Simply Juicy Travel

Destination: Baby Boomers

Guest blogger, Yvonne, here. A tried and true baby boomer. I was talking to Eileen the other day and we both agreed that baby boomer women are a big market for travel these days. We're hot, we're smart, we're in the money - and we like to do things we've never done before. Go places we've never gone. Have an adventure, before... we resort to the rocking chair.

That's the truth, isn't it? That we're not like previous generations. The baby boomer woman - whether she's 45 or 65, is not going to conform to outdated views of who she is and what she should be like. The women I know - and most of them are boomers - are energetic, exciting, and eager to experience life. We've done the kids thing - most of us have grown children, some of us have grandchildren (like me!). We've done the hubby thing - we're either married to our first love, or our second love, or whatever...some of us are doing the living together thing, but we're all beginning to look at the rest of our lives as a destination, instead of a memory.

That's key - recognizing that our lives can be a destination. That means we want to travel - several times a year. We want to go on relaxing cruises, and exciting mountain trips, and awesome trips to Europe or Asia. We want to see the world. To feel the world. To share it with family and friends.

We want to BE - in the here and now. Not a part of yesterday.

Thank goodness travel agents like Eileen exist to help us plan for the here and now. Because, as much as we baby boomer ladies want to experience new things and go new places, we're not at all sure how to make that happen. At least, I'm not.

Whose up for a great Girlfriend Getaway? Leave a comment and let's get going!

No More Gilmore Girls...Say It Ain't So!

Say it ain't so...

Can you believe the CW Network actually cancelled my very, very, very favorite television show?  The series Gilmore Girls is ending tonight.  I have already informed my husband and kids that I will probably be crying ALOT at about 8:58pm est tonight. It may sound ridiculous to some but I just love the smart characters, the witty dialog, Stars Hollow (OK, I know it's not a real town)and the focus on positive female role-models.

Good bye to Sookie and Emily, Paris and Lane, Luke (what a cutie) and Paul Anka, and most of all Rory and Lorelai Gilmore, the team who made it fun and fashionable for mothers and daughters to enjoy each other.

Do you think it's too late for a letter writing campaign....

Oprah and Gayle's Big Spa Adventure at the Miraval Spa

Anyone catch Oprah and Gayle's Big Spa Adventure yesterday? The show chronicles the experiences of Oprah, Gayle and other invited guests as they participated in activities designed to empower them to change their lives. I enjoyed it, and actually found it quite moving. In fact, it brought up powerful memories of a similar experience I had about 10 years ago.

As a participant in a now defunct leadership course called Lifespring, I was required to complete a one day ropes course. Not knowing what to expect our team drove to a location in a remote section of New Jersey, where we spent the day involved in a carefully designed program. With a group of inspiring (and inspired) individuals, we learned the values of trust, teamwork and self-respect through a series of

Ignoring my own fear of heights, I was able to accomplish things I never thought possible. Going above (literally) and beyond that which you think you are capable, allows you to smash all of your self-created, personal limitations. In fact, I took away so much from that one day, 10 years ago, that I'm actually thinking of taking on the Miraval challenge myself.  Is that something you can see yourself doing?

Anyway, I got a real kick out of Oprah's reaction to Gayle's experience.  I rarely have a chance to tune into her show anymore, so I'm glad I did yesterday.                                                

Oprah and Gayle's Adventure at The Miraval Spa

Dear Simply Juicy Traveler,

If you get a chance, check out Oprah today.  She's doing a show about one of my favorite resorts, The Miraval Resort and Spa. Nestled in the Catalina Mountains of Tucson, this wonderful spa retreat is the perfect place to go for self-care and personal centering. The focus here is on mindfulness, rejuvenation and self re-creation.

Whether you take a leap of faith off a 30-foot-platform, like Gayle and Oprah, or enhance your relationship through a couples retreat, or attend a health and wellness program with Dr. Andrew Weill, or participate in the equestrian experience, there's a life changing experience to be had.

I'll be interested to see what Oprah and her guests are up to and how the experience enhances their lives. Will give you my feedback after I see the show!

If you think The Miraval is a place you'd d like to explore...give us a call at Simply Juicy Travel.  For no additional cost, we can arrange your resort stay and offer exclusive amenities (including a complimentary upgrades based upon avail at check-in). We can also arrange the most economical airfare available for a small fee.

Post a comment and let us know what you think of the show. Check our Travel pics for additional Miraval specials.

Mother's Day Reflections

"What do you want for Mother's Day?" my teenage son asked me last week. "Nothing", I replied. It wasn't  that I was being coy or manipulative... I really meant it. I recognize the fact that I'm "one lucky mother". After all, I have two wonderful children (whom I genuinely like), a loving, supportive husband (who now does ALL of the laundry) and an exciting career (what's not to love about travel?)

With Kelly entering her Senior year of high school in the fall, and Conor returning to Skidmore College as a Sophomore, my children's formative years are basically complete.  I have little left to do but provide them with loving coaching and a pinch of moral support, (oh yeah...and let's not forget about the college tuition!).  After many years of perseverance and hard work, I feel that I can now look back at the past 20 years with pride and a sense of accomplishment.

Successful parenting can be both difficult and hard to measure, there are no benchmarks to tell you when you're doing things right (or wrong).  When "in the trenches" it's virtually impossible to have a subjective perspective.  That's why it's so important to have the support of people we love and trust.

As Hillary Clinton said,"it takes a village", and on this Mother's Day I'd like to acknowledge those who have helped me raise talented, compassionate, loving children. Had it not been for the kindness and generosity of other mothers, my story, and that of my children could have easily ended much differently.

So on this Mother's Day I would like to acknowledge all mothers around the world.  Their efforts to raise  responsible, educated, well-adjusted children is a day to day struggle, and without support can be a daunting job. Thank you for your sacrifice and dedication.  May your Mother's Day be blessed and happy.

CBS Early Show: Miraval Couples Retreat

Dear Simply Juicy Traveler,

Last week, I mentioned that the CBS Morning Show was going go air a story about my friends (and clients), Christine and Joseph Farahat and their positive experience with the Miraval couple's retreat, Partners, Pleasure and Passion.  Surprised by both the length and accuracy of the piece, I liked the way CBS Early Show correspondent Susan McGinnis presented the story.

The 4 day workshop, designed and facilitated by Dr's Lana Holstein and David Taylor, was instrumental in transforming their relationship. Always a kind and generous couple, their renewed connection is both palpable and inspirational.

If you missed the piece, click on the image and take a look.  What do you think? Tell us your thoughts and/or comments.

Partners, Pleasure and Passion, A Miraval Retreat with Dr's Lana Holstein and David Taylor

Dear Simply Juicy Traveler,

I sent my dear friends, Christine and Joe Farahat, to the Miraval Resort in Catalina, AZ this past January.  They attended a 4-day couples retreat (called Partners, Pleasure and Passion) led by relationship experts Dr's Lana Holstein and David Taylor, that has transformed their relationship and lives in such a dramatic way that they agreed to share their story with CBS News.

Because the piece is scheduled to air on The CBS Early Show, Wednesday, May 2 (at 8:08 am, to be exact) I decided to post the email I received from Christine shortly after their return. Even before we discussed their experience, I could tell from the expressions on their faces in the photos she sent, that the workshop had been amazing. Below is the original letter I received from Christine this past January.

Is this something you might be interested in? Would you like to find out more about Christine and Joe's experience?  Drop us a line. For further information, check out our Juicy Travel Picks.

___________________________________________________________________

Dear Eileen,

First I want to say thank you for all your help in planning and coordinating our travel arrangements for our trip to Arizona.  Miraval Spa was an absolutely amazing place.

As you know, we specifically went to take the workshop they offer for couples with some need to reconnect.  The workshop was called Partners, Passion and Pleasure.

Let me just say that trying to get my husband to agree to go was very difficult but with much enrolling, he finally agreed. By day two (only a 4 day workshop) he was SOLD! He not only found value in the workshop, but the facility was amazing. Although there were other people there, you felt as if you had the place to yourself. The spa food was artfully cooked and presented. Although it took us two days to get used to it, by day three we felt as though we detoxed ourselves in several ways. First, the workshop enabled my husband to fall in love again in ways the we never experienced with each other. Lastly, the spa treatments that were offered were fantastic. In a short period of time, we felt rested, healthy and in love.

I don't think I could have had a better experience. You made our travel plans effortless and we really appreciate it.  So thank you again for all you did.

Fondly,

Christine Farahat

Ah, The Lure of Disney

It's that time of the year, again. Spring has sprung and summer is not far behind. I find myself wondering when I'm going to get out to Colorado to see my sweet, sweet granddaughter, Miah. The answer is: anyone's guess. <sigh>

I asked Eileen if I could write a few posts now and then, since I think those of us with long-distance families might benefit from a place to talk about that. I mean, I miss my daughter - Miah's Mom - terribly. I curse the day she moved out to Colorado, but the fact is - she's there, she loves it, she just got re-married and...I don't see her coming back to NY anytime soon.

That means, I have to find ways to get out to CO at least once a year. Although...recently, I was thinking of how nice it would be to bring Miah HERE...and then, take her to Disneyland! Wow - would I be the best Grandma on Earth, or what? Wait a minute...what if I took her on a DISNEY CRUISE??? WOW! Hugs and kisses, galore!

I know the trip planning could be handled by a travel agent - say, maybe Eileen could do it! (grin, grin - of course she could!) And, even the flight from CO to NY could probably be handled by Eileen. Which would be great. That would leave me all the fun of planning the Disney cruise - and of dreaming of what fun things to do with my Miah, and how much ice cream to eat, and how we'll be able to write home and say, "Wish you were here! Not really!" 

Sigh, sigh, sigh.

Will it ever happen? I don't know. I only know that - I'm dreaming about it. Big time. Snow White is calling - Goofy is sending me welcome thoughts - and Minnie  Mouse - well, she's just all a-giggle! Wouldn't it be loverly...(Audrey Hepburn notwithstanding - she would have been a great Tinkerbelle!).. if it could happen!

Gotta fly! Just wanted to jot a few thoughts down to get your vacation thoughts buzzing. Disney, with the family? Cruising with Minnie and friends? Having fun in the sun? Say, why not?