canyons on your list. Nestled in this exclusive base area, the Westgate Park City offers a gateway to fun, dining, shopping, apres, and outdoor adventure in a unique way even by Park City standards. Westgate Park City also boast “Utah’s Largest Pool” among its two indoor pools, including an adult-only relaxation pool, two spa tubs and a heated indoor/outdoor pool, among other amenities.

Park City is consistently recognized a must-visit destination year round. From delectable dining and stunning vistas to seasonal activities and unique history: I always recommend a visit to the Park City Museum on Main Street. For me as a fan of the town and the region and the history of the mountains, I was blown away by the work they do at the museum and the unique western heritage of Park City.

I feel the same way about the Olympic Training Center down the road. It is truly a world-class facility, one of a kind really in the U.S., with an exquisite winter sports museum and viewing and activity options that will blow your mind. Riding the bobsled course will change your outlook on Olympic sport; it’s incredible. And the people there are first class; many of the workers at the Center are current and former Olympians.

The Alpenglobes Patio on the backside of the hotel adjacent to the EDGE Steakhouse is a romantic and highly Instagramable place to grab a drink, especially as the sun begins to set. Westgate Park City Resort’s award-winning Edge Steakhouse and its staff delivers a cutting-edge culinary experience that takes the traditional steakhouse to new heights with exceptional creations, cocktails, and a thoughtful, inspired wine list. With a world-class culinary team led by award-winning Chef Wayne E. Christian, who we got to know over the course of four days, the menu delivers a unique blend of traditional steakhouse favorites with an array of specialty appetizers, creative entrees and innovative side dishes.

Also in the resort, Best of State award-winning Drafts Burger Bar is an elegant-yet-comfortable gastropub featuring spectacular mountainside views of the Canyons — now part of Park City Resort and accessible with your Epic pass. People were raving over the breakfast at Drafts, and we had a brunch spread one day that was to die for. There’s also a convenient coffee shop in the front lobby of the hotel with plenty of seating and an outdoor patio under a giant waterfall. Westgage even has a little on-site market in addition to the two restaurants on property which is open to the public but you can also charge stuff to your room which is always nice.

If you haven’t been up here, Canyons Village is a family style, guest-centric village that was rather off the radar just a few years ago, and now plays host to a variety of events and provides access to the Orange Bubble Express—the country’s first bubbled and temp controlled chairlift.

For off-site imbibing and dining, you have many options, not the least of which is High West Distillery, now with its famed downtown location where I’ve eaten many times, and its event venue and distillery located just a few minutes outside of town at Blue Sky Ranch — an truly incredible, state of the art, interpretive entertainment venue. The history of distilling in Utah will shock you. High West began with humble roots, opening a small, 250-gallon still and Saloon in an historic livery stable and garage. What was once a small operation in downtown Park City has grown to be an internationally recognized, award-winning brand.

For my money, the slopeside access and as well as the spa make this a no-brainer in and of itself. It’s super kid friendly, has a nice workout room, ski storage, and a complimentary shuttle service. Once you figure out how the elevators and room-numbering system works, you’re good to go.

I had one of the best spa days of my life here in fact. The well-appointed locker rooms and waiting areas are resplendent, featuring a private soaking tub just for spa guests, lots of treatment rooms so you’re never waiting too long, and an adjacent yoga room where I had an amazing Vinyasa Flow class where I patiently practiced continuous breath-linked movements with a focus on maintaining awareness, building strength, flexibility and stamina in a vigorous practice, followed by an exploration of absorption and rebirth in savasana. The award-winning Serenity Spa at Westgate Park City Resort & Spa is consistently rated as one of the top spas in Park City.

I was there in the summer so I also rented a sweet downhill mountain bike from Aloha sports, conveniently right on plaza level in the back of the resort, where you can also rent the skis of your dreams during the winter.

Even though I travel and lot and have stayed all over Park City and the other incredible Utah resorts, I would take my family back to the Westgate, use my Epic pass, and crush pow right out the back door without a second thought any time.

–Author Aaron Bible is an award-winning travel and outdoors writer with more than 30 years experience covering the outdoor lifestyle industry. Follow him @DefinitelyWild for more adventures, gear reviews, and travel trends and insights. 

The post Vanish to: Westgate Park City appeared first on VANISH TODAY.

I got to stay at the LOGE Camp in Bend, Oregon, located right off the road from town out to Mt. Bachelor, a few years ago when it was first opening; so when I heard that the brand was opening another new location, this time just down the road from me here in Colorado at the base of the pass leading to Wolf Creek Ski Area (and one of my all-time favorite towns with some of the best hot springs in the world in Pagosa Springs), the fam and I just had to jump at the chance to check this spot off the list before the new school year began.

And while they weren’t quite 100 percent online and still had a lot of perks and upgrades in the works, we could definitely see and feel the potential. The LOGE franchise concept is one of the best of the best. I knew it would be the perfect way to end a week of traveling and camping in our Adventure Wagon … a nice comfy bed, gorgeous remodeled bathrooms with plenty of hot water, a small kitchenette, and all the amenities of a local ski lodge. And you know I love being able to pull right up to a ground-level entrance, allowing easy trips out to the van for supplies, hanging out on the front stoop, working on my bikes, drying gear, etc.

LOGE finds forgotten motels in places and areas that get you outdoors and doing something you love, and ideally, away from the crowds. Of course we all know by now that outdoor hospitality is a growing trend, but what’s unique about LOGE is how they find iconic and beloved roadside properties and give them new life, for the modern road tripper. They don’t just apply a cookie-cutter approach to the properties either—there is still a lot of classic character maintained with the brand’s ethos of building community and getting people outdoors.

They also must be applauded for trying to help people take these types of vacations on a budget. LOGE has options including RV spots, camping in some locations, bunk rooms, and basic motel rooms. And if you don’t own the gear, many LOGE locations have what you need for the activities that are popular in that location. It’s “the hotel that gets people outdoors.” LOGE also has fire pits, live music and seeks to deliver a welcoming outdoor-adventure focused experience at each location.

The new opening in South Fork, Colorado — LOGE Wolf Creek — is a gateway for adventurers seeking access to some of the country’s best fly fishing, skiing, as well as climbing, hiking, and biking. I was able to fly fish with my family chilling by the river and ride hours of gravel while my wife did trail runs, right out the back door. LOGE finds some of the country’s most interesting towns, trails and recreation areas, and brings these properties back to life with a variety of ways to stay. With LOGE Wolf Creek, the group revitalized the old Wolf Creek Ski Lodge, retaining the heritage elements that made it a distinctive roadside stopover while updating the accommodations to reflect a modern experience centered around outdoor recreation. Officially sited in the community of South Fork, CO, this new property boasts 50 rooms with full amenities and gear, including in-room Kammok hammocks, YETI coolers, BioLite headlamps, and Rumpl blankets for guests to use. The property also features a communal fire pit, hot-tubs, and a full-service cafe (Wolf Creek Café + Bar) for meals, trail snacks, beverages, cocktails, and tap beer from Del Norte, CO-based Three Barrel Brewing Company. If four walls aren’t of interest, LOGE Wolf Creek is also developing van hookups for those looking to maximize road trip budgets. EV charging stations are coming soon. When the sun goes down, LOGE Wolf Creek also hosts a slate of live music, campfire socializing, or just gazing at a star-filled night sky.

Currently, LOGE has locations in Bend (OR), Westport (WA), Leavenworth (WA), Alta Crystal (WA), Mt. Shasta (CA) and more are slated to open in 2024, including St. George (UT), Glacier National Park (MT), Missoula (MT), Crystal Slopeside (WA), and Taos (NM).

LOGE has gear on-site to open up outdoor-adventure focused experience at each location and at LOGE Wolf Creek, the gear program is focused on fly fishing, hiking, and snowshoeing. Use of gear is included in a guest’s stay. “Wolf Creek and South Fork are perfect matches for LOGE,” says LOGE Founder and CEO, Cale Genebacher. “Off the beaten path, in an incredible spot for all kinds of adventures, and full of a sense of discovery that’s long run out in other spots, LOGE Wolf Creek is going to be a perfect outdoor destination for those looking for a blend of comfort and exploration.” 

Wolf Creek and South Fork have a growing tourism economy, thanks in part to Rio Grande River gold medal fly fishing, backcountry skiing, and an emerging status as a hub for off-road cycling. These areas remain uncrowded compared to other popular destinations in the state, which also makes this part of the country perfect for LOGE Camps positioning as a gateway to the outdoor destinations before they become household names. In this spirit, LOGE is making a donation to the Colorado Trails Preservation Alliance as part of their 1% Community Giving program, supporting local organizations that advocate for more access to the outdoors.

–Author Aaron Bible is an award-winning travel and outdoors writer with more than 30 years experience covering the outdoor lifestyle business. Follow him @DefinitelyWild for more adventures, gear reviews, and travel trends and advice. 

The post LOGE Camps Expand Modern Motor Inn Experiential Travel Trend appeared first on VANISH TODAY.

So when I got the call to head back down for another trip into the jungles of Belize, to follow along on one of the most iconic multi-day canoe races in the world, I rearranged my schedule of spring skiing and hut trips and said yes. It seemed like a unique opportunity to see how a place like Belize would develop over two decades, and to revisit some of the natural beauty I remembered from that first trip, from snorkeling with sharks to swimming underneath remote jungle waterfalls.

If I would have known how shut down the country was during the pandemic, and that they were really just barely emerging from long stints of mask requirements, curfews and quarantines, I might have second guessed my decision, but hey, travel in a post-pandemic world is a pain in the ass no matter what, and I’m usually up for an adventure. I guess that’s why I get invited on so many of these weird trips.

Even still, we are all pandemic weary, and with my two little girls at home, I haven’t been able to risk any potentially long quarantines in strange places due to COVID exposures or other fucked up circumstances that often come with adventure travel, so I’ve, for better or worse, been laying pretty low the last couple years. But I really did want to get this unique viewpoint. Had the country changed, I wondered, had I?

The mood was light as they whisked us through customs in order to expedite our safe and speedy passage up river to San Ignacio for the start of the canoe race, held up briefly by our lack of a permit for our drone, but not a major setback since the airport was not crowded at all and nothing is very far in what I rediscovered is actually a very small country, with a total population of just about 400,000 people.

Our first day on the ground we went on horseback, through the jungle and small neighboring villages, across the river and all the way to the Guatemalan border essentially, and the archeological site of Xunantunich. Along the way we had an edible and medicinal plant and ecology tour I won’t soon forget. Seeing some of the same spots I had when I was here in the 90s was a head trip; and I have to keep holding space for grief as I imagine a lot of businesses, in all tourism-dependent economies globally, will not re-emerge out of the pandemic.

Belizeans are tough and resolute however, diverse, brilliantly humorous, and people seem generally happy and positive, ready to get back to normal. For me it was really cool to see that a relatively obscure sporting event like a 25-year-old canoe race can bring a nation together and inspire people to get back out and start living again. One thing I had not remembered, was how poor this country was, from broken down hot tubs to being out of seemingly everything. I couldn’t even get a large bottle of water most places. Maybe I hadn’t had the chance to see it, or didn’t have the experience to recognize it on my first visit, I don’t know. Sometimes on these trips you only remember the good once you’re home. But the bad can stick with you too.

Belize is a country of natural wonders that deserves to be preserved and protected — and in fact more than 45% of the country is already protected from development, including the largest barrier reef in the world. The only thing I could think when I was there this time, staying in several small resort properties that were essentially deserted in the interior of the country, was that they very much needed tourism to come back online. It felt like a ghost town, like time had frozen mid-2020, and I don’t know if they were even expecting any tourists. I’m not going to tell you what locals told me their bi-weekly government stipend was for layoffs during the pandemic, but it made me feel pretty damn fortunate.

One of the most incredible spots we visited along the route of the canoe race was Belize Ecolution Adventures, and I cannot recommend enough that you go and check them out. This multi-generational family had the most peaceful and symbiotic relationship with their environment I had ever witnessed. In the jungle, we experienced a detoxification, “so that the vibration of nature could resonate, issuing a constant reprogramming of the mind,” Shane Baizar told me as he spoke of an ecological revolution, and a diplomatic balance between man and monkey. I was blown away by his level of intelligence, passion and sophistication, and I could have stayed for days, enjoying his grandmother’s cooking (the best food we had in the country) and sitting peacefully by the river. I highly encourage sustainable-minded travelers to come and experience Belize if you have not already.

After more than 20 years it seemed that not much had really changed in Belize, except maybe a few more paved roads, and a whole lot more plastic water bottles littering the landscape. They were sorely in need of a nation-wide recycling program, as a start. But the history of epochs and ecology here is irreplaceable, and must be preserved. It has to be one of the most culturally diverse nations in the world, holding its own place among Caribbean and Central American culture. And I know the coasts of Belize hold a myriad of fly fishing, diving and other obvious recreation and beauty that any visitor to the area would be remiss in not taking advantage of.

Unfortunately we didn’t get out to the keys on this particular trip, even though that had been one of my fondest memories from my first adventure, we ended up getting stuck in Belize City, a rather unwelcoming and underdeveloped town of about 80,000 with no real access to the beach or other recreation. That night we wandered into town and found a small streetside restaurant, and were treated as outsiders, unlike the friendly treatment I have had in similar situations in other countries. On a visit to Belize you’ll also run into some odd Canadian ex-pats, Mennonites, and other random gringos along the way, many who escaped the hustle and bustle of the U.S. many years ago like my college professors, in favor of the mellow vibe and temperate climate of Belize.

Despite the fact that the La Ruta Maya canoe race welcomed only about half the amount of teams and spectators it enjoyed pre-pandemic, it seemed that everyone considered it a resounding success, and hundreds lined the bridges and riverbanks daily as we made our way down river toward Belcan Bridge in Belize City. Despite the fact that the race is sponsored by the largest local beer brand in Belize, Belikin — a delicious, simple lager available only in country — there’s a noticeably low key vibe, unlike many places in Mexico for example and other Caribbean destinations that place a heavy emphasis on alcohol, it’s not like that in Belize. It’s the only press trip I’ve ever been on where the booze was not comped, and I didn’t know if that was indicative of an attitude toward partying or an overall lack of resources. At the end of the day, I would definitely consider Belize a destination for a more mature traveler — one more interested in ancient archeological sites and wildlife preserves than beach parties.

So had I changed? Was my perspective on the world and on international travel different, after having done this type of thing for more than 20 years? I really don’t think so. It reminded me of when I found my old journal from my travels in Africa a decade later…I was so hesitant to open those pages and see what a fool I was, what a stupid kid, only to find that my thoughts were lucid, my observations valid, and my frame of mind and outlook was essentially the same.

Of course we are all eager to — in desperate need to — start living again, to socialize, and to get out and be with our fellow countrymen and fellow humans, just like these Belize locals so clearly were. If anything, my experience has given me more perspective, more maturity, made me less judgmental, for the more you know, the more you realize you know nothing at all.

Photos by Steven Lauder

Author Aaron H. Bible is an award-winning writer and multimedia producer with three decades of experience as a content specialist, creative director, and journalist. Aaron is a contributing writer, editor and photographer to publications including SKI, Freeskier, Men’s Health, Popular Mechanics, Sunset, Gear Junkie, 5280, Elevation Outdoors, Vanish, and more. He holds an MFA in photography from the Savannah College of Art & Design, and has worked as a photographer, gallery director, and educator. He lives with his family in the high-country of Colorado where he and his wife are raising two girls to love thin air, fresh pow, and the flow state. Follow him on Instagram at @DefinitelyWild.

The post Vanish To: The Jungles of Belize appeared first on VANISH TODAY.

But their hard work has actually paid off now as New Zealand finally begins to peek out from behind the curtains, and the government has just announced that borders will reopen to global traffic starting in May. Travel is expected to boom during the country’s peak tourism season with new visitors and plenty of rescheduled trips from the shutdown. So it’s worth it to consider a visit during other times of year when crowds and costs are lower.

Active Adventures, a guiding service based in Queenstown, runs small group adventures all across both islands of New Zealand.

They’re gearing up for the huge travel wave in September, but they’ll be ready to launch again just as soon as May rolls around so there’s no need to wait and get bogged down in the funnel of visitors.

There’s more to New Zealand than traditional summer trips, especially because the country doesn’t really see crazy temperatures in either direction throughout the seasons. Their winter from May through August still boasts comfortable temperatures in the 50’s and 60’s and reliable sunshine, perfect for long hikes, rides, and paddles in the warmest areas along the coast. If you’re still craving more cold air after the weather changes in the Northern Hemisphere, you can head up closer to the alpine for a second taste of winter.

Trip options range from full-on adventure mode to family-style cruising. Four different trips with starting dates from May to August take you through headlining places like Milford Sound and Aoraki Mt Cook National Park on the South Island or the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in the North, as well as hidden gems in between. Look for “comfort-focused”, “family” or “activity” tags on each option as well as intensity ratings from 1-5 to match whatever you’re needing coming out of your own COVID hideaway.

“To echo our Prime Minister’s words, we’re ready to welcome the world,” says Active Adventures CEO Wendy van Lieshout. “But most importantly, we’re ready to explore and experience the joy of adventure New Zealand has to offer with guests from around the globe.”

The post New Zealand Opens Borders After Two Years of Travel Restrictions appeared first on VANISH TODAY.