Westworld Saskatchewan

savvy Traveller 8 w e s t w o r l d | f a l l 2 0 1 5 istock In Search of Peace Rise of the reju-vacation by Meghan Jessiman A nyone who has ever "done Vegas," stomped around New York or Milan or taken Cancun by storm (a visit to Señor Frog's included) can attest to the fact that some vaca- tions leave you feeling like you need another one. No real surprise then that, as people's lives become increasingly cluttered and digital to-do lists grow longer, interest in wellness-boosting holidays is on the rise. According to The Global Wellness Tourism Economy report, wellness tour- ism has been growing an average 9.9 per cent annually since 2013 (nearly twice the rate of global tourism overall). By 2017, vacations aimed at total rejuvena- tion – or the cleverly coined reju-vaca- tion – will make up a $678.5-billion industry, accounting for 16 per cent of total tourism revenues worldwide. at's a whole lot of travellers in search of inner peace – or at least some peace and quiet. And there's a whole lot of variety in the options. A hop, skip and an icy Corona away from Puerto Vallarta, Xinalani Retreat is only a 45-minute water taxi ride up the Bay of Ban- deras. With thatched huts and yoga studios etched into a secluded hillside, the eco resort offers a mix of wellness retreats, from medita- tion and spa treatments to eco-tours and water sports. For example, Nelson, B.C.-based yoga instructor Jennifer Steed hosts her annual Return to the Source program here. Steed developed her reju-vacation concept in response to her students' desire to experience something more on their holidays. Indeed, while chilling on the beach and sipping mar- garitas can certainly be part of one's daily agenda, the souvenirs from this kind of Mexican holiday are a recharged spirit and personal epiphanies rather than a sombrero or gift-shop shot glass. As Steed says, reju-vacations offer a life- changing experience integrating culture, envi- ronment, cuisine and ancient practices, all in a safe group setting. "It's a contemporary and relatable concept in today's fast-paced, high- stress, high-stakes society. To be immersed in a healing environment with the energy of a vacation, but with the deep transformative practices of yoga, dance, meditation and con- scious food, creates lifelong changes and inspires people to continue living a rewarding, healthy and vital life once they return home." Los Angeles-based Jayme Barrett, life enhancement and feng shui expert and author of Feng Shui Your Life, agrees. Since 2011, Bar- rett has run four annual international retreats in Italy and Marrakesh, Morocco, combining life-enhancement classes, day trips, traditional cooking classes and relaxation techniques such as thermal water spas, massages and yoga. "e goal is to create a nourishing space for women to support each other in learning to live more joyful, energized and purpose- filled lives, while enjoying the beauty, culture, food and traditions of a foreign country," Bar- rett explains. "It's about like-minded women coming together for soulful wellness retreats in beautiful locations to shift out of auto-pilot and learn simple ways to bring more health, happiness and positive energy into their lives." Jean Sunderland, owner of the Hawaii Island Retreat, launched her eco-boutique hotel in 2009 after identi- fying a growing need in the tourism sector for going off the grid and decom- pressing for a week or more at a time. "ere are many people who are over- loaded with their business and personal commitments and have little time to reconnect with self and those they love," says Sunderland. "is place and the experiences we offer allow them to do just that." e Luxury Spa Rejuvena- tion package is ideal for couples looking to reconnect with each other, but it is the Return to Self, Girlfriends Getaway and Mother/Daughter Retreat that are the most popular. "Our principle guests tend to be 'super women,' taking care of work, family, perhaps aging parents, and suddenly realizing their personal needs are being put on the back burner." So how to choose the right wellness escape for you? Before signing on, Steed, Sunderland and Barrett all recommend asking yourself these questions: What kind of accommoda- tion and food options appeal to you? What do you like to do during your days and evenings? How much do you want to spend? And, most importantly, what is the goal of your experi- ence? ere's an escape to suit every prefer- ence and price point, but overlooking this pre-planning exercise could make rest and relaxation impossible. Though everyone's reju-vacation experi- ence is personal, unplugging both metaphori- cally and literally, paired with expertly planned wellness practices and a dash of adventure, will have travellers ready to head back to the office and the stresses of everyday life with a smile on their newly tanned faces. W Whatever you decide – vacation or reju-vacation – you can trust an experienced CAA Travel consultant to help with all your travel plans. caask.ca/travel

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