There’s something lavishly indulgent about checking in to a luxurious hotel with the singular intent to settle in and relax. No early morning wake up calls. No planned excursions. No returning home more exhausted than you arrived.
Such was the case recently when my husband and I checked in to Peru’s Aranwa Sacred Valley spa hotel for a peaceful getaway.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Last time I landed in Marrakech or Guadalajara, Morocco and Mexico weren’t next door neighbors. Not even close. But in a private enclave of globally inspired suites at the El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa in Taos, New Mexico - Morocco and Mexico live side-by-side, along with Argentina, China, Egypt, Spain, India, and Japan.
Boasting spacious bedrooms, luxuriant baths, and museum worthy decors, the suites offer the exoticism sophisticated and avid travelers would expect of an international destination in one of the United States’ most mystical locales - Taos, New Mexico.
Global Glam:
There is a potent allure to the famed artist outpost and El Monte Sagrado (sacred mountain) is the ultimate confluence of Taos’ rich ancient culture, artistic heritage and glamorous international appeal. More than just a luxury hotel, El Monte Sagrado is a destination in itself. And one I always have a difficult time leaving.
Everywhere you look there’s something beautiful. From corridors filled with original art and elegant staircases with hand-crafted iron railings to mindfully crafted zen gardens and graceful fountains, the resort blends seamlessly with its tranquil and secluded mountain setting.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
A weekend spa getaway to Riviera Maya was just what I needed to shake the cooling temperatures on the East Coast. Situated on a stretch of secluded beach bathed by the Caribbean Sea, Ceiba del Mar is my new go-to spa resort in Mexico.
The Spa at Ceiba del Mar boasts innovative holistic treatments that leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Spa offerings are infused with essential oils and naturally derived extracts chosen by your therapist to meet your individual wellness needs.
One of the many unique experiences offered at Ceiba is the Temazcal, an ancestral ritual aimed at purifying and renewing the body. Staged on the beach at sunset, hot volcanic rocks, steam and aromatic herbs offer an enlightening experience inside of a terra cotta hut.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Layovers wouldn’t be so bad if they all included massages, Sharp flat screen TVs and French delicacies. This is exactly what passengers will find in the Air France lounge in Terminals 2D and 2E at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport.
Clarins and Air France have teamed up to provide complimentary massage services and travel-sized products to lounge guests. The Clarins Amma Massage is a ten-minute head and neck treatment that stimulates blood circulation and induces a profound sense of relaxation and well-being.
After your massage, sit back and enjoy the beverage of your choice, a light meal and the complimentary wifi - a highly pleasurable interlude for maximum travelling pleasure.
Pampered Passenger Tip: Not in First Class? Indulge in a little in-flight pampering with the Clarins Forget Me Not travel kit. You can now find this great find and more travel beauty kits in the new Pampered Passenger section of The Travel Store at EllenBarone.com.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".