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Good morning Traveler,
First a seemingly unrelated short story about something that happened long ago and then I'll tie it together with a pretty bow...
Five years ago when we were on our family's sabbatical living in Madrid we went to the Canary Islands for the first half of our spring break (and skiing in Switzerland for the second half - super fun to have sand and ski in one trip!).
One of my absolute favorite earrings - the only ones I wore every single day - fell out of my ear and I didn't notice until that night. Tried as I might, I never found it.
I spent hours looking on Google to find another pair. I'd found them at a jewelers in Florida 15+ years before, and didn't remember his name. No luck.
Fast forward almost five years of not wearing earrings, this December I had a renewed sense that I should search again. Shockingly this time Google came through!
I found a pair just like them at a jewelery store in Seattle. I live on the other side of the country, so I needed to do a little intel first to make sure they were a legitimate place.
I asked local Seattle friends. The jeweler checked out. I bought the earrings. They have been in my ears since the day they arrived. I am happy. :)
When I think of Valentine's Day these words come to mind... red, romantic getaways, chocolate and jewelry. There are many articles below for some inspirational ideas related to Valentine's Day and wellness travel.
And now to tie the above together... Valentine's Day is approaching. I recognize not everyone gives gifts of travel or experiences for every occasion and jewelry is a popular gift. I live in a small town and feel fortunate we have a local jeweler. Their recent email said...
"Hip, refined, casual. That's our vibe.”
I love that! I love it because that is my jewelry vibe. And when it's bluntly stated like that, it makes it clear for me that it's a good fit for my taste.
If it's also your vibe and you are wanting to give a gift of jewelry instead of travel this Valentine's Day (but hey, why not both?), check out her hip, refined, casual jewelry at her shop, VonBargens.
As I know them well and the owner personally I can vouch for you that they are wonderful. Actually delightful to work with.
No one wants to wear the same piece of jewelry as others in their circle, so buying a piece far from where you live will help you pick out a gift that is perfect for your significant other and more likely she/he is the only one wearing it!
I included a few of my favorites from her shop below. (Just in case Jason is reading this - no pressure!)
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This weekend is the Super Bowl! What are you doing?
Jason and I are on an adventure to Aspen to see our daughter, get in lots of skiing, see friends we met while living in Madrid, eat at a cozy, retro tavern (which if I love I will share with you), watch the Super Bowl in an Aspen bar and of course I'll squeeze in some hotel site visits. My 21 year old daughter generously sent me a text last night with a "very Aspen Super Bowl" plan - Big Game Bash at the Little Nell - for $2000 I can have a private couch to watch the game. Or for $500 I can have a high top table that accommodates 3 people. :) To this I will say "no thank you."
It may not be an entirely romantic getaway, but it will be entirely fun!
I wish you a warm, cozy Valentine's Day!
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Below:
- This week's highlight - teamLab Planets in Tokyo (and advice on planning travel to Japan)
- Hot New Hotel Opening - Habitas
- Interesting Articles
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"teamLab Planets is a museum where you walk through water, and a garden where you become one with the flowers...The artworks change under the presence of people, blurring the perception of boundaries between the self and the works."
teamLab is creative, immersive and unusual.
And it's in Japan.
Which recently opened back up.
If you are someone who enjoys the new and unexpected, if you appreciate destinations where you can immerse yourself in a different culture, learn about other customs, eat incredible food and have active adventures, Japan is a destination to put on your list.
Tokyo and Kyoto are full of luxury hotels including the Peninsula, Park Hyatt, Aman, Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton and Mandarin Oriental.
But I think a stay in a small ryokan like the nine suite Shinmozen or the 10 room Naoshima Ryokan Roku and doing some active off the beaten path adventures like...
biking the Ohashi suspension bridges over the Seto Inland Sea
making a pilgrimage on Kumano Kodo (one of two 2004 UNESCO World Heritage spiritual pilgrimage sites - the other is the Camino de Santiago in Spain) or
hiking to remote fishing villages on the Noto Peninsula
also deserve a spot on your itinerary.
And of course let's not forget the food and the culture...
learn the skills of perfect sushi from a master
and how to prepare a proper Japanese tea service
make a delicious meal of soba buckwheat noodles in a countryside village
and learn the essential qualities of woodblock print making
or zip around in a rickshaw
Getting off the beaten path to some of the smaller places where you can have exclusive, private experiences for just your family is where there is a real opportunity to shine.
The memories you make together will stay in your hearts forever.
Please read my important advice below for upcoming travel to Japan.
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Moss Garden of Resonating Microcosms
(check out the video here)
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A note on upcoming travel to Japan
Japan is on the bucket list of many of my clients.
In October 2022 it was one of the last countries to re-open.
The demand has been unprecedented,
wreaking havoc on those wanting to plan an imminent trip.
So I'd like to share some context with you and
give you my advice on how to go about planning your trip.
Two weeks ago I received an update from one of my partners in Japan. The country is unprepared for the current demand. Given there were so many layoffs during covid, a hotel may be open, but it doesn't have the staff to operate the luxury service levels that travelers expect - staff from sales and the front desk are having to alternate two hour shifts to wash dishes.
Many guides exited the industry during the pandemic so there are currently not enough qualified guides. About 2 out of 10 of them have the level of English needed to guide my clients.
Many of Japan's hotels, similar to others in the industry, are now using dynamic pricing (like the airlines) and room prices can jump $400 overnight.
My advice:
I highly suggest that if you'd like to go to Japan in the next 1-2 years, you consider pushing off your travel dates until late 2023 or into 2024 and you plan well in advance. It is not to early to start planning now for 2024.
What hotels are nearby? Explore a few options HERE.
But there are so many more smaller ryokans and boutique properties which we can consider when planning your trip to Japan.
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🌟 Habitas is a family of hotels developed with music, wellness, art, adventure, food, learning and giving back in mind. They have been on a building spree. Opening hotels in Mexico, the US, Namibia, Morocco, Bhutan and for the very adventurous, OTBP seekers - caravanning experiences in luxury Airstreams in Morocco and Saudi Arabia.
"Caravan by Habitas is an immersive glamping experience off-the-beaten path for people seeking adventure, surprise and human connection."
It's a new, unique offering that I can't wait to experience. Today we will highlight two of their recent additions.
The first, a wellness hotel in Mexico - Habitas Bacalar. It is described as a holistic oasis for recharging the body, mind and soul.
The second, their most recent opening, Habitas San Miguel de Allende, is just outside the city center and situated in a natural park of hot springs, walking trails and beautiful vistas.
Why visit Habitas Bacalar?
- The property has 34 unique A-frame rooms, built with locally sourced materials and minimal environmental impact. Rooms have views of the jungle or lagoon and have private decks and outdoor showers.
- Located on the shores on the Bacalar Lagoon, a lake also known as the Lagoon of Seven Colors because of the blue shades of the water. Explore the vibrant blue lagoon by paddleboarding, SUP yoga, crystal kayaking, e-foiling or setting adrift in a catamaran.
- Re-center with morning yoga, sound healing, Janzu and temazcal (I love a temazcal experience and highly recommend you try it). Spend time in the wellness center, with treatment rooms using local ingredients like Melipona honey, coconut and cacao.
- Dine at Siete, the two-story open-air restaurant and bar on the lagoon that uses fresh, local ingredients for a unique and tasty menu.
Why visit Habitas San Miguel?
- The property has 60 sustainably built luxury rooms with private terraces and gardens, scattered across open fields and among towering cactus.
- Activities include horseback riding, mountain biking, hot air ballooning, Vinyasa and Hatha yoga, sound healing, meditation with Tibetan singing bowls and functional training with a fitness bootcamp on the property.
- Dine at Comunidad, farm to table dining that features local recipes and ingredients.
“Habitas San Miguel is the perfect intersection of nature and culture, an experience that synchronizes with the creative pulse of San Miguel de Allende, and its vibrant art, cuisine, music and film,” said Habitas Co-founder and CEO, Oliver Ripley. “Our location is an ideal base from which to discover the city, while our brand’s innovative, sustainable design allows our community to celebrate the creative human spirit, its mindfulness and well-being.”
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INTERESTING ARTICLES
Valentine's Day ❤️ related:
5 Cozy Hotels Where Winter Is a Treat, NYT
All You Need Is Love (and Italy), Virtuoso (throwback)
These Romantic Hotels Are the *Perfect* Spots for Your Next Getaway, Country Living
The 11 Best Ultra-Premium Chocolates to Buy Now, for Valentine’s Day and Beyond, Robb Report
Wellness 🧘🏻♂️ related:
Mindfulness treatments are the latest global spa trend – here's where to find them, Condé Nast
An insider's guide to Montenegro, Europe's up-and-coming summer hotspot, Condé Nast
What Your Wellness Vacation Will Look Like in 2023, AFAR
The Hotels and Resorts We Love for Wellness in 2023, AFAR
The Spa Collection 2023, National Geographic
London’s best spas inspired by overseas wellness traditions, National Geographic
The Mental Health Benefits of Travel, AFAR
20 of the best walking holidays for 2023, The Telegraph
*request PDF
Slovenia, Iceland, England, Japan, Sicily, France, Galicia, Georgia, Turkey, Scotland, Balkans, Portugal, Tibet, Utah, Menorca, Jersey, Austria, Tanzania, Italy
Others:
The Los Cabos Restaurants We’re Craving, Virtuoso
How to Go Truffle Hunting, Italian-Style, Barron
Why Some Business-Class Passengers Are Finding Themselves Suddenly Downgraded to Coach, Condé Nast
Help! I Reserved a Rental Car, but There Was No Car for Me., NYT
(If you aren't able to access an NYT, WSJ or Washington Post article, send me a note and I'll send it to you in a PDF.)
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