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Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
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December 20, 2011

A Girlfriend Getaway TO Travaasa Austin, TX

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Traveling with my favorite girlfriends is something I have really enjoyed doing this year. There is nothing like discovering new destinations and sharing powerful experiences with your bestie by your side.

On my most recent trip, I got to travel with my sister-in-law, Toni and the destination we got to discover together was the experiential hotel and spa, Travaasa in Austin, TX. The name Travaasa is a combination of the words “travel,” “traverse” and pravaasa—Sanskrit for “memorable journey”— and was born out of the idea that people are seeking a unique experience when they travel.Travaasa Austin doesn’t just cater to moms looking to get away from it all for a bit, but it does serve to nurture our need to retreat from every day life. The setting – an over 200-acre nature preserve – helps connect visitors not only with each other, but also with themselves and provides the setting where the visit there isn’t just a trip, but rather an experience.

The aim to bring back the individual experiences to travel is one that is poetically emphasized on the Travaasa Austin website . There you will also find a long list of activities available to visitors at no extra cost, as well vacation packages.

We arrived late on a COLD rainy night (who knew Austin was so cold in December?). After a day of traveling all I wanted to do was sleep. It was pitch black outside and all we could really enjoy was the fresh, crisp air from our second floor balcony and our very comfortable beds…as well as the complimentary cookies and mini pecan pies they left for us in our room!

When we woke up however, the scene was completely different. Toni was in bed in awe

of the views from the balcony across from our beds,

which pretty much set the tone for relaxation. And because we are two moms who were traveling without our kids in tow, we didn’t do what we do everyday starting with hurrying ourselves out of bed. Instead, we did this:

Of course, eventually we did manage to get out of our room and head over to Jean’s Kitchen. Jean’s Kitchen is the resorts restaurant. This would be where we would have all our meals throughout our stay. Because Chef Ben creates his menu daily, we never really knew what we were going to have on any given day and there was always something new to choose from, but also a little favorite thrown in for those who wanted repeats.

I found that it was easy to eat healthy because there were many healthy dishes to choose from, even a vegetarian or vegan would be pleased! And I know many people might think that because Travaasa is a wellness spa resort that the food might lack in sustenance. Not the case. The daily, three-course menu never failed to leave us more than satisfied, both in quantity and quality of the food.

Here are a few items we enjoyed:

The resort caters best to those 16 and up, whether it be teen/parent, couples, girlfriends, groups, or corporate retreats, all of which they have served. And though there is a Zen-like feel to the place, your experience there can be as relaxing or as active as you want.

Some people we met were there for a weekend stay. Some came for a yoga/meditation retreat, others, like Kirby and Lauren, came for a romantic getaway.

Lauren and Kirby, fellow guests at Travaasa Austin, for a romantic weekend getaway and to celebrate Kirby’s birthday.

On our first day we did very little. Toni and I enjoyed a moderate hike on one of the resort’s trails, an 80-minute spa treatment that left us floating on air for hours, a cheese tasting, and some resting while enjoying the sunset over Lake Travis before taking part in the weekly Meet & Great with resort executives and management.

The next day however was our active day, all of which were included in our Total Travaasa stay and are coordinated by the resort. We enjoyed a sunrise hike, and equine experience, a Challenge Course, and a lesson in roping.

Keith Moon and Norris Rumfield, Cowboys and (a title I have given them) Horse Whisperers

There was a lot more we wanted to do, like the Culinary Demonstration, and the Bull Riding, and the Two-Step class, Yoga, Meditation…the list is long, but our stay sadly was not.

In the end, we did walk away from Travaasa Austin with more than just a girlfriend’s getaway. It became more than just a mom’s retreat away from it all. Travaasa Austin delivered in its promise to make it an experience in every thing we did.

When eating, we were made aware and conscious of not only our health goals and focus, but of the locally grown produce and items we enjoyed. We could taste it in the freshness of the food and in the items, such as the pink lady apples in our salads, a fruit native to South Texas.

The staff brought forth that friendly Austin demeanor, which my sister-in-law has often told me about and I definitely noticed.

The activities, such as the challenge course, forced us to confront our fears, doubt, and apprehension and give in completely to trust in ourselves and in others.

The experience was emotionally, physically and spiritually rewarding while really connecting us with the place and the people who best represent Austin’s personality and traditions.

As great as our experience in Travaasa was, there is more to come. Travaasa Austin is expanding to include a farm, a vineyard, and an area where guests can ride horses on a trail.

 The resort is only a few months old, but it is focused and ambitious in its goal to deliver beyond just the destination and to the senses. I am excited to see what they have in store for guests in the near future for I know it can only get better.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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5 Comments
  • My fears, Jeter the Horse, and I | CarolCain's Blog
    December 20, 2011

    […] the Total Travaasa vacation package. For my complete review of Travaasa Austin, please read my blog A Girlfriend Getaway & Experiantial Retreat – Travaasa Austin, Texas on NYCityMama.com. Thank you to Travaasa Austin, Keith Moon and Norris Rumfield for such a […]

    Reply
  • Kat
    December 20, 2011

    Great story – Travaasa was so much fun and it was fantastic to meet you this weekend!

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Kat
      December 20, 2011

      Thanks Kat! It was great meeting you too: ) I hope our paths cross again soon!

      Reply
  • charu
    January 14, 2012

    I LOVE the pictures! And the horses too..One of my favorite trips last year was visiting a Nature Park in Texas, Canyon of the Eagles. It was so idyllic and similar to what you experienced.

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      charu
      January 14, 2012

      Thanks Charu, it was truly idyllic : )

      Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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Woke up feeling rested after going, going, going f Woke up feeling rested after going, going, going for over a week…and grateful for the privilege that is living in such a beautiful region. There are so many points of access for relaxation and stillness here, including right outside my door. So before delving into the work day, I took a peaceful walk, stopped for brekkie (thanks, @ellasacreshomestead), and continued the day refreshed.

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I spend A LOT of time at coffee shops…whether in my job as a barista or during my free time exploring endless cafes during my travels, but especially around NYC and the Finger Lakes. These are the most noteworthy cafes I find myself returning to again and again in New York City.

📍@conwellcoffeehall in the old Life and Trust Building in the Financial District. An epic space, great brekkie and coffee, brought to you by the same folks of Sleep No More…who (separately but in the same space) offer similar interactive-style performances we know them for, this time revisiting the age of old money, big banks, and the stock market crash collapse of 1929.
📍The @bookclubbar is a bar, book store, and coffee shop in the East Village. Cozy, with outdoor seating, and a wonderful selection of books, booze, and brews. Very few people get all of these elements to work well. They nail it.
📍The @plantshednyc in the East Village. Airy space with a beautiful selection of flowers and plants, and big, bright windows whereby to enjoy your cafe choice. 
📍@DawnsTillDusk in Dumbo is a cafe by day and wine bar by night. It’s a Yes to both for me!
📍@Usaginy in Dumbo is an art gallery, with small bookstore and gift shop, and cafe…but their in-house freshly made onigiri is 😘👌🏾
📍@pplnyc in Williamsburg is rustic, and pretty, and cute…and yeah, the coffee’s good!
📍@bluebrown_nyc in Williamsburg stole my heart when I first visited last year on my birthday. I love the vibe of this community cafe and the creativity they bring to their pastries and drinks.
📍@Devocionusa (anywhere), though my local spot is Dumbo. I love that they are all about the coffee…and just the coffee. No fancy, trends here. Come for the impeccable coffee, and delicious pastries, and cool vibes. But mostly, the coffee.

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Today me and mine played at the Keff Joons pop-up in Dumbo, Brooklyn. This is @cj_hendry latest art installation where they transformed a Brooklyn warehouse into balloon-filled dreamscape and playground for all. There is no fee and the earlier you arrive the shorter the wait. Once inside you become one with the art in a fun and dramatic way. But hurry! The installation is only up till April 20th! 

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