Hospitality & Travel

Most of us have dreams that we never dared to explore. Owning a vineyard and living in Paris falls by the wayside in order to make rooms for things like a mortgage and the kids college education. But why? Why can't we lead lives that are practical as well as meaningful? One Life Live thinks we can.

If you're looking for a new lease on life, we suggest that you head over to Olympia, London from March 3rd through the 5th to participate in One Life Live, the "most innovative lifestyle event of 2006." One Life Live is intended to appeal to a generation burdended by endless work and long hours who are looking to break away from their regimented daily grind. One Life Live makes dreams a reality by offering inspiration as well as real solutions to lifestyle problems.

One Life Live is centered on four different zones that provide direction and ideas to help attendees lead a more fulfilling life. Each zone deals with a different path, whether it be a career change, an entrepenuerial start up, a move overseas, or a career break.

Taking a Break is all about travel, taking a sabbatical, or becoming a volunteer. This zone features "country representatives and migration support services able to offer advice and practical guidance on everything from deciding which country is right, to securing visas, finding a job, buying a home or starting a business overseas." Some of the desitinations you can choose to venture to include Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada, Europe, South Africa and Asia.

Living the Dream is perfect for those who are looking for a life changing challenge that might involve an overseas move, or an escape from city life. Living the Dream will help you figure out "how to go about achieving a life long dream." Whether you want to start a company in Thailand, or actualize your dream life in Toronto, or even if you want to move your whole family to Brazil, Living the Dream provides the resources needed to undertake a life-changing move.

Starting Afresh is designed to help you retrain your life, start your own business, or become a part of a successful franchise. At Starting Afresh you'll find career advisors and life coaches to provide the support needed to make new life changes. "Whether you have the perfect business idea and just need a little support to help you get off the ground, are looking to find the perfect franchising opportunity or dream of doing a job for love not money - Starting Afresh has all the resources you need to help you find the next step on the career path."

In the Meantime focuses on the here and now, and offers short-term ideas and solutions for a more balanced life. In the Meantime has everything from "wine tasting courses and writing classes to pampering and relaxation experiences, ideas to help you spend more quality time with your family, enjoy a more self-sufficient lifestyle or just get a different perspective on life." In the Meantime helps you create a quality life right now, while you decide what you want to do with your One Life.

So for all of you who have let your dreams be replaced by practicality, we wanted you to know that it's never too late. One Life Live is out to disrupt the notion of daily life by showing you that regardless of your age or status, you can still do anything you put your mind to.

The travel market is changing as people are now looking for more than a "wine and dine" experience. If you're a "meaningful experience" seeking traveler, you should check out the Marmarth Research Foundation (MRF). The Marmarth Research Foundation provides the perfect educational getaway that delivers an unforgettable experience to its participants. What was once a service oriented program providing inner-city high school students with an archaeological adventure is now a week-long program for participants 14 years of age and up to come get their hands dirty digging up dinos and educating themselves in the process.

Here's how it works, Marmath attendees arrive at the beginning of the week and stay in bunks in the small town (144 people) of Marmath, North Dakota (located about seven miles from the Montana State Line). Once there, they become completely immersed in the science of Paleontology, receiving personalized training for their individual level of skill (anyone from a novice to a professional can go). Guests participate in every aspect of the project including the initial discovery, the excavation, and even the eventual mounting of the fossils. In addition to the field work, guests can attend nightly classes that teach about fossil identification and anatomy, casting and molding techniques, as well as fossil preparation and restoration.

Project prices are quite reasonable, costing a single participant $750 a week. This fee covers all meals, equipment and supplies, lodging, transportation to and from the dig sites, and all materials for course work. All they have to do is show up, enjoy the experience, and Marmarth takes care of the rest. This one of a kind experience has earned Marmarth recent attention in nytimes.com, where they acclaim Marmarth as a unique opportunity to familiarize oneself with the environment and history of our earth. In addition to contributing to the local museum, participants will be able to take home some of the items they discover. This is the perfect trip for families or individuals trying to connect with each other and their environment. The experience of working shoulder to shoulder with archaeology experts is truly unlike any other vacation getaway!

The recent "bed wars" that raged throughout the hotel industry have caused us to reflect on what might be the next area of competition in hotel chains. An article in the Wall Street Journal revealed an increasing desire for business travelers to have minimal human contact with other guests and employees during their hotel stay. Although this notion might seem strange, it's an emerging trend that's changing the hotel industry yet again. Club Quarters is one hotel that's picked up on this fad, evolving into a chain that's specifically focused on meeting the human-free want. Club Quarters has adopted a new technology that enables members to check themselves in and out through an ATM-like machine in the lobby. These machines generate room keys and billing statements, minimizing interaction and facilitating a hassle free experience for the weary traveler. Other hotels are quickly catching on, realizing that sometimes less is more when it comes to customer interaction. After all, the key to good business is to simply provide the right thing for the customer.

One of Club Quarter's core concepts is to cater to business travelers and government agencies by offering condo-like services. If your company frequently travels to a certain place it might not be a bad idea to invest a long-term deal from Club Quarters. They sell rooms to companies and government agencies in a time-share like format. Any rooms that are left over on any given night are wholesaled out and can be booked through online agencies. Club Quarters fits the expense needs of business customers while providing a feeling that its customers are coming home, and not just sleeping in another generic hotel room.

Customers can have newspapers, magazines, and even exercise equipment delivered to their room, allowing them to keep to themselves if they so desire. However, for the more interactive guest, Club Quarters provides a traditional exercise room, restaurant, and pool. Club Quarters makes their visitors feel at home by providing personal choices. With the freedom to interact or keep to yourself, Club Quarters builds off of the needs and wants of the individual.

Imagine the perfect day at the beach, warm and sunny, bug and UV ray free. Now imagine it in Japan, inside a huge climate-controlled dome. Meet Ocean Dome, Japan's foremost vacation hot spot for overly concerned parents, stressed out businesspeople who can't deal with something else going wrong, and young teens who want to see what the hype is all about. The size of Ocean Dome is impressive. In fact, it's listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest indoor water park, measuring 985 feet in length, 330 feet in width. And the temperature stays right around 80 degrees all year round.

At Ocean Dome you won't find rain, sharks, or dangerous under currents. However, it does have a surf that comes in once an hour, a volcano that erupts every hour, and a clan of professional surfers who add a certain, unexplainable ambiance to the whole experience. You can watch the surfers on the artificial waves of The Great Bank or try body-boarding yourself. Activities like Ocean Dome Body Board Time feature successive waves that are perfect for body-boarding and allows even beginners a chance to get a feel for the sport. Ocean Dome also has thrilling water slides, you can choose to ride an inner tube down the mountain on the Rocky Slider, or slide down through mist and rain on the fast and exciting Dragon Slider. For a more intense journey, climb to the height of the third floor of the Ocean Dome and slide down a 40-degree incline at speeds of around 25 miles per hour on the new Powerful Water Slider W WAVE. Kids Paradise is a pool just for little kids, complete with a slide. There is a splash block in the center to divide the one-foot from the two feet deep areas. And don't forget about Drift Woods, the floating pool that lulls you into a relaxing daze as you go with the flow, but beware the Dragon's rain squall that awaits you when you least expect it! In addition to the water activities, the dome also has shops where you can find the latest in swimsuit fashions or satisfy your appetite with drinks, fast food, light snacks, or full-scale restaurants that serve up the best in local Miyazaki cuisine. Why not forget your schedules, your timetables, and your worries and just spend a day playing in the water on your perfect vacation.

You've waited long enough. And now you're ready for an experience you've never had before. One that will tap into your secret dreams and show you the path to a whole new way of living your life - the life you were meant to live. Are you brave enough to do it? To seek out the miracles lying dormant within you and give them life? To meet new people and try new things? To better understand your own gifts and skills to maximize your success? What is it you'd ask for if you knew you could have anything you wanted? Would you venture to a place where you could find the miraculous, magnificent YOU that you've been waiting for? Of course you would, especially when that place - Camp Experience - is located at the exclusive Copper Mountain Colorado Resort, and the "camping" is a luxury retreat by amazing women for amazing women.

On July 19-21 2006, women from around Colorado and the US will enjoy two powerful days of insights, fun and new friendships as they pack up and head off to the East Village of the Copper Mountain Resort for Camp Experience. Targeted at women business leaders, active volunteers, entrepreneurs and executives, this exclusive retreat will connect you to amazing people and impactful experiences. Camp Experience 2006 is the first annual, one-of-a-kind retreat designed exclusively for women ready for education, inspiration and transformation. Here you'll refine your vision, reflect on your purpose, learn some new stuff and relax in a magical setting. And thanks to it's unique structure of dynamic Keynote presentations, workshop "tracks" like Leadership, Success Skills, Creativity, Optimum Health, Personal Services and "Excellent Adventures," every "Camper" can expect at least one vivid new experience or breakthrough insight that will uplift and enhance their life.

Camp Experience offers an opportunity to stock up on cultural capitol. While spending a day at the spa is relaxing and even energizing, it may fail to cause personal life reflections. This is one of the reasons Camp Experience is unique: they're offering rejuvenation with a mission, and creating memories that provide long-term inspiration. We could all benefit from a retreat like Camp Experience, regardless of if you're a powerhouse CEO or short order cook.

Imagine going on a vacation that made you feel like a little mermaid, and no, we aren't talking about Disneyland. Meet Hydropolis, the world's first underwater vacation retreat soon to be located in Dubai. This $500 million hotel is scheduled to open in 2008, offering visitors an experience unlike anything they've ever known. While Hydropolis features a unique, cutting edge design, the hotel is also founded on the simpler things in life.

The main idea behind the hotel is water, the "elixir of life" that consumes our bodies as well as our world. Hydropolis offers man an opportunity to go back to the beginning of time and explore the "last uninhabited frontiers of earth." If the last frontiers of earth don't hold your attention, you can also check out the spa that features one of a kind hydrotherapy treatments, eat at one of three sophisticatedly themed restaurants, or catch a late night underwater light show from your own suite. In addition to the fun, vacation-esque elements of Hydropolis, there are also "down to business" attributes that include conference facilities and a marine biology research lab.

Hydropolis is being proposed as the "first and only location in Dubai where staying out in the open, even at the summer temperature levels, will be a delight. This will be brought about by artificial clouds of fog, by setting air in motion over the surface of the water in connection with the mild shade of bloating sails and artificial clouds of pneumatic constructions." Wow is right, it appears that Hydropolis is working hard to be more than just a hotel; it wants to be it's own little world. And that's really where the experiential aspect of vacationing here comes into play. Hydropolis plans on transporting their guests to a different universe, almost like taking a trip to the moon. At the same time, they don't want you to feel uncomfortable or alienated from the rest of Dubai. By implementing spas, ballrooms, restaurants, and theatres, guests are still able to enjoy more traditional vacation activities. And for those of you who aren't entirely comfortable with life under the sea, Hydropolis "features suites adjoining the hall with windows opening onto the familiar world of a 'street', with daylight and the generous proportions of a multi-storied complex."

You're tired, hungry, uncomfortable, and you can't even call your significant other for sympathy because your phone battery is long dead and you refuse to cough up the exorbitant long-distance pay phone fee. You just want to take a nap, put down your carry-on, and have a few minutes to recharge yourself and your phone. Sounds like someone needs a Yotel room. Yotel is the cool new idea popping up in London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The idea is simple; give people their own private space where they can shower, change, read, or nap in between flights.

Maybe you only need a couple of hours; maybe you need a whole night, either way Yotel is ready to accommodate even the most disgruntled airline passenger. While Yotel rooms aren't big (108 square feet), they are packed with all the necessities a traveler could need. In each room you'll find a flat screen TV, a pull down desk, air conditioning, free Internet, and a personal bathroom. Expect to spend any where from $50 (for a four hour rental) to $140 (an overnight stay on the high end), a cost that doesn't seem so bad once you calculate the number of $11 martini's your rage might drive you to consume in four hours.

Yotel is a cool idea because it arose as a direct response to a very specific and commonly found need. Yotel disrupts the idea of a traditional hotel room by putting performance and convenience first (we know all hotels say they do this, but we beg to differ). You can't get any closer to the airport than being in the airport, and you may not need or want to spend the money on an over priced, run of the mill hotel a couple of miles away. Think about it, Yotel rooms are sleekly designed, individualized (price per hour or night), and offer all the goodies even the most techie tech geek could want.

Vacations are a time for rest and relaxation, a time when you can rejuvenate and escape the hassles of everyday life. In a world with an ever-growing population, it often seems at hotels that you're just another face in the crowd. If you're fed up with poor service, or service that doesn't quite meet your expectations, you should check out Seabourn Cruises. At Seabourn you'll find that the staff magically know your name and your luggage magically arrives in your ultra luxurious (and spacious) room shortly after you board. Seabourn wants you to know that you're not on a run of the mill cruise ship, but rather a first class yacht. Since Seabourn yachts are smaller than most commercial cruise ships, the personal experience becomes even more meaningful as the intimate spaces and experiences envelop your world. Seabourn offers something for everyone; from black tie dining to smoothies at the Veranda Cafe, your unique lifestyle is guaranteed to be accommodated. While just about any cruise line will leave you with new memories, Seabourn will be sure to rekindle those special moments every time you sail with them. Their highly personalized staff are expected to remember you, your quirks, and your preferences every time you come aboard. It would be cool to see Seabourn further personalize their guests experiences by offering a fleet of individual yachts, each equipped with luxury amenities and a crew to take guests on private mini-vacations.

Tom Hale has always loved traveling the back roads. So much so that at one point he decided to make it his life's work and Backroads has existed ever since. Backroads is a travel company that gives customers the opportunity to experience incredible places, and is the world's most successful active travel company thanks to lots of passion and a smart business plan. Hale's dream of Backroads started when he was working as an Environmental Planner in Las Vegas. Late one night he had a vision of starting a bike touring company that would provide people with an escape from their everyday lives while satisfying their intense need to reconnect with Mother Nature. Hale worked day and night (he left his Environmental Planning career behind) to develop itineraries, maintain equipment, lead trips, and produce a catalog. That was 27 years ago. Today, Backroads plays host to more than 10,000 biking, walking, and multisport travelers around the world every year, and boasts more than 200 different trip itineraries that offer the finest lodging, dining, and cultural events in 37 countries across the globe. In total, they offer the most destinations, itineraries, and annual departures of all travel companies in the active vacation industry. Backroads is able to generate tons of positive word of mouth advertising thanks to publications like Travel + Leisure who frequently rate them as one of the world's top ten touring companies. They have many guests who repeatedly use their services, and estimate that 45% of their business each year is repeat, and that 30% of their guests are referred to Backroads by past guests.

If you're not sure that such an adventurous outing is right for you, Backroads works to put you at ease by supplying a van that doubles as a mobile refreshment center, bike repair shop, and secondary transportation unit for travelers who need a break. There's also a trailer that hauls all necessary luggage and gear, allowing you to enjoy the trip without having to worry about where your stuff is. And if roughing it doesn't sound like your cup of tea but you still want an amazing vacation experience, check out Backroads' Premiere Inn Trips that feature five star hotels and world class dining. You can also choose to participate in their Casual Inn Trips that offer three star lodging and family run diners. If you're more drawn to the wild outdoors, you might look into Backroads' Deluxe Camping Trips that feature stays at campgrounds that include homemade meals by Backroads leaders.

By providing out of the ordinary trips that nurture the mind as well as the body, Backroads has proven that many of us just want to return to the simpler things in life. Backroads approach to destination vacationing coupled with Tom Hale's story of success is one that reinforces the importance of pursuing the vision you believe in. Time spent with Backroads is truly time well spent.

When the quaint 12 room, two gas pump, 24 seat cafe Little America opened 72 years ago in Wyoming it was a welcome rest stop for worn out travelers. Today, Little America Hotels and Resorts are not only convenient rest stops, but are also total destination getaways. Little America locations that pride themselves on quality facilities, unheard of customer service, and uncompromising business values can be found throughout the West-with each location offering different flavors, attractions, and highlights to millions of travelers.

Little America Hotel together with the Grand America is a hotspot in downtown Salt Lake City. This four diamond, 850 room hotel is close to business districts, central hub, and sports centers. The exclusive tower rooms offer only the best while even the guest rooms are furnished with Italian style baths and terry cloth robes. Snowbasin, another Little America Salt Lake Location, was home to the 2002 Winter Olympics Downhill, and is perhaps best known for their variety of ski runs and skill levels. A short drive from the Salt Lake City International Airport makes Snowbasin a great place to visit if you need to get away but don't have a ton of time. Snowbasin boasts more than 2000 acres and a 3400 foot vertical drop for skiers and snowboarders alike.

If warm weather is what you're looking for, check out the Flagstaff Little America located on 500 acres of pine forest, the Flagstaff location offers out of this world sightseeing and too good to be true recreational getaways to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Sunset Craters. The nearly 250 guestrooms offer floor to ceiling windows, imported marble, and spacious baths that make you feel at home.

Sun Valley in Idaho offers paradise to skiers and general vacation goers alike. Sun Valley offers more than 2,000 skiable acres of land in addition to 40 kilometers of cross country tracks, three swimming pools, tennis courts, an 18 hole golf course, horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking. So pretty much regardless of the experience you hope to have, Sun Valley can fulfill your dreams. This traditionally luxurious vacation spot is truly America's original destination resort.

Whether you're looking to relax with a casual game of golf or want a more intense downhill ski experience, Little America Hotels & Resorts has a destination to suit you. Their commitment to providing top-notch service and incredible rooms makes them a noteworthy getaway provider. Little America loves their heritage and has remained dedicated to their original vision of providing rest for weary travelers throughout the West.

Eq Life works to combine technology and wellness into a store that offers tremendous service, expertise, and products. Eq Life helps people start on the path to better health, greater well-being, and a more balanced life by combining retail and technology with health and wellness. Eq Life partnered with Prairie Stone Pharmacy and Caribou Coffee creates a unique customer retail experience unlike anything else out there today. At Eq Life customers can get prescriptions filled while they attend a yoga class or shop for heart monitors, MP3 players, and exercise equipment. Or check out their Health Notes information kiosks that put you in control of researching health info for yourself.

If you're feeling particularly stressed, you might also take a relaxing visit to their in house salon and spa where you can get facials like an organic alpha-hydroxy & paprika facial that offers the allure of fresh scents and natural active ingredients such as Hungarian paprika, wild plums and apricots that will relax both your mind and body while leaving your skin feeling radiant and refreshed. For all the fellas, there's the gentleman's facial for the man who knows his skin needs something beyond a shave! This treatment from Phytomer for Men addresses oiliness, dryness or simply the toll time has taken on the skin. A deep pore cleansing is followed by a customized mask to revitalize the skin to leave it healthy, toned and invigorated. Or treat yourself to a massage, body treatment, manicure, or pedicure like the express pedicure for the times when you only need a quick fix. This service includes a soak, nail shaping, light buffing, and polish change. There's also the solar pedicure Intense therapy for dry, parched feet which combats the effects of the sun, sand, chlorine and any intense dry conditions brought on by seasonal changes. The solar pedicure includes an exfoliating sweet almond oil and sea salt treatment that gently polishes skin, followed with a moisturizing shea butter massage. Finished with the perfect polish of the nails.

Eq Life is proving that there's room for a greater experience when picking up your prescription or shopping for personal health products. By focusing on health and wellness that encompasses both body and mind, this innovative experience store is creating an oasis of health that customers keep coming back to. By melding alternative and traditional approaches to healing, Eq Life is proving that finding a balance is always the best way to go.

Whitepod is a new vacation escape for overtired, run down travelers in search of satisfying rest. Whitepod is a high tech eco camp situated in the Swiss Alps made for a maximum of twelve guests at a time. And don't let the word 'camp' fool you-Whitepod prides itself on it luxury and comfort. Guests at Whitepod don't have to worry about crowded streets, loud neighbors, or high-rise buildings that crowd the view, all they'll see are awesome mountain sights as Mother Nature intended them to be seen. Whitepod creator, Sofia de Meyer founded this haven on principles of beauty, tranquility, and serenity. There's a resident chef (no more charred burgers over an open flame), a spa, and of course, experienced guides who all work together to ensure that your stay is anything but ordinary.

Whitepod removes the hassles of front desks, checking in, and checking out. Each pod is designed to house one or two people, and feature glowing wood burning stoves, cutting edge insulation, large windows, and heavenly bedding-amenities that make you forget you're camping at all. Whitepod stocks you with an iPod (of course), and Maglite torches for those late night trips to the rest room. There's also an Alpine Chalet, a 180 year old farmhouse-that's been converted and equipped with a dining room-a lounge, rest rooms, and spa. Whitepod constantly looks to make the experience better, on hand you'll find a camp manager, mountain guides, paragliding pilots, dog sleds, and massage therapists who work to make your memories unforgettable.

Like-a-Local is a cool new travel idea started by Esther Weeber, Marieke van Os, and Mandy Mooren over the course of their many travels. The idea behind Like-a-Local is to offer authentic experiences to travelers who are looking to journey above and beyond the usual tourist offerings. With this program, travelers can make appointments to stay with locals from cities all over the world who share interests similar to their own. Through an online network, Like-a-Local links willing locals to eager travelers, resulting in real experiences that show what life on the other side is really like. Like-a-Local offers three different experience categories to choose from Live, Go, and Eat-each offering a different taste of local living.

LIVE gives visitors the opportunity to stay with a local resident for a night in nice areas that are far away from traditional tourist hotels. GO lets you choose from different activities that are all accompanied by an in the know local. Whether you're dancing at the Kwakoefestival, having a barbecue in the Amsterdam forest, or ice-skating at the Jaap Eden baan, you're sure to have a blast. While the EAT category is rather self-explanatory, the idea is still unique. EAT offers the chance for tourists to experience authentic, homegrown flavors of the cities they visit. Food choices range from snacks to formal, multi-course meals.

If Like-a-Local sounds like a dream come true, you can find their services in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Den Haag, Madrid, Barcelona, Porto, and Lissabon. And if you like surprising your travel companions, consider giving them a Like-a-Local voucher. Vouchers cover everything from intimate dinners to cruises on four season boats-and you can choose from a host of local activities and accommodations. Like-a-Local is proving that vacations don't have to be limited to resort packages and group tours. By providing an alternative for authenticity starved travelers, Like-a-Local is succeeding in disrupting the travel industry by personalizing vacations to a level not seen before.