It was Labor Day weekend and I had just come off of a summer spent with 13 of my new in-law family members – all living under my roof for six weeks. It was my idea to host everyone in our new home and gather together family from Peru, London and of course the kids from Spain for the first time in the family’s history. Days were filled with entertaining four children all under the age of 8 and nights were filled with jostling for position in my kitchen with my mother-in-law. After six weeks of this, I needed a break from family and human beings in general.

For my Labor Day weekend vacation, I checked myself in to the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia and I ordered every spa service available on the spa menu: Facials, body wraps, body soaks, massages. I stayed all day at the spa and had room service delivered to my room at night. My request was simple: I did not want to see or interact with a single human other than spa personnel. (I channeled my inner-Diva and rocked it). The concierge told me he had never had a guest request so many services in just a 48 hour period.

Mission Accomplished!

I was turning 40 and work had completely drained me over the course of the three previous years. My husband decided rather than throw a huge bash, that he would whisk me away to an undisclosed location for a long weekend getaway. He told me simply to pack for warm weather and to bring my passport.

At the airport check-in I realized I was going to Montego Bay…but I didn’t know what he had in store for me until we arrived at the Round Hill Resort. With its exclusively set villas and ocean view suites, spectacular views, secluded spa, distinctive dining and community integration and its own foundation to support local community needs and conservation causes, it was the perfect birthday getaway. The hubby did his research!

A popular ski resort in Central Virginia on a popular ski weekend for a gal who barely skis…I opted for the Winter Garden Spa at Wintergreen for the weekend while the hubby hit the slopes. Sitting in my cozy chair under a warm, fuzzy blanket, sipping herbal tea and staring out the window at snow falling over the mountain, I was perfectly happy. But then I treated myself to a deep tissue massage and a visit to the hot tub and sauna and a hike back to our cabin through the snowy forest. It was the quiet and respite I needed before enjoying a hot meal by the fire with my beloved.

Family trips can be taxing and not always for vacation. I recently returned from one of these such trips to Palma de Mallorca. It was a highly stressful and intense trip and was NOT a vacation. To refresh my spirit, retain my sanity and escape, I booked myself for a 3-hour seasonal treatment at the Hammam Al-Andalus in downtown Palma. It was only $75 and I had the entire hammam to myself for three hours and a very sweet and loving guide, who I gave a tear filled hug of gratitude at the end of the service. It was just what the doctor would have ordered.

Ah…Thanksgiving with family. Or not….

Sometimes deciding who to spend Thanksgiving with and the logistics of it are just too much, particularly when “family” brings its own stress and discord and even sadness.

I had one such Thanksgiving and decided to do a Thanksgiving “spa-liday” to the Lodge at Woodloch Resort with only my husband. With its more than 35 daily classes and activities, world class spa services, luxury accommodations and delectable farm-to-table dining (including a special Thanksgiving Dinner eaten with newly made friends) it was the perfect family-free and stress-free Thanksgiving (sorry mom and dad).

We even discovered Forest Bathing here, which has become a favorite soulful and nature-connecting practice of mine.