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Planning a winter vacation? Boost your
mood and energy with
these ideas.
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Originally Published October 12, 2004 -- Your Wellness
Guide
Winter Getaways,
Bring Sunshine Along
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Over
the next several months, daytime sunshine wanes and outdoor
recreation and leisure time might be challenged due to less-inviting
weather and temperatures. If you have the opportunity to take a
vacation before Spring Break, consider going somewhere warm and
sunny to boost your mood and energy. |
Studies have
proven that by brightening your environment, ideally through sunshine,
your physical energy is increased and your mood improved. Hawaii,
Florida, California, and Arizona are several top states for
sunshine-loaded, winter vacations. Additionally, many travel booking
Internet sites offer ideas on where you can go to get some needed winter
rays.
A quick look
at
www.travelocity.coms Vacation link
nets Orlando theme parks as an idea you would be out and about, walking
in the sunshine, enjoying the outdoors, and getting needed exercise. A
Maui getaway focuses on bright lit beaches alongside gardens to explore,
play tennis, swim, or take in rest and relaxation all in comfortable
daylight.
However,
avoid appealing places with indoor traps. For example, a Las Vegas
vacation looks promising until you realize that you spend all your time
indoors in a dark-lit casino.
Here are
places to consider
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El
Capitan Canyon
For the nature lover at heart, located in Southern California just
north of Santa Barbara, El Capitan Canyon is a high-end campground
in the Los Padres National Forest and minutes from the Pacific Ocean.
With near-perfect weather, not only can you reduce your stress in a
retreat atmosphere but also embrace everyday sunshine.
Stay in
either cedar cabins or furnished canvas safari tents no roughing it
here. Outdoor activities include horseback riding, ocean kayaking,
botanical hikes and biking, and surfing lessons. You can do your own
cooking or purchase gourmet meals at the on-site market.
$115.00-305.00 per night.
www.elcapitancanyon.com
Rancho
de los Caballeros
If the desert sun is what you long for, check out this historic
guest ranch located in Wickenburg, Arizona (an hour west of Phoenix),
open from October 7 to May 8. Activities include cowboy cookout
horseback rides, desert trail rides, nature hikes, golf, tennis
lessons, and skeet and trap.
Enjoy
bird watching on its 20,000 acre property look for hawks, herons,
cardinals, nighthawks, and woodpeckers. The kids program is for
children 5 to 12 years old and included with your stay kids swim,
hang with the horses, hike, enjoy scavenger hunts, and do crafts.
$259.00-558.00 per night, all inclusive.
www.sunc.com |
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Cypress
Gardens Adventure Park
If your family enjoys theme parks for vacations, on December 9 the
Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in Winter Haven, Florida (midway between
Orlando and Tampa) will re-open. During its final stages of
re-development, three hurricanes passed through the park this fall causing
substantial damage. However, the park is now back on track and will open
before Christmas. Your visit to the gardens and theme park attractions
would show support for the local economy.
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Known as
Floridas first theme park, the tourist spot includes historic
botanical gardens, a famed butterfly arboretum, water-ski displays,
animal encounters, daily shows including ice skating, and 37 rides
with 4 roller coasters. Grand opening price of $29.95 per person for
two days.
www.cypressgardens.com |
Terra
Wellington
is a
national authority on creating a wellness lifestyle.
www.terrawellington.com
© Copyright Terra
Wellington
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