This past Memorial Day, I was invited to Paws Up Resort in Greenough Montana for a three-day getaway, highlighting Montana master chefs.  I was thrilled to be going, and I was curious as to how I would spend three days without shopping.  Then I remembered cowboy boots – and I have to say shopping for custom boots was amazing:  picking out colors, types of leather, toe designs – you name it.  The cowboy boots were only one of the highlights of the weekend, however.  I had a fantastic time horseback riding, shooting sporting clays, and I even sighted (from a comfortable distance) a Montana Grizzly bear.  All of these activities were interspersed with chances to sample unbelievable food. The weekend brought out world-class chefs, brewers, wine makers, distillers, and smokologists.  Everything was grilled or smoked and expertly paired with wine or other spirits. 

Since it opened three years ago, Paws Up has continued to set the standard for Western glamping, and as soon as I saw the luxury tents, I felt like a free-spirited adventurer; dare I say a pioneer  – albeit one looking for in-tent massages and spa tubs.  Paws Up is no dude ranch however; it is everything good about camping – gathering around a fire, countless opportunities to be outdoors and to learn new skills, camaraderie, carefree days, and even movie night in the barn.  Add to this some serious luxury in the form of master chefs, farm-to-table cuisine, spa treatments, wine pairings, wondrous accommodations, and an incredibly knowledgeable and attentive staff. 

The Master Grillers weekend gave me a wonderful taste of Paws Up cuisine, and I look forward to heading out there this October for their Upper Crust Weekend – a three-day getaway with pie guru Kate McDermott.
 

This past spring, I was in Italy, catching up with old friends and making new ones.  I visited spots that I have long cherished, and I was introduced to some new places too.  One thing that made this trip unique was that I was able to visit two or three hotels in the days and weeks before they officially opened for the season.  There is a special energy before opening day, like the morning before a big party when the house is buzzing with preparations.  I love these secret glimpses into the life of a hotel – they make you feel like an insider, a member of the family, and it is wonderful to watch all of the work come together in anticipation of the season’s first guests.

On this trip, Siena was my first stop. Whenever I am there, I make a point of stopping at the city’s most famous Salumeria – Pizzicheria de Miccoli.  If you are walking along the Via di Città, you cannot fail to notice the big boar’s head and the wooden cutout of a pink pig outside the shop.  Once inside, you will find people coming in to chat and sample the most exquisite prosciuttos, salamis, meats, cheeses, and breads.  There is no seating inside the shop, but customers will eat standing up at the counter, and the owner will pair your selection with wines he stocks for the purpose.  In addition, the Pizzicheria produces its own olive oil in conjunction with a local grove. Take a few minutes out of your day for some instant gratification:  a glass of wine, some bread, and some prosciutto.  You will leave feeling refreshed and ready to return to exploring, shopping, or whatever adventure your day brings.