Luxury destination for the mind, body and spirit

Though Aspen Colorado is largely known for its adrenaline-pumping winter activities and natural beauty, its diverse cultural offerings are what really define this mountain town.

Today, Aspen is effectively to Arts and Culture what its twin city, Davos Switzerland, is to the world of Finance. Aspen is a cradle for intellectual discourse and cultural expressionism and artistic excellence; a former silver mining town redefined by a couple`s aspiration to change the world and make it a better place.

60 years ago, Aspen`s modern day founders, Chicago industrialist Walter Paepcke and his wife, Elizabeth, had the radical idea of inviting intellectuals, artists and philosophers up the mountain to what was then a remote and impoverished silver mining town for the fledgling Aspen Institute for Humanistic Studies.

With lofty goals of promoting world peace in the tense post-war nation, this festival fuelled a civic and cultural renaissance. Entrepreneurs, athletes, idealists and environmentalists propelled Aspen to the world stage and the town continues to draw leading talents from the fields of arts, culture, design, politics and sport today. This is never more so than during the summer months.

Here are just some of Aspen`s Summer Calendar Highlights for 2013:

Arts and culture – in early 2013, Aspen was awarded the Colorado Creative Industries Governor’s Art Award – an award which recognises excellence in the arts and creative industries. To name just a few, festivals like the Aspen Writers` Foundation Summer Words, and the Aspen Ideas Festival engage the mind, while others like the Food & Wine Classic, Jazz Aspen Snowmass music festivals, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet dance performances, dazzle the senses.

Nature and the great outdoors – With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, Aspen is truly a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. It offers a dizzying array of outdoor pursuits, from hiking and biking trails to extreme outdoor adventure experiences, paragliding to stand-up paddle boarding, from the more serene mountain-top yoga to world-class health clubs and spas.

Shopping, dining and nightlife – with shops stocked with outdoor gear, individual galleries and luxury designer brands, downtown Aspen caters for all tastes. Dine in style at world-class restaurants or alfresco on one of the many street-side patios. Top your night off with billiards, dancing or wine tasting at one of the lively clubs and bars.

To book – Black Tomato www.blacktomato.com can arrange a bespoke, seven night luxury summer holiday to Aspen, Colorado from £2,675 per person based on two adults travelling. Activities include a hot air balloon ride, and tickets to the Theatre Aspen festival. Package also includes flights from London to Denver flying with British Airways, accommodation at Hotel Jerome and The Sky Hotel Aspen, and car hire.

For more information and to book visit www.blacktomato.com or call 0207 426 9888. For further information on Aspen, visit www.aspenchamber.org,