Greetings Spa-goers,

If there was ever a time to experience ebb and flow, this was certainly the year. However, let’s welcome 2009 with enthusiasm and optimism, albeit cautious at times, we must continue to move forward and never give up on our dreams.

With a hopeful outlook for the year ahead, I wish all of you a year filled with joy, good health, happiness and prosperity. As others have said, it’s up to us to create the change we want to
see and that holds true for ourselves, our family and our country.

Happy New Year!
Felice anno nuovo!
Bonne Annee!
Hauoli Makahiki Hou!
Bliain nua fe mhaise dhuit!
Feliz Ano Nuevo!
Prosit Neujahr!

There’s still time to celebrate the new year and a new you at many of the destination spas, however this is the latest for Rancho la Puerta in Tecate, Mexico – about two hours from San Diego.

Last minute plans?

Consider this weekend for a short stay…or the whole week with the “pre-inauguration special” for the week of January 3-10, 2009, which offers three- four-, or seven-night stays with big bonuses:

Three- and four-night stays receive one complimentary Relaxation Massage and complimentary transportation from San Diego Airport and return on Saturdays and Wednesdays.

Seven-night stays receive a complimentary Relaxation Massage, one Golden Door Facial, one 3.5-hour cooking class in La Cocina Que Canta, and complimentary transportation (of course!) from San Diego Airport and return on Saturdays.

Time is short and the results can be long lasting: call as soon as possible at 800-532-5590.

All 2009 rates are still holding at 2008 levels…

Indefinitely! Any reservation made before they finalize 2009 rates will be honored at 2008 prices—a savings that may be 5 percent or more. Rancho la Puerta accepts Saturday arrivals for 7-night
stays (except where noted above and last minute partial stays).

NEW Villa Spa Getaway Special…
Guests staying during the weeks starting January 17, 2009 and ending February 21, 2009, who stay 7 nights in any of the three types of villas can now receive a $300, $400, or $500 spa credit per person!

These are largest rooms accommodating two to four guests: perfect for girlfriend getaways, families, couples.

Feliz Ano Nuevo!
Happy New Year!

There’s still time to plan your ‘kickstart, get healthier, spa vacation’ to welcome 2009!

Miraval has extended their Remedy promotion for travel through Feb. 28th – there’s still time to
visit one of the highest rated destination spas in the U.S. and do all that you can for a healthier and more balanced you.

Canyon Ranch in Tucson – I still have limited space for an amazing rate for Jan. 2 – 6; a 4-night or longer stay beween Jan. 29 – Feb. 5 and Feb. 19 – 26. Now is the time to save on a healthy
spa vacation and invest in yourself – afterall, isn’t investing in yourself a sure thing!

Red Mountain Spa has lowered their rates through the winter and Green Valley Spa has an amazing weight loss program exclusive to their resort.

Rancho la Puerta is still offering 2008 rates for 2009 stays and has introduced a pre-Inauguration
special for the week of Jan. 3rd as well as extend their Villa Special.

Remember, “The Journey of a Thousand Miles begins with a Single Step,” (Lao Tze)….isn’t
it time to take that first step?

Happy Holidays to all of you!

Last year I recall signing my Christmas cards with “all the best for a great ‘08″ as many of you may have done. Perhaps many of us have a tendency to rhyme a word with the coming of a new year, although I don’t recall what I used for ‘07, ‘06 and prior. This year I recall a friend’s note signed off with “have a fine ‘09″ and I began to think “gee, I’d really like to have a better than ‘fine’ year” and soon the word ‘Divine’ came to me in the quiet of the afternoon. I began signing my cards with “all the best for a Divine 2009′ and I couldn’t imagine a greater word for my well wishing. And here I am a week or so later and thinking about that word ‘divine’ – I initially used it to describe ‘excellent, marvelous, great’ and yet there is so much more to what divine means as you may know. The Divine as it relates to God or God-given qualities as well as being inspired by God and that which is sacred or having to do with theology.

At this point in my dialogue you’re probably thinking about what this has to do with a spa vacation, well, on a deeper level it’s about mindfully balancing your life more fully and for many of us that means including spirituality and many of the destination spas I work with and write about integrate the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual in their programs.

Spiritualty can present itself in many ways such as prayer, being faithful, showing gratitude for the blessings in life, meditation, religion and connecting with nature. Many of us use Yoga, Journaling, and Meditation to calm our mind and connect with our inner selves or with a higher power.

If you’re creating your list of intentions for the new year, consider greater balance and focus on spirituality and…..

All the best for a Divine ‘09!

Is there someone in your life that has been busy all year at work and home and perhaps needs some balance in their life? Perhaps it’s you? Kick off 2009 feeling healthier and more fit….learn to breathe and find yourself again so that you can improve your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual
well-being. A spa vacation is the remedy to stress. To gain a greater perspective, sometimes we need to step away to recharge and relax so we can return with the necessary tools to improve our lives.

There’s still time to reserve space over the holiday as well as set something up for a spa getaway for yourself or that special someone in your life. Give the gift of health and well-being. Here are some ideas for your Holiday list. Call me for the latest availability. Happy Holidays!

Canyon Ranch – Tucson, AZ:
If you can travel Jan. 2 – 6; between Jan. 29 – Feb. 5: or between Feb. 19 – 26 – call me
for the latest availability. Rates start at $1900 pp – double occupancy and $2450 for single occupancy. Space is limited and based on availability.

Miraval – REMEDY promotion – based on $399 per night (plus tax/service) – the rate below
reflects the TOTAL per person rate. Travel by Feb. 28.
3-nights – $1529.01 per person
4-nights – $2038.68 per person
7-nights – $3567.69 per person
Rates include a spa allowance of $125 per person per night.
Rates incude tax and service.
Note: These are per person rates and apply for both single and double occupancy.

Red Mountain Spa:
Travel by Feb. 15 and enjoy a great savings!
Rates start at $209 per person per night (plus tax) – double occupancy.
Special: Swedish Massage for only $69 (50-minute service) – limit one per person per night of stay.

NOTE: All of these options include deluxe accommodations, three healthy meals per day, activities and classes for healthy living and more as noted above.

Rancho la Puerta continues to offer 2008 rates for 2009 stays and I hope that you’ll consider going next year (and I still have promotions for this year through the week of Dec. 27). The Ranch is a magical destination spa filled with mature foliage and fauna and although it offers most of what the other destination spas offer such as yoga, healthy meals and the opportunity to kickstart a fitness routine (or enhance what you’re already doing), it also offers a great value and has many uinque features.

One of my greatest memories was walking and contemplating life in the full size replica of the ancient labyrinth found in Chartres Cathedral in France. It was an amazing experience as were the days I focused on Pilates in their progressive program as well as enjoying the best guacamole I’ve ever had (and it’s healthy, low fat, delicious and you’ll have to call or e-mail me for the ingredients) The ‘rooms’ are really casitas and they’re spacious and decorated with folkloric Mexican art and they’re very comfortable. Take the time to ‘meander the paths’ at the Ranch and you might just find your life will open up to unlimited possibilities.

If you do decide to add Rancho la Puerta to your ‘New Year Resolutions’ then you may want to
consider choosing a week (Saturday – Saturday//7-night stays) and go ahead with the deposit ($500 pp) to secure the 2008 rate. The balance isn’t due until 30-days prior to arrival and you can start a travel fund to budget for your trip.

A note from Rancho la Puerta:
Rancho La Puerta is currently holding our accommodations rates at 2008 levels for 2009!

Any 2009 reservation now on record, or made before notice of a rate change sometime in the future, will be honored at 2008 prices—a significant savings in a world where costs continue to soar and “affordability” becomes a rarer commodity. We don’t know how long we can make this offer, so ACT NOW to assure that you lock in your SAVINGS. Enjoy the Ranch—a week that will last a lifetime!

I couldn’t agree more! Have a great weekend.