March 8th, 2010
Is it just me or is everyone getting engaged? Perhaps you love birds took advantage of Valentine’s Day falling on a long weekend this year. Congratulations if you are one of the lucky few we have spotted around town recently betrothed. Now let the planning begin! To help, here are few suggestions of locales to have the perfect destination wedding.
CARIBBEAN
Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos
Getting married at a private island resort in the Caribbean is a fantastic kick-off to a new life. Parrot Cay offers two beachfront setting for wedding ceremonies – a boardwalk aisle that leads to an unspoiled beach, or the beachfront of a private villa available for rent. Parrot Cay also insists that stress need not be a part of the preparations; all weddings include the dedication of a planner to assist with all preparations, including reserving the dates, food and beverage details, music and entertainment, photography, and any other service requested. Parrot Cay can accommodate small, intimate weddings, or can be bought out for larger weddings (up to 120 guests).
Rosewood Mayakobá, Mexico
Weddings at Rosewood Mayakobá are all about choices – choose stunning outdoor venues like the white sand beach or the Plaza with views of the resort, lagoon, and tropical jungle. Three different restaurants are available to cater. Retreat to the privacy of a private plunge pool after the ceremony, or come down a day early with the wedding party and receive treatments at the resort’s spa, Sense, which is its own private island.
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January 12th, 2010
Picture a countryside trek, the soft tramp of feet on earth, and the quiet rustling of stately pines. Tune-in to nature’s soundtrack in 2010 as Uma Paro expands its Adventure Retreat series to include a new ultra-relaxing itinerary – Bhutan & the Bumdra Monastery Camp (May 17—24 and November 1—13). Guests will spend the seven-night trip immersed in the Himalaya’s Buddhist culture, culminating in an overnight campout high above the Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
Looking for more of an adrenaline rush? Dabble in all your favorite outdoor extracurriculars with the Multi-Activity Adventure in the Kingdom of Bhutan (July 6—13 and August 31—September 6) featuring rafting, biking, archery, camping, and fly-fishing.
Die-hard nature lover? Book the Flowers & Monasteries of Central & Western Bhutan (July 6—13 and August 31—September 6) trek to catch a glimpse of the Bhutanese conservation efforts: some 770 species of birds, 50 species of rhododendron, and a dazzling selection of medicinal plants and orchids dot the landscape.
There is truly an adventure for everyone – from shopaholics and photographers, to festival-goers and hardcore-hikers. Check out the eight other available retreats here.
Note: Rates for the adventure retreats range from $3,197—$5,260 for single occupancy. Group size minimum is 3, maximum is 12. All rates include seven, ten, or twelve nights of accommodation at a combination of Uma Paro and other tourist standard hotels or camps previously set up for trekking adventures.
November 12th, 2009
Make a New Year’s resolution that’s easy to keep: achieve total health in mind, body, and spirit by booking an invigorating yoga retreat with COMO Hotels and Resorts.
Choose between the On Top of the World yoga and meditation retreat at Uma Paro in Bhutan, January 9 – 15, 2010, or Yoga in Balance at Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos, February 28 – March 6, 2010.
Meditate with top Australian yogi Judy Krupp as she returns for her third encore at Uma Paro. Or join Parrot Cay’s yoga specialist, Andrea Curry, and her sister, Christina, the COMO Shambhala Estate’s resident instructor, for a combined inspiring and nurturing approach to teaching at the Turks and Caicos resort. Guests of the retreats are encouraged to overcome physical and mental barriers to promote balance, energy, and relaxation.
Prices for Uma Paro start at $3,227 single occupancy and include the following:
- Six-nights of accommodation
- Up to 21 hours of yoga and meditation instruction
- Return airport transfers
- Daily breakfast and lunch (beverages not included)
- Two dinners – one welcome and one farewell (beverages not included)
- Cultural excursions to Bhutan’s oldest temple Kyichu Lhakhang, a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse, the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s Nest), and Uma Paro’s majestic government and monastic center the Rinpung Dzong
Prices for Parrot Cay start at $6,617 single occupancy, $9,605 double occupancy and include the following:
- Six-nights of accommodation in a Garden Room
- Five days of yoga and meditation instruction
- Round-trip airport transfers (for commercially scheduled flights only)
- Daily American breakfast, lunch, and dinner (beverages not included)
October 21st, 2009
LOVE to get away? In 2010, Valentine’s Day and President’s Day coincide, so take your partner or your posse on a trip without using all of your vacation days! It’s never to early to start planning a “True Love Tryst” or a “Singles Escape!”
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September 28th, 2009
Already dreading the coming winter doldrums, Christmas sweaters, and endless shopping lines? Get away (far, far away) and put the cheer back in the holidays with Uma Paro’s festive offering.
Guests can prepare for the New Year with this five-night, personally-guided itinerary. Spend the day mountain biking through the Paro Valley, exploring Thimpu (the capital of Bhutan), and delighting in the magic orange trees of one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, Kyichu Lhakhang.
After a full day of adventure, come home to a COMO Shambhala traditional Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath treatment and an evening of snuggling up by Uma Paro’s wood-burning stoves – or head out on the town to take part in these spirited holiday events!
Festive highlights include:
December 24: Long-life puja (ceremony) at one of the oldest temples in Bhutan and complimentary canapés in the Lobby Bar with traditional Bhutanese music.
December 25: Afternoon Archery Tournament and special degustation at Uma Paro’s Bukhari restaurant.
December 31: Bhutanese dance performance and degustation New Years Eve dinner menu. Traditional Bhutanese music, complimentary canapés, and a champagne toast in the Lobby Bar.
Five-night stays start from $3,513 single, $5,306 double. Booking must be for a five-night period starting on a date between December 20 and December 29.
September 21st, 2009
There’s a new chill to the wind, with autumn just around the corner, but you can still work up a sweat with these three heart-pumping fitness programs from Crystal Cruises, Anantara Resorts & Spas and COMO Hotels.
Crystal Cruises: Illustrating its commitment to offering innovative wellness programs, luxury specialist Crystal Cruises is introducing Nordic Walking, fitness walking with lightweight poles, aboard its ships. Through an exclusive new partnership with LEKI USA, a leading manufacturer of skiing, trekking and Nordic Walking Poles, Crystal continues to break new ground in fitness options at sea. Specifically designed to engage the entire body, the Nordic Walking poles will be available complimentarily to guests aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity this October. Nordic Walking Poles specialist Rick Deutsch will be on board Crystal Serenity’s October 8 cruise from Athens to Venice, and Crystal Sympony’s October 19 cruise from New York to Montreal to teach the opening classes and train the ships’ fitness instructors, who will lead demonstrations on following voyages.
Anantara Madives: Surf’s up dude! Hang ten and conquer the wild waves with the Anantara Madives’ 5-star service ‘Ticket to Ride’ program. Anantara Resorts & Spas has partnered with the award winning Australian company Tropic Surf to offer an unforgettable experience for all – from beginners, to intermediate and advanced surfers. Your surf-pass entitles you to quite the package: two dhoni boat transfers per day to your designated surfing area, as well as expert guides, board valet, surf reports, movie and information nights, and more. The lessons are intimate, too – only eight surfers are permitted to book the program at any one time to ensure personal, one-on-one coaching and safe, un-crowded seas. Make sure to book in advance to save. Depending on which program you choose, costs can range from $175-$990 for prepaid bookings prior to your arrival, and from $195-$1,120 for payments at the resort.
COMO Hotels: COMO Hotels’ exclusive, luxurious, and life-changing yoga retreats are taught by top yogis in unbelievable settings. Judy Krupp, who led a retreat at Uma Paro in July, was the returning guru this year, joined by newcomers Elena Brower and Sarah Powers. The workshops provide nearly five hours of daily practice with the masters and are held at COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali, Parrot Cay in Bali, and Uma Paro in Bhutan. Students at all levels have unparalleled access to these yoga rock stars, as well as to the renowned COMO Shambhala Retreat spas. The weeklong programs include six nights accommodation, most meals, and airport transfers. Single occupancy rates start at $5,681 at Parrot Cay, $3,515 at The Estate, $4,668 at Uma Paro; and double occupancy rates begin at $8,669 at Parrot Cay, and $7,056 at Uma Paro. All three properties offer daily yoga classes, as do most other COMO Hotels including Cocoa Island in the Maldives, and Uma Ubud, also in Bali. Daily Pilates classes are also offered at COMO Shambhala Estate and Parrot Cay.
September 15th, 2009
Not looking forward to packing the beach gear or the skis this holiday season?
These unconventional end-of-year getaways will scratch the travel itch. Rounded up here are cozy and kid-friendly locales for families, unique spots for adventurers and enriching destinations for those craving cultural stimuli.
Family Festivities
WHAT: Getaway to a Country Cottage
WHERE: National Trust Holiday Cottages – UK
WHY: Because a trip to the English countryside with a family membership in the Royal Oak Foundation to see old castles and gardens (for free!) could just be the best present for the Harry Potter-loving kids (or parents).
DETAILS, DETAILS: With over 360 cottages from which to choose, here are a few:
- Emley Farmhouse in Surrey sleeps up to 10 and has a traditional country kitchen, perfect for that big Christmas dinner. A three night stay starts at $740.35, a seven night stay, $1416.75.
- 89 Church Lawn in Wiltshire sleeps up to seven and has exclusive access to the National Trust’s stunning winter gardens. You can even go fishing in the beautiful lake. A three night stay starts at $590, a seven night stay, $1065.50.
- Abermydyr in Wales sits on the banks of the River Aeron and sleeps up to six. Brings the kids here for the Christmas food and craft fair at Llanerchaeron, a Trust protected gentry estate. A three night stay starts at $493.50, a seven night stay, $957.30.
WHAT: Swiss Family Reunion
WHERE: The Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa – Interlaken, Switzerland
WHY: Christmas dinners, a Children’s Party for New Year’s Eve, and Dad treating Mom to a Festive Foam Bath with winter aromas and champagne all conspire for festive fun.
DETAILS, DETAILS: Splash Hour at the pool, the Zurich Zoo and the St. Beatus caves will thrill the kids, and fitness classes, Turkish baths, and professional childcare will restore their parents’ sanity. Rates start at $877 per night for double occupancy.
Adventurers Only
WHAT: Arabian Eco-experience
WHERE: Anantara Desert Islands Resort & Spa – Sir Bani Yas Island, UAE
WHY: It feeds the craving for sun while heeding the call of the wild.
DETAILS, DETAILS: Home to one of Abu Dhabi’s largest Arabian wildlife conservancies, guests can go hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, take a game drive, or learn archery. Double occupancy rates start at $537 per night; book at least 30 days in advance to receive a 15% discount.
WHAT: Modern Day Pilgrimage
WHERE: Uma Paro – Bhutan
WHY: Because hiking to a Buddhist monastery sure beats waiting in line at a department store with frantic holiday shoppers.
DETAILS, DETAILS: One of its many active adventures includes a trek to Tiger’s Nest monastery, located in the sheer cliffs 2,700 feet above Paro Valley and a peaceful orchard picnic with spectacular views. For the month of December, double occupancy rates start at $330 per night.
WHAT: Chance to Step Foot on Antarctica
WHERE: Crystal Cruise’s Symphony departs from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Valparaiso, Chile.
WHY: Due to an upcoming ban on cruise ships in the Antarctic Ocean, this will be Crystal’s final voyage to the area.
DETAILS, DETAILS: In addition to visiting amazing locales in South America, six thrill-seekers will take the rare overland trip to Antarctica to see remote villages, a petrified forest, and a penguin breeding ground. Rates start at $8,995, double occupancy.
Cultural Cravings
WHAT: Revelation in the Red City
WHERE: Royal Mansour Marrakech – Morocco
WHY: It will be impossible to miss the carolers when exploring Djemma El-fna, a square in the historical district of town known for having the best musicians, dancers and storytellers.
DETAILS, DETAILS: When in this city of cultural fusions be sure to visit the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs, and the largest souk (traditional market) in Morocco to bargain for spices or clothing or tea pots. Riads start at €1,500 a night.
WHAT: Balinese New Beginning
WHERE: Uma Ubud – Bali
WHY: What better way to start the year then with the New Year package’s complimentary massage on the first day of 2010.
DETAILS, DETAILS: Guests will see the village decorated with traditional bamboo poles and banana leaves and enjoy a Balinese-inspired New Year’s Eve dinner, followed by a cocktail party with DJ at the pool bar. Rates start at $260 per night, double occupancy.
WHAT: A Resolution Well-Kept
WHERE: Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa, Chiang Rai, Thailand
WHY: Utilizing those new Thai cooking skills back home will keep the post-holiday gloom at bay.
DETAILS, DETAILS: The cooking lessons are just the beginning of the cultural immersion; at the Elephant Camp (part of the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre), a 30-minute lesson will teach adventurers to drive an elephant. Rates start at $520, double occupancy.
June 10th, 2009
We’re constantly dreaming of a getaway to the kingdom of Bhutan … days filled with trekking to ancient monasteries, mountain biking from one village to the next, and learning to channel the residents of a country whose GDP is measured in happiness. With these deals from COMO Hotels and Resorts’ Uma Paro – combined with the summer sale on Druk Air (Bhutan’s official carrier) – now is the time to hop on the next flight to “the land of smiles.”
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June 4th, 2009
Sometimes we require more to feel healthy than a 40-minute workout, especially one that was squeezed in after the office and before a cocktail.
These wellness retreats aim to give us what we need to feel like our best selves, whether it’s a boost or a true paradigm shift. None of them are simply ‘spa packages.’ All are hosted by beautiful resorts, from Mexico to the Caribbean, France to Switzerland, and Bhutan to Bali.
Summertime Yoga Retreats – Rosewood Mayakobá, Mexico
Where: Fly to Cancún and drive 40 minutes down the Riviera Maya to the 1,700-acre enclave of Mayakobá.
When: Four long weekends this summer: June 18-21; July 16-29; August 20-24; September 27-30.
Details: Morning and evening yoga classes, led by TJ Jackson, who has also studied Ayurvedic medicine in India, in the Sense spa. The spa is on its own private island within the resort. Includes accommodation, daily breakfast, a spa treatment, a session in the Temazcal, a Neo-Vedic Astrology reading, and a tour of a mystic Mayan temple inside a cenote.
This One’s For You If: You want to deepen your practice, refresh your senses, and have plenty of time between downward dogs to sit by the pool.
Cost: Nightly rates are $650 for single occupancy and $850 for double occupancy. Includes tax and service charges.
More details here, and call 888-ROSEWOOD to book
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April 20th, 2009
COMO Hotels’ exclusive, luxurious, and life-changing yoga retreats are taught by top yogis in unbelievable settings. Returning gurus this year include the dynamic married duo Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman, and Australian yoga expert Judy Krupp. Newcomers joining the A-list roster are Elena Brower and Sarah Powers.
These intimate workshops provide nearly five hours of daily practice with the masters and are held at COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali, Parrot Cay in Turks & Caicos, and Uma Paro in Bhutan. Students at all levels have unparalleled access to these yoga rock stars, as well as to the renowned COMO Shambhala Retreat spas. The weeklong programs include six nights accommodation, most meals, and airport transfer. Single occupancy rates start at $5,681 at Parrot Cay, $3,515 at The Estate, $4,668 at Uma Paro; and double occupancy rates begin at $8,669 at Parrot Cay, and $7,056 at Uma Paro.
2009 Retreats:
APRIL 19-25 at Parrot Cay – Moving from Conflict towards Peace with Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman
JULY 12-18 at Uma Paro – On Top of the World Yoga and Meditation with Judy Krupp
OCT 25-31 at Parrot Cay – Heal & Fortify: Body and Soul with Elena Brower
DEC 10-16 at COMO Shambhala Estate – Insight Yoga in Beautiful Bali with Sarah Powers
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