If your idea includes relaxing and rejuvenating, then you know that you need to visit a spa. Not all spas, or travelers, are the same, however, so it is important to do your research beforehand so that you can find the right spa for you. Research the treatments and the costs so that you can find the right spa for you, your lifestyle, and your budget.
1. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Are you taking a vacation with your entire family? You do not have to forego resting and relaxing. The Grand Floridian Resort offers their guests childcare in their rooms and child-oriented activities to give you time to enjoy the spa. The spa offers many different treatments to help you receive the rejuvenation that you want and need, including mineral therapy, body-composition analysis, massages, and more.
2. The Aveda Spa at Seattle’s Alexis Hotel
Couples that are looking for a romantic and relaxing weekend will enjoy the Alexis Hotel. They offer a chocolate dessert and champagne for free that you can enjoy with your spouse and you can visit the Aveda Spa. There are a variety of different treatments that you can get at the spa, including a Himalayan Rejuvenation Body Treatment and more. The skin care treatments are available for purchase, too, which can allow you to take that relaxing and recuperating feeling home with you.
3. Marriott’s Wentworth by the Sea at New Castle
If you and your partner are looking for a beautiful escape from reality, then you will love the Marriott’s Wentworth by the Sea. The spa has many pampering treatments, including paraffin hand treatments, The Royal Gentleman’s Facial, massages, and more. Warm stones, aromatherapy, and even Reiki therapy are used to help make you as relaxed as possible. Even children can join in on the spa experience by getting a “good start” facial that is created just for kids.
4. Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa on Maui
If you want to visit Hawaii, then there is a spa for you there as well. This spa is famous for their Termé Wailea Hydrotherapy. Other treatments include an aromatic bath, a visit to the Redwood Sauna, and more. Body scrubs, body wraps, foot massages, and more can put you in the right frame of mind for relaxing on vacation. If you are in desperate need for relaxation and rejuvenating, then you can get a luxurious treatment that includes a wrap, bath, and a massage for approximately 0.
5. Barbados’s Sandy Lane Resort
For the best trip to a spa that you have ever taken, then you will definitely want to go to this spa on the island of Barbados. It has several signature treatments, including the Dr. Hauschka Classic Treatment that is a six-hour treatment that was created to release the tension in every part of your body. You can also enjoy water massage, an aromatherapy, and more. You will leave feeling relaxed and pampered. What a wonderful thing!
Concentrating on the area of Spain, Johnathan Bakers writes articles almost entirely for http://www.alicante-spain.com . His abstracts on Golf in Spain are published on his website .
Let me start off by asking what the hell is a White Elephant Gift exchange?
Ok so it’s a holiday party for the company that my significant other works at and it’s at a hilton garden inn and it’s suppose to be holiday attire…when you say holiday attire what does that mean to you? … and each couple of suppose to bring a white elephant gift….what’s a white elephant gift? and what would you get for a white elephant gift?
When the seasons begin to change and the frost wholeheartedly appears on our doorsteps, we know that winter is here. While this can be uplifting and exciting for some, the majority of us cringe when snow is on the mind. Luckily, just because the season has changed, doesn’t mean that you have to suffer. Looking for a peaceful getaway? Shasta Lake is one place that you may never want to leave. Located in the heart of Northern California, this lake is more than just your average day trip. With a plethora of things to do, it is no wonder why thousands of visitors are continuously coming back to this tranquil Californian gem.
The beauty of Shasta Lake is that it is regarded as one of the most peaceful locations in California. Nestled between stunning mountaintops and crystal clear water – this lake proves to be a serene landmark. Additionally, there is an array of activities to choose from, regardless of how great the weather is. Looking for a peaceful way to enjoy your days? At Shasta Lake, there are hundreds of species of warm and cold watered fish. Though fishing can be tried any time of year, most people recommend the summer months. From contests to fishing events – the opportunities are certainly endless. Nevertheless, fishing is a wonderful way to relax, enjoy the outdoors, and catch a fish or two. You may be surprised at how much you enjoy this calm sport.
If fishing isn’t your cup of tea, don’t pack up your bags just yet! Shasta Lake is also home to one of the most alluring caverns in the country. Surprisingly, this tour is anything but ordinary. Starting out by boat, you are able to experience the beauty of Shasta Lake. With tour guides pointing out exotic animals and landmarks, it will easily be a memorable experience. After sailing across the clear waters, you then take a bus to the entrance of the cavern. From there, you are able to glance at the awe-inspiring phenomenon. Down below are thousands of crystal formations that have stood the test of time for centuries. Additionally, tour guides tell you the history of the caverns, as well as the stories that have emerged as the years have passed. Regardless of your vacation preferences, the Shasta Lake Caverns is a huge highlight for any visitor.
While the winter season is never a favorite, Shasta Lake in Northern California will certainly change your perspective during the icy months. From fishing to tours and trails – you will never find yourself bored if you choose to experience the serene atmosphere. Far too often we find ourselves stuck at home when the temperature drops to below zero. As a result, we become restless, depressed, and sick of the everyday schedule. For years Shasta Lake has provided vacationers with a fresh break from the glacial structures that surround our lives. Perhaps this year it is time for you to do the same. Buy a plane ticket, book a room, and experience what everyone is talking about. Shasta Lake will without a doubt impress you so much that you’ll be coming back next year.
I recently decided to build a hanging porch swing. I admit that this is probably not something everyone should attempt. I have the tools and the interest so I felt like I could tackle it. It started out as a pretty simple idea really. I’d seen these sorts of swings before and had fond memories of my Grandma’s swing back in the 70’s. So, when I realized that my parent’s 45th wedding anniversary was coming up I decided it was time to head to the wood shop.
First I took a good long look at their current hanging porch swing. It was three feet wide and hung from an A frame that was about 5′ tall and 4′ wide at the base. This seemed okay but I decided to build one that was just a little longer and with a different hanging setup. I opted for redwood because I like the way it looks and holds up to weather conditions. Plus, I thought my Mom would approve. I don’t care who you are or how old you get, you always want your Mom to approve.
Once I had my basic idea of the changes I wanted to make from their old hanging porch swing I headed to the home improvement store with my material list and bought about 0 worth of goodies. Lots of bolts, washers and nuts, as well as the lumber. Building the stand took a couple days and it came out pretty nice. The timbers are heavy enough that the swing should feel real secure hanging from the overhead cross piece. Of course, this step could have been left out and the swing could just be hung from rafters, but I wanted them to have the option of being able to situate the swing either on the porch or out in the yard or garden.
The swing itself took a bit more woodworking skill. I settled on a design where the slats would rest on seat and back support pieces that are bolted together in the back where they come together. The top of the back rest is made out of wider board and made slightly elliptical across the top. This adds a nice little softening affect without getting crazy. The slats themselves are just cut down from the larger 2x lumber. A hanging porch swing can, of course, be made out of almost anything. Pine is cheap and can be painted or weather sealed in other ways. Oak, cyprus, mahogany, teak, and cedar were other materials I considered. But, in the end, redwood won out.
A hanging porch swing has to be something that is comfortable and instills confidence, especially if your family has big people in it like mine. Nobody wants to try to relax on the swing while wondering if it is going to come crashing down. Because of this concern I opted for some pretty heavy duty chain to suspend the swing from.
Smiles all around when the hanging porch swing was given. No more tired old broken down metal swing to contend with. Now there is a beautiful swing and stand out in my parent’s garden. Who knows if they’ll ever use it on the porch. Maybe not. And that’s okay with me. As long as they enjoy it, I’ll be happy. Even if you aren’t the type to try to build this sort of thing, I highly recommend you get a hanging porch swing for yourself or someone you love. There is just something special about the time spent relaxing on a swing with a loved one.
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life and one that you want to be picture perfect. Imagine… exchanging your vows in the open air on a beautiful summer’s day, surrounded by vibrant, colorful flowers and abundant poplar trees. The Ceremony Garden is the perfect place to say “I Do” in a park-like setting that is surrounded by spectacular views that include our world-class golf course and the extravagant Coastal Mountains. Capture the moment by taking magnificent photographs at various photo sites available. After you have exchanged your vows enjoy your reception in our Marquis Tent, which can accommodate 200 guests. Complemented with ivy hanging baskets and Twinkle Lights, the Marquis Tent is the perfect space in which to enjoy dinner and dancing. Contact us at sales@redwoods-golf.com or visit our website at www.redwoods-golf.com
I have a big redwood in my backyard and want to start another one. How should I do it? Plant a seed in a cup and keep in my greenhouse window? Cut a branch off and plant it in the ground? There are some green "spouts" coming from the root base at the bottom of the trunk, will those work?
A few close girlfriends and I are trying to go on a vacation to california probably around March or April. I’ve never been yet, but I’m so excited to finally get to go! They’ve flown into Long Beach Airport before– which is where we’ll probably fly into again. Does anyone have suggestions on what we should do during our vacation? Best beach? Hotel? Nightclub? Restaurant? (Oh, and what’s the weather like around then?) When I leave I want to feel like I’ve had the full out California experience. 🙂
If you really want to relax and pamper yourself when you plan your next vacation, do we have the list for you! There is no better way to let your body know you appreciate it than to take in a few luxurious spa treatments. Here is a list of some of the resorts that have the inside track on how to really relax.
Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Walt Disney World, Florida
While some may tell you otherwise, you can have it all. Thanks to Walt Disney World you can have a great family vacation that keeps the kids entertained and also have never before reached levels of pampering. While the rest of the family plays with Mickey Mouse in the theme parks, you can spend a day at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This spa has premier offerings including mineral soaks, hydrotherapy, reflexology, and a complete line of massages, including Swedish and sports massages.
Aveda Spa at Alexis Hotel – Seattle, Washington
Rejuvenation is the theme at the Aveda Spa at the Alexis Hotel. Once you arrive at the hotel there will be chocolate and champagne waiting to help you begin your path to relaxation. The spa has a series of treatments for all your ills. From focused to total body massages, to herbal treatments and aromatherapy, it’s all available at the Aveda Spa. Before you leave, they offer you an opportunity to take a little bit of that pampering home with you, through the purchase of their skin care products.
Wentworth by the Sea at Marriott – New Castle, New Hampshire
As soon as you arrive at the Wentworth by the Sea Spa, you will immediately be put in a relaxation mindset. You will be guided to a relaxation room, where you can enjoy a beverage at the seaside retreat. Once you select a spa package to take advantage of, you’ll be immersed in focused treatments with paraffin wax treatments for your hands, body scrubs and wraps, soothing facials, or you could go for the complete body massage with essential oils, Reiki, or warm stone treatments. They even have a specialized maternity massage for expectant mothers.
Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa – Maui, Hawaii
It’s a double treat at the Grand Wailea Spa. First, you’re in Hawaii. That already starts you on a path to relaxation. Then you check into this facility. The 50,000 square foot spa has a number of exclusive offerings – aromatic baths, Swiss jet showers, redwood saunas, Japanese Furo baths, massages, Roman jacuzzi tubs, personal trainers, and their renowned Termé Wailea Hydrotherapy.
Sandy Lane Resort – St. James, Barbados
Enjoy a get away to the sandy beaches of the West Indies where you can revitalize your skin by taking advantage of a signature Dr. Hauschka Classic Treatment. They have spa treatments for all levels including a full-day six-hour spa experience which starts with a water massage, progresses to a hydrotherapy bath, a full body massage, then an aromatherapy facial, exercises to promote deep relaxation and a manicure and pedicure to have your body revitalized from head to toe.
Concentrating on the area of Spain, Johnathan Bakers writes articles almost entirely for http://www.alicante-spain.com . His abstracts on Golf in Spain are published on his website .
Having your own RV is a great way for you or your family to get away from it all and enjoy some vacation time away from our hectic and stressful daily lives. Finding the right RV destination is important but with some many to choose from it can really be difficult to find the right one that has everything you need. While there are many great RV destinations around the country, some of the best ones are found only in California. California is an ideal RV destination thanks to its size and excellent facilities that camps and recreation areas provide just for RV goers. The majority of RV tourists who visit California head to Southern California, but some of the best RV spots are actually found in Northern California. If you feel like being a little adventurous, try Northern California instead as you’ll be pleasantly surprised. There are plenty of California RV parks available which makes getting to these scenic spots even easier.
Lassen National Forest is just one of the many great places you can stop at to take in the beautiful sights and scenery that Northern California has to offer. This national park is famous for its volcanic activity and you’ll be able to get firsthand experience at the might and power volcanoes can have in shaping the planet we live on. This is the home of the world famous Lassen Peak, which is the largest plug dome volcano in the world and has to be seen to be believed. If volcanoes aren’t your thing, don’t worry as there is plenty to do and see for everyone. A wide range of outdoor activities can be enjoyed and include fishing, hunting, hiking, bicycling, boating, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and much, much more. No matter who you are or what you enjoy, Lassen National Forest is a place that anyone can enjoy.
Another great spot that shouldn’t be missed is Lake Davis. Lake Davis was designed with recreation in mind, literally. Why is this? The lake was actually built specifically for recreation purposes, so the motto is recreation and having fun. There are plenty of summer activities to be enjoyed by everyone that include camping, picnicking, fishing, hunting, boating and mountain biking just to name a few. RV goers will find that the camping grounds were designed with RVs in mind and space is provided for up to a whopping 40 self contained RVs. If hiking is your thing then you might find that Plumas National Forest is the place for you. This national forest is a heaven for hikers and there are a wide variety of streams, lakes, deep canyons, lofty peaks and much, much more. The park is well known for its pleasant climate and not being crowded.
Next time you go RVing, why not be a little different and head to North California and take the road less traveled. California is well known for its scenic beauty and wide variety of outdoor activities that RV goers enjoy, but most people don’t know that some of the best scenic spots to visit are actually in North California. Why not take advantage of the California RV parks in the area and take sometime out to enjoy the beautiful scenery and activities that are on offer.
If you’re looking for a “cabin-in-the-woods” experience, just drive east from Fresno, California, to Shaver Lake.
One of our most recent discoveries is Shaver Lake, a little more than an hour’s drive northeast from Fresno and an ideal spot to include in a Northern California vacation. The change in scenery during that short trip is dramatic, taking you from the flat farmlands near Fresno through wooded, rolling foothills and then up nearly 6,000 feet into the pine forests that surround this idyllic lake. Central Valley residents have long known that Shaver Lake is a great spot to experience the Sierras; now – judging from the area’s real estate boom – people from all over California have started to catch on.
Shaver Lake is tucked between Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks and hints at the same natural beauty found in the parks. The difference is that Shaver remains largely undiscovered and therefore not quite as prone to seasonal traffic congestion. Shaver is still “off the beaten path” for vacationers who want the experience of visiting a small mountain village with just a couple of general stores and a handful of restaurants serving home-style grub. Only about 3,000 people live in the entire area.
All of this is exactly what we wanted as we set out on our own “cabin-in-the-woods” getaway. We contacted Vacation Rental Specialties to reserve a cabin meeting our specifications. With pictures to study on the internet, we were able to see exactly what kind of place we were renting, both inside and out. We wanted a true log cabin experience, but with modern conveniences – and that’s exactly what we got.
We use the word “cabin” here a little loosely – our rental was really a complete vacation home built like a cabin. Almost everything was constructed of logs, all right, but the home’s amenities are more modern than most people have in their primary residence. We learned that this particular “cabin” is owned by a Monterey family who uses it part of the time themselves and puts it into the Vacation Rental Specialties rental pool for much of the year.
Our rental, the “Whalen Log Cabin,” was a million-dollar home with two bedrooms, a loft, 1.75 baths, dishwasher, cable TV, DVD and a washer and dryer. A 1,750-square-foot deck is the perfect place to barbecue or watch the sun set over the mountains. Out back cabin near Shaver Lakethere are plenty of pine trees reminding guests that, yes, this is the mountains and, in fact, the edge of the wilderness. These aren’t exactly cheap vacations but when you consider the cost of premium hotel rooms nowadays, the rental fee of 5 a night plus a cleaning and booking fee is one of the best travel deals around.
Our family of three was swimming in extra space and, according to Bill Wingo, owner of Vacation Rental Specialties, many guests are bring another couple or family and stay for a week at a time. It’s a new trend called “togethering” – sharing vacations with other family members or friends and thereby reducing rental costs while at the same time getting the chance to visit and experience new places and activities together.
According to Wingo, there also is a trend in vacation rentals now toward high-end properties such as the Whalen Log Cabin. In the business for nine years, Wingo says it was not long ago that people were just looking for a rustic getaway in the mountains – a simple cabin with few amenities but located in the wilderness. Today, guests are looking for all the extras and willing to pay extra to make their home away from home both relaxing and luxurious.
Also, guests are starting to expect the property rental firm to be more service-oriented, Wingo explained. Instead of just handing over a set of keys, property managers today also have to put on a concierge hat and do such things as make reservations for boat rentals, dinner or whatever else the guests may have planned for their stay. It used to be that guests were responsible for taking out garbage and providing bedding – nowadays, those often are among the services provided by the rental firm, although sometimes at an extra cost.
Equally important is the location of the vacation rental, and the Shaver Lake area is proving popular with active vacationers. With 23 miles of shoreline, Shaver Lake has plenty of activities to choose from including fishing, boating, water skiing, windsurfing, hiking and, in winter, all the winter sports including downhill skiing at a nearby ski area. The lake actually is part of a hydroelectric project owned and operated by California Edison. Shaver Lake was first constructed and filled in 1927 as part of the Big Creek Hydroelectric project. It was named for pioneer lumberman C.B. Shaver, who logged in the area during the late 1890s.
For many visitors, Shaver Lake actually is a jumping off point for treks further into the Sierra National trading post near Shaver LakeForest and two other lakes, Huntington and Edison, are nearby. Eighteen small lakes are located in the Kaiser Wilderness, just north of Huntington Lake.
We were looking to do a little hiking and to just soak up the local culture down in Shaver Lake’s tiny business district. We enjoyed our steak dinner down at the Trading Post – the floor is tilted downhill in a few areas, but the big rock fireplace sets the mood perfectly.
The fireplace back at our vacation home also helped set the mood for this “cabin-in-the-woods” experience – instead of watching television like we might normally do at home, we put some games on the spacious floor in front of the crackling fire and thoroughly enjoyed a family respite from everyday life in the city.
If you’re planning a Northern California vacation, you can get more information on cabin rentals at Shaver Lake by contacting Vacation Rental Specialties at (800) 730-8688 or visiting www.goshaverlake.com. Nightly rental fees are about 15 percent lower when properties are rented a week at a time. Ask about Vacation Rental Specialties’ special vacation packagesthere are many excursions they can set up for you ahead of time such as boats, restaurant reservations and horseback riding. Even if you have last minute travel plans, call for availabilitysurprisingly, there sometimes is a last-minute opening.
Cary Ordway is president of Getaway Media Corp which publishes websites focused on regional travel. Among the sites offered by GMC are http://www.californiaweekend.com, which focuses on California travel and http://www.northwesttraveladvisor.com, which covers Northwest vacations.
Vacation Disaster Cancelations – Hawaii KPIX 5 CBS Northern California
