Irene Legaspi 12/30/24 Irene Legaspi 12/30/24

Colorado and New Mexico Travel guide

A curated travel guide for Colorado and New Mexico.

Colorado

Denver

Stay- Populus Hotel

A hotel inspired by nature. From biophilic architecture, natural materials, original art, and seasonal cuisine, there is a love for the natural world in every detail. Populus was created by Urban Villages, designed by AD100 architecture firm Studio Gang and led by MacArthur Fellow Jeanne Gang, brought to life by interior designer, Heather Wildman of Wildman Chalmer Designs, with a thoughtful art program curated by environmentalist Katherine Homes, and operated by Aparium Hotel Group.

Eat

Stellar Jay offers a vibrant rooftop dining experience featuring live-fire cooking with shared plates amidst Colorado’s urban and mountain vistas. The nature-based menu honors ingredients cooked over the open flame and inspired by seasonal harvests.

Glenwood Hot Springs

Wellness

Iron Mountain Hot Springs
Yampah Spa & Vapor Caves ( Make sure to get the Ayurvedic Mud Wrap)
Hanging Lake Trail

Aspen

Stay- Mollie Hotel

A boutique hotel that evokes residential comfort through the subtle lens of Japanese and Scandinavian design.

Eat

Hotel Jerome- J Bar
With its lively buzz and Old West vibe, the 19th century bar remains the town’s social hub, where ski bums rub elbows with socialites over craft beers, vintage-inspired cocktails and Aspen’s best burger.
The Snow Lodge-The Supper Club
Seasonal Italian cuisine, innovative cocktails, and live entertainment in an intimate, warm setting located in the St. Regis Aspen Resort. The Snow Lodge Supper Club offers a chic and vibrant atmosphere for nightly, live music alongside a brand-new cocktail and food program.
White House Tavern
Elevated sandwiches, burgers, salads & craft cocktails in an intimate, 19th-century miner's cottage.
Casa Tua
Sophisticated spaces with inviting warm wood details in a Dolomite-meets-Alpine style set the stage for sumptuous Italian cuisine
Spring Cafe
Organic and nourishing vegetarian food

Shop

Kemo Sabe- The go-to place for all your Aspen western apparel needs. From cowboy boots to custom hats and accessories.

Music

The Jade Room at The Snow Lodge- The place to go for Après-Ski.

Experience

Skiing or snowboarding

Silverqueen gondola
Snow mass
Buttermilk Mountain
Aspen Highlands

New mexico

Taos

Stay- Hotel Willa

New boutique hotel located at the gateway to the Taos Historic District.

Eat/Drink

The Love Apple
Intimate restaurant with a rustic patio in a former church crafting seasonal New Mexican fare.
Manzanita Market
A little health food cafe, creamery and a local market place, little sister cafe to The Love Apple.
Tomorrow and Tomorrow
Tomorrow and Tomorrow is a modern, casual café and sourdough bakery at the entrance of Taos’ historic plaza district. Their menu is a passionate curation of minimalist food and drink featuring naturally leavened breads baked in a French clay-brick oven, and single-origin coffee.

Shop

The Hat Shop

LUN + OJO

Music

Taos Historic Inn- What initially began as individual residences supporting Taos' artistic community has evolved into a historic lodging property.

Experience

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
Hanuman Temple
Earthship Homes
Taos Pueblo

What To Pack

Plantas Medicinas
Solid haircare is the perfect travel essential. plantasmedicinas.com
OZMA
Stay stylish, comfortable and cozy in the winter months. ozmaofcalifornia.com
Lauren Manoogian
Luxury knitwear brand. Timeless design meets sustainability. Handmade essentials blending minimalist design and exceptional comfort. laurenmanoogian.com

Irene Legaspi 5/25/22 Irene Legaspi 5/25/22

guide Valle de Guadelupe

My travel guide to Baja California’s wine country.

My love affair with the country of Mexico continues in the wine country area of Valle De Guadelupe. This travelers gem is nestled approximately 30 mins from the beach town of Ensenada and 1 1/2 hours just past the San Diego/Tijuana border crossing. My first visit back in 2019 was a magical experience that truly exceeded my expectations. If you’re anything like me and love good wine, enjoy great food and incredible views without the pretentiousness of American culture then this is your place.

I’ve listed my top recommendations for accommodations, restaurants, and wineries for your next visit to the Valle that are not to be missed.

A few pieces of advice.

Come with no expectations. Bring an open mind and let yourself be pleasantly surprised.
Let go of the fear of driving through Mexico. Don't worry you’ll be just fine.
Make dinner reservations in advance. Do the tasting menus and wine pairings!
Take the coastal route and factor in extra time to stop by the beach towns of Rosarito and Ensenada.
Bring cash for the toll roads.
Drive an SUV. Most streets off the main road are not paved and to get to many of the wineries and restaurants require you drive down windy, dusty unpredictable roads.
Purchase Mexican insurance ahead of time. Approximately $20-$50
Prior to check out. Make sure to check the border crossing wait times in advance. Plan on leaving early first thing to avoid the long lines. The Tecate border crossing usually has the least amount of wait time.
Make sure to bring someone special to join you.
Have fun!

Hotels

Bruma Casa 8- This is my top pick to stay when in the Valle. There are only 8 suites to choose from allowing for privacy and an intimate experience. Each room blends the best of traditional and contemporary. Not to be missed their onsite garden winery and award winning restaurant Fauna.
Encuentro- When you arrive to this eco-hotel prepare to be shuttled to your personal room nestled on the hillside over looking the Valle. The views are amazing!
Campera Bubble Hotel- Looking for a unique stay then look no further. Ever wanted to sleep under the stars in a bubble? Comes complete with air conditioning, toilet, shower and all the amenities.
Hotel Cuatro Cuatros- This place offers a glamping option in a safari tent or take the option we chose and book the room that’s situated on the hillside of the property. A unique feature allows a wall to completely open up giving you beautiful views of the vineyard from the comfort of your bed.
Airbnb- A good choice if you plan on traveling with a big group.

Restaurants

Animalon- This seasonal restaurant is only open during specific times of the year so make sure to check their website for updated information. Dine under a beautiful and majestic oak tree, while enjoying a multi-course dining experience not to be missed.
Cabañas Cuatro Cuatros- This recommendation is more for the views than the food. Come for sunset appetizers and drinks. Stay for the music and people watching.
Corazon de Tierra- Unfortunately, this restaurant has closed but keep a look out for a future reopening!
Deckman’s en el Mogor- What more can you ask for? Deckman’s has it all. Come for lunch and enjoy wine with great views
Fauna- This restaurant will always hold a special place in my heart. This dining experience is one for the books. Make your reservation ASAP.
Finca Altozano- Looking for somewhere to go after dinner? Enjoy late night bites, a nite cap and live music.
La Cocina de Doña Esthela- A local’s favorite. Good for breakfast or brunch. Traditional mexican food.
Laja- Another favorite on the list. We love their farm to table approach using fresh local ingredients.
Lunario- A new favorite from our last visit. Make sure to do the tasting menu along with wine pairing. The cooks and sommelier are experts in their craft.

Wineries

Bruma- A high-end wine tasting experience
Decantos Vinicola- It gets lively over there. Grab a table outside, order a bottle and enjoy the live music, people watching and amazing views.
Finca la Carrodilla Agricultura Orgànica- Choose from an amazing selection of organic wines
Hacienda la Lomita- A beautifully designed modern wine tasting room with views.
Cuatro Cuatros- Don't forget to stop by their mezcal bar for a tasting.
Monte Xanic- One of the more upscale wineries in town.
Vena Cava- A great stop to enjoy natural wines and snacks from their on site food truck.
Vinicola 3 Mujeres- Woman owned and operated. Make sure to do the wine tasting in the wine cave.

Irene Legaspi 5/5/22 Irene Legaspi 5/5/22

Irene’s travel tips

How to stay calm and grounded in the midst of travel chaos.

As borders begin to open up and we begin to start traveling again I’m reminded of how traveling can be quite stressful especially, with the addition Covid protocols and effects it has on our mind and bodies.

Travel, whether it's by car, train or plane will aggravate the mobile quality of Vata dosha. The element of air in our bodies that is responsible for our nervous system, large intestines, dry and cold qualities. Which can result in digestive issues like bloating, excessive gas, constipation, stress and anxiety. It can also cause dryness in the body, eyes, skin nasal passages, dehydration, body aches, lower back discomfort and sleeping problems.

Pre-travel (Carry-on)

• Essential oil roll on with lavender helps to relax on an evening flight and peppermint, citrus, eucalyptus helps stimulate and wake me up on an overnight flight the following morning.

• Rose toner spray keeps my skin moisturized.

• Ayurvedic nasal drops- helps trap allergens, lubricates nasal passages.

• Herbal teas that help aid digestion fennel, ginger, cinnamon, lavender.

I recommend eating a good home cooked meal before heading to the airport. We all know how healthy food options can be limited at the airport.
Pack healthy snacks for the plane. Avoid too many dry snacks like crackers, popcorn, breads etc. That will only increase your chances of constipation.
Pack a refillable water bottle. You want to avoid plastic bottle water as much as possible. Plastic has been linked to hormone disruptors and health problems.
Sleeping mask, socks, neck pillow, shawl to keep yourself warm.
Travel yoga mat. I love the one from the brand Manduka. It’s thin, light, doesn’t take up space and is easy to travel with.

During Travel

• If you are sensitive to a lot of different energies and noises, noise canceling headphones are a must! I usually listen to calming music, a meditation app, or audio book. They help keep me calm in a chaotic noisy airport. I also use that time to turn inward, close my eyes and practice breathing exercises inhaling and exhaling slowly and deeply.

• Wear layers to keep warm.

• Avoid eating a lot of raw foods, cold foods, highly processed foods, dry foods breads, pastries, crackers, cookies etc. I know this can be tricky because airports are known for all these foods. But if you have to eat there lean more towards warm cooked foods, soups, oatmeal.

• Drink warm water to help aid in digestion. This small act makes such a big difference!

• If you have a layover look for a quiet, less crowded area where you can do light stretching. This will help with circulation and release muscle tension.

Unfortunately, my digestion always get thrown off balance when I travel. For many reasons, whether it’s a big time change, not remembering to drink enough water, eating foods out of my regular diet. I usually have an issue with travelers constipation. My secret Ayurvedic supplement that I never travel without is called Triphala. Its natural, made from a combination of three plants that help aid in the digestion process. It’s not a laxative and not habit forming. In fact, I take it every night before I go to bed because of the many other benefits it has for the body. (I’ll be talking more about Triphala in a separate post)

Arrival to destination

Finally, when I arrive to my destination I always try to connect with nature to help ground myself by finding a nearby park or garden. If I’ll be spending a couple days in one place I try to have a similar morning and nighttime routine as I do when I’m back home.

• I wake up when the sun comes up, drink a glass of warm water to lubricate and stimulate my digestion. Stretch.

• To help me sleep at night a very grounding practice is an Ayurvedic Abhyanga (self massage). By massaging your body especially your hands and feet with oil it helps to calm your nervous system and prepares your body for a good night sleep.

• Use essential oils of lavender to calm the mind

• Turn off all stimulating devices 1 hour before going to bed

• Take Triphala after meals with a glass of warm water before bedtime

With every trip that I take I’m constantly thinking about how I can improve the experience. So this list will constantly be updated as I continue to navigate traveling the world.

Here’s to safe and healthy travels!

Irene Legaspi 3/31/22 Irene Legaspi 3/31/22

The good traveler

A holistic approach to travel

By Design Hotels

Traveling is precious. Why we make a journey is as important as how.
Travel with humillty and respect. We are not here to dominate or exploit nature or societies, but to be part of them.
Think holistically. The world is a complex system: how we behave affects not just animals, objects, and individuals, but biospheres, cultures, and communities,
Travel regeneratively. Our aim should always be to have an additive impact rather than a subtractive one
Take fewer trophies. See, appreciate, enjoy, and respect: bringing back what you have learned is one of the greatest gifts of traveling.
Never stop learning. Traveling is always an education: encountering different places, communities and cultures can open both minds and hearts.
Transparency is empowerment. Ask where things come from, how they are made, and who is providing the services under what conditions, so that you can make informed choices.
Technology is a tool, not a destination. It should be smart, non-intrusive, and support a regenerative lifestyle. You should also be able to turn it off.
Leave your baggage behind. Go forward to meet new people, have new experiences in new environments, be respectful, and endeavor to connect with and listen
Slow down. Understanding that the best journeys are not a race against time allows us to pause, focus, and truly appreciate encounters.

Irene Legaspi 2/22/22 Irene Legaspi 2/22/22

guide to oaxaca

My recommendations for an authentic Oaxacan experience

Welcome to Oaxaca, Mexico where you will delight your senses with the many artisanal and flavorful offerings that this beautiful city has to offer.

This is my 5 day and 4 night itinerary for an authentic Oaxacan experience.

Day 1

Arrive into Xoxocotlán International Airport. The airport is small so you will be unloading from the plane directly onto the tarmac. Once you pick up your luggage the best way to get into town is to head straight to the taxi line. I also take this opportunity to pull out cash from the ATM. You will prepay for your taxi which will cost you anywhere from $8-$11 per person depending on where in the city center you will be dropped off. The taxi’s are shared so there is a possibility that other people will be in the same van as you. We booked our first half of the stay at the beautiful Casa Antioneta. The building was owned by the late Antionetta and is now owned and run by her daughter and grandson. It feels like your staying at somebody’s home but with the rooms and management run like a boutique hotel. For coffee, tea and light bites head downstairs to Muss cafe. Don’t miss happy hour sunset at the rooftop! We made dinner reservations at Los Danzantes. It was the perfect spot for our first official meal in Oaxaca. It’s a beautiful open air restaurant, sexy jungle vibes and amazing food!

Day 2

We decided to explore with no specific agenda and started with coffee at Kiyo Cafe a cute concept coffee shop. For those of you who are oat milk people this was the only coffee shop we found in town that had it! The next stop was to Dona Vale for her famous “Memelas”. She was featured on Netflix and has been causing quite a buzz ever since. Don’t forget to get the cafe de olla which is a sweet cinnamon coffee to go with the Memelas. Her food stall is nestled in a huge open market with rows and rows of vendors. Make sure to look up because that was how we saw the sign pointing in the direction of her business. Next, we stopped at the botanical garden, Jardin Etnobotanico de Oaxaca and ended up having lunch around the corner at a rooftop restaurant called Tierra del Sol where they do a custom tableside salsa that was delicious! Don’t leave with out stopping by the bakery downstairs called Masea Trigo y Maiz. It’s one of the best in town. After a long day of walking and a siesta we made our way to dinner at Teocintle, a contemporary restaurant focused on a multi-course, indigenous Oaxaca experience. It is a cash only restaurant so don’t forget!

Day 3

We booked a private tour with a local travel guide by the name of Lily the Zapotec Traveler. Lily collaborates with different indigenous communities, families and artisans to offer one-of-a kind authentic Oaxacan experiences. The duration of our tour was 9hrs from 9am-6pm. Pick up at our hotel was promptly at 9am. Our itinerary included stopping by two different communities called Matatlan & Teotitlan and our activities for the day; a traditional Temazcal and massage session, light brunch, mezcal distillery tour & tasting, visit to textile market to buy directly from artisans and native cooking class. This was probably hands down our favorite part of the trip.

Day 4

After having a light breakfast and coffee at Muss Cafe we checked out of Casa Antonieta and headed to Hotel Escondido a Design Hotel from Mexico’s own Grupo Habita. Tucked away in one of the most culturally-rich places in the city. A mix of old and new. You’ll find a pool and bar at the top floor, a co-working area known as the “Culture Room”, and it is more that just a hotel, it is a work of art. We loved the hotel robes so much that we purchased them just for our home. For lunch we ventured over to what our favorite restaurant of the trip Levadura de Olla. This place is not to be missed. The meal literally brought my boyfriend to tears! After lunch, we left the rest of this day to sourcing the best pottery in town. We found ourselves at shop Collective 1050. They have some of the best local ceramics. After picking up a couple pieces there we scored big time at Aqueducto de Oaxaca a museum and artisan store. There we discovered a complete 29 piece dining set. But, I should warn you if you plan on coming to Oxacaca to purchase pottery. Plan on bringing it on the plane with you or you’ll be taking a bigger risk packing in your suit case. Shipping it back to the states can cost almost double or more than what you spend on the pottery itself. Luckily, the staff wrapped our pieces really well and we were able to find big bag at a local shop. Between the two of us our hands were full but everything it safely home. For our last night in Oaxaca we booked dinner reservations at Criollo from chef Enrique Olvera of Mexico City’s famous Pujol. Expect a multi-course meal along with the beverage pairing if you choose to go that route. For a night cap, go to cocktail bar Selva. An Art deco inspired bar with a very impressive menu and some of the best cocktails in town.

Day 5

Before heading to the airport we stopped at Boulenc, an airy bakery cafe that serves artisan bread, pastries and brunch dishes. Don’t forget to pick up a few of their handmade goods in the cafe that would be great to give for gifts. It took us approximately 30mins from the center of town to get to the airport and they suggest that you arrive 2hrs before your flight. There were two restaurants on our lists that we didn’t get a chance to check out because they weren’t open when we where there. So if you end up coming to Oaxaca I would suggest trying to go to Waje a pop-up speakeasy restaurant and Crudo a Oaxacan Omakase.

As I’m sitting here writing this, it already feels as if it were all a dream. A dream full of so many magical, mystical, unexpected, beautiful moments. We ate, we drank, we laughed, we cried, we engaged all five senses, we got lost and completely immersed in the all the wonders and rich culture that Oaxaca has to offer…now go see it for yourselves! Salud!