Ahhh, winter. Or maybe that should be Ugh, winter. Even those who embrace winter are pining for a bit of sunshine and warmth about now. Here are four U.S. destinations that provide relief for those weary of ice and snow.
Sunbathing and snorkeling in St. John, U.S.V.I.
Fly into St. Thomas, then hop the ferry to St. John, the loveliest and least developed of the U.S. Virgin Islands. “It’s lush and hilly, and two-thirds of it, including much of its underwater territory, is protected as part of the Virgin Islands National Park,” says Echo Garrett, who’s contributed to five Caribbean guidebooks. “And the beaches are gorgeous.”
Credit Laurence Rockefeller for creating the park, 7,000 acres of heaven and heritage. One extremely popular island highlight is the underwater snorkel trail at Trunk Bay, with signage describing the fish and reefs. “Trunk Bay is the island’s most famous bay, and the snorkeling crowds have loved it to death,” Garrett says. She suggests heading over to Lameshur Bay, where it’s possible to spy eagle rays or to Gibney Beach, a local favorite for conch diving. Or, take a break from snorkeling and sunbathing to hike the park’s Red Reef trail or to loop through the ruins of Annaberg Sugar Mill, with signage detailing its history.
Resist the urge to collect natural souvenirs, such as coral or rocks. Instead, Garrett recommends Mongoose Bay for its boutiques and galleries. “Seek out Donald Schnell’s work. Even British jet-setter Richard Branson is a fan of Schnell’s fanciful, nature-inspired hand-thrown pottery, fountains, and wind chimes,” she says.
To really commune with nature and keep it affordable, reserve a ready-to-sleep-in tent or a cottage at the park’s Cinnamon Bay Campground (winter rates beginning at $75 per double). If money’s no object, retreat into the luxury of 170-acre Caneel Bay (nightly room-only rates begin at $775), a full-service resort with seven secluded beaches and all the expected whistles and bells.
Desert Hiking in Cave Creek, Ariz.
About 45 minutes north of Phoenix, where Scottsdale’s tony suburbs cede to Sonoran desert sands, is Cave Creek, a funky outpost with a cowboy twang. In contrast to Scottsdale’s fancy boutiques and name-store malls, Cave Creek offers Frontier Town, artsy flavor, and the not-to-be-missed Town Dump.
Cave Creek’s western heritage is well documented in the local history museum, with exhibits on prospectors and mining, cowboys and Indians, and dessert flora and fauna. Winter temps, which hover in the 50s to 60s, are ideal for hiking to see Hohokam sites, petroglyphs, and enjoying the natural assets. “The area was once a haven for gold miners, so you’ll see remnants of that in the hills as well,” says Jackie Dishner, author of Backroads & Byways of Arizona.
One of her favorite hikes is the Jewel of the Creek Preserve, in the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. “It’s located in a desert wash that crosses the creek. On one side of the creek you’ll see a mesquite bosque (Spanish for forest), and on the other side a field of saguaros and other desert plant life. If you get an early start, you might see coyotes, javelinas or rattlesnakes.”
Be wary of the cholla cactus, she cautions: “It just takes a quick and light rub against one of those little balls of furry white prickers to have it stick. You can’t just pull them out. You have to have a comb or something to pry them out carefully.”
A bright spot amidst the local dining options, which go by names such as Horny Toad, Buffalo Chip Saloon and Big Earl’s Greasy Eats, is the splurge-worthy Binkley’s, a culinary oasis.
For homestyle comfort in a budget-friendly B&B, book a room at the Full Circle Ranch (winter rates $160-260). For full-service everything, complete with golf course and spa, plunk down at The Boulders (winter rates begin at $239) a sprawling resort set amidst impressive red rocks in neighboring—and appropriately named—Carefree.
Golfing in St. George, Utah
St. George is perhaps best known as home to Zion National Park, but there are 12 courses within a 15-minute drive. “People are amazed at how good the golf is here at such an affordable price,” says avid golfer and former St. George resident Randy Cassidy.
Cassidy thinks the two best options for serious golfers making the trek to St. George are Coral Canyon, a public course with views of Bryce and Zion National Parks, and Entrada, a private, 18-hole Johnny Miller signature course open to those staying at its inn. “Both are spectacular courses, especially for those coming from the East Coast and willing to spend some to money play.” Coral Canyon, a Keith Foster-designed 18-hole course, is his favorite. “If you pick the right tee box to play from, you’ll have a fantastic day. If you pick the wrong tees, you’ll have miserable one.”
Bloomington is a good choice for those who favor eastern-style courses. “You’d think you were playing back East. It’s an older course with an old country club feel,” Cassidy says. “It’s a bit of a throwback, because it was built before water usage was an issue.”
While golf is the big draw, those red rock canyons are a haven for hikers and mountain bikers, especially in winter, when temps hover around 60 degrees. Add spas, and St. George makes a good choice for those traveling with a non-golfer. “There are quite a few very nice fitness spas; Fitness Ridge, in nearby Ivins, has received attention from the TV show Biggest Loser,” Cassidy says.
As for nightlife, Cassidy says most folks drive 30 minutes south to Mesquite, Ariz., for a cheap meal and to play blackjack or slots.
The Inn at Entrada also has a full-service fitness center and spa. The Experience Entrada Golf Package includes two nights in a studio casita, two rounds of golf, a $50 restaurant voucher, and gift basket, with rates beginning at $499. Another option for the health inclined is Red Mountain Resort & Spa. The Signature package includes accommodations, meals, and all sorts of healthful options, including guided hikes, unlimited fitness classes, and more, beginning at $189 per person, per night, through Feb. 28; room only with breakfast begins at $149, single or double.
Girlfriends Getaway in Delray Beach, Fla.
Sand. Sun. Shopping. Spas. Delray Beach, on southeastern Florida’s gold coast, delivers. Back in the 1940s, Delray was a hip arts colony, and that spirit’s still here. Boutiques and galleries line downtown’s Atlantic Avenue, spilling over to Pineapple Grove. On the coast, palms fringe two miles of sun-drenched public beaches, with cabana and umbrella rentals for a song.
When girlfriends visit spa-travel expert Judy Kirkwood in her adopted hometown, she guides them to the sites the guidebooks don’t reveal. One of the pluses of being amidst Florida’s haute couture centers is that fashionistas rarely wear anything twice. That means eye-popping finds at consignment and thrift stores, such as Second Time Around, on SE 4th Ave. “It’s great for Lilli, Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton, and Dooney and Bourke,” she says. Sometimes she ventures further north. “It’s always fun to walk out of Goodwill in Palm Beach, 20 minutes away, with a $20 Coach purse.”
Another plus of being among the fit and fashionable is the multitude of spas and yoga studios. Kirkwood’s a fan of the Seagate Hotel and Spa, a new boutique hotel on stylish Atlantic Avenue. “It’s heavenly, I love the exfoliating rain massage. And afterwards, dine on the ‘Ave’ in the hotel’s patio restaurant.”
Her favorite yoga classes are at Simply Yoga on Federal near Linton and YogaFox, which offers Sunday morning yoga with live music at the Colony Hotel as well as classes at The Buddha Lounge on Federal. For a total workout, Kirkwood recommends Powerbarre in Pineapple Grove. “Its combination of yoga, ballet and Pilates is guaranteed to make you walk taller, with a tighter butt.” Reward yourself afterwards with a glass of wine and a Southwestern chicken wrap from the Brule Gourmet Market and Bistro.
For those whose flights arrive late, DaDa is open for outdoor dining until 2 a.m., and for those fortunate enough to be in town on Sunday morning, brunch at the Sundy House, a historic boutique inn, is a must.
Old-style Florida grandeur is the hallmark of the Colony Hotel and Cabana Club (Feb. rates begin at $209, including breakfast and parking), an elegant and historic gem located in the downtown shopping district. The Seagate Hotel and Spa (877-577-3242; Feb. rates begin at$349), a swank, luxury boutique hotel, opened in November 2009 . Both are on Atlantic Avenue and both have private oceanfront beach clubs.
I have three passions in life: Maine, traveling and skiing. Okay, four: chocolate. Maybe five, spa-ing (is there such a word?). I guess writing would be my sixth passion. And cheese, oh yeah, artisan-crafted and farmstead cheeses. Did I mention lobster? What can I say, I’m a passionate kinda gal. You can find more of my tips for traveling through Maine at: Maine Travel Maven. My three Moon Maine guidebooks are — Maine, Coastal Maine, and Acadia National Park. They are available at bookstores and online.
