Escape from life's stresses as close by as Boulder

BOULDER - Hey, girlfriend.

It's been a while since we had some quality time. How about we ditch the guys this weekend and get away for a long talk and a little relaxation?

How about Boulder?

We can do a little shopping, take a cooking class, get a massage, have a nice dinner and sit up half the night talking if we want.

I'll make the reservation.

Women - or men or mixed couples - looking for a relaxing, nearby two-day escape might want to check out the culinary getaway package offered by the Quality Inn & Suites Boulder Creek.

If you're thinking ... Quality Inn? Well, this place is like no Quality Inn you've visited. It's been completely remodeled, with spanking clean bathrooms, nifty little suites and all new interiors. Note the plush plum bedspreads, comfy stuffed loveseat in front of the TV and the clever lamps and other original metalwork (including unique toilet paper holders) crafted by a Boulder artist.

The culinary package includes a night at this conveniently located inn, a hot buffet breakfast (eggs, sausage, toast, juice, etc.), plus a complimentary bottle of wine, lunch at your choice of one of several of Boulder's better restaurants (a $40 gift certificate), a Cooking School of the Rockies cooking class ($130 gift certificate), plus an apron from the school and a $25 gift certificate for the culinary shop at the school.

The price of the package is $280 for two.

For your meal, you can choose from several nearby restaurants, including: the European Cafe, known for its fine nouvelle cuisine in both Boulder and Denver; Le Rocher, a popular French bistro near the Pearl Street mall; and Dolan's, also near the inn and a Boulder institution for steaks and seafood.

The inn also is near the Pearl Street Mall, a pedestrian mall several blocks long that encompasses some of Boulder's trendiest shops.

On Pearl Street are restaurants, delis, bakeries, pizzerias and brew pubs. Clothing stores abut bookstores, candle shops and jewelers. There's Peppercorn, a to-die-for culinary shop with every cookbook you've ever thought of and every gadget you need to make every recipe in them.

Shops sell imported alpaca woolens and Birkenstock sandals, kites and folk music, chocolate truffles and crystals.

Overheard: "You just have to go with us! You'll find out you're much more spiritual than you ever thought. And when you get back, you won't be nearly as metaphysically impaired!"

These words come from a woman with long silver hair, and the man she was addressing seemed a little nervous at the prospect of whatever adventure she's suggesting.

Ah, Boulder.

But as long as we're getting metaphysical here, how about indulging in some personal pleasures?

The cooking school classes will delight food-lovers.

On a typical morning, the class is crepes. Sue Dubach is showing a small group of women how to make perfect crepe batter, then offers a hands-on session making the delicate pancakes. They discover the French delight is not nearly as intimidating as they thought.

An array of goodies is set out for filling them - crab meat, asparagus, mushrooms, grated Gruyere cheese and a bechamel sauce to bind it all together. For dessert, there are more crepes to be filled with fresh strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, all topped with a luscious chocolate sauce.

While they're baking, the class whisks up a simple vinaigrette dressing to go with a green salad.

Put them all together at the end of the class and voila! You have lunch.

The school, which also has a professional program, offers amateur classes on just about every type of cooking and baking. They'll tailor classes for groups.

After lunch, how about a massage?

The Boulder College of Massage Therapy is one of three in the nation that offers an associate's degree in massage therapy. Their students learn all about anatomy and how to make you feel better - and they have to perform dozens of massages each semester before they get certified.

About 6,000 folks a year come to be guinea pigs, but there's little risk involved. A one-hour, full-body massage costs $30 (about half the price you'd pay elsewhere) and your therapist is determined to please. After all, he or she is getting graded!

It may not have quite the elegant ambience of a ritzy salon, but the rooms are comfortable, clean and supplied with soft music and a therapist who knows all the latest techniques.

Be sure to schedule your massage well in advance. These students are in high demand.

Occasionally there are cancellations, however, so don't hesitate to call, even if you didn't plan ahead.

So, what do you think? We can shop on Pearl Street, do lunch, get a massage, indulge in a cooking class and spend just one night away from work, stress and life.

I'm game.

- Linda DuVal may be reached at 636-0371 or duval@gazette.com

Destination: Boulder

GETTING THERE: Take Interstate 25 north, through most of Denver, to U.S. Highway 36 West (the Boulder turnpike); note that it's a left- hand exit. Take 36 into Boulder; it becomes 28th Street after you pass Baseline Road. Take a left on Arapahoe Avenue and go about eight blocks to get to the Quality Inn & Suites (on your left) at 2020 Arapahoe Ave. It's about 100 miles from Colorado Springs, about 25 miles from downtown Denver.

RESERVATIONS: For the culinary getaway package, call the Quality Inn & Suites Boulder Creek at (303) 449-7550 or go to www.QualityInnBoulder.com or send e-mail to info@QualityInnBoulder.com. The culinary package is $280 for two and is available through May 20 (excluding May 11-13).

When you book the package, they help you decide which cooking class and make your lunch/meal reservations for you.

EXTRAS: To book a massage, call the Boulder College of Massage Therapy at (303) 530-2189. A one-hour massage costs $30; a one-hour shiatsu treatment is $20. No tipping.

INFORMATION: For a shopping guide, dining guide or general information on Boulder, call the Boulder Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 444-0447 or (303) 442-2911. Send e-mail to visitor@bouldercvb.com or check out the Web site at www.bouldercoloradousa.com.

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