Category Archives: Wellness & Health

Adler Thermae Spa and Resort in Tuscany Redefines Wellness Travel

ADLER Thermae Resort & Spa in Bagno Vignoni, Italy, the groundbreaking five-star hotel fed by the Bagno Vignoni’s thermal waters, takes full advantage of its breathtaking location in the Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Bagno Vignoni, Italy – It would be easy for a guest at ADLER Thermae Resort & Spa, the groundbreaking five-star hotel fed by the Bagno Vignoni’s thermal waters, to be tempted to check in for several days and never leave the property. After all, the baths, saunas and pools cover 1,000 square feet of the property, and the spa menu has more than 120 treatments, including carefully customized facials performed with signature ADLER products and massages using techniques such as craniosacral and Ayurveda.

But they would be missing out on one of the most distinctive things about the hotel: Its breathtaking location in the Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Adler Thermae offers the perfect home base for exploring the area through half-day excursions led by local guides—which still leave plenty of time to luxuriate at the spa.

Guests who want to immerse themselves in eating, drinking, walking and relaxing—activities that have arguably been perfected in Italy—should look at two packages: “Enjoy Tuscany” and “Explore Tuscany.”

Visitors who’ve booked “Enjoy Tuscany” will have the chance to take a morning cooking class taught by a local home cook (or “mamma”) at Tenuta Sanoner, the hotel’s hilltop winery. After working in the kitchen, they’ll savor their creations during lunch on the terrace overlooking the valley. They’ll also experience a tasting in the wine cellar featuring local varietals, cheeses and meats. Not only will they return home relaxed and full of fabulous food, they’ll have new recipes in their cooking repertoire and everlasting memories of Tuscany.

Another highlight of the package is the Adler Luxury Aetos Ritual treatment, which is designed for couples. A detoxifying peel is followed by a soothing massage using grapeseed oil. Next comes a regenerating bath in mix of the hotel’s thermal mineral waters and local red wine, which is rich in antioxidants. To further engage the senses, the treatment concludes with a glass of sparkling Aetos Rosé and a taste of wine-aged pecorino cheese.

“Enjoy Tuscany”
4 to 7 nights; from €1,021.00 per person
Through 10/31/19
Included:

  • 1 cooking class in the enchanting Tenuta Sanoner, followed by lunch
  • 1 ADLER Luxury Aetos ritual for two: a luxurious wine therapy ritual with a cleansing dermatological peel, relaxing massage, a regenerating bath in thermal water and final tasting of Aetos wine and pecorino cheese.
  • 1 Tasting of wine and typical products in the ADLER cellar

The “Explore Tuscany” offer gives guests the chance to be active with local hikes and walks, which are especially pleasant during spring and autumn. Led by local guides, visitors will climb the rolling Tuscan hills and have the chance to see some of the area’s most famous sites, including the Abbey of Sant’Antimo, the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, and the Vitaleta Chapel. Should they prefer to cycle, they’ll have complimentary access to the hotel’s fleet of mountain bikes and electric bikes.

Other excursions might include the classic Renaissance towns of Pienza, with its famous cathedral and Papal residence, and Montepulciano and Montalcino, known for their namesake wines. Finally, gourmands will appreciate the chance to meet some of Tuscany’s renowned artisanal producers, and they’ll be able to taste wine, olive oil, cured meat, saffron, pasta and cheese. Depending on the season, they also will be able to see ingredients like herbs, fruit, vegetables and truffles growing in their natural environment. The perfect partner to a week spent hiking and biking? A €100 spa voucher for each guest, so they can decide which treatment will best soothe their sore muscles.

“Explore Tuscany”
4 to 14 nights; from €854.00 per person (excluding local tastings, which cost approximately €15 to 35 each)
Through 12/20/19
Included:

  • Up to 5 hiking tours or excursions per week
  • 1 €100 spa voucher per person
  • Free use of mountain bikes and e-bikes

Adler Thermae Spa and Resort in Tuscany, set between the vineyards of Montepulciano and Montalcino, has redefined the idea of wellness. Its peaceful surroundings in the UNESCO Tuscan site, warm thermal waters and the staff’s fierce dedication have proven to be a magical combination. The spa menu is always improving, capitalizing on the highest quality natural products and state-of-the-art equipment. Treatments address both inner harmony and outer beauty while encouraging deep relaxation. A team of more than 40 staff members and physicians provide individual counseling and treatments for body and soul.

The five-star hotel spa offers not only relaxation and beauty treatments, but also modern western medicine and alternative healing methods. The ADLER MED medical competence center has its own team of doctors from disciplines like general medicine, laboratory medicine, aesthetic medicine, modern Mayr medicine, homeopathy, herbal medicine and nutrition.

The hotel has a total of 90 luxury rooms and suites: The Superior is for two people, while Junior Suites accommodate three to four. The spacious rooms offer a sitting area with tea table, sofa, writing desk and armchair. The decor features rich wood furnishings with warm-toned draperies. Rooms and suites have “Bio air-conditioning” (room temperature and humidity individually adjustable) and private terraces or balconies overlooking the splendid Orcia Valley. The marble bathroom features a separate glass-enclosed shower, toilet and bidet. Hypoallergenic and handicapped-accessible rooms are also available.

For more information:  https://www.adler-resorts.com/en/

 

For more travel features, visit:

goingplacesfarandnear.com

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

moralcompasstravel.info

www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/

goingplacesfarandnear.tumblr.com/

instagram.com/krubin0830/

instagram.com/famtravltr/

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Austin Adventures and Life is Good® Team Up to Launch Life is Good Vacations

Austin Adventures, a leader in active multisport adventure vacations for families and adults worldwide, is teaming up with Life is Good, a Boston-based apparel brand dedicated to spreading the power of optimism, to launch Life is Good Vacations.

Billings, MT – Austin Adventures, a leader in active multisport adventure vacations for families and adults worldwide, is teaming up with Life is Good, a Boston-based apparel brand dedicated to spreading the power of optimism, to launch Life is Good Vacations.

This new trip series will be uniquely designed to align adventure with a journey of self-discovery, allowing guests to connect with others and the outdoors through a refreshed, positive outlook. Life is Good Vacations are available to book now for travel dates starting in June 2018. (For more info Click Here.)

Life is Good has devoted 24 years to celebrating life’s simple pleasures through positive art and messaging. With the launch of Life is Good Vacations, people can now experience those simple joys while in the beauty of an incredible destination of their choice.

“These trips provide an unforgettable combo of pure outdoor fun, deep unplugged connections and true adventure,” says John Jacobs, Life is Good co-founder. “They’re a spectacular way to recharge and get a fresh perspective on the good that’s around us.”

Life is Good Vacations by Austin Adventures will kick off with a trip to Montana and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, complete with biking, hiking, rafting, and horseback riding. Travelers will savor the destination’s local cuisine, explore its hidden gems under the direction of expert guides, and enjoy its natural wonders without the stress of planning.

“The concept of ‘adventure’ is deeply engrained in the ethos of our company. We believe that every destination we visit is equipped with its own unique experience. With this partnership, we now have an incredible opportunity to translate Life is Good’s love for nature into the actual landscapes where active individuals and families want to travel,” says Dan Austin, Austin Adventures founder.

This season, vacations include both family and adult-only trips in groups of 12 or less to:

To learn more and to book, visit lifeisgood.com.

The Life is Good Company is a $100 million apparel brand dedicated to spreading the power of optimism through positive art and messaging. The company donates 10 percent of its net profits to help kids in need through the Life is Good Kids Foundation. To date, the foundation has positively impacted 8,000 childcare providers who care for over 1 million kids every year, many of whom are facing early childhood trauma. Life is Good® is a registered trademark of The Life is Good Company. Visit LifeisGood.com for more details, and follow Life is Good on TwitterFacebook and Instagram.

Based in Billings, Montana, Austin Adventures has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a top provider of luxury, small group, multisport tours for adults and families to the world’s most captivating destinations. Acknowledged twice by Travel + Leisure magazine with the prestigious World’s Best Award plus many more national media accolades and distinctions. Austin Adventures creates itineraries featuring exceptional regional dining, distinctive accommodations, top guides and exhilarating activities, while keeping all-inclusive rates and services the norm. In addition to scheduled group departures on all seven continents, Austin Adventures has developed a reputation as the leader in customized trip planning and execution. All are backed by the industry’s best money-back satisfaction guarantee.

For more information, trip listings, detailed itineraries and trip availability contact http://www.austinadventures.com, call 800-575-1540 or email [email protected].

For more travel features, visit:

goingplacesfarandnear.com

www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

moralcompasstravel.info

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/

goingplacesfarandnear.tumblr.com/

instagram.com/krubin0830/

instagram.com/famtravltr/

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Off the Map Travel Introduces’ Northern Lights for the Soul’ at Yoga Retreat in Finland

An unusual tour organized by Off the Map Travel allows guests to experience the spiritual side of the Northern Lights at a yoga retreat in Finland.
An unusual tour organized by Off the Map Travel allows guests to experience the spiritual side of the Northern Lights at a yoga retreat in Finland.

(Kilpisjärvi, Finland)  – An unusual tour allows guests to experience the spiritual side of the Northern Lights. Off the Map Travel, a tour company that specializes in Northern Lights, has worked with a remote Arctic Aurora spotting destination in Finland and well-being experts to create a four-day “Northern Lights for the Soul” program that includes yoga, meditation, a special wellness nutrition menu, and other fitness and wellness activities. The trip is slated for March 7-11, 2016.

Priced starting at $2158 per person, program includes all meals, a private room sharing a Saana chalet, daily yoga and meditation sessions, access to the spa area, optional 1:1 meditation sessions with experts, daily Northern Lights hunts, a traditional kota evening with a meal cooked on the fire, and return airport transfers. Flights are not included.

With yoga, exercise and relaxation techniques; a hot tub and ice hole; a nutritionally designed diet using local recipes and local produce; and an exploration of Sami beliefs around the Aurora, this is an opportunity to not only see the Northern Lights, but also to connect with them to revitalize both body and mind.

Northern Lights for the Soul has been developed in the remote Finnish destination of Kilpisjärvi which offers serenity distinctively delivered from Arctic remoteness. Jonny Cooper, Director of Off the Map Travel, said; “Anyone who has experienced the Arctic night sky and the Northern Lights will agree that it is a transcendent experience. Combine this with the isolation and beauty of the Arctic tundra and you have an amazing shift in physical and emotional well-being. We want you to leave with a new outlook and mindfulness, feeling energized and touched by the Northern Lights. We see this as a way to help make fundamental changes to your physical and emotional outlook and well-being.”

Off the Map Travel  consists of a team of travel experts who work with experiences and destinations that allow people to explore hidden wonders of the world. Specializing in soft adventure and viewing of the Northern Lights, Off the Map Travel creates tailor-made itineraries that offer a distinctive vacation based on first-hand experience. Each itinerary is tailored to the ages of participants, creating experiences for families, groups, couples and singles that are comfortable and luxurious, with activity levels appropriate for all participants.

For more information about Off the Map Travel or Northern Lights vacations,visit www.ILoveNorthernLights.com,  www.offthemaptravel.co.uk , call +44 (0) 800 566 8901 or email  [email protected].

 

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

goingplacesfarandnear.com

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

moralcompasstravel.info

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Winners of First Global Wellness Travel Awards Announced

The Blue Lagoon in Grindavik, Iceland won a Wellness Travel Award as "Best for Mineral or Hot Springs“© 2014 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
The Blue Lagoon in Grindavik, Iceland won a Wellness Travel Award as “Best for Mineral or Hot Springs“© 2014 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Spafinder Wellness 365® announced the winners of the inaugural global Wellness Travel Awardswhich were presented at a press event held at the World Travel Market in London. The new awards reflect the significance of the $494 billion worldwide wellness tourism market and are the first to honor destination spas, hotels, resorts and retreats around the world dedicated to offering experiences and environments that leave visitors healthier when they check out than when they checked in.

An elite panel of 26 travel and wellness industry journalists and experts nominated 373 locations for the awards; consumers across the globe then cast votes for the nominees. Online voting took place June 18 through September 19, and those nominees that received the most votes were named winners.

The results indicate that “wellness” means different things to different people:

Many consumers voted for  five-star hotels like the Four Seasons, which won 10 awards, two Crystal/continent awards and eight county awards –and has introduced creative offerings on the wellness front.

Some picked family-friendly options such as “Best for Families” winner, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Oahu, Hawaii, where the family can choose from healthy food options and mom can relish a relaxing massage. And others cast their votes for exotic locations like Blue Lagoon in Grindavik, Iceland (“Best for Mineral or Hot Springs“) or designations where they can practice their fitness favorites, like Parrot Cay by Como in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (“Best for Yoga”).

In all, people around the world cast votes for six Crystal Awards, 41 Country Awards and 18 Category Awards

Crystal Awards Honor Top Properties on Six Continents: Coveted Crystal Awards were given to the top wellness travel destinations on six (habitable) continents. Notably, Four Seasons properties won Crystal Awards in both Asia and Europe.

Africa: La Mamounia (Marrakech, Morocco)
Asia: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan (Bali, Indonesia)
Australia: Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat (Queensland, Australia)
Europe: George V Paris Four Seasons (Paris, France)
North America: Canyon Ranch (Brand-Wide, U.S.)
South America: Lapinha Spa (Lapa, Brazil)

Country and Category Awards: In addition to the Crystal Awards, consumers voted for their favorite wellness travel destinations in 41 countries, from Vietnam to Chile. Four Seasons properties were once again in the spotlight, winning awards in Argentina, Egypt, France, India, Malaysia, the Maldives, Morocco and Russia. The Lifehouse Spa & Hotel, located in Essex, took honors for the UK, and Ste. Anne’s Spa in Grafton, Ontario, won the Country Award for Canada.

Voters also recognized top destinations in 18 “Best for” categories, with well-known Miraval Resort and Spa and Canyon Ranch Tucson, both located in Arizona, garnering five and four awards, respectively. Additionally, category winners included Blue Lagoon in Grindavik, Iceland (“Best for Mineral or Hot Springs“); Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Oahu, Hawaii (“Best for Families”); and Parrot Cay by Como in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (“Best for Yoga”). Salamander Resort and Spa in Virginia was voted “Best New Wellness Travel Property.”

Mia Kyricos, chief brand officer of Spafinder Wellness, Inc.®, who announced the awards at the press event alongside John Bevan, managing director of Spafinder’s European division, said, “We are honored to recognize the importance of wellness tourism to consumers worldwide who are seeking healthy travel options, whether they are in St. Petersburg on business or enjoying a rejuvenating vacation in New Zealand. As a company that has been in this business for nearly 30 years, it’s gratifying to see so many engaged by this awards program, and it is just the beginning.”

Spafinder Wellness 365 defines wellness travel “as vacations, getaways and business trips that help travelers stay (or get) healthy by offering unique options, such as healthy cuisine or programs that allow guests to relax and rejuvenate.”

Kyricos also noted wellness tourism grew 74 percent faster than global tourism overall (12.7 percent versus 7.3 percent) between 2012 and 2013, and that growth was especially strong in developing regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa (57 percent); the Middle East/North Africa (39 percent); Asia-Pacific (21 percent); and Latin America (16 percent), during that same timeframe**. The Wellness Travel Awards recognized numerous spas, hotels and resorts in these regions, many of them new to travelers.

“The awards are an industry accolade and an important consumer guide,” said Kyricos. “And these winners are just a few of the thousands of wellness destinations that are dedicated to providing healthy travel experiences for every budget and every interest. Keeping well differs for everyone, and the awards reflect the many paths to wellness that are offered around the globe.”

See all Wellness Travel Award winners at: spafinder.comspafinder.co.uk and spafinder.ca.

 

See also:

Canyon Ranch Miami Beach reinvents health/wellness luxury resort and slideshow

 

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

New: Moral Compass: Great Places to Go Where the Going Does Good

moralcompasstravel.info

Check out our newest travel site for special deals, insiders’ tips at tidbitts.com: www.tidbitts.com/karen-rubin/where-in-the-world

 

Aspen Snowmass Presents ‘Mind Body Spirit’ Videos

 

Get into the mind-body-spirit at Aspen, Colorado. Aspen Skiing Company offers five mountain experiences: Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk.
Get into the mind-body-spirit at Aspen, Colorado. Aspen Skiing Company offers five mountain experiences: Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk.

Aspen Snowmass, the famous mountain resort in the Colorado Rockies that hosts the Aspen Institute, is premiering of its three-episode Mind Body Spirit video series which can be viewed at http://mindbodyspirit.aspensnowmass.com/.

“Aspen Snowmass offers more than just some of the best mountains in the world; it’s a place that inspires and invigorates the mind, body and spirit,” says Meaghan Lynch of Aspen Skiing Company, which created the videos for a campaign. “That’s the Aspen Idea – a concept that is meant to stir the soul, feed the flame and renew the spirit in the most stunning outdoor landscape.”

The concept is beautifully conveyed in  a three episode series featuring 4-time X Games champion Gretchen Bleiler, world champion freeskier Torin Yater-Wallace and best-selling author Walter Isaacson.

Episode One: Stir the Soul

Gretchen Bleiler, the four-time X Games gold medalist, talks about how Aspen Snowmass prepared her for the world stage and why she learns something new every time she returns home to these mountains.

View here: http://mindbodyspirit.aspensnowmass.com/stir-the-soul/.

Episode Two: Feed the Flame

Torin Yater-Wallace, a world-champion freeskier, shows us how to get the heart racing at Aspen Snowmass with everything from what motivates him, to the thrill of the X Games, to what it’s like growing up on some of the best terrain in the world. View here: http://mindbodyspirit.aspensnowmass.com/feed-the-flame/.

Episode Three: Renew the Spirit

Best-selling author and President of The Aspen Institute, Walter Isaacson discusses the moments, feelings and perspectives that make Aspen Snowmass much more than just a place on a map. View here: http://mindbodyspirit.aspensnowmass.com/renew-the-spirit/.

Aspen Skiing Company offers five mountain experiences: Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk. For more information, visit www.aspensnowmass.com

 

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

New: Moral Compass: Great Places to Go Where the Going Does Good

moralcompasstravel.info

Check out our newest travel site for special deals, insiders’ tips at tidbitts.com: www.tidbitts.com/karen-rubin/where-in-the-world

Turtle Bay Resort, Oahu to Host Visual Artist Louie Schwartzberg for New Wonder & Wellness Workshop

Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s fabled North Shore will host Louie Schwartzberg, a celebrated cinematographer, director and producer, as part of its new Wonder & Wellness workshop series from November 13-16, 2014. This is the first time Schwartzberg has been accessible to visual

artists, photographers and nature lovers in such an intimate and interactive format. Highlights of his visit will include a brand-new visually stunning presentation with limited seating open to the public, a small group photography excursion, and VIP access at once-in-a-lifetime creative learning events.

Schwartzberg, who captures breathtaking images that celebrate life, will take a deeper look at art and how it can be used to break barriers, connect with audiences, and tell stories that reveal the mysteries and wisdom of nature, people and places. Schwartzberg is an award-winning expert in time-lapse, high-speed and macro cinematography techniques, with a career spanning more than three decades.

His recent theatrical releases include the 3D IMAX film “Mysteries of the Unseen World” with National Geographic, narrated by Forest Whitaker, and the Disneynature feature “Wings of Life,” narrated by Meryl Streep. “Mysteries” is a journey into invisible worlds that are too slow, too fast, too small and too vast for the human eye to see. Designed to inspire, educate and perhaps even evolve our perspective on the world, Schwartzberg also creates and curates unique Moving Art™ content, which is used in venues and technologies throughout the world. Two of his most recent TEDx Talks, “Nature. Beauty. Gratitude” and “The Hidden Beauty of Pollination” are often cited as the top TEDx views of all time.

“I hope my films inspire and open people’s hearts,” Schwartzberg said. “Beauty is nature’s tool for survival – you protect what you love. If we can move enough people on an emotional level, I hope we can achieve the shift in consciousness we need to sustain and celebrate life.”

The three-night Wonder & Wellness Exclusive Limited Package includes an intimate immersion in Schwartzberg’s work, with special events led by the artist. Newly renovated epic accommodations and partial meals are included. Check www.TurtleBayResort for pricing on three-night packages. The package includes:

  • 3 nights in brand-new epic accommodations at Turtle Bay Resort, including resort fee
  • Welcome reception with Schwartzberg
  • Meals, including daily breakfast at the new farm-to-table North Shore Kula Grille; a picnic lunch at Kawela Bay with Schwartzberg and a Hawaii cultural teacher; and dinner with Schwartzberg at the new sea-to-table Pa‘akai restaurant
  • $75 activity credit at Kawela Bay to explore on stand-up paddleboards, a guided kayak tour, snorkeling and more
  • VIP admission, reception and seating at a special presentation of “Saving Our Planet: Nature’s Mysteries Revealed Through the Lens” at Surfer, The Bar
  • VIP admission and seating at Talk Story gathering with Schwartzberg at Surfer, The Bar
  • Morning visual guided meditation led by Schwartzberg, followed by a Hawaiian blessing
  • 60-minute massage at the new Nalu Kinetic Spa and two fitness class passes
  • $100 resort credit for restaurants; spa; retail or activities

An exclusive limited12-person excursion for experienced photographers led by Schwartzberg at pre-scouted locations throughout Turtle Bay’s 840 acres is available for an additional supplement. Call (808) 293-6000 at Turtle Bay Resort for additional information and reservations.

“I will talk about some basic creative photography tips like adjusting depth of field, focus, composition and lighting – but more importantly how to capture the emotion you feel at the decisive moment of squeezing the trigger,” Schwartzberg said of the photography excursion. “Finding images that connect with universal rhythms and the deepest part of your soul. How your mind and the sensor need to be open to anything, without judgment, waiting in the dark for light to strike, always in a state of readiness.”

Call 808-293-6000 or visit www.turtlebayresort.com/oahu_events for more.

To discover the destination and stay up to date on the Turtle Bay experience, check out Oahusfablednorthshore.com.

 

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

New: Moral Compass: Great Places to Go Where the Going Does Good

moralcompasstravel.info

Check out our newest travel site for special deals, insiders’ tips at tidbitts.com: www.tidbitts.com/karen-rubin/where-in-the-world