Jennifer's Wellness Vacation in Sedona

1) What do you love about traveling?

Discovery and adventure are what motivate me to travel and seek new experiences. The popular quote, "We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us." really speaks to me. When traveling, all our senses are sharpened- everything from taking in new sights, tasting unfamiliar dishes, and hearing different languages spoken! I love immersing myself in all the history that is encountered along the way- history of art, architecture, and cuisine, just to name a few. Returning home, I always feel inspired yet filled with renewed gratitude for the life my family and I have created. 

2) Regarding this featured trip, where did you go? When? Who?

This August I traveled to beautiful Sedona, Arizona for the first time. It was actually a solo trip since it is a busy time of year for my husband and daughter. I knew I had to take the opportunity to escape my daily routine while I could. It was my second solo trip and, as a woman, I have found that solo traveling offers me a sense of freedom and a confidence boost. Depending on your destination, one easily meets other like-minded travelers and you experience everything in a more heightened sense of connectivity.

3) What made you choose this destination?

I had mentioned to my husband that some type of wellness trip might be nice since he wasn't able to get away.  The next thing I knew, he had contacted Doris and she had some amazing options. The resort Doris recommended stood out to me because of the gorgeous accommodations and fabulous reviews.  Between Doris and the resort, my experience was personalized with a perfect balance between adventure and relaxation.

4) What were some trip highlights?

At the all-inclusive resort I especially enjoyed the spa services, the yoga and qi gong classes, the astronomer-led star gazing event, the healthy lifestyle juicing discussion, and evening sound meditation. Although it is hot in Sedona in August, I was on Eastern Standard Time and loved my energizing early morning hikes in Boynton Canyon. Another highlight for me was definitely taking a helicopter tour of gorgeous Sedona! The ride was smooth and exhilarating and I can't wait to do it again. Another memorable moment was shopping for turquoise jewelry offered by artists of Navajo heritage off the side of picturesque Oak Creek Vista.

5) What surprised you the most?

Besides the spectacular beauty of Sedona, what has surprised me most is how I have continued to benefit physically and mentally. I have been inspired to incorporate more nature, movement, and healthy food into my daily life. The absolute best thing is that I have been sleeping longer. I feel like I have learned how to reset myself when I need to again with meditation, massage, clean eating, and fitness. I embrace this sense of renewal!

6) Where would you like to travel to next?

I would love to travel to Turkey! Before I visit someplace new I enjoy reading about the area's history and this country offers so much in terms of architecture, religion, migration, and geography. Last year I went to Rwanda for the first time and I definitely want to return to Africa and experience Kenya and South Africa. I also think that a trip to Ireland may be in our future since that is where my husband would most like to visit.

Kurt and Luisanna go to Japan

1) What do you love about traveling?

We love seeing new places! There’s something really special about immersing yourself in a new culture, trying different cuisines, and seeing the world from a different perspective. We enjoy exploring new cities, visiting iconic sites, and learning about the history of the people and culture. Traveling has become something we love doing together, and Doris has provided such personalized experiences for us that we wouldn’t do it any other way!

2) Regarding this featured trip, where did you go? When? Who?

We went to Japan! We visited Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto on a five-day adventure. We went in the middle of April 2025. I went with my spouse, and we made the most of every moment together. Kyoto ended up being our favorite spot, it was so charming and peaceful and we absolutely loved the food in Osaka.

3) What made you choose this destination?

We had never been to Asia before and Japan has always been at the top of our list. We were drawn to its unique mix of tradition and modern life, its rich history, and of course, the incredible food. We also timed our visit during sakura (cherry blossom) season, which made everything even more magical with all of the blooming flowers.

4) What were some trip highlights?

The Zen tea ceremony in Kyoto was unforgettable, it gave us such a deep appreciation for Japanese culture and hospitality. It was truly peaceful and powerful, allowing for deep introspection. We also loved having private tours in Tokyo and Kyoto that were personalized just for us. It allowed us to explore these incredible cities at our pace, which allowed us to squeeze a lot into a relatively short period of time. The guides were incredibly accommodating and knowledgeable, constantly ensuring we were enjoying our time together and fitting in everything we wanted to see.

5) What surprised you the most?

How peaceful and quiet some of the busiest places could be—even in the heart of Tokyo. We would stumble upon little moments of stillness: a beautiful shrine tucked between highrises, or a quiet alley hiding a cozy ramen shop. The seamless blend of modern and ancient architecture was fascinating. And surprisingly, for such a huge city, Tokyo was incredibly clean!

6) Where would you like to travel to next?

We’re hoping to visit Morocco, Egypt, or Thailand. Each place has such a rich culture and history that we’d love to experience. With a baby on the way, we’ll see which destination ends up being the most kid-friendly, but the dream to keep exploring the world together is still very much alive.