Top Five: Most Restful Places

I've been to a fair amount of places and seen a fair amount of things. Over the years I've collected a few favorites. 

Here are my top five restful places, places that feel relaxing, and restorative:

1. Crane Beach, Barbados

With its pink coral-sand beaches and happy situation in the ocean (half of the island is windward and half is leeward, meaning half of the island has beaches with waves and half is mostly calm), Barbados is one of my favorite islands. On it's windward side, a special beach has captured my heart. There's just something so peaceful, so serene, so away from everything. Indeed, Crane beach feels as though it's perched on the very edge of the world.

Atop the rugged cliffs at The Crane sits The Crane Resort, a beautiful, old hotel (which recently has undergone major expansions and renovations, which are gorgeous!), which I cannot recommend highly enough!

2. Sundance Resort

There are a few things I like about Utah. Moab. Zion National Park. Hiking. Cafe Rio. And Sundance. If you need a relaxing state-side summer getaway, check out Sundance. Hiking trails in abundance, yummy eats, a beautifully manicured grassy knolls beneath tall pines and a great spa all make this place a great place to tune-out. If you like to Ski, go in the winter. Sundance's ski mountain isn't very large and it's fairly low in elevation, but several other world-class ski resorts are just a half-hour's drive further up the mountain. Check out my faves, Park City, Deer Valley and Brighton.

3. The Decks of any Cruise Ship

Anchored off the coast of Maui aboard Island Princess

Forward, Aft, port or starboard, there is nothing like being at sea on a warm day, surrounding by nothing but the big blue and a light breeze. A deck chair and a book are all you'll need to, as Princess Cruises says, Escape Completely...

4. Sawa Beach Camp, Red Sea, Egypt

Basic as basic comes, Sawa Beach camp is located on the Egyptian portion of the Red Sea and it is divine! Small huts built on cement slabs with palm roofs, each hut has a mosquito-enclosed mattress and a porch with a hammock. Communal bathrooms offer solar-heated water. A large common area for gathering and a restaurant. This piece of sea-front property will knock your socks off. Tip: Have the restaurant set up dinner for you on the beach. Perfection!

5. The Farm. 

This is last on my list only because, well, it's my family's and unless you're a relative or good friend, you probably won't ever visit my Gram's farm.