Las Vegas: Off the Beaten Strip...Red Rock Canyon and Pink Jeep Tours

Looking to do something different and off the Strip while in Las Vegas? Get off the beaten path and experience an outdoor adventure while learning about the history of Las Vegas and its surrounding areas. We chose to visit Red Rock Canyon because it is an easy drive from the Strip (about a half hour drive). Pink Jeep Tours is the way to go here for several reasons:

They pick you up at your hotel and they are on time too. Our tour guide,Tommy, even texted us to let us know he was on his way. Also, they have excellent vehicles and keep the groups small. They picked us (two adults) up at our hotel sharply at 8am in a souped-up, air-conditioned, pink jeep/van that accommodates 10 passengers. We visited in September and the heat was on, so you should make sure to wear comfortable shoes for hiking (sneakers, hiking shoes), comfortable clothing, hat and sunblock. Pink Jeep provides unlimited cold bottled water.

 

Tommy was friendly and knowledgeable. He provided history and facts about the area and answered all our questions. He also made sure that our small group interacted. He offered to take pictures and even obliged when someone asked about taking pictures at the iconic Welcome to Las Vegas sign. We had some time left at the end of the tour and he not only drove us to the sign, but also got us a great photo op spot without having to make the long line.

We were able to enjoy a full tour of Red Rock Canyon in the comfort of an air-conditioned and spacious vehicle. The seats are cushioned and comfortable. The only downside I experienced is that because we were the last ones to be picked up, we got stuck with sitting one behind the other (versus side by side) because of the layout of the vehicle. I was travelling with a good friend so it was not a huge deal to us, but I can see how it would be unacceptable for others, especially couples and/or parents with kids.

There are several stops along the tour, beginning with the visitors’ center followed by several scenic points and also trails. The tour lasts about 4 hours (from pick up to drop off) and they drop you off right back at your hotel.  Very convenient and great outdoor adventure!

Happy Travels!

Mariela

Tuscany - Magical Montefioralle

This is one of those places that will stay with you long after you’ve visited. Montefioralle is a medieval village located in the town of Greve in Chianti in Tuscany, Italy.

Montefioralle boasts breath-taking views and an outstanding winery by the same name. There are various wineries in the region, but the small Montefioralle winery, which is located at the foot of the village (which is on a hill), stands out for multiple reasons.

The winery features Chianti and Super Tuscan wines, starting with their 2010 Chianti Classico, a light, smooth wine that is fun and pleasant on the palate-a great companion to a Tuscan pizza. Next is the 2012 Chianti Classico Reserva, a mature and classy Chianti that  pairs well with light meats. Their Super Tuscan (IGT Montefioralle) is superb. Sophisticated and full-bodied, this was my personal favorite (along with the 2010 Chianti Classico). You should also try the 2010 Vin Santo Di Chianti Classico, made from selected dried grapes. Following a unique fermentation process, the result is a brandy-like wine that is not too sweet. Pairs well with desserts, as an after-meal wine.

The winery, like most in the region, is family-owned. Patriarch, Fernando, was very nice to our kids, showing them the magnum wines, which the boys gaped at. The place is quaint and has a homey feel to it. A long table is set just outside the small stone and mortar building, under a canopy, overlooking the Greve in Chianti mountains. If this does not already sound like a scene out of a foreign film to you, I don’t know what else to compare it to. The view alone is spectacular. As you sit relaxing with the view in front of you, the tasting attendant serves each wine and accompanying tapas-style cold cuts (including prosciutto and Tuscan salami) as well as olives, and bruschetta.

Of course, the winery’s location is highly convenient. Once you are done with the wine tasting, you can simply take the short walk up to the village. As you stroll the cobblestoned streets, you will feel like you are in another world.  It is a neighborhood frozen in time. Through a window I got a peek at an elderly woman cooking in her kitchen and watched artists working on various landscape paintings inspired by the region. There is a small church (Chiesa Di Santo Stefano) and a restaurant. It is a small community and you certainly cannot miss Maurizio Brogioni’s tasting shop, showcasing wines from his family’s estate. Maurizio is personable, witty and welcoming and his passion for the craft of wine making is readily apparent. The afternoon we visited, we were his only guests and we had such a relaxing and enjoyable time. Make sure to taste the Crèma di Cioccolato (we bought several jars!).

In short, this region is home to the best Chianti and Super Tuscans I’ve tasted to date and it is a true gem to visit. Getting there is an adventure in and of itself, as you drive uphill on winding, narrow roads, but it is most definitely worth the trip!

Happy Travels!

Mariela