As we begin to venture out into the world again with hope, it’s time to take you on a journey of personal health. “He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything” (Thomas Carlyle).
Golden Door
Our first stop is the venerable Golden Door - “leave here a changed person” - so simple and yet so powerful. At the Golden Door, it’s all about your journey and personal transformation. With only 40 rooms and a 4:1 staff ratio, Golden Door offers seven-day programs to leave you energized and excited to resume your life with renewed purpose. Programs vary and can be co-ed or single sex, but no matter what you choose, the staff will work with you individually to craft the best program to fit your personal goals. All rooms are single occupancy only, with a private bath and garden views. Consistent with their ethos of “less is more”, the zen-like accommodations are austere, yet designed for comfort. You needn’t pack much for your stay as the retreat provides the best spa attire, including shorts, t-shirts and terry robes, all laundered daily, plus a yukata - a casual cotton kimono - and sandals. You will also receive Golden Door skincare products, a reusable water bottle, journal, tote and yoga mat, so you can focus on recharging your mind, body and spirit. The entire property is over 600 acres of hills, meadows, Japanese gardens, bio-intensive gardens and citrus groves. There are 12 different hikes of varying difficulty, 7 gyms and 2 outdoor pools. You must try the Watsu Water Therapy pool during your stay, it’s a truly special experience for therapy and healing. Fitness is only one pillar of the Golden Door experience. Your personal program will include an assessment, personal training sessions, fitness classes, mindfulness training, evening workshops, and classes. The take home fitness plan will help you continue your growth long after you’ve returned home. Spa is also an important pillar of the Golden Door’s philosophy, so your program will include daily in room massages, 2 herbal wraps, 5 skin care analyses, and 5 skin care sessions with a body treatment. You are also offered manicures/pedicures and hair treatments. The final pillar is based on their healthy cuisine program which designs a meal plan to your dietary needs and preferences. This includes fresh produce from the retreat’s gardens, nutrition and cooking classes, plus daily times to socialize with other guests, which culminates in a celebratory farm dinner. Through the retreat’s program of fitness training, healthy nourishment, and indulgent spa treatments, guests are treated with care and respect as they travel on their individual paths to enlightenment. Golden Door is easily accessible from San Diego or LAX. We will coordinate roundtrip transfers from both airports. If all of the focus on helping us transform our lives wasn’t enough, at Golden Door, 100% of the net profits go to organizations that help transform children’s lives. So amazing.
Cal-a-Vie Health Spa
Just outside of San Diego, is Cal-a-Vie Health Spa, whose approach is a holistic way of living through fitness, nutrition and well-being treatments. Whether you book a three, four, or seven-night stay, your wellness journey is more than just workouts and spa treatments, as Cal-a-Vie embraces your whole body, mind and soul. Upon arrival, you will meet with a team of experts for one-on-one consultations to determine the best combination of fitness, spa, therapeutic treatments and nutrition. During your stay the staff is there to guide you as you move towards your goals. All the Cal-a-Vie magic takes place over 500 acres surrounded by citrus groves, vineyards and rolling hills. You will have plenty to choose from with the 150 exercise classes offered; 20 different mind-body-spirit options, including Yoga, Calm Mind & Body, Tai Chi and Tension Release Exercise; guided meditation classes; a variety of scenic hikes; award-winning cuisine; world renowned guest speakers; and a 5:1 staff-to-guest ratio, all in this unparalleled “Provence-meets-California” setting. The retreat is comprised of 32 Mediterranean-style villas and suites, all beautifully appointed to ensure blissful downtime and deep, restorative sleep. Meals are customized with your special needs in mind, all nutrient-packed with natural ingredients. Executive Chef Curtis Cooke believes, “the foundation for a healthy, happy life begins with food.” Daily menus are farm-to-table with seasonal fresh produce, herbs from the gardens, and wildflower honey from the property’s apiary. Cal-a-Vie is the only spa retreat to include an 18-hole golf course and offers three, four and seven-night golf packages to include playing on the acclaimed Ted Robinson, Sr. course. Every day at Cal-a-Vie is an adventure in well-being, designed to be sustained long after you depart the property.
Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa
Next on our tour is Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa, one of Southern California’s most celebrated resorts, selected by Forbes Travel Guide as one of the finest Five-Star hotels and spas in the world for six consecutive years, and is Southern California’s only Relais & Chateaux property. Nestled on 40 acres of sweeping gardens and olive groves are 49 spacious hacienda-style casitas with private patios, offering up a true California vibe. When in SoCal, being active and outside is part of the experience, and Rancho Valencia does not disappoint. Starting with their professional tennis facility that offers something for players of every skill level. Rancho Valencia has been rated Southern California’s No. 1 tennis resort by Tennis Magazine consistently since 2008, and is staffed with USPTA and USPTR certified tennis professionals, all eager to help players reach their fullest potential on the court. If golf is more your swing, you will be within walking distance of the newly renovated Tom Lehman course, The Farms, which is designed for the more experienced golfer. While on property, let Rancho Valencia enhance your game with one of their Callaway Golf club sets, complimentary for guests to borrow. Naturally, the property has an epic spa with an incredible menu of signature facials, massages and body treatments, but what we found fascinating and unique, is the Wellness Collective programs based on the cutting-edge science of epigenetics. This is basically the premise that “all disease is preventable through making healthy choices. Lifestyle factors, like how we exercise and sleep, the pollution we are exposed to, our stress levels & state of mind, and what we eat & drink, can ultimately change our genes and impact our longevity.” The Wellness Collective offers packaged retreats in several different well-being tracts such as, Attitude & Perspective or Nutrition & Detox. A sample three-day program may include accommodations, healthy meals, daily private movement and counseling sessions, 90-minute spa treatments, unlimited group fitness, daily fresh pressed juice, and a bespoke Wellness Collective gift. That sounds like just the transformative experience we need right about now!
Rancho La Puerta
We end our journey of health and wellness at Rancho La Puerta, a fitness and spa retreat just a short drive across the border from San Diego into Tecate, Mexico. Founded in 1940, Rancho La Puerta started the modern fitness revolution and pioneered body treatments we now see in spas worldwide. Many of the founders of other destination spas first came to Rancho La Puerta and were inspired to start their own. It offers immersive programs for men and women of all ages and fitness levels with the goal to achieve your total wellness potential, all while nestled in Baja California’s mystical Mt. Kuchumaa. The all-inclusive experiences include roundtrip transportation on Saturdays from San Diego, all meals, guided hikes, yoga and fitness classes, lectures and programs that focus on your personal growth. Located on 4000 acres of biodiverse landscape, which is reflected in the care and quality of the organic gardening, Rancho La Puerta’s approach to sustainability is perhaps best described by the spa’s motto “Siempre Mejor” or “Always Better”. This is reflected in the guest comfort being top priority. Great attention is given to ensure all eco-friendly practices are safe and effective. Activities here are meant to inspire and activate in three different disciplines: Hiking & Running, Instructor Led Classes (yoga, tennis, water fitness and more) and Mindfulness & Reflections (sound healing, meditation, reflexology). The spiritual labyrinth is definitely something to try - A powerful guided walking ritual to open your consciousness, set deep in an ancient oak grove on their full-scale replica of the classic labyrinth found at Chartres Cathedral. This experience is meant to touch your mind, body and spirit. As you walk the path, the references you meet along the way will be fully explained by your guide to help you realize your personal path. Self-reflection at Rancho La Puerta is balanced with community. Whether you’re in one of the 15 gathering areas like the Art Studio or Bazaar del Sol, camaraderie is encouraged. Mealtimes are no exception, and guests frequently say that “one of the best things about the Ranch is that they meet wonderful people”. For these reasons, all three meals are designed as time for guests to come together and enjoy each other’s company. Last but not least is the Spa, offering an interesting range of restorative treatments in many different modalities. You will find various massage and facial treatments, as well as groundbreaking body treatments, like a restorative detox or the energizing Ancestral Energy Cleanse. What is so unique is the range of holistic therapies, from Craniosacral Therapy, Feldenkrais, Acupuncture, Reiki, WATSU and Water Dance- all private sessions with highly skilled masters in their fields. A week at Rancho La Puerta will restore your soul while renewing your health and hope. We’ve spoken with clients who’ve been 40+ years in a row. The first thing they say when speaking about Rancho La Puerta is that they attribute their health and vitality to coming here consistently for so many years. Sign us up!
WIT has very close relationships with these properties, so we can extend exclusive perks and special amenities to our clients. Typically, you will receive complimentary breakfast for two daily, $100 or more resort credit to be utilized during your stay, room upgrade, either at the time of booking or arrival, and early check-in/late check-out, both subject to availability.
At Well Inspired Travels, we love being luxury travel consultants and creating the ultimate experiences for you. So, pack your digital bags and follow us as we uncover exceptional luxury and wellness focused vacations. Check-in regularly for our top five-star travel ideas and tips, and as always, we continue to stay strong WIT you!
