Liz's Travel News and Views: Santa Fe, Portland Ice Cream and Historic Arizona Inn

Interesting travel and foodie news from across the West.

Travel + Leisure Selects Santa Fe as #3: Travel + Leisure, one of the world’s most eminent travel publications, announced that Santa Fe placed #3 Favorite Town In America with a population under 100,000 in their 2016 America’s Favorite Places survey. This six-month survey asked respondents to submit their favorite place and rate it in over 65 categories including affordability, notable restaurants, and public parks.

The magazine’s editors noted that “not surprisingly” the city ranked near the top of this year’s survey for its art scene, history, restaurants and peaceful atmosphere. They even cited excellence in margaritas although the survey was conducted prior to the highly successful May 5 opening of the new Santa Fe Margarita Trail.

“Santa Fe has over 400 years of history and unique multicultural achievement in art, food, shopping and wellness—all set against one of the most dramatic landscapes in the world,” said Randy Randall, Executive Director of TOURISM Santa Fe. “We’re a small town of only 80,000 people but we have over 400 restaurants, 250 galleries, 14 museums, 1.6 million acres of National Forest and dozens of world class festivals all summer and throughout the year. We’re honored that Travel + Leisure readers recognize that we are called The City Different for many very good reasons.”

Summer is for Ice Cream in Portland: Salt & Straw, the iconic Portland-based, family-run ice cream company known for its artisanal, chef-driven approach to an American classic, will be featuring a series of limited edition seasonal menus at scoop shops in Portland this summer.

The seasonal menus rotate every four weeks and showcase the compelling stories of what is happening in the community. Starting in June, Salt & Straw brings fermentation to the forefront, creatively using sourdough, fish sauce and fermented honey for the flavor-packed fermentation series.

Throughout the month, explore the nuanced flavors that can be achieved through fermentation, beyond just salty and funky.

In July, the summer berry bounty will steal the show, from the marionberry to the blackberry.

Lastly in August, Salt & Straw will work with the community of local farmers and producers on a suite of flavors available in neighborhood scoop shops from green fennel and maple to caramel corn on the cob. Each flavor in the series features fresh, locally grown ingredients, as well as a few from farms working to make fresh produce equitably accessible to all.

Flavors rotate each month and are available locally at Salt & Straw scoop shops, and are also available for national shipping.

Historic Arizona Inn Celebrates 80 Years: The Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley, near Phoenix, the onetime home of cowboy artist Lon Megargee, is celebrating its 80^th anniversary this year with renovations and a resort package that tells the story of the property’s historic charm. This quaint hacienda-style property is sure to impress with cozy, remodeled casitas, a new roundabout and 24-hour valet, and a brand-spanking-new resort lobby that features a comfy fireplace.

Rejoice in all that’s old and new at The Hermosa Inn with the 80^th Anniversary package, which celebrates Lon’s innovative spirit as a painter. Kick off the celebration at check-in with a glass of sparkling wine. Later, meander over to the resort’s signature restaurant LON’s with your $80 dining credit and head off-site for a dose of culture with complimentary admission for two to Phoenix Art Museum. Upon your return, settle into bed with an enhanced turndown service that features a nightcap of the “Alonzo 80” signature cocktail. Rates start at $289 per night and are available through Aug. 31