The wilds of Alaska, British Columbia, and Yosemite Valley are three locations beloved by travelers looking to escape into the beauty of nature and explore the outdoors—and all three destinations will have even more to offer this upcoming year. These destinations all include brand-new accommodations and experiences launching soon in 2024, so book your next wild adventure now.
At Tutka Bay Lodge, wellness is woven skillfully into each day at the lodge. Within the Wild cuisine, cooking classes, adventure activities, and opportunities to explore in nature all add to the overall wellness culture at the lodge. To offer a deeper connection to nature and one’s self, Tutka Bay Lodge’s new regenerative wellness program offered all summer long includes daily outdoor yoga, as well as meditation, which can be practiced on a kayak or paddle board for a floating meditative treatment, and guided intentional breathing to find inner stillness, self-reflection, and grounding.
Taking advantage of the lodge’s unique location, Forest Therapy incorporates guided hikes into an old-growth rainforest or deep into the nearby Kachemak Bay State Park and Reiki in the wild where an expert uses gentle hand movements to guide the flow of healthy energy through the body to reduce stress and promote healing. From this ideal setting, guests can immerse themselves in sound bathing, which incorporates a full-body listening experience that intentionally uses sound to invite gentle, yet powerful, therapeutic and restorative processes to nurture the mind and body. Back at the lodge, a Wilderness Tea Lounge invites guests to gather herbs and berries from the forest to create a healthy and healing tea, which can be enjoyed before or after a Reiki in the Wild session or Herb & Salt Scrub Treatment. In addition to these offerings, the lodge has two hot tubs, a wood-fired sauna, and a private beach. A yurt is located near the forest, which guests can access anytime to stretch and do some weight-training with dumbbells and kettlebells. Within the Wild cuisine, cooking classes, adventure activities, or on-site property engagements with nature all add to our overall wellness culture at the lodge.
Tutka Bay Lodge is also thrilled to announce their upcoming ‘Wellness in the Wild’ program retreats for 2024, scheduled in spring (May 24-27) and fall (Sept 20-23). Led by Hope Aguirre, the Wellness Director, guests are invited to immerse themselves in the healing power of nature, embracing the beauty of pristine waters and refreshing bay air. This transformative program encompasses eight core pillars: Connect, Grow, Heal, Create, Listen, Eat, Learn, and Move. At Tutka Bay Lodge, visitors will discover a sanctuary of balance, tranquility, and rejuvenation in the awe-inspiring Alaska wilderness, providing the perfect environment for focus and inner peace.
- Connect – Facilitate connections with the land, local natives, fellow participants, and, most importantly, oneself. Amidst the enchantment of our magical old-growth forest, find a special tree, the sanctuary for this transformative journey.
- Grow – Embrace hope for the future. Sustainability and regeneration are woven into every retreat aspect, from learning new skills to silent walks to joyful time shared at the table, encouraging reflective and purposeful living.
- Hea l- Experience the healing power of the natural world. Connect with the land and sea living pulse through meditative walks, hikes along Grace Ridge, and discovering the curative properties of wild things. Feel the energy of trees and embrace them and create your salt scrub using sea salt harvested from the ocean, complemented by wild herbs and flowers.
- Create – Liberate your mind, and inspiration will follow. Engage with talented hosts to make local spruce tip incense, experiment with natural pigment watercolors, and create fish prints. Unwind with glacial facial masks crafted from glacier ice, glacial mud, and seaweed freshly harvested from the ocean.
- Listen – Immerse in a symphony of sounds, allowing them to envelop and transport you to heightened awareness through sound bathing. Experience the transformative power of sound and celebrate the rhythmic undulations of the sea, the whispers of wind through the forest, and the harmonious melodies of birdsong. Explore the enchanting harmonics created by singing bowls, bells, harps, and the human voice.
- Eat – At Tutka Bay Lodge, food tells the story of who they are, who lived there in the distant past, and perhaps who will be here in the future. Learn about the cuisine, the cultural story of Alutiiq and Dena’ Ina natives, the Russian occupation, and Scandinavian fishermen settlers. Learn how to forage for wild edibles and craft your gathered treasures into delicious works of art worthy of any Michelin-starred restaurant.
- Learn – Naturalist outdoor guides bring you deep into our old-growth Sitka Spruce Forest. Guides will share skills such as plant identification, animal tracking, and fire starting. The Spring retreat will marvel at being at near-full light at midnight and capturing the early morning dawn chorus. The Fall retreat will spend time looking at the stars and the bioluminescence in the bay.
- Move – In the heart of the seaside sanctuary, discover solace and immerse in exhilarating pursuits. The expansive deck, overlooking the ocean, becomes a base for practicing yoga while absorbing the invigorating sea breeze. Enjoy evening music and dancing, bonfires on the nearby beach, and stories. Sea kayaking offers an up-close encounter with the rhythmic ocean waves – and a potential whale sighting. Water-based wellness activities, including aqua yoga and hot-cold therapy, provide a harmonious blend of relaxation and exercise, embraced by the soothing environment of Tutka Bay.
To learn more and book a stay or retreat visit www.withinthewild.com.
Canada’s award-winning hospitality brand Basecamp Resorts today announced Basecamp Suites Revelstoke (112 2nd Street East, Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada) will open to guests on May 17 2024, with reservations now available to book online. The modern boutique hotel was intentionally designed for travelers seeking comfort, style and convenience while visiting one of Canada’s most spectacular and thrilling mountain towns.
Located in downtown Revelstoke, with easy access to shopping, dining, entertainment and adventures, and just a 10-minute drive from world-famous Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Basecamp Suites Revelstoke redefines the quintessential mountain getaway. The brand new hotel boasts 31 spacious suites – from three-bedroom to micro-studios – each featuring a fully equipped kitchen, living/dining areas, a washer/dryer and stunning mountain views. Additional amenities include communal outdoor rooftop hot tubs, high-end bedding and furniture, shuttle services and a full-service front desk.
“Revelstoke is a must visit Canadian mountain town, filled with incredible culture, art, craft breweries and restaurants, stunning scenery and limitless adventures. We are thrilled to be opening another hotel in this beautiful pristine destination, and to provide visitors with a home-away-from-home while they take in all that Revelstoke has to offer,” said Sky McLean, founder and CEO, Basecamp Resorts.
A dynamic mountain community with a rich heritage, loved for its small-town charm and big mountain adventure, Revelstoke is a year-round paradise nestled in the Kootenay Rockies. Adventure seekers can partake in world-class skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, rafting, paragliding and more. Downtown Revelstoke offers visitors a range of vibrant and diverse culture to enjoy including independent restaurants, cafes, breweries, shops, museums, live music, art galleries, public art, markets and festivals,
Tucked between the Monashee and Selkirk Mountain Ranges of southeastern British Columbia, home to the Columbia River, and located in the world’s only inland temperate rainforest filled with old growth forests, Revelstoke is renowned for its natural splendors and is known as a mecca for thrill-seekers.
Welcoming guests this May 2024, Firefall Ranch offers an unparalleled blend of rustic elegance, exceptional nature-forward experiences, and sustainable travel practices, all within minutes of Yosemite’s popular northwest entrance. A beckoning retreat for discerning travelers, the Ranch comprises 55 thoughtfully designed, stand-alone cottages and villas dispersed amongst 300 acres of serene meadowland and forested rolling hills. The Ranch’s name takes inspiration from the eagerly anticipated natural marvel of Firefall — an annual phenomenon that takes place in world-famous Yosemite Valley when each February the sunlight streams perfectly through the thin cascade of water at Horsetail Fall, transforming it into a breathtaking, fiery orange stream over the sheer face of iconic El Capitan.
Firefall Ranch invites guests to embrace a world away from the everyday, offering not only accommodations but a private and enveloping connection with the surrounding natural beauty of Yosemite. A ‘destination within a destination,’ Firefall Ranch features 55 stand-alone cottages and villas with one, two, and three-bedroom configurations. Each cottage and villa boasts a double-sided indoor/outdoor fireplace, an expansive covered deck, and striking design details. Luxurious and relaxed, Firefall Ranch stands as a secluded haven with its own hiking trails, leading guests through the private forested hillside with stunning vistas that overlook the entire ranch. A natural pond adds to the tranquility, providing a peaceful spot for reflection, while carved pathways procure space for calming walks and bathing in the soothing sounds of redwing blackbirds. The main grounds are flat, ensuring easy accessibility for guests to enjoy the property throughout the seasons. Firefall Ranch is now taking reservations for stays starting May 1, 2024. For additional information, please visit firefallranch.com .
The signature Restaurant at Firefall Ranch presents an upscale yet playful approach to modern mountain cuisine. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, flavorful menus are rooted in natural hardwood grilling, include delicious and healthy mountain fare, and top it all off with a delectable selection of fresh desserts made daily. Adjacent to the Restaurant is a private wine room that showcases a well-balanced collection of wines from accomplished vintners in California and around the world. The Tavern, a separate, more casual dining experience, is a memorable gathering spot after an adventurous day. Amidst a lively and comfortable atmosphere, guests can enjoy hand-crafted cocktails, curated wines, craft beers, and free-spirited non-alcoholic drinks. Lastly, The General Store provides a rich array of gifts and treats along with essentials for all of your Yosemite adventures, from made-to-order coffees to trail-ready breakfasts and lunches to happy hour supplies.
Firefall Ranch offers a seasonally rotating activities calendar that ensures a variety of experiences for guests of all ages. Designed for kids and kids at heart, daily activities include nightly fireside s’mores, stargazing, crafts, wine tastings, and more. The heated pool and hot tubs offer family-friendly fun in the summer and romantic sunsets in quieter seasons. Outdoor activities include bocce ball, horseshoes, ping pong, hammocks, and serene scenic vistas. The inviting Guest Lounge includes a double-sided fireplace, cozy seating, games, and panoramic views. Guests can also enjoy a plethora of guided excursions, from driving tours of the park’s iconic sites to adventurous hikes, biking, snowshoeing, fly fishing, overnight backpacking, and even a private airplane ride over the park. The Recreation Desk and dedicated team assists guests in planning recreation, exploration, and wellness activities. For a full-service spa experience, guests are encouraged to visit nearby sister resort, Rush Creek Lodge & Spa.
In addition to recreational activities, Firefall Ranch offers flexible, indoor and outdoor function spaces for unforgettable retreats, weddings, and group gatherings. The breathtaking event space, Peregrine Hall, with towering cathedral ceilings and dramatic custom woodwork, provides an elevated view of the forested surroundings and can accommodate groups from 50 to 225 people — providing endless options for unforgettable events.