VIV Says: Blog

Those who attend the women's wellness weekend at Wintergreen Resort receive a $50 spa credit.

While we love action-packed vacations — whether trekking up the Spanish Steps on a whirlwind tour of Rome or climbing through Mayan ruins — sometimes a relaxing weekend getaway is just what we need. “Inspirations — A Women’s Retreat” at the Wintergreen Resort in central Virginia from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 sounds like a perfect way to recharge before the holidays and winter months. The weekend package ($475) features yoga, spa treatments, hiking and wellness education sessions — including a chocolate-eating lesson!

The retreat at the mountain resort kicks off with a Friday wellness reception with hors d’oeuvres and wine-tasting from Veritas Vineyard & Winery. The next morning, choose from morning yoga or an autumn hike, followed by breakfast. University of Virginia Health System professionals are scheduled to speak about better bone health through nutrition and exercise, preventing breast and ovarian cancer, women’s midlife health issues and stress management. At the Wellness Showcase, soaps, lotions, aromatherapy oils, chocolates, makeup and accessories will be available to purchase and sample.

We think we excel at eating chocolate, but we’re willing to take a lesson from neuroscientist Will Clower, Ph.D., who will present “Interact With Your Fork — A Contemporary Focus Group.” The author of The Fat Fallacy: The French Diet Secrets to Permanent Weight Loss (Three Rivers Press, 2003) also will speak about Mediterranean diet and culture. Three hands-on classes are available to choose from: aromatherapy oils and blending techniques, nature journaling or understanding food labels. The evening wraps up with dinner and Veritas wines. Kick off Sunday morning with a cardio workout and yoga, as well as breakfast. And make sure you allow time to use your $50 credit at the Wintergarden Spa.

We think the weekend sounds like the ideal blend of wellness education, relaxation and fun. (For an easy way to re-energize without leaving the house, check out the interactive yoga routine in the May/June issue.) What do you do when you need to recharge?