Spa News!  

Do you remember the scene in the Wizard of Oz when it went from black and white to color?  That’s one way to describe how life can change when you enter a destination spa, a place like Golden Door in Escondido, CA.  Imagine taking steps through their ‘golden door’ to embark on your journey to restoring your well-being while enjoying one of the most luxurious destination spas in the country.   An Asian influence offers a quiet sanctuary to 40  guests per week who want to focus on healthier habits designed to balance their body, mind and spirit.  Classes included yoga, pilates, and spinning as well as weight training and aerobic gyms.  A full service spa and salon to pamper and nourish.  Healthy and delicious gourmet cuisine and comfortable accommodations to take care of your every need.  And, so much more! www.goldendoor.com

And now there are options for a shorter stay!

I receive a good number of calls and requests for a shorter stay at the original Golden Door in Escondido, CA and I would like to share some news with you.  There are now ‘Spa Interludes’ for those of you who prefer a shorter 3- or 4-night stay.   These sessions give you all the benefits of a Golden Door (www.goldendoor.com) retreat….time for you to re-commit to a healthier lifestyle.  The dates for these sessions include: 

• 3-Day Spa Interlude (Sunday thru’ Wednesday), July 6, July 13, August 10, August 17, and December 7
• 4-Day Spa Interlude (Wednesday thru’ Sunday), July 9, July 16, August 13, August 20, and December 10

In addition, there are also specials during other weeks including:

Memorial Day Week, May 25 to June 1, 2008.

Thanksgiving Coed Week, November 23 - 30, 2008.

New Year’s Week, December 28, 2008 - January 4, 2009. 

http://www.spa-vacation-expert……nDoor.html

Happy Spring!  It’s the first day of spring and I just love looking at new flowers in my garden each day.  What a great reminder of new beginnings and renewal. 

There are several specials that I want to share with you and I thought I’d start with Canyon Ranch in Lenox (www.canyonranch.com).  As we welcome Spring, Canyon Ranch in Lenox would be one of those places to kick-start a heathier lifestyle by getting outdoors.  It’s still cool enough for a sweatshirt, however warm enough to go hiking and reconnect with nature.  After all, isn’t that what spring is all about….renewal and rejuvenation!  And so it is for us as well. 

Some options….

New to Canyon Ranch?    If you’ve never been to Canyon Ranch (Lenox) before and can share a few days respite with a friend, then you can save about 15%.   That equates to about $300 off the rate and it’s for travel in April. 

Mother-Daughter Time?   If you’re considering some time with your mom or your daughter, then consider going in May (or another time - based on availability).  A three night stay (with a Sunday, Monday or Tuesday arrival) is about $2040 for Mom and about $1400 for daughter.  These rates include a spa allowance of $360 for mom and $120 for daughter and as always more can be added, however this is a great value.  (www.canyonranch.com)

If Spring time doesn’t work (especially for all of you accountants…..), then perhaps the fall would be best and there’s nothing like fall in the Berkshires (well, next to Spring anyway)!  There are some specials, especially in September and another for October. 

Consider doing something good for yourself and it will have long lasting rewards for your health, fitness and future…and save a little while you’re at it.  We’re all looking for ways to save these days, however travel is important for our well being and is one way to stay positive on a daily basis. 

As always, feel free to call or e-mail me with any specific questions on destination spas and your specific interests. 

www.spa-vacation-experts.com

I can hardly believe how much time has passed by since my last entry.  It just seems like it’s been one continuous day.  I returned from Miraval (www.miravalresort.com) feeling energized and ready for everything and then some twists and turns we call life decided to give me another jolt.  You know what I mean……house challenges, feeling overwhelmed and the list can go on.  That’s why I feel so strong about taking a break from ‘life as we know it’ and sometimes it’s just about taking a long drive to clear our head or going to your favorite cafe for a long cup of coffee or glass of wine or better yet an hour at the gym - that seems to do me the most good. 

I’m ready for another 3 or 4 nights away just to regroup, how about you?  

I will send you more details, however there are some great specials going on at many destination spas and if you’d like to know more, give me a call.   For instance, Green Valley Spa (www.greenvalleyspa.com) is offering a Bring a Friend special and it’s quite a savings and with spring around the corner, what a wonderful ‘renewal’ for many of us.

Miraval has some specials as well as Canyon Ranch (www.canyonranch.com), Red Mountain Spa (www.redmountainspa.com) and Lake Austin Resort Spa (www.lakeaustin.com).  Take advantage of what I can offer you and send me an e-mail if you’d like.  Many of you have e-mailed and called me about mother/daughter getaways as well as family reunions (mostly the girls…) and long time friends wanting to catch up on each other’s lives.

Whatever your reason, there are ways to escape and get back that energy. 

Have a great day and I’ll do my best to not let so much time pass.  My goal has always been to write you daily and just like all of you, life challenges come up and sometimes we just can’t do it all.  We do our best and hope that the next day will be better. 

A spa vacation is more than just a pampering experience.  A spa vacation offers tools to help with stress management, healthy eating, fitness and so much more.  I know that I’m a stronger person because of the journeys I’ve taken and that is my hope for you.

Thanks.