Posh Girl Peasant Girl Travelling

With the release of the new movie Eat, Pray, Love; we are yet again reminded about what travel can offer our souls. It can open our eyes to new worlds, refresh our memories of past lives, evoke a sense of calm in our hurried minds, and teach us new life lessons.

I am not saying we all need to check into an ashram tomorrow or rent a crummy apartment in Rome, but just feel fortunate that we have planes and trains to hop on and a vast globe to trek across. Take advantage of observing another culture or language, feel free to venture into unknown territory without your guidebook, and most of all- find your balance :)

Travel for me has always been a necessity, an urge flowing through my veins. While some were happy settling into their new homes or adjusting to their 9-5 routine, I needed to be on a plane.

This is what clears my mind, to make room for new thoughts and ideas. Don't wait for the 'right time'...it may never come. Whether you're single, divorced, young, or old; there is travel out there for you. Find a support group such as Hostels.com or AdventureWomen.com and tailor it to YOU. Take charge of your life and go get what YOU want. The world is there waiting, make what you wish of it.

Ahhhh where to begin? This place has been on my list of to-go-to's for a longggg time and, I can check it off.
Enchantment Resort and Mii Amo spa is often rated in the 'Best Of' lists in Travel & Leisure, Conde Nast and the like. Now I see why.

Set in mystical Sedona, directly in Boynton Canyon, this southwest resort honors the Native American culture it was founded on. The backdrop is to die for and the sun rises/sets are like no other against the red rock. This does fall under the 'Posh Girl' category but take my warning: you will not have cellphone service (at least for the next short while until the tower is completed)!

The drive in from Phoenix to Sedona was at night so we didn't get the full experience until we ventured back out on one of our many day trips. You will climb to an elevation of about 7,000 ft. so expect some ear popping and heavier breathing. It would also be wise to go with an SUV that can handle the climb and switchbacks, since you will most likely tour around to the various sites and possibly the Grand Canyon. Another warning to my Posh's- pack your casual gear! I found one or two nice outfits sufficed since Enchantment is home to the AAA Four Diamond restaurant Yavapai which requires nice dress. There aren't many high end restaurants in town so you should be ok in casual gear, and they also offer free laundry services on site which I found nice considering most higher end hotels would only offer their expensive laundering service. (Detergent and Softener free in laundry facility)

The view was so spectacular I couldn't stop taking pictures. The rock just hangs over the canyon and when the sun plays on it the whole place lights up like gold! The resort is built in typical southwest construct and decor with their casitas blending into the rock as per building code, and to preserve the desert. They take every opportunity here to respect the environment which gave itself to the Native people and location of Enchantment, and you can see the mindfulness all throughout the property from the locally grown foods to the reclaimed water.

Now I will stop here for a moment and say that Peasants are welcome too!!! If you can afford the basic casita (sign up for special web offers) then all the sightseeing, activities, and entertainment you want is free! Spring and Fall is best time to go as you will be outside the majority of the time and it gets so hot in the desert you need to be well hydrated and comfortable. The nights can be very chilly up there so plan differently from what you would wear in neighboring poshy Scottsdale :) With your $20 a day resort fee included are many activities such as stargazing, night walks, hikes, Vortex tours, yoga, fitness facilities, various pools and hot tubs, and the list goes on.

Now to explain, the resort is called Enchantment however the world class spa on site is called Mii Amo and they do offer stays on the Mii Amo side which has only 14 casitas. Should you choose to stay at Mii Amo (and I highly recommend you do), you will partake in one of their many 'journeys' that focuses on different healing principles. These journeys will seem pricey at first however they include all your meals for your stay plus access to all the spa facilities which are too many to name.

This spa is really and truly the nicest one I have been to yet, and that is saying a lot. The facilities are so calming and serene. Simple and elegant and blending the elements of nature, on first glance you will see the Crystal Grotto which is a cave like structure for meditation and daily intentions, where on the summer solstice the light through the ceiling will hit the crystals just right and light up the entire room! The red earth under your feet has not been moved and is the original earth which I found to be so fascinating.

The spa has a gym, a large outdoor pool with many sun chairs, sunscreen, towels, and poolside dining service. The indoor pool has a beautiful waterfall and large lounging area with day beds where you can snooze in your robe all day long. The change rooms are to die for! Teas and juices and fruit, a steam room and sauna that were so clean you could lick the floor, jacuzzi, many toiletries and cold lemon towels. They encourage you to stay in your robe for the duration of your stay, and most people adhere to that luxury.

So back to our plan: we did 4 days at Enchantment in our casita that had a large bathroom with massive sink in jacuzzi, fireplace, daily water and fresh juice, as well as a daily schedule of the many activities being offered. We took this opportunity to do our day trips to the Cathedral Rock Vortex, Red Rock Crossing/Crescent Moon park, Tulaquepaque Village, the bad town of Jerome, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, Montezuma Castle, the Airport for a sunset, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Flagstaff, Slide Rock Park, Meteor Crater, the Grand Canyon, Lowell Observatory, and the Amithaba Stupa (Buddhist Shrine).

This seems like a lot, and it was. There is just so much to do in the 2 hours surrounding Sedona you need to take advantage and fit it all in. After the 4 days we were exhausted and ready to retire to Mii Amo for some hardcore pampering.

The grounds itself at the resort are amazing to explore. The main pool is open 24 hours so feel free to go have a hot tub or swim at night under the stars. The sky will be lit up like my hand in a jewelery store so just lay back and enjoy! Boynton Canyon is right on the vortex so feel the energy and whether you're into this stuff or not, wait and see with an open mind. Read up more on the Vortexes prior to going to gain the best understanding you can of them. The best book is called "What Is A Vortex?" by Dennis Andres. I will not go into vortexes too much as my beliefs are my beliefs and I know what resonates with me, but I want you to go have your own experience.

The first night there I recommend watching the 30 minute video of the history of Boynton Canyon and the resort to understand the Native people and how the canyon was formed. Most people say that visiting this site had a life changing effect on them and I now know for myself what they are describing. Many people will be seeking healing, overcoming cancers and diseases, relaxing, or starting a new spiritual journey. You will find that the staff are all so in tune to helping you with this and before you know it your mind and heart will be resting in a better place.

Ok so back to the details: our 4 day journey was incredible to come and go with. Meals can all be had in the dining area, poolside, or delivered to your casita ALL in your robe. The casitas at Mii Amo are newer and large with amenities you would expect in a place like this. The casitas on the Enchantment side are undergoing renovations this summer but still offer a beautiful room, just be aware and appreciative of the southwest decor and history, and don't expect the newest tv's here. You won't have time to watch it anyways so...get over it!

I have never met resort/spa staff like I did here. They were all so caring and compassionate to your needs and must have an intense training program to be so on point. Anything you want, ask for. They always try to make sure you are comfortable and relaxing. Stay in the pool all night, sit in the jacuzzi, sip tea or champagne under the stars, order dessert poolside, lounge by the fireplace and indoor pool, sit in the locker area with a magazine and juice, wander around the property and see all the wildlife (deer munching on grass below our casita) or just snooze in your king size fluffy bed by the fireplace!

The bellman all have golf carts to take you to and from the main lobby since the casitas are spread about the property, head down to the many gorgeous tennis courts, or sit out on the deck overlooking the canyon. You can't go wrong here it is just that beautiful.

The second night there we dined at Yavapai and it was delicious. It is pricey but we requested a table outside and we were the only ones there in front of Kachina Woman Rock and the canyon, dining by candlelight watching the sun go down and the full moon rise, with a double rainbow right in front. I would have paid for that view alone!

The main town of Sedona has many shops, mostly all New Age, many restaurants and tourist outfits selling you helicopter tours and Grand Canyon day trips. A few notable restaurants were Shugrue's Hillside Grill- atmosphere inside a little lacking but best view in town and food is amazing. Don't miss Wildflower Bread Co. which is a lot like a Panera Bread but dare I say...better? Located in the plaza next to ColdStone Creamery and Starbucks. The Secret Garden Cafe in Tlaquepaque village is great for breakfast and coffee. Of course the best restaurant in town at Enchantment itself is Yavapai which is fine dining and has a large outdoor dining section.

If you are on a budget there are many pizza places and Subway, as well as the usual other fast food chains, and some interesting vegetarian and raw food places. Frontiers natural foods store was one of my favorites and they have a hot and cold bar to get lunch or dinner.The Cowboy grill has 2 sides to it: one side pub atmosphere the other fine dining. Both are great. Also, Oak Creek brewery in Tlaquepaque village is good.

I won't go much into the sites since there is too much to say but must see's are the Vortex sites themselves, some you have to hike into others you can park relatively close. Jerome is said to be the wildest town in the west and you will definitely feel your ears pop as you climb up the mountain to this old mining town that was once run by its opium dens, whore houses and saloons. Lowell Observatory houses the telescope that found Pluto and is located in Flagstaff 40 minutes from Sedona. Meteor Crater is the site where 50,000 years ago a meteorite hit, 35 miles east of Flagstaff you can view this. Of course the Grand Canyon being one of the seven wonders of the world was jaw dropping. This drive is two hours from Sedona.

Chapel of the Holy Cross is an incredible church built into the mesas by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. Sitting on the Coconino National Forest you can view all of Sedona from the church. Montezuma Castle national Monument had to be the most mysterious of the sites, a monstrous dwelling built into the side of the cliff by an unknown people. It is still not known why this group of prehistoric farmers built high up and how A.D.1100.

Slide Rock is great for swimming and escaping the heat in the river. Airport Mesa is where you'll get your best pictures in Sedona, aside from the resort property in the canyon. The hikes are endless and you really need to pack proper clothes and gear. For the Posh check out Body Bliss in Sedona, they have amazing natural body products- I got some body butters here I love and the spa uses many of their products as well.

Back to the resort, if you are tired of all the shopping, palm readings, hiking and daytripping; partake for FREE in Apache teachings, Aqua Flow, yoga, cooking demos, photography, pottery, mountain biking, medicine walks, stargazing, tai chi, vision board making, vortex lectures, or Zumba even!

If spa treatments are more your thing go for a Flower Essence Bath, Sacral Cranial Massage, Shiatsu, Reflexology, Hot Stone Massage, Clay Wraps, Lymphatic Facials, Hot Cinnamon Facials, any of the Ayurvedic experiences, Rosemary Body Scrubs, Reiki, InnerQuests, or Tarot Card readings. The therapists are all highly trained and specialized and come from all over the world. Every treatment I had was the best I have ever had, and they are generous in their treatments as well spending extra time here and there as well as giving you some product to take home depending on your treatment.

The small touches are what really got me here, like returning to the room at night with turn down service that included a nightly 'gift' on the bed. The bath products stocked generously each day in the bathroom were a treat, as well as the manager personally coming out to introduce himself and offer any services. On our departure day we were sad to leave and were invited to a farewell ceremony in the grotto that presented us with a departure gift after a great breakfast. Enchantment and Mii Amo truly lived up to their native saying which is "yah-ha-say" which means "you are welcome here".

http://www.enchantmentresort.com/index.aspx