When the breakneck pace and exhausting demands of daily life begin to take their toll on your body, mind, and spirit, nothing sounds more appealing than a retreat to the mountains. Worries and cares just don't survive in lands with soaring altitudes, so if you've found yourself a victim of routine and stress, get yourself to higher ground.

Breckenridge, Colorado makes a great getaway spot because of its abundance of amusements and mind-blowing scenery. Whether you find yourself here in winter or summer, there will be no shortage of pleasant diversions to occupy your days. Once upon a time, this town was founded as a mining camp, but these days skiing and hiking have replaced gold digging as the area's main attraction.

Generous heaps of snow combined with all the bowls, trails, and lifts you could ask for make Breckenridge a winter sports wonderland. Four ski resorts exist within twenty miles of each other, and each is set up to accommodate visitors of all skill levels. Hop on a lift and whiz up the mountain to the highest peak, or hit a cross-country trail for a maximum workout and scenic tour of the Continental Divide.

Indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks are available if you feel like taking a spin, and snowshoeing, snowboarding, or sipping hot chocolate in a horse-drawn sleigh are also tempting options to entertain during your Breckenridge visit. A crisp day spent trekking through the Rocky Mountain back country is sure to make you feel rejuvenated and alive, so bundle up and prepare to leave all winter doldrums behind.

Frosty mountain tops may be the traditional image associated with a place like Breckenridge, but one could argue that there is actually more to do here during the summer months. There are enough hiking trails to keep a person busy for years, and if you tire of walking just take a break to picnic near a mountain stream or stop and smell the wildflowers. Trout fishing tops the list of many a temporary mountaineer, and horseback riding often serves as the finishing touch to ensure a truly rustic experience outdoors.

If you arrive somewhere between the beginning of April and the end of August, you'll have access to the longest whitewater kayak park in Colorado. Or, if golfing is what floats your boat, you simply can't miss the Breckenridge Golf Club, designed by Jack Nicklaus and considered the best course in the state.

Of course, it is possible to enjoy your natural surroundings as a backdrop to more cultured activities, especially in a place as lively and artistically inclined as Breckenridge. During the summer, weekly concerts and Main Street performances entertain locals and visitors alike. June offers the Genuine Jazz festival, and the Art District showcases the work of dozens of creative spirits.

The Mountain Top Children's Museum will entertain the wee ones, and architecture connoisseurs will appreciate a stroll through the Victorian-era neighborhoods that have been preserved by the city. In addition to all this, there are hundreds of boutiques, souvenir shops, restaurants, and nightclubs to keep you and your traveling companions busy at any given moment.

For the downtime that will certainly be an important part of your Breckenridge holiday, the proper lodging situation is key. Returning to a cramped hotel room after your skiing or hiking excursion will only dampen your adrenaline rush, and hearing the kids fight over sleeping arrangements will do nothing for the sense of calm you have been trying to cultivate here in Colorado. What might the solution be?

Vacation rentals make a great choice when it comes to achieving fabulous getaway conditions that foster relaxation in every situation. Close proximity to ski lifts or shopping areas eliminate traffic headaches, and room to spread out reduces the chance of an end of the day bickering-fest. Going out to eat can be a pleasurable part of vacationing, but for those occasional low-key nights a fully-equipped kitchen will keep things simple, homey, and easy on your wallet.

Essentially, renting a vacation home will allow you to enjoy the comforts of home and the perks of being away simultaneously. If you're going to come all the way to Breckenridge, be sure to set yourself up for a truly hassle-free experience.