on location: west ❖
lisa kasanicky
F
rom sunsets framed by craggy mountains to dusty trails that harken back to a simpler time, the road West is paved with fun and memorable getaways for female travelers. Rates often vary by season thanks to the drastic weather changes brought on by arid air, so off-season values are usually available. As diverse as its landscape, the Great American West offers group travelers a potpourri of unforgettable experiences.
ARIZONA The Scottsdale and Phoenix metro area may be spa central but just less than two hours north sits one of the world’s top relaxation havens. Mii amo, a destination spa at Enchantment Resort in Sedona, caters to women looking for a getaway that takes wellness to a new level.Tucked in a red rock canyon dotted with juniper and cottonwood trees, the resort’s crowning spot is the 24,000-square-foot spa complete with a cafe and demo kitchen, indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpool, indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, and fitness studio. Guests can stay in the Mii amo spa village for a full wellness immersion or in Enchantment’s casita guest rooms and visit the spa as day guests.The “Girlfriends Getaway”(from $1,239 per person) includes two nights at Enchantment Resort, breakfast each day, one spa service, one private group session (yoga, guided hike, tennis clinic or tarot card reading) and a welcome bottle of wine and cheese plate. Suggested side trips include Pink Jeep Tours, Verde Valley wine country tour, shopping at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village or psychic reading at the Center for the New Age. (miiamo.com) CALIFORNIA While the southern beaches and northern vineyards are among California’s superstar destinations, Alisal Guest 26 August 2010
West
Go West, Girlfriends
Resort packages in the Great American West lure ladies looking for spa indulgences and outdoor activity California’s Alisal Guest Ranch offers the “Cowgirl Bootcamp” package.
Ranch and Resort in Santa Barbara County offers female travelers a trip to a simpler time laced with cowboy hospitality. Once the site of a working cattle ranch, the 10,000-acre property is dotted with charming, ranch-style cottages tucked among shaded meadows with a spring-fed lake, golf, fitness and riding trails all nearby. A getaway for the adventurous crowd, “Cowgirl Bootcamp” is a women-only, all-inclusive package available at predetermined dates throughout the year or privately for groups of 10 or more. Bootcamp includes three nights accommodations, welcome gift basket, evening cocktails, three meals daily including wine with dinner, a massage, wine maker’s presentation, lakeside picnic lunch, daily horseback rides, activities such as line dancing and barrel racing lessons, and nightly entertainment ($2,800, double occupancy). Outside the ranch, a must-do day trip is the Danish village of Solvang, where the girls can pose with a giant wooden clog or indulge in a fresh-made strudel. (alisal.com)
UTAH For women looking for adventure with a side of serenity, Red Mountain Spa is a fitness and health destination where adventurous outdoor programs for all levels are tempered by a menu of spa treatments, luxury accommodations and savory cuisine. The property is about a two-hour drive from Las Vegas and is nestled in the red rock bluffs of Snow Canyon State Park in southwest Utah, near Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon and the north rim of the Grand Canyon. A playground of activities awaits – from self-guided hikes and back-country wilderness treks to stargazing, cooking demos and creative expression classes. The sevennight “Fitness Boot Camp” package answers the call of women looking to jump-start their fitness regimen with the support of comrades. Starting at $299 per person per night (based on double occupancy), the package includes accommodations, three meals daily, guided morning hikes, fitness LeisureGroupTravel.com