By Nanette Wiser
ECO-TOURISM Since 1976, The Museum of Discovery & Science in Fort Lauderdale has been educating children in Florida about the environment, including a new early childhood gallery for children ages 6 and under featuring iconic Florida environments (ocean, Everglades, citrus groves). There’s also a virtual monthly “Save our Seas Foundation Distinguished Speaker Series.” The museum also teamed up with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, the Community Foundation of Broward County, Flamingo Gardens, and Birch State Park to create a three-part exhibit. It will consist of three separate installations at the Museum of Discovery & Science, Flamingo Gardens, and Birch State Park to tell the story of the Florida Wildlife Corridor and help to show the importance of connectivity for wildlife. www.mods.org
WELLNESS SOJOURNS If your resolution is to embrace a healthy lifestyle or achieve more mind/spirit/body balance, consider jump starting that fresh start with a customizable wellness vacay. Here are some spots for helping you live your best life. In Tampa Bay, book a day at Clearwater Beach’s Opal Sands, Wyndham Grand’s Pallavi Spa, Innisbrook Resort, Don CeSar, Safety Harbor Resort and The Edition.
In Miami, the Pritikin Longevity Center has been the gold standard for a healthier lifestyle through fitness, nutrition, expert medical advice and wellness coaching. Located on 650 acres of lush landscaping with four championship golf courses and a four-star resort, the Center staff helps develop individualized plans to help each guest achieve their personal goals. https://bit.ly/3Rrjhvg Another SoFla option is the fabulous Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, where a salt float therapy pod soothes the spirit. https://bit.ly/3R7f92g
Another Florida favorite is the Sandestin Hotel’s Spa Lilliana. Enjoy the immersive Head to Toe Body Facial and Wellness Ritual to reduce stress, environmental pollution and imbalanced sleep patterns that includes dry brushing for lymphatic and skin purification, a moisturizing mineral cocoon featuring algae, white tea, copper, and zinc peptides to deeply replenish the body’s skin; then a warm nutrient rich seaweed infusion massaged into the scalp with a dose of acai and passion fruit oils. Next is a refreshing probiotic Vitamin C facial exfoliation, custom treatment mask and nourishing moisture veil and a Vagus Nerve Oil gentle neck massage strokes to activate the Vagus nerve response and promote a meditative state followed with warm body compresses and a luscious veil of exquisite Undaria Algae Oil.
Wing your way to the West Coast for some R&R. You can fly non-stop to San Diego from TPA on Alaska, and three of the best world-class spas are just an hour away from the airport: The Golden Door, north of San Diego; Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, just over the border; and The Chopra Center Spa at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, where the spa menu consists of about a dozen massages, all based in Ayurvedic tradition. The original Canyon Ranch in Tuscson has the best karma, immersing you in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Sonoran Desert. You can also take a wellness vacay at Canyon Ranch in Lenox/Berkshires, Las Vegas and in 2024, Austin. Experience joy inside and out with behavioral therapy, wellness coaching, and spiritual guidance. https://bit.ly/417Q3ok