The Sebastian Vail Blog

Winter is an exhilarating time of year in the Rocky Mountains - especially when staying at a Timbers Resorts hotel and private residence club as chic as The Sebastian - Vail.

For adventure seekers, no winter trip to Colorado is complete without skiing or snowboarding and demo-ing the latest and greatest gear. Whether you're a newbie or a pro, everything you need on your next visit to Vail can be found at Base Camp, The Sebastian's slopeside ski valet center. You'll find everything from skis to boots to helmets, eyewear, clothing, and other retail items at your disposal.

We recently sat down with Mike Brumbaugh of Base Camp, a seasoned ski veteran, to discuss new products, ski and snowboard advice, and hopes for the upcoming season.

Q: What's some of the best new equipment for beginners?

A: The best advances for beginners are in the ski designs. We now have basic skis with rocker technology, which means that the ski is much easier to turn and pivot, but still provides stability once you get going faster. This would blend into experts and intermediate skiers as well. Basically, regardless of your ability level, we can now put you on a ski that will be easier to maneuver in tight terrain (trees and moguls) while giving you stability at higher speeds - the best of both worlds.

Q: What factors should skiers and snowboarders take into consideration when trying new gear?

A: Another huge factor is how the equipment is tuned. There are (unfortunately) many, many shops that do not even own ski tuning equipment. A properly tuned ski can make or break your day. We spent about $1 million on our new tune facility and it is a huge part of our business and our service.

Q: Name some trends for skis and boards.

A: The main trend is that gear is getting shorter and wider (just like a lot of us).

Q: Would you recommend buying new gear or just renting?

A: If you own property and keep your skis in one location, and ski more than 20 days per year, buying makes more sense. If you have to travel with your skis, I would say to rent. I've owned a ski shop for over 20 years and I would never fly with skis. It's a hassle and it ends up costing about $200 round trip which can usually get me 4-5 days of rentals. Either way you go, however, buying boots is a great idea. Get your own boots, easy travel, usually a discount off the ski rental, and then just rent the newest skis.

Q: Give us an idea of what hard gear guests need for the slopes and a range of pricing:

A: You need skis, boots, bindings, and poles. For top of the line gear, the skis and bindings will retail for $1000 to $1300 and the boots will run $500 to $800. Poles are $50 to $150. A top-end snowboard and boots will cost about $800 to $1000, so snowboarding is a bit cheaper...plus you don't need poles. If you are a beginner or intermediate, you can always pick up packages for a fraction of these prices (probably around $400-700 for everything).

Q: What advice would you give someone who is trying this for the first time?

A: Take a lesson. And this does NOT mean having your best friend or your significant other teach you. The ski schools can give you all the pointers on how to get the most out of your trip. Also picking the right resort is a big deal. Vail has more high speed lifts (no waiting in lines), more groomers (which means no icy runs and perfectly manicured slopes), and more terrain than other areas.

Q: Other than the hard good like skis and boots, what other purchases are important?

A: Very few people stop skiing because they are tired. Normally they do so because they are cold. Buy a good hat (or helmet), good gloves, and good socks. Ski socks are the cheapest upgrade you can make in your ski vacation (i.e. from coach to first class or basic room to suite is thousands of dollars while cheap socks to the right socks may set you back an additional $20). Helmets are getting more and more popular; not only are they safe, but they keep you very warm. Goggles are huge as well. Keep in mind, if it's snowing out then sunglasses are 100% worthless.

Q: So when can we get started? Any predictions on conditions this season in Colorado?

A: Our season kicks off the week before Thanksgiving and goes through Easter (November 22, 2013, to April . All the prognosticators are saying that it's going to be an epic snow season. It has been snowing quite a bit already and we seem to be in an awesome monsoon cycle over the past couple of months which is great news. With all of that begin said, the crusty old ski shop guy side in me always likes to say it's easier to count the snow when it's actually laying on the ground.

To learn more about Timbers Resorts, and some of the best destinations for skiing and snowboarding, please contact us at 800.941.4579 (toll free) or 970.963.4626 (direct) or via email at [email protected].

Every October, foodies from around the country flock to Manhattan for the New York City Wine & Food Festival (NYCWFF). Timbers Resorts is a proud sponsor of the 2013 festival and will be participating at the FOOD & WINE Best New Chefs 25th Anniversary Party presented by Delta on Friday, October 18.

Since the festival runs on individually ticketed events, few fest-goers have the same schedule. This makes the trip a perfect opportunity to check in on some buzzed-about hotspots around the city during one's downtime. Here are five excellent picks to supplement your NYCWFF weekend:

#1: Lunch at Momofuku Ssäm Bar:

David Chang's excellent spot is an easier win than you'd think for a walk-in lunch. Don't miss the legendary duck dishes - large parties can book in advance to reserve one of their own with chive pancakes and sides. We also recommend the oysters and the broccoli salad.

#2: Drinks at Death & Co.:

This East Village spot hides some of the city's finest cocktails behind nondescript doors. Go for "The Blessed William" if you're bold: it mixes 5-year rum with Laphroaig scotch and Luxardo Maraschino liqueur. More conventional drinkers can opt for the brilliantly titled "Guns & Rose," a mix of Lillet rose, Old Grand-Dad whiskey, sugar cane syrup, and bitter. Don't let the stylish doormen dissuade you from entry.

#3: Dinner at Charlie Bird:

Robert Bohr's SoHo spot is all the rage, what with the New York Times suggesting it's a great spot to be a regular, and Alan Richman lauding the seafood, pasta dishes, and well-chosen wine list. To avoid disappointment, book ahead on OpenTable or call them on 212-235-7133 to se if they can work you in.

#4: Brunch at ABC Cocina:

Sure, the furniture store location is unconventional, but did you notice that Jean-Georges Vongerichten is behind the project? The gluttonous can go for coconut pancakes with lavender maple syrup, while the less indulgent can order grilled maitake mushrooms with goat cheese or the raw shaved fluke with green chili dressing and crunchy rice. Either way, you win.

#5: Wine & Snacks at Casa Mono:

This Gramercy stalwart may not be new, but it never disappoints. This station in the Batali/Bastianich empire boasts a lengthy Spanish wine list paired with Catalan specialties like Bacalao Croquetas and Pulpo with Fennel and Grapefruit. The space is decidedly small, but welcoming and unfailingly delicious.

To learn more about Timbers Resorts, please contact us at 800.941.4579 (toll free) or 970.963.4626 (direct) or via email at [email protected].

Guidebooks are great. Online travel message boards, even better. But for real-time, of-the-moment travel tips, Twitter is hard to beat.

It's easy to get overwhelmed, though, by all the information out there. Keep things streamlined and simple by checking out these seven travel experts worth following on Twitter.

BBC Travel: A mix of aspirational travel stories ("World Class Surfers Reveal Where to Find the Perfect Wave"), practical tips ("Food to Avoid in Airports"), and quirky travel facts ("What Animals Can Teach us about Travel"), the BBC's Twitter feed is always surprising—and often enlightening.

Conde Nast Traveler: Insider secrets—especially for destinations—get frequent play here. Foodie travelers, take note: This is a great place to discover where Conde Nast's writers are sampling the local cuisine.

Hipmunk: This search engine offers destination tips and airport-specific advice, while also debunking widespread travel myths. For example, a recent tweet asked, "True or false: A Saturday night stay brings down the cost for round-trip flights," with a link to the answer. (It's depends on the route and airline.)

Hotel Chatter: Celebrity spottings, A-list properties, and the best hotels to see and be seen are all tweeted here. New hotel openings, trendy hotel restaurants and clubs, and luxury accommodations all get attention.

Johnny Jet: Practical travel tips, especially for air travel, are often tweeted from this former Travel Channel host. Hot spots, airline information (including terminal reviews and "just landed" flight reports), and last-minute deals are frequent topics.

The Middle Seat: Travel Columnist Scott McCartney of The Wall Street Journal primarily focuses on airfare travel tips, from how to find the best fares to smart ways to use miles, but also occasionally tweets about timely trends with rental cars, hotels, and vacation packages, too.

National Geographic Travel: Inspirational travel stories on where to go next dominate the National Geographic Travel Twitter feed. Links to sumptuous photography, coupled with practical booking, product, and packing tip stories round out the daily updates.

Follow Timbers Resorts on Twitter to keep up with events, lifestyle news, press and more: @timbersresorts

“Art defines the personality of The Sebastian,” says Timbers Resorts' Director of Operations Lance Thompson who also oversees The Sebastian - Vail as its General Manager. The interior design of the hotel and private residence club in art-centric Vail was developed working closely with its investors whose personal art collection is on display. The result? Some of the most culturally relevant real estate in Vail. “The whole property is a work of art,” says Thompson.

The art at The Sebastian focuses on celebrated Mexican artists. Manuel Felguerez’s paintings and sculptures are found throughout the sprawling resort while the Library is dedicated to his work with his painting “Slight Absence” serving as the room’s focal point. The artist, based in Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta, is credited with creating a muralism movement in which painting is joined with sculpture. Explore the hotel to spot all of his work, which is even on the label of Block 16, The Sebastian’s signature vintage.

Surrealist painter, sculptor and novelist Leonora Carrington was the inspiration for The Sebastian’s restaurant, Leonora, which was named in her honor. Carrington’s life is nearly as eccentric as her art. Born in Britain, she eloped with Surrealist artist Max Ernst, ran in the same circles as Picasso and Dali, fled the Nazis, escaped from a Spanish psychiatric hospital, and later settled in Mexico for more than six decades. She passed away in 2011, but her memory lives on through her work at The Sebastian including several spectacular bronze sculptures including “Butterfly Stingray” outside the door of Leonora restaurant and “Minatauro’s Daughter” inside the entryway.

Heavily represented are the colorful paintings of Victor Chaca who works with sand and other media to create texture in his works. The Sebastian is also home to bronze sculpture “Totem," located on the main level, by world-renowned artist, set designer, and writer Gunther Gerzso, whose art can be found in the collections of major museums around the world.

To learn more about ownership opportunities at Residences at The Sebastian, please contact us at 866.371.2582 (toll free in the US) or 970.477.8030 (direct) or via email at [email protected] For availability and reservations at The Sebastian - Vail, please contact us at 877.888.1540 (toll free in the US) or via email at [email protected].

Are you a fan of the Food Network? Do you like seeing new cooks get discovered on Fox's hit show MasterChef? If so (or even if you just love food in general) mark your calendars for the New York City Wine & Food Festival from Oct. 17 - 20. Proceeds help benefit Share Our Strength and the Food Bank for New York City.

There will be several opportunities for wine, spirits, and culinary enthusiasts to eat, drink, and help end hunger while enjoying new and signature festival events. One such event is the FOOD & WINE Best New Chefs 25th Anniversary Party presented by Delta, which will feature 500 guests, 28 award-winning chefs, and 13 wineries. Timbers Resorts will also be a sponsor of this special evening, hosting a photo area where guests can pose for party pix and pick a signature Timbers Resorts property photo as the backdrop! (For those going to this marquee event, don't miss the Timbers Resorts gift bags on your way out the door, including exciting surprises and details on the Timbers Resorts lifestyle.)

For 25 years, FOOD & WINE magazine has discovered the best and brightest cooking talents in the country, bestowing upon them the coveted title of FOOD & WINE Best New Chef. Editor-in-Chief Dana Cowin and Publisher Christina Grdovic will host the event, joined by past honorees and culinary world standouts Daniel Boulud (’88), Tom Colicchio (’91), Andrew Carmellini (’00), Dan Barber (’02), Scott Conant (’04), Mario Carbone (’12), Rich Torrisi (’12) and more.

Other highlights include a dessert lounge overlooking Central Park, an appearance by cookbook author Ali Larter, and a handful of New York’s best pastry chefs.

Follow all the action for the Festival on Twitter using hashtag #NYCWFF.

To learn more about Timbers Resorts and how to toast and dine in style as an Owner at one of our properties, please contact us at 800.941.4579 (toll free) or 970.963.4626 (direct) or via email at [email protected].

If you love and collect wines, you accept early on that the affair is by necessity a waiting game. Wine must age. That perfect Bordeaux in the basement can't be uncorked too soon. Sometimes, though, wouldn't it be all right to just skip ahead a little?

The answer is yes, if you know about bottle sizes and what they can do to aging. Here's the trick: wine ages a bit faster in smaller bottles than in the standard and larger counterparts.

Want to try that five- or ten-year selection a little ahead of time? Put up a piccolo or a half along with the standard-sized bottles and you can give it a go a year or two before the bigger bottles are ready.

Wait, you say, what's a piccolo? How is it different from a half? Let's take a look at some of the most common sizes in which wine bottles come. It's a fascinating exercise itself, as the nomenclature is as rich as the vintages they hold.

Wine Bottles: Small to Large

Here's the scale of sizes when it comes to bottles of wine.

In the list, if there is more than one name given, then they refer first to alternatives for a bottle of still wine. The last name given refers to bottles from the Champagne region.

Piccolo/Split/Pony: These are quarter bottles, .1875 liters.

Half Bottle: Exactly what the name implies — .375 liters.

Bottle: The standard size at .75 liters

Magnum: The equivalent of two standards, 1.5 liters.

Double Magnum: At 3 liters, this is two magnums large.

Jeroboam/Rehoboam: About six standards in one 4.5-liter bottle.

Imperial/Methuselah: A 6-liter bottle, or eight standards.

Salmanazar: Twelve standard bottles worth — 9 liters.

Balthazar: A 12-liter giant, 16 standards large.

Nebuchadnezzar: 15 liters, or 20 standards.

Melchior/Solomon: The equivalent of two whole cases of standards, 18 liters.

Goliath/Paramount/Primat: The titanic of the bunch, 36 standards (three cases!) at 27 liters total.

A rule of thumb on how this size trick works is this, according to Wine Spectator: if the range for aging a bottle is 2–5 years, then your piccolo or half bottle are probably good bets to open in the 24-month range. Larger bottles need more time to age than less, so if you end up storing a melchior or goliath, they'll be ready when the grandkids are old enough to try a glass!

To learn more about Timbers Resorts, please contact us at 800.941.4579 (toll free) or 970.963.4626 (direct) or via email at [email protected].

While the majority of vacations and trips are planned well in advance, some come up at the very last minute. Whatever the case may be, last-minute jaunts can be a hassle due to the part almost everyone dislikes— having to pack! Here are a few helpful hints for packing in a hurry so you can get where you're going without the worry.

Lay everything out first.

"When packing for any trip, last minute or not, nothing should ever go into your suitcase until you've placed all items to be packed on your bed so you can see everything and can double check that you have what you need," said Mary Anne Been, editor-in-chief of Jetset Extra, a travel site dedicated to giving their readers first-hand accounts of destinations and events around the world.

Electronic devices are mandatory.

It's nearly impossible these days to go 24 hours, let alone a week or so, without a smartphone, computer, tablet, and other electronic devices. Not only will you want these for the plane ride to your destination, but also for keeping in touch with the outside world once you arrive. So throw all your electronics into a carry-on bag first. And, don't forget the chargers! You'll be pretty upset if you have to spend $50 to buy new cables at the airport.

Packing lightly saves time and aggravation.

Susan Foster, author of "Smart Packing for Today's Traveler" says to avoid packing a wardrobe for every day you'll be gone. "Pack interchangeable pieces based on one basic color and plan to wear each piece more than once," Foster said. "Two pairs of dark slacks plus one jacket plus four shirts/blouses will last for one week. For two or more weeks, launder/clean and repeat. Pack clothes that you love so you feel good wearing the same things many times in different combinations."

Check the weather.

A quick check on the weather forecast for where you'll be going can do wonders. If there's rain in the forecast consider bringing a raincoat and umbrella. If it's going to be really hot, pack warm-weather clothing. But then again, don't trust the weatherman completely. Always bring a backup outfit that you can use in case the weather is different from what you expected.

Don't stress.

Trips are meant to be fun. Keep it that way. Just because you're having to do a lot of packing last minute, doesn't mean you should let it get you in a panic.

"Packing for last-minute travel doesn't have to be any more stressful than packing for regular travel," explains Jane Coloccia, a columnist for the New York Luxury Travel Examiner. "In fact, if you have less time to prepare you might be more apt to pack less as having a lot of time to plan means you might be buying and throwing more things into the suitcase than you really need."

To learn more about Timbers Resorts, and where to pack for your next trip, please contact us at 800.941.4579 (toll free) or 970.963.4626 (direct) or via email at [email protected].

You might be a fanatic for snowy slopes or bound for white sand beaches - despite the direction of your next vacation, Owners and guests at Timbers Resorts know that the resources on hand at our luxury fractional ownership properties are ready to make your stay as perfect as can be.

Whatever your version of paradise is, great travel gadgets help make the overall experience a breeze from start to finish. Here's a round up of some great new technology that can do everything from keep your devices powered to help you avoid luggage woes.

Travel Gadgets: Our Top Five for 2013

1. Trakdot Luggage Tracker:

Pack this little 3" x 2" gadget into your luggage and you'll be able to locate your bag via your cell phone, tablet, or laptop. Fully FAA and FCC compliant, it goes into a sleep mode during flight, then wakes up when you've landed. You get a full history of its journey, plus a pinpoint on where it has ended up. You can even set an alert that will ring your mobile device as soon as your TrakDot-equipped bag is within 30 feet of you. [$49.99 from TrakDot, plus $21.98 activation/annual service fee.]

2. PlugBug World:
An international adaptor that allows you to charge your MacBook and your iPhone or iPad at the same time. Five different snap-on plugs allow you to convert power in just about any country, and it's fast — a 2.1-amp charge that's about quadruple the juice you'd get from any laptop's USB port. [$44.99 from TwelveSouth]

3. Goal Zero Nomad 13:

Harness the power of the sun and stay portable. This lightweight 10" x 9" magazine-sized panel unfolds to about twice its size and in as little as three hours stores enough solar energy to charge your smartphone in about half that time. Slip it into your daybag for that picnic and never run out of juice in the great outdoors again. [$159.99 from Goal Zero]

4. Private Wi-Fi:

Internet on the go is a given when you're far from your home Wi-Fi, but it's also a soft spot in your personal security profile. Don't risk exposing yourself to hackers while you're grabbing an hour of access at a cafe. For a modest monthly subscription, Private WiFi protects your location and data from prying eyes. [$9.99/month from Private WiFi]

5. NetCam HD:

Whether you're on the slopes surrounding Dancing Bear Aspen or in the Tuscan countryside at Castello di Casole, checking in on the home front is just a touch away with Belkin's high definition webcam. Connected to your home's Wi-Fi, the NetCam links to your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, piping 720p wide-angle coverage of whatever room you place it in. [$129.99 from Belkin]

Adding any of these five items to your next travel kit means you have all the more time and peace of mind to do what it is you do best— sink into your home away from home and leave your worries far behind!

To learn more about Timbers Resorts, please contact us at 800.941.4579 (toll free) or 970.963.4626 (direct) or via email at [email protected].

All travelers can attest that nothing ruins a trip faster than a nasty sunburn. Sunscreen is a travel necessity when you pay a visit to Timbers Resorts' luxury resort vacation destinations - whether you’re skiing and staying at one of Mountain Collection resorts, swimming amidst the vineyards in California Wine Country or lounging by the ocean at one of our beach properties.

The number one rule of sunscreen is to go for broad spectrum protection that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. But we’ve also taken a look at top picks in the natural, sports, and child-friendly categories. A few of our top choices for SPF protection include:

Keep It Natural

Alba Botanica’s Hawaiian Natural Natural Sunscreen with Green Tea absorbs quickly and the formula featuring aloe vera, green tea, and sunflower oil make it nourishing. The light floral scent is a nice bonus.

Nia24’s Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen is oil-free and combines titanium and zinc with Pro-Niacin which has the bonus of improving skin tone and texture.

Kid-Approved

Adorable Baby SPF 30 Sunscreen comes highly rated for safety by the Environmental Working Group. In addition to non-nano zinc oxide— that means the zinc oxide won't absorb into your kid's bloodstream— it includes soothing natural ingredients like organic cocoa butter and organic shea butter. Don't let the name fool you, this one's actually great for both the young and young at heart.

Get Active

Coppertone Sports Continuous Spray is a fantastic option, offering great protection from the sun combined with an application method that lets you keep your palms free of sunblock so there's no slipping when you serve up that volleyball.

Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock Spray is a must if you're going to be in the water. A special formula lets it cut through water so it can be applied— and stay on— despite your most vigorous backstroke.

If you have any other suggestions for your favorite sunscreen, please let us know in the comments below!

To learn more about Timbers Resorts, please contact us at 800.941.4579 (toll free) or 970.963.4626 (direct) or via email at [email protected].

Once upon a time, airport food was the bane of any traveler's existence. But the days of soggy pre-made sandwiches and fast food are over. The US’s major airports are now foodie playgrounds, full of offerings from the world’s top chefs. On your next trip to a Timbers Resorts property, grab a bite at one of these recommended eateries.

Airport: Denver International Airport (DIA)

Where to Dine: Colorado is known for its micro-breweries, so it should come as no surprise that DIA is packed with taverns. The standout is New Belgium Hub, a bar and grill that offers solid food like whole-wheat pancakes and oversized sandwiches alongside the airport's best selection of craft beers. For a more stylish experience, head to Lounge 5280, a luxe wine and cocktail bar with elegant small plates like Duck Confit Salad on offer.

Airport: Chicago O’Hare International

Where to Dine: Tortas Frontera is the hands down favorite here. The Rick Bayless-owned restaurant is known for its modern interpretations of Mexican cuisine. The griddle-baked sandwiches, known as tortas, are rounded out by plenty of other offerings and all the ingredients are sourced from local farms. Alternatively, Berghoff Café serves Berghoff beer on tap as well as top-notch hand carved sandwiches including their signature Reuben.

Airport: John F. Kennedy International (JFK), New York City

Where to Dine: Quality grab-and-go food is hard to find but, luckily, JFK has Croque Madame from Chef Andrew Carmellini of Locanda Verde fame. Pick up a French-inspired crepe or made-to-order salad for your flight. You’re in for a treat if you happen to be flying JetBlue. JFK’s Terminal 5 is chock full of great food like sushi bar Deep Blue from Buddakan’s Michael Schulson and Brasserie La Vie, a French bistro from industry veterans that worked at both Balthazar and Pastis. Chef Mark Ladner’s Italian trattoria Aro Nuovo, steak house 5IVESTEAK and tapas restaurant Piquillo round out the killer options.

Airport: Miami International Airport

Where to Dine: Latin cuisine rules at MIA, where chef Lorena Garcia’s Lorena Garcia Cocina serves favorites like breakfast empanadas, and shrimp ceviche. Travelers with a late-night flight can head to Cuban chain La Carreta, which stays open 24 hours to serve the always popular Cubano sandwich with roast pork, Swiss cheese and pickles. Don't forget to slake your thirst at Belgian wine bar Beaudevin that also has solid Mediterranean food to go.

Airport: San Francisco International (SFO)

Where to Dine: Napa nearby makes SFO a major hub for foodies and the airport does not disappoint— there are so many amazing options it’s hard to pick. Cat Cora’s Kitchen serves great seafood from its raw bar and focuses on local organic ingredients in her upscale comfort food. If you're looking for something more simple, Burger Joint delivers with Niman Ranch Angus beef burgers, free-range chicken sandwiches, and hormone-free hot dogs. Other standouts are the sushi at Ebisu and the chicken at Tyler Florence’s Rotisserie.

Airport: Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport

Where to Dine: Travelers rave about Urban Crave, a trendy hotspot serving what they call “street cuisine," which translates to creative takes on lettuce wraps, hot dogs, tacos, and more. For more traditional cuisine, try French bistro and wine bar Le Grand Comptoir where the tuna tartare comes highly recommended. For food on the go, Einstein Bros Bagels is a perennial favorite.

Airport: Dallas/Fort Worth International

Where to Dine: Morning travelers will go crazy for Cereality, where you can get creative with custom hot and cold cereal concoctions. Later in the day, barbecue rules— this is Texas after all! Cousin’s Bar-B-Q started up in Fort Worth 30 years ago and their airport location is a great place to go for succulent ribs and sausage.

To learn more about Timbers Resorts, please contact us at 800.941.4579 (toll free) or 970.963.4626 (direct) or via email at [email protected].

Napa Valley's Festival del Sole, “a celebration of the art of life,” is a sensational 10-day event that draws visitors from all over the world to celebrate music, dance, theater, food and wine at more than 100 vineyards.

Timbers Resorts has long been a supporter of this non-profit event series which has been enriching the culture of Napa Valley since 2006. In past years, The Orchard at The Carneros Inn has been a host venue for performances, housed musicians, and organized attendance for Owners and guests at exciting concerts and gala events.

The festival runs from July 12 – 21, 2014, and Timbers Resorts is not only a sponsor, but also taking part in Festival del Sole’s most glamorous event – the Annual Gala at Meadowood Napa Valley - with a live auction package to experience The Sebastian - Vail - A Timbers Resort.

The theme for the gala at Meadowood is "The Roaring Twenties" with an evening of croquet, jazz and fine dining. A celebration of elegant times, gentlemen shall wear dinner jackets while the ladies in attendance will gracefully be wearing white. The evening will conclude with a rowdy live auction of one-of-a-kind experiential prizes all benefiting Festival del Sole, local arts education programs, and other charities. Timbers Resorts has donated a deluxe ski vacation at The Sebastian, recently awarded the #12 Hotel in the Continental US by 2013 Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards and an exhilarating addition to luxury real estate in Vail, Colorado. Within the package, is an exciting, full-day ski adventure on Vail Mountain with an Olympian, so be ready to bid for a great cause!

To learn more about ownership opportunities, please contact us at 866.578.9174 (toll-free) or 970.510.6798 (direct) or email [email protected].

Castello di Casole, Timbers Resorts' luxurious Tuscany estate that made Conde Nast Traveler’s 2013 Hot List, is celebrating its first anniversary in style this July with a series of special packages and events. On July 1, 2012, the boutique hotel debuted to great acclaim with its 41 suites, two restaurants, infinity-edged pool and more. Essere Spa at Castello di Casole opens this summer to round out the luxurious experience at this distinctive property set in the charming Tuscan countryside.

To mark its one-year anniversary, Castello di Casolewill host aparty on July 1 for Owners in its private residence club and hotel guests. Complimentary wine and cake will be served. The celebration will continue throughout the week with activities that include Pilates and yoga classes, a children’s pizza-making class, wine tastings, and a cocktail party honoring filmmaker Luchino Visconti who once owned and resided in the main villa on property.

The highlight of the anniversary celebration will be the "Buon Compleanno Castello di Casole tasting menu," served July 1-4. Enjoy Pea Cream Soup with tomato and basil rice; Spaghetti with Borlotti Bean Cream, bottarga and toasted breadcrumbs; Robiola Cheese filled Raviolo with tiger prawns; Beef Stew and Barley with grilled red pepper and foie gras; and anniversary cake for dessert. Proceeds from the dinner will suport the Andrea Bocelli Foundation, which helps those in need inItaly as well as internationally.

Beginning on July 10, Castello di Casole will have live music every Wednesday night and a special themed dinner at Tosca Terrace each Thursday, beginning with La Signora Melanzana  on July 11 that will include an appearance by the property's winemaker Paolo Caciorgna.

Guests booking three or more nights in the hotel during the month of Julywill receive a suite with breathtaking views of the Tuscan countryside; transportation and entrance into the Etruscan Museum in Casole d’Elsa; a bottle of estate-produced wine; full breakfast daily; and a resort credit to use for dining or spa experiences.

To learn more about ownership opportunities at Castello di Casole, please contact us at 866.963.5005 (toll free in the US) or via email at [email protected]. Or please reach us at +39.0577.967511 (in Europe) or via email at [email protected]. 

For availability and reservations at Hotel Castello di Casole, please contact us at 888.927.2580 (toll free in the US) or +39.0577.961508 (in Europe) or via email at [email protected].