On the road to success, you misplaced a couple of things: 1. Your sanity, which can probably be found somewhere between yesterday’s meeting and this morning’s conference call, and 2. The prospect of a good night’s sleep, which has somehow relocated to your assistant’s to-do list. When tight deadlines and endless meetings begin to take a toll, it’s about time to recharge. And no, not your iPhone. Did you know that taking a vacation can help improve your productivity, lower stress levels and boost job satisfaction?
“Vacations help us reduce cortisol levels, which gets female hormones back in sync (high cortisol deregulates hormones), and allow us to disconnect so we can recover,” says women’s health and success coach Jennifer Racioppi to Citi.com “This leads to greater levels of happiness and pleasure—important ingredients for successfully managing stress and going the distance with our bigger professional goals.”
Ditch the power-suit and turn on the auto reply—the only commitments on your schedule are for rest and relaxation. These hand-picked locations are guaranteed to relax, refresh and rejuvenate even the busiest woman.
Beachy Disposition
Sand, sun and ocean waves are the cure for any over-worked business woman. Head to the easternmost point in Australia for a tropical retreat you can make your own. Bordered on one side by beautiful coastline and the other by magnificent rainforests, Byron Bay offers the perfect combination leisure and recreation. As a hub for respite, this stylish coastal village offers reprieve from hustle and bustle with vast options of restaurants and outdoor activities to eat and sweat your worries away. Or you can opt for peace with daily yoga and meditation followed by catching some rays on at the beach. For high-octane adventure seekers, kayaking with dolphins or scuba diving can help take the edge off. A true escape for all excursionists, culture lovers will rejoice with Byron Bay’s world heritage national parks and lush rainforests.
Pencil it in:
Byron Resort and Spa
77-97 Broken Head Road, Byron Bay
Call: 1300 554 362
Web: www.thebyronatbyron.com.au
Tip: Don’t forget your yoga pants! Start the each day with complimentary yoga session offered daily on The Spa Deck for an added dose of tranquility.
Sip and See
A glass of fine wine (or three) is just what you need to unwind. Head to the great American wine country for a change of scenery and endless pours. Napa Valley boasts incredible views, resorts and amenities but modern women with a penchant for decadence will feel right at home at Hotel Healdsburg. Located in the centre of fine vineyards, restaurants and shops, guests can pick and choose from a variety of daily activities or simply opt to relax poolside and enjoy the vineyard views.
Hotel Healdsburg
25 Matheson St.
Healdsburg, CA 95448
Call: 800-889-7188
Tip: For ultimate foodies, we recommend the “Farm to Fork” package which offers a two-night stay, an epicurean excursion to remote corners of Jordan Winery’s Estate and a special farm-focused dinner for two at the award-winning Dry Creek Kitchen restaurant.
Glamp Out
Nothing says “unwind” like the great outdoors. But “roughing it” isn’t really your style. Instead, enjoy all the wonders of the Australian bush in the luxury of resort-style accommodations. Paperbark Camp eco-retreat is located a short two hours from Sydney and provides a glamping retreat fit for a queen. Enjoy the comforts of your own safari tent complete with hardwood flooring, solar-powered lighting and insect screening. Then wake up to a world of activities like creek kayaking, swimming and snorkeling or spend the day spotting kangaroos while enjoying fine dining on the Sundowner Deck.
Pencil it in:
Paperbark Camp
571 Woollamia Rd.
Woollamia, NSW 2540
Call: +61 (0)2 4441 6066
E-mail: info@paperbarkcamp.com.au
Tip: Enjoy your plush accommodations but make time to take in the sights. Since you’ll be cozy with all the amenities of home, don’t forget snacks, water and sunscreen in your pack and take off on a bushwalking adventure.
Eco-Retreat
You’re a master at juggling schedules, making decisions and dealing with stress. By doing so, you might be subconsciously sabotaging your health. Consider your go-to stress relievers: maybe it’s plopping on the couch and watching TV after a long day, or perhaps a stiff night-cap to calm the nerves before bed. It’s time to ditch the bad habits and gain a fresh prospective on life.
Deep in Tallebudgera Valley, located in the hinterland of Queensland’s Gold Coast, lies a haven for busy business women. The Gwinganna Lifestyle retreat offers a wellness destination to soothe your soul and inspire you to live a healthier life. The resort is Eco Tourism Certified and was created with the sole mission to connect professionals with like-minded individuals to learn tactics for resilience in the modern world. Guests choose from a variety of packages including: women’s discovery, sleep discovery and feast of nutrition. Each stay combines organic living, spa, movement and relaxation with delicious organic cuisine and vital wellness seminars in a dedicated low tech environment.
Pencil it in:
192 Syndicate Rd
Tallebudgera Valley
Queensland 4228
Call: 1800 219 272
Web: www.gwinganna.com
Tip: For a truly life-changing experience, bring your dancing shoes and step out of your comfort zone and take part in the instructor-lead tribal dance.
Go Stag
Sometime all it takes is a little “me” time to refresh and re-energise. And what better place to embark on a solo trip than beautiful Bali. Bliss Sanctuary For Women welcomes women traveling alone to Bali looking for a peaceful sanctuary with no couples and no kids. Located in the peaceful Canggu area of North Seminyak, creator and fellow Aussie Zoe Watson established the resort specifically for women in need of total rest and relaxation. As a former corporate marketing executive, Watson understands the demands of high powered careers and has dedicated Bliss to fit the needs of high powered women.
Pencil it in:
Bliss Sanctuary For Women
JL. Pantai Berawa, Canggu, Kuta
Bali 80361
Indonesia
Text (no calls please): +61 412 131 040
Book: bookings@blisssanctuaryforwomen.com
Inquire: info@blisssanctuaryforwomen.com
Tip: Make the experience your own. Fully immerse in a self-discovery retreat with the “self-empowerment” package, or, opt to make new friends by partaking in the “CrossFIT Bliss” group fitness package.
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