Paradise Valley, Arizona

In need of some serious rest and relaxation, I arrived at Sanctuary Resort and Spa on Camelback Mountain in Paradise Valley just minutes away from Scottsdale, Arizona for a long restorative weekend of spa treatments and fitness classes. Only minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Scottsdale’s upscale shopping venues, Sanctuary, a low rise first class resort comprised of ninety-eight mountain and spa casitas on fifty-eight acres, spreads gently along the base of Camelback Mountain and provides a natural, serene and unpretentious experience where two excellent fitness studios are kept abuzz by guests who enjoy their fitness as part of a resort experience.   In addition to the usual assortment of top of the line indoor track machines and treadmills, one can find enough Pilates reformer machines along with instructors to offer group as well as individual classes– a real plus for Pilates lovers.  

Most fitness classes are included in the lodging rate and are offered every day from early morning until lunch time and again in the early evening. During my stay, the schedule included Yin, Flow, Hatha, and Restorative yoga classes, power walks and nature hikes, bike rentals, indoor cycling classes, tennis instruction, Pilates classes, and early sunrise aerobics. Instructors are top notch and guest friendly: always the sign of a good instructor, the yoga classes were balanced to make both beginners and yoginis like myself comfortable.  In addition, because Sanctuary was a tennis resort in an earlier incarnation, it boasts six outdoor courts and excellent instructors.  Note: Sanctuary does offer spa membership to a limited number of nearby residents. It’s a small enough number so as not to overwhelm guests. Personally, I found the local members added to the friendly atmosphere during my stay, offering excellent advice on instructors as well as local restaurants and shopping.

So, what is there to do when you are done working out? Well, there is a serene full service spa that includes a perfectly heated eucalyptus steam, a whirlpool, a large outdoor infinity pool heated in the winter, and spa treatments to soothe the most frazzled nerves or damaged skin.   And, as in my case, if the spa doesn’t offer what you need, it will customize a treatment for you.   

In regard to dining, Sanctuary offers a small restaurant called Elements manned by chef Beau MacMillan (well-known as a winner of the Food Network’s Iron Chef Competition) that is in the final stage of an expansion. The expansion includes a private chef table as well as an 800 bottle wine corridor and should be completed by January 2010.  Elements hosts a schedule of classes and events like wine and beer tastings.   And, for those who aren’t in the mood for an on-the-premises dining room experience, there’s a 24-hour limited but efficient room service menu as well as many fine restaurants just a few minutes away. A dedicated concierge desk will assist you in discovering a good local restaurant or anything else you might need to provide you with a perfect stay.

With its attention to detail, sense of understated elegance, and friendly but professional atmosphere, Sanctuary is a perfect location for a special event or conference group. Tucked neatly into corners of the property so as not to dominate and overwhelm individual guests are state of the art conference facilities and elegant but understated banquet halls.

For more information or reservations on a resort package or to plan a meeting or special event at Sanctuary, please contact me at harriet@omzonesantafe.com.

As our 6-wheeler Pinzauer truck lurches up the mountainside, we wonder if we signed up for the right adventure.  Big Island Eco-Adventures recently opened up the first zip-line tour on the Big Island of Hawaii.  Maui and Kaui already have this experience available so when the Big Island got their long-awaited eco tour, people have steadily signed up for this amazing half-day trip. 

The tour originates on the North side of the island near the town of Hawi, where there is more than enough rain to provide the lush canopy over waterfalls and valleys that create an amazing setting for a zipline tour. There are a total of eight cables over the hillside, starting out shorter and flatter with platforms and eventually working up to two cliff jumps down 1000-foot lines. After the truck stops mid-way up the mountainside, the 8 of us in our group walk up a pathway cut through the tropical jungle.  Large ironwood and albizia trees imported from Africa provide the canopy for the many local species of birds that thrive in this area.  The smell of guava and the wild ginger plants engage all of our senses as we walk through this surreal setting.  Making our way to the first cable, our local guides, Keali’i and Ika Ika, make sure our harnesses are secure.  Their easy going local humor make you feel at ease before taking that first leap.  As I make that first plunge from the platform I whisk across the 250-foot  line twirling as I go.  It’s an easy trip and not quite the adrenaline rush I had hoped for.  Each cable gradually progresses the adventure so that the excitement builds as we quickly become adept with controlling our spins and learning how to come in for “soft landings”.   Midway through the tour, they take a break in a hut which they have built overlooking a beautiful waterfall.  They have provided us with juice and fresh macadamia nuts which we learn to shell ourselves. 

After our snack, we find ourselves walking down to the final two jumps which are the “big ones”.  We first have to cross a suspension bridge across a deep gorge below.  Having a mild fear of heights, I look below at the 300ft drop into the stream below…it’s an unsteady walk, but safe our harnesses are attached to an overhead cable should we fall.  My head spins slightly but I conquer my fear and make it quickly across to the other side.

The last two lines require a run and jump off the cliff while you’re then carried over 1000ft canyons.  Unleashing my “cowabunga” I take a running jump and leap into the air…now THIS is what I was looking for!  Floating over the waterfall and canyon below I see the ocean in the distance and feel that for a few brief seconds I am flying.  The exhilaration is amazing and for a moment I feel young again.  One more last trip like the one before, only longer, and now I am hooked.  

Big Island Eco-Adventures is planning its next phase —extreme zip-lining.  Their plan is to have a separate extreme tour with eight lines that are as exciting as the last two.  This way those who want an easier version have that option.  Me, I’ll come back for the extreme…I’m an expert now. 

Sue Waymire, CTC

Hawaii Specialist

I have just come back from a family visit to the Black Isle, located in the Highlands of Scotland.  This

While there, I treated myself to a visit to the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre just outside Inverness. (*The battle of Culloden was fought on April 16^th, 1746).  I have not been there for many years, and did not remember it to be a very impressive site.  My, how things have changed!  The current centre was recently awarded 5-star Tourist Attraction status by Visit Scotland.  I found it to be a very interesting and multi dimensional experience.  This National Trust attraction has done a wonderful job presenting the events to the visitor in an educational and effective way, and in a wonderfully updated facility.

For those more focused on nature, there is a lot to do and see in just this area.  For example, there are around 150 bottlenose dolphins living in the Moray Firth, and these can often be seen from Chanonry Point in the Black Isle.  This area is of particular interest because the firth is a key habitat for harbor porpoises, bottlenose dolphins, and minke whales, all of which have been declining in European waters in recent decades.  The only population of bottlenose dolphins in the North Sea can be found here, and minke whales visiting these waters in the late summer months are still subject to whaling in nearby seas.

Accommodation and food in Scotland has also undergone great change and improvement.  For anyone who thinks the food in Scotland is bad, you really must go back (I always did like the food myself).  The standard of the food being served throughout Scotland has improved greatly, and of course pub grub is almost always wonderful, if you are willing to break the diet for a day or two.  There are always exceptions, but with some homework (or just ask the locals) you can get some great options and some outstanding local fare. 

2009 is the perfect year to visit anywhere in Scotland.  This year has been named “Homecoming Scotland 2009” and the year is dedicated to Scotland’s contributions to the world, coinciding with the celebrations commemorating the 250^th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth.  Many varied events are scheduled throughout the year and throughout the country, so for the visitor choosing to travel to Scotland this year there is likely to be an added dimension to any trip. 

For every Scot living in Scotland there are thought to be at least five living overseas with direct connections leading back to the “homeland”.  “Homecoming Scotland” is inviting every true Scot, everyone of Scottish descent, or those who just love Scotland to visit this year.  With the exchange rate at the moment (Apr 09) what better time to go!

I could go on and on, but I think you get the point, Scotland is waiting! 

Have you been home this year?  

Jean Campbell

Frosch Travel Specialist

I had the pleasure of visiting French Polynesia this past November and my itinerary included visits to 4 islands; Tahiti, Moorea, Taha’a Private Island and Bora Bora. French Polynesia has such an exotic flavor; Polynesia but with a uniquely strong French/European influence.

Marya Minter

Frosch Travel Specialist

Portugal

Start a driving trip to Portugal in the northern city of Oporto (Porto), the second largest city in Portugal.  Spend a night in Porto or for those who prefer smaller towns, drive to GUIMARES, about 45 minutes north of Porto.  Use Guimares as a base for 2 or 3 nights, depending on whether you want to explore the coastal or mountainous areas, or both.  The coastal drive goes north and west through Braga (stop to see the Bom Jesus, an architectural wonder) and Barcelos to Viana do Castelo and back to Guimares.  The inland route goes east through the rugged mountains to Braganza, a medieval walled town overlooking the modern city.

From Guimares, there is a beautiful drive south through the Douro River Valley, dotted with quaint towns and vineyards, including Amarante, known for its fine pastries and Vila Real, home of Mateus Vineyards where the vineyard, gardens and manor house are open to visitors.  The end of the day will bring you to COIMBRA, a university town in central Portugal.  Just north of Coimbra is the magnificent Bussaco Forest. Coimbra has an interesting old town and university.

The next couple of days can be spent discovering some of the great architectural masterworks of Portugal including the abbeys at Batalha and Alcobaca, visiting the shrine at Fatima and enjoying the wide sandy beaches around Nazare and fine seafood at local restaurants. The most popular town in this area is OBIDOS, a romantic walled town given by a Portuguese king to his queen as a wedding present.  Staying in Obidos requires reservations made well in advance.

Depending on the length of stay, either head to LISBON to drop the car and spend a couple of days exploring this vibrant city on the famous yellow trolleys, or continue south and east driving though cork forests and exploring the central plains of Portugal. Stop to see the Roman ruins at Evora, shop for pottery in Estremoz and explore Elvas, a fortified city still surrounded by ramparts. If time allows, drive down to the Algarve for a seaside rest. Before ending the driving part of the trip, take a day to explore the peninsula towns Estoril, Cascias and Sintra outside Lisbon. 

Karen Stott

Frosch Travel Specialist

The Dordogne and Lot Rivers cross central France winding past picturesque towns and villages, massive fortresses and castles, humble dwellings carved into limestone cliffs, pre-historic cave drawings and scenic countryside. Long ignored by tourists who flocked to Paris and the Riviera, the quiet beauty of this region has gained popularity in recent years. Despite France’s excellent rail system, this area is best explored by automobile. 

Bordeaux, with a major airport and excellent rail connections from Paris, is an excellent start and end point for a driving tour of the Dordogne and Lot River regions. Bordeaux is worthy of a stop, particularly for those arriving from the U.S. on overnight flights.  But those who want to bypass the city can start in St. Emilion, a 45 minute drive. While strictly speaking not part of the Dordogne River Valley St. Emilion is not only one of the most beautiful villages in France it is surrounded by the vineyards that produce grapes for St. Emilion wines.  Wine lovers should allow two nights here. 

The Dordogne and Lot River Valleys have a wealth of interesting places to visit concentrated in a relatively small geographical area.  This allows travelers to explore the area from only one or two bases.  To start, drive east from St. Emilion to Bergerac where it’s possible to leave the main road and follow country byways through rural villages to St. Cirq Lapopie, truly one of the most beautiful villages of  France and an ideal place to stop for several days to explore the area.  Allow one day to explore the scenic beauty and villages of the Lot Valley and a second day to drive to Conques, a 1000 year old village anchored by the magnificent abbey built to house the relics of St. Foy.  Include a stop in the town of Figeac, a beautiful town with an unspoiled medieval center.  

From St. Cirq Lapopie drive north to the central Dordogne area, where there are several towns and villages, including Domme and Sarlat-le-Caneda, that make an excellent base for exploring the region.  On the drive north, stop to look at the dramatic view from l’Hospitalet Road of the village of Rocamadour, a religious pilgrimage site dating from the Middle Ages that is worth a stop.  

The Dordogne Valley is divided into four regions, and provides enough sightseing and activities for several days, including medieval castles, caves with and without pre-historic drawings, troglodyte homes (cave dwellings) built into the limestone cliffs 800 years ago and still inhabited, as well as dozens of picturesque towns and villages. For those who want to get out of the car and enjoy some physical activity, The Dordogne offers opportunities for hiking, bicycling, spelunking and canoeing on the river. 

The best time to plan a driving tour of this region is late spring through fall. Visitors in the off-season miss the beauty of the landscape in bloom and find many of sightseeing and outdoor activities are seasonal, and many restored villages that bustle with activity in season are like ghost towns in the off-season.

Karen Stott

Frosch Travel Specialist 

Sitting at the bar in the middle of the South Pacific, sipping my mai tai, I looked up and thought maybe I had one too many.  There, over the bar, was a photo of the mouth of a Tiger shark…inside was a smaller grey reef shark soon to become the former’s breakfast. 

My first visit to Kia Ora Resort on Rangiroa was in 1990 as part of a scuba diving and cruise expedition.  As an avid diver, scenes like the above-mentioned Tiger shark snacking incident are seldom seen, much less captured on camera. However, some of the divers in the resident dive shop caught this footage one morning in a remote area of the lagoon where divers seldom go.  This type of adventure is only one of the reasons I jumped on the opportunity to return to Rangiroa.  This tropical diving and snorkeling haven, is located in the Tuomoto Islands of the South Pacific. 

My first encounter to Rangiroa brought me face-to-face with a 12-foot grey reef shark while drift diving along the massive underwater reef.  The dive master at the time indicated I was in the shark’s territory, so best to high-tail it out of there…no need to ask me twice!  Upon my return to the island, I of course, had to experience the diving once again with the Blue Dolphin dive shop located on the property.  The waters there are some of the clearest on earth and the variety of fish plentiful as that area in the Tuomotos is so remote, most fishermen don’t make it out that far.  The neighboring island, Fakarava, is known as a UNESCO underwater sight and protected from fishermen.  While my dive this time lacked the adrenaline rush of my first trip, the fish were still plentiful and time stood still over the years in this remote underwater garden.

Kia Ora Resort and her sister property, Kia Ora Sauvage, are one of the last places on earth where you can travel to feel like you’re on your own deserted island.  The Kia Ora Resort is the main property on Rangiroa that has various garden, beachfront, and overwater bungalows…27 in total.  The Resort is fairly simple in its décor fitting to the Polynesian surroundings. They even have their resident eagle rays that feed within their lagoon.  Kia Ora Sauvage is for those truly wanting an escape from reality, as they have only 5 rooms on a separate part of the island…only accessible by boat.  While upscale in flavor, it’s for those wanting the ultimate getaway…no electronics in a setting fit for Robinson Crusoe himself.  The resident manager of both properties, Gerard, has a low key style fitting of the resort, however, runs a very tight ship with the service.  The food is great, and the people eager to provide great service

I am certain that the amazing Rangiroan tranquility will call to me again in my lifetime…I’ll wait patiently until that time.

Sue Waymire, CTC

Frosch Travel Specialist

The sparkling new Terminal 2 at Mexico City’s Benito Juarez Airport provides a warm Mexican welcome, in a cool, minimalist way. It has a modern edge, an impressive mini-museum of anthropology, and lots of conveniences. After breezing through immigration, baggage and customs, I head straight for a strong dose of caffeine, having travelled across 8 time zones in 20+ hours. The Rompope Double Cappuccino is jolting, exactly what I needed to face the Megalopolis. So is the 20-peso ‘airport’ price (US$1.00 = MXN$14.00) - an indication of what a bargain it is to travel in Mexico these days. It is also safe for travelers, contrary to media exaggerations, and drug-related violent crime notwithstanding.  Mexico City tourism officials I met with proudly report that during the week-long visit of over 20,000 delegates to the 2008 World Aids Conference, there was not a single criminal incident. There would have been plenty of press coverage, of course. My personal lifetime experience attests to the security of exploring the corners and facets of this amazing city safely. 

This visit is an exercise in budget travel, appropriate for the times. I could not resist trying the Hotel Pontevedra, where for three nights I pay a fraction of the rate for one night at a similar hotel in any European capital.  It is friendly, spotless, air-conditioned (didn’t need it), and offers free wireless and computers in the lobby. Its Santa Maria la Ribera neighborhood was recently featured in the New York Times as the new Condesa, the artsy-bohemian area known as the So-Ho of Mexico. My suburban Mexican cousins think I am nuts for staying there. I find the blocks of Belle Époque houses and mid-20th Century apartments charming and potentially chic. Atmospheric cafes and shops surround the leafy plaza, which is dominated by a spectacular iron bandstand attributed to Gustave Eiffel. Across from the hotel stops the express Metro Bus, and around the corner is a Metro (subway) station, making travel around the city convenient, fast, and amazingly cheap. A metro ticket costs 2 pesos (about 14 cents).

I jump on the Metro for a quick ride to Alameda Park and the Sheraton Centro Historico, where I have tequila with Marlene Ehrenberg, one of Mexico’s foremost tour guides. The Sheraton is an imposing contemporary business and convention hotel with the expected comforts and amenities. Weekend rates can drop to about US$100 a night.  Marlene is in great spirits, having just returned from the Monarch butterfly sanctuary in Michoacán state, so we walk around the block to the recently opened Museo de Arte Popular, museum of popular/folk art.  The best examples of fine quality Mexican crafts are artfully displayed in a wonderfully restored Art Deco-Aztec masterpiece of the late 1920’s. It’s the last day of an exhibit of the most amazing piñatas. The museum shop stocks a huge array of Mexican treasures and prices are incredibly reasonable.

The next day I’m off to the Centro Historico, the historic heart of the city to meet Mojdeh Hojjati, another extraordinary tour guide. Mojdeh is of Iranian descent, has a U.S. education, global awareness, and a unique perspective on Mexico.  She introduces me to a high-tech cultural center and rooftop terrace bar overlooking Aztec ruins and colonial palaces.  Then we break for some of the freshest seafood at Marisquería Las Palmas, a downtown “secret” for 50 years. Their ceviches and cocteles are tangy and cervezas refreshing, and the bill comes to $15, but the secret is out! As we leave, Chicago celebrity chef Rick Bayless and crew arrive to shoot a scene for his TV program “Mexico: One Plate at a Time”.

Ben Gritzewsky

Frosch Travel Specialist

There’s a special thrill that comes with exploring Europe by car.  It’s not for everyone, particularly first or second time travelers to Europe, older travelers (many car rental companies won’t rent to people over age 75), those who prefer large cities or who prefer visiting museums and operas to vineyards and villages.  However, if you want to experience the joys of country roads and picturesque villages, but you aren’t up for the rigors of hiking or bicycling through Europe, a self-drive trip could be perfect for you. Though not without risks and frustrations, such as traffic jams or car problems, with proper planning and a sensible itinerary, driving in Europe opens a world not seen from a tour bus or train window. Driving trips are especially appealing to travelers who want to concentrate on small slices of local color and culture.

Working with a travel agent can help avoid pitfalls that can ruin the trip. Among the key elements that can make or break a driving trip are avoiding large cities, booking ahead, slowing the pace, narrowing the field and being flexible. Another important consideration when contemplating a driving trip in Europe is whether to get a car with manual or automatic shift.  Most Europeans drive stick shift, and renters who need automatic cars pay a premium.  In the UK, where they drive on the left, the gear box is on the left which means shifting gears with your left hand, so the premium for renting an automatic may be worth it.

A knowledgeable travel agent can find a reputable car rental company, coordinate pick-up and drop-off points and, if necessary, work out plans that incorporate a combination of rail and car travel.  Other benefits of using a travel agent are help creating a route with reasonable driving distances between destinations that includes historic, scenic and picturesque sights along the way, finding accommodations that suit your taste and budget, as well as providing logistic advice such as how many nights to spend at each stop, and whether you need to spend the first and/or last nights at or near the airport. 

To get started, arrange a meeting with your travel agent to brainstorm your ideas and work out a general outline for your vacation.  How long can you be away? Do you want to fly in and out of major cities, or connect to smaller cities?  Do you want to start and end at the same place, which means planning your trip as a circle; or use the “open jaw” concept of flying into one city and out of another, which allows you to plan a more linear itinerary.  How many people are traveling and how many will be sharing the driving?  What are the negotiable and non-negotiable items on your wish list, for instance:  I must see the lavender in bloom in Provence, or I’d also like to see the Cinque Terra in Italy, but could save that for a future trip? 

Other decisions might include whether to move from place to place or spend several nights in one place before moving on.  If the latter, decide whether to rent a self-catering villa, farmhouse or apartment (usually only available for weekly rentals) or stay at a hotel and use local cafes and restaurants for meals?  There are many options in every price range; even on a tight budget you may be able to include at least one “splurge” such as staying in a country manor or former monastery that has been converted into a fine hotel.

The options are almost limitless and in future blogs, I’ll share some of my favorite driving trips in Europe and the UK.

Karen Stott

Frosch Travel Specialist

Going on Safari will change your life – it’s as simple as that.  There is something truly magical about being there, it touches your soul.  This is not some infomercial - this is pure fact. Whether it’s simply the quiet, the marvelous clean smell, the unimaginable expanse of the plains or just looking up at the blue sky dome that reaches unblemished from horizon to horizon, you will feel it – a moment of clarity – a feeling of being so small, of actually witnessing a world of natural order, a world as it was intended before being disrupted by man.  

If you are considering a safari–or if you have only dreamed of going (and I encourage you to keep the dream, it’s a goal worth achieving), here are some basics:

Africa is HUGE.  There are two distinctly different areas for experiencing the wilds

and wonders: East Africa made up of Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Southern Africa containing South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Let’s start in East Africa – Africa 101- it’s the shortest distance and is the most accessible from the States. Big Plus - English is the primary language.

Equally big plus - Kenya has the largest concentration of animals in the world!  What you must know and what no one tells you is that because of its beauty and variety, it is crowded – very crowded.  I spent last summer exploring ways to experience a real safari, one where you are able to get “up close and personal” with the varied species and AVOID the crowds.  It can be done!  In Kenya, avoiding the crowds is paramount.

Kenya is a microcosm of the United States with regions resembling Virginia, the Rockies, Kansas, Montana and the beaches of Florida each home to its own unique animals and birds. The difference is that you can experience all of them in a week to 10 days.

Tanzania, the adjacent country to the south, is less populated, and has less national parks and reserves with the distances between them much greater. It’s more like Africa used to be. You are not assured of specific species sightseeing – you have to “hunt” for them ala Hemingway.

Tanzania is home to the extraordinary annual Great Migration. Over two million herbivores partake in this journey, with about 200,000 zebra and 500,000 Thomson’s gazelle behind the main players, and one-and-a-half million wildebeest. An unbelievable sight - animals running from as far as you can see on one side to as far as you can see on the other with prides of lion following along for fast food availability.  Safaris are an amazing experience.  They experience nature at it’s most serene and it’s wildest moments.  Come join us on a Safari adventure!

Butch Philipsborn, CTC

Frosch Travel Specialist