We are revisiting one of our most popular Backroads destinations: Colorado In Style Colorado is a state of majestic landscapes, startling panoramas, and amazing topographical diversity. A land of uncompromising beauty: dominated by lofty, snowcapped peaks; divided by deep canyons and broad valleys that were formed by cold clear streams and rushing rivers; rimmed by distant horizons, mesas and buttes. Colorado is a land of extreme contrasts – arid deserts, verdant meadows, rural solitude, aspen woodlands, granite cliffs and deep blue lakes. The timeless landscape beyond the highway’s edge is filled with hidden places and undiscovered wonders. All this is connected by quiet, slow paced villages and folks who take the time to savor it.
Join us for 10 special days as we try to capture as much of this magical place as we can in that time!
Day 1 – Home to Colorado Springs
Gathering at the airport, we fly non-stop to Denver. Our luxury motorcoach meets us and we depart immediately for Colorado Springs. This stretch of interstate is some of the last freeway you’ll experience for the next week or so. This route itself is stunningly beautiful as we parallel the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Our first unique “Colorado experience” is the US Air Force Academy. Not exactly “Backroads,” it is just an iconic place one must visit when in Colorado! We’ll have a tour of the grounds and visit the beautiful Air Force Chapel. Not far from the Academy is our hotel, the Drury Inn, with a panoramic view of the looming mountains to the west. Our welcome dinner is appropriately western at the Saltgrass Steakhouse. We return to the comfort of our hotel reflecting on our first day “in style” in Colorado.
Included Meals: Dinner
Hotel: Drury Inn
Day 2 – Colorado Springs
After our included breakfast at the hotel, we board the coach for another exciting day in Colorado Springs. A guided tour of the city will include Old Town, historic sites, and the famous Broadmoor. We will take a drive through the awesome Garden of the Gods with our local, expert step-on guide, learning the history of these magnificent red rocks as we find out how this natural wonder came to be. You will enjoy your included lunch (and some shopping) at the charming Garden of the Gods Trading Post. Early afternoon finds us boarding the Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak for an exciting and adventurous trip to the top. The view is absolutely amazing! Arriving back, we shop the shops in historic Manitou Springs before returning to our hotel. You wouldn’t even need to leave the comfort of our hotel for dinner as the Drury’s Managers Reception is sufficient for most, or there are many restaurant choices near the hotel.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 – Colorado Springs to Gunnison
The early morning journey along the Front Range to Canon City is refreshing. Excitement builds as we board the Royal Gorge Route Railway and enter our Vista Dome car for a spectacular rail journey along the Arkansas River through this wonder of nature. Afterwards we stop at the unique Whitewater Bar & Grill for included noon lunch. Continuing west, make note of the rafters navigating their way on the whitewaters of the Arkansas River and the Rocky Mountain vistas surrounding us. We’re heading to Salida and an afternoon treat stop before making our way up Monarch Pass, providing us a spectacular view of Monarch Mountain on our right. We just manage to squeeze a stop at the wonderful gift shop, Monarch Crest. Then more picture perfect scenery greets us as we descend into the lush, high mountain valley and the ranch country of Gunnison, Colorado. Soon we pull into our home for the night, the Holiday Inn Express. This beautiful hotel on the edge of town offers an unspoiled view of the mountains that surround us. A great western meal awaits at Palisades before we enjoy the crisp evening in the Rocky Mountains.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express
Day 4 – Gunnison to Durango
After breakfast at the hotel we head off for a scenic day. What a drive as we travel along the Blue Mesa Reservoir, then head south on Highway 149, designated as the Silver Thread Scenic Byway. We make our way through mountain hamlets such as Lake City, historic Creede, Wagon Wheel Gap, and South Fork. The route traverses a spectacular, off-the-beaten-track part of Colorado, climbing over lofty Spring Creek and Slumgullion Passes. Our drive parallels the Rio Grande River below cliffed palisades thru the heart of the San Juan Mountians, Colorado’s largest mountain range, a tumble of peaks and canyons that cover an area the size of Vermont. Lunch today is right in the heart of it all at the historic Creede Hotel. Leaving South Fork we climb to famous Wolf Creek Pass and then descend to Durango, traveling Highway 160 through Pagosa Springs, Chimney Rock, and Bayfield. Tonight we enjoy dinner and theatre at the Strater Hotel, a National Historic Landmark. Our comfortable accommodation the next two evenings is the Double Tree Hotel located right on the river in downtown Durango.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: DoubleTree Inn
Day 5 – Durango/Silverton
Prepare for adventure today as you enjoy breakfast at the Double Tree. We’ll soon be boarding the Durango & Silverton Railroad, whose station is conveniently located a block from our hotel, for a memorable journey. This spectacular train ride runs north 45 miles to Silverton, threading through the Animas River Gorge, taking us back in time to mining’s heyday. The unspoiled scenery that unfolds around us can only be witnessed from this train. Silverton, at an elevation of 9,320 feet, is surrounded by a wall of mountains. It is one of Colorado’s most isolated settlements. If you were going to farm here, you would need to find a crop that sprouts and is ready for harvest quickly. Its growing season is 12 days! Annual snowfall is over 300 inches! Silverton wears its colorful history well. It appears at first glance like a movie set, but in reality most of the town is preserved as a National Historic District, reflecting the mining heyday of more than a century ago. We will have ample time to explore and eat lunch on our own in a true “gold rush” setting. Then midafternoon our own motorcoach comes to return us to Durango for a free evening to relax and enjoy downtown Durango.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 – Durango to Palisade
After our delicious warm breakfast in style at our hotel, we depart for another amazing day of Colorado countryside. The journey to Cortez is awesome. After our coffee stop a whole new landscape unfolds. Driving through desolate Disappointment Valley, past abandoned old uranium mines, which ceased operating in 1980, and into the unbelievable red rock canyonlands of the San Miguel & Delores Rivers. A photo stop at the Hanging Flume, a National Engineering Landmark, will fascinate. As we approach the very western edge of Colorado, out of nowhere we come upon the spectacular “Gateway Canyons” – truly an awesome sight to behold. This world class resort is the brainchild of the producer of the Discovery Channel, who not only built it but owns it. You just must see it to believe it! Following this refreshing break, more spectacular scenery unfolds as we traverse through the cliff-lined Unaweep Canyon, a geologic mystery of West Creek, before arriving at our destination, Palisade. Our relaxing and charming home the next two nights is the Wine Country Inn. Dinner will be served at the hotel this evening to give ample time to relax and enjoy this delightful spot.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Wine Country Inn
Day 7 – Palisade
Breakfast is served at our charming hotel before we depart on our intriguing journey through the vineyards, orchards, and fruit stands of this garden valley. We’ll stop at famous Alida’s Orchard, where we are treated to a guided tour and have the opportunity to buy her delicious Western Colorado products. Did you know that Palisade is the peach and wine capitol of Colorado? Next we make our way to the quaint historic downtown of Grand Junction. Spend time browsing its charming shops and view the nation’s largest sidewalk sculptures. After lunch on our own we have a truly unique Colorado experience: the Colorado National Monument. This 22 mile drive explores the sandstone rims and canyons bordering the Colorado River. Witness soaring cliffs, sharp spires, wildlife, and many photo opportunities from scenic overlooks. This rugged monument relates a spectacular lesson in geology. This evening enjoy a relaxing wine tasting evening and dinner at the Inn, surrounded by the peacefulness of the vineyards of the Palisade Valley.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 – Palisade to Tabernash
We begin another day of Backroads bonanza with breakfast at our hotel. This morning, after a brief stretch of interstate, we travel through many unspoiled miles of Colorado countryside. Going through the White River National Forest we experience rushing rivers cutting through gorgeous canyons, snow covered mountain tops and lush, high mountain meadows. We will have a unique stop at Topanas General Store, a truly genuine backroads experience, where they promise to have the coffee pot on. Whatever you are looking for, they just might have, so don’t be surprised if they pull it out of the back room. They’ll also have ice cream and sweet rolls to tide us over. Marvel at the unending beauty unfolding before you as we cross Gore Pass. An endless variety of wild flowers are blooming on the mountain slopes around us. We’ll have photo shoots beside cold, clear waters of mountain lakes. Keep your eyes open as you may see pronghorn sheep in the Kremmling area. It’s hard to describe our next stop of the journey: Devils Thumb Resort Ranch. You will love everything about this remote luxury ranch and the awesome scenes out every window. We enjoy our next two evenings together in true western hospitality. Savor the moment by sitting out on the patio, soaking in the view of the Colorado mountainside and the beautiful horses peacefully grazing in the pasture. Let the cool breeze blow through your hair and breathe in another breath of fresh mountain air. It doesn’t get any better than this! Leave you windows open this evening to take advantage of nature’s own air conditioning!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Devils Thumb Resort Ranch
Day 9 – Tabernash
Spend the full day, uninterrupted, just relaxing in this mountain paradise! Let your senses soak it all in. Nothing in particular is planned this day. The resort has various activities available if you wish to participate. Breakfast and dinner at the Ranch are included. Lunch is own your own, available at several spots at the resort. Life doesn’t offer this kind of setting or opportunity very often. Enjoy!!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 – Tabernash to Denver to Home
After breakfast beneath the 14,000 foot snow laced peaks of the Rocky Mountains, we’ll pause over our last cup of coffee. Gaze once more at the massive 4 story, 8-sided fireplace and the rugged but exquisite surrounding of this incredible lodge before we leave the Backroads of Colorado. As we head to Denver, crossing Berthoud Pass, we have one more stunning view of this special place of beauty God has created. We dream about our past nine days in Colorado and then reality hits us as we board the plane for our flight back to Minnesota and Home Sweet Home. We have truly experienced the Backroads of Colorado – in style!
Included Meals: Breakfast
Flyaway Per Person Pricing Information
Flyaway Travel Protection Per Person
Travel Bucks
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
Roundtrip Airfare including taxes, fuel
surcharges, & baggage fees! 19 Meals, Hotels & Activities as stated in brochure, Luxury Motorcoach
Tour Map
Tour Highlights
Beautiful, unique, historic, relaxing,
luxurious and comfortable lodging
2 night stays at 4 beautiful
accommodations
Pikes Peak Cog Railway
Air Force Academy & Garden of the Gods
City Tour of Colorado Springs
The Royal Gorge by Vista Dome
Silver Thread Scenic Byway
Lunch at the Creede Hotel
The endless, awesome scenic beauty of the Rocky Mountains and lush valleys
Durango/Silverton Railroad
Historic mining town of Silverton
Historic Durango
Colorado National Monument
Vineyard and orchard country of Palisade
Amazing Red Rock Canyons at the Delores River
Devils Thumb Resort Ranch – 2 nights!
One of the world’s most unique general stores
Off the beaten path experiences, Incomparable Spectacular Scenery, & Western Hospitality