Eva and Mark Greenwald, Eva’s Best Travel and Cruises, 203-221-3171, 888-499-7245

Top Ten Spas in the US as Voted by readers of Conde Nast Traveler – Part 1 of 2

You work hard on the job and at home.  You need to take the time to pamper yourself, for the sake of your body, mind and soul. Take a few days or longer and treat yourself to a spa vacation.  Go by yourself, take your significant other, make it a friends long weekend. You deserve it!  Wonderful spas are closer than you think. The discerning readers of Conde Nast Traveler just voted their Top 10 Spas in the US.  If your favorite spa didn’t make the list, call me or email me and we’ll create our own Top Ten:

203-221-3171, 888-499-7245, text us at: 203-554-4462, email us at: egreenwald@cruiseplanners.com. Check our website weekly for travel specials and tips at: www.EvasBestTravelAndCruises.com.

10. Resort at Squaw Creek

Lake Tahoe, California

You’ll find the usual at Squaw Creek’s spa—facials, manicures, massages—but we like the sound of the more specialized treatments. A high-altitude massage uses aromatherapy to take care of any tension headaches, while the Olympic sports massage uses light pressure and compression to take care of your muscles after a long day of skiing or hiking.

9. Sundara Inn & Spa

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Escape from the chaos of the Wisconsin Dells water parks at Sundara’s spa—and be sure to budget some post-treatment relaxation time in the baths. You can test out the hotel’s signature Sandstone Body Polish, an exfoliant made from minerals found in the region’s sandstone bluffs, then soak your newly smoothed skin in peace.

8. Aspira Spa at the Osthoff Resort

Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

When you’re done paddling around Elkhart Lake in a canoe (or letting a motor do the work in a pontoon—no judgment http://www.osthoff.com/watersports) retreat to Osthoff Resort’s Aspira Spa. The treatment menu is a mix of classic and local specialties: The cedars massage uses a blanket of fresh-smelling cedar (native to the area), while the lomi lomi draws on Hawaiian techniques.

7. Vail Cascade Resort and Sap

Vail, Colorado

After a day of strenuous skiing out in the cold, you definitely deserve some pampering. Vail Cascade’s Aria Spa can help with that. Sit back in an aromatherapy steam room, soak in a hot tub (your choice: indoor or outdoor!), or sign up for any number of massages, body treatments, or facials. There’s even a facial for teens.

5. Auberge du Soleil

Napa, California

This “outstanding luxury hotel” is set on 33 acres of vineyards and olive groves—“the views are spectacular.” “Sumptuous cottages” done in sun and earth tones have wood-burning fireplaces and refrigerators stocked with local wines and cheeses; bathrooms come with sky lights and flat-screen TVs. And when you come out of your room, you’ll find even more pampering at the hotel spa. As sumptuous as the rest of the property, it uses indigenous local ingredients and even has a suite for four friends that features a fireplace, a private outdoor garden, and a hot spring.

6. White Barn Inn & Spa

Kennebunkport, Maine

According to our readers, this “classic 1820s converted farmhouse” and barn has “the most magnificent food and service.” New England–style decor means rooms in blues, greens, and grays with hand-painted furniture and fresh flowers. Occupying two converted barns, the restaurant “serves all the fresh local ingredients they can get their hands on.” The Tuscany-inspired Wine Room holds more than 7,000 bottles in its interior of mahogany, red cedar, marble, and granite. Treatments at the spa use Thalgo, Sonya Dakar, and Molton Brown products. “The ambiance here is unmatched.”

At Eva’s Best Travel and Cruises, we get to know you, your interests and desires and customize your trip. With our affiliation with Cruise Planners and American Express Travel, our wonderful team of over 350 travel partners, all vetted through American Express for their high quality and service, will match the lowest publish price and give you the most amenities. You will save a lot of time, money and frustration as we counsel and advise you on your dream vacation. Call us at: 203-221-3171, 888-499-7245, egreenwald@cruiseplanners.com, text us at: 203-554-4462, check our website at: http://www.EvasBestTravelAndCruises.com.

Check out our travel videos: http://www.evasbesttravelandcruises.com/page/14695-Our%20Travel%20Videos.

Eva and Mark Greenwald, Eva’s Best Travel and Cruises

Top Ten Spas in the US as Voted by readers of Conde Nast Traveler – Part 1 of 2

You work hard on the job and at home. You need to take the time to pamper yourself, for the sake of your body, mind and soul. Take a few days or longer and treat yourself to a spa vacation. Go by yourself, take your significant other, make it a friends long weekend. You deserve it! Wonderful spas are closer than you think. The discerning readers of Conde Nast Traveler just voted their Top 10 Spas in the US. If your favorite spa didn’t make the list, call me or email me and we’ll create our own Top Ten:
203-221-3171, 888-499-7245, text us at: 203-554-4462, email us at: egreenwald@cruiseplanners.com. Check our website weekly for travel specials and tips at: http://www.EvasBestTravelAndCruises.com.

10. Resort at Squaw Creek
Lake Tahoe, California

You’ll find the usual at Squaw Creek’s spa—facials, manicures, massages—but we like the sound of the more specialized treatments. A high-altitude massage uses aromatherapy to take care of any tension headaches, while the Olympic sports massage uses light pressure and compression to take care of your muscles after a long day of skiing or hiking.

9. Sundara Inn & Spa
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Escape from the chaos of the Wisconsin Dells water parks at Sundara’s spa—and be sure to budget some post-treatment relaxation time in the baths. You can test out the hotel’s signature Sandstone Body Polish, an exfoliant made from minerals found in the region’s sandstone bluffs, then soak your newly smoothed skin in peace.

8. Aspira Spa at the Osthoff Resort
Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

When you’re done paddling around Elkhart Lake in a canoe (or letting a motor do the work in a pontoon—no judgment http://www.osthoff.com/watersports) retreat to Osthoff Resort’s Aspira Spa. The treatment menu is a mix of classic and local specialties: The cedars massage uses a blanket of fresh-smelling cedar (native to the area), while the lomi lomi draws on Hawaiian techniques.

7. Vail Cascade Resort and Sap
Vail, Colorado

After a day of strenuous skiing out in the cold, you definitely deserve some pampering. Vail Cascade’s Aria Spa can help with that. Sit back in an aromatherapy steam room, soak in a hot tub (your choice: indoor or outdoor!), or sign up for any number of massages, body treatments, or facials. There’s even a facial for teens.

5. Auberge du Soleil
Napa, California

This “outstanding luxury hotel” is set on 33 acres of vineyards and olive groves—“the views are spectacular.” “Sumptuous cottages” done in sun and earth tones have wood-burning fireplaces and refrigerators stocked with local wines and cheeses; bathrooms come with sky lights and flat-screen TVs. And when you come out of your room, you’ll find even more pampering at the hotel spa. As sumptuous as the rest of the property, it uses indigenous local ingredients and even has a suite for four friends that features a fireplace, a private outdoor garden, and a hot spring.

6. White Barn Inn & Spa
Kennebunkport, Maine

According to our readers, this “classic 1820s converted farmhouse” and barn has “the most magnificent food and service.” New England–style decor means rooms in blues, greens, and grays with hand-painted furniture and fresh flowers. Occupying two converted barns, the restaurant “serves all the fresh local ingredients they can get their hands on.” The Tuscany-inspired Wine Room holds more than 7,000 bottles in its interior of mahogany, red cedar, marble, and granite. Treatments at the spa use Thalgo, Sonya Dakar, and Molton Brown products. “The ambiance here is unmatched.”

At Eva’s Best Travel and Cruises, we get to know you, your interests and desires and customize your trip. With our affiliation with Cruise Planners and American Express Travel, our wonderful team of over 350 travel partners, all vetted through American Express for their high quality and service, will match the lowest publish price and give you the most amenities. You will save a lot of time, money and frustration as we counsel and advise you on your dream vacation. Call us at: 203-221-3171, 888-499-7245, egreenwald@cruiseplanners.com, text us at: 203-554-4462, check our website at: http://www.EvasBestTravelAndCruises.com.
Check out our travel videos: http://www.evasbesttravelandcruises.com/page/14695-Our%20Travel%20Videos.

….and landed in freezing cold Tahoe!

This is my 6th year coming with the kids to lake Tahoe for winter break.  It started with an innocent enough question- their dad knew that he would be spending time with them over break, and asked if I had any vacation ideas.  I quickly chose skiing!  Since I did not learn to ski until I was an adult, I had always wished to “grow up skiing” and go on ski trips.  All of my skiing experience had consisted of driving from Poultney to Killington and skiing long days before driving home to a dorm.  The dream of a ski vacation, and family centered traditions around skiing sounded like so much fun- hence our yearly trips to Squaw Valley began.  (Of course, at this point in my life, Derek and I have gone on a lot of ski trips- but they are mostly quick overnights in budget hotels.  Totally awesome, but not Squaw Creek!)

We stay at Squaw Creek, and by now that kids have favorites- like the favorite breakfast, their favorite ski trail, their favorite thing to do after skiing.  It’s nice to come back to the same place- we know where ski school and rentals are, we know what the shuttle ride will be like, we know where to get the best hot chocolate for after skiing!  I feel so happy to be here again- Squaw Creek is like a home away from home.

This morning I woke up early and headed to the gym to get a quick workout in before a morning on the slopes.  I do exercise before I ski when I am here, mostly because I don’t ski very hard. I am skiing by myself, and just don’t push myself too much.  Plus, this year there is not a lot of snow, and not a lot of terrain open, so I am not sure how much skiing I will get in.  An hour on the treadmill, followed by some Pure Barre-esque abs did it for me.  Now I’m off to get the kids ready, hit up breakfast, and then the slopes!

Lake Tahoe Ski Package INCLUDES 7 nights, Resort at Squaw Creek & 7-day ski lift ticket. FEATURES Buffet breakfast daily. BONUS 7th night free.

Call 1-800-330-8820 to book your Lake Tahoe Ski Package or click here for reservations.

Special subject to change without notice. Certain restrictions apply. Not responsible for errors or omissions.

Alpine Meadows

This photo was taken on November, 27th 2008 from Alpine Meadows.

Last night there was some snow at the higher elevations, this morning the trees up there still have a covering of snow and the sky remains dark and overcast.

Squaw Creek

A similar cloudy and overcast scene existed at Squaw Valley. Taken from the Resort at Squaw Creek golf course you can see Squaw Valley base camp to the right settling under the cable car ride to the hidden mountain top.   

Both scenes are a contrast from down by the Lake where the warm sun is shining through, just shows you what a couple of thousand feet in elevation can do.