Wellness Travel - Virtuoso Travel Agency - Vancouver - Luxury Wellness Travel

Brush Creek Ranch: Wyoming, USA

2016-06-15T20:09:52+00:00

Wyoming ,Wyoming, Wyoming… Wow!!!

Wyoming is not a bucket list destination for many but we recommend you add it to your list of places to visit. Its wide open spaces, puffy clouds, wild antelope and dude ranches provide an internal sense of peace, calm and inspiration. We visited The Lodge and Spa at Brush Creek Ranch in Saratoga Wyoming which is a 30,000 acre working ranch. Brush Creek ranch is a playground for adults and kids alike; an idyllic setting for a memorable family vacation. For the adults it brings out your youthful and playful side reminding us what it’s really like to play free of inhibition. For the kids it provides a never ending source of fun and freedom! The ranch is truly a playground for kids and adults to push their boundaries while learning new skills. Brush Creek provides is a reason to come back to Wyoming with your family year after year.

Artic Haven: A Wilderness Lodge on the Canadian Barrenlands

2016-01-11T23:24:04+00:00

Arctic Haven is an incredible wilderness lodge located on Ennadai Lake in Nunavut (a 2 hour charter flight from Yellowknife). This lodge is perfect for anyone looking to reconnect with nature while enjoying comfortable accommodation and world class food!

THE LODGE-The first of its kind, Arctic Haven is powered by green energy (90 %). Twelve private rooms with comfortable hotel style accommodations mean that you can properly recharge after every adventure. Situated on the Arctic tree line, most evenings are filled with northern lights! Wildlife viewing, sea kayaking and hiking the tree line are just some of the wonderful excursions offered.

Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort, British Columbia, Canada

2015-12-20T20:08:04+00:00

Nimmo Bay is the resort that invented heli-fishing on the coast of British Columbia, yet it provides down to earth wilderness experiences that bring guests remarkably close to nature. Family owned and operated, this resort is also a Canadian Tourism Commission’s signature experience, offering outstanding cuisine, a range of outdoor experiences with all the comforts of a luxurious wilderness retreat.

Jessy's 2015 Year in Review

2015-12-18T23:20:18+00:00

As 2015 is coming to a close I take this time to reflect upon my past year. It was a year of discovery both globally and spiritually. This past year I have been dealing with chronic pain due to a ruptured disc in my lumbar spine. I have let this experience be my teacher and mentor as it is here for me to learn, grow and develop.

As I am starting to experience relief I can see that this pain/injury has been a blessing in disguise. I have been forced out of my comfort zone and I am constantly looking to open my heart and mind to new ideas, experiences and people. I have been creating, inventing and getting back to my wild ancestral roots. Each day I practice compassion and know that we are all doing the best we can which what we have been given.

Yoga Retreat in Bhutan - Uma by Como, Paro

2015-06-25T21:04:46+00:00

In August 2015, COMO Shambhala Retreat at Uma by COMO, Paro – an intimate resort in Bhutan’s Paro Valley – is pleased to welcome yoga expert Elena Brower. Elena will lead a brand new six-night residential package, focusing on the fundamental yogic tools of asana, pranayama and meditation in the forests of this mysterious Himalayan kingdom.

Elena has studied with master teachers since 1997, and has been teaching yoga and meditation since 1999. Along with co-author Erica Jago, Elena blended the worlds of art and yoga in the roundbreaking book Art of Attention. She has taught classes at New York’s Museum of Modern Art and Central Park, and leads annual international workshops. She has contributed to The Huffington Post, Origin Magazine and Positively Positive and keeps her own blog, elenabrower.com.

What is Wellness?

2015-06-21T18:38:27+00:00

Wellness is a word that gets tossed around very often these days however do we have a clear idea about what we are talking about when we use that word? I have had a few people say to me, “I can’t hear that word anymore”, “It has lost all its meaning” or “It’s a buzz word that is overused”. Well (no pun intended), I wanted to write out what my definition of “wellness” is and what it means to pursue wellness.

Wellness means much of feeling well, as in goodness, is much good, therefore what does it mean to feel well? It is different for every person as to which avenue brings us to such a feeling but overall to be well is quite unanimous. To be well is to be full of energy, vitality and carry strong life force with us throughout our days. It is to have passion, inspiration and motivation to reach a goal or intended life path. To be well is to open our hearts to feel love and receive love. It is to be in balance, it is to be able to cope with our daily stressors and it is to feel a sense of peace and calm amongst the most difficult situations. To be well is to walk through our days with our head held high and unshakable confidence no matter what our situation is.

Beluga Whales at Arctic Watch: Nunavut, Canada

2015-05-03T23:54:53+00:00

Located 500 miles north of the Arctic Circle is Somerset Island which is host to a family run wilderness lodge called Arctic Watch. The lodge has been welcoming travellers from across the globe since 2000 and is a 4 hour charter flight from the gateway city of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Arctic Watch is most famous for its world class beluga whale observation. Each year 2,000 belugas congregate in Cunningham Inlet to enjoy the sunshine and clean water where they nurse their young and molt their skin.

The Ranch at Rock Creek: Montana Luxury Ranch

2015-03-03T05:31:37+00:00

...and you thought Disneyland was the best place on earth!

One year ago Carly and I visited Montana for the first time. It was almost a sureal experience; big sky, open road and a charming combination of farm fields and moutains. As west coast girls living in Vancouver we were looking foward to putting on our cowboy hats and boots and enjoying ranch life. We spent our four nights at The Ranch at Rock Creek, an all inclusive luxury guest ranch just outside Philipsburg, Montana. The Ranch at Rock Creek has been awarded many accoldades in it's 3 years of business. It is a member of Virtuoso (an invite only network of the best of the best properties around the world), Relais and Chateaux (awarded to boutique properties with excellence in food and beverage) and Forbes 5 star (which recognizes outstanding service and world class amenities).

The Ranch at Rock Creek is a giant outdoor playground for people of all ages to enjoy. It is suitable for multi generational families, romantic couples and corporate retreats. Your experience begins as you are picked up from Missoula airport and transfered 1 hour to the Ranch in their luxury SUV. Upon arriving at the 6600 acre property you are taken to your accommodation which could be a glamping tent, a luxury cabin, or a guest room in the main lodge, all of which are immaculately desgined. You can then start to casually plan your activites for your time at the ranch. You can choose between: Horseback riding, fly fishing, sport shooting (rifle, pistol, clay pigeon & skeet), archery, mountain biking, hiking and the ropes course! After so much fresh air and activity you are ready for a nourishing meal, good thing Chef Josh is a master when it comes to gourmet ranch cuisine!He has great relationships with the local farms and uses the best of the best seasonal ingredients to create delicious farm to table meals.

The Ranch at Rock Creek is a wonderful place to celebrate a special occassion or to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and reconnect to nature. But be aware you may never want to return home. Contact us for more information, info@luxurywellnesstravel.com.

What is Wellness Travel?

2015-03-02T00:21:25+00:00

Our definition of Wellness Travel…

Wellness means different things to different people and when we work with our clients, Wellness Travel is about finding the right property and experience that will boost and enhance their current state. Going on a Wellness Travel trip will either support one’s current journey of wellbeing or be the catalyst to forming new habits and begin a new path of personal health. Wellness Travel is NOT just going to a spa, it’s NOT just drinking green juice, it’s NOT just doing yoga everyday. It’s so much more. Yes yoga, green juice and spas are styles of Wellness Travel, but these are just parts of a larger spectrum. We define Wellness Travel on a spectrum: Everything from weight loss and detox programs, to active adventure travel, to wilderness and wildlife immersion, to learning journeys to rest, rejuvenation and spa getaways. These are all resources along the path of personal wellbeing.

“Wellness travel is nourishing your childhood sense of play” - Carly

“Wellness Travel is a catalyst to creating positive change for one’s wellbeing. It’s our job to facilitate this change for our clients as we are not transactional agents we are transformational agents.” – Jessy

Siwash Ranch: Authentic Dude Ranch in the Wilds of Western Canada

2015-02-24T01:05:44+00:00

Siwash Ranch - A Luxury Dude Ranch & Wilderness Resort. Tailor-Made. All Inclusive.

By Nature, this remote ranch is small, personal and sophisticated; beckoning to the world's most discerning, active travelers who seek freedom, authentic adventure, and life-enriching experiences.

Siwash is a private hideaway in British Columbia's cowboy country; one of Canada's top luxury wilderness lodges and a genuine family-owned guest ranch. Siwash is an excellent place for high energy family holidays, romantic adventure vacations for couples, and small, exclusive corporate retreats—meticulously orchestrated within a natural, peaceful paradise.

Un-Cruise: UnRushed, UnCrowded, UnBelievable

2015-02-23T20:38:21+00:00

Un-Cruise Adventures was born out of a desire to offer small group, hands-on explorations in some of the most inspiring places in the Americas. With a constant eye on treading lightly, their small boats and yachts introduce adventurers to places, encounters, and activities sure to leave a lasting impression in each person’s life.

Depending on the vessel and destination, most activities are included. Un-Cruise believes it is important to get out and explore nature and local communities by hiking through secluded forest or desert trails, walking on a glacier, kayaking in a secluded cove or taking a skiff ride to explore the shoreline and spot wildlife, or spending time with locals learning about their way of life.

Un-Cruise understands that ecosystems are fragile, yet important, environments. With profound respect and admiration, we gain a renewed spirit about how amazing nature and its wild inhabitants can be on every journey. And we know first-hand the impact the Un-Cruise adventures have on sustaining local communities. Un-Cruise actively promotes environmental protection through education, actions and initiatives that promote responsible travel. They are members of Sustainable Travel International, which focuses on responsible travel and ecotourism.

Tweedsmuir Park Lodge: Bella Colla, Canada

2015-02-19T05:55:34+00:00

The historic Tweedsmuir Park Lodge is an inviting, family-style wilderness lodge nestled within Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, Bella Coola, BC. It is situated on 60 acres of pristine wilderness land with access to a variety of summer recreational opportunities. Originally built in 1929 as a hunting lodge, it was rebuilt in 1952 to accommodate those seeking out a more eco-friendly adventure.

Northern Lights Fly-in Lodge: Northwest Territories

2015-02-15T18:34:57+00:00

Experience the magic of the northern lights as they dance across the night sky during a stay at a remote and rustic lodge set deep in the Canadian wilderness.

One of the most renowned spectacles of the Canadian north is the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis. These bright dancing lights, listed among the planet’s greatest natural wonders, are caused by collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere as a result of solar flares with atoms in the thermosphere. Most of the particles disappear into space but if some enter our upper atmosphere, around polar regions where those magnetic fields converge, they react with the gases found there. These auroral displays can appear in many colours. Although green and pink are the most common, red, yellow, green, blue, and violet sightings of aurora borealis have also been reported. The northern lights can also appear in many forms, from large patches and scattered clouds, to streams of lights, arcs, and rippling curtains of light.

Swim and Snorkel with Whale Sharks

2015-02-15T17:26:14+00:00

Just off the tip of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is a small island largely untouched by tourism, despite its proximity to Cancún. Isla Holbox might go unnoticed entirely, except for some unique visitors who come to its warm ocean waters each summer. Their presence is hard to ignore, since they average 40 feet long and weigh 15 tons. These are gentle whale sharks—not whales at all, despite their size, but actually the world’s largest fish. Docile and unafraid, they allow us to swim close enough to observe the checkerboard pattern of pale yellow dots and stripes covering their thick gray skin. Departures are throughout July. For a 6 day small group trip prices start at $3,995 USD. For more information contact info@luxurywellnesstravel.com.

Jessica's 2014 Year in Review

2014-12-31T22:50:25+00:00

Wow, another exciting year has passed by. This one was roller coaster of events and emotions. I would like to share my highlights of 2014 with you…

Firstly, let's start with work. I am loving my job as a Wellness Travel Advisor at Renshaw Travel. This is an avenue Carly (my sister) and I have been pursuing together for the last 3 years. We get to be creative and entrepreneurial which is a lot of fun and very rewarding. We launched this website, www.luxurywellnesstravel.com, earlier this year for The Renshaw Wellness Collection. I have been busy writing all the articles for it which I really enjoy.

In addition to our office in my favourite place in the world, Kitsilano, the world is my office so I was able to have some wonderful work travel experiences; I visited Maui, New York, Montana, Iceland, Greenland and Mexico.

Greenland with Quark Expeditions

2014-11-01T20:19:49+00:00

In September of 2013 I was flying back from London to Vancouver. It was a clear day and I was able to see out of the window to the vistas below for the majority of the flight. As I peered out the window I noticed the amazing, never ending glaciers of Greenland. I looked out in wonder and thought, “who goes there? Can anyone travel there?”

Fast forward to September of 2014 and I am traveling to where?….. Greenland!!! I was traveling with the leaders in Polar Expeditions, Quark Expeditions. I boarded the 100 passenger vessel in Akureyri, Iceland and we were off for a trip along the East Coast of Greenland. Traveling with Quark was lovely experience as I was in company so many well-travelled people. The ship was full of doctors, scientists, and modern life explorers who came from countries all over the world. Since most of the guests had travelled to Antarctica before and had experienced the Drake Passage, the one day sailing to reach the fjords in Greenland was nothing for them, however, I felt better lying in my bed for the crossing of the Denmark Strait. Once we got into the fjords though I had no problem with the sea as the water was calm.

Use it or Lose it: Physical Activity Promotion

2014-10-24T19:59:53+00:00

After growing up as an athlete, studying kinesiology, working as a personal trainer & volleyball coach before my current career in Wellness Travel, you can see that my passion and expertise lies in the realm of physical activity and physical activity promotion. I live by the motto “Use it or Lose it”, in regards to aging and physical abilities. If we continually move our bodies and train our muscular system and nervous system we can continue to do the things we love to do as our life progresses.

Since the early 1900’s our advancing automatic technology (automobiles, dishwashers, washing machines, vacuums etc.) has taken physical activity out of our lives which has then allowed us more time to be productive??? Or sit and eat? So it is important for us to have a daily exercise routine. Something that allows us to reach just the minimum requirement of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week.

Kamalaya Holistic Wellness Spa: Koh Samui, Thailand

2014-10-20T19:11:42+00:00

Kamalaya Koh Samui is a multi award winning wellness Sanctuary and Holistic spa ideally located amid a tropical landscape on the southern coastline of Koh Samui, Thailand. With lush tropical vegetation, ancient boulders, cascading streams and 1.5 miles of idyllic private beach, Kamalaya’s natural setting is an integral part of each guest’s experience. Centered around a monk’s cave that once served Buddhist monks as a place of meditation and spiritual retreat, Kamalaya’s essence is expressed in its name, ‘lotus (kamal) Realm (alaya)’, an ancient symbol for the growth and unfolding of the human spirit.

Iceland: The Land of Fire and Ice

2014-10-18T20:07:35+00:00

As I walked through the Keflavik airport I noticed a sign, “why burn coal when you have fire?” This reiterated what I was most excited for about travelling to Iceland….. Hot Springs! Iceland was never part of the original landmass Pangea and was formed all due to Volcanic Activity, similar to the Hot Spot under the Hawaiian Islands. So where there is Volcanic Activity there are hot springs with healing powers all around the country!

Corporate Wellness Program at The BodyHoliday: St. Lucia

2014-10-18T17:43:42+00:00

Are you feeling over worked, stressed and want to regain a sense of balance in life? To help combat this increasing and largely hidden phenomenon, The BodyHoliday has designed the Corporate Wellness Programme all with you in mind.

The Corporate Wellness Programme is a 15 hour training programme (spread over five mornings) that has been designed specifically for those wishing to take more control of their lives and establish a better work/life balance. It aims to broaden the psychological belief systems of participants and enable them to discover their passions, strengths, skills and talents in life and utilise them to their full potential.

The Blue Lagoon: Balneotherapy in Iceland

2014-09-18T04:07:43+00:00

The geothermal water of the Blue Lagoon orignates 2,000 metres below the surface where freshwater and seawater combine at extreme temperatures. It is then harnessed via drilling holes at a nearby geothermal power plant, Svartsengi, to create electricity and hot water for nearby communities. The Blue Lagoon was originally an accidental by-product of this process.

The Blue Lagoon was once just a pool that formed from the waste water of Svartsengi. In 1981 people started bathing in the waters as they realized its healing powers for treating skin conditions like Psoriasis. Then in 1992, The Blue Lagoon Company was built and opened a public bathing facility.

The waters of the Blue Lagoon are deemed with healing qualities. On its way to the surface, the water picks up silica and minerals, before emerging at a soothing 38 degree Celsius. Perfect for a relaxing and re-energising bathe. The act of bathing in water for its healing qualities in order to treat disease is known as Balneotherapy. This type of therapy is used to treat arthritis, skin conditions and fibromyalgia.

Don't look to be the Richest in the Graveyard

2014-09-12T18:09:49+00:00

When I was young I loved playing the “Game of Life”; a board game where your path in life was up to the random chance of a spinner. One would get a career, get married, have kids, win Nobel prizes, buy a house, suffer a tree falling on their house, then kick themselves that they didn’t buy the house insurance and in the end all the players would end up at the White Mansion. Since in all games there is a winner I was usually confused at the end of this game, who won? Was it the person with the most kids? Was it the person who finished first? Was it the person with the most money?

World Sporting Events

2014-09-11T22:35:00+00:00

Wouldn't it be incredible to see Tiger on the Prowl at the Masters? Experience centre court at a Wimbledon Final? Participate in the spectacle of the Super Bowl? How about viewing a Champions League game at Emirates Stadium?

Through my trusted industry contacts I was able to experience the later September 2013 in London. This was a dream of mine since I was a young child to watch an English Premiere Team play live. I was shocked when I was able to get tickets for an Arsenal vs Napoli Champions League game on the day of the game. This only happened because of who I know.

As a member of Virtuoso, the world's leading luxury travel network, I have the ability to get you access to the world's leading sporting events. Whether you are looking for tickets or you are wanting something as exclusive as playing with a pro at Augusta give us a call.

Ananda in the Himalayas: India

2014-09-11T17:50:52+00:00

Ananda is a luxury wellness spa located in the Indian Himalayans. This peaceful and tranquil destination spa is located near the city of Rishikesh, which is India’s spiritual centre. Rishikesh was made famous by a visit from the Beatles in 1968. Ananda spreads across 30 acres surrounded by Sal forest and the holy Ganges River.
Why would you choose a destination spa for your vacation? The whole emphasis of the vacation can be placed on wellness and a change in lifestyle. This time is about finding new energy in an all nurturing environment while consulting with health experts in order to achieve personal goals such as detoxing, weight loss, relaxation or rejuvenation. In addition to the 8 wellness packages Ananda Spa offers, this Himalayan bliss is a great place to end a North India Itinerary.