Spas
An Impromptu Weekend
Aug 23rd
We took advantage of a spur-of-the-moment getaway last weekend. I didn’t even discuss it with my husband. Just booked the trip and told him to pack. We never do this kind of thing. Travel is usually planned well in advance, which is why our quick trip to Stowe, Vermont, was such a breath of fresh air.
We left home around 6:30 p.m. Friday for the four-hour drive north through New Hampshire and into Vermont. It was still light out when we turned northwest to follow I-89 into Vermont where the mountains stood in purple silhouette against the pink sky. When we stepped out of the car at a rest area, we found the cool mountain air a welcome change from the hot and humid weather we had left behind.
We arrived at Stoweflake, a family-run resort just outside Stowe Center, at just about 10:30 p.m. The following morning, we dined on the outside verandah, then took a quick walk around the property to get our bearings. On the short drive to Stowe Center we noticed first one, then two, then dozens of antique cars — classics cars, sports cars, pick-up trucks, you name it, from the ’20s, ’30s, ’40s, ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. Turned out our quick trip coincided with the 53rd Annual Antique and Classic Car Meet. My husband, Kevin, had a ball strolling along the sidewalk admiring the vintage vehicles in pristine condition.
We wandered through the downtown shops, stopping into Laughing Moon Chocolates to pick out a selection of six hand-made truffles and perusing the crafts, pottery, jewelry and other treasures at Stowe Craft Design before heading back to Stoweflake, where I had scheduled an afternoon spa treatment. While I indulged in a delicious Ayurvedic massage, Kevin headed next door to the Stowe Country Club to play a quick round of golf.
Later, when we sat at the bar for a pre-dinner glass of wine, I noticed how relaxed Kevin looked and how relaxed I felt — just 24 hours and a bit more than 200 miles from home and work. We enjoyed a great steak dinner in Stoweflake’s Charlie B’s restaurant and brought two decadent desserts back to our room.
The following morning, we strolled across the street to wander through Stowe Farmers Market, where we picked up locally made honey and preserves, tucked into honey-flavored freeze pops and purchased a fresh blueberry peach pie which we enjoyed at home that evening — still savoring the taste of our impromptu weekend getaway.
– Lisa Matte, editor in chief
Pampering
Jun 22nd
Who doesn’t like to be pampered?
The life of the frequent traveler comes with ups and downs, but one forever up side, if you are fortunate, is to stay at premium hotels while on the road. I find a big downside to that is that even though I get to stay at the best of the best, because I’m usually there for business, I don’t get to take advantage of the 5-star amenities that come with having a room at the hotel.
I have, however, figured a way to partially remedy this said downside. Anyone who lives in a city can take advantage of what I’ve been doing recently. My idea is not a new one, and why I haven’t done it more often, I do not know. I live in a city with some of the best hotels in the world, and while I don’t need to stay in them, I can certainly take advantage of their amenities on my own timetable.
I’ve always been a big fan of hotel restaurants, anywhere in the world, but I’ve also become very accustomed to premium hotel spas. I can’t find any day spa to match that of a premium property near me. My advice to you is that if you are not on the road but want the pampered feeling you may have missed on your last business trip to a Ritz Carlton, Park Hyatt or InterContinental, find the closest one to you and make a spa appointment. With any treatment, from manicure to massage, you will have full access to the steam room, gym and pool. It’s a great way to escape your everyday routine and, because you’re at home, you can stay relaxed. No need to rush off to that client dinner as you would normally do while on the road!
– Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher
Relaxing Travel Tips
Apr 27th
Following yesterday’s blog theme of tips for travelers, I thought I’d weigh in with some of my valued travel tips: Sleep whenever you can and always get a massage!
They seem simple, but trust me, these are luxurious tips if you have just crossed the International Date Line or flown the red-eye from JFK to Heathrow. The sleep whenever you can suggestion is one of my own, from years of travel, but it’s a sentiment I’ve heard echoed from everyone I know who spends more time in the air than on the ground. I don’t believe you can ever make up for lost sleep, but if you have time for a cat nap between meetings, or time to catch a quick snooze on a short flight, do it! You’ll feel immensely better and more awake and alert for the business at hand.
I’m sure it does not take much convincing for most of you to indulge in a massage, but it did for me. I didn’t have my first treatment until I was traveling for Global Traveler and the InterContinental Hong Kong insisted I try the spa. Since then, no one has ever had to ask me twice if I would like to have a massage. A massage is also great should you not have the time to exercise while away. I know I never realize how fatigued my muscles and head are until I’ve finished with the treatment. I may be dazed for a little bit post-massage, but I’m ready to tackle the world once I’ve recovered from the pampering — and the pain of knotted muscles.
Those are my small tips for the day. Hope they make your travel experience that much better!
– Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher
Off to Auckland
Apr 25th
I write this as I sit in the International Terminal at the San Francisco airport. By the time you read it, I will have landed in Auckland, New Zealand, ready to begin a fabulous week of explorations of the City of Sails (well, perhaps I’ll need a nap first after the 13-hour overnight flight).
This trip marks several firsts for me: First trek to New Zealand — or anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere, for that matter. Therefore, it will mark my first crossing of the equator — and of the International Date Line, too. First trip as an official representative of Global Traveler. First solo international trip. First time having access to the lounge (I could get used to this!). Am I excited? You bet!
My host for the week will be the Langham Auckland property, and the itinerary planned for we media folk has a host of fun, interesting tours and activities day and night. I opted out of the bungee jump off the Auckland Harbour Bridge (much to the relief, I believe, of my family); but I plan to be an active participant of the winery tours, shopping excursions and cultural stops. In between all of that action, I’m looking forward to availing myself of some spa treatments at the hotel and indulging in its signature high tea at least once.
I think it’s safe to say that during my years as an English teacher, I never imagined that my writing and proofreading skills would some day lead me to travels to a faraway land I’ve always dreamed of visiting. Hey, moms and dads, try dangling that possibility in front of your kids when they want to know why they have to learn where to put a comma and what a dangling modifier is!
I’ll be sharing my adventures in upcoming blogs and perhaps in future issues of GT as well. Here I go!
– Patty Vanikiotis, proofreader
