Spa health and wellness hotels Archives - Travel & Experiences at Boutique Hotels and Restaurants Around the World

Epic European Eurovision Holiday

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This mossy rock scenery reminds me of landscape from the Eurovision movie. — Rerouting back to nature in Europe

If you want to travel for holiday (as in European holiday) that’s popular in August and Christmas too!… below 👇is a Eurovision singing competition holiday travel suggestion that’s also good for a Christmas in July (or your travel month of choice)…

One of my favorite months is May because that’s when spring really gets into high gear and peony-bright flowers open up and the fresh berries 🍓are ripe! Away from the cold, it’s not too hot yet.

…Plus, I’m reminded because I love the Eurovision movie. The real LIVE singing competition takes place annually in May, so a Eurovision holiday is another reason May is my month! 💕

The movie is about the Icelandic singer duo in the song contest (played by Actor Rachel McAdams from The Notebook or more recently Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret, and hilarious Will Ferrell who doesn’t need a movie reference).

But May month is neither here nor there…

And if you’re feeling the heat today, Iceland could be your cool summer Holiday instead of a Roman Holiday one you may have been planning. In Rome and most of Italy, inside air-conditioning is not always available.

Natural cooling methods are traditionally baked inside the ancient ruins or vespas, and that’s why they escape to the beaches for Ferragosto summer holiday break when stores close down. 🏝️

Soooo… if you prefer cool vibes, Reykjavik, Iceland is a different stride. The Keflavik International Airport is one of my favorites that I’ve seen because it’s a lot like an IKEA with the language signage.

The Northern Lights ceiling theme in other parts of the airport feel like you’re in a silent disco or a moving solar system light experience. I knew I was in for my adventure to Paris when my layover was in this airport with a dramatic ride on a sharp incline where the escalator encased with an arched glass, felt like a ride 🏔️ On the escalator ride up, you could see that part of the airport was cut out and built in between and on rocks like my photo above of the waterfalls.

In Iceland, you can focus your time there in awe over the natural wonders.

Picture yourself against green rolling hills and horses that date back to the Vikings times… Or spend your time by calming mineral-rich water sources… and get wet in the famous Blue Lagoon. 👙

If that’s your mission or destination 🙋🏻‍♀️, you could choose to stay very close to the Blue Lagoon feature that’s also a resort.

Another wonder on your bucket list (or cool-off agenda) could be to check out as many fosses (waterfalls) as you can, or just one or two.

Detifoss is Europe’s most powerful foss curtain of water, that’s more miraculous than any fountain of water. ⛲️

…And after you’ve had your time fill in Iceland, you can build a vacation buffer to stay in vacay mode. With just a hop, skip, and a jump flight, you can continue across the Atlantic to Paris ✈️ (from the U.S. you’re already halfway or more there!).

You can go to Paris, baby! 💋

Why Paris? It’s just so darn cool there!… it’s less busy during summer Holiday (unless it’s 2024 Summer Olympic Year). You can chill and see sights in a slower-paced way after the Tour de France has come and gone.

When you’ve deplaned you can walk to cobblestone Rue Mouffetard and get your smell-o-vision on! Enjoy a French crepe to please your wanderlust desires.

You can find deals in the 5th Arondissement Latin Quarter. Many shops are closed, so less people come to the City of Lights. ⭐️

The natural light at night and twinkling lights all add to the romantic warm vibes that the city is about. ✨

And to mix-it-up, you can go the other route where you start in Paris and end in Iceland. In December, Iceland is just kicking into performing high-gear with long, dark nights and moody Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) shows. It’ll be a nice contrast from the Paris Lights, so you get two experiences in one Eurovision holiday vacation! 🗺️

Northern Virginia Lansdowne Spa

…What’s to know about the Northern Virginia Lansdowne Spa (The Insider Scoop)?

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Fairfax is love and Virginia is for lovers ❤️

In the heart of Loudoun County, there is a Northern Virginia Lansdowne spa with roots along the Potomac River. There aren’t many resort spas in the DC metro area where Fairfax is in the middle… and you can count them on one hand, but none are the size of Lansdowne that’s also a place to play golf. I’ll tell you more about the spa scene below…

And if you’re visiting or moving to the Northern Virginia area or considering to do so, you probably want to get this insider scoop to get a lay of the area.

Lansdowne Resort (and golf course) is close to Dulles Airport. And this was where the next tech boom was supposed to happen (they called Netplex, and if you were there in the 90s when Lansdowne was built, you would have breathed that air). That’s where AOL headquarters was and making all the news headlines.

So surprisingly, for such a cultural, affluent, and tech hub-populated area just minutes from the most powerful city in America, there aren’t many big spas around.

Why?

…Many locals have gyms they go to that have pools, steam, and sauna access. Some and many living in the Tyson’s Corner/McLean/Great Falls area especially have personal home spas.

Close by, there are many small boutique spa service stores such as Elizabeth Arden in Reston’s Town Center (that btw, was also a new development in the 90s when the toll road was being built). The Red Door is also in Fairfax, and then you can find smaller spas like Circe or Sugar House Day Spa in Old Town Alexandria or Lorien Spa and hotel I recommend and has a restaurant good for special occasions… but requires taking a drive southeast towards the other side of the Virginia Potomac River.

Northern Virginia Lansdowne spa alternative — Brabo in the Lorien Hotel

But with these few and far between options for a large metro area, there’s a gaping hole for resort-type spas for wellness nearby within a 10-minute drive considering the stressful traffic during rush hour and go-go-go surroundings. You need a massage just to handle the traffic 🫣

If you want to go out further west from Lansdowne, you can visit the luxury Salamander Resort or go more mainstream with a Spa World spa day that seems to be popular with some locals.

In my day spa experience at the Northern Virginia Lansdowne spa, I spent a free day there to recuperate from a busy work season. I’d never tried the spa before and wanted to see if it lived up to its reputation since 1991 when I was far from checking out spas or spa services even though they were all around me. By the late 90s, I was working for Aramark‘s sister property to the Xerox Corporation campus (near Lansdowne) that had about 130,000 sq ft. of conference space and definitely could’ve used a massage. 💆🏻‍♀️

And when I was lucky to be at that spa place, being local I didn’t need a stay, but this resort has rooms and suites you can book and 4 restaurants ranging from country club tavern to golf and poolside eating options… a lot like room service.

So on my weekday visit, I decided to try a facial at the Northern Virginia Lansdowne Spa Minerale. I found the resting room loud (not zen). It was more like sitting at a doctor’s office in a comfy robe and slippers.

But my spa service was good and I bought some one-of-a-spa-kind facial products that didn’t have expiration dates and small bottles that lasted for years. So that was worth the trip alone because spas usually have the better products they’ve researched and tested, and back up their belief by using on their guests.

And afterward, when I got into the spa whirlpool, I felt like a million bucks. I didn’t mind that there were others around because they weren’t chatting.

And if you’re in Northern Virginia and need a nice, economical place to stay, I recommend this newer, boutique hotel style…

You may have discovered this modern color-blocking, exposed ductwork ceiling look in the Aloft brand hotel. The Aloft in Ashburn or Dulles Airport area is close to Leesburg Premium Outlet mall. It’s convenient and they’re sustainable as they do in-room recycling. There’s a WXYZ Bar and a Re:fuel gourmet self-service convenience bar in the lobby in case you need a quick snack. If you like hanging out in airports, you could like this hotel concept.

And if you wanna use or collect your Hilton points, then the Washington Dulles Hilton nearby could be your temp stay hotel place.

My humble hotel work beginnings were at that location.

NC Mountain State Fair near Asheville

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If you want to know where Noah’s Ark is, then the NC State Mountain Fair will answer that… as there are over 4,000 animals. That’s 100 times more than carnival rides they have (40 in case you wanted quick math).

And unlike some carnivals that have mystery rides (that they don’t announce until you’re there), these are no sketchy plans, as they rides are all listed here.

And the NC State Mountain Fair is a close drive to artsy Asheville, NC, where there are plenty of artisan displays to check out if arts and crafts and quilts are your thing. And the Asheville Early Girl Eatery is a good place to enjoy breakfast next to the mountains, and also now in Charlotte a couple hours away.

And enjoy Southern Comfort food at Tupelo Honey Cafe while you stroll the art galleries.

…Asheville, NC (…you may have heard) is full of world-class fun from picturesque Lake Lure (where Dirty Dancing movie shots were taken).

And Chimney Rock’s Hickory Nut Falls was a waterfall debut in The Last of the Mohicans. And of course is home to the Biltmore Castle where there was a recent Leonardi da Vinci exhibit. The castle is good also to see at Christmas time if you like decorated Christmas trees. Plus, there’s a Biltmore winery on ground that remind me of the Virginia wineries if that’s your thing!

Idea 💭 : you can rent a pontoon to enjoy the lake when the weather is nice. And staying at a downtown boutique hotel is a good idea. If you want a unique mountain rock feel in a resort atmosphere with a tennis court, then you can check this one out.

And that’ll put you in the natural mood to visit the Chimney Rock’s Hickory Nut Falls. The waterfall made a debut in The Last of the Mohicans if you’re a movie buff (where Acor Daniel Day-Lewis cried out, “I will come find you” to Madeleine Stowe’s character). And it was voted one of the best waterfalls in America helping to make America beautiful.

5 Best Raleigh Outdoor Boutique Stores

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Raleigh outdoor boutique stores are great when the weather is nice. You get to enjoy the weather and appreciate the live greenery. And my number one pick is Cameron Village.

You’ll see plenty of pink against black and white stripes and frou frou mini poodle decor, just to get a sense of the the scene ivbe. Put on your chic Jackie O’ sunglasses and get shoppin’ or window shopping.

Located closer to downtown Raleigh and Five Points area, this all-outdoor mall has everything from local honey and tea stores to clothing boutique stores (CT Weekends) that even sell Michael Stars. And look for the Carolina blue cupcakes.

And for outdoor indoor green for practical decorating, you can find a Michael’s Store at Brier Creek.

Raleigh outdoor boutique stores have green indoors too

Brier Creek Commons (near RDU Airport)- outdoors, you can drive around and stop for amazing chocolate and do all your one-stop shopping from specialty home goods, coffee, eateries, stationery gift stores, books, pet goods, wine, and package shipping.

Streets at South Point (Durham) – has small outdoor boutique stores and you can enjoy with your non-shopping partners who just want to sit down. And once in a while, you might even catch a street performance.

North Hills (North Raleigh) -this is the posh outdoor boutique store area that has all the one-of-a-kind boutiques… And get your hair cut at Salon Blu boutique hair salon in case you find yourself needing a haircut in town.

Triangle Town Center (Northeast Raleigh closer to Wake Forest)- this is a gigantic mall… and close by if you need some good fabrics for your projects, there’s a boutique-worthy Mill Outlet Village fabric store with checkers and prints and every pattern you can imagine. 🎨

And now that your head is spinning with ideas, here’s how you can optimize your time by narrowing down which outdoor shopping areas you should visit.

Which best outdoor boutique shopping area should you go to if you need…

A unique wedding gift for someone: Cameron Village

An anniversary gift: The malls, Triangle Town Center (unique mall stores) or Streets at South Point (Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret, jeweler, sports store). Belk and Nordstrom at South Point

A birthday party gift or planning a party: Brier Creek Commons (Target, Party Store, Hallmark)

Furniture: Southpoint (Lovesac, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel)

Home furnishings: Target and Home Goods at Brier Creek Commons and unique furnishing stores in Cameron Village and North Hills

Apple electronics: South Point or Crabtree Valley Mall if you want to stay in Raleigh (…and if you get hungry, you can’t go wrong with The Cheesecake Factory while you’re there).

Back to work fashion: Streets at South Point (Anthropologie, Lilly Pulitzer, Lucky Brand, Loft, Express, Free People, Gap

So now you know which Raleigh direction you’re heading in

And if you would like a nice unique spa stay in a tranquil setting, try The Umstead in Cary (that’s no longer the Contained Area for Relocating Yankees). And if you want a beachy spa experience a few hours away, you can drive to OBX and visit this Duck hotel spa.

Health and Wellness Travel

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My last day on the health and wellness restore and detox experience

health and wellness travel to the Chopra Center — My last day on the health and wellness restore and detox experience

Health and wellness travel is one of the newest travel trends. The effects can last a life time. I got my first real experience actually 3,000 miles within the States, where I’m from.

I was living a stressful work life (as many of us Americans do), and needed some rest and peace. I’d never tried yoga before. What better place to try than at the Deepak Chopra Center in Carlsbad, California (in San Diego). I stayed at this great Omni La Costa Resort where the Chopra Center is located, that’s just perfect for R&R. You go back to your room and it has a spa-like waterfall shower.

Omni La Costa Resort & SPA (Deepak Chopra Center for Health & Wellness)

For health and wellness travel, I took this Perfect Health program at the Chopra Center that’s based on Deepak’s book called “Perfect Health.” I researched and chose the health program because it included the entire mind-body-spirit connection.

The best thing about it was that there were classes to teach about areas of specific doshas (you learn this in the book) and what types of foods, music, and exercises are great when you have an imbalance.

Now I know which scented candles to buy when I’m feeling worried or irritated! I attempted meditation for the first time and practiced yoga for the first time. They should be done separately. We also got these life balance marma massages (ayurvedic term), that are different than Swedish massages.

Over a decade later, I am still “over the moon” with that weeklong trip. I use all that I learned and I share a lot with my friends.

They laugh when I break out the three types of spices that I bought in the store (Kapha, Pitta, Vata), and blind them to tell me which one they like the most, based on smell. Then I “magically” tell them what their imbalance is. Because the body tells you what you need. It craves what it doesn’t have and wants. It’s a fun thing to do and helpful when you are feeling a certain way or moody and don’t know why.

Best FREE Spa Hotel in Norway

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Best free spa hotel in Norway with steam, sauna, and jacuzzi in a quaint ski town in Lillehammer where the 1994 Winter Olympic ski jump competition occurred… keep reading.

I started loving spas and especially free spas (yes, they exist)! I discovered the benefits of steam, sauna rooms, and jaccuzis. They’re healthy, relaxing and therapeutic. Turkish bath and Russian bath houses are great but hard to find in the States (Philly and Miami are two places to check out). And good luck finding a thermal spa. When you’re in Europe, they are common. Some are free (courtesy of nature), but most are not.

Amazing free hidden gem spa at the Lillehammer Hotel.

This was the most amazing “hidden” free spa hotel in Norway I discovered by accident. It’s in the Scandic Lillehammer Hotel.

Down in the basement, where you think the operating controls are for the hotel, there is an entire free-for-guests spa. This hotel spa has a cold dip pool where you walk down stairs shaped as a square (add some unique drama to getting into the cold pool). There are also 3 steam room and sauna rooms set on different heats.

And several additional large pools. For those who like fun, instead of traditional shower heads there are several overhead bushels of water where you can pull the string for a neat shower experience.

It’s very unique.

This is what people used to hear about as jokes when you were sleeping at camp (where they throw a bucket of water over your head). Or what you see that they do on SuperBowl night to the MVP. It’s even better when you’re doing this yourself as it’s not a shock.

Rooms look like this have a view of the Lillehammer ski jump.

I doubt you would go to this hotel, just for the spa (I mean I would, but everyone isn’t like me!). The Lillehammer Hotel is just a few hundred feet away from the Lillehammer ski jump, famous in the 1994 Winter Olympic. It’s surrounded by a cute town. So after you visit the town you can enjoy the free spa and complimentary nice breakfast.

And if you love thermal spas, you may want to checkout Bath.

Thermal Spa Bath Experience in Bath

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Bath’s Christmas Market near the thermal spa bath steps away 🐾

If you’re looking for a heavenly thermal spa mineral-rich experience, then Bath could be your place. It’s a wonderful hidden gem town that has many year-round events.

If you go during the Christmas season, you’ll get to experience the outdoor Christmas Market that’s not crowded like other ones that are more known. You can sometimes find good holiday deals.

But a must-do anytime is the Thermae Spa that the town is known for and has an outdoor rooftop thermal pool and indoor pools. If you’ve ever wanted to try mineral spa waters like the Romans did 2,000 years ago, but in a controlled environment, then this is the place to visit. And the 2-hour body therapeutic experience is affordable.

With the savings of going to this spa over one in a larger city, you’ll comfortably be able to have a nice stay at the Abbey Hotel that’s just a 4-minute walk to the Thermae Spa and Christmas Market in the City Centre (and less than 2 hour drive from London).

Bath City Centre tree around Christmas 🎄

The hotel is convenient and the rooms are unique. You can stay in the Cinematography Room with a modern design or the Gallery Room with a soothing green color wall.

And the hotel has one of the best afternoon teas you don’t wanna miss! 💕 When you’re ready for brunch and art-deco inspiration, head over to The Ivy Bath Brasserie for a unique Bath dining experience, the foodie kitchen sink with anything from Shepherd’s Pie to Lobster Prawn Free-Range Eggs Benedict.

And if you want a ‘lil history you can visit the Roman Baths and appreciate your modern spa bath even more in this quaint town and what it has to offer.

roman bath thermal spa — The Roman Baths in Bath, UK

Visit San Diego Baseball Park When In Town

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Historic Gaslamp Quarter near the San Diego baseball stadium

If you’re a baseball fan, San Diego Baseball is one of San Diego’s identities and the schedule is in full swing … like many major American cities, it has its own national baseball stadium and team. It’s not named after one animal, but many kinds and not just oriole birds or cubs… it’s the Petco Park Stadium that appreciates cats and dogs alike. 🐱🐶 And their owners. 😊 That includes Padres (means father). Go Padres! ⚾️

And you can catch a glimpse of this San Diego baseball park from the hotels and buildings nearby.

One such hotel is the Omni Hotel that you can’t help but get in the batting zone frame of mind. Decorated with famous baseball player bats and balls throughout… um, have you heard of Babe Ruth and Yogi Berra? Regardless, you will in this baseball vibe museum hotel.

legendary Babe Ruth san diego baseball bat in hotel — Babe Ruth bat

San Diego is an area that is a popular dream place for young professionals. It’s low in humidity and known for its better weather reputation close to the water and mountains. Hello, sunshine and relaxtion! ☀️

I have many memories in San Diego and Pacific Beach with family and friends including my Carbsbad wellness memories a little up north. And at the Omni you can catch some wellness rays at the pool or get a massage especially if you’re there for a convention like I was!

And walking distance to the convention-centric San Diego hotel is the downtown San Diego Convention Center. Getting there, you may stumble over some Bird scooters… are those still around? 🛴

I tried one around the city in the Gaslamp Quarter and discovered it’s not safe or reliable. It could die on you at any time which works for its drop-off anywhere convenience (or inconvenience if you trip over one 🤨). It’s tempting to ride with flip flops with the beachy relax vibes minutes away. 🩴 But save them for the sand.

Electric bike could be a better-controlled ride. Just sayin’! And don’t forget to get a nearby bite along the San Diego Bay water by Seaport Village. A good place to do that is next to The Kiss or The Unconditional Surrender statue you can find in other palm-lined states (hint: it’s on the east coast and the largest producer of oranges that’s not California 😉).

Cactus thrive in dry weather like San Diego

2023 Amador County Barbera Wine Festival

Amador County Barbera wine is one of the hidden best wine areas in California. It’s off the beaten path from other big wine valley counties like Napa or Sonoma County. Amador County is east of Sacramento, CA and produces some of the best red wines if I may say so. 😊

The highest mountain vineyard terrains are compared to the Mediterranean foothills exposed to long sunny days suitable for tasty wines. And, Amador County is is also credited with cultivating the first Zinfandels.

Amador County Barbera wines are like a Syrah or Shiraz with fruit-forward jammy berry flavors like raspberries and strawberries. If that’s your jam, then a Barbera can grow on you fast.

And to get some tastes, you may want to visit the Barbera Festival (in its 10th year) with over 40 wineries to try in one fell-swoop. 🍷

Amador County Barbera Wine county grapes

Amador County is in the Sierra Nevadas mountain range. And one boutique quality vineyard in the heart of Plymouth, CA is Coopers Vineyards. The wines you taste in the boutique winery store may not change your life, but they can definitely change your wine life! ❤️

They produce winners at the Orange County Fair wine competitions with an unforgettable Petite Syrah and Primitivo Reservo and unique Sangiovese (it’s not just in Italy anymore!). From Folsom Lake, you can go south on Latrobe Road and turn on Shenandoah Road to find this winery and vineyard.

Cooper Amador County Barbera Wine prodcer in Plymouth, CA

Coopers will be at the the Amador County Barbera Wine Festival where you can sample their Barberas. The festival is in Plymouth, CA next to Coopers at the Terra D’Oro Vineyards (Land of Gold) with 800+ acres. Traces of gold are found in the vineyard land in case you’re wondering…

And in these superior lands, to make your trip planning life easy, you can turn your “gold” trip into a hotel spa trip for maximum joy or a boutique stay in the heart of downtown Plymouth, CA. That’s my two senses (and cents!). 🍇

10 Maryland Restaurant Week Picks

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Maryland Restaurant Week includes crab cakes options and you want to try Tidewater Grille on the Chesapeake Bay

Maryland Restaurant Week is coming. And today is National Maryland Day. While these and other daily calendar celebrations are fun to observe like yesterday’s daily horoscopes use to be, having a foodie food reminder is even better! 🎉

For Maryland Restaurant Week, Tidewater Grille in Havre de Grace is on the menu with Maryland famous crab cakes and bites 🍽️ They are located on the Chesapeake Bay where you can enjoy porch seating. And if that’s not something to be happy about… they play live music on weekend nights 🎶 You don’t have to drive all the way to a piano bar or the beach for free entertainment.

And along the drum of good eats, Chesapeake Bay Beach Club on Kent Island is across the Bay Bridge (towards Ocean City or OC for short) on the Eastern Shore.

This is the inn with a spa you gotta checkout (and you won’t wanna checkout! 🛏️). It’s a special place with tasteful modern accents throughout, and one restaurant private dining space has unique exposed white ducts in the high ceiling peak. I can appreciate having planned thousands of private events.

The inn’s spaces are an architectural design dream. There’s a spa and they offer yoga. It’s a culinary hotel that has fresh herbs growing in the gardens. It’s not just for Oprah and the nouveau riche anymore!

And the Annapolis state capitol in Anne Arundel County is no run down county. And these are a sample of the restaurant run down picks I have for Maryland Restaurant Week (that’s extensive like DC Restaurant Week)…

In Annapolis, Blackwall Hitch is participating (also in Alexandria).

And for Maryland Restaurant Week, you’ll be surprised that there are special with coffee houses, bakeries, and even sports and entertainment places like Sports and Social that’s a chain that on the list for Bethesda, MD.

Montgomery County is an affluent county with Bethesda’s Seasons 52 and its Columbia location. If you’re into modern diners, Columbia’s Silver Diner is also participating.

And if you’re Italian seeking, Baltimore’s Amicci’s of Little Italy eatery and La Tavola off the famous Albermarle Street n Baltimore’s Little Italy 🇮🇹 serving authentic dishes with oozing burrata, generous parmagiano-reggiano, and gluten-free pasta options.

Further north in Frederick (if you’re heading to western PA), you can stop in at Outback (the steakhouse that is) for their Bloomin’ Onion, sirloin or chicken with sides, and cheesecake for dessert.

And 32Palm in Hilton Ocean Suites where you can get the best of both restaurant and hotel hospitality worlds. It’s down by the iconic Ocean City Jolly Roger Amusement Park where all the hoopla is at night! 🚥

So now you have the low-down and have plenty of Maryland Restaurant Week places to consider.

maryland restaurant week has Maryland crab soup on menus