Leadership and Executive Development for women of all races, cultures and backgrounds
Issue link: https://diversitywoman.epubxp.com/i/632328
DW Life > d i v e r s i t y w o m a n . c o m W i n t e r 2 0 1 6 D I V E R S I T Y W O M A N 59 Montana is the ideal place for you. Al- though the luxury ranch is in the mid- dle of the Montana wilderness, there's fve-star dining, an equestrian center, butler service, and, naturally, an on-site spa. Te fancy safari-style tents and big private homes keep the illusion going. pawsup.com Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Some say the perfect mix of sun and sand for a girls-only escape is Seven Stars Re- sort in Providenciales. Here's a place to pamper yourself, relax, and reconnect with friends. Your vacation starts with a ride on the resort's 29-foot World Cat catamaran to a secluded nearby cay where you can enjoy undistracted gab-fest time while feasting on a delicious picnic lunch. Once back at the resort, you have many options, like parasailing, kayaking, tennis, spa time, or simply chilling on the beach or by the pool. sevenstartsgracebay.com Negril, Jamaica If you and your buddies are yoga practitioners, where better to prac- tice than in Jamaica? Sign up for fve days and four nights with the Girlfriends Yoga Wellness Beach Getaway. Stay in the Negril Yoga Centre Rooms & Cottages and enjoy daily breakfast, two group yoga classes in an open-air studio set in a tropical garden, and a vegetarian cook- ing class. Drumming classes, massage sessions, and a Dunn's River Falls excur- sion are also available. Negril ofers much fun away from the yoga mat, too, includ- ing beaches, water sports, and nightlife. caribbeanculinarytours.net, Chincoteague Island, Virginia Nature lovers will feel rejuvenated after traveling the hiking and biking trails in Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge or horseback riding along the beach in As- sateague Island National Seashore. You will also want to visit the 18th-century Assateague Lighthouse, book passage on a boat cruise or paddle yourself on a guided kayak trip to see the famous Chin- coteague wild ponies, and shop the local artists' boutiques and galleries. Rental Make it an educational mo- ment. Depending on the age of your children, you can make your trip a geography lesson by showing them pictures and maps of where you're going. Let them know how much you care. Take a photograph or other memento of your children with you and tell them that carrying it will help keep them close to you. Show how they benefit. "Set up special treats for them while you're gone," suggests Lynn Berger, a career counselor and coach. "Let them know they will be having dinner with or visiting grandparents or friends." Keep in touch. Call or text often. "Staying connected when you are not physically close has tremendous value," Berger points out. "It allows messages and questions to be answered back and forth with relative ease." Send video clips of where you are, if possible. Be smart about your return. Plan your return with your family. "Try to arrive home on a weekend, or with adequate time to enjoy one another be- fore returning to work," Berger suggests. Enjoy the moment. Mary Hladio, founder and president of Ember Carriers, which helps leaders and teams become more effective, says, "Nothing recharges your batteries like a short time away from the daily pull of transporting kids, cook- ing dinners, and the countless other things our spouses or partners and children call on us to do." – S.N.N. Am I a bad parent if I travel without my kids? houses and cottages ideal for groups are available. chincoteaguechamber.com Miami Beach, Florida If you can't make up your mind whether you're in the mood to party or to get your Zen on, don't worry. You can do both. Te Palms Hotel & Spa in Miami Beach is a great place for you and the girls to take advantage of the Sanctuary Yoga Retreat package, which includes a yoga session, guided earth meditations, some quiet time in nature, and a healthful and deli- cious lunch made from locally sourced ingredients at Essensia Restaurant. But if that other side of you yearns for action, Miami's nightlife awaits, along with plenty of shopping, museums, and art galleries. thepalmshotel.com Crawford Notch, New Hampshire In recent years, the Appalachian Moun- tain Club has steadily expanded the num- ber of women's trips it ofers. Guided experiences range from cross-country skiing and snowshoeing to summit- ing some of the highest peaks in New Hampshire's White Mountains. Crawford Notch State Park is a popular destination, with many lodges and huts in the area providing comfortable accommodations. outdoors.org. DW N I a w Costa Rica W hen you have a family, especially young children, the thought of traveling without them can seem almost heretical. But in fact, you're doing both yourself and your family a favor by taking care of yourself for a change. That's not to say that you don't have to fnesse the situation. Here's how to get away without guilt.