Fields Trip: Snow Edition

The best of everything in Telluride

Blizzard! But Jay and I are on an altitude high.
One of many dinner destinations, Cosmopolitan, just steps from the gondola
Take in shopping at the tiny and trendy Two Skirts boutique.
For the best fondue al fresco, hang up your board for a barstool and hit the HopGarden in the Mountain Village core.
When off the slopes, make sure to take the gondola into town.

Dear CultureMap,

I am on an altitude high! Greetings from the marvelous Bonnaire House in Telluride, Colorado… While defrosting my thinking cap after a full week of hitting the slopes in negative degree weather and turning this old mining town upside down, I‘m taking a break while sipping a Snowy Owl and wanted to fill you in on the all the essentials we discovered at 9,545 feet.

- For the ultimate ski and snowboard rental, make sure to use Black Tie Ski Rentals. The super cute ski concierge team arrived on time and fit all of crew in the comfort of our home.

- For dinner, our rambunctious crew hit the Cosmopolitan, just steps from the Gondola and dined on a smorgasbord of lobster corn dogs, sushi and rock shrimp. My husband Jay went nuts over fish stew with lobster tail and a tomato saffron broth.

- For another dinner favorite, be sure to try Excelsior Café and ask for Josh as your waiter. If you are with a big group, ask for the room upstairs and get ready for an eclectic menu of pizza and lamb chops with baskets of the cheesiest cheese popovers.

- For on-mountain après ski, we hit the slope side slice of heaven, Crazy Elk Pizza. The wait -worthy hand made pies were enough for us to call it a day and relish in the gooey mozzarella and thick and airy crust.

- For the best fondue al fresco, hang up your board for a barstool and hit the Hop Garden in the Mountain Village core. Order an over-stuffed Bloody Mary or Baileys & Cream all under an assortment of heated lamps.

- If a driver is ever needed whether it be to the airport or a in our case, a big night out to the new and swanky Sheridan Chop House and their historical bar make sure to use Alpine Luxury Limo and if you’re lucky, you will get Jim Denny as your driver.

- When off the slopes, make sure to take the gondola into town. While the guys hit Brown Dog Pizza for football and beers, the girls took in shopping at the tiny and trendy Two Skits boutique. Accompanied by a fireside lunch at Rustico Ristorante filled with handmade antipasto and an overdose of more hand made pizza.

- With our skin and muscles in major need of some TLC from battling the mountain, we slipped into The Spa at The Peaks Resort. On the menu? The 02 Repair facial and Hydro Stone Therapy Massage. Make sure to take advantage of the Oxygen Inhalation Room to help combat the effects of high altitude and insomnia.

See you guy’s back at sea level,
xo
Allie

unspecified

all routes lead to rome

New nonstop flight connects Houston with Rome for the first time

Photo courtest of Houston Airports

Houston Mayor John Whitmire listens as Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports, discusses the addition of ITA Airways at IAH.

Thinking of a Roman holiday? The good news for Houstonians is that George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) will begin offering direct, nonstop flights to Rome starting next spring. It will be the first time IAH and Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) in Fiumicino, Italy have connected nonstop.

“We welcome ITA Airways to Houston, as it reflects our city's prominence on the global stage," said Houston Mayor John Whitmire in a press conference held on Tuesday, December 2. "The first ever route between Houston and Rome will strengthen our business, diplomatic, and cultural ties with Italy. It will also bring more visitors to experience Houston's vibrant culture, world-class healthcare, and diverse industries."

Starting May 1, 2026, ITA Airways will offer three flights a week between Houston and Rome, expanding to five flights a week beginning June 1. Houston is ITA's ninth North American destination.

“Nonstop service to Rome is a defining moment for Houston and a direct result of the strength and credibility of our airport system. This route will bring new visitors, new investment, and new business opportunities into our region,” said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports. “It expands Houston’s presence in Europe and proves that disciplined, strategic growth at Houston Airports delivers measurable economic impact. Strong airports don’t just move people. They shape markets, expand opportunity and help define a city’s place in the world.”

Flights will be made via a Airbus A330-900. The model is renowned for its comfort on long flights, including ergonomic seats, ample personal space, and a quiet cabin. Appropriately, many of the interior cabin components are made in Italy and reflect an elegant European design.

Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta, currently serving as America's ambassador to Italy, also welcomed the new route that connects his hometown with his current job.

“As a Texan and as the U.S. Ambassador to Italy, I’m thrilled by ITA’s new direct route between Houston and Rome," Fertitta said. "It strengthens the economic links that drive mutual understanding and shared prosperity. It was great working with ITA Airways CEO Joerg Eberhart, Mayor John Whitmire, and all the partners that helped make this possible.”

The new route to Rome continues the international expansion that has been happening at IAH over the last several years. Last year, the airport announced new non-stop flights to recent vacation hotspot, Puerto Escondido, Mexico. It was part of Houston Airports' goal of making Houston the gateway to America ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup. Now, it looks like IAH will be welcoming Italian soccer fans, as the routes open up just in time for the sports event next summer.

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