​I just returned last month from a 16-day whirlwind trip through North India, the impetus of which was the celebration of milestone birthdays for both my sister and our dear friend. I’ve always touted “experiences over things” and birthdays are a great opportunity to explore a new destination or go back to a special one.
 
We had collectively decided (which was no small feat given 4 differing opinions and travel styles) on 3 cities: Mumbai, Jodhpur and Rishikesh with a day or two in Delhi before our flights home. It was an attempt to mix the energy of a big cosmopolitan city with the desert palace experiences of Rajasthan and then end with a mellow reflective stay at an internationally- acclaimed wellness resort called Ananda in the Himalayas.
 
Let me frame the experience by sharing that one of the biggest draws to India for me is the level of hospitality. The philosophy of “Guest as God” which permeates through each encounter in the country, truly leaves you feeling pampered and well cared for. Whether you're in a 5 star hotel or a friend's home, the warmth and genuine hospitality just can't be beat. People can't seem to do enough, going above and beyond to make you feel nurtured. As a working mom of 3, there’s no better definition of luxury than having my own needs catered to and being able to fully relax and relinquish all responsibility!

I have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. I’ve done every fad diet -South Beach, Keto, No Carb, Low Fat, South Beach- you name it, I’ve done it. As I entered Menopause, my weight became more of an issue (along with myriad other symptoms) and my desperation to get my body back piqued. My kids even joked about the next milestone (birthday, graduation or family wedding) by which I would be “svelte”. I had set goals and expectations and ultimately failed to meet them every time. When I heard about Ozempic and saw the amazing photos of drastic weight loss, I was sure this was the panacea I was seeking.  Of course these diets, pills, patches and injections worked…temporarily…but as soon as I got off whatever the latest fad was and got back to life, the weight came back.
 
In an effort to get healthy in mind, body and spirit, I’ve been studying wellness for many years. I’ve been to Ayurvedic resorts in India, done temazcals with shamans in Mexico, climbed to the top of mountains in Sri Lanka, and explored many wellness resorts right here in the U.S as well. I’m keenly interested in how to live our healthiest (not only longest) lives. I’m also fascinated by modern medicine and the potential it holds for healing through genetic diagnosis and stem cell therapy. I keep abreast of the latest in wellness and also make sure I’m up to speed on what is happening in the wellness tourism industry.
 
I’d heard about SHA Spain for many years, and it had been on my list to visit, so you can imagine my eagerness when I learned that SHA Mexico would be opening in January 2024, much closer to my home in California. I had read about SHA’s integrative approach to health and I wanted to see it in practice.

​When most people think about wellness, they think about escaping to a secluded location, surrounded by nature or perhaps by a tranquil lake. You would never think of wellness in a trendy Miami neighborhood, bustling with shops and restaurants in the heartbeat of the city.
 
Well, think again. As more and more wellness resorts enter the urban wellness space, you’ll see that you don’t have to go far to stay healthy. I traveled with my family to 1 Hotel South Beach, right on Collins Avenue in the heart of South Beach, for Spring Break this year. Although I’d spoken with the hotel management team in advance to get a good sense of the amenities and activities, I honestly wasn’t expecting much. After all, every hotel claims to have wellness offerings but most of the time it’s not much more than the spa and maybe a yoga class. To my surprise, I found 1 Hotel South Beach to be a great balance of indulgence and wellness (yes the two can coexist).

​Summer travel is in full swing and it’s great to see everyone back out exploring the world (Europe is seeing record tourism this year again!). I’ve just returned with my own family from 2 weeks in beautiful Thailand and I’d love to share my experience and some highlights.
 
We explored Bangkok, Chiang Mai and ended with a relaxing  week on the beach in beautiful Ko Samui. There are many luxury hotels in each region and outside of the hotels we stayed at, I also spent time doing site inspections at the other top luxury hotels so I can compare and guide you on the best fit based on your own preferences. As always, we can provide enhanced amenities and perks at the leading luxury hotels based on our strong relationships with hotel management teams, along with elevated experiences through the best tour operators, so allow us to pamper you each step of the way. Thailand is calling!

Have you ever been a tourist in your own hometown?
 
It’s amazing how much we take our cities for granted. San Francisco is a world-class destination that people from around the globe come to see and yet for the Bay Area, it’s just The City.
 
I was invited last week to a special session at the Cavallo Point Cooking School. I had heard the buzz but never had the chance to experience it for myself. I will admit, being domestically challenged, I was a bit intimidated by the array of fresh ingredients in the kitchen and the box of sharp knives on the counter, but it turned out to be a wonderful night out. Head Chef Tony Adams is not only incredibly talented but he’s a riot. He kept us in stitches by mentioning insights like how he got his “body by burrata” (I’m tempted to make this into a t-shirt) while sharing his culinary tips.

​As we bring in the New Year, we begin to reflect on our accomplishments and look forward to the coming year. We review personal goals as well as business goals. We focus on health and prosperity. We set milestones and often choose a word to represent our focus for the year.
 
Through all of this planning and preparation, we lose sight of our most precious non-renewable resource-our leisure time. While we prepare for most everything else, we don’t give much thought to our time off and how we’ll make the most of it. Did you know that in 2018, the U.S. Travel Association reported that over 50% of Americans left 768 million vacation days on the table? That’s time we’ve earned but have not used. 

Photo credit: Celebrity Cruises
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​There’s been a lot of buzz about the wellness offering at hotels and resorts, but there’s much effort being extended by some cruise lines to cater to the wellness traveler. We’re not just talking about a small gym on board or a yoga mat in the cabin, cruise ships are now offering everything from bikes to enjoy at local ports to healthy meal options. Excursions are getting away from bus tours and allowing for more active pursuits such as hiking and biking through local towns. There’s also some wonderful partnerships forming between traditional land packages and cruising. Here’s a sample of what’s in store with wellness cruises:
 

Photo Credit: Paul Gauguin

​Cruising offers many benefits. You can see several destinations without constantly packing and unpacking, there’s plenty of entertainment on board and there's scheduled excursions once you get off the ship. For the most part, cruising also offers an all-inclusive rate, so most meals and drinks are included in the cost.
 
What about those of us for whom being on a ship with 6,000 other passengers scurrying for the buffet line doesn’t seem like much of a vacation? What about those that prefer more active vacations, higher levels of service, better food options and want to see more of the places we’re traveling to rather than being confined to waterslides and shopping malls onboard?

​It used to be that when I mentioned Wellness Travel, it conjured up visions of sitting alone on a mountain top meditating in silence. While this may still be the case for some, the new idea of wellness is centered around what you need most at any given time. This may just be a quiet respite away from the demands of your work and family or it may be an active vacation focused on doing what you love the most, whether that be biking, golfing or surfing. Wellness travel may mean that you need a reset and are seeking out a place to help you get back on track with healthy eating and a regular fitness routine. It may also mean you are needing to reconnect with your spiritual self and are looking to grow or transform yourself from the experience.