Spa & Wellness Travel Blog
Welcome! My name is Anne Dimon. I'm a spa and wellness travel journalist, editor of Travel to Wellness, the online magazine for the wellness-minded traveller and Traveltowellness Canada. As I travel the planet on assignment, experiencing spas, hiking and cycling trails, kayaking waterways and eating healthy at a variety of restaurants, I'll continue to post to this SPA & WELLNESS TRAVEL BLOG. Contact me at editor@traveltowellness.com
Drift Spa at PalmsPlace boasts the first hammam in Vegas - and it's coed. June 30, 2008
Heading back to Toronto from Utah via Vegas, I stopped in to see the new Drift Spa at Palms Place Hotel Casino & Spa. They didn't know I was coming. I just showed up, presented my card and asked if someone could give me a quick tour. They were very accommodating.
With 22 treatment rooms, Drift Spa is like everything else Vegas - big. The theme is ultra modern with lots of mosaic tiles and the showpiece is the hammam. "Only hammam on The Strip" says the news release. While I've been to many a spa on The Strip over the years, I can't vouche for the claim but I can tell you that this is one of the nicest hammams I've been in and that includes those I have visited in Europe. It's a good size, there are lots of mosaic tiles in varying shades of brown, heated white marble for seating, and the heady scent of eucalyptus is great for the sinuses.
Other spa facilities include a private wet area with hot and cold plunge pools for the ladies, a couples' suite with a private patio with a waterfall. It was booked at the time of my visit so I didn't get to sneak a peek.
There's also a salon, fitness centre, a movement studio (for yoga classes and such)and an outdoor, roof top pool which - I'm told - is a great spot for those who want to "see and be seen." These days, Vegas seems to be all about the "social swim" and there are plenty of beautiful and sophisticated pools in which to be social while lounging around. This, apparently, is one of the hot spots. There's also a roof top bar and a fine-dining restaurant and lounge operated by celebrity chef Kerry Simon.
Without a spa treatment the day rate to use the facilities (including the hammam and swimming pool) is $30, $35 for non-guests. For more info: http://www.palmsplace.com/spa/hammam.php
Good Read: Grail Springs Holistic Detox for Body Mind & Soul.
It was several years ago when my daughter, Julia, and I visited Grail Springs Wellness Centre in Bancroft, Ontario to participate in one of their detox programs. (You can read that story at Divas Detox at Grail Springs) Since then its reputation as a wellness spa specializing in detox programs has blossomed. Along with the Millcroft Inn & Spa in Caledon, Ontario, which earlier this year launched the province’s first four-day spa detox program designed by a naturopath, and the Hillcrest Valenova in Port Hope, offering the only Canadian Detox program to use Dr. Hauschka's biodynamic products, Grail Springs is one of just a handful of spas in Canada that offer serious multi-day detox programs.
I’ve just finished reading the 210-page (including lots of pictures) Grail Springs Holistic Detox for Body, Mind & Spirit (published by McArther & Company Toronto) and authored by Grail Springs owner/operator Madeleine Marentette and found it to be packed with lots of great info on how to live a healthier more vibrant life.
It’s not a new book – it was published last year – but it just came to my attention recently and I suggest that if you are at all interested in the concept of a cleaner, healthier way of life you give it a read. Much of it – including about six dozen recipes from the Grail Springs' kitchen - can very easily be incorporated into anyone’s day-to-day life.
Why detox? Elson M. Haas MD an integrated medicine practitioner for 35 years and consultant on the book writes in Chapter 4 – “Giving the body the vacation it needs from the onslaught of chemicals and substances we ingest both voluntarily and not, on a day-to-day basis, allows healing and rebalance to begin in our body. In my practice I usually look at the SNACC habits of sugar, nicotine, caffeine, alcohol and chemical intake and begin there with my prescription for clearing congestion and acidic symptoms as well as improving health.” Should you detox? Ask yourself these 18 questions .
In her book Madeleine shares her personal health problem and how holistic detox programs helped her overcome them. Her story gives us insight into why she is so passionate about wellness and why she feels Grails Springs Wellness Centre is her life’s purpose. In her book she tackles pretty much everything that falls under the umbrella of holistic detox for body, mind and spirit. From the importance of keeping the body in the alkaline state (Quick hint: Drink lots of water with lemon), to how toxic thoughts can weaken the immune system, to the importance of our cells and how exercise – including jumping rope - can help the detox process.
The book includes guidelines and a plan for a juice fasting cleanse, (did you know that wheatgrass is considered the “king of juice?” ), detox mineral baths you can enjoy at home, and an entire chapter on getting to know yourself.
It’s an excellent starter book for anyone looking to launch a healthier lifestyle. You’ll find yourself reading though it from start to finish then keeping it handy for recipes and reference. The book retails for $29.95.
Facing up to Cosmetic Fillers
Somewhere along the way to helping Dr. Goldhar with his June story on Cosmetic Fillers he suggested I try it out myself and offer my readers a good first-hand look at this medi-spa procedure. I hesitated for a few moments, then the journalist in me raised its inquisitive head and rationalized that just as I travel to a destination and visit spas to soak up the experience before I write any story, it would be a good idea for me to try these new so-called “anti-aging” treatments – especially now that medical spas and “rejuvenation” treatments are becoming so widespread and we have added a Medical Spas section to Travel to Wellness. Not that I have any intention of turning my face into a human pin cushion……but let’s do it.
Of course, I told the good Dr. that the only proviso would be that I write an editorial rather than advertorial piece. “No problem with that,” he said. So three weeks ago I put my face in the hands of dermatologist Dr. John Goldhar, medical director at CosmedixMD to experience an increasingly popular medical spa procedure known as facial sculpting.
So, here’s the pitch according to brochures:: Cosmetic fillers (used in facial sculpting) can reduce lines and wrinkles and plump up the volume of skin to rejuvenate.
The procedure takes place right in the doctor’s office. He takes a picture to show the “before,” cleans my skin at the spots where he is going to inject the filler - the lines on each side the nose/mouth area and the upper part of my cheeks. There are various cosmetic fillers on the market today but for this procedure he is using Juvederm – described as “an injectable gel made from a cross-linked hyaluronic acid not of animal origin.” Hyaluronic acid, I’m told, is a natural substance that is already found in the skin and because it’s not taken from an aminal it rarely causes adverse reaction.
Dr. Goldhar takes his time and makes sure he is injecting the right amount of the gel into each side of my face. I feel the sligh pin prink of the needle, a bit of a sting then pressure as the Juvederm is injected deep into the layers of the skin to settle just above the bone.. Injecting closer to the bone is a relatively new way of using fillers and the benefit is that it’s suppose to last longer and there will be no visible little bumps just below the skin.
Does the procedure hurt? Yes. But not unbearably so. It’s actually more uncomfortable than painful. And, there’s a weird feeling of pressure against the bone. With each injection, Dr. Goldhar keeps checking to make sure both sides are balanced. I feel he is taking his time and being very conservative by adding filler in very small amounts. Sometimes, he says, it’s done in two separate procedures – 6 to 8 weeks - which gives a more gradual adaptation so it doesn’t look to your friends as if you’ve had something done. He tells me that patients can always get rid of it if they don’t like the results because there's an antidote – also injected and used to dissolve the gel.
One of the possible side effects is bruising and wouldn’t you know it, the very last needle does it. You can see it immediately – a slight bluish line on the upper part of my cheek.
It takes no more than half-an-hour to complete the process. (Less, if you’re just having a wrinkle or two filled.) Cost can be anywhere from $600 to $3,000 depending on how much filler is being used and that depends on the extent of tissue volume lost due to genetics and/or aging.
Following the procedure, my face is little red where the needles have entered, and feels a little puffy - almost as if I’ve been to the dentist. I can also feel the gel that has been injected especially when I move my facial muscles. There is no pain. The doctor gives me something to help the bruising – which is barely noticeable as I head for home. Before leaving the office, I start up a conversation with another patient who tells me she had the procedure a couple of weeks earlier - also in here cheeks and smile lines and said she was "very happy" with the results.
Later that night, I have a bit of a headache but nothing serious. By the next morning the ache is totally gone but I still have that just-back-from-the-dentist feel. Dr. Goldhar explains that this is a bit of “tissue swelling” which may last up to a week, “then the muscle start working to remold for a nice clean natural finish.”
By the end of a week, most of feeling of swelling is gone and so is the slight bruise and I do have that "very nice clean finish.”
Would I try this procedure again? Yes. Will I have it again? I think so. It’s suppose to last about a year so I’ll see how I feel then. For now, it did do what it promised – it plumped up my skin and yes, I probably do look a few years younger. I’ve even had a few people tell me “you look good today.” The change has been very subtle and it looks very natural. No one has asked – “hey, what did you have done?” So, this could have been my little secret – just between me and Dr. Goldhar - but I’m a journalist - so I blab and I blog.
Bottom Line: If you decide to have a cosmetic filler make certain that you work with a trained doctor who has done the procedure many, many, many times before and definitely knows what he or she is doing. Any questions, comments please e-mail me at editor@traveltowellness.com
If you are interested in medi-spa procedures you might want to read my Diary of a Chemical Peel.
Six Days in Virginia
A couple of weeks ago I received a news release about the State of Virginia’s new Balance Program – the destination as a place for body, mind and spirit. I wrote about it here (see Balance) and, at the time, said I’d be in Virginia on May 11th to check it out first hand – well, here I am.
Actually, here WE are. Since, the state is positioning itself as a great “girl’s getaway” destination, I invited my sister Rosemarie to join me for the week.
Day 1 – Shopping and Spa in Loudoun County
Air Canada’s direct flight from Toronto to Washington, D.C. had us touched down in just over 90 minutes. We picked up a rental car and did what girls do on a getaway – we went shopping. Leesburg Corner Premier Outlets in the town of Leesburg offers what seems like hundreds of brand name outlets - Nine West, Banana Republic, J Crew, Guess, Barney’s New York, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, BCBG to name just a few - all set out in a quaint village-style setting. It was rainy and dismal but we didn’t seem to mind too much as we scooted from shop to shop picking up some great buys like a pair of shoes from Nine West for $20 and a darling little sweater jacket from Banana Republic for $30. Oh, it hurt to tear ourselves away from the bargains – 50, 60, even 75% off in some shops – but we’d booked spa treatments and had to rush off.
Conveniently, Spa Minérale at Lansdowne Resort & Spa is just a 20-minute drive from the mall so we were able to enjoy the retail therapy until the very last minute. We made our spa appointments just in the squeak of time.
Like the Lansdowne Resort itself, the spa is beautifully decorated in the warm, rich colours of nature with a few gem tones – amethyst and garnet, for instance – thrown in to add interest and punch. There are about a dozen treatment rooms – with names such as Escape, Indulge and Bliss, plus a salon with a very handsome pedicure area. There's a lounge for women, one for men plus a co-ed lounger with a very pretty wrap-around sofa. It’s a beautiful spa – very warm, stylish and contemporary and with just the right amount of Zen.
We both had Spa Minérale Customized Massage – personalized to the client’s needs following a brief consultation with the therapist. At the hands of Roger Johnson, my massage was excellent, and Rosemarie, who readily admits she’s not a regular spa-goer, was, in her own words, “transported to another place.” “I didn’t want it to end,” she said. I think she wants my job.
After the flight, the shopping, the massage, we’re both too pooped to party. Room service to the rescue, and we called it a early night. Tomorrow, we’ve booked a wine tasting and food pairing with a local sommelier. Yes, Virginia there is wine in the State of Virginia.
Day 2 – The Wine Chick of Lansdowne May 12, 2008
Well, it’s raining again today but we don’t intend to let that dampen our spirits. After a good night’s sleep and breakfast at the Lansdowne Resort & Spa (did I mention that the resort has just completed a multi-millions dollar upgrade?) Rosemarie and I headed out for a little tour of Virginia’s most northern county. I haven’t visited the rest of Virginia as yet, but from what I’ve seen today (despite the rain) Loudoun County, could also be the most serene part of the country – one grassy field after another hemmed in by dark wooden fencing, vineyards, orchards and postcard pretty villages.
It’s best known as “horse country,” “wine country” and for its historic towns and villages such as Middleburg. Middleburg has got to be one of the most beautiful villages – a wealthy, meticulous little community, looking very much as if it has just jumped off the pages of a British magazine. Perfect for anyone looking for a little retail therapy in a historic setting.
Since Loudoun is home to one of the state’s two wine areas, we couldn’t leave without doing a little tasting. Last count there were 16 boutique wineries in this county and there are four more scheduled to open later this year. Throughout the state, the count is as high as 140 wineries and Virginia is, apparently, the 5th largest wine-producing state in the country. But today, instead of taking a wine tour we booked a session with the “wine chick.”
Mary Watson, effervescent sommelier at Lansdowne Resort & Spa, corporate sommelier for the Benchmark chain of hotels and resorts, and one of Virginia’s “passionate people” is a self-proclaimed “wine chick.” She’s also the only sommelier I’ve ever met with her own herb garden. Located at the resort on a site that was once a tennis court, her garden produces between five and six dozen herbs including 12 different basils and five different thymes.
With about 20 years as a sommelier, Mary trained in California, was a former chef trained at the California Culinary Academy and also once ran her own catering service. One of Mary’s talent’s is the ability to pair wines with herbs. “Wine and herbs should taste better together,” she says, “then either one of them tastes on its own.” To demonstrate she opens a local Savignon Blanc because, she says, “it’s a little palate cleanser.” She uses this wine to first demonstrate how nibbling on herbs then taking a sip of wine can alter how the wines tastes. Over the next 90 minutes she takes us on a taste journey demonstrating how different herbs can alter the taste of various wines. Dill, lemon thyme, lemon verbena, pineapple sage.... We go through the exercise with four wines each paired with different herbs and she's right. It's actually quite amazing how a little French tarragon, for instance, can alter the taste of a Pinot Noir.
I’m not a wine expert but I’ve certainly had the opportunity to taste many wines all over the world and with or without the herbs, these local wines – cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir and chardonnay - are lovely. No wonder most of them are kept for consumption within the state. We both loved this session with Mary and vowed to return in the fall for one of her famous food and wine camps. Our tasting ended with one of Mary’s famous “peppermint patties” made with chocolate mint and stevia leaves folded together in one teeny tiny, fat-free pattie. Surprisingly yummy.
Later that afternoon we headed south for Williamsburg and just happened upon the Washington Memorial and the White House – yes, I’m ashamed to admit we got lost and ended up in D.C. Apparently, my sister (the navigator) is as directionally challenged as I am.
Day 3 – Peanuts and Peddling Through the Past in Williamsburg
Well, after yesterday’s little accidental detour we finally ended up at the Williamsburg Lodge in Colonial Williamsburg and made it early night. Like the rest of the resort, guest rooms are furnished in colonial décor right down to the wooden rocking chairs and petit-point print bed covers. Even the artwork on the walls is representative of the colonial era.
Sunshine and blue sky greet us this Tuesday morning. After two days of rain and chilly temps it’s a very welcome change.
Directly across the road from the lodge is one of the region’s main attractions - Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area, a collection of reconstructed and restored buildings that represent life in the 18th century. My sister (the librarian) wants to check out everything “history” but I want to do a fitness activity so we combine both. We rent bikes from the hotel and tour the historic area. Cycling has got to be the best way to see these beautiful historial buildings. Along the route, we stop to watch a dramatic recreation of the Collapse of the Royal Government 1774-76 (there are different historical dramas presented everyday). Another stop allows for a visit of the multi-terraced Governor’s Palace. We headed away from “the tour” and discovered a boxwood labyrinth that could be one of the most serene places in the state. We just stopped in our tracks to "smell the roses,” literally.
We cycled over to the adjacent Colonial Williamsburg Merchants Square, a compact pedestrian-only square with about 40 gift and clothing shops, cafes and bistros lined up along bricked sidewalks shaded by mature trees. One of our favourites turned out to be The Peanut Shop. I think it was because of the free samples - chocolate-covered peanut brittle and a variety of peanuts to snack on. Assistant Manager Kenny Bumbaco tells us that peanuts are not a main cash crop here, but they are historically important because they were the preferred feed for the hogs grown for Virginia’s famous Smithfield Ham. He tells us that Planters Peanuts was founded in Suffolk, the town located just down the road and considered the peanut capital of the world. The shop offers about 20 different types of peanuts – the most popular is the traditional hand-cooked peanut. Bumbaco says they were originally called “blister peanuts” due to being cooked at a high temperature high enough to cause blisters.
Across the street is the Genuine Smithfield Ham Shoppe of Williamsburg. Drop by to sample the real thing, or pick up a few goodies for a picnic lunch. The soup – especially the Kicki Crab & Corn Chowder - is fabulous!
Hand Crafted Candies is a shop selling a wealth of sweets including candies made on site in a demo kitchen. There are old-fashioned caramel apples, fancy apples dipped in chocolate and rolled in chopped nuts, Maraschino cherries covered in fudge and dipped in chocolate and pretzel sticks covered in peanut butter and dipped in chocolate.
Good thing we were cycling - helped us work off all the snacking. Tomorrow morning, I’m checking out the Spa at Colonial Williamsburg.
Day 4 – History Envelopes this Williamsburg Spa May 14, 2008
Another sunny morning here and we welcomed it with a visit to the Spa at Colonial Williamsburg . This must be one of only a very few spas to so expertly capture the feel of its own historical district.
Located just across the road from the Williamsburg Lodge, and housed in a separate building that also contains a state-of-the-art gym, fitness studio and indoor pool (there is also an outdoor pool), the Spa at Colonial Williamsbug is, in a word, beautiful.
The building, the former home of the Craft House Museum, was upgraded and redesigned into the spa just a year ago. There are just 12 treatment rooms in this very spacious, three-level setting - including one for a Vichy shower, another hydro-therapy room and a couple’s suite with private bath and a double hot tub imported from Australia, and several lounge areas. The most striking element of décor are the Colonial-style built in shelves and cupboards painted a soft Yarmouth Blue. It’s a slightly more soothing hue than the traditional Williamsburg Blue and truly sets the tone for the sense of calm that permeates the space. The furnishings are also recreations of the Colonial period. Themed, but decidely tasteful, comfortable and inviting.
When researching the theme and creating the menu, staff took a look at the various wellness practices from the last five decades - from the cleansing hot stones and sweat houses used by 17th century Powhatan Indians, to the 18th century colonists who brought medicinal herbs to their new settlements, to the African use of roots and herbs for healing pastes and teas in the 19th century, to the bathing cures of the 20th century, and today’s micro-dermabration and oxygen-based skin rejuvenation. The signature treatments are representative of each of these times.
My Colonial Herbal Spa Experience began with a foot bath in a large copper kettle. As she bathed my tootsies with hot water infused with lavender and lemon grass, my therapist, Angela, tells me that the old saying “don’t throw the baby out with the bath water,” comes from these Colonial days. It was a time when the whole family – starting with the father - would bath using the same bath water probably in a kettle not much large than the one we're using now. When the time came to bath the baby the water was pretty murky and there was always the danger that…..you guessed it – the baby would be accidentally thrown out with the bath water.
Next came a made-in-house body scrub using orange, ginger and brown sugar, followed by a wrap with tea-steeped linens. A shower was followed by a therapeutic massage. It’s not a totally unique treatment but experiencing it here in this lovely treatment room decorated in Colonial style certainly gives it a sense of newness. I like this spa at lot.
Meanwhile, Rosemarie is enjoying yoga class followed by a workout session with a personal trainer. Along with yoga, daily classes include Pilates, Tai Chi and water aerobics. We both would have loved to linger here a little longer to enjoy this beautiful facilities but Virginia Beach beckons.
Day 5 – Holistic Therapies and Kayaking in Virginia Beach
The day begins at 6:30 with a beautiful sunrise over the ocean. From our room at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront I’m looking down on a broad sandy beach the colour of brown sugar, early-morning surfers waiting for the best waves and, best of all, a broad boardwalk that calls out to the runner in me. I throw on my running gear and minutes later, I’m one of many enjoying the famous oceanfront promenade of Virginia Beach. Even at this time of day there's a mix of young and old. Some stroll, others run, some are carrying surfboards, still others cycle the dedicated bike path - all to the sound of pounding waves.
By 8:30, we’re heading to the Association of Research & Enlightenment (A.R.E.), said to be the world’s largest and most established centers for spiritual growth and holistic healing. A couple of days ago, I enjoyed a spa treatment in a converted museum, today the venue is a former hospital. The A.R.E. Health Center & Spa – it’s slogan is “catch the wave of health” - is a holistic spa dating back to the 1950s and based on the principals and protocols put in place by Edgar Cayce.
Cayce, as some of you may know was a 20th century (1877-1945) mystic with an uncanny ability to put himself into a trance and answer questions about health, illness life, death, God and (as history tells it) pretty much everything else. He is known as the father of holistic medicine and America’s prophet.
The spa offers a whole range of holistic therapies including colon hydrotherapy, a castor oil pack, dream counseling, restorative breath work, craniosacral, nutritional counseling, energy balancing, lymph drainage – it’s all here. It’s not a fancy place – think former hospital spiffed up into a wellness centre, but people don’t come here for the décor, they come from all over the world for the treatments and therapies. Plus prices are excellent. A ninety-minute massage is just $90.
More out of curiosity than need, I booked the Cayce Reilly Massage. Designed by Cayce and Dr. Harold J. Reilly, a physiotherapist and one of Cayce's contemporaries. Unlike a Swedish massage it begins at the head, instead of the feet, and uses techniques to sooth the nerves as opposed to the muscles. It’s designed to be relaxing, and I can tell you that it certainly is that.
Mostly people come here for Edgar Cayce’s psychic readings which were transcribed by his secretary and now are bound into the many books that line the shelves of the Reading Room. I’m told there are over 14,000 individual readings, 9,000 of them about health issues. The Reading Room is part of a surprisingly large library that is open to public free of charge. It's the largest library on the metaphysical world in the U.S., second only in size to the one at the Vatican. They also come for the free daily lectures. I didn’t know about the A.R.E. until I arrived here and I've found it to be a fascinating place. We were both disappointed not to have had time to walk the labyrinth or experience the meditation gardens but I’ll save that for another time. Right now the Back Bay calls.
Kayaking, hiking, cycling in the great outdoors all make the list of favourite fitness activities for the wellness-minded traveller, and one of the things that’s unique about Virginia Beach is that it’s an urban centre with all these activities in its backyard. You can be walking the boardwalk on the hotel strip one minute, then 30-minutes later kayaking the Back Bay on the South East corner of Virginia Beach. That’s where I’m heading off to this afternoon.
Our guide Eric Coulson of Surf & Adventure Co. has been kayaking these waters since the mid-90s. There are no alligator here he promises as we slip into bright orange and yellow single kayaks, but we might see a poisonous snake or two. “They make for a great photo,” he says. I’m pumped about that but Rosemarie – who’s a much better kayaker than I am – is not of the same mind. She can do without the thrill of snake spotting. No rain, no snakes, no tipping – all around good.
We set out along brackish waters framed by statuesque loblolly and southern pine. It reminded me a bit of the Florida Everglades. Eric is also a naturalist so he gives a great guided tour of the vegetation and wildlife.
It was a Zen kind of experience and thankfully, pretty much uneventful. No snakes, no rain, no tipping.
Virginia Beach has never been known as a culinary destination but tonight we’re heading out for a little local dine around beginning with Green Cocktails at Crocs.
Day 6 - Green Cocktails, Yoga, a Caviar Wrap and one Very Grand Hotel May 16, 2008
Well, our dine-around last evening was very interesting. Even though Virginia Beach representatives are the first to admit that the destination has never been a big draw for those with culinary interests – things are beginning to change in this beachfront city.
For lunch we dined at the famed (and super popular) Mahi Mah’s. While it’s now more about burgers, wings and deep fried chicken nuggets, executive chef Otto Borsich (best known for his appearance on Bravo TV’s Top Chef – Season 2) is revamping the menu to include healthier and more sophisticated options. But he says the foods they are famous for is what draws the crowds (that and the beachside location) so there on the menu to stay. They do, however, also offer fresh local fish and seafood. I tried their namesake mahi which was wonderful.
On Wednesday evening we dined at the Sonoma Bar & Grill (in the relatively new downtown district called the Town Centre) and were especially impressed with the food especially the Soup of the Day – Curry chicken and pineapple in a coconut broth.
With the new and rapidly-growing Virginia Green program (Virginia is perhaps the first to launch such a state-wide program) many hotels and restaurants are jumping on the green wagon. Consequently, chefs are forming partnerships with local farmers ensuring better quality ingredients and ultimately better foods.
We began our dine-around evening with martinis from the Green Cocktails menu (yes all the ingredients in these drinks are organic even the gin and vodka) at Crocs a casual and very popular spot just a block or two from the famous boardwalk. Crocs’ dynamic owner Laura Wood Habr is one of the tireless volunteers that drive the program in Virginia Beach. We ordered two martinis - a Rosemary & Lemon and a Cucumber made with organic cucumber juice. If martinis were ever considered healthy – these would be them. We paired them with a plate of local cheese.
Next we dropped into Zoes for Edamame Hummus served with wanton crisps, then ended the evening off at the fabulous Terrapin where owner/chef Rodney Einhorn is winning raves for his farm-to-table philosophy and award-winning menu. Once back in our hotel room, sleep came quickly that night.
It was early to rise again this morning. This time for yoga on the beach with Carmine Grieco of Healthworks. Carmine’s depth of knowledge (he is also a fitness instructor) and mat-side manner made this one of the best beginner yoga classes I have participated in.
Following breakfast at Doc Taylors (featuring a menu with a sense of humour) where I passed on the Heart Attack (3 eggs and steak) and ordered the Flatliner (sweet potato pancakes), we headed to south to Richmond just 90-minutes away. On the way, we stopped at the Flowering Almond Spa at the Founders Inn & Spa.
A quick pit stop at the Flowering Almond Spa, a enjoyable wrap and we are Richmond bound. The capital of Virginia, Richmond is, I’m surprised to learn, the tobacco capital of the country. Don’t quote me but I think I remember someone telling me that the industry employs about 7,000 plus Richmond residents. Hmmmmm. Maybe I shouldn’t tell them I’m an anti-smoking advocate.
Richmond’s landmark hotel – where we’re booked for the night – is the iconic Jefferson Hotel. The state’s only five-star, five-diamond hotel, the Jefferson is a stately property built is 1895. To call it grand is somewhat of an understatement - it’s palatial. We enjoyed afternoon tea in the spectacular Rotunda Lobby, walked down the gracious staircase once rumoured to have been the one that Scarlet descended in Gone With the Wind, and check-out the hotel’s own little museum that sits in an alcove of the Lower Lobby (yup, two lobbies). The roster of guests who have stayed here reads like a Who’s Who – 11 U.S. presidents including both Roosevelts and Truman, celebrities and dignitaries such as Charles Lindberg, Henry Ford, John B. Rockefeller, Charlie Chaplin, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Richard Gere. We kept hoping that Richard Gere might suddenly appear from behind one of the many marble pillars and waltz through the lobby but no luck. We spend our last evening strolling the cobblestone streets of the reborn Shockoe Bottom. The hot spot here is the Tobacco Company and while it looked like lots of fun, the laws here don’t prohibit smoking in restaurants so we passed and headed back to the hotel for a bite in T.J.’s (for Thomas Jefferson) where they have a glassed-in non-smoking section. The signature Peanut Soup is a must try.
10 Things I Learned About Virginia
1. The people of Virginia (at least the ones I met) are lovely. Warm, welcoming and proud of their state.
2. With 140 wineries, Virginia is the fifth largest wine-producing state in the U.S.
3. Suffolk (near Colonial Williamsburg) where Planters Peanuts was founded, is considered the peanut capital of the world. Taste them at the Peanut Shoppe in Colonial Williamsburg. Try the Peanut Soup at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond.
4. The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg is a beautiful spa that recreates the décor of colonial times and offers signature treatments influenced by the last five-centuries.
5. The state-wide Virginia Green program encourages and awards tourism-related businesses - hotels, restaurants and attractions - to take voluntary actions to reduce harmful impacts on the environment. We like to encourage travel to destinations that understand the importance of a healthy planet.
6. Virginia Beach is not just a beach. A twenty to thirty minute drive from the city's downtown core, there are great spots for kayaking, hiking and cycling.
7. The Virginia Beach Boardwalk has one of the best dedicated bike lanes of any city in the U.S.
8. Virginia Beach is the home of Edgar Cayce, referred to as the Father of Holistic Medicine. The A.R.E. (Association of Research & Enlightenmight) offers a spa, a great library, free daily lectures and a meditative garden.
9 The palatial Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, built in 1895, is not only one of the most historic hotels in the U.S., it’s a living museum. If you don’t stay the night, then go for afternoon tea.
10. The state is more beautiful and there is more to offer the wellness-minded traveller than I’d originally thought. With shopping (especially in outlet malls and small historic towns), spas, wineries, soft adventure activities (i.e. hiking, cycling, kayking) and beautiful historic villages, it also is a great destination for girl getaways. I’m planning to return for other stories in the fall. More info on Virginia
Moment for Mom from TravelingMom.com May 10, 2008
by Guest Blogger - Dr. Cathey, Travelingmom.com
There has been a lot of talk about "taking care of ourselves." We NEED to take care of ourselves. However, when our lives change through having a child or children, we find "time for ourselves" a precious commodity, if it exists at all.
As a mom, I can, at times, feel happier and more fulfilled than I ever imagined possible. I may find myself loving my child more than anyone or anything in the world. And I can feel as though I finally realize why I was put on this earth.
At other times, feelings of "overwhelm" and guilt deluge me. I become frightened of my responsibilities as mother and wife, cook and housekeeper, lover and friend. I feel as though... I'm not DOING enough, not bringing in enough money, not "contributing" enough. I become overwrought with my sense of "not enough-ness." Ultimately I feel trapped and want to escape.
What is this phenomenon about? Am I the only one to experience these feelings? I have two fears: the first is that, Yes, I am the only one feeling this way. Equally as frightening, if not more so, however, is that others may be experiencing these feelings, but are either cut off from them or in denial. Perhaps too much shame is attached to these feelings to talk about them.
I feel as though... I'm not DOING enough, not bringing in enough money, not "contributing" enough.
What is the danger in not owning and talking about these feelings? Simply, they end up getting "split off" from us, and "projected" onto someone, probably either our spouse, closest loved ones, or worse yet, our children.
Here is where the concept of "responsibility" comes into play. Our ever-so-challenging task at this stage, in addition to taking care of our families and homes, is taking responsibility for ourselves, namely our feelings and what we need. We become consumed by making sure everyone else is covered... where do we fit in???
We need to take time for ourselves . . . we need to talk about us, what we're experiencing, and determine the best course of action to get our needs met. This includes how best to communicate with our spouses and loved ones about what we are experiencing and how best they can help us. This also includes owning "early" feelings, which may arise as a result of having a child.
Old issues and feelings emerge as we are caring for our little ones. Perhaps feelings of resentment at not being helped or taken care of come up. We are doing so much to take care of others... why aren't we getting something in return?
What can we do? We need to discuss these feelings, learn effective and assertive communication skills, and take care of ourselves in responsible, non-aggressive ways.
Why? Because modeling these attributes for our children is the kindest, most rewarding gift we can offer. Not only does it teach them how to be more effective people in the world, but it allows us to feel more worthy about ourselves, so that we can feel as though we are "enough."
This ability, however, is not without much effort and self-examination. And, as Aristotle stated, "The unexamined life is not worth living."
How do we achieve this sense of self-worth? By joining others to share our various experiences and decrease our sense of isolation and fear.
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10k Run Brings Sense of Accomplishment May 4, 2008
Earlier today, escorted and encouraged by the upbeat tunes that have become my running companions over the last year, I completed a 10k run – Sporting Life’s 10k for Kids with Cancer. Pinned number 1680, I joined the throngs of 10,000 plus participants as we, en massed, flowed like a river down the main street of downtown Toronto, finishing in the shadow of the CN Tower.
It’s taken me a while to get here (here meaning the 10k). My fitness resolution for 2007 was to run a marathon but, as it turned out, I was more than a little over-ambition. I never made it past a 5k run. Those of you who have been reading my blogs will know that I over-trained and kept having problems with my ankle but I’m proud to say I didn’t give up. I so believe in the quote “Success means picking yourself up one more time than you fall down!” Or how about, “ Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try.”
I live that philosophy. If I didn’t, I never would have launched this online magazine, or the travel clothing line, or pursued anything that I thought was worthwhile even in the face of certain failure, sometimes ridicule. I have been called “relentless,” and not always in a flattering way. I admit it: I am relentless.
Today, I finished this 10k in just shy of my goal time. At 45 minutes into the run, I could smell the finish line and had a good sense that I would make my goal of 60 minutes. And so, I mustered every bit of energy I had left and let it rip. Finish time: 59:24:08. A sense of accomplishment is a wonderful thing. Of course, it doesn't have to come from running. Set a goal and work towards it. And, no matter how often you fall, get up, dust yourself off and keep going. I'm heading for a half-marathon. If you'd like to share your goals and/or accomplishments please e-mail me at editor@traveltowellness.com
Comments from readers:
WHAT??? Are you sure it was 10K? The fastest runner in all of Belleville (Ontario) came in at 32 mins! You are a speed demon!
Marijo Corcoran, Ste Anne's Spa, Grafton, Ontario
Way to go!! I know that you have been training and looking forward to completing a race. The main thing is that you had fun yesterday and want to do it all over again. It is too bad when I meet people who did not have fun in their event and quit running (often it is because they did not train right).
Enjoy your 59 min completion time. You better be proud of yourself!
Kristine George, Tourism Victoria.
SIX WAYS TO SAVE AT THE SPA
When I talk to people about the wellness benefits of "spa-ing" the biggest issue is always "but it's so expensive."
If you're just looking at a 60-minute treatment costing $100 plus, well, yes, that could be considered expensive. But if you look at it as a half-day or even day-long activity, then the cost is somewhere around the price of a round of golf at a good course or dinner at a fine restaurant. And, I believe that neither golf or fine-dining will give you the same mind/body/soul benefits as a relaxing day at a spa.
Thought I'd share these six saving tips just in from ISPA -the International Spa Association.
• Book an appointment in the morning, mid-week and during the off-season. By beating the crowd you’ll score a spa deal.
• Many spa directors report that packages are often discounted up to as much as 20 percent off the regular individual prices. With 70 percent of spas offering packages, these deals are easy to find.
• Bring your friends, family or co-workers and save. For example, you and your significant other will have no trouble finding a deal on a couples package as 46 percent of spas offer them.
• Turn a 60-minute spa experience into a full day! Spas offer a wide range of complimentary amenities for you to enjoy, such as relaxation rooms, steam rooms, fitness centers, pools and healthy snacks and beverages.
• Besides often checking your favorite spa’s Web site for any new promotional postings, you should also sign up to be on the spa’s e-mail list. Editor's Note: You should also sign-up to receive the Travel to Wellness Newsletter and right now we have a special Win a Spa Day for Two promotion running.
• Take the spa experience home by learning techniques from your treatment that you can practice in your daily life. Ask your therapist for pointers on stretches, breathing techniques and home remedies, as well as product recommendations.
Send comments to editor@traveltowellness.com
Westin launches fitness for the mind. Is your brain up for it?
Next time you check into a Westin hotel in Canada or the U.S. and the front desk clerk challenges you to do a little mental gymnastics while you’re getting checked in, don’t be surprised. For instance, perhaps you’re handed a menu-sized card that reads: John is standing behind Jim, but Jim is standing behind John. How can that be?
Try this one: A truck that is one hundred feet long is moving one hundred feet per minute. It must cross a bridge that is one hundred feet long. How long does it take the truck to cross the bridge? (Answers at the end of this blog.)
First it was Westin Workout, now Westin Hotels & Resorts in Canada and the U.S. has introduced a program they are calling BrainBody Fitness. It’s part of the Westin plan to help guests sharpen their thinking and calm their minds as well as their for better health.
Designed by two experts - Dr. Gary Small, neuroscientist, psychiatrist, director of the UCLA Memory Clinic and the UCLA Centre on Again, and author and physical fitness and spiritual awareness guru David Kirsch, BrainBody Fitness connects mental and physical fitness with the objective of achieving optimum health. In a news release to the media, Dr. Small said, “Our research has found that exercising our minds and our bodies together not only improves memory ability and brain power, but it also has a major impact on how well and how long we live.”
In addition to what you may find at the front desk, these expert-recommended mind stretches will also be found in guestroom and of course the fitness centres.
Here’s one more for the road. It’s a left-brain exercise: See how many words you can spell from these letters. MPTDAWREO No letter may be used twice (in the same word) and each word must contain the letter “M.”
Want more? Download the Westin five-day challenge.
Answers to above brain-teasers:
1. John and Jim are standing back-to-back.
2. It takes two minutes for the truck to cross the bridge.
Always happy to receive your comments editor@traveltowellness.com
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State of Virginia promotes finding Balance…you could win a getaway. March 20, 2008
The State of Virginia created a bit of a stir at Toronto’s Union Station (the city’s rail hub) yesterday morning when a group of young women descended into the throngs of early morning commuters and began handing out pink stress balls. Guess there was a lot of pent up stress even at that time of the morning because between 6:45 and 8 a.m. the little group from Virginia handed out some 3,500 stress balls.
Virginia distributed the stress balls to kick off the launch of a new interaction web site Life is a Circus promoting Balance - Travels in Virginia. Visit the site and you and a friend could win a seven-day vacation getaway to Richmond and Virginia Beach to …hopefully....find some balance.
Balance – Travels in Virginia is a campaign to showcase the experiences that a visitor might enjoy in the state. Taking their cue from the old adage “expand your horizons, and your mind will follow” Virginia officials say there’s a multitude of ways to engage your curiosity and experience a new state of mind – history, fabulous cuisine, over 100 wineries, spas, nature, retail therapy, fitness activities such as hiking, biking and kayaking, yoga at sunrise on the oceanfront…the list continues. I can’t vouch for the claim because I’ve never been there – but that’s about to change. I’ve accepted the state’s kind invitation to it check out and let readers know what I find. I’ll be there May 11 to 16 experiencing the healthy dining options, the fitness adventures, the shopping and, yes, the spas. I’m looking forward to exploring that part of the U.S. My first blog will be posted here on May 11. In the meantime, check out what Virginia offers for the balance-seeking traveler at Virginia Balance
Contact me at editor@traveltowellness.com
Diary of a Chemical Peel. Is it the ultimate facial? March 6, 2008
I’m on a two-day media trip at the Topnotch Resort & Spa located about five miles from Stowe, Vermont. The focus of the trip is to experience the Spa at Topnotch and its Aesthetica Medi-Spa – think of it as a spa within a spa. Medi-spa treatments include Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture, Botox Cosmetic treatments, Restylane ( a filler for lips and facial lines and wrinkles) and Lumalite Teeth Whitening System. I booked. myself in for a chemical peel – my first.
This one is called the Ultimate Facial (50 minutes - $400 U.S.). The menu describes it this way: “Max LED Therapy and the VIP Peel – a signature treatment incorporating a proprietary blend of acids, vitamins and minerals with L.E.D. light created to return your face to its natural glow and youthfulness with absolutely no down time.” Neither Max LED Therapy or VI Peel are new but TopNotch tells me they are the first to combine the two. Spa director Alexandria Robinson says the Max LED makes the skin more receptive to the peel product.
Day 1
Wearing my spa robe, I’m escorted to the appropriate treatment room and asked to make myself comfortable on the treatment table. Administering the treatment is Maggie, an esthetician (passionate about her profession) who was trained by the spa’s head esthetician and Medical Director Dr. Randy Stoloff MD to facilitate this procedure. She also had a day of training with Max.
The treatment begins with a cleansing with a Decleor cleansing milk. Maggie then places a pair of goggles over my eyes. “It’s not for protection,” she explains, “more for comfort.” Because I have “mature” skin she selects the Vitality procedure. She would have chosen another procedure had I been here to treat, for instance rosacea or acne. I’m under the lights for 25 minutes while Maggie explains the procedure and what I will need to do post-treatment. While the actual treatment takes less than an hour – the whole procedure of the peel takes, I’m told, about a week to new brand skin. With the actually peeling beginning around Day 3.
Next comes the prepping of skin with an acetone prep pad. Maggie explains that the acetone helps lower the skin’s PA level making it more conducive to the exfoliation of the dead cells on the skin’s surface. The odor of the acetone is sharp, unpleasant and almost takes the breath but this step is over quickly.
Next comes the retinolic acid applies gently to the face with a gauze pad. She applies the leftovers on my neck and upper chest. There is an immediate tingling, almost burning sensation but it’s not unbearable. The retinolic acid is not removed but remains on the face – until bedtime – I’m told. Lucky it’s colourless. Maggie tells me some people leave looking as if they have a tan, others like they have spent a little too much time in the sun without sunscreen. I take a quick look in the mirror and see that my skin is a little pink but not significantly so. I’m given a small bag of VI Peel products – towelettes and moisturizer – and further instructions and the treatment is over – but not the procedure.
It’s lunch time so I have the option to dine in my robe in Norma’s restaurant or order a room service lunch delivered to the spa. My face is still experiencing a little tingling and burning and the skin feels tights so I settle for a pool-side lunch.
Following lunch I head to the locker room to change for a session with the personal trainer and my face is now bright pink – think Sex in the City’s Samantha after her famous chemical peel (o.k. maybe not that bad.) Oh my gosh, I’m thinking, I can’t go anywhere like this other than back to my guestroom. On the way I stop by the desk to flash my now red face and see if I can speak with Maggie. She’s available and happy to speak with me. Guests with sensitive skin do sometimes have this reaction, she tells me, it’s normal and it will go away.
The burning sensation lessening somewhat over the next hour but there is still some tingling and tightness. I delighted that I hadn’t set up any important meetings for the afternoon.
About three hours later, I am still red but it has somewhat calmed and even though I look as if I’ve fallen asleep under a sunlamp I’m feeling o.k. to participate in a scheduled kick-boxing/toning class. Maggie calls my room to check on me and says Dr. Stoloff has suggested that since I’ve had this reaction, I don’t use the recommended VI Peel towelette that first night.
As planned I head out with the rest of the group to dinner but still look a little too red for my liking. One of my travel companions Gina Roitman has also had the treatment and she looks great. She admits she’s using a bit of make-up. I’m just red-faced.
That night I used SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser to gently wash the retinolic acid off my face and, skin still blotchy, tight and tingling slightly, head to bed hoping the red will be completely gone in the morning.
Day 2
The skin is still a little red and blotchy but much better than yesterday. With a little bit of make-up I'm looking almost normal and go about my day as usual. End of day, I wash (as I was told to do) with a gentle cleanser then use the VI Peel Post Peel Towellette, with ingredients Retin A and Vitamin. There's that tingly feeling again which lasts until I fall asleep.
Day 3
My skin is very dry and tight today and it's beginning to peel very slightly around the nose and mouth area (Dr. Stoloff said it would happen that way.) The VI Derm moisturizer that comes with the post-treatment package helps a bit. The face actually feels as if it might if I had painted it with eggs whites and allowed it to dry. This evening it's beginning to peel off in small chunks the thickness of rice paper. Good news? Under all this, brand new skin! I hope.
Day 4
As I and my profusely-peeling face remain housebound, my friend Gina (who had the same treatment on the same day) is heading out to a wedding. Brave girl. Here's what she has to say:
I am peeling nicely, thank you, but not at all stressed about the wedding. If it's visible, I'll turn it into a funny story and if it's not, I'll be glowing although I must say, I already seem to have a wonderfully even tone to my skin. I am certain it's going to all be worth it when it's done.
Anyway, I have a wonderful Dior foundation that will keep any little bits of skin from flying off my face while Axel twirls me round the dance floor.
What a trouper! Maybe we all peel differently?
Day 5
The face is still peeling but not as profusely - more like a case of dry, flacky skin then big chunks of peel. I'm actually comfortable enough to go out of the house using, of course, piles of the VI Peel 30 SPF sunscreen. The sunscreen causes a bit of burning sensation but it's not too bad. Thank goodness the peeling has subsided. I have important meetings tomorrow.
Day 6
Well apparently pieces of Gina's face didn't fall off during the wedding ceremony and she tells me her friends said she was "glowing." Here's what she has to say. I rarely have facials (the last was maybe 18 months ago) and haven't been in the sun (or the ocean) since the summer. I'm not sure if that should have an effect but I think it (the VI Peel) brought some real life back to my skin which was looking pasty and greenish before this. That shine you see on my cheek is not the lighting or make-up.
My face is begining to look normal again. Still dry and a little flacky but new pink skin being unveiled is looking good. It not a remarkable difference but I have facials regularly and my skin was generally pretty good before the treatment so I'm not surprised. There is also a nice natural glow. I keep applying the VI Peel moisturizer and the accompanying sunscreen if I'm heading out.
Day 7
I was told seven days and they were right. The face has pretty much stopped peeling - just a few stray pieces here and there and around the hairline. Of course, it's not totally new skin I'm seeing, but it certainly looks fresher and more luminous. Went to the dentist this morning, and got my first compliment. "Look look great," she said, just before she gave me a needle to numb the gums. One of the things I was hoping the treatment would do but it didn't, is to get rid of some of the sun spots. But it's only Day 7, they may shed or lighten over the next few days. One thing I plan to do is continue to wear a high SPF sunscreen everytime I go out of the house.
Here are a few words of wisdom from Dr. Stoloff:
Medi-spa guests need to remember that the treatments that are truly effective in skin rejuvenation take on a different experience then the soothing and relaxing non-medical treatments.
Therefore, guests need to consider if they want the next level of skin treatments that truly promote skin rejuvenation.
Many guests have had similar treatments before and are aware of what is involved in these types of treatments. For example with the VI Peel they are happy to get the light fluffy peel at home instead of at the resort. For the majority of patients the moisturizer and sun screen treat the peeling so they can work and use make-up and do not have to hide at home. We have treated Topnotch employees and they worked with guests after the peels and no one ever knew.
Since we have many treatments that work together, a consultation can help those guests with no experience in the world of aesthetic dermatology as well as those that have had many such treatments.
Our philosophy is to educate our patients / guests in a comfortable and welcoming environment and come up with a customized treatment plan together based on what individual concerns they have about their skin.
Ultimately, we want the guest/patient to be happy with the treatment results so that they feel comfortable returning for maintenance skin care. Current technology allows us to turn back the clock and put your skin on “day light savings time.” We make you happy with your skin but then your skin continues to age so a good daily skin fitness plan at home and periodic maintenance treatments at the spa are required. So, find a skin care team that you feel comfortable with.
My advice?
• If you are ready for the next level of skin rejuvenation do seek out professionals who are experts in the field - the Spa at Topnotch and Aesthetic Laser and Skin care at Topnotch is certainly one place to consider.
• Make sure you don't have major treatmtents before a special event.
• Follow the post-treatment advice of the doctor or medical therapist.
More on the VI Peel
Please send any comments to editor@traveltowellness.com
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Heading to Cuba? Wellness travel is also about giving back. February 24, 2008
In the wake of the resignation of Fidel Castro it’s going to be interesting to see what happens in this country of beautiful people. The one thing that is for certain is that change will not come overnight. For travelers, that means that Cuba will continue to be a good place to practice the art of “giving back.”
On a recent trip I learned a bit about the situation in this military-run country that has suffered under a U.S. embargo for almost 50 years. I also learned about the generosity of Canadians who travel there regularly not simply to escape the Canadian winter (there are ample places around the world where one can do that), not for the sugar sand beaches (comparable beaches are plentiful in Mexico and the Caribbean,) and certainly not for the shopping or the food. They return every year for the people.
Guests like Ray and Judy of Barrie, Ontario have been going to the Oasis Brisas Santa Lucia in Camaguey for the last five years. “Certainly, not for the food,” says Judy, “but for the people.” She refers to “our kids” a group of young Cuban women the couple have come to know and love as family over the past years – the waitresses, bartenders, souvenir sellers, entertainers…. Ray and Judy never come here empty handed.
Giving to the Cuba Peopel
They take items not easily accessible in Cuba or too expensive for the locals to purchase with their Cuban National Currency. They take ladies underwear, pantyhose (especially fish nets), toothpaste with Fluoride, better quality soaps, dusting powder, wash cloths, baby clothes, soothers, diaper pins, sunglasses, reading glasses, small tools from Canadian Tire, leather shoes, pens and pencils. Her “girls” also like pretty bras, perfume, nail polish and make-up. She also brings medicine cabinet supplies such as Asprin, Tylenol and cough drops.
“We’ve found that the people here share everything,” she says. “And, if we bring something that they can’t use themselves, they know someone who can.” Sometimes, she says, she feels as if she might offend by offering them things, but in all the years it’s only happened once when she brought a second-hand dress to one of the entertainers.” Mostly, it’s as simple she says and saying, “here, I brought you a little something and people are very appreciated."
Even this four-star resort (by world standards it’s more of a three star) lacks many of the simple things travellers take for granted like quality soap, shampoo, tissues (i.e. Kleenex,) and face cloths. We were surprised to see, however, that guest rooms have flat screen TVs and satellite TV including HBO and the international version of CNN.
Over the years, Judy and Ray have come to know these people well. Judy says they typically work 12 days straight then three days off for about 25 pesos (close to $30 Cdn.) a month. Most have a two-burner hot plate in their homes, a rice cooker, a crock pot - all given to them through government-supported programs. There are staples of rice, beans and bananas but many of the homes she says don’t have hot water. They don’t beg and they don’t stand there with there hands out, in fact, I personally witnessed that they are often reluctant to take tips. I offered one of the artisans selling his wares from a resort kiosk a thre-pesos tip after he helped me with something, but he refused with a smile and shake of his head. He tells me he and his wife are expecting their second child and I ask if I could send them a package of baby clothes and othe items for the new baby. He tells me it would be a problem and would lead to questions so it wouldn't be a good idea.
John of St. Catherine’s, Ontario has been to Cuba eight times and always brings medical supplies and other items and, at least once, a bag of soccer balls for a local school. He says he has met accountants who work as waiters, chemical engineers who tend bar and at least one doctor who drives a cab. He tells me that, in keeping with the socialist system, everyone makes the same amount of money no matter what they do, so the big work question is not “how much will I make,” but “what will I be doing.”
“The tourism industry (because of tips) is where the money is at,” he says. Heinz from Wasaga Beach has been coming to visit for the last six years. He usually brings a bicycle to donate to a family.
One day as we’re sitting around soaking up the sun, one of the staff opens up about living conditions in Cuba. “Carlos” (not his real name) has worked at the resort for several years and seems nervous to be speaking with us so openly. He wears a name tag but begs me not to use his name or he will “get into trouble.” I promise. Throughout the conversation he looks around to see if anyone is watching him. “We work hard, he said, but never get ahead. We are lucky to work in the hotel business, many do not have jobs as good.” Working in hospitality – even as service staff - is considered to be one of the better “careers,” he says. He says many are doctors, engineers and accountants but they clear tables and pour coffee and consider themselves lucky. They have the opportunity to learn or practice a new languages, learn about other parts of the world, and then there are the tips which can significantly increase their monthly salary of about 25 Cuban pesos. In confirms that no matter what the job, everyone makes the same amount and they are paid in CNC – Cuban National Currency which is worth a fraction of the Convertible Pesos (the currency used by visitors to the country.)
He picks up a small pat of foil-wrapped butter (the kind you find in any restaurant) and says, “we can sell these on the street for a pesos.” He explains that stealing to sell just to support the family is an underground economy. He gives the example of a construction working, who might, for instance, steal a concrete slab to sell or barter to a neighbour building a house.
He admits that when it comes to education and medical they want for nothing, but then, says Carlos – “there is not enough to eat.” He tells us that people in the cities don’t have enough to eat and they blame the tourists for “stealing” the food that should be theirs.
At the time we spoke he said, “people worry about what will happen post Castro.” Guess they will soon find out.
If you are planning a trip to cuba you’ll find travel tips at The Cuba Tourism Board in Canada
Send your stories/comments on travellers “giving back” to editor@traveltowellness.com
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Tales from the road: The Connectivity Challenge of Cuba. Feb 16, 2008
I knew I was in trouble when, after a four-hour flight, I landed in Camaguay, Cuba. The reason I am here is an accident of planning – meaning, I didn’t do it. And, that’s all I will say about that. Upon landing, I do what I always do the moment my plane touches down on foreign soil. I turn on my Blackberry. This time, no signal. That’s o.k. I tell myself the optimist… sometimes it takes a while to pick up the signal. It’s all good.
An hour later, still no signal, I gave up hope. There is no Blackberry signal in Cuba. At least not here in the province of Camaguay, about a 90-minute flight east of Havana. I finally admit to myself that for the next seven days as far as Blackberry service is concerned I am SOL. I console myself in the fact that the resort I am heading to (a 90-minute bus ride from the Camaguay airport) has “Internet Access.” So, said their ad. And, I have my laptop (I ALWAYS travel with my laptop) so I can just plug-and-play, right? The closer we get, the more I begin to have my doubts.
If this was just “a holiday” I wouldn’t mind so much that I couldn’t’ access my e-mail via Blackberry. But, travel writers rarely travel just for pleasure. Travel, for us, is a job. Think of it as taking your office on-the-road. That’s what we do. We take our laptops, our cell phones, our cameras, our notebooks and pens and hit the road for stories. For busy, working travel writers, Internet access is ultimately important. At this moment I have two stories due – both have to be finished, fact-checked and filed in the next two days. Internet access is paramount.
As the brochure says, the resort does have “Internet Access,” however, just like all-you-can-eat-buffets, all Internet access is not created equal. Here in Cuba, for instance, there is no wireless, there is no high-speed….access is via dial-up. Basically, there are two speeds – Dial-Up and Down. Bottom line, I cannot connect my laptop. Now, if you believe just for a moment that this is a good excuse to take “time out” to enjoy the sun and surf then you do not understand the nature of newspaper and magazine deadlines. Editors do not take kindly to the excuse of “poor connectivity.” I am so in trouble.
Since I cannot connect my laptop I have to use the hotel’s computer room – a small cubical of space just off the lobby - set aside for guest use. I need to purchase an Internet scratch card (you scratch to reveal user name and password) at the cost of six Cuban pesos (about $7 Cdn.) an hour. Since there are just two computer terminals for this 400-room property, it’s typically a 20 to 40-minute wait for a computer terminal. Then, I become a computer hog which really isn’t fair to other guests but I don’t have much choice.
I finally get my two stories finished and filed but not without mucho stress and frustration. I forgot how painstakingly slow dial-up can be. And, on the last day of this very long seven-day visit, Internet service was down right across the entire country. I write this snippet-of-life on the road for three reasons:
1. To point out that the life of a travel writer is not without its challenges and inherent stresses.
2. To suggest that if you MUST have Internet access don’t take the term Internet Access at face value. As a guest amenity “Internet Access” is not the same everywhere. At some resorts it is wireless and free to guests who travel with their own laptops, at other hotels and resorts there is a charge for the service (anywhere from $10 per day to much higher), then there is dial-up where pretty much the only reasonable option is to use the hotel computers set aside for guest use. In cases like this, rarely are there enough computers to serve the needs of all guests. To avoid stress and frustration, call the hotel/resort to confirm the exact meaning of Internet Access. Then, no surprises, no unexpected stress.
3. To strongly advise that if you’re on deadline and need Internet access to file, don’t leave the planning to someone else.
Internet (and food) aside, I did have a lovely relaxing week with my favourite travel companion. More about that in my next blog.
Send comments to editor@traveltowellness.com
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Time out in Jamaica and things to consider when booking an all-inclusive resort.
One of my resolutions for 2008 is to balance my work days with more “time-out.” So when an assignment for Spa Business Magazine took me to Jamaica to write a story on the new Fern Tree Spa at the Half Moon in Montego Bay (loved it, by the way, and will have a story in the March issue of Travel to Wellness) I decided to take some well-deserved R & R and extend the stay for a few days. Due to almost everything on the island being booked for a jazz festival, I ended up at SuperClubs Breezes Runaway Bay, an all-inclusive resort located about an hour’s drive from the Montego Bay airport.
A travel writer for the last 17 years, I have stayed at all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean any number of times and the resort category (all-inclusives) have their obvious good points, not the least of which is the ease of a one-price package that includes air, accommodations, food and beverages (often as much as you want) and activities. Of course, that very same “good point” might not be so good for someone trying to loose weight or reduce the intake of alcohol. But generally, the biggest criticism of the “all-inclusives” is that once guests check-in they rarely go off property to meet the locals, experience the true destination and put money into the local economy. That criticism, of course, stems from the belief, and rightly so, that all-inclusives do not reflect the true destination. Still, there are good arguments for selecting a Mexican or Caribbean all-inclusive especially when all a body wants is balmy weather, relaxation and the peace of mind that knowing everything is included in the one price.
Once you’ve established a budget and have decided on a Mexican or Caribbean destination, here are a few things to keep in mind when researching an all-inclusive resort:
• If you are travelling without children and relish peace and quiet without little ones running around pool-side or causing a scene in a restaurant, look for an adults-only resort (which usually means guests have to be 14-16 or older). Failing that, ask if there is at least one adult pool area. If you like your holiday to come with mega doses of peace and quiet to catch up on reading, sleep and total relaxation, you’ll thank me for this.
• Even if a resort is billed as “adults only,” this on it own will not ensure peace and quiet. Breezes Runaway Bay, for instance, has two lovely pool areas but they also have daily pool activities to entertain quests – loudly. Everyday during our stay, a DJ/activities coordinator would turn on the speakers and the mega-phone about mid-day and insist on getting guests relaxing around the main pool involved in loud, poolside games. Let’s see there was Simon Says, a limbo contests, drinking games, competitions for best legs and other ‘assets,” and a range of other activities to keep guests “entertained.” Granted, some people love this stuff and if you do then great, this is the place for you. Each to his or her own form of R & R. To be fair, the resort does have another pool that is a bit quieter but loud music did prevail there at times as well. Just make sure you know what you’re getting at time of booking. The other alternative with a resort that offers boisterous pool-side activities is to make sure your room is set back so you can at least escape for a few hours. Our ground floor room – set way back from the beach - had its own terrace with lounge chairs and plunge pool.
• Find out how far the resort is from the airport and make sure the transfer is included. An air-conditioned shuttle to and from the airport is provided to all guests at Breezes.
• Ask about restaurants. How many are there on the property? Are they all included in the price? Sometimes there is a surcharge to dine in the more upscale restaurants. Do they offer a selection of healthier dishes on the menu or the buffet? Ask to see a menu either online or ask that one be faxed to you. What’s the point of having all your meals included if none of the meals appeal to you. At Breezes Runaway Bay there are a number of restaurants but at least one seemed to be closed every night so there was usually a line up for the one’s left open.
• If you follow an exercise program and want to keep doing so, does the resort have a gym and is access to the gym included in the price? Is the gym large enough for the number of guest rooms? A sole treadmill for a property consisting of 300 guestrooms won’t cut it. Ask about any scheduled fitness classes and how many hours the gym is open.
• While it is rare to have spa treatments included in an “all-inclusive” resort, ask if there is a spa on the premises. If yes, what treatments do they offer? Do you need to book treatments prior to your arrival? Are the massage therapists trained and certified and, if yes, by who?
• While many of you probably don’t even want to think about work while on holiday, it may give you peace of mind to know there is Internet access on the premises just in case. Since I travel more for business then pleasure and always travel with my laptop Wireless Internet access is right up there with a gym on my list of “must haves.” If Internet access is an important feature then keep in mind that at many resorts it’s not usually part of the all-inclusive deal. At Breezes, for instance, it was very costly. Access was - $8 U.S. for 15 minutes, $18 U.S. for an hour. At Half Moon, Wifi was free to guests. Granted, the room rate was a little steeper. But, if you need to connect in order to stay stree-free, Internet availability is soemthing you may want to ask about.
Send comments to editor@traveltowellness.com
Multi-million dollar facelift makes Elmwood Spa Toronto’s "New" Top Day Spa
After four-years, Toronto’s landmark day spa – Elmwood Spa – has completed its multi-million-dollar renovation, and on January 24, the city's grand dame of spas made its second debut. The first was 25 years ago. Back then, it was one of the city’s very few day spas and I use to visit for manicures, pedicures and to have my hair cut at the salon. It’s the spa I took my daughter to when she turned 16.
Last evening I attended an unveiling celebration and saw first hand that while many of the historic building’s prominent architectural features remain (alcoves, beamed ceilings on gables, dark wood trim, leaded glass doors, for instance) this is a completely new spa. “What I think makes Elmwood Spa special is the way it combines its old world heritage with a contemporary flair,” say Marie Picton, executive manager of spa services. I couldn’t agree more.
With its total renewal, Elmwood is now Toronto’s most beautiful day spa. And with 34 treatment rooms, it’s certainly one of the largest day spas not only in the city but in the country. The other is Oasis Wellness Centre & Spa which opened in Toronto's Distillery District last year.
Marie took the time to give me a personal tour of all four beautifully-appointed floors. Features include a retail area, a juice bar, restaurant (open to the public) pool area with its own lounge, and a number of cozy relaxation areas offering various levels of quiet. A subtle Thai theme prevails and adds a sense of exotic mixed in with the luxury.
I was particularly impressed with the ladies' locker room where the centerpiece is an elevated whirlpool covered in mosaic tiles and lit with a beautiful crystal chandelier that allows the light to reflect off the tiles and bubbling waters. Smaller chandeliers send sparkling light through the shower area and washrooms. Also impressive are the large and luxurious double treatments rooms (a few with fireplaces) also among the most luxurious in Canada.
One of the more forward-thinking treatment/facilities is a light-filled room for clients experiencing the symptoms associated with SAD (Seasonal Affected Disorder). As we roll further into the cold, dark days of a Canadian winter – I’m looking forward to trying it out.
Marie says, “as one of the largest day spas in the country, we have the space and the treatment options to offer today's savvy spa-goers what they've told us they are looking for in a spa experience...whether it is to come for their own self renewal, to come as a couple to connect, or to come to celebrate a special occasion with friends.”
On our tour, she confides that being Toronto’s original day spa comes with its responsibilities: “We have a responsibility to be a benchmark among North American day-spas,” she says. “The Elmwood has always raised the bar for the industry and we will continue to do that.” You can read more about the Elmwood Spa at its newly revamped web site www.elmwoodspa.com
Please send any comments about the Elmwood Spa to editor@traveltowellness.com
Spa Trends 2008 - some good, some we can do without.
A news release from ISPA (International Spa Association with 3,000 members in 75 countries) landed in my in-box a few days ago and it made for interesting reading. It’s all about spa trends and what the association is seeing taking place in spas around the world. I’m seeing it to as I spa hop the planet writing for Travel to Wellness and other publications such as Spa Business in the U.K.
Here’s a sampling of what ISPA is seeing and saying:
• Plenty of Cooks in the Kitchen – You’d be hard-pressed to find a better combination than spa treatments and delicious, healthy food. Spas are responding to reports from the restaurant industry that the gastro-travel phenomenon has taken off with more families organizing vacations around food. In fact, 19 percent of U.S. spas offer cooking experiences with these running the gamut from week-long schools with celebrity chefs to private lessons with tips on taking the healthy cooking experience home.
My take: Healthy eating, as we know, is one of the foundations of wellness so it’s not surprising that food is taking its place alongside treatments in spas that profess to be wellness-focused. When I think spas and food there are several spas that immediately leap to mind. One is The Golden Door Spa at the Boulders in Scottsdale, Arizona which has its own lovely spa café plus a demo kitchen where guests can learn how to whip up healthy dishes such as Cucumber Melon Gazpacho.
Another spa with a focus on healthy foods is Grotto Spa at Tigh Na Mara on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The spa’s Tapas Grill is one of the best spa cafés I’ve experienced anywhere.
Food is also a significant part of the Four-night Naturopathic Detox Program at the Millcroft Inn & Spa in Alton, Ontario. And, we’re not talking clear soups and juices, but yummy gourmet dishes. The program actually makes detoxing enjoyable.
• Spa Lifestyles Equal Healthy Lifestyles – Eating nutritious food, exercising and relieving stress are critical in leading a healthy lifestyle, and spas are championing this effort by teaching these basic principles. In fact, 51 percent of U.S. spas offer educational programs and nutritional consultations, 40 percent offer healthy eating classes, 26 percent have educational offerings on obesity or weight gain issues and 17 percent offer exercise programs for children and teens.
My take: When you consider that the majority of spas in the U.S. are day spas, that 51 percent seems a little high. But I’m definitely seeing more resort spas offering wellness vacation packages including yoga programs, health-oriented workshops and fitness classes. As the concept of the “wellness vacation” continues to take root and go mainstream, we’ll be seeing a lot more of these offerings outside the “destination spa” category.
• The Next Generation of Spa-goer – The teens are coming! Nearly 4 million of them have been to a spa where they learn how to deal with stress, eat nutritiously and care for their skin. With 16 percent of spas offering teen programs, 34 percent offering teen packages and 17 percent offering packages for children.
My take: I'm a mother but, frankly, I really don’t want to be at a spa with a bunch of kids.
• Corporate Wellness – Google was selected as Fortune’s No. 1 company to work for in 2007. Google is also a member of ISPA and offers on-site massages to its employees. According to the American Journal of Health Promotions, for every $1 spent on wellness programs, employers can expect a return of up to $10 through lower medical claims, reduced absenteeism, improved productivity and other factors.
My take: The fact that corporate insurance and benefit packages sometimes cover the cost of massages delivered by registered massage therapists helps make the therapeutic massage the overwhelming number one choice of spa treatments. When you consider massages help reduce stress, what company wouldn't want employees that are not only less stressed but healthier because of it. Bring on the spa perks!
• High Touch and High Tech – In our constantly-connected society, in order for some people to take a time out, they still need to be plugged in. Spas are incorporating technology such as Wi-Fi in relaxation rooms, cyber treatments that combine biofeedback technology with guidance from wellness professionals and light therapy to help those suffering from depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder and insomnia.
My take: I am an e-mail junkie but I think trying to stay connected when you're in a spa kinda defeats the purpose. On the treatment side, as more spas open and it becomes increasing challenging to find good, qualified therapists for the “high touch” treatments, I believe we are going to see a lot more high-tech options on spa menus. Read my blog on the CVR
• Customized Relaxation – You can make almost anything your “own” today from custom workouts built into your Nikes, fragrances blended to suit your nose or a zenned-out playlist on your iPod. Spas are creating unique experiences for their guests as well with 24 percent indicating that clients can book blocks of time instead of specific services. This time block allows them to create a treatment that is all their own from the music to the products to the room temperature.
My take: I see the days of menu-wide standardized treatments soon coming to an end. Customization is definitely what savvy spa-goers want and spas will deliver as demand increases.
• Luxury Brands Opening Luxury Spas – Too much of a good thing is… well, a good thing! Brands that are known for their chic designs are opening over-the-top spas around the world. Some of the well-known brands include the first Armani-branded spa in Tokyo, Versace Group’s spa at its Australian resort, spas at Bulgari’s hotels in Milan and Bali, and Prada Beauty’s line exclusively at Ritz-Carlton properties.
My take: Décor maybe. But skin care? Does a facial or body wrap really need to come with a designer label? I tried the Prada Facial at the Ritz Carlton South Beach and it was very nice but not necessarily the best facial I’ve ever had. Would rather have a Prada handbag.
• Greening Grows – As 76 percent of U.S. spas apply environmentally sustainable practices, the spa community’s commitment to the environment is not a passing phase. On-site organic gardens; products made from locally-grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and plants; mineral makeup; and green building tactics are just a few of the ways that spa professionals are showing their commitment to the earth.
My take: And, isn’t it about time? Health and wellbeing is also about maintaining a healthy planet. Check out our section on Green Spas.
Always happy to hear from readers: editor@traveltowellness.com
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CVR coming to a spa near you
Along with the facials, massages, scrubs and body wraps, you may soon be seeing a new treatment on the menu of your favourite spa. It’s a combo of relaxation and creative visualization and appropriately called CVR (Creative Visualization Relaxation).
While creative visualization isn’t a new concept – it’s been around since the advent of thought - it is new to the spa industry and to individuals as an “at-home” portable motivational program. Think of it as a personal coach in an MP-3.
My friend Barbara Guerra (National Sales Manager for CVR in Canada) brought it to my attention just prior to the holidays and asked if she could come over to give me a 13-minute demo right in my office. In less than two minutes she had set up her portable lounge chair and plugged in the light/sound system. All I had to do was get comfy in the chair, don a pair of headphones and special glasses and listen to a guided program. First, I hear the voice of Dr. Porter taking me to a place of relaxation. That is followed by guided visualization that allows me to focus on goals in a very positive way. One little 13-minute demo is not, of course, going to help me reach any of my goals so I can’t attest to how beneficial the program truly is, but I can say that it was profoundly relaxing. I wouldn’t mind having the at-home system (cost is about $600 Cdn.) just for the deep relaxation benefits.
It is believed that being in the relaxed state (that the CVR system guides one to) allows the mind to better focus on and visualize whatever goal the person is trying to attain. Loose weight, for instance.
One of the beauties of this treatment is that you can experience it at a spa, in your home or right in the office. All you need is quiet time, a comfortable space to sit or lie down and the portable a/v system.
There are several dozen guided audio programs available – all between 10 and 60 minutes – and they focus on things such as weight management, smoking cessation, stress reduction, pain-free lifestyles, mind-over menopause and cancer recovery. There is even mental coaching for golf and how to become a better sales person. It’s up to the client to select the program that will help them achieve whatever goal he or she is trying to achieve.
The guide is Dr. Patrick Porter, author and holder of a doctorate degree in psychology from Louisiana Baptist University. One of his books – Awaken the Genius – has been translated into five languages and sold 120,000 copies. He has also been featured in a number of print publications including People, Business Week and The Wall Street Journal. Barbara tells me that Dr. Porter has been using light/sound therapy with the personal program guide for years to much success. How does it work? Barbara explains it like this:
• CVR uses light and sound to guide a body into the natural healing and relaxation state of Alpha/Theta, the best state for learning anything new.
• While in this peaceful energetic state, the guiding voice of Dr. Porter offers new, different, more positive and inspirational thoughts around the topic of choice. (i.e. weight loss, stress or pain relief).
And, for those of you who have read or heard of The Secret (and who hasn’t?) isn't it all about the power of positive thought? Anyone interested in more information on CVR can contact Barbara directly at 1.866.675.0552.
Clean Eating hits the news stands
The old adage “you are what you eat” has been bandied about like a tennis ball, but did you know that the origins of the concept take us back to the early 1800s? A French author by the name of Anthelme Brillat-Savarin worte: “Dis-moi ce que tu manges, je te dirai ce que tu es." This translates to “tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are.”
It’s taken a while but I think people are finally beginning to catch on. There’s a new zeal for healthy foods. Local is the new organic. Consumers are increasingly inclined to read labels and choose products that are low in fats, sugars and sodium. The Age of Wellness is upon us and healthy eating is one of the cornerstones.
I believe that eating healthy is the root of living a life of wellness and I’m so delighted to be a contributor to a brand new magazine called Clean Eating. The premiere issue, now on the stands includes recipes for sliming, how to melt holiday pounds, how to curb your emotional eating, best bets in the cereal aisle, comfort foods, and women and the cholesterol myth. My stories fall into the Travel Well section. In Chez Chef, I profile Chef Eden Messer from Sedona, Arizona, and in Where to Spa I write about how Mayan Meets Modern at Europstars Blue Tulum in the Mayan Riviera.
A number of readers have already contacted me saying they’ve seen the new magazine and they like it. Leslie Bay of Scottsdale, Arizona writes, “I really think this magazine is going to move into a new place of prominence. It has great stories and good ideas.” I totally agree.
I’ve just finished the Chef Chez story for the spring issue of Clean Eating and am now working on the summer issue. Clean Eating is a magazine for the times and I’m really enjoying being part of it and helping spread the word about healthy eating.
Fairmont’s newest guest program lightens the luggage load. December 11, 2007
I have just walked a mile in someone else’s shoes. Actually, it was 2.9 km and I was running. The shoes? Adidas owned by Fairmont. Oh yes, I was also wearing someone else’s clothes - again Adidas on loan from Fairmont. Providing work-out gear for guests is part of the new Fairmont Fit program being rolled out at all properties in the global chain. I checked it out at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club in Aventura, a city located half-way between Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
Primarily, I’m here to experience the chain’s newest Willow Stream Spa (Read the story) and it’s an added bonus that I didn’t have to drag my workout stuff along with me. Business travellers today don’t want to disrupt their fitness routines while on the road, and many business hotels have state-of-the-art gyms, but packing one’s runners and gear is a pain. Due to their bulk, running shoes can be the deciding factor between flying with carry-on luggage or not. While many of the big chains have high-jumped on the fitness wagon to make it easier for guests to work-out, based on this writer’s personal experience Fairmont is the first to provide apparel in such seamless fashion.
From my guest room I called down to Guest Services to ask that my workout gear (requested with appropriate sizes at time of booking) please be delivered, and by the time I’d returned from a quick tour of this newly-renovated golf resort, the outfit, neatly packed with tissue into a woven wicker box, was waiting for me. Brand new shoes, a T-shirt and cropped pants – all very fashionable. Ooop, no socks. And, I forgot to pack mine. Fingers crossed, I again called Guest Services then headed down to dinner.
By the time I get back to my room. Socks are waiting – not new like the rest of the outfit – but freshly washed and tucked into a little waffle bag. Funny how even a pair of old gym socks can be made to look appealing. It’s all in the presentation.
The gym, here, is located in the beautifully upgraded three-story spa building just across from the hotel lobby. Guests can also book a scheduled fitness classes such as Pilates, various types of Yoga and Spinning. Hour-long classes are $15 each.
While it’s not part of the program, sometimes guests will mention that they might like a running partner and, when possible, staff is happy to comply. Front desk assistance manager, Julie Adams allowed me to accompany her on the busy jogging path that loops around the property offering flashes of the hotel’s meticulous golf course and a snap shot on this bustling, upscale community.
Another advantage of not having to pack your gym gear – less laundry to do once you get back home.
Fairmont Fit is available to President’s Club Members. Membership is free. www.fairmont.com/fpc/fit
Fairmont Turnbury Isle Resort & Club: http://www.fairmont.com/TurnberryIsle
Getting out of the hot water and touring Tuscany December 5, 2007
The focus of Adler Thermae is most definitely the mineral pools, steam rooms and saunas - this is what brings guests to this very popular Tuscan resort. You'll find guests taking-the-waters from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. There is also an extensive spa menu and fitness classes. These are the most popular activities here. But for those who have come all the way from North America or Asia and may want to see a bit of the countryside there are several day tours that offer that opportunity. There are six or so small towns and villages within a half-hour's drive of the resort. Today we visited the 14th century fortress town of Montalcino. Outside tourist season, which this is, you get to see the town without it teeming with visitors.
The whole area is famous for its Brunello wines - meaning they have aged 4 or 5 years in wooden barrels. Our little group of travel writers tasted the robust wine over lunch.
A dip in the hot pools is the way most people here call an end to the day before heading to dinner. www.adler-thermae.com
Surrounded by the postcard-pretty rolling hills of Tuscany, Adler Thermae is lovely and totally peaceful.
December 3, 2007
This is the perfect place to relax but it's not your average spa. For those of you who have only been to spas in North America, the protocal and procedures here will come as a complete change. Also, I'm surprised to see that it is very much a family place. You'll see children in the pool area, even in the lounge. No problem however. They are generally well behaved and there is an extensive children's program. Not surprisingly, the dining is spectacular. Yes, at the end of a day of mineral pools, spa treatments, fitness programs and local tours everyone heads to the resort's only dining room. Which is where I am headed now. Gotta run. More later.
It's middle of the night by my body clock and I have just landed in Rome. December 2
My destination is Adler Thermae a spa and wellness resort in Tuscany about a two-hour drive from the airport. This is a press trip - meaning I and several other spa and/or travel writers have been invited by the resort to visit and experience the resort's mineral pools and other spa and fitness facilities. I'm the only one in the group from Canada (the other writers are from the U.S.) and due to flights I'm here a day early. Just waiting for the car sent to pick me up. Read on……
After years of searching, I have finally found a product that controls frizz. December 1, 2007
I have been “blessed” with natural curly hair. Consequently, I have been battling the frizz monster since the age of 15. I rolled my hair around tin cans, ironed it, wrapped it around my head wet and went to bed for 8 hours, hot ironed it and have tried countless products that claim to tame and control frizz. Anyone with curly hair will identify. About a month ago, quite by accident, I discovered Curl Keeper. Now this is going to sound like an advertorial but truly it is not. I ran across this product at the National Women’s Show in Toronto in October and because I liked what the demonstrator’s hair looked like – soft, clearly defined frizz-free curls – I bought a bottle. It cost me $10. As a journalist and editor I often get new products to sample and write about, but this one I actually paid for. And, endorse it I do. I love it. It’s made by Curly Hair Solutions in Toronto. 1-800-783-8971. www.frizzoff.com
Am I hoping they will send me a couple of bottles? Of course. :)
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