Auberge Resorts Launches New Guest Adventures Program

Auberge Resorts, owners and operators of award-winning small luxury resorts and clubs in some of the most desirable destinations in North America, added another dimension to the guest experience with the launch today of "Auberge Adventures," an extensive collection of programs offering exploration, enrichment and discovery.

Auberge Adventures were inspired by the culture, natural environment and history of each Auberge property's iconic setting, from verdant Napa Valley to the sweeping landscapes of Santa Fe, the Rocky Mountains of Aspen, Coastal Baja and the history-rich Carolina Lowcountry. Programs range from culinary experiences to fitness and cultural explorations. Created exclusively for Auberge guests, many of the programs are led by local experts and leaders in their field.

Highlights of the Auberge Adventures program include cultural explorations, such as:

• Discover The Roots of Lowcountry: A private tour of Dafuskie Island and Gullah meal with a famed local culinarian and author, offered by The Inn at Palmetto Bluff;
• Calistoga Ranch's Wine Country Photography Excursion: Custom four- or seven-hour workshops with a master photographer on location in the scenic vineyards of Napa County;
• In The Footsteps of Georgia O'Keefe: A private guided tour of Ghost Ranch and the artist's favorite painting sites, followed by a picnic lunch at her private home;
• The Estate Gardens of Napa Valley: Auberge du Soleil's insider's exploration of the extensive gardens at several leading Valley estate wineries, followed by private wine-tasting sessions and lunch; and
• An Art-Lover's Tour of Todos Santos: Esperanza's tour of the historic Baja town's leading studios and galleries under guidance of a local artist and curator.
Adventure programs include:
• Alligator-tracking in South Carolina: Guided by a naturalist, guests of The Inn at Palmetto Bluff will use radio telemetry to track and observe American alligators in their natural habitat;
• Twilight Dog-Sledding in Aspen: On Hotel Jerome's breathtaking adventure, guests are whisked through a still, snowy wonderland by powerful huskies guided by an expertly trained musher. The experience begins at dusk and ends with a four-course dinner;
• Abalone-Diving in Northern California: Calistoga Ranch's free-diving excursion takes guests to a protected cove to hunt for this local delicacy;
• Surfing with the Locals in Baja: An adventure to the surfing hot spot of Los Cerritos, where a local will teach guests how to ride the northern swells; and
• Guided hiking in New Mexico: Scenic hikes through majestic rock formations at Santa Fe's Tent Rocks, as organized by Encantado, which also offers private backcountry hiking, fly-fishing and snowshoeing in the pristine Valles Caldera natural reserve.

Inspired by Auberge Resorts' Napa Valley roots, Auberge Adventures culinary programs include:

• Artisan Workshops curated by Auberge du Soleil, offering hands-on classes in Cheese-Making, Sausage and Salami-Making and Bread Making;
• Calistoga Ranch's Wine and Food Sensory Exploration: A day-long epicurean immersion featuring a private class at Napa Valley's Culinary Institute of America, a private session in wine-blending at Constant Diamond Mountain Winery, culminating with a private master class with Executive Chef Christian Ojeda and dinner;
• Steak and Egg Brunch at Chateau Montelena: A private brunch at the winery for Solage Calistoga guests, who will learn first-hand how the iconic estate seized the Paris tasting of 1974; custom tasting at the winery's private residence and a take-home magnum from the wine library complete the experience; and
• Clamming and Bonfire Grilling on the Beach: Under the guidance of Esperanza's executive chef, a lesson in harvesting Baja's indigenous chocolata clams, preparing ceviche and grilling a bonfire fish feast on the beach.
For the active guest, sport and fitness Adventures include:
• Encantado's Peddle & Paddle excursions exploring the Rio Grande Gorge by mountain bike and then by river raft;
• Wine Country Golf on the private 18-hole Langtry course. Reserved tee times on the privately owned Tom Weiskopf-designed course are now available exclusively for guests of Auberge du Soleil, Calistoga Ranch and Solage Calistoga;
• Horseback Riding with Famed Jockey Eddie Maples, a private riding lesson at The Inn at Palmetto Bluff from the National Racing Hall of Fame inductee, tailored to each guest's level of experience; and
• Stand-Up Paddle Boarding in a protected bay at Esperanza on Baja's Sea of Cortez.

Auberge Adventures programs last from two hours to one full day, depending on the experience. Prices vary, and some activities are complimentary to guests, while others range up to $2,000 per person. All programs can be arranged directly through the concierges at each Auberge resort.

Pictured: Esperanza, An Auberge Resort