One of the comments we frequently hear from our women travelers is how relaxed they say they feel when they return home from one of our trips. We’re sure this has a lot to do with all the laughing you do with your fellow guests, guides and Ambassadors along the way but we also like to build in some moments of downtime into our itineraries. Space and times where you can just stop, breathe and be present to simply enjoy where you are and who you are with.
Here are our “top 10” recommendations for indulging interludes you might enjoy in 2019:
Go Glamping
If you’ve been camping, then you know all about tents. But have you ever been glamping (aka “glamorous camping”)? Your luxurious accommodations in Baja include walk-in safari-style tents featuring two twin beds with luxurious mattresses, pillows, sheets, and bedside lamps. You’ll take sun showers in your bath tent and dine under the stars in your kitchen tent where your on-site chef makes wonderful meals for you every day.
Kick Back on a Private Cruise
On Day 3 of the journey in Vietnam, you embark on a private tour of Bai Tu Long Bay and motor to the Cap La Islands where you feast on a Vietnamese lunch. In the afternoon, you can grab a paddle and a kayaking buddy and explore Cap La and Tra San before toasting your fellow travelers at sunset with a cocktail and dinner on your boat.
Enjoy Teatime in the Garden
Isn’t it fascinating that the explosion in popularity in coffee has now been equally matched by the popularity of tea! In Tanzania, you will visit Gibbs Farm where you can savor locally harvested teas on the veranda and also learn about coffee roasting. Round out your afternoon with a garden tour or head into the bush for some African bird watching. Just make sure you bring your binoculars!
Sink into a Natural Hot Spring
AdventureWomen’s adventures in Iceland are so multidimensional! After sightseeing in Reykjavik, you head off to the Blue Lagoon for a soothing soak in the warm, mineral-rich waters of this surreal natural outdoor spa. Why dry off for lunch when you can eat sitting around a floating table in the comfort of an Icelandic hot spring? You also get to soak in several other natural hot springs on your journey!
Meditate with a Monk
On day six of our Vietnamese adventure, you travel deep into a dense forest to visit the Tue Hieu Pagoda, known for its feng shui design and tranquil paths specifically designed for meditation. You’ll meet a Buddhist monk who will share with you his own tips for meditating and practicing the traditions and beliefs of Buddhism, every day.
Join a Barbeque on the Beach
The sandy white beaches of the British Virgin Islands and the stunning rock formations of the Baths on Virgin Gorda is the ultimate setting for a relaxing outdoor barbecue. Spend your afternoon snorkeling or scuba diving in search of colorful Caribbean fish then enjoy your lunch in your bathing suit as you gaze around thinking “am I really here??”
Create Your Own Yoga Pose
On our bear viewing trip in the Kenai in South central Alaska, you can learn all about the antics, habits and behaviors of brown bears and then head to the beach for a group yoga class complete with your own mat and instructor (weather permitting of course).
Tune Up Your Taste Buds at a Wine Tasting
Do you enjoy a relaxing glass of vino at the end of a particularly challenging day? We do! On our Chile trip, you take wine tasting to a whole new level as you visit Villard Wines, one of Casablanca Valley’s premium boutique wineries. With mineral rich terroir cooled by Pacific breezes, Villard is well known for their Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs, and their Pinot Noirs. But perhaps their most unusual wine is their L’assemblage Gran Vin, a blend made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvédre, Petit Verdot, and Grenache. Salut!
Relax in a Jacuzzi Deep in the Mountains
In Peru, travel from lodge to lodge as you wind your way on foot along the Salkantay Route all the way to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu. At most of your luxurious lodges, you will enjoy a special treat at the end of your day of hiking, a dip in an outdoor jacuzzi surrounded by Andean mountain views which may make you gasp. Close your eyes and just breathe. Ahh…
Swim Deep into the Warm Waters Inside a Natural Cave
The many, many islands of Croatia are full of classic seacoast views with charming inlets and many opportunities for exploring the Dalmatian Coast. On Day four, sail to the Blue Cave, a natural limestone formation 78 feet deep and up to 49 feet tall. Explore the warm Croatian waters to indulge your curiosity about what’s inside. Afterward, enjoy some delicious cocktails aboard your private, chartered yacht.