The Spa Report 2011

Every year, along with my fellow Gateway colleagues, Vivian Paesano and Roseann Konke, I head out to visit Virtuoso spas across the country. Not only do we get to enjoy a few days of pampering, relaxation and exercise, we gain expert knowledge of the properties and what they have to offer our clientele.

The Resort at Pelican Hill 

Imagine arriving at the gates of a Tuscan villa and finding it in Newport Coast, California! Open just three years ago, the Resort at Pelican HIll is your destination for luxury accommodations, both bungalow and villa in style. Fabulous spa, golf and gourmet dining with five-star service awaited us, along with a view from the villa we never wanted to leave. Breakfast at the Coliseum Pool, with a view of the golf course and the ocean beyond, plus dinner at Andrea, the epicurean Italian restaurant, left us in gourmet heaven. With two Tom Fazio golf courses, a children's program, 24 hour room service and the short drive to Laguna Beach, Pelican Hill may be just the spot for you! 

Four Seasons Biltmore Santa Barbara

On our way north we stopped at the fabulous Four Seasons in Santa Barbara, a Spanish colonial 1927 retreat. Recently updated, with a fabulous spa and the new Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club(pictured), there is a feeling of stepping back in time to Hollywood's playground. This Virtuoso property offers extras to our clients. Ask me how you can make this your hideaway! 

Ojai Valley Inn and Spa

North of Los Angeles and south of Santa Barbara is a well-kept secret, the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa. Located on a sprawling 220-acre property, the Old Mission style resort is the place to indulge yourself with world class spa, golf, tennis and cuisine that emphasizes locally grown foods. The Spa Village is the star attraction here with 30,000 square feet of services, including their one-of-a-kind, signature Kuyam mud treatment. The Artist's Cottage and Apothecary is another highlight where you can engage creatively with local artists. With wonderful fireplace rooms and suites, all overlooking the gorgeous, scenic Ojai Valley you will have all spa, golf, hiking, biking and bird watching you could possibly want! 

Length of Trip: 3-4 days per resort
Places visited: Newport Coast, Newport Beach, Santa Barbara and Ojai,  California
Time of Year:  spring, summer, fall
Appeals to: golfers, spa, active couples, girlfriend weekends
Traveled with: Two Gateway Travel Agents, Roseann and Vivian
Note to Traveler: do as much or as little as you want; pampering is the order of the day!
Insider tip: make your tee times, spa appointments and dinner reservations before you leave.

Galapagos Islands and Ecuador

A Life Changing Experience - The Enchanted Isles of Galapagos

The Galapagos Archipelago is a cluster of 15 volcanic islands, islets and rocks located just under the equator, about 600 miles west of Ecuador in South America. The oldest of the islands are about 4 million years old and the youngest are still in the process of being formed. These are the Islands that we visited on our cruise on the ship; Galapagos Explorer II(GEII). The Galapagos Islands are considered to be one of the most active volcanic areas in the world. The Islands are owned by the Galapagos National Park Service and they set the itineraries the ships travel. This trip was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream of my son who has wanted to see these Islands since he was eight years old. It was an experience that none of us will ever forget! 

This picture was taken on Santa Cruz Island at the Charles Darwin Research Center. Yes, you really do get that close to the giant tortoises!

The station is also a tortoise breeding and rearing center where different species of tortoises are reared for re-entry into their natural habitats. These are the famous Galapagos Tortoises that give name to the archipelago.  

North Seymour Island is home to the Blue Footed Booby(seen here), as well as fur sea lions, land iguanas and frigate birds. 

Fernandina - Punta Espinosa

The island is narrow, made up of sand and lava rock extending from the base of a volcano in the sea.
There are large colonies of marine iguanas and it is home to a number of unique Galapagos species such as the
Sally Lightfoot Crab, Lava Lizards, Galapagos Hawks, Flightless Cormorants and the Fur Seal. We witnessed the kill of a young Lava Lizard by a Galapagos Hawk, incredible!

The country of Ecuador may own the Galapagos Islands but there is also much to see on the mainland. The indigenous people of Ecuador are a charming and friendly people. The capital city of Quito is an Unesco World Heritage site. Otovalo with its markets and Cotacachi with three day festivals showed us the people of Ecuador in their towns with the native foods and customs.  

Length of Trip: 11 days
Places visited: Islands - Santa Cruz (Home of the Giant Tortoise), Fernandina, Seymour, Bartolome, Isabella, James. Ecuador - Quito, Cotacachi, Otovalo
Time of Year: June - this is when we went but the Enchanted Islands are visited year round 
Appeals to: Families with children 8+, couples, nature lovers, photography interest
Traveled with: Husband and 25 year old son
Note to Traveler: Physically challenging with hiking on uneven ground.
Insider tip: Galapagos National Park regulates the itineraries for the cruises. Each year
the routing changes. Ask me about the choices!